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.

eBay Inc., consolidated balance sheet: assets

US$ in millions

	Dec 31, 2018	Dec 31, 2017	Dec 31, 2016	Dec 31, 2015	Dec 31, 2014
Cash and cash equivalents	2,202)	2,120)	1,816)	1,832)	6,328)
Short-term investments	2,713)	3,743)	5,333)	4,299)	3,770)
Accounts receivable, net	712)	695)	592)	619)	797)
Loans and interest receivable, net	—)	—)	—)	—)	3,600)
Funds receivable and customer accounts	—)	—)	—)	—)	10,545)
Customer accounts and funds receivable	670)	662)	590)	523)	—)
Other	829)	523)	544)	631)	1,491)
Other current assets	1,499)	1,185)	1,134)	1,154)	1,491)
Current assets	7,126)	7,743)	8,875)	7,904)	26,531)
Long-term investments	3,778)	6,331)	3,969)	3,391)	5,777)
Property and equipment, net	1,597)	1,597)	1,516)	1,554)	2,902)
Goodwill	5,160)	4,773)	4,501)	4,451)	9,094)
Intangible assets, net	92)	69)	102)	90)	564)
Deferred tax assets	4,792)	5,195)	4,608)	—)	—)
Other assets	274)	273)	276)	395)	264)
Non-current assets	15,693)	18,238)	14,972)	9,881)	18,601)
Total assets	22,819)	25,981)	23,847)	17,785)	45,132)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2018-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-12-31).

The financial data over the five-year period demonstrates notable trends in both asset structure and liquidity positions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: There is a sharp decline from 6,328 million USD in 2014 to 1,832 million USD in 2015, after which the balance remains relatively stable with a gradual increase towards 2,202 million USD by 2018.
Short-Term Investments: Short-term investments rose from 3,770 million USD in 2014 to a peak of 5,333 million USD in 2016, followed by a pronounced decrease reaching 2,713 million USD in 2018, suggesting a shift in investment strategy or liquidity needs.
Accounts Receivable, Net: This item shows minor fluctuations, decreasing from 797 million USD in 2014 to 592 million USD by 2016, then recovering to 712 million USD by 2018, indicating relatively stable credit management over time.
Customer Accounts and Funds Receivable: Financial reporting changes are evident, with combined figures presented in earlier years disaggregating into separate lines later. Customer accounts and funds receivable increased steadily from 523 million USD in 2015 to 670 million USD in 2018.
Other Current Assets: After dropping significantly from 1,491 million USD in 2014 to 631 million USD in 2015, other current assets increased gradually to 1,499 million USD by 2018, potentially reflecting changes in asset recognition or operational factors.
Current Assets: There is a sharp drop from 26,531 million USD in 2014 to 7,904 million USD in 2015, followed by modest fluctuations leading to a decline to 7,126 million USD in 2018, indicating a substantial reduction in short-term asset holdings within the period.
Long-Term Investments: Long-term investments decreased sharply from 5,777 million USD in 2014 to 3,391 million USD in 2015, rebounded gradually to 6,331 million USD in 2017, then decreased again to 3,778 million USD in 2018, revealing variability in longer-term investment exposure.
Property and Equipment, Net: This item declined from 2,902 million USD in 2014 to 1,554 million USD in 2015 and then stabilized near 1,600 million USD thereafter, indicating possible disposals or reduced capital expenditures.
Goodwill: Goodwill decreased significantly from 9,094 million USD in 2014 to 4,451 million USD in 2015 but rebounded steadily to 5,160 million USD by 2018, suggesting asset revaluations or impairment events with subsequent acquisitions or adjustments.
Intangible Assets, Net: Intangible assets declined sharply from 564 million USD in 2014 to below 100 million USD in subsequent years, fluctuating modestly around this lower range, indicating amortization or disposals.
Deferred Tax Assets: This asset class appears only from 2016 onward, increasing from 4,608 million USD in 2016 to 5,195 million USD in 2017 before declining slightly to 4,792 million USD in 2018, reflecting recognition of tax-related timing differences.
Other Assets: Other assets exhibit modest variability, starting at 264 million USD in 2014 and increasing to 395 million USD in 2015, followed by a decline to approximately 274 million USD by 2018, representing relatively minor asset components.
Non-Current Assets: Non-current assets dropped from 18,601 million USD in 2014 to 9,881 million USD in 2015 but subsequently rose to 18,238 million USD in 2017 before decreasing to 15,693 million USD in 2018, indicating significant asset revaluations or acquisitions and disposals over the period.
Total Assets: Total assets experience a considerable reduction from 45,132 million USD in 2014 to 17,785 million USD in 2015, then increase to 25,981 million USD in 2017 before falling slightly to 22,819 million USD in 2018, highlighting substantial changes in the asset base, likely due to strategic organizational restructuring or divestitures.

Assets: Selected Items

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Current Assets: Selected Items

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eBay Inc. (NASDAQ:EBAY)

Balance Sheet: Assets

Assets: Selected Items

Current Assets: Selected Items