Stock Analysis on Net

ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)

$24.99

Economic Value Added (EVA)

Microsoft Excel

EVA is registered trademark of Stern Stewart.

Economic value added or economic profit is the difference between revenues and costs,where costs include not only expenses, but also cost of capital.

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Economic Profit

ConocoPhillips, 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 figures exhibit considerable volatility over the observed periods. Starting from a negative value in 2020, there is a substantial positive increase in 2021, which more than doubles in 2022. A notable decline occurs in 2023, followed by a further decrease in 2024, though the values remain positive in the latter two years. This pattern suggests fluctuations in operational profitability, with peak performance occurring in 2022.
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital shows a gradual upward trend from 2020 through 2022, peaking at 15.36% in 2022. Subsequently, a slight decline is observed in the following years, stabilizing near 14.7% in 2024. This indicates relative stability with minor fluctuations in the company’s capital costs, potentially reflecting changes in market conditions or risk profile.
Invested Capital
Invested capital increases consistently over the period, rising from approximately $50.9 billion in 2020 to over $106 billion in 2024. The most significant growth occurs between 2023 and 2024, indicating substantial capital deployment or asset accumulation. This steady expansion suggests ongoing investment activities and an increasing asset base.
Economic Profit
Economic profit shows a challenging trajectory. It remains negative in 2020 and 2021, though the deficit narrows significantly by 2021's end. A sharp improvement results in a positive economic profit in 2022, signaling value creation during this peak performance year. However, economic profit nearly zeroes in 2023 and turns negative again in 2024. This pattern may imply that despite operational improvements, the returns on invested capital have struggled to consistently exceed the cost of capital in recent years.

Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

ConocoPhillips, 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 income (loss) attributable to ConocoPhillips
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance2
Increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve3
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents4
Interest and debt expense
Interest expense, operating lease liability5
Adjusted interest and debt expense
Tax benefit of interest and debt expense6
Adjusted interest and debt expense, after taxes7
Interest income
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income8
Investment income, after taxes9
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 allowance.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in LIFO reserve. See details »

4 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income (loss) attributable to ConocoPhillips.

5 2024 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

6 2024 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest and debt expense = Adjusted interest and debt expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

7 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income (loss) attributable to ConocoPhillips.

8 2024 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

9 Elimination of after taxes investment income.


Net Income (Loss) Attributable to ConocoPhillips

The net income attributable to the company demonstrated significant volatility over the analyzed period. In 2020, the figure was a substantial loss of 2,701 million US dollars, indicating a challenging financial year. However, a dramatic recovery occurred in 2021, with net income rising to 8,079 million US dollars, reflecting a strong turnaround.

The upward trend continued in 2022, with net income reaching a peak of 18,680 million US dollars, more than doubling the previous year's performance. Despite a notable decline in 2023 to 10,957 million US dollars, net income remained robust and significantly positive. In 2024, the figure further declined to 9,245 million US dollars, representing a tapering off of profitability but maintaining a solid profit level relative to earlier years.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)

The net operating profit after taxes followed a pattern similar to net income, though with some differences in magnitude. The company recorded a negative NOPAT of 2,991 million US dollars in 2020, aligning with the overall loss experienced that year.

A sharp improvement occurred in 2021, with NOPAT rising to 10,273 million US dollars. This growth trend accelerated in 2022, reaching a peak at 21,159 million US dollars, which was the highest point in the observed period. Subsequently, NOPAT decreased to 12,357 million US dollars in 2023 and then to 9,976 million US dollars in 2024.

Despite these declines in the last two years, NOPAT remained significantly positive, indicating continued operational profitability post-tax, though at a lower level than the peak in 2022.

Overall Trend Summary

The financial results demonstrate a recovery from significant losses in 2020 to strong profitability in subsequent years. Both net income and NOPAT peaked in 2022, followed by decreases in the later years of 2023 and 2024, suggesting a potential moderation in earnings after a period of exceptional growth.

The alignment in trends between net income and NOPAT suggests consistent operational performance after tax impacts are considered. The decline after the peak year may indicate changing market conditions, operational challenges, or strategic shifts impacting profitability, but the company remains financially robust relative to 2020 lows.


Cash Operating Taxes

ConocoPhillips, 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 provision (benefit)
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit)
Add: Tax savings from interest and debt 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 Provision (Benefit)
The income tax provision exhibited significant volatility over the five-year period. In 2020, the provision was a benefit amounting to -485 million USD, indicating a tax credit or refund. This trend reversed dramatically in 2021 with a substantial increase to 4633 million USD, followed by further escalation in 2022 reaching 9548 million USD. Thereafter, the provision declined notably in 2023 to 5331 million USD and continued to decrease in 2024 to 4427 million USD. This pattern suggests a shift from a net tax benefit to considerable tax expenses, peaking in 2022 before trending downward in subsequent years.
Cash Operating Taxes
Cash operating taxes demonstrated an overall upward trajectory from 2020 through 2022, increasing from 502 million USD in 2020 to 7594 million USD in 2022. However, after this peak, the amount decreased significantly to 4270 million USD in 2023 and saw a slight further reduction to 4150 million USD in 2024. This indicates that while the company’s cash tax payments rose sharply in the initial years, they moderated in the most recent periods.
Comparative Insights
Both the income tax provision and cash operating taxes followed similar trends with increases up to 2022 and subsequent declines. The notable spike in 2022 for both metrics may reflect higher taxable income or changes in tax rates or structures influencing the tax liabilities. The subsequent decline may indicate improved tax planning, tax rate reductions, or decreased taxable income in the latter years.

Invested Capital

ConocoPhillips, 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 debt
Long-term debt
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Common stockholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance3
LIFO reserve4
Equity equivalents5
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax6
Noncontrolling interests
Adjusted common stockholders’ equity
Marketable 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 allowance for doubtful accounts receivable.

4 Addition of LIFO reserve. See details »

5 Addition of equity equivalents to common stockholders’ equity.

6 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

7 Subtraction of marketable securities.


Total Reported Debt & Leases
The total reported debt and leases exhibit a fluctuating yet overall increasing trend from 2020 through 2024. The debt rose significantly from 16,154 million in 2020 to a peak of 20,601 million in 2021, followed by a decline to 17,188 million in 2022. Subsequently, the debt increased again, reaching 19,634 million in 2023 and further escalating to 25,348 million by the end of 2024. This pattern indicates periods of both deleveraging and increased borrowing or lease obligations, with a notable surge in the final reported year.
Common Stockholders’ Equity
Common stockholders’ equity demonstrates a consistent upward trajectory across all years presented. Starting at 29,849 million in 2020, equity grew substantially each year, reaching 45,406 million in 2021, 48,003 million in 2022, and 49,279 million in 2023. The growth accelerates notably in 2024 with equity rising to 64,796 million. This steady increase reflects a strengthening equity base, likely supported by retained earnings growth and possibly additional equity issuance or valuation gains.
Invested Capital
Invested capital shows an overall growth trend with slight volatility. Beginning at 50,870 million in 2020, it increased sharply to 76,355 million in 2021 but then edged down marginally to 75,520 million in 2022. Afterwards, invested capital resumed growth, climbing to 81,278 million in 2023 and making a more pronounced leap to 106,371 million in 2024. The upward movement in invested capital corresponds with the increases in both equity and debt, indicating expanding asset bases or capital expenditures that may be financed through both debt and equity.

Cost of Capital

ConocoPhillips, cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt, including finance leases3 ÷ = × × (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, including finance leases. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt, including finance leases3 ÷ = × × (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, including finance leases. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt, including finance leases3 ÷ = × × (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, including finance leases. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt, including finance leases3 ÷ = × × (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, including finance leases. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Debt, including finance leases3 ÷ = × × (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, including finance leases. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

ConocoPhillips, 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
Chevron Corp.
Exxon Mobil Corp.

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 exhibited significant fluctuations over the analyzed periods. In 2020, it showed a substantial negative value of -10,066 million USD, indicating economic losses. This negative trend improved markedly in 2021 to -952 million USD, nearing break-even. A strong positive spike occurred in 2022 with a profit of 9,556 million USD. However, subsequent years saw a decline again, with near zero profit in 2023 (47 million USD) followed by a return to negative economic profit (-5,686 million USD) in 2024.
Invested Capital
The invested capital demonstrated a steady increasing trend throughout the period. Starting at 50,870 million USD in 2020, it escalated significantly to 76,355 million USD by the end of 2021. Despite a slight decline in 2022 to 75,520 million USD, the capital rose again in the following years, reaching 81,278 million USD in 2023 and peaking at 106,371 million USD in 2024, reflecting ongoing investment or asset growth.
Economic Spread Ratio
The economic spread ratio mirrored the trends observed in economic profit. It was highly negative at -19.79% in 2020 and improved sharply to -1.25% in 2021, approaching a neutral position. In 2022, the ratio turned positive at 12.65%, indicating value creation exceeding capital costs. In 2023, it nearly neutralized at 0.06%, then deteriorated again to a negative ratio of -5.35% in 2024, suggesting the firm faced increased costs of capital or lower returns relative to invested capital.
Overall Insights
The data indicates that the company experienced a volatile economic profitability profile over the five-year span. Despite consistent growth in invested capital, which suggests ongoing investment or asset accumulation, the company faced variable returns that did not consistently exceed the cost of capital. The strong positive economic profit and spread in 2022 were not sustained in the following years, highlighting potential challenges in operational efficiency, market conditions, or capital utilization. The negative economic profit in 2024, coupled with the largest invested capital in the period, raises concerns about the effectiveness of newly deployed capital or prevailing economic factors adversely impacting returns.

Economic Profit Margin

ConocoPhillips, 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
Sales and other operating revenues
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Chevron Corp.
Exxon Mobil Corp.

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 ÷ Sales and other operating revenues
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Sales and other operating revenues
The sales and other operating revenues exhibit significant volatility over the five-year period. Starting at $18,784 million at the end of 2020, revenues more than doubled to $45,828 million by the end of 2021. The peak is observed in 2022 with revenues reaching $78,494 million, followed by a notable decline to $56,141 million in 2023 and a further slight decrease to $54,745 million in 2024. Despite the fluctuations, the overall trend from 2020 to 2024 shows an upward movement with some degree of instability in recent years.
Economic profit
The economic profit shows a marked improvement from a large negative value of -$10,066 million in 2020 to a near-break-even point of -$952 million in 2021. The year 2022 registers a strong positive economic profit of $9,556 million, indicating a period of substantial profitability. However, this positive trend does not sustain as the value drops sharply to $47 million in 2023 and turns negative again at -$5,686 million in 2024. This suggests high variability in profit generation, with significant gains in 2022 but setbacks in subsequent years.
Economic profit margin
The economic profit margin reflects a similar pattern to the economic profit. It improves dramatically from -53.59% in 2020 to -2.08% in 2021, reaching a positive peak of 12.17% in 2022. This improvement signifies enhanced efficiency or profitability relative to sales during that year. However, the margin declines sharply to 0.08% in 2023 and further deteriorates to -10.39% in 2024, indicating a reversal to loss-making conditions relative to revenues. The margins illustrate considerable fluctuations which mirror the volatility in economic profit.