DASH 10-K Analysis: Three Hidden Subsidies Behind DoorDash's First Profit
DoorDash reported its first full-year GAAP operating profit of $723 million on $13.7 billion in revenue — a milestone investors waited years to see. But the 10-K reveals three hidden subsidies: stock-based compensation 45% larger than operating income, $348 million in capitalized software that never hits the income statement, and a near-zero 0.75% tax rate from one-time acquisition benefits. True free cash flow was flat year-over-year at $1.83 billion, and $9.15 billion in real obligations don't appear on any debt line. The Profitability Gap Cascade — from management's $2.8B Adjusted EBITDA to $776M in commitment-adjusted free cash flow — is a 3.6:1 ratio, the widest among peers.