Return on Assets (ROA)
since 2005
Calculation
AT&T Inc., ROA, long-term trends, calculation
| ROA | = | 100 | × | Net income (loss) attributable to AT&T1 | ÷ | Total assets1 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 2.77% | = | 100 | × | 10,948) | ÷ | 394,795) |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 3.54% | = | 100 | × | 14,400) | ÷ | 407,060) |
| Dec 31, 2022 | -2.12% | = | 100 | × | (8,524) | ÷ | 402,853) |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 3.64% | = | 100 | × | 20,081) | ÷ | 551,622) |
| Dec 31, 2020 | -0.98% | = | 100 | × | (5,176) | ÷ | 525,761) |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 2.52% | = | 100 | × | 13,903) | ÷ | 551,669) |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 3.64% | = | 100 | × | 19,370) | ÷ | 531,864) |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 6.63% | = | 100 | × | 29,450) | ÷ | 444,097) |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 3.21% | = | 100 | × | 12,976) | ÷ | 403,821) |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 3.31% | = | 100 | × | 13,345) | ÷ | 402,672) |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 2.13% | = | 100 | × | 6,224) | ÷ | 292,829) |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 6.57% | = | 100 | × | 18,249) | ÷ | 277,787) |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 2.67% | = | 100 | × | 7,264) | ÷ | 272,315) |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 1.46% | = | 100 | × | 3,944) | ÷ | 270,344) |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 7.40% | = | 100 | × | 19,864) | ÷ | 268,488) |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 4.66% | = | 100 | × | 12,535) | ÷ | 268,752) |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 4.85% | = | 100 | × | 12,867) | ÷ | 265,245) |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 4.34% | = | 100 | × | 11,951) | ÷ | 275,644) |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 2.72% | = | 100 | × | 7,356) | ÷ | 270,634) |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 3.29% | = | 100 | × | 4,786) | ÷ | 145,632) |
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 significant variability and fluctuations in key performance indicators over the analyzed periods.
- Net Income
- Net income exhibited a broadly volatile trend with notable peaks and troughs. The values started moderately at 4,786 million US$ in 2005, followed by a general upward trajectory reaching a peak of 19,451 million US$ in 2013. Significant fluctuations are noted thereafter, including a sharp decline to a loss of -5,176 million US$ in 2020, a rebound to positive territory in 2021, and again a loss in 2022. The latest periods show some recovery with net income of 14,400 million US$ and 10,948 million US$ respectively.
- Total Assets
- Total assets increased substantially over the period, starting at 145,632 million US$ in 2005 and peaking around 551,669 million US$ in 2019. This growth phase indicates expansion and accumulation of asset base. However, a sharp contraction is observed after 2019 with assets declining to approximately 394,795 million US$ by 2024, reflecting potential asset divestitures, impairments, or structural changes in the company’s asset composition.
- Return on Assets (ROA)
- ROA experienced considerable volatility, echoing the net income trends but reflecting on asset efficiency. Initial values were around 3.29% in 2005, followed by fluctuating increases and decreases. Peaks in ROA are observable in 2008 (4.85%), 2013 (6.57%), and 2017 (6.63%). Negative returns occurred in 2020 (-0.98%) and 2022 (-2.12%), indicating periods of reduced profitability relative to asset levels. The latest figures suggest partial recovery with ROA between 2.77% to 3.54%.
Overall, the data indicate cyclical profitability and efficiency contrasting with the relatively strong growth and subsequent contraction in asset base, suggesting significant operational and strategic shifts during the period under review. The negative net income and ROA values in certain years warrant close examination for underlying causes such as impairment charges, restructuring costs, or extraordinary losses. The pronounced asset fluctuations post-2019 may reflect divestitures or strategic refocusing impacting financial stability and profitability metrics.
Comparison to Competitors
AT&T Inc., ROA, long-term trends, comparison to competitors
| AT&T Inc. | T-Mobile US Inc. | Verizon Communications Inc. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 2.77% | 5.45% | 4.55% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 3.54% | 4.00% | 3.05% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | -2.12% | 1.23% | 5.60% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 3.64% | 1.46% | 6.02% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | -0.98% | 1.53% | 5.62% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 2.52% | 3.99% | 6.60% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 3.64% | 3.99% | 5.86% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 6.63% | 6.43% | 11.71% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 3.21% | 2.22% | 5.38% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 3.31% | 1.17% | 7.31% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 2.13% | 0.44% | 4.14% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 6.57% | 0.07% | 4.19% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 2.67% | — | 0.39% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 1.46% | — | 1.04% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 7.40% | — | 1.16% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 4.66% | — | 1.61% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 4.85% | — | 3.18% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 4.34% | — | 2.95% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 2.72% | — | 3.28% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 3.29% | — | 4.40% |
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., ROA, long-term trends, comparison to sector (telecommunication services)
| AT&T Inc. | Telecommunication Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 2.77% | 4.03% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 3.54% | 3.45% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | -2.12% | 1.54% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 3.64% | 4.02% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | -0.98% | 1.51% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 2.52% | 3.94% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 3.64% | 4.35% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 6.63% | 8.30% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 3.21% | 3.86% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 3.31% | 4.50% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 2.13% | 2.76% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 6.57% | 4.95% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 2.67% | 1.64% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 1.46% | 1.27% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 7.40% | 4.59% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 4.66% | 3.26% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 4.85% | 4.13% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 4.34% | 3.78% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 2.72% | 2.95% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 3.29% | 3.88% |
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., ROA, long-term trends, comparison to industry (communication services)
| AT&T Inc. | Communication Services | |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2024 | 2.77% | 10.19% |
| Dec 31, 2023 | 3.54% | 7.83% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | -2.12% | 5.43% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 3.64% | 8.37% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | -0.98% | 4.70% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 2.52% | 6.31% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 3.64% | 7.37% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 6.63% | 9.20% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 3.21% | 6.11% |
| Dec 31, 2015 | 3.31% | 5.83% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 2.13% | 4.97% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 6.57% | 5.86% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 2.67% | 3.61% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 1.46% | 3.14% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 7.40% | 5.24% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 4.66% | 4.15% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 4.85% | 4.53% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 4.34% | 4.35% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 2.72% | 3.45% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 3.29% | 3.57% |
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).