Stock Analysis on Net

Kellanova (NYSE:K)

$22.49

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since August 1, 2024.

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

Kellanova, economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 30, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 28, 2019
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-28).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2023 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


The financial performance from 2019 to 2023 exhibits significant volatility in value creation, characterized by a peak in economic profit during the middle of the period followed by a contraction and a subsequent modest recovery.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
A period of substantial growth occurred between 2019 and 2021, with NOPAT increasing from 1,016 million to a peak of 1,799 million. However, a sharp decline followed in 2022, falling to 1,089 million, and continuing a slight downward trajectory to 1,013 million by the end of 2023, effectively returning to 2019 levels.
Cost of Capital and Invested Capital
The cost of capital remained relatively stable, fluctuating within a narrow range between 7.68% and 8.31%. Invested capital remained consistent at approximately 13 billion throughout 2019 to 2022, but experienced a notable reduction in 2023, decreasing to 11,675 million.
Economic Profit Trends
Economic profit shifted from a marginal deficit of -12 million in 2019 to substantial positive values in 2020 and 2021, peaking at 722 million. This trend reversed in 2022, when the combination of declining NOPAT and a peak cost of capital (8.31%) resulted in a negative economic profit of -6 million. In 2023, despite stagnant NOPAT, the reduction in invested capital lowered the total capital charge, enabling a return to positive economic profit of 67 million.

The overall analysis indicates that while operational profitability drove value creation between 2020 and 2021, the return to positive economic profit in 2023 was primarily facilitated by capital optimization rather than operational growth.


Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Kellanova, NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 30, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 28, 2019
Net income attributable to Kellanova
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in allowance for expected credit losses2
Increase (decrease) in exit cost reserves3
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents4
Interest expense
Interest expense, operating lease liability5
Adjusted interest expense
Tax benefit of interest expense6
Adjusted interest expense, after taxes7
(Gain) loss on marketable securities
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income8
Investment income, after taxes9
(Income) loss from discontinued operations, net of tax10
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-28).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

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

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in exit cost reserves.

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

5 2023 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

6 2023 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

7 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income attributable to Kellanova.

8 2023 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

9 Elimination of after taxes investment income.

10 Elimination of discontinued operations.


The financial data reveals that net income attributable to the company exhibited notable fluctuations over the five-year period. Starting at 960 million US dollars in 2019, net income increased substantially to 1,251 million in 2020 and further to a peak of 1,488 million in 2021. However, this upward trend reversed in the subsequent years, with net income declining sharply to 960 million in 2022 and slightly decreasing again to 951 million in 2023, essentially returning to near the initial 2019 level by the end of the period.

Similarly, net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) showed strong growth in the first three years, rising from 1,016 million US dollars in 2019 to a high of 1,799 million in 2021. This represents a compound growth phase with substantial improvement in operational profitability. Following this peak, NOPAT saw a marked decline in 2022 to 1,089 million and continued to decrease moderately to 1,013 million in 2023, reaching a figure close to the starting point of 2019.

Net Income Trends
Initial growth through 2021 followed by a reversion to earlier levels by 2023.
NOPAT Trends
Strong operational profit growth until 2021, then a significant decline over the last two years.
Overall Pattern
Both net income and NOPAT peaked in 2021 and subsequently declined, erasing much of the gains made during the growth phase. This suggests challenges in sustaining profitability post-2021.

Cash Operating Taxes

Kellanova, cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 30, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 28, 2019
Income taxes
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: 2023-12-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-28).


The analysis of the annual financial data over the period from the end of 2019 through the end of 2023 reveals certain fluctuations in tax-related cash outflows.

Income Taxes
The amount of income taxes paid has exhibited variability throughout the periods. Starting at 321 million USD at the end of 2019, amounts remained relatively stable in 2020 with 323 million USD. However, there was a significant increase in 2021 to 474 million USD. Subsequently, income taxes declined sharply in 2022 to 244 million USD, followed by a slight increase to 258 million USD in 2023. This pattern suggests a peak in income tax obligations in 2021, with a marked reduction in the following years.
Cash Operating Taxes
Cash operating taxes experienced a notable decline from 536 million USD in 2019 to 317 million USD at the end of 2020. Following this dip, there was a gradual increase over the next three years, rising to 399 million USD in 2021, 340 million USD in 2022, and finally 365 million USD in 2023. Despite the upward trajectory from 2020 onwards, the cash operating taxes in 2023 remained below the 2019 level.

Overall, the data indicates a divergent trend between income taxes and cash operating taxes. Income taxes peaked in 2021 but decreased significantly afterwards, whereas cash operating taxes dropped sharply in 2020 but then experienced gradual recovery. This could reflect changes in taxable income, operational performance, or tax policies affecting the timing and amount of tax payments across the years.


Invested Capital

Kellanova, invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 30, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 28, 2019
Current maturities of long-term debt
Notes payable
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Total Kellanova equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Allowance for expected credit losses3
Exit cost reserves4
Equity equivalents5
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax6
Noncontrolling interests
Adjusted total Kellanova equity
Construction in progress7
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-28).

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 exit cost reserves.

5 Addition of equity equivalents to total Kellanova equity.

6 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

7 Subtraction of construction in progress.


Debt and Leases
There is a clear downward trend in the total reported debt and leases over the analyzed periods. From approximately 8.47 billion USD at the end of 2019, the debt load steadily decreased each year, reaching about 6.53 billion USD by the end of 2023. This suggests a consistent effort toward deleveraging or reducing liabilities during this timeframe.
Equity
Total equity exhibited growth from 2019 to 2022, increasing from roughly 2.75 billion USD to around 3.94 billion USD. However, in the final period ending 2023, there is a noticeable decline to approximately 3.18 billion USD. This drop could indicate either a return of capital to shareholders, losses, or other equity-reducing events experienced in that year.
Invested Capital
The invested capital values show relative stability but with a downward move in the most recent period. From about 13.1 billion USD in 2019, invested capital slightly increased to a peak near 13.59 billion USD by the end of 2021, before modestly declining to roughly 11.68 billion USD by the end of 2023. This decline may reflect asset sales, reduced capital expenditure, or other adjustments in company investments or assets employed.
Overall Insights
The company appears to have focused on reducing its financial leverage throughout the examined years, improving its debt profile. Despite an increase in equity until 2022, the sharp reduction in 2023 warrants attention as it contrasts with prior growth trends. The decline in invested capital in 2023 aligns with lower equity, suggesting a contraction in the company's operational or investment base. These patterns indicate strategic financial restructuring or responses to external market conditions that have impacted the company's capital structure and asset base in recent years.

Cost of Capital

Kellanova, cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Notes payable and long-term debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-30).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Notes payable and long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Notes payable and long-term debt3 ÷ = × × (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 Notes payable and long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Notes payable and long-term debt3 ÷ = × × (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 Notes payable and long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Notes payable and long-term debt3 ÷ = × × (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 Notes payable and long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Notes payable and long-term debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-28).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Notes payable and long-term debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Kellanova, economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 30, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 28, 2019
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Coca-Cola Co.
Mondelēz International Inc.
PepsiCo Inc.
Philip Morris International Inc.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-28).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2023 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Analysis of value creation reveals a period of significant volatility characterized by fluctuating economic profits and a shifting capital base between 2019 and 2023.

Economic Profit Trends
Economic profit demonstrated high variance over the five-year period. After starting with a deficit of US$ 12 million in 2019, a substantial increase occurred, peaking at US$ 722 million in 2021. This positive trajectory was abruptly reversed in 2022, when economic profit fell to a deficit of US$ 6 million, before recording a modest recovery to US$ 67 million in 2023.
Invested Capital Dynamics
The invested capital base remained relatively stable from 2019 through 2022, oscillating between US$ 13.1 billion and US$ 13.6 billion. A significant contraction is observed in 2023, with invested capital decreasing to US$ 11.675 billion, marking the lowest level in the analyzed period.
Economic Spread Ratio Analysis
The economic spread ratio mirrors the volatility seen in economic profit, reflecting the difference between the return on invested capital and the cost of capital. A negative spread of -0.09% in 2019 transitioned into a period of value creation, reaching a peak of 5.32% in 2021. However, the ratio returned to negative territory in 2022 at -0.05%, indicating that the cost of capital exceeded returns during that period. By 2023, the ratio recovered to a marginal positive value of 0.57%.

Economic Profit Margin

Kellanova, economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 30, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020 Dec 28, 2019
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Net sales
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Coca-Cola Co.
Mondelēz International Inc.
PepsiCo Inc.
Philip Morris International Inc.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-28).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2023 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Net sales
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial performance between 2019 and 2023 is characterized by significant volatility in economic value creation, contrasting with a revenue base that experienced growth followed by a sharp contraction. While a period of substantial value creation was achieved mid-cycle, the subsequent decline indicates a struggle to maintain returns above the cost of capital.

Net Sales Trends
Revenue exhibited a consistent upward trajectory from 2019 through 2022, increasing from 13,578 million USD to a peak of 15,315 million USD. This growth trend was interrupted in 2023, as net sales declined to 13,122 million USD, falling below the levels recorded at the beginning of the five-year period.
Economic Profit Volatility
Economic profit displayed extreme fluctuations over the analyzed timeframe. Following a marginal loss of 12 million USD in 2019, there was a sharp increase to 553 million USD in 2020, peaking at 722 million USD in 2021. This positive trajectory was reversed in 2022, when economic profit dropped to -6 million USD, followed by a modest recovery to 67 million USD in 2023.
Economic Profit Margin Analysis
The economic profit margin mirrors the volatility of absolute economic profit, shifting from -0.09% in 2019 to a high of 5.09% in 2021. A significant contraction occurred in 2022, resulting in a negative margin of -0.04%, signaling that the return on invested capital fell below the required threshold. The recovery to 0.51% in 2023 indicates a return to positive value creation, although the margin remains substantially lower than the 2020-2021 peak.