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.

AT&T Inc., consolidated balance sheet: assets

US$ in millions

	Dec 31, 2024	Dec 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021	Dec 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents	3,298)	6,722)	3,701)	21,169)	9,740)
Accounts receivable, net of related allowance for credit loss	9,638)	10,289)	11,466)	17,571)	20,215)
Inventories	2,270)	2,177)	3,123)	3,464)	3,695)
Prepaid and other current assets	15,962)	17,270)	14,818)	17,793)	18,358)
Current assets	31,168)	36,458)	33,108)	59,997)	52,008)
Noncurrent inventories and theatrical film and television production costs	—)	—)	—)	18,983)	14,752)
Property, plant and equipment, net	128,871)	128,489)	127,445)	125,904)	127,315)
Goodwill, net	63,432)	67,854)	67,895)	133,223)	135,259)
Licenses, net	127,035)	127,219)	124,092)	113,830)	93,840)
Distribution networks, net	—)	—)	—)	11,942)	13,793)
Other intangible assets, net	5,255)	5,283)	5,354)	33,721)	38,683)
Intangible assets, net	132,290)	132,502)	129,446)	159,493)	146,316)
Investments in and advances to equity affiliates	295)	1,251)	3,533)	7,274)	1,780)
Operating lease right-of-use assets	20,909)	20,905)	21,814)	24,180)	24,714)
Other assets	17,830)	19,601)	19,612)	22,568)	23,617)
Noncurrent assets	363,627)	370,602)	369,745)	491,625)	473,753)
Total assets	394,795)	407,060)	402,853)	551,622)	525,761)

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).

Cash and cash equivalents: Cash reserves exhibited significant volatility over the period. There was a substantial increase from 9,740 million USD at the end of 2020 to 21,169 million USD by the end of 2021, followed by a sharp decline in 2022 to 3,701 million USD. Slight recoveries occurred in 2023 and 2024, but levels remained well below the 2021 peak, finishing at 3,298 million USD.
Accounts receivable, net: Accounts receivable decreased steadily over the observed intervals, declining from 20,215 million USD in 2020 to 9,638 million USD in 2024. This trend indicates a substantial reduction in outstanding receivables, possibly reflecting improved collections or a decrease in sales volume on credit.
Inventories: Inventories gradually diminished over the period starting at 3,695 million USD in 2020 and dropping to 2,270 million USD by 2024, indicating a reduction in stock levels which may be associated with sales performance, inventory management improvements, or supply chain adjustments.
Prepaid and other current assets: This category experienced minor fluctuations, starting at 18,358 million USD in 2020, declining to 14,818 million USD in 2022, before increasing to 17,270 million USD in 2023 and slightly decreasing again to 15,962 million USD in 2024.
Current assets: Overall, current assets revealed a volatile pattern. There was an increase from 52,008 million USD in 2020 to 59,997 million USD in 2021, followed by a sharp drop to 33,108 million USD in 2022. Small recoveries occurred in subsequent years, but current assets stayed below the earlier highs, finishing at 31,168 million USD in 2024.
Noncurrent inventories and theatrical film and television production costs: Data is partially unavailable after 2021. The available figures increased from 14,752 million USD in 2020 to 18,983 million USD in 2021, suggesting higher investments in these assets before subsequent classifications or divestitures occurred.
Property, plant and equipment, net: These assets remained relatively stable with a slight upward trend, increasing marginally from 127,315 million USD in 2020 to 128,871 million USD in 2024, suggesting steady capital investments or asset maintenance efforts.
Goodwill, net: Goodwill showed a marked decline from 135,259 million USD in 2020 to 63,432 million USD in 2024, indicating potential impairment charges, disposals, or reclassifications during the period, nearly halving its value over the five-year span.
Licenses, net: Licenses demonstrated a consistent increasing trend, growing from 93,840 million USD in 2020 to 127,035 million USD in 2024, reflecting the acquisition or capitalization of new license assets.
Distribution networks, net: Information on distribution networks is available only through 2021, showing a decline from 13,793 million USD in 2020 to 11,942 million USD in 2021. Subsequent data is missing, making trend analysis beyond 2021 unfeasible.
Other intangible assets, net: There was a significant reduction, plunging from 38,683 million USD in 2020 to approximately 5,255 million USD by 2024, which indicates asset disposals, amortization, or reclassification of intangible assets.
Intangible assets, net: Overall intangible assets decreased from 146,316 million USD in 2020 to 132,290 million USD in 2024, showing a downward trend with some fluctuation after 2021. This decline suggests impairments or disposals, despite the increasing licenses noted earlier.
Investments in and advances to equity affiliates: This item rose notably from 1,780 million USD in 2020 to 7,274 million USD in 2021, followed by a steady decline to 295 million USD in 2024. Such movement may reflect changes in equity stakes or repayments.
Operating lease right-of-use assets: There was a gradual decrease from 24,714 million USD in 2020 to 20,909 million USD in 2024, indicating amortization or lease terminations over time.
Other assets: Other assets showed a declining pattern, moving from 23,617 million USD in 2020 to 17,830 million USD in 2024, which may point to disposals or write-downs.
Noncurrent assets: Noncurrent assets peaked in 2021 at 491,625 million USD before sharply declining to 369,745 million USD in 2022. Thereafter, the level stabilized around 370,000 million USD but decreased slightly to 363,627 million USD in 2024, indicating major asset revaluation or disposals between 2021 and 2022.
Total assets: Total assets followed a similar trajectory as noncurrent assets. Starting at 525,761 million USD in 2020 and increasing to 551,622 million USD in 2021, they then declined sharply to 402,853 million USD in 2022. Modest fluctuations occurred in 2023 and 2024, ending at 394,795 million USD, suggesting a significant restructuring or revaluation event between 2021 and 2022.

Assets: Selected Items

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AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T)

Balance Sheet: Assets

Assets: Selected Items

Current Assets: Selected Items