Stock Analysis on Net

AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV)

$24.99

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

Economic Profit

AbbVie Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2024 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
The NOPAT showed significant fluctuation across the period. It increased sharply from 4,455 million USD in 2020 to a peak of 12,362 million USD in 2021, followed by a slight decline to 11,543 million USD in 2022. A notable decrease occurred in 2023, dropping to 3,292 million USD, with a marginal recovery to 4,563 million USD in 2024. This pattern indicates a period of strong profitability in 2021 and 2022, succeeded by a substantial contraction and mild improvement thereafter.
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital exhibited a gradual upward trend, rising from 7.84% in 2020 to 9.52% in 2024. The increase suggests a growing expense associated with financing, potentially reflecting higher risk perceptions or changes in market conditions affecting the required return on invested capital.
Invested Capital
Invested capital consistently declined over the five-year span, decreasing from 103,725 million USD in 2020 to 69,263 million USD in 2024. The reduction was steady each year, indicating divestitures, asset sales, or other capital management strategies aimed at reducing the investment base.
Economic Profit
The economic profit displayed volatility, moving from a negative value of -3,678 million USD in 2020 to positive levels of 4,059 million USD in 2021 and 3,936 million USD in 2022. This was followed by a return to negative values, -3,170 million USD in 2023 and -2,031 million USD in 2024. The fluctuations suggest periods where the company generated returns above its cost of capital, interspersed with intervals where returns fell below cost, indicating variable value creation performance.

Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

AbbVie Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Net earnings attributable to AbbVie Inc.
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in restructuring reserve2
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents3
Interest expense
Interest expense, operating lease liability4
Adjusted interest expense
Tax benefit of interest expense5
Adjusted interest expense, after taxes6
Interest income
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income7
Investment income, after taxes8
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in restructuring reserve.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net earnings attributable to AbbVie Inc..

4 2024 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

5 2024 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

6 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net earnings attributable to AbbVie Inc..

7 2024 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

8 Elimination of after taxes investment income.


The financial data reveals significant fluctuations in key profitability metrics over the five-year period from 2020 to 2024. Net earnings attributable to the company show a marked increase between 2020 and 2021, more than doubling from 4,616 million USD to 11,542 million USD. This upward trend continued slightly into 2022, reaching 11,836 million USD. However, a sharp decline is observed in 2023, where net earnings drop to 4,863 million USD, followed by a further decrease in 2024 to 4,278 million USD.

Similarly, net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) exhibits a strong growth trajectory in the initial years, rising from 4,455 million USD in 2020 to 12,362 million USD in 2021, before slightly decreasing to 11,543 million USD in 2022. In contrast to the early upward momentum, NOPAT experiences a significant fall in 2023 to 3,292 million USD, although it recovers somewhat in 2024 to 4,563 million USD.

Net Earnings Attributable to the Company
Demonstrated substantial growth in the first two years, peaking in 2022.
Experienced a pronounced decline in the subsequent years, reaching the lowest point in 2024 within the presented timeframe.
Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
Followed a similar pattern to net earnings, with rapid growth through 2021, slight reduction in 2022.
Showed a sharp decline beginning in 2023, with modest recovery in 2024 albeit remaining well below earlier peak levels.

Overall, the data points toward a period of strong profitability gains up to 2022, followed by notable erosion in both net earnings and NOPAT over the last two years. The decline in profitability metrics during 2023 and 2024 suggests the presence of operational challenges or market conditions adversely impacting financial performance. The partial resurgence of NOPAT in 2024 hints at potential stabilization or early signs of financial recovery.


Cash Operating Taxes

AbbVie Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Income tax expense (benefit)
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest expense
Less: Tax imposed on investment income
Cash operating taxes

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).


Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Trend
The income tax expense exhibited significant volatility over the analyzed period. It began with a notable benefit of -$1,224 million at the end of 2020, indicating a tax gain or credit that reduced tax burden during that year. This reversed sharply in 2021 to a tax expense of $1,440 million, then further increased to $1,632 million in 2022. In 2023, it slightly decreased but remained high at $1,377 million. However, in 2024, the income tax expense again turned negative, showing a benefit of -$570 million. This pattern suggests fluctuating tax positions or adjustments possibly due to changes in tax regulations, earnings variations, or deferred tax accounting impacts.
Cash Operating Taxes Trend
The cash operating taxes consistently increased from 2020 through 2023, indicating increasing cash payments for taxes despite fluctuations in reported income tax expense. In 2020, cash taxes were $1,585 million, which rose significantly each year to reach $4,625 million in 2023. However, in 2024, there was a notable decline in cash operating taxes to $1,339 million, which is substantially lower than the prior years. This decline could suggest a one-time tax payment adjustment, changes in taxable income, tax credits utilization, or other operational tax strategies impacting cash outflows.
General Observations
While reported income tax expenses fluctuated between benefits and expenses, cash taxes paid showed a general increasing trend until a sharp drop in 2024. The divergence between income tax expense and cash operating taxes through the years implies differences between accounting recognition of tax expenses and actual tax payments, which is common in companies with complex tax structures. The decline in both income tax expense and cash operating taxes in 2024 may indicate significant tax planning outcomes or shifts in profitability affecting tax liabilities.

Invested Capital

AbbVie Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Short-term borrowings
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations, excluding current portion
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Stockholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Restructuring reserve3
Equity equivalents4
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax5
Noncontrolling interest
Adjusted stockholders’ equity
Construction in progress6
Available-for-sale investment securities7
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 Addition of capitalized operating leases.

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

3 Addition of restructuring reserve.

4 Addition of equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity.

5 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

6 Subtraction of construction in progress.

7 Subtraction of available-for-sale investment securities.


The financial data over the provided periods reveal several significant trends related to debt, equity, and capital structure.

Total reported debt & leases
The total reported debt and leases exhibit a decreasing trend from 87,063 million USD at the end of 2020 to 60,286 million USD by the end of 2023, reflecting a substantial reduction in leverage over the first four years. However, in 2024, there is a noticeable increase to 68,019 million USD, indicating a reversal of the prior downward trend in debt levels.
Stockholders’ equity
Stockholders' equity initially increases from 13,076 million USD in 2020 to a peak of 17,254 million USD in 2022. Subsequently, it declines sharply to 10,360 million USD in 2023 and continues to deteriorate significantly in 2024, dropping to 3,325 million USD. This steep decrease in equity over the last two years suggests increased challenges with retained earnings or potential capital losses.
Invested capital
Invested capital shows a consistent downward trajectory, reducing from 103,725 million USD in 2020 to 68,204 million USD in 2023. Unlike other trends, invested capital appears to stabilize in 2024 with a slight increase to 69,263 million USD, signaling a possible floor or minor recovery in invested assets or operational capital use.

Overall, the data suggest a focused effort on debt reduction from 2020 to 2023 accompanied by increasing equity till 2022. However, the last two years highlight financial stress with declining equity and rising debt, raising concerns about the company’s capital structure stability and financial leverage. The decline and subsequent stabilization in invested capital corroborate a contraction phase followed by an attempt to maintain or increment operational investment.


Cost of Capital

AbbVie Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance lease obligations3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt and finance lease obligations. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance lease obligations3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt and finance lease obligations. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance lease obligations3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt and finance lease obligations. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance lease obligations3 ÷ = × × (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 Debt and finance lease obligations. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt and finance lease obligations3 ÷ = × × (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 Debt and finance lease obligations. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

AbbVie Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Amgen Inc.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
Danaher Corp.
Eli Lilly & Co.
Gilead Sciences Inc.
Johnson & Johnson
Merck & Co. Inc.
Pfizer Inc.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2024 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Economic Profit
The economic profit shows significant fluctuation across the analyzed periods. It was negative at -3678 million USD in 2020, then increased sharply to positive values of 4059 million USD in 2021 and 3936 million USD in 2022. However, it reverted back to negative territory in the following years, registering -3170 million USD in 2023 and -2031 million USD in 2024. The trend indicates volatility in profitability with notable swings between gains and losses over these years.
Invested Capital
The invested capital demonstrates a steady decline from 103,725 million USD in 2020 to 68,204 million USD in 2023, indicating a gradual reduction in the company's capital base. In 2024, the invested capital shows a slight increase to 69,263 million USD, suggesting a possible stabilization or minor reinvestment after the downward trend.
Economic Spread Ratio
The economic spread ratio mirrors the pattern observed in economic profit but is expressed in percentage terms. It was negative at -3.55% in 2020, turned positive to 4.23% in 2021 and further improved to 4.79% in 2022. Subsequently, the ratio declined sharply to negative values of -4.65% in 2023 and -2.93% in 2024. This indicates that the company’s return on invested capital exceeded its cost of capital during 2021 and 2022, but fell below cost in the following two years, reflecting decreased efficiency in generating economic value.

Economic Profit Margin

AbbVie Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Net revenues
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Amgen Inc.
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.
Danaher Corp.
Eli Lilly & Co.
Gilead Sciences Inc.
Johnson & Johnson
Merck & Co. Inc.
Pfizer Inc.
Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.
Vertex Pharmaceuticals Inc.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2024 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Net revenues
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial data reflects fluctuations in the economic profit and net revenues over the five-year period ending December 31, 2024. Several key trends and patterns can be identified from the data.

Economic Profit
Economic profit exhibited considerable volatility. It started with a negative value of -3678 million USD in 2020, turned positive in the subsequent two years reaching a peak of 4059 million USD in 2021 and 3936 million USD in 2022, then reverted to negative figures in 2023 and 2024 at -3170 million USD and -2031 million USD respectively. This pattern suggests substantial variability in the company’s ability to generate returns above its cost of capital during this period.
Net Revenues
Net revenues showed an overall upward trend, increasing from 45,804 million USD in 2020 to 56,334 million USD in 2024, with some fluctuations. Revenues rose steadily through 2021 and 2022, peaking at 58,054 million USD, but decreased in 2023 to 54,318 million USD before recovering slightly in 2024. This indicates general revenue growth with a minor hiccup in 2023.
Economic Profit Margin
The economic profit margin followed a trend consistent with the economic profit values, transitioning from negative to positive and back to negative figures. It was -8.03% in 2020, improved to 7.22% in 2021 and remained positive at 6.78% in 2022, then declined sharply to -5.84% in 2023 and improved slightly to -3.61% in 2024. The margin's volatility signals inconsistent profitability relative to revenues during the period.

In summary, while net revenues demonstrated a generally positive growth trajectory, economic profit and its margin displayed significant fluctuation. The transition from losses to profits and back to losses suggests challenges in sustaining economic value creation despite growing revenues. The decline in economic profitability in the most recent years merits attention to factors influencing cost structures, capital efficiency, or other operational aspects.