Stock Analysis on Net

Air Products & Chemicals Inc. (NYSE:APD)

$22.49

This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since August 9, 2021.

Analysis of Bad Debts

Microsoft Excel

Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable (bad debts) is a contra account which reduce the balance of the company gross accounts receivable. The relationship between the allowance and the balance in receivables should be relatively constant unless there is a change in the economy overall or a change in customer base.

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Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable

Microsoft Excel
Sep 30, 2020 Sep 30, 2019 Sep 30, 2018 Sep 30, 2017 Sep 30, 2016 Sep 30, 2015
Selected Financial Data (US$ in thousands)
Allowance for doubtful accounts
Trade receivables, gross
Financial Ratio
Allowance as a percentage of trade receivables, gross1

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2020-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-09-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-09-30).

1 2020 Calculation
Allowance as a percentage of trade receivables, gross = 100 × Allowance for doubtful accounts ÷ Trade receivables, gross
= 100 × ÷ =


The analysis of the financial data reveals noteworthy fluctuations in the allowance for doubtful accounts and trade receivables over the six-year period ending September 30, 2020.

Allowance for doubtful accounts
The allowance exhibits significant variability, with values ranging from a low of 22,800 thousand USD in 2016 to a high of 48,800 thousand USD in 2019. Notably, there is a sharp increase in 2017 followed by a considerable decrease in 2018. The allowance in 2020 almost returns to the 2015 level, indicating a cyclical pattern rather than a consistent trend.
Trade receivables, gross
Trade receivables show a general downward trend from 1,462,700 thousand USD in 2016 to 1,219,800 thousand USD in 2017. Subsequently, there is a recovery phase peaking at 1,309,000 thousand USD in 2019, followed by a slight decline to 1,298,700 thousand USD in 2020. Overall, the values fluctuate moderately without a clear long-term increasing or decreasing trend.
Allowance as a percentage of trade receivables, gross
This ratio follows the movements of the allowance for doubtful accounts relative to the gross receivables. It shows pronounced spikes in 2017 and 2019 at approximately 3.75% and 3.73% respectively, indicating periods of increased estimated credit risk. In contrast, the percentage stays near or below 2% in the other years, reflecting lower expected credit losses relative to receivables.

In summary, the company experiences considerable fluctuations in its allowance for doubtful accounts both in absolute terms and as a portion of trade receivables. These variations suggest variable credit risk assessments or changing economic conditions impacting collectibility. Trade receivables themselves display modest volatility without a sustained directional trend. The peaks in allowance ratios during 2017 and 2019 merit attention, as they may reflect heightened caution or deteriorating receivable quality during those years.