⚠ Returning More Than It EarnsModerate threat

Analog Devices (ADI) — threat to the moat

ADI returned more than its free cash flow in four of the last five periods, 155% in fiscal 2021 and about 105% in the latest twelve months, and borrowed the rest.

ADI's promise is to return all its free cash flow over the long term, and over the last five years it has returned more. Dividends and buybacks were 155% of free cash flow in fiscal 2021, 109% in 2022 and 131% in 2023; 77% in 2024; 96% in 20251; and about 105% over the twelve months to August 20262.

Analog Devices cash returned as a share of free cash flow (%)155FY2021109FY2022131FY202377FY202496FY2025105TTM Aug 2026Dividends plus buybacks over free cash flow; Analog Devices results releases and SEC XBRL
Above 100% in four of six periods.

The excess came from two places. In fiscal 2021 to 2023 ADI was buying back the shares it had issued for Maxim, and it used cash and debt to do it. In the latest twelve months it returned $5,170 million3 while also paying $1,500.2 million for Empower4, which is why net debt rose.

Over a long period, returning more than you earn is only possible by borrowing or running down cash. ADI has done some of each. Cash and short-term investments fell from about $3,652.3 million to about $2,324.9 million in nine months5, and the company issued $3.0 billion of notes in September 20266.

The policy makes the shareholders' return depend on the cycle. In a boom, cash flow is high and the policy looks generous. In a downturn, the company has to choose between the promise and the balance sheet, and in fiscal 2024 it chose the balance sheet, cutting buybacks to $615.6 million7.

If the ratio stays above 100% for all of fiscal 2026 and net debt ends the year above $8 billion, the return policy will have become a leveraged recapitalisation in slow motion.

References
  1. Moat Explorer calcDividends and buybacks were 155% of free cash flow in fiscal 2021, 109% in 2022 and 131% in 2023; 77% in 2024; 96% in 2025; and about 105% over the twelve months to August 2026.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Analog Devices reported figures ($ millions unless stated; fiscal years ending late October or early November). Revenue growth: FY2025 11,019.7 / 9,427.2 - 1 = +16.9%; FY2024 9,427.2 / 12,305.5 - 1 = -23.4%; FY2023 12,305.5 / 12,014.0 - 1 = +2.4%; FY2022 12,014.0 / 7,318.3 - 1 = +64.2%; FY2021 7,318.3 / 5,603.1 - 1 = +30.6%; FY2020 5,603.1 / 5,991.1 - 1 = -6.5%; FY2019 5,991.1 / 6,224.7 - 1 = -3.8%; FY2024 revenue fall 12,305.5 - 9,427.2 = 2,878.3, about $2.9bn; FY2026 implied 10,805.6 + 4,300 = 15,105.6, about $15.1bn, 15,105.6 / 11,019.7 - 1 = +37%, 15,105.6 / 12,305.5 - 1 = +23%; Q3 FY2026 quarterly revenue 4,021.9 / 3,076.1 - 1 = +30.7% on Q4 FY2025; 4,021.9 / 2,423.2 = 1.66 times Q1 FY2025. Operating income: FY2024 2,032.8 / 3,823.1 - 1 = -46.8%, a fall of 3,823.1 - 2,032.8 = 1,790.3, about $1.8bn. Gross profit FY2024 5,381.3 / 7,877.2 - 1 = -31.7%. Gross margin FY2015 2,259.3 / 3,435.1 = 65.8%; FY2016 2,227.2 / 3,421.4 = 65.1%; reported gross margin range FY2015-FY2025 57.1% (FY2024) to 68.3% (FY2018); Q3 FY2026 adjusted less reported 72.5 - 67.3 = 5.2 points. Acquisition-related expenses Q3 FY2026 209.2 (cost of sales) + 188.6 (operating expenses) = 397.8; nine months FY2026 619.4 + 565.1 = 1,184.5. People: revenue per employee FY2021 7,318.3 / 24,700 = about $296,000; FY2022 12,014.0 / 24,450 = $491,000; FY2024 9,427.2 / 24,000 = $393,000; FY2025 11,019.7 / 24,500 = $450,000; engineers 13,000 / 24,500 = 53% (FY2025), 11,000 / 24,700 = 45% (FY2021); engineers added 13,000 - 11,000 = 2,000. R&D as a share of revenue: FY2015 637.5 / 3,435.1 = 18.6%; FY2016 653.8 / 3,421.4 = 19.1%; FY2017 968.1 / 5,246.4 = 18.5%; FY2018 1,165.0 / 6,224.7 = 18.7%; FY2019 1,130.3 / 5,991.1 = 18.9%; FY2020 1,050.5 / 5,603.1 = 18.7%; FY2021 1,296.1 / 7,318.3 = 17.7%; FY2022 1,700.5 / 12,014.0 = 14.2%; FY2023 1,660.2 / 12,305.5 = 13.5%; FY2024 1,487.9 / 9,427.2 = 15.8%; FY2025 1,766.0 / 11,019.7 = 16.0%; Q3 FY2026 533.5 / 4,021.9 = 13.3%; R&D FY2024 1,487.9 / 1,700.5 - 1 = -12.5%. End markets: FY2024 over FY2023 Industrial 4,290.3 / 6,565.4 - 1 = -34.7%; Communications 1,091.4 / 1,591.6 - 1 = -31.4%; Automotive 2,837.5 / 2,904.0 - 1 = -2.3%; Consumer 1,207.9 / 1,244.6 - 1 = -3.0%. FY2025 over FY2024 Industrial 4,929.4 / 4,290.3 - 1 = +14.9%; Automotive 3,277.9 / 2,837.5 - 1 = +15.5%; Communications 1,377.9 / 1,091.4 - 1 = +26.2%; Consumer 1,434.6 / 1,207.9 - 1 = +18.8%. FY2017 to FY2025: Industrial 4,929.4 / 2,324.7 = 2.12 times, 9.9% a year; Automotive 3,277.9 / 758.1 = 4.3 times, 20.1% a year; Communications 1,377.9 / 908.6 = 1.52 times, 5.3% a year; Consumer 1,434.6 / 1,255.0 = 1.14 times, 1.7% a year. Consumer share 1,255.0 / 5,246.4 = 23.9% (FY2017), 933.8 / 6,224.7 = 15.0%, 752.3 / 5,991.1 = 12.6%, 624.9 / 5,603.1 = 11.2%, 1,519.9 / 12,014.0 = 12.7%, 1,244.6 / 12,305.5 = 10.1%, 1,434.6 / 11,019.7 = 13.0% (FY2025), Q3 FY2026 397.2 / 4,021.9 = 9.9%. Automotive share 3,277.9 / 11,019.7 = 29.7% (FY2025), Q3 FY2025 857.1 / 2,880.3 = 29.8%, Q3 FY2026 998.2 / 4,021.9 = 24.8%. Communications share Q3 FY2025 354.8 / 2,880.3 = 12.3%, Q3 FY2026 654.5 / 4,021.9 = 16.3%. Industrial plus Communications (4,929.4 + 1,377.9) / 11,019.7 = 57.2% (FY2025); Q3 FY2026 (1,971.9 + 654.5 = 2,626.4) / 4,021.9 = 65.3%. Trailing twelve months to August 2026 (Q4 FY2025 + Q1 + Q2 + Q3 FY2026): Industrial 1,426.5 + 1,489.3 + 1,799.4 + 1,971.9 = 6,687.1; Automotive 852.2 + 794.4 + 871.6 + 998.2 = 3,516.4; Communications 389.8 + 476.8 + 554.7 + 654.5 = 2,075.8; Consumer 407.5 + 399.8 + 397.8 + 397.2 = 1,602.3. Distributor revenue Q3 FY2026 2,327.1 / 1,592.4 - 1 = +46.1%. Geography: China share of revenue 898.6 / 5,246.4 = 17.1% (FY2017); 1,215.9 / 6,224.7 = 19.5%; 1,316.3 / 5,991.1 = 22.0%; 1,348.0 / 5,603.1 = 24.1%; 1,614.4 / 7,318.3 = 22.1%; 2,563.5 / 12,014.0 = 21.3%; 2,229.6 / 12,305.5 = 18.1%; 2,128.8 / 9,427.2 = 22.6%; 2,858.3 / 11,019.7 = 25.9% (FY2025); China growth 2,858.3 / 2,128.8 - 1 = +34.3%; United States growth 3,238.1 / 2,840.4 - 1 = +14.0%; China over United States 2,858.3 / 3,238.1 = 88%; United States share 3,238.1 / 11,019.7 = 29.4% (FY2025), 4,165.3 / 12,305.5 = 33.8% (FY2023). Customers: distributors at 10% or more FY2024 24% + 12% + 12% = 48%; FY2025 24% + 13% = 37% (a second distributor below 10%). Acquisitions and balance sheet: Linear price 15.8bn / FY2016 revenue 3.42bn = 4.6 times; goodwill FY2017 12,217.5 / FY2016 1,679.1 = 7.3 times; goodwill 1 August 2026 27,988.7 / FY2015 1,636.5 = 17.1 times; Maxim goodwill added 26,918.5 - 12,278.4 = 14,640.1, about $14.6bn; Linear plus Maxim 15.8 + 28.0 = 43.8, about $44bn; goodwill and intangibles (26,945.2 + 8,013.8) / 47,992.7 = 72.8% (1 November 2025); (27,988.7 + 7,468.2 = 35,456.9) / 48,424.4 = 73.2% (1 August 2026); other assets 47,992.7 - 26,945.2 - 8,013.8 = 13,033.7; market value over equity 191.61bn / 33.55bn = 5.7 times; over goodwill 191.61 / 27.99 = 6.8 times; amortisation fall FY2026 to FY2030 1,537.5 - 404.2 = 1,133.3; Empower plus Alif 1.5 + 1.35 + 0.2 = 3.05bn; Empower 1.5 / total assets 48.4 = 3%. Cash: free cash flow = operating cash flow less capital expenditure: FY2015 907.8 - 154.0 = 753.8 (21.9% of revenue); FY2016 1,291.3 - 127.4 = 1,163.9 (34.0%); FY2017 1,154.4 - 204.1 = 950.3 (18.1%); FY2018 2,442.4 - 254.9 = 2,187.5 (35.1%); FY2019 2,253.1 - 275.4 = 1,977.7 (33.0%); FY2020 2,008.5 - 165.7 = 1,842.8 (32.9%); FY2021 2,735.1 - 343.7 = 2,391.4 (32.7%); FY2022 4,475.4 - 699.3 = 3,776.1 (31.4%); FY2023 4,817.6 - 1,261.5 = 3,556.1 (28.9%); FY2024 3,852.5 - 730.5 = 3,122.0 (33.1%); FY2025 4,278.6 / 11,019.7 = 38.8%; TTM August 2026 4,937.5 / 13,881.5 = 36%. Capital expenditure as a share of revenue: FY2015 4.5%, FY2016 3.7%, FY2017 3.9%, FY2018 4.1%, FY2019 4.6%, FY2020 3.0%, FY2021 4.7%, FY2022 699.3 / 12,014.0 = 5.8%, FY2023 1,261.5 / 12,305.5 = 10.3%, FY2024 730.5 / 9,427.2 = 7.7%, FY2025 533.6 / 11,019.7 = 4.8%, TTM 607.8 / 13,881.5 = 4.4%; FY2025 over FY2023 533.6 / 1,261.5 = 42%. Cash returned over free cash flow: FY2021 (1,109.3 dividends + 2,605.1 buybacks) / 2,391.4 = 155%; FY2022 (1,544.6 + 2,577.0) / 3,776.1 = 109%; FY2023 (1,679.1 + 2,964.0) / 3,556.1 = 131%; FY2024 (1,795.5 + 615.6) / 3,122.0 = 77%; FY2025 (1,924.4 + 2,164.6) / 4,278.6 = 96%; TTM 5,170 / 4,937.5 = 105%. Buybacks FY2024 615.6 / FY2023 2,964.0 = 21%, a fall of 79%; FY2021-FY2025 2,605.1 + 2,577.0 + 2,964.0 + 615.6 + 2,164.6 = 10,926.3, about $11bn. Dividends per share over diluted EPS: FY2015 1.57 / 2.20 = 71%; FY2018 1.89 / 4.00 = 47%; FY2020 2.40 / 3.28 = 73%; FY2022 2.97 / 5.25 = 57%; FY2023 3.34 / 6.55 = 51%; FY2024 3.62 / 3.28 = 110%; FY2025 3.89 / 4.56 = 85%. Dividend per share growth (3.89 / 1.57) ^ (1/10) - 1 = 9.5% a year. Shares outstanding 484,565,465 / 496,296,854 - 1 = -2.4%; 484,565,465 / 489,654,097 - 1 = -1.0%. Debt: net debt 1 November 2025 = long-term debt 8,145.1 + commercial paper 446.6 - cash 2,499.4 - short-term investments 1,152.9 = 4,939.4; 1 August 2026 = 6,771.6 + 1,344.9 + 1,005.1 - 2,165.9 - 159.1 = 6,796.6; net debt over trailing free cash flow 6,796.6 / 4,937.5 = 1.4 times; cash and short-term investments 2,499.4 + 1,152.9 = 3,652.3 (FY2025 end) and 2,165.9 + 159.1 = 2,324.9 (1 August 2026); commercial paper 1,005.1 / 446.6 = 2.25 times. Working capital: receivables 2,389.6 / 1,436.1 - 1 = +66.4%; inventories 1,931.5 / 1,656.3 - 1 = +16.6%. Earnings and valuation: trailing net income to August 2026 = FY2025 2,267.3 - nine months FY2025 1,479.6 + nine months FY2026 3,347.3 = 4,135.0; market value 191.61bn / 4,135.0 = 46.3 times; FY2026 EPS build reported 6.83 + 3.14 = 9.97, adjusted 8.99 + 3.86 = 12.85; Q4 adjusted EPS guide low end 3.86 - 0.15 = 3.71. Year-end market value over fiscal-year net income: 17.26bn / 696.9 = 24.8 (FY2015); 32.82bn / 805.4 = 40.8 (FY2017); 31.77bn / 1,507.0 = 21.1 (FY2018); 54.58bn / 1,220.8 = 44.7 (FY2020); 92.34bn / 1,390.4 = 66.4 (FY2021); 83.54bn / 2,748.6 = 30.4 (FY2022); 98.54bn / 3,314.6 = 29.7 (FY2023); 105.44bn / 1,635.3 = 64.5 (FY2024); 132.79bn / 2,267.3 = 58.6 (FY2025). Additional: Q3 FY2025 shares of revenue Industrial 1,293.0 / 2,880.3 = 44.9%, Consumer 375.4 / 2,880.3 = 13.0%; Q3 FY2026 Industrial 1,971.9 / 4,021.9 = 49.0%; Industrial share Q1 FY2025 1,080.7 / 2,423.2 = 44.6%; Industrial Q3 FY2026 over Q1 FY2025 1,971.9 / 1,080.7 = 1.82 times, about 82% higher. Consumer growth Q1 FY2026 399.8 / 314.7 - 1 = +27%; Q2 FY2026 397.8 / 323.1 - 1 = +23%. Return on equity FY2025 2,267.3 / average (35,176.3 + 33,815.8) / 2 = 6.6%; FY2024 1,635.3 / average (35,565.1 + 35,176.3) / 2 = 4.6%. Customer relationships net of amortisation 10,335.9 - 5,311.2 = 5,024.7. Dividends paid 1,924.4 / 491.1 = 3.9 times. Regions FY2025 against FY2023: Japan 989.9 / 1,397.1 - 1 = -29.1%; Europe 2,285.6 / 3,001.9 - 1 = -23.9%; China 2,858.3 / 2,229.6 - 1 = +28.2%; rest of Asia 1,485.3 against 1,423.0; United States 3,238.1 against 4,165.3. Share price 395.43 / 445.91 - 1 = -11.3% from the 52-week high; 445.91 / 223.47 = 2.0 times; price-to-sales end FY2022 83.54bn / 12,014.0 = 7.0; trailing Communications 2,075.8 against FY2022 1,855.3. Competitors: Texas Instruments 2025 free cash flow 2,938 / revenue 17,682 = 16.6%; ADI 38.8% - 16.6% = 22.2 points; ADI revenue 11,019.7 / TI 17,682 = 62%; capital expenditure 4,550 / 533.6 = 8.5 times - free cash flow, capital returns, debt and working capital. — FY2015-Q3 FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Analog Devices Forms 10-K, 10-Q and results releases, SEC XBRL, and the Texas Instruments 2025 Form 10-K; each operand is stated in the source line.
  2. Moat Explorer calcDividends and buybacks were 155% of free cash flow in fiscal 2021, 109% in 2022 and 131% in 2023; 77% in 2024; 96% in 2025; and about 105% over the twelve months to August 2026.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Analog Devices reported figures ($ millions unless stated; fiscal years ending late October or early November). Revenue growth: FY2025 11,019.7 / 9,427.2 - 1 = +16.9%; FY2024 9,427.2 / 12,305.5 - 1 = -23.4%; FY2023 12,305.5 / 12,014.0 - 1 = +2.4%; FY2022 12,014.0 / 7,318.3 - 1 = +64.2%; FY2021 7,318.3 / 5,603.1 - 1 = +30.6%; FY2020 5,603.1 / 5,991.1 - 1 = -6.5%; FY2019 5,991.1 / 6,224.7 - 1 = -3.8%; FY2024 revenue fall 12,305.5 - 9,427.2 = 2,878.3, about $2.9bn; FY2026 implied 10,805.6 + 4,300 = 15,105.6, about $15.1bn, 15,105.6 / 11,019.7 - 1 = +37%, 15,105.6 / 12,305.5 - 1 = +23%; Q3 FY2026 quarterly revenue 4,021.9 / 3,076.1 - 1 = +30.7% on Q4 FY2025; 4,021.9 / 2,423.2 = 1.66 times Q1 FY2025. Operating income: FY2024 2,032.8 / 3,823.1 - 1 = -46.8%, a fall of 3,823.1 - 2,032.8 = 1,790.3, about $1.8bn. Gross profit FY2024 5,381.3 / 7,877.2 - 1 = -31.7%. Gross margin FY2015 2,259.3 / 3,435.1 = 65.8%; FY2016 2,227.2 / 3,421.4 = 65.1%; reported gross margin range FY2015-FY2025 57.1% (FY2024) to 68.3% (FY2018); Q3 FY2026 adjusted less reported 72.5 - 67.3 = 5.2 points. Acquisition-related expenses Q3 FY2026 209.2 (cost of sales) + 188.6 (operating expenses) = 397.8; nine months FY2026 619.4 + 565.1 = 1,184.5. People: revenue per employee FY2021 7,318.3 / 24,700 = about $296,000; FY2022 12,014.0 / 24,450 = $491,000; FY2024 9,427.2 / 24,000 = $393,000; FY2025 11,019.7 / 24,500 = $450,000; engineers 13,000 / 24,500 = 53% (FY2025), 11,000 / 24,700 = 45% (FY2021); engineers added 13,000 - 11,000 = 2,000. R&D as a share of revenue: FY2015 637.5 / 3,435.1 = 18.6%; FY2016 653.8 / 3,421.4 = 19.1%; FY2017 968.1 / 5,246.4 = 18.5%; FY2018 1,165.0 / 6,224.7 = 18.7%; FY2019 1,130.3 / 5,991.1 = 18.9%; FY2020 1,050.5 / 5,603.1 = 18.7%; FY2021 1,296.1 / 7,318.3 = 17.7%; FY2022 1,700.5 / 12,014.0 = 14.2%; FY2023 1,660.2 / 12,305.5 = 13.5%; FY2024 1,487.9 / 9,427.2 = 15.8%; FY2025 1,766.0 / 11,019.7 = 16.0%; Q3 FY2026 533.5 / 4,021.9 = 13.3%; R&D FY2024 1,487.9 / 1,700.5 - 1 = -12.5%. End markets: FY2024 over FY2023 Industrial 4,290.3 / 6,565.4 - 1 = -34.7%; Communications 1,091.4 / 1,591.6 - 1 = -31.4%; Automotive 2,837.5 / 2,904.0 - 1 = -2.3%; Consumer 1,207.9 / 1,244.6 - 1 = -3.0%. FY2025 over FY2024 Industrial 4,929.4 / 4,290.3 - 1 = +14.9%; Automotive 3,277.9 / 2,837.5 - 1 = +15.5%; Communications 1,377.9 / 1,091.4 - 1 = +26.2%; Consumer 1,434.6 / 1,207.9 - 1 = +18.8%. FY2017 to FY2025: Industrial 4,929.4 / 2,324.7 = 2.12 times, 9.9% a year; Automotive 3,277.9 / 758.1 = 4.3 times, 20.1% a year; Communications 1,377.9 / 908.6 = 1.52 times, 5.3% a year; Consumer 1,434.6 / 1,255.0 = 1.14 times, 1.7% a year. Consumer share 1,255.0 / 5,246.4 = 23.9% (FY2017), 933.8 / 6,224.7 = 15.0%, 752.3 / 5,991.1 = 12.6%, 624.9 / 5,603.1 = 11.2%, 1,519.9 / 12,014.0 = 12.7%, 1,244.6 / 12,305.5 = 10.1%, 1,434.6 / 11,019.7 = 13.0% (FY2025), Q3 FY2026 397.2 / 4,021.9 = 9.9%. Automotive share 3,277.9 / 11,019.7 = 29.7% (FY2025), Q3 FY2025 857.1 / 2,880.3 = 29.8%, Q3 FY2026 998.2 / 4,021.9 = 24.8%. Communications share Q3 FY2025 354.8 / 2,880.3 = 12.3%, Q3 FY2026 654.5 / 4,021.9 = 16.3%. Industrial plus Communications (4,929.4 + 1,377.9) / 11,019.7 = 57.2% (FY2025); Q3 FY2026 (1,971.9 + 654.5 = 2,626.4) / 4,021.9 = 65.3%. Trailing twelve months to August 2026 (Q4 FY2025 + Q1 + Q2 + Q3 FY2026): Industrial 1,426.5 + 1,489.3 + 1,799.4 + 1,971.9 = 6,687.1; Automotive 852.2 + 794.4 + 871.6 + 998.2 = 3,516.4; Communications 389.8 + 476.8 + 554.7 + 654.5 = 2,075.8; Consumer 407.5 + 399.8 + 397.8 + 397.2 = 1,602.3. Distributor revenue Q3 FY2026 2,327.1 / 1,592.4 - 1 = +46.1%. Geography: China share of revenue 898.6 / 5,246.4 = 17.1% (FY2017); 1,215.9 / 6,224.7 = 19.5%; 1,316.3 / 5,991.1 = 22.0%; 1,348.0 / 5,603.1 = 24.1%; 1,614.4 / 7,318.3 = 22.1%; 2,563.5 / 12,014.0 = 21.3%; 2,229.6 / 12,305.5 = 18.1%; 2,128.8 / 9,427.2 = 22.6%; 2,858.3 / 11,019.7 = 25.9% (FY2025); China growth 2,858.3 / 2,128.8 - 1 = +34.3%; United States growth 3,238.1 / 2,840.4 - 1 = +14.0%; China over United States 2,858.3 / 3,238.1 = 88%; United States share 3,238.1 / 11,019.7 = 29.4% (FY2025), 4,165.3 / 12,305.5 = 33.8% (FY2023). Customers: distributors at 10% or more FY2024 24% + 12% + 12% = 48%; FY2025 24% + 13% = 37% (a second distributor below 10%). Acquisitions and balance sheet: Linear price 15.8bn / FY2016 revenue 3.42bn = 4.6 times; goodwill FY2017 12,217.5 / FY2016 1,679.1 = 7.3 times; goodwill 1 August 2026 27,988.7 / FY2015 1,636.5 = 17.1 times; Maxim goodwill added 26,918.5 - 12,278.4 = 14,640.1, about $14.6bn; Linear plus Maxim 15.8 + 28.0 = 43.8, about $44bn; goodwill and intangibles (26,945.2 + 8,013.8) / 47,992.7 = 72.8% (1 November 2025); (27,988.7 + 7,468.2 = 35,456.9) / 48,424.4 = 73.2% (1 August 2026); other assets 47,992.7 - 26,945.2 - 8,013.8 = 13,033.7; market value over equity 191.61bn / 33.55bn = 5.7 times; over goodwill 191.61 / 27.99 = 6.8 times; amortisation fall FY2026 to FY2030 1,537.5 - 404.2 = 1,133.3; Empower plus Alif 1.5 + 1.35 + 0.2 = 3.05bn; Empower 1.5 / total assets 48.4 = 3%. Cash: free cash flow = operating cash flow less capital expenditure: FY2015 907.8 - 154.0 = 753.8 (21.9% of revenue); FY2016 1,291.3 - 127.4 = 1,163.9 (34.0%); FY2017 1,154.4 - 204.1 = 950.3 (18.1%); FY2018 2,442.4 - 254.9 = 2,187.5 (35.1%); FY2019 2,253.1 - 275.4 = 1,977.7 (33.0%); FY2020 2,008.5 - 165.7 = 1,842.8 (32.9%); FY2021 2,735.1 - 343.7 = 2,391.4 (32.7%); FY2022 4,475.4 - 699.3 = 3,776.1 (31.4%); FY2023 4,817.6 - 1,261.5 = 3,556.1 (28.9%); FY2024 3,852.5 - 730.5 = 3,122.0 (33.1%); FY2025 4,278.6 / 11,019.7 = 38.8%; TTM August 2026 4,937.5 / 13,881.5 = 36%. Capital expenditure as a share of revenue: FY2015 4.5%, FY2016 3.7%, FY2017 3.9%, FY2018 4.1%, FY2019 4.6%, FY2020 3.0%, FY2021 4.7%, FY2022 699.3 / 12,014.0 = 5.8%, FY2023 1,261.5 / 12,305.5 = 10.3%, FY2024 730.5 / 9,427.2 = 7.7%, FY2025 533.6 / 11,019.7 = 4.8%, TTM 607.8 / 13,881.5 = 4.4%; FY2025 over FY2023 533.6 / 1,261.5 = 42%. Cash returned over free cash flow: FY2021 (1,109.3 dividends + 2,605.1 buybacks) / 2,391.4 = 155%; FY2022 (1,544.6 + 2,577.0) / 3,776.1 = 109%; FY2023 (1,679.1 + 2,964.0) / 3,556.1 = 131%; FY2024 (1,795.5 + 615.6) / 3,122.0 = 77%; FY2025 (1,924.4 + 2,164.6) / 4,278.6 = 96%; TTM 5,170 / 4,937.5 = 105%. Buybacks FY2024 615.6 / FY2023 2,964.0 = 21%, a fall of 79%; FY2021-FY2025 2,605.1 + 2,577.0 + 2,964.0 + 615.6 + 2,164.6 = 10,926.3, about $11bn. Dividends per share over diluted EPS: FY2015 1.57 / 2.20 = 71%; FY2018 1.89 / 4.00 = 47%; FY2020 2.40 / 3.28 = 73%; FY2022 2.97 / 5.25 = 57%; FY2023 3.34 / 6.55 = 51%; FY2024 3.62 / 3.28 = 110%; FY2025 3.89 / 4.56 = 85%. Dividend per share growth (3.89 / 1.57) ^ (1/10) - 1 = 9.5% a year. Shares outstanding 484,565,465 / 496,296,854 - 1 = -2.4%; 484,565,465 / 489,654,097 - 1 = -1.0%. Debt: net debt 1 November 2025 = long-term debt 8,145.1 + commercial paper 446.6 - cash 2,499.4 - short-term investments 1,152.9 = 4,939.4; 1 August 2026 = 6,771.6 + 1,344.9 + 1,005.1 - 2,165.9 - 159.1 = 6,796.6; net debt over trailing free cash flow 6,796.6 / 4,937.5 = 1.4 times; cash and short-term investments 2,499.4 + 1,152.9 = 3,652.3 (FY2025 end) and 2,165.9 + 159.1 = 2,324.9 (1 August 2026); commercial paper 1,005.1 / 446.6 = 2.25 times. Working capital: receivables 2,389.6 / 1,436.1 - 1 = +66.4%; inventories 1,931.5 / 1,656.3 - 1 = +16.6%. Earnings and valuation: trailing net income to August 2026 = FY2025 2,267.3 - nine months FY2025 1,479.6 + nine months FY2026 3,347.3 = 4,135.0; market value 191.61bn / 4,135.0 = 46.3 times; FY2026 EPS build reported 6.83 + 3.14 = 9.97, adjusted 8.99 + 3.86 = 12.85; Q4 adjusted EPS guide low end 3.86 - 0.15 = 3.71. Year-end market value over fiscal-year net income: 17.26bn / 696.9 = 24.8 (FY2015); 32.82bn / 805.4 = 40.8 (FY2017); 31.77bn / 1,507.0 = 21.1 (FY2018); 54.58bn / 1,220.8 = 44.7 (FY2020); 92.34bn / 1,390.4 = 66.4 (FY2021); 83.54bn / 2,748.6 = 30.4 (FY2022); 98.54bn / 3,314.6 = 29.7 (FY2023); 105.44bn / 1,635.3 = 64.5 (FY2024); 132.79bn / 2,267.3 = 58.6 (FY2025). Additional: Q3 FY2025 shares of revenue Industrial 1,293.0 / 2,880.3 = 44.9%, Consumer 375.4 / 2,880.3 = 13.0%; Q3 FY2026 Industrial 1,971.9 / 4,021.9 = 49.0%; Industrial share Q1 FY2025 1,080.7 / 2,423.2 = 44.6%; Industrial Q3 FY2026 over Q1 FY2025 1,971.9 / 1,080.7 = 1.82 times, about 82% higher. Consumer growth Q1 FY2026 399.8 / 314.7 - 1 = +27%; Q2 FY2026 397.8 / 323.1 - 1 = +23%. Return on equity FY2025 2,267.3 / average (35,176.3 + 33,815.8) / 2 = 6.6%; FY2024 1,635.3 / average (35,565.1 + 35,176.3) / 2 = 4.6%. Customer relationships net of amortisation 10,335.9 - 5,311.2 = 5,024.7. Dividends paid 1,924.4 / 491.1 = 3.9 times. Regions FY2025 against FY2023: Japan 989.9 / 1,397.1 - 1 = -29.1%; Europe 2,285.6 / 3,001.9 - 1 = -23.9%; China 2,858.3 / 2,229.6 - 1 = +28.2%; rest of Asia 1,485.3 against 1,423.0; United States 3,238.1 against 4,165.3. Share price 395.43 / 445.91 - 1 = -11.3% from the 52-week high; 445.91 / 223.47 = 2.0 times; price-to-sales end FY2022 83.54bn / 12,014.0 = 7.0; trailing Communications 2,075.8 against FY2022 1,855.3. Competitors: Texas Instruments 2025 free cash flow 2,938 / revenue 17,682 = 16.6%; ADI 38.8% - 16.6% = 22.2 points; ADI revenue 11,019.7 / TI 17,682 = 62%; capital expenditure 4,550 / 533.6 = 8.5 times - free cash flow, capital returns, debt and working capital. — FY2015-Q3 FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Analog Devices Forms 10-K, 10-Q and results releases, SEC XBRL, and the Texas Instruments 2025 Form 10-K; each operand is stated in the source line.
  3. ReportedIn the latest twelve months it returned $5,170 million while also paying $1,500.2 million for Empower, which is why net debt rose.
    Analog Devices third-quarter fiscal 2026 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - revenue by end market, margins, EPS, cash flow, balance sheet and fourth-quarter guidance - cash flow, capital returns and balance sheet. — Q3 FY2026 · publ. 19 August 2026 · source ↗
  4. ReportedIn the latest twelve months it returned $5,170 million while also paying $1,500.2 million for Empower, which is why net debt rose.
    Analog Devices third-quarter fiscal 2026 results release, Form 8-K exhibit 99.1 - revenue by end market, margins, EPS, cash flow, balance sheet and fourth-quarter guidance - cash flow, capital returns and balance sheet. — Q3 FY2026 · publ. 19 August 2026 · source ↗
  5. Moat Explorer calcCash and short-term investments fell from about $3,652.3 million to about $2,324.9 million in nine months, and the company issued $3.0 billion of notes in September 2026.
    Moat Explorer calculation from Analog Devices reported figures ($ millions unless stated; fiscal years ending late October or early November). Revenue growth: FY2025 11,019.7 / 9,427.2 - 1 = +16.9%; FY2024 9,427.2 / 12,305.5 - 1 = -23.4%; FY2023 12,305.5 / 12,014.0 - 1 = +2.4%; FY2022 12,014.0 / 7,318.3 - 1 = +64.2%; FY2021 7,318.3 / 5,603.1 - 1 = +30.6%; FY2020 5,603.1 / 5,991.1 - 1 = -6.5%; FY2019 5,991.1 / 6,224.7 - 1 = -3.8%; FY2024 revenue fall 12,305.5 - 9,427.2 = 2,878.3, about $2.9bn; FY2026 implied 10,805.6 + 4,300 = 15,105.6, about $15.1bn, 15,105.6 / 11,019.7 - 1 = +37%, 15,105.6 / 12,305.5 - 1 = +23%; Q3 FY2026 quarterly revenue 4,021.9 / 3,076.1 - 1 = +30.7% on Q4 FY2025; 4,021.9 / 2,423.2 = 1.66 times Q1 FY2025. Operating income: FY2024 2,032.8 / 3,823.1 - 1 = -46.8%, a fall of 3,823.1 - 2,032.8 = 1,790.3, about $1.8bn. Gross profit FY2024 5,381.3 / 7,877.2 - 1 = -31.7%. Gross margin FY2015 2,259.3 / 3,435.1 = 65.8%; FY2016 2,227.2 / 3,421.4 = 65.1%; reported gross margin range FY2015-FY2025 57.1% (FY2024) to 68.3% (FY2018); Q3 FY2026 adjusted less reported 72.5 - 67.3 = 5.2 points. Acquisition-related expenses Q3 FY2026 209.2 (cost of sales) + 188.6 (operating expenses) = 397.8; nine months FY2026 619.4 + 565.1 = 1,184.5. People: revenue per employee FY2021 7,318.3 / 24,700 = about $296,000; FY2022 12,014.0 / 24,450 = $491,000; FY2024 9,427.2 / 24,000 = $393,000; FY2025 11,019.7 / 24,500 = $450,000; engineers 13,000 / 24,500 = 53% (FY2025), 11,000 / 24,700 = 45% (FY2021); engineers added 13,000 - 11,000 = 2,000. R&D as a share of revenue: FY2015 637.5 / 3,435.1 = 18.6%; FY2016 653.8 / 3,421.4 = 19.1%; FY2017 968.1 / 5,246.4 = 18.5%; FY2018 1,165.0 / 6,224.7 = 18.7%; FY2019 1,130.3 / 5,991.1 = 18.9%; FY2020 1,050.5 / 5,603.1 = 18.7%; FY2021 1,296.1 / 7,318.3 = 17.7%; FY2022 1,700.5 / 12,014.0 = 14.2%; FY2023 1,660.2 / 12,305.5 = 13.5%; FY2024 1,487.9 / 9,427.2 = 15.8%; FY2025 1,766.0 / 11,019.7 = 16.0%; Q3 FY2026 533.5 / 4,021.9 = 13.3%; R&D FY2024 1,487.9 / 1,700.5 - 1 = -12.5%. End markets: FY2024 over FY2023 Industrial 4,290.3 / 6,565.4 - 1 = -34.7%; Communications 1,091.4 / 1,591.6 - 1 = -31.4%; Automotive 2,837.5 / 2,904.0 - 1 = -2.3%; Consumer 1,207.9 / 1,244.6 - 1 = -3.0%. FY2025 over FY2024 Industrial 4,929.4 / 4,290.3 - 1 = +14.9%; Automotive 3,277.9 / 2,837.5 - 1 = +15.5%; Communications 1,377.9 / 1,091.4 - 1 = +26.2%; Consumer 1,434.6 / 1,207.9 - 1 = +18.8%. FY2017 to FY2025: Industrial 4,929.4 / 2,324.7 = 2.12 times, 9.9% a year; Automotive 3,277.9 / 758.1 = 4.3 times, 20.1% a year; Communications 1,377.9 / 908.6 = 1.52 times, 5.3% a year; Consumer 1,434.6 / 1,255.0 = 1.14 times, 1.7% a year. Consumer share 1,255.0 / 5,246.4 = 23.9% (FY2017), 933.8 / 6,224.7 = 15.0%, 752.3 / 5,991.1 = 12.6%, 624.9 / 5,603.1 = 11.2%, 1,519.9 / 12,014.0 = 12.7%, 1,244.6 / 12,305.5 = 10.1%, 1,434.6 / 11,019.7 = 13.0% (FY2025), Q3 FY2026 397.2 / 4,021.9 = 9.9%. Automotive share 3,277.9 / 11,019.7 = 29.7% (FY2025), Q3 FY2025 857.1 / 2,880.3 = 29.8%, Q3 FY2026 998.2 / 4,021.9 = 24.8%. Communications share Q3 FY2025 354.8 / 2,880.3 = 12.3%, Q3 FY2026 654.5 / 4,021.9 = 16.3%. Industrial plus Communications (4,929.4 + 1,377.9) / 11,019.7 = 57.2% (FY2025); Q3 FY2026 (1,971.9 + 654.5 = 2,626.4) / 4,021.9 = 65.3%. Trailing twelve months to August 2026 (Q4 FY2025 + Q1 + Q2 + Q3 FY2026): Industrial 1,426.5 + 1,489.3 + 1,799.4 + 1,971.9 = 6,687.1; Automotive 852.2 + 794.4 + 871.6 + 998.2 = 3,516.4; Communications 389.8 + 476.8 + 554.7 + 654.5 = 2,075.8; Consumer 407.5 + 399.8 + 397.8 + 397.2 = 1,602.3. Distributor revenue Q3 FY2026 2,327.1 / 1,592.4 - 1 = +46.1%. Geography: China share of revenue 898.6 / 5,246.4 = 17.1% (FY2017); 1,215.9 / 6,224.7 = 19.5%; 1,316.3 / 5,991.1 = 22.0%; 1,348.0 / 5,603.1 = 24.1%; 1,614.4 / 7,318.3 = 22.1%; 2,563.5 / 12,014.0 = 21.3%; 2,229.6 / 12,305.5 = 18.1%; 2,128.8 / 9,427.2 = 22.6%; 2,858.3 / 11,019.7 = 25.9% (FY2025); China growth 2,858.3 / 2,128.8 - 1 = +34.3%; United States growth 3,238.1 / 2,840.4 - 1 = +14.0%; China over United States 2,858.3 / 3,238.1 = 88%; United States share 3,238.1 / 11,019.7 = 29.4% (FY2025), 4,165.3 / 12,305.5 = 33.8% (FY2023). Customers: distributors at 10% or more FY2024 24% + 12% + 12% = 48%; FY2025 24% + 13% = 37% (a second distributor below 10%). Acquisitions and balance sheet: Linear price 15.8bn / FY2016 revenue 3.42bn = 4.6 times; goodwill FY2017 12,217.5 / FY2016 1,679.1 = 7.3 times; goodwill 1 August 2026 27,988.7 / FY2015 1,636.5 = 17.1 times; Maxim goodwill added 26,918.5 - 12,278.4 = 14,640.1, about $14.6bn; Linear plus Maxim 15.8 + 28.0 = 43.8, about $44bn; goodwill and intangibles (26,945.2 + 8,013.8) / 47,992.7 = 72.8% (1 November 2025); (27,988.7 + 7,468.2 = 35,456.9) / 48,424.4 = 73.2% (1 August 2026); other assets 47,992.7 - 26,945.2 - 8,013.8 = 13,033.7; market value over equity 191.61bn / 33.55bn = 5.7 times; over goodwill 191.61 / 27.99 = 6.8 times; amortisation fall FY2026 to FY2030 1,537.5 - 404.2 = 1,133.3; Empower plus Alif 1.5 + 1.35 + 0.2 = 3.05bn; Empower 1.5 / total assets 48.4 = 3%. Cash: free cash flow = operating cash flow less capital expenditure: FY2015 907.8 - 154.0 = 753.8 (21.9% of revenue); FY2016 1,291.3 - 127.4 = 1,163.9 (34.0%); FY2017 1,154.4 - 204.1 = 950.3 (18.1%); FY2018 2,442.4 - 254.9 = 2,187.5 (35.1%); FY2019 2,253.1 - 275.4 = 1,977.7 (33.0%); FY2020 2,008.5 - 165.7 = 1,842.8 (32.9%); FY2021 2,735.1 - 343.7 = 2,391.4 (32.7%); FY2022 4,475.4 - 699.3 = 3,776.1 (31.4%); FY2023 4,817.6 - 1,261.5 = 3,556.1 (28.9%); FY2024 3,852.5 - 730.5 = 3,122.0 (33.1%); FY2025 4,278.6 / 11,019.7 = 38.8%; TTM August 2026 4,937.5 / 13,881.5 = 36%. Capital expenditure as a share of revenue: FY2015 4.5%, FY2016 3.7%, FY2017 3.9%, FY2018 4.1%, FY2019 4.6%, FY2020 3.0%, FY2021 4.7%, FY2022 699.3 / 12,014.0 = 5.8%, FY2023 1,261.5 / 12,305.5 = 10.3%, FY2024 730.5 / 9,427.2 = 7.7%, FY2025 533.6 / 11,019.7 = 4.8%, TTM 607.8 / 13,881.5 = 4.4%; FY2025 over FY2023 533.6 / 1,261.5 = 42%. Cash returned over free cash flow: FY2021 (1,109.3 dividends + 2,605.1 buybacks) / 2,391.4 = 155%; FY2022 (1,544.6 + 2,577.0) / 3,776.1 = 109%; FY2023 (1,679.1 + 2,964.0) / 3,556.1 = 131%; FY2024 (1,795.5 + 615.6) / 3,122.0 = 77%; FY2025 (1,924.4 + 2,164.6) / 4,278.6 = 96%; TTM 5,170 / 4,937.5 = 105%. Buybacks FY2024 615.6 / FY2023 2,964.0 = 21%, a fall of 79%; FY2021-FY2025 2,605.1 + 2,577.0 + 2,964.0 + 615.6 + 2,164.6 = 10,926.3, about $11bn. Dividends per share over diluted EPS: FY2015 1.57 / 2.20 = 71%; FY2018 1.89 / 4.00 = 47%; FY2020 2.40 / 3.28 = 73%; FY2022 2.97 / 5.25 = 57%; FY2023 3.34 / 6.55 = 51%; FY2024 3.62 / 3.28 = 110%; FY2025 3.89 / 4.56 = 85%. Dividend per share growth (3.89 / 1.57) ^ (1/10) - 1 = 9.5% a year. Shares outstanding 484,565,465 / 496,296,854 - 1 = -2.4%; 484,565,465 / 489,654,097 - 1 = -1.0%. Debt: net debt 1 November 2025 = long-term debt 8,145.1 + commercial paper 446.6 - cash 2,499.4 - short-term investments 1,152.9 = 4,939.4; 1 August 2026 = 6,771.6 + 1,344.9 + 1,005.1 - 2,165.9 - 159.1 = 6,796.6; net debt over trailing free cash flow 6,796.6 / 4,937.5 = 1.4 times; cash and short-term investments 2,499.4 + 1,152.9 = 3,652.3 (FY2025 end) and 2,165.9 + 159.1 = 2,324.9 (1 August 2026); commercial paper 1,005.1 / 446.6 = 2.25 times. Working capital: receivables 2,389.6 / 1,436.1 - 1 = +66.4%; inventories 1,931.5 / 1,656.3 - 1 = +16.6%. Earnings and valuation: trailing net income to August 2026 = FY2025 2,267.3 - nine months FY2025 1,479.6 + nine months FY2026 3,347.3 = 4,135.0; market value 191.61bn / 4,135.0 = 46.3 times; FY2026 EPS build reported 6.83 + 3.14 = 9.97, adjusted 8.99 + 3.86 = 12.85; Q4 adjusted EPS guide low end 3.86 - 0.15 = 3.71. Year-end market value over fiscal-year net income: 17.26bn / 696.9 = 24.8 (FY2015); 32.82bn / 805.4 = 40.8 (FY2017); 31.77bn / 1,507.0 = 21.1 (FY2018); 54.58bn / 1,220.8 = 44.7 (FY2020); 92.34bn / 1,390.4 = 66.4 (FY2021); 83.54bn / 2,748.6 = 30.4 (FY2022); 98.54bn / 3,314.6 = 29.7 (FY2023); 105.44bn / 1,635.3 = 64.5 (FY2024); 132.79bn / 2,267.3 = 58.6 (FY2025). Additional: Q3 FY2025 shares of revenue Industrial 1,293.0 / 2,880.3 = 44.9%, Consumer 375.4 / 2,880.3 = 13.0%; Q3 FY2026 Industrial 1,971.9 / 4,021.9 = 49.0%; Industrial share Q1 FY2025 1,080.7 / 2,423.2 = 44.6%; Industrial Q3 FY2026 over Q1 FY2025 1,971.9 / 1,080.7 = 1.82 times, about 82% higher. Consumer growth Q1 FY2026 399.8 / 314.7 - 1 = +27%; Q2 FY2026 397.8 / 323.1 - 1 = +23%. Return on equity FY2025 2,267.3 / average (35,176.3 + 33,815.8) / 2 = 6.6%; FY2024 1,635.3 / average (35,565.1 + 35,176.3) / 2 = 4.6%. Customer relationships net of amortisation 10,335.9 - 5,311.2 = 5,024.7. Dividends paid 1,924.4 / 491.1 = 3.9 times. Regions FY2025 against FY2023: Japan 989.9 / 1,397.1 - 1 = -29.1%; Europe 2,285.6 / 3,001.9 - 1 = -23.9%; China 2,858.3 / 2,229.6 - 1 = +28.2%; rest of Asia 1,485.3 against 1,423.0; United States 3,238.1 against 4,165.3. Share price 395.43 / 445.91 - 1 = -11.3% from the 52-week high; 445.91 / 223.47 = 2.0 times; price-to-sales end FY2022 83.54bn / 12,014.0 = 7.0; trailing Communications 2,075.8 against FY2022 1,855.3. Competitors: Texas Instruments 2025 free cash flow 2,938 / revenue 17,682 = 16.6%; ADI 38.8% - 16.6% = 22.2 points; ADI revenue 11,019.7 / TI 17,682 = 62%; capital expenditure 4,550 / 533.6 = 8.5 times - free cash flow, capital returns, debt and working capital. — FY2015-Q3 FY2026 · publ. September 2026 · source ↗
    Method: Arithmetic on figures reported in Analog Devices Forms 10-K, 10-Q and results releases, SEC XBRL, and the Texas Instruments 2025 Form 10-K; each operand is stated in the source line.
  6. ReportedCash and short-term investments fell from about $3,652.3 million to about $2,324.9 million in nine months, and the company issued $3.0 billion of notes in September 2026.
    Analog Devices Form 8-K of 17 September 2026 - issue of $3.0 billion of senior notes due 2029, 2031, 2033 and 2036. — September 2026 · publ. 17 September 2026 · source ↗
  7. ReportedIn a downturn, the company has to choose between the promise and the balance sheet, and in fiscal 2024 it chose the balance sheet, cutting buybacks to $615.6 million.
    SEC EDGAR XBRL, Analog Devices PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock: buybacks 227.0 (FY2015), 370.1, 46.5, 226.0, 613.0, 244.5, 2,605.1, 2,577.0, 2,964.0, 615.6, 2,164.6 (FY2025), $ millions. — FY2015-FY2025 · publ. 2025 · source ↗
Sources
Generated September 29, 2026