Debt to Equity
since 2005
Calculation
AT&T Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, calculation
| Debt to equity | = | Total debt1 | ÷ | Stockholders’ equity attributable to AT&T1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 1.18 | = | 123,532) | ÷ | 104,372) |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 1.33 | = | 137,331) | ÷ | 103,297) |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 1.39 | = | 135,890) | ÷ | 97,500) |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 1.07 | = | 177,354) | ÷ | 166,332) |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 0.97 | = | 157,245) | ÷ | 161,673) |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 0.89 | = | 163,147) | ÷ | 184,221) |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 0.96 | = | 176,505) | ÷ | 184,089) |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 1.17 | = | 164,346) | ÷ | 140,861) |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 1.00 | = | 123,513) | ÷ | 123,135) |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 1.03 | = | 126,151) | ÷ | 122,671) |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 0.95 | = | 82,067) | ÷ | 86,370) |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 0.82 | = | 74,788) | ÷ | 90,988) |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 0.76 | = | 69,844) | ÷ | 92,362) |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 0.61 | = | 64,753) | ÷ | 105,534) |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 0.59 | = | 66,167) | ÷ | 111,647) |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 0.71 | = | 72,081) | ÷ | 101,900) |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 0.78 | = | 74,991) | ÷ | 96,347) |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 0.56 | = | 64,115) | ÷ | 115,367) |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 0.52 | = | 59,796) | ÷ | 115,540) |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 0.56 | = | 30,570) | ÷ | 54,690) |
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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
1 US$ in millions
The financial data reveals several notable trends in the capital structure over the observed period.
- Total Debt
- Total debt exhibited a significant increase from 30,570 million US dollars at the end of 2005 to a peak of 176,505 million in 2018. After this peak, the debt level showed a general declining trend, reaching 123,532 million by the end of 2024. This pattern suggests periods of heavy borrowing followed by efforts to reduce leverage in recent years.
- Stockholders’ Equity Attributable to AT&T
- Stockholders’ equity also grew markedly from 54,690 million in 2005 to a high of 184,221 million in 2019, indicating an overall increase in the company’s net assets. However, a decline is observed post-2019, with equity dropping to around 104,372 million by the end of 2024, reflecting either asset write-downs, dividend payments exceeding earnings, or other factors reducing equity.
- Debt to Equity Ratio
- The debt to equity ratio remained relatively stable between 0.5 and 0.8 for much of the early years, with a rise noted from 2007, peaking at 1.17 in 2012. This indicates an increasing reliance on debt financing during this period. Subsequently, the ratio fluctuated and ultimately reached its highest levels in 2021 and 2022 at 1.39 and 1.33 respectively, showing heightened leverage. By 2024, the ratio decreased to 1.18, indicating some deleveraging but still higher than the earlier periods.
Overall, the company's capital structure over the years indicates phases of expanding leverage and equity base, followed by periods focused on deleveraging. The peaks in debt and debt to equity ratios in the late 2010s and early 2020s suggest strategic borrowing, possibly for acquisitions or investments, with subsequent adjustments towards a more balanced financial position. The decrease in equity in recent years might reflect challenges impacting retained earnings or asset valuations.
Comparison to Competitors
AT&T Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| AT&T Inc. | T-Mobile US Inc. | Verizon Communications Inc. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 1.18 | 1.31 | 1.45 |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 1.33 | 1.20 | 1.63 |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 1.39 | 1.07 | 1.65 |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 1.07 | 1.11 | 1.84 |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 0.97 | 1.13 | 1.90 |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 0.89 | 0.95 | 1.82 |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 0.96 | 1.11 | 2.13 |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 1.17 | 1.26 | 2.72 |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 1.00 | 1.52 | 4.80 |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 1.03 | 1.59 | 6.71 |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 0.95 | 1.40 | 9.21 |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 0.82 | 1.42 | 2.41 |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 0.76 | — | 1.57 |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 0.61 | — | 1.53 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 0.59 | — | 1.37 |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 0.71 | — | 1.50 |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 0.78 | — | 1.25 |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 0.56 | — | 0.62 |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 0.52 | — | 0.75 |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 0.56 | — | 0.98 |
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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
Comparison to Sector (Telecommunication Services)
AT&T Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to sector (telecommunication services)
| AT&T Inc. | Telecommunication Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 1.18 | 1.31 |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 1.33 | 1.40 |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 1.39 | 1.40 |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 1.07 | 1.28 |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 0.97 | 1.22 |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 0.89 | 1.10 |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 0.96 | 1.21 |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 1.17 | 1.50 |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 1.00 | 1.58 |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 1.03 | 1.69 |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 0.95 | 1.90 |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 0.82 | 1.31 |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 0.76 | 0.97 |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 0.61 | 0.85 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 0.59 | 0.79 |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 0.71 | 0.94 |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 0.78 | 0.92 |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 0.56 | 0.57 |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 0.52 | 0.59 |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 0.56 | 0.74 |
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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).
Comparison to Industry (Communication Services)
AT&T Inc., debt to equity, long-term trends, comparison to industry (communication services)
| AT&T Inc. | Communication Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 1.18 | 0.56 |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 1.33 | 0.61 |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 1.39 | 0.65 |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 1.07 | 0.65 |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 0.97 | 0.66 |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 0.89 | 0.62 |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 0.96 | 0.71 |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 1.17 | 0.75 |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 1.00 | 0.75 |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 1.03 | 0.81 |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 0.95 | 0.81 |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 0.82 | 0.75 |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 0.76 | 0.62 |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 0.61 | 0.62 |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 0.59 | 0.60 |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 0.71 | 0.69 |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 0.78 | 0.73 |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 0.56 | 0.54 |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 0.52 | 0.54 |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 0.56 | 0.62 |
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), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 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), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2009-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2008-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2007-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2006-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2005-12-31).