Stock Analysis on Net

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc. (NASDAQ:WBD)

$22.49

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since November 4, 2022.

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

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Economic Profit

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2021 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc.
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance for credit losses2
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues3
Increase (decrease) in restructuring and other liabilities4
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents5
Interest expense, net
Interest expense, operating lease liability6
Adjusted interest expense, net
Tax benefit of interest expense, net7
Adjusted interest expense, net, after taxes8
Interest income
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income9
Investment income, after taxes10
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance for credit losses.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in deferred revenues.

4 Addition of increase (decrease) in restructuring and other liabilities.

5 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc..

6 2021 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

7 2021 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense, net = Adjusted interest expense, net × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

8 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income (loss) available to Discovery, Inc..

9 2021 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

10 Elimination of after taxes investment income.


Net Income (Loss) Available to Discovery, Inc.
The net income experienced significant fluctuations over the five-year period. In 2017, the company reported a net loss of 337 million USD. A substantial turnaround occurred in 2018, with net income improving sharply to 594 million USD. This positive trend continued through 2019, peaking at 2069 million USD, indicating a phase of strong profitability. However, subsequent years showed a decline, with net income falling to 1219 million USD in 2020 and further down to 1006 million USD in 2021. Despite this decline, net income remained positive and considerably higher than the 2017 loss, reflecting sustained profitability after the initial recovery.
Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
NOPAT mirrored a similar trajectory to net income but on a different scale. The value was negative in 2017 at -121 million USD, indicating operational challenges. A sharp recovery took place in 2018 as NOPAT increased substantially to 1195 million USD. This improvement continued in 2019, reaching a high point of 2393 million USD, which suggests enhanced operational efficiency and profitability. However, the subsequent years showed a downward trend with NOPAT decreasing to 1788 million USD in 2020 and 1066 million USD in 2021. This decline suggests that while operations remained profitable, perhaps operational cost pressures or other factors impacted the efficiency or scale of profit generation.
Overall Trends and Insights
Both net income and NOPAT demonstrate a recovery from losses in 2017 to strong profitability in 2019. This trend indicates successful strategic or operational changes during these years. However, the decline in the last two years suggests emerging challenges or market conditions affecting profitability. Despite this decline, the company maintained positive earnings, indicating resilience. The gap between NOPAT and net income also suggests consistent tax impacts and possibly financing costs that moderated net income compared to operating profits.

Cash Operating Taxes

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Provision for income taxes
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest expense, net
Less: Tax imposed on investment income
Cash operating taxes

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).


Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes fluctuated significantly over the analyzed period. Starting at 176 million US dollars in 2017, it increased sharply to 341 million in 2018. This was followed by a notable decline to 81 million in 2019. Subsequently, the provision rose again to 373 million in 2020 before decreasing to 236 million in 2021. These fluctuations indicate variability in the company’s taxable income or tax planning strategies over the years.
Cash Operating Taxes
Cash operating taxes demonstrated a generally increasing trend throughout the period. From 537 million US dollars in 2017, the amount increased steadily to 627 million in 2018 and further to 728 million in 2019. Although there was a slight decline to 698 million in 2020, the figure rebounded to reach a peak of 880 million in 2021. This overall upward trajectory may suggest growing taxable operations or changes in tax payment timing and cash flow management.

Invested Capital

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Finance lease liabilities, current
Current portion of debt
Noncurrent portion of debt
Finance lease liabilities, noncurrent
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Total Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance for credit losses3
Deferred revenues4
Restructuring and other liabilities5
Equity equivalents6
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax7
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Noncontrolling interests
Adjusted total Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity
Assets under construction8
Equity investments with readily determinable fair values9
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 Addition of capitalized operating leases.

2 Elimination of deferred taxes from assets and liabilities. See details »

3 Addition of allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.

4 Addition of deferred revenues.

5 Addition of restructuring and other liabilities.

6 Addition of equity equivalents to total Discovery, Inc. stockholders’ equity.

7 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

8 Subtraction of assets under construction.

9 Subtraction of equity investments with readily determinable fair values.


The financial data reveals several notable trends over the five-year period ending December 31, 2021. The total reported debt and leases exhibited fluctuation rather than a consistent trajectory. Starting at approximately $14.99 billion in 2017, the debt increased notably to about $17.78 billion in 2018. Subsequently, it declined over the next three years, reaching approximately $15.64 billion in 2021. This suggests a period of increased borrowing followed by a gradual reduction or restructuring of debt obligations.

Stockholders’ equity showed a consistent and robust upward trend throughout the period. Beginning at $4.61 billion in 2017, equity rose sharply to approximately $8.39 billion in 2018 and continued to increase steadily year-over-year, reaching about $11.60 billion by 2021. This steady growth in equity indicates an improvement in the company’s net asset position and indicates potentially positive retained earnings or capital injections over time.

Invested capital peaked in 2018 at approximately $31.26 billion, having increased significantly from $21.15 billion in 2017. Following 2018, invested capital remained relatively stable through 2021, hovering around $30.7 billion without substantial increase or decrease. This stabilization after an initial sharp rise could imply a plateau in new investments or acquisitions during the latter part of the period under review.

Total Reported Debt & Leases
Increased from 2017 to 2018, then gradually decreased each subsequent year, ending lower in 2021 than its peak.
Total Stockholders’ Equity
Displayed continuous and steady growth across the entire period, indicating strengthening financial foundations.
Invested Capital
Experienced a significant rise from 2017 to 2018, followed by a plateau, remaining relatively unchanged from 2018 through 2021.

Cost of Capital

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Total debt and finance lease liabilities3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Total debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Total debt and finance lease liabilities3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Total debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Total debt and finance lease liabilities3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Total debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Total debt and finance lease liabilities3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Total debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Total debt and finance lease liabilities3 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 35.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Total debt and finance lease liabilities. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Alphabet Inc.
Charter Communications Inc.
Comcast Corp.
Meta Platforms Inc.
Netflix Inc.
Walt Disney Co.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2021 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Economic Profit Margin

Warner Bros. Discovery Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
 
Revenues
Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues
Adjusted revenues
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Alphabet Inc.
Charter Communications Inc.
Comcast Corp.
Meta Platforms Inc.
Netflix Inc.
Walt Disney Co.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2021 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted revenues
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.