Balance Sheet: Assets
Quarterly Data
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.
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2019-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2019-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2019-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2018-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2018-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2018-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2017-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2017-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2017-03-31).
- Cash and cash equivalents
- Cash and cash equivalents demonstrate an overall fluctuating trend with notable peaks at the end of March 2021 and March 2022, reaching values above US$5 billion. The lowest values occurred in late 2017 and 2020, suggesting periodic liquidity adjustments possibly linked to operational or strategic activities.
- Restricted cash and cash equivalents
- This category shows substantial growth from 2017 through 2022, increasing from US$34 million to over US$2.5 billion by March 2022. The steepest increases happened after 2019, indicating possibly more funds being allocated or reserved under specific restrictions.
- Short-term investments
- Short-term investments experienced volatility, peaking at over US$1 billion in mid-2018 before declining sharply and nearly disappearing by mid-2021, with several quarters showing minimal to no values. This decline may indicate a strategic shift away from short-term securities or liquidation to boost liquidity.
- Accounts receivable, net of allowance
- Accounts receivable increased steadily from 2017 until late 2019, peaking near US$2.9 billion, but sharply declined during 2020, reflecting likely impacts from external factors such as reduced sales or collection difficulties. Recovery trends appear from 2021 onwards, although levels remain below pre-2020 peaks.
- Income taxes receivable
- Income taxes receivable show inconsistency but generally higher balances from 2018 onward. A notable increase occurred in early 2021, suggesting changes in tax positions or refunds due during that period.
- Prepaid expenses and other current assets
- This category expands considerably, especially from late 2019 through 2021, peaking near US$1.25 billion. Such growth indicates increased upfront payments or asset recognition, possibly linked to operational needs or contractual obligations.
- Current assets
- Current assets maintain an upward trajectory overall, growing from around US$5.3 billion in 2017 to over US$11 billion by early 2022, despite some fluctuations. The rise is driven largely by increases in cash equivalents, restricted cash, and prepaid expenses.
- Property and equipment, net
- Net property and equipment values have gradually increased over the period, reaching a plateau around US$2.3 billion and slightly declining from 2020 forward. This suggests relatively stable investment in fixed assets with minor disposals or depreciation effects.
- Operating lease right-of-use assets
- Disclosure for operating lease right-of-use assets begins in late 2018, remaining relatively stable between US$400 million and US$630 million. A gradual downward trend is noted toward 2022, possibly reflecting lease terminations or remeasurements.
- Long-term investments and other assets
- This category remains fairly steady until a sharp increase at March 2022, from around US$600 million to over US$1.4 billion, signaling a significant acquisition or reclassification of long-term assets during that period.
- Deferred income taxes
- The balance of deferred income taxes grew markedly starting in 2017, rising from under US$40 million to nearly US$900 million by 2022, indicating increased timing differences in income recognition, tax planning, or changes in tax rates.
- Intangible assets, net
- Intangible assets display a slow and steady decline from approximately US$2.4 billion in 2017 to about US$1.4 billion in 2022. This decline may be attributable to amortization or asset impairments over time.
- Goodwill
- Goodwill remains relatively stable, fluctuating near the US$8 billion range until 2019 when it decreased to about US$7.3 billion and stabilized around the US$7.1 billion mark by 2022. This suggests potential impairment charges or adjustments post-2019.
- Non-current assets
- Non-current assets exhibit consistency, valued generally between US$12.7 billion and US$13.6 billion, with an increase near US$14.3 billion by early 2022. This stability reflects sustained investment in long-term asset bases.
- Total assets
- Total assets increased overall from about US$17.7 billion in early 2017 to approximately US$24.6 billion in early 2022. The growth is driven by contributions from both current and non-current assets, with notable expansions in cash, restricted cash, and deferred taxes.