Freshpet Inc (FRPT)

Profitability ratios

Return on sales

Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Gross profit margin 40.60% 32.71% 31.25% 38.11% 41.69%
Operating profit margin 3.90% -3.97% -8.73% -5.79% -0.60%
Pretax margin 4.87% -4.11% -9.32% -6.47% -0.98%
Net profit margin 4.81% -4.38% -9.37% -6.51% -1.00%

The profitability ratios for Freshpet Inc. from December 31, 2020, to December 31, 2024, reveal significant fluctuations indicative of a period of transition towards improved financial performance.

The gross profit margin demonstrates variability over this period. Starting at 41.69% in 2020, it declined markedly to 38.11% in 2021 and further to 31.25% in 2022, reflecting increased cost pressures or changes in sales mix. However, there is an upward correction thereafter, with the margin rising to 32.71% in 2023 followed by a notable increase to 40.60% in 2024, suggesting improvements in cost management or pricing strategies.

Operating profit margins, which incorporate operating expenses, were negative throughout most of the period, indicating operational losses. The margin deteriorated from -0.60% in 2020 to -8.73% in 2022, reflecting increased operating costs or challenges in scaling profitability. Nonetheless, a positive shift is observed in 2024 where the operating margin turns to 3.90%, signaling operational efficiency gains or revenue growth that outweighs operating expenses.

Pretax margins follow a similar pattern, remaining negative for the majority of the period, declining from -0.98% in 2020 to -9.32% in 2022, before improving to 4.87% in 2024. The net profit margin aligns closely, starting at -1.00% in 2020, reaching a low of -9.37% in 2022, and then reversing course to attain 4.81% in 2024. This trend indicates a significant turnaround in profitability performance over the period, culminating in positive net margins in 2024.

Overall, the financial ratios suggest that Freshpet Inc. experienced a challenging period with operational losses and shrinking margins during 2020–2022, followed by a strategic or operational recovery culminating in profitability in 2024. The recent improvements imply enhanced efficiency, margin management, and potentially favorable market conditions or operational restructuring.


Return on investment

Dec 31, 2024 Dec 31, 2023 Dec 31, 2022 Dec 31, 2021 Dec 31, 2020
Operating return on assets (Operating ROA) 2.41% -2.08% -4.62% -3.14% -0.44%
Return on assets (ROA) 2.98% -2.30% -4.96% -3.53% -0.73%
Return on total capital 5.66% -1.83% -4.87% -3.42% -0.48%
Return on equity (ROE) 4.45% -3.53% -5.41% -3.85% -0.81%

The profitability ratios of Freshpet Inc. over the period from December 2020 to December 2024 exhibit notable changes, indicating a progressive shift in the company's financial performance.

The Operating Return on Assets (Operating ROA) demonstrates a significant decline from -0.44% in 2020 to -4.62% in 2022, reflecting worsening efficiency in generating operating income from its assets during that period. However, there is a marked improvement in 2023, with this ratio rising to -2.08%, and a positive turnaround in 2024 to 2.41%, signaling a return to profitability at the operational level.

Similarly, the Return on Assets (ROA) shows a consistent negative trend, declining from -0.73% in 2020 to -4.96% in 2022, emphasizing the company's challenges in generating net income relative to its asset base during that timeframe. The improvement in 2023, with ROA reaching -2.30%, coupled with a positive leap to 2.98% in 2024, indicates a substantial recovery and enhancement in overall asset profitability.

The Return on Total Capital mirrors these patterns, declining from -0.48% in 2020 to -4.87% in 2022, before improving marginally in 2023 to -1.83%, and ultimately turning positive at 5.66% in 2024. This shift suggests that the company's efficiency in generating returns from both equity and debt capital has significantly improved, especially in the latest year.

Return on Equity (ROE) follows a similar trajectory, declining from -0.81% in 2020 to -5.41% in 2022, indicating underwhelming shareholder returns during that period. The subsequent years show improvement, with the ratio reaching -3.53% in 2023 and transforming into a positive 4.45% in 2024, reflecting enhanced profitability attributable to shareholders.

Overall, the data indicates that Freshpet Inc. experienced a period of contraction and losses through 2022, followed by a notable recovery starting in 2023, culminating in positive profitability ratios in 2024. This trend suggests improvements in operational efficiency, asset utilization, and overall financial performance in recent periods.