Balance Sheet: Assets
The balance sheet provides creditors, investors, and analysts with information on company resources (assets) and its sources of capital (its equity and liabilities). It normally also provides information about the future earnings capacity of a company assets as well as an indication of cash flows that may come from receivables and inventories.
Assets are resources controlled by the company as a result of past events and from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the entity.
Alphabet Inc., consolidated balance sheet: assets
US$ in millions
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).
The financial data exhibit several notable trends in the company's asset composition over the reported five-year period ending December 31, 2024.
- Cash and Cash Equivalents
- There is a general decline in cash and cash equivalents, decreasing from $26,465 million in 2020 to $23,466 million in 2024. After a dip in 2021 to $20,945 million, there was a slight recovery in the following years, although the 2024 figure remains below the 2020 level.
- Marketable Securities
- Marketable securities show a downward trend from $110,229 million in 2020 to $72,191 million in 2024. The peak was in 2021 at $118,704 million, followed by a consistent decline over the next three years.
- Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Marketable Securities Combined
- The aggregate of these liquid assets also decreases over the period, from $136,694 million in 2020 to $95,657 million in 2024. The highest point occurs in 2021 at $139,649 million, after which it steadily falls.
- Accounts Receivable, Net
- This asset item shows a consistent increase, more than doubling from $30,930 million in 2020 to $52,340 million in 2024. This suggests expanding sales or credit extended to customers.
- Other Current Assets
- Other current assets increase steadily from $6,672 million in 2020 to $15,714 million in 2024, indicating growth in short-term resources other than cash or receivables.
- Current Assets
- Current assets grow from $174,296 million in 2020 to a peak of $188,143 million in 2021 but decline to $163,711 million by 2024. The increase followed by a decrease may reflect fluctuations in liquidity management or inventory levels.
- Non-marketable Securities
- These assets increase from $20,703 million in 2020 to $37,982 million in 2024, indicating a growing investment in longer-term or less liquid securities.
- Deferred Income Taxes
- Deferred tax assets show significant growth, rising from $1,084 million in 2020 to $17,180 million in 2024. This sharp increase may suggest changes in tax strategies or timing differences in income recognition.
- Property and Equipment, Net
- This category evidences substantial growth, expanding from $84,749 million in 2020 to $171,036 million in 2024, effectively doubling. This reflects significant capital investments or acquisition of physical assets.
- Operating Lease Assets
- Operating lease assets increase moderately from $12,211 million in 2020 to $14,381 million in 2022, but subsequently decline to $13,588 million in 2024, showing some volatility.
- Goodwill
- Goodwill increases steadily from $21,175 million in 2020 to $31,885 million in 2024, indicating acquisitions or business combinations over the period.
- Other Non-current Assets
- There is a marked growth in other non-current assets from $5,398 million in 2020 to $14,874 million in 2024, suggesting diversification or additions to long-term asset holdings.
- Non-current Assets
- Overall non-current assets grow consistently, from $145,320 million in 2020 to $286,545 million in 2024, reflecting broad-based growth in long-term resource investments.
- Total Assets
- Total assets increase steadily each year, rising from $319,616 million in 2020 to $450,256 million in 2024. This represents an approximate 41% growth over five years, underscoring expansion in both current and non-current assets.
In summary, the data reveal a trend of increasing total assets primarily driven by growth in property and equipment, goodwill, deferred income taxes, and other non-current assets. Conversely, liquid assets such as cash and marketable securities show a declining trend. The increase in accounts receivable and other current assets alongside fluctuating current asset totals may point to operational changes. The considerable investments in long-term assets and increase in intangible goodwill suggest expansion activities, including acquisitions. Overall, the asset base has strengthened with a shift towards greater capital and intangible asset holdings over the period analyzed.