Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net

Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE:LMT)

$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

Lockheed Martin Corp., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1
Cost of capital2
Invested capital3
 
Economic profit4

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2025 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= × =


The analysis of economic value added reveals a period of inconsistent value creation characterized by fluctuating operational profits despite a stable cost of capital and a generally expanding capital base.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
A volatile trend is observed in NOPAT, which reached a peak of 6,983 million in 2023 before experiencing a significant decline to 5,464 million in 2024. A partial recovery to 6,105 million occurred in 2025, indicating a lack of linear growth in operational profitability over the five-year period.
Cost of Capital
The cost of capital remained highly stable, oscillating within a narrow range between 7.18% and 7.33%. This consistency suggests that the company's weighted average cost of capital was not a primary driver of the fluctuations in economic profit.
Invested Capital
Following a contraction in 2022 to 26,603 million, invested capital demonstrated a steady upward trajectory, increasing to 30,349 million by 2025. This represents a consistent increase in the total resources deployed into the business.
Economic Profit
Economic profit remained positive throughout the entire period, confirming that the organization consistently generated returns exceeding its cost of capital. The movements in economic profit closely mirror those of NOPAT, peaking in 2023 at 5,003 million and reaching a minimum in 2024 at 3,396 million. The divergence between the growing invested capital and the fluctuating economic profit indicates that recent capital expansions have not yet translated into a sustained increase in value creation.


Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Lockheed Martin Corp., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Net earnings
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents2
Interest expense
Interest expense, operating lease liability3
Adjusted interest expense
Tax benefit of interest expense4
Adjusted interest expense, after taxes5
(Gain) loss on marketable securities
Investment income, before taxes
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income6
Investment income, after taxes7
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net earnings.

3 2025 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= × =

4 2025 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

5 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net earnings.

6 2025 Calculation
Tax expense (benefit) of investment income = Investment income, before tax × Statutory income tax rate
= × 21.00% =

7 Elimination of after taxes investment income.


Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) exhibited fluctuations over the five-year period. While generally tracking closely with net earnings, NOPAT demonstrated a slightly different trajectory, particularly in the earlier years. An initial observation reveals a period of growth followed by contraction and subsequent recovery.

Overall Trend
NOPAT began at US$6,442 million in 2021, experienced a slight decrease to US$5,745 million in 2022, then increased substantially to US$6,983 million in 2023. A subsequent decline to US$5,464 million occurred in 2024, followed by a recovery to US$6,105 million in 2025. This pattern suggests sensitivity to underlying operational factors and potentially external economic conditions.
Comparison to Net Earnings
In 2021 and 2022, NOPAT was marginally higher than net earnings. This difference narrowed in 2023, with NOPAT exceeding net earnings by US$63 million. In 2024, the difference widened again, with net earnings falling more significantly than NOPAT. By 2025, NOPAT surpassed net earnings by US$1,088 million, indicating a divergence in the factors impacting reported net income versus core operational profitability.
Year-over-Year Changes
The largest year-over-year increase in NOPAT occurred between 2022 and 2023, with a growth of US$1,238 million. The most substantial decrease was observed between 2023 and 2024, representing a decline of US$1,519 million. The final period, from 2024 to 2025, showed a positive change of US$641 million, indicating a return to growth after the 2024 dip.

The fluctuations in NOPAT warrant further investigation to determine the underlying drivers. Factors such as changes in revenue, operating expenses, and tax rates could contribute to these observed patterns. The increasing difference between NOPAT and net earnings in the later years also suggests a need to analyze non-operating items impacting net income.



Cash Operating Taxes

Lockheed Martin Corp., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Federal and foreign income tax expense
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: 2025-12-31), 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).


The reported federal and foreign income tax expense exhibited volatility over the five-year period. It decreased from US$1,235 million in 2021 to US$948 million in 2022, before increasing to US$1,178 million in 2023. A subsequent decline to US$884 million was noted in 2024, followed by a modest increase to US$905 million in 2025.

Cash operating taxes demonstrated a different pattern. An initial increase from US$1,500 million in 2021 to US$1,910 million in 2022 was observed. This was followed by a decrease to US$1,825 million in 2023 and a further reduction to US$1,662 million in 2024. A significant decrease occurred in 2025, with cash operating taxes falling to US$723 million.

Trend Analysis - Cash Operating Taxes
Cash operating taxes generally decreased over the period from 2022 to 2025. The most substantial decline occurred between 2024 and 2025, representing a reduction of approximately US$939 million. This suggests a potential shift in the timing of tax payments relative to reported income, or a change in underlying tax liabilities.
Relationship between Tax Expense and Cash Taxes
A consistent difference exists between federal and foreign income tax expense and cash operating taxes. Cash operating taxes were consistently higher than the reported tax expense from 2021 through 2024. However, in 2025, cash operating taxes fell below the reported tax expense. This divergence could be attributable to factors such as deferred tax assets, tax credits, or differences in accounting versus cash-based tax calculations.
Potential Implications
The substantial decrease in cash operating taxes in 2025 warrants further investigation. It could indicate improved tax efficiency, changes in tax legislation, or a temporary reduction in taxable income. The difference between reported tax expense and cash taxes should be examined to understand the underlying drivers and potential impact on future cash flows.

The fluctuations in both reported tax expense and cash operating taxes suggest a dynamic tax environment. Continued monitoring of these figures is recommended to assess the sustainability of observed trends and their impact on overall financial performance.



Invested Capital

Lockheed Martin Corp., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Current maturities of long-term debt
Long-term debt, net, excluding current portion
Operating lease liability1
Total reported debt & leases
Stockholders’ equity
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2
Equity equivalents3
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax4
Adjusted stockholders’ equity
Construction in progress5
Marketable securities6
Invested capital

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).

1 Addition of capitalized operating leases.

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

3 Addition of equity equivalents to stockholders’ equity.

4 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

5 Subtraction of construction in progress.

6 Subtraction of marketable securities.


The composition of invested capital exhibits notable shifts over the five-year period. Total reported debt & leases consistently increased, while stockholders’ equity experienced a decline before stabilizing. These movements significantly influence the overall invested capital figure.

Total Reported Debt & Leases
A clear upward trend is observed in total reported debt & leases, increasing from US$13,076 million in 2021 to US$22,771 million in 2025. The rate of increase accelerated between 2021 and 2023, then moderated slightly in the subsequent two years. This suggests a growing reliance on debt financing.
Stockholders’ Equity
Stockholders’ equity demonstrated a substantial decrease from US$10,959 million in 2021 to US$6,333 million in 2023. A modest recovery is then seen, with equity reaching US$6,721 million in 2025. This decline and subsequent stabilization may be attributable to factors such as share repurchases, dividend payments, or retained earnings performance.
Invested Capital
Invested capital initially decreased from US$28,620 million in 2021 to US$26,603 million in 2022, coinciding with the decline in stockholders’ equity. It then experienced a gradual increase, reaching US$30,349 million in 2025. The increasing trend in debt appears to be the primary driver of this overall increase in invested capital in the later years, offsetting the earlier decline and the relatively flat equity position.

The interplay between debt and equity significantly shapes the invested capital base. The increasing debt levels, coupled with the initial decrease and subsequent stabilization of equity, suggest a changing capital structure. Further investigation into the reasons behind these trends would be beneficial for a comprehensive understanding of the company’s financial position.



Cost of Capital

Lockheed Martin Corp., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Outstanding debt3 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Operating lease liability4 ÷ = × × (1 – 21.00%) =
Total:

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Outstanding debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Outstanding debt3 ÷ = × × (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 Outstanding debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Outstanding debt3 ÷ = × × (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 Outstanding debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Outstanding 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 Outstanding debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 ÷ = × =
Outstanding 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 Outstanding debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »



Economic Spread Ratio

Lockheed Martin Corp., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Invested capital2
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Boeing Co.
Caterpillar Inc.
Eaton Corp. plc
GE Aerospace
Honeywell International Inc.
RTX Corp.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2025 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × ÷ =

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


An analysis of the economic value added metrics reveals a period of volatility in profitability coupled with a consistent expansion of the invested capital base from 2022 through 2025.

Economic Spread Ratio Trends
The spread ratio exhibited significant fluctuations, reaching a peak of 18.24% in 2023, which indicates the highest level of efficiency in generating returns above the cost of capital during the period. A sharp contraction occurred in 2024, with the ratio falling to 11.80%, the lowest recorded value, before demonstrating a slight recovery to 12.81% in 2025.
Economic Profit Dynamics
Economic profit followed a volatile trajectory, mirroring the movement of the spread ratio. After a decline in 2022, profit peaked at US$ 5,003 million in 2023. A substantial decrease followed in 2024, with profit dropping to US$ 3,396 million, followed by a moderate increase to US$ 3,889 million in 2025. This pattern suggests that value creation has been subject to periodic instability.
Invested Capital Utilization
Invested capital experienced an initial dip to US$ 26,603 million in 2022 but maintained a steady upward trend thereafter, culminating in US$ 30,349 million by 2025. The increase in invested capital during 2024 and 2025 coincided with a compression of the economic spread ratio, indicating that the additional capital deployed did not immediately translate into proportional gains in economic profit.


Economic Profit Margin

Lockheed Martin Corp., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2025 Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1
Sales
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Boeing Co.
Caterpillar Inc.
Eaton Corp. plc
GE Aerospace
Honeywell International Inc.
RTX Corp.

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2025 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Sales
= 100 × ÷ =

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The analysis of economic value creation from 2021 to 2025 reveals a period of volatility in economic profit despite a consistent upward trajectory in total sales starting in 2023. While revenue growth suggests expanding market presence or increased contract values, the economic profit margin indicates that the company has faced challenges in converting these sales into value exceeding the cost of capital.

Sales Performance
A general growth trend is observed in sales, which rose from 67,044 million USD in 2021 to 75,048 million USD by 2025. Aside from a minor contraction in 2022, the revenue stream expanded steadily, particularly between 2023 and 2025, demonstrating a sustained increase in top-line growth.
Economic Profit Volatility
Economic profit does not correlate linearly with sales growth. The value peaked in 2023 at 5,003 million USD before experiencing a significant decline to 3,396 million USD in 2024. A moderate recovery occurred in 2025, with economic profit rising to 3,889 million USD, although this remains below the levels seen in 2021 and 2023.
Economic Profit Margin Trends
The economic profit margin fluctuated throughout the period, reaching a high of 7.40% in 2023. A notable divergence occurred in 2024; while sales increased to 71,043 million USD, the economic profit margin dropped to its lowest point of 4.78%. This indicates that the cost of capital or operational expenses grew disproportionately relative to revenue. By 2025, the margin saw a slight recovery to 5.18%, suggesting a marginal improvement in capital efficiency.

Overall, the data indicates a trend where increasing scale in sales has not consistently translated into higher economic value. The sharp contraction in the economic profit margin during 2024 suggests a period of reduced capital efficiency, followed by a stabilization phase in 2025.