Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) stands as a fundamental metric that holds the key to a company's financial success and long-term sustainability. ROIC goes beyond traditional profitability measures, shedding light on how efficiently a company utilizes its invested capital to generate returns. In the landscape of business, a high ROIC is a crucial indicator of a the ability to create value for shareholders and navigate the complexities of the market.
ROIC is calculated with a quite simple formula: Net Operating Profit After Taxes (NOPAT) divided by Invested Capital.
Presented in another way, a company's growth can be calculated using the reinvestment rate. Growth = ROIC * reinvestment rate. Thus, a high ROIC means that the company is able to expand profitably by consuming a reasonable amount of capital.
ROIC by sector
Different sectors have varying capital requirements, risk profiles, and growth expectations. A high ROIC in a specific sector may indicate a company's adeptness at navigating the unique challenges and capital structures of that industry. Additionally, sector-specific benchmarks for ROIC provide valuable insights into the competitive landscape, allowing investors to gauge how well a company performs relative to its peers. Understanding the nuances of ROIC within a particular sector is essential for making informed investment decisions and assessing a company's ability to outperform in its specific market environment.
As the ROIC depends on the sector, it is important to benchmark similar companies in the same sector. A higher ROIC will often signify a better-managed company, more aligned with the interests of its shareholders, and possessing competitive advantages.
What a high ROIC reveals about a company
A high ROIC is synonymous with efficiency. It reflects the company's ability to generate significant returns while utilizing capital judiciously. Moreover, a high ROIC underscores a company's commitment to creating value for its shareholders. It signals a dedication to generating profits and ensuring that every invested dollar contributes meaningfully to the bottom line. This alignment with shareholder interests is always something important when it comes to Total Shareholder Return.
Competitive advantages also come to the forefront when examining a high ROIC. Companies has qualities, whether in operational efficiency, innovation, or a superior market position.
Some examples of high ROIC companies
To finish this article, let’s discover some interesting high 5 year-average ROIC companies:
Automatic Data Processing 30.0%
Vertex Pharmaceuticals: 5yr average ROIC 30.9%
Microsoft 27.7%
Visa 25.5%
Evolution 40.5%
Novo Nordisk 65.5%
Adobe 25.9%
Arista Networks 25.5%
Pro Medicus 43.1
Conclusion
In conclusion, ROIC is a signal for investors, offering valuable insights into a company's efficiency, profitability, and competitive advantages. Improving the average ROIC of a portfolio means ensuring to find companies that choose to align their interests with those of their shareholders.