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 analysis of the data reveals several notable trends in the company's financial performance over the five-year period.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
The NOPAT exhibited a general upward trend from 2019 to 2021, increasing from 1,016 million to 1,799 million US dollars. However, after peaking in 2021, it experienced a significant decline in 2022 to 1,089 million, and further slightly decreased to 1,013 million in 2023, returning nearly to the 2019 level. This pattern suggests a period of growth followed by a notable contraction in operating profitability.
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital showed a relatively stable pattern with minor fluctuations during the analyzed years. Starting at 7.03% in 2019, it slightly declined to 6.88% in 2020, then gradually rose to a peak of 7.42% in 2022 before decreasing again to 7.25% in 2023. These variations indicate modest changes in the firm's required return rate, reflecting possibly varying market conditions or shifts in the company's capital structure.
Invested Capital
Invested capital experienced a gradual increase from 13,101 million US dollars in 2019 to reach a maximum of 13,587 million in 2021. This was followed by a slight decrease to 13,188 million in 2022 and a more pronounced reduction to 11,675 million in 2023. The decline in the last two years may indicate asset disposals, efficiency improvements, or a strategic reduction in capital employed.
Economic Profit
Economic profit demonstrated significant variability, beginning with a modest value of 95 million US dollars in 2019. It then rose sharply to 658 million in 2020 and peaked at 837 million in 2021, indicating strong value creation during this period. However, economic profit declined sharply to 111 million in 2022 before slightly recovering to 167 million in 2023. This pattern mirrors the fluctuations in NOPAT and invested capital and highlights challenges in maintaining value creation post-2021.

Overall, the data portrays a company that experienced growth and increasing value creation up to 2021, followed by a period of decreased profitability and economic value generation in 2022 and 2023. This shift warrants further investigation into operational challenges or changes in market conditions during the latter period. Additionally, the reduction in invested capital may reflect strategic responses to these challenges.


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.


Economic Profit
The economic profit exhibited a significant increase from 95 million US dollars at the end of 2019 to a peak of 837 million US dollars by the end of 2021. Following this peak, there was a notable decline to 111 million US dollars in 2022, with a modest recovery to 167 million US dollars by the end of 2023. This trend indicates a period of substantial profitability growth until 2021, succeeded by a sharp contraction and partial rebound in subsequent years.
Invested Capital
The invested capital showed a relatively stable trajectory with slight fluctuations over the period. Beginning at 13,101 million US dollars in 2019, it marginally increased to 13,587 million US dollars by the end of 2021. After remaining fairly steady through 2022 at 13,188 million US dollars, there was a more pronounced decrease to 11,675 million US dollars in 2023. This suggests a reduction in capital deployed or assets invested during the most recent year under review.
Economic Spread Ratio
The economic spread ratio demonstrated a similar pattern to economic profit, starting from a low base of 0.73% in 2019. It improved markedly to 6.16% by the end of 2021, reflecting enhanced efficiency or returns on invested capital. However, in 2022, this ratio sharply declined to 0.84%, then experienced a partial recovery to 1.43% in 2023. The fluctuation in the spread ratio signals volatility in the company’s ability to generate returns over its cost of capital, with a peak in 2021 followed by a contraction and mild improvement.
Summary
The overall financial data indicates that the company achieved its highest performance in terms of economic profit and economic spread by the end of 2021. The subsequent years have shown a distinct downturn in profitability and returns, accompanied by a reduction in invested capital in the latest period. These trends may reflect changing market conditions, operational challenges, or strategic adjustments impacting the company's economic value creation over the observed timeframe.

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.


Economic Profit
The economic profit exhibited significant growth from 2019 to 2021, increasing from 95 million US dollars to 837 million US dollars. This upward trend indicates an improvement in the company’s value creation over this period. However, the economic profit experienced a sharp decline in 2022, dropping to 111 million US dollars, before slightly recovering to 167 million US dollars in 2023. These fluctuations suggest challenges or changes that negatively impacted profitability after 2021, followed by a moderate recovery in the subsequent year.
Net Sales
Net sales showed a steady increase from 13,578 million US dollars in 2019 to a peak of 15,315 million US dollars in 2022. Despite this growth, sales declined notably in 2023 to 13,122 million US dollars, marking the lowest figure since 2020. This decline in sales corresponds with the downturn observed in economic profit after 2021, signaling potential market pressures or operational issues affecting revenue generation during that period.
Economic Profit Margin
The economic profit margin followed a similar pattern to economic profit. Initially, it rose from 0.7% in 2019 to a high of 5.9% in 2021, reflecting improved profitability relative to sales. In 2022, the margin contracted sharply to 0.72%, indicating a severe reduction in profitability efficiency. A minimal recovery to 1.27% was observed in 2023, though the margin remained substantially below the peak levels of earlier years.
Summary
Overall, the financial data reveals a period of growth and improved profitability from 2019 through 2021. After reaching peak performance in 2021, the company experienced a significant downturn in both economic profit and profit margin in 2022, accompanied by a decrease in net sales in 2023. This suggests the presence of adverse factors impacting financial performance post-2021. While there is some evidence of recovery in 2023, the company has not yet returned to its prior peak profitability or sales levels.