Stock Analysis on Net
Stock Analysis on Net

Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE:TWC)

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since April 28, 2016.

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.


Economic Profit

Time Warner Cable Inc., economic profit calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2014 Dec 31, 2013 Dec 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2011
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT)1 3,391 3,745 3,388 3,807 3,328
Cost of capital2 12.75% 11.50% 11.71% 9.56% 10.02%
Invested capital3 45,332 44,929 44,327 46,124 44,961
 
Economic profit4 (2,387) (1,423) (1,802) (601) (1,177)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31).

1 NOPAT. See details »

2 Cost of capital. See details »

3 Invested capital. See details »

4 2015 Calculation
Economic profit = NOPAT – Cost of capital × Invested capital
= 3,391 – 12.75% × 45,332 = -2,387


The financial performance from 2011 to 2015 is characterized by a persistent inability to generate positive economic profit, indicating that the returns on invested capital consistently failed to meet the required cost of capital throughout the analyzed period.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT)
NOPAT exhibited volatility without a clear linear trend. The figure peaked at 3,807 million USD in 2012 and 3,745 million USD in 2014, while dropping to its lowest point of 3,328 million USD in 2011. By the end of 2015, NOPAT stood at 3,391 million USD, suggesting a stagnation in operational profitability over the five-year span.
Cost of Capital
There is a general upward trajectory in the cost of capital. After a slight decrease to 9.56% in 2012, the rate rose significantly to 11.71% in 2013 and reached a period high of 12.75% by December 31, 2015. This increasing trend reflects a rising threshold for the return required to create value for shareholders.
Invested Capital
The total invested capital remained relatively stable, fluctuating within a narrow range between 44,327 million USD and 46,124 million USD. The lack of significant growth or contraction in the capital base indicates that the decline in economic profit was not driven by aggressive capital expansion, but rather by operational and capital cost factors.
Economic Profit Analysis
Economic profit remained negative for the entire duration, signifying a consistent destruction of shareholder value. While there was a partial recovery in 2012, where the deficit narrowed to -601 million USD, the situation deteriorated sharply thereafter. The negative value widened to -2,387 million USD by 2015. This decline is primarily attributed to the combination of stagnating NOPAT and a rising cost of capital acting upon a large, stable base of invested capital.

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Net Operating Profit after Taxes (NOPAT)

Time Warner Cable Inc., NOPAT calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2014 Dec 31, 2013 Dec 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2011
Net income attributable to TWC shareholders 1,844 2,031 1,954 2,155 1,665
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)1 593 756 363 562 638
Increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts2 (15) 32 12 3 (12)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue and subscriber-related liabilities3 26 10 5 14 6
Increase (decrease) in restructuring reserves4 4 (35) 16 (6) 11
Increase (decrease) in equity equivalents5 608 763 396 573 643
Interest expense 1,402 1,419 1,555 1,614 1,524
Interest expense, operating lease liability6 42 44 43 41 42
Adjusted interest expense 1,444 1,463 1,598 1,655 1,566
Tax benefit of interest expense7 (506) (512) (559) (579) (548)
Adjusted interest expense, after taxes8 939 951 1,038 1,075 1,018
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest — — — 4 2
Net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) 3,391 3,745 3,388 3,807 3,328

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31).

1 Elimination of deferred tax expense. See details »

2 Addition of increase (decrease) in allowance for doubtful accounts.

3 Addition of increase (decrease) in deferred revenue and subscriber-related liabilities.

4 Addition of increase (decrease) in restructuring reserves.

5 Addition of increase (decrease) in equity equivalents to net income attributable to TWC shareholders.

6 2015 Calculation
Interest expense on capitalized operating leases = Operating lease liability × Discount rate
= 681 × 6.22% = 42

7 2015 Calculation
Tax benefit of interest expense = Adjusted interest expense × Statutory income tax rate
= 1,444 × 35.00% = 506

8 Addition of after taxes interest expense to net income attributable to TWC shareholders.


The financial performance between 2011 and 2015 is characterized by volatility in both operating profitability and net earnings. Both net income and net operating profit after taxes (NOPAT) exhibit a similar cyclical pattern, peaking in 2012 and experiencing subsequent fluctuations through 2015.

Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT) Trends
NOPAT demonstrated an initial increase from US$ 3,328 million in 2011 to a peak of US$ 3,807 million in 2012. A contraction occurred in 2013, bringing the value down to US$ 3,388 million, followed by a recovery to US$ 3,745 million in 2014. The period concluded with a decrease to US$ 3,391 million in 2015, returning the figure to levels nearly identical to those seen in 2013.
Net Income Trends
Net income attributable to shareholders followed a trajectory closely aligned with NOPAT. From a base of US$ 1,665 million in 2011, earnings rose to US$ 2,155 million in 2012. Subsequent years showed a decline to US$ 1,954 million in 2013, a marginal increase to US$ 2,031 million in 2014, and a final reduction to US$ 1,844 million in 2015.
Analysis of Operating vs. Net Profitability
A significant and consistent gap is observed between NOPAT and net income throughout the analyzed period. NOPAT consistently remained substantially higher than net income, indicating that non-operating expenses—most notably interest payments on debt—had a material impact on the final earnings available to shareholders. The high degree of correlation between the movement of NOPAT and net income suggests that the fluctuations in shareholder earnings were primarily driven by operational performance rather than shifts in the company's financing costs or capital structure.

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Cash Operating Taxes

Time Warner Cable Inc., cash operating taxes calculation

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
12 months ended: Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2014 Dec 31, 2013 Dec 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2011
Income tax provision 1,144 1,217 1,085 1,177 795
Less: Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 593 756 363 562 638
Add: Tax savings from interest expense 506 512 559 579 548
Cash operating taxes 1,057 973 1,281 1,194 705

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31).


The financial data reveals a fluctuating relationship between the income tax provision and cash operating taxes from 2011 to 2015. While the income tax provision remained relatively stable after an initial increase in 2012, cash operating taxes exhibited greater volatility, peaking in 2013 before experiencing a significant decline in 2014.

Income Tax Provision Trends
The income tax provision grew from 795 million USD in 2011 to 1,177 million USD in 2012. For the subsequent three years, the provision remained within a consistent range, fluctuating between a low of 1,085 million USD in 2013 and a peak of 1,217 million USD in 2014, eventually settling at 1,144 million USD in 2015.
Cash Operating Tax Dynamics
Cash operating taxes showed a sharper upward trajectory in the early period, rising from 705 million USD in 2011 to a peak of 1,281 million USD by 2013. This trend reversed sharply in 2014, where cash taxes dropped to 973 million USD, representing a significant decrease from the preceding year. A moderate recovery occurred in 2015, with taxes increasing to 1,057 million USD.
Analysis of Variance and EVA Implications
A notable divergence exists between accrual-based tax provisions and actual cash tax outflows. In 2012 and 2013, cash operating taxes exceeded the income tax provision, indicating higher immediate cash outflows relative to recognized accounting expenses. In contrast, during 2014 and 2015, the income tax provision exceeded cash operating taxes. These variances are significant for Economic Value Added (EVA) analysis, as the use of cash operating taxes instead of accounting provisions provides a more accurate reflection of the actual cash available to the firm and its capital efficiency.

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Invested Capital

Time Warner Cable Inc., invested capital calculation (financing approach)

US$ in millions

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2014 Dec 31, 2013 Dec 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2011
Current maturities of long-term debt 5 1,017 1,767 1,518 2,122
Long-term debt, excluding current maturities 22,497 22,701 23,285 25,171 24,320
Operating lease liability1 681 740 724 689 696
Total reported debt & leases 23,183 24,458 25,776 27,378 27,138
Total TWC shareholders’ equity 8,995 8,013 6,943 7,279 7,530
Net deferred tax (assets) liabilities2 12,830 12,291 11,764 10,963 9,931
Allowance for doubtful accounts3 94 109 77 65 62
Deferred revenue and subscriber-related liabilities4 224 198 188 183 169
Restructuring reserves5 12 8 43 27 33
Equity equivalents6 13,160 12,606 12,072 11,238 10,195
Accumulated other comprehensive (income) loss, net of tax7 414 324 (44) 663 559
Noncontrolling interests 4 4 4 4 7
Adjusted total TWC shareholders’ equity 22,573 20,947 18,975 19,184 18,291
Construction in progress8 (424) (476) (424) (438) (468)
Invested capital 45,332 44,929 44,327 46,124 44,961

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31).

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 deferred revenue and subscriber-related liabilities.

5 Addition of restructuring reserves.

6 Addition of equity equivalents to total TWC shareholders’ equity.

7 Removal of accumulated other comprehensive income.

8 Subtraction of construction in progress.


The financial data reveals a strategic shift in the capital structure between 2011 and 2015, characterized by a systematic reduction in debt obligations and a corresponding strengthening of the equity base, all while maintaining a stable level of total invested capital.

Total Reported Debt and Leases
A consistent downward trend is observed in total debt and leases starting after 2012. From a peak of 27,378 million US$ in 2012, the balance decreased annually, reaching 23,183 million US$ by December 31, 2015. This represents a total contraction of approximately 15.3% from the 2012 high, indicating a concerted effort toward deleveraging.
Total Shareholders’ Equity
Shareholders' equity experienced a period of decline between 2011 and 2013, falling from 7,530 million US$ to a low of 6,943 million US$. However, a significant reversal occurred thereafter, with equity growing to 8,013 million US$ in 2014 and further increasing to 8,995 million US$ by 2015. This upward trajectory suggests an improvement in the company's solvency and a shift toward equity-based funding.
Invested Capital
Despite the fluctuations in debt and equity, the total invested capital remained remarkably stable over the five-year period. The value fluctuated within a narrow corridor, peaking at 46,124 million US$ in 2012 and reaching a minimum of 44,327 million US$ in 2013, before closing at 45,332 million US$ in 2015. This stability indicates that the total asset base utilized to generate economic value remained constant, while the internal financing mix transitioned from debt toward equity.

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Cost of Capital

Time Warner Cable Inc., cost of capital calculations

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 52,402 52,402 ÷ 76,796 = 0.68 0.68 × 16.80% = 11.46%
Debt3 23,713 23,713 ÷ 76,796 = 0.31 0.31 × 6.22% × (1 – 35.00%) = 1.25%
Operating lease liability4 681 681 ÷ 76,796 = 0.01 0.01 × 6.22% × (1 – 35.00%) = 0.04%
Total: 76,796 1.00 12.75%

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 42,062 42,062 ÷ 71,236 = 0.59 0.59 × 16.80% = 9.92%
Debt3 28,434 28,434 ÷ 71,236 = 0.40 0.40 × 5.95% × (1 – 35.00%) = 1.54%
Operating lease liability4 740 740 ÷ 71,236 = 0.01 0.01 × 5.95% × (1 – 35.00%) = 0.04%
Total: 71,236 1.00 11.50%

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 40,225 40,225 ÷ 66,185 = 0.61 0.61 × 16.80% = 10.21%
Debt3 25,236 25,236 ÷ 66,185 = 0.38 0.38 × 5.88% × (1 – 35.00%) = 1.46%
Operating lease liability4 724 724 ÷ 66,185 = 0.01 0.01 × 5.88% × (1 – 35.00%) = 0.04%
Total: 66,185 1.00 11.71%

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 25,692 25,692 ÷ 58,165 = 0.44 0.44 × 16.80% = 7.42%
Debt3 31,784 31,784 ÷ 58,165 = 0.55 0.55 × 5.89% × (1 – 35.00%) = 2.09%
Operating lease liability4 689 689 ÷ 58,165 = 0.01 0.01 × 5.89% × (1 – 35.00%) = 0.05%
Total: 58,165 1.00 9.56%

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »

Capital (fair value)1 Weights Cost of capital
Equity2 24,392 24,392 ÷ 51,530 = 0.47 0.47 × 16.80% = 7.95%
Debt3 26,442 26,442 ÷ 51,530 = 0.51 0.51 × 6.04% × (1 – 35.00%) = 2.01%
Operating lease liability4 696 696 ÷ 51,530 = 0.01 0.01 × 6.04% × (1 – 35.00%) = 0.05%
Total: 51,530 1.00 10.02%

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31).

1 US$ in millions

2 Equity. See details »

3 Debt. See details »

4 Operating lease liability. See details »


Economic Spread Ratio

Time Warner Cable Inc., economic spread ratio calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2014 Dec 31, 2013 Dec 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2011
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1 (2,387) (1,423) (1,802) (601) (1,177)
Invested capital2 45,332 44,929 44,327 46,124 44,961
Performance Ratio
Economic spread ratio3 -5.27% -3.17% -4.06% -1.30% -2.62%
Benchmarks
Economic Spread Ratio, Competitors4
Alphabet Inc. — — — — —
Comcast Corp. — — — — —
Meta Platforms Inc. — — — — —
Netflix Inc. — — — — —
Walt Disney Co. — — — — —

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 Invested capital. See details »

3 2015 Calculation
Economic spread ratio = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Invested capital
= 100 × -2,387 ÷ 45,332 = -5.27%

4 Click competitor name to see calculations.


Between 2011 and 2015, the company consistently failed to generate positive economic value, as evidenced by negative economic profit and economic spread ratios throughout the entire five-year period. This indicates that the returns generated by the business were insufficient to cover the cost of the capital employed.

Economic Profit Trends
Economic profit remained in negative territory across all reported years. While a partial recovery occurred in 2012, where losses narrowed to -601 million USD, a subsequent downturn followed. The period concluded with a significant deterioration in 2015, reaching a five-year low of -2,387 million USD. This volatility suggests an inability to stabilize earnings above the cost of capital threshold.
Invested Capital Stability
Invested capital remained relatively stagnant, fluctuating within a narrow range between 44,327 million USD and 46,124 million USD. The lack of significant growth or contraction in the capital base indicates that the fluctuations in economic profit were driven by operational performance or changes in the cost of capital rather than by aggressive expansion or divestment of assets.
Economic Spread Ratio Analysis
The economic spread ratio, which measures the difference between the return on invested capital and the cost of capital, mirrored the volatility of the economic profit. The ratio peaked at -1.30% in 2012 before declining sharply. By December 31, 2015, the spread ratio reached its lowest point at -5.27%. The persistent negative spread confirms a sustained destruction of shareholder value over the analyzed timeframe.

The correlation between the stability of invested capital and the widening negative economic spread suggests a declining efficiency in capital utilization. The acceleration of losses in 2015 represents a significant decline in economic performance relative to the start of the period.

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Economic Profit Margin

Time Warner Cable Inc., economic profit margin calculation, comparison to benchmarks

Microsoft Excel
Dec 31, 2015 Dec 31, 2014 Dec 31, 2013 Dec 31, 2012 Dec 31, 2011
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Economic profit1 (2,387) (1,423) (1,802) (601) (1,177)
 
Revenue 23,697 22,812 22,120 21,386 19,675
Add: Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue and subscriber-related liabilities 26 10 5 14 6
Adjusted revenue 23,723 22,822 22,125 21,400 19,681
Performance Ratio
Economic profit margin2 -10.06% -6.23% -8.14% -2.81% -5.98%
Benchmarks
Economic Profit Margin, Competitors3
Alphabet Inc. — — — — —
Comcast Corp. — — — — —
Meta Platforms Inc. — — — — —
Netflix Inc. — — — — —
Walt Disney Co. — — — — —

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31).

1 Economic profit. See details »

2 2015 Calculation
Economic profit margin = 100 × Economic profit ÷ Adjusted revenue
= 100 × -2,387 ÷ 23,723 = -10.06%

3 Click competitor name to see calculations.


The financial performance from 2011 to 2015 is characterized by a persistent inability to generate positive economic value, despite a consistent increase in adjusted revenue. While the top-line growth remained steady throughout the period, the economic profit remained negative, indicating that the company's operating returns were insufficient to cover its cost of capital.

Adjusted Revenue Growth
A consistent upward trend is observed in adjusted revenue, which grew from US$ 19,681 million in 2011 to US$ 23,723 million by 2015. This represents a steady expansion of the business scale over the five-year duration.
Economic Profit Volatility
Economic profit remained negative for the entire duration, exhibiting significant volatility. A brief improvement occurred in 2012, where losses narrowed to US$ 601 million. However, this was followed by a sharp decline in 2013 and a peak deficit of US$ 2,387 million in 2015, marking the most significant value destruction within the analyzed timeframe.
Economic Profit Margin Trends
The economic profit margin mirrors the volatility of the absolute economic profit. The margin reached its highest point in 2012 at -2.81%, suggesting a temporary narrowing of the gap between returns and the cost of capital. Subsequently, the margin deteriorated, reaching its lowest point of -10.06% in 2015. The divergence between rising revenues and a declining profit margin indicates that the growth in scale did not translate into improved economic efficiency or value creation.

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