DuPont analysis

Graphical representation of DuPont analysis.

DuPont Analysis (also known as the dupont identity, DuPont equation, DuPont Model or the DuPont method) is an expression which breaks ROE (return on equity) into three parts.

The name comes from the DuPont Corporation that started using this formula in the 1920s. DuPont explosives salesman Donaldson Brown invented this formula in an internal efficiency report in 1912.

Basic formula

ROE = (Profit margin)*(Asset turnover)*(Equity multiplier) = (Net profit/Sales)*(Sales/Assets)*(Assets/Equity)= (Net Profit/Equity)

• Profitability (measured by profit margin)
• Operating efficiency (measured by asset turnover)
• Financial leverage (measured by equity multiplier)

ROE analysis

The Du Pont identity breaks down Return on Equity (that is, the returns that investors receive from the firm) into three distinct elements. This analysis enables the analyst to understand the source of superior (or inferior) return by comparison with companies in similar industries (or between industries).

The Du Pont identity is less useful for industries such as investment banking, in which the underlying elements are not meaningful. Variations of the Du Pont identity have been developed for industries where the elements are weakly meaningful.

Examples

High margin industries

Other industries, such as fashion, may derive a substantial portion of their competitive advantage from selling at a higher margin, rather than higher sales. For high-end fashion brands, increasing sales without sacrificing margin may be critical. The Du Pont identity allows analysts to determine which of the elements is dominant in any change of ROE.

High turnover industries

Certain types of retail operations, particularly stores, may have very low profit margins on sales, and relatively moderate leverage. In contrast, though, groceries may have very high turnover, selling a significant multiple of their assets per year. The ROE of such firms may be particularly dependent on performance of this metric, and hence asset turnover may be studied extremely carefully for signs of under-, or, over-performance. For example, same store sales of many retailers is considered important as an indication that the firm is deriving greater profits from existing stores (rather than showing improved performance by continually opening stores).

High leverage industries

Some sectors, such as the financial sector, rely on high leverage to generate acceptable ROE. Other industries would see high levels of leverage as unacceptably risky. Du Pont analysis enables third parties that rely primarily on their financial statements to compare leverage among similar companies.

ROA and ROE ratio

The return on assets (ROA) ratio developed by DuPont for its own use is now used by many firms to evaluate how effectively assets are used. It measures the combined effects of profit margins and asset turnover.

$\text{ROA} = \frac{\text{Net income}}{\text{Sales}} \times \frac{\text{Sales}}{\text{Total assets}} = \frac{\text{Net income}}{\text{Total assets}}$

The return on equity (ROE) ratio is a measure of the rate of return to stockholders. Decomposing the ROE into various factors influencing company performance is often called the Du Pont system.

$\text{ROE} = \frac{\text{Net income}}{\text{Equity}} = \frac{\text{Net income}}{\text{Pretax income}} \times \frac{\text{Pretax income}}{\text{EBIT}} \times \frac{\text{EBIT}}{\text{Sales}} \times \frac{\text{Sales}}{\text{Assets}} \times \frac{\text{Assets}}{\text{Equity}}$

Where

• Net income = net income after taxes
• Equity = shareholders' equity
• EBIT = Earnings before interest and taxes

This decomposition presents various ratios used in fundamental analysis.

• The company's tax burden is (Net income ÷ Pretax profit). This is the proportion of the company's profits retained after paying income taxes. [NI/EBT]
• The company's interest burden is (Pretax income ÷ EBIT). This will be 1.00 for a firm with no debt or financial leverage. [EBT/EBIT]
• The company's operating income margin or return on sales (ROS) is (EBIT ÷ Sales). This is the operating income per dollar of sales. [EBIT/Sales]
• The company's asset turnover (ATO) is (Sales ÷ Assets).
• The company's leverage ratio is (Assets ÷ Equity), which is equal to the firm's [[debt to equity ratio]+1] . This is a measure of financial leverage.
• The company's return on assets (ROA) is (Return on sales x Asset turnover).
• The company's compound leverage factor is (Interest burden x Leverage).

ROE can also be stated as:

ROE = Tax burden x Interest burden x Margin x Turnover x Leverage

ROE = Tax burden x ROA x Compound leverage factor

Profit margin is (Net income ÷ Sales), so the ROE equation can be restated:

$\text{ROE} = \frac{\text{Net income}}{\text{Sales}} \times \frac{\text{Sales}}{\text{Assets}} \times \frac{\text{Assets}}{\text{Equity}}$

External links

• Free Video Tutorial on DuPont Analysis
• Decoding DuPont Analysis
• DuPont analysis