General Mills Inc. (NYSE:GIS)

The financial data reveals several noteworthy trends across different asset categories over the analyzed periods.

Cash and cash equivalents

There is notable volatility in cash reserves, with peaks such as approximately 899 million in early 2017 and 962 million in late 2017. However, a significant decline occurs in mid to late 2018, dipping below 400 million, followed by a moderate recovery towards the end of 2019.

Receivables

Receivables exhibit fluctuations within a range of roughly 1.3 to 1.7 billion. The data shows a general upward tendency in late periods, with values increasing from around 1.5 billion in early 2017 to over 1.7 billion by late 2019, indicating possible growth in sales or extended credit terms.

Inventories

Inventory levels also fluctuate over time, ranging from about 1.3 billion to over 1.8 billion. The figures generally show a rising trend into the 2018–2019 periods, suggesting increased stock accumulation, which could reflect either anticipation of higher demand or slower turnover.

Deferred income taxes

The available data covering earlier periods indicates a decline in deferred income taxes from about 114 million to lower levels around 66 million, followed by partial recovery. The absence of recent data limits further analysis in this category.

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

These assets demonstrate variability but remain mostly within the 340 million to 500 million range. Spikes and dips are observed intermittently without a clear directional trend, reflecting possible changes in prepayments or accrual estimates.

Current assets

Current assets show a downward shift around mid-2015, dropping from above 4.6 billion to closer to 4.0 billion, with moderate recovery thereafter. The dip aligns with decreases in cash and receivables during the same timeframe, suggesting a contraction in short-term liquidity.

Land, buildings, and equipment

This fixed asset category displays a slow decline overall, from approximately 3.8 billion in 2013 to about 3.6 billion in 2019, with some interim fluctuations. This pattern could indicate asset depreciation exceeding new investments.

Goodwill

Goodwill maintains relatively stable levels near 8.6 to 8.9 billion until early 2018, when it sharply increases to around 14 billion, remaining steady thereafter. This significant jump suggests an acquisition or revaluation event during that period.

Other intangible assets

These assets remain fairly stable at about 4.5 to 5 billion until early 2018, after which a substantial rise occurs, paralleling goodwill, reaching approximately 7.4 billion. This trend may also reflect acquisition-related increases or reclassification.

Other assets

Other noncurrent assets fluctuate moderately and show some growth, reaching above 1.2 billion by the end of the timeframe. The upward movement indicates possible investments or asset revaluations not classified elsewhere.

Noncurrent assets

Noncurrent assets follow a pattern similar to intangible assets and goodwill, with a pronounced increase from roughly 17.9 billion to over 26 billion in the later periods. This jump further supports the likelihood of significant asset additions or acquisitions post-2017.

Total assets

Total assets exhibit modest fluctuations around 22 to 23 billion in early periods but increase sharply to above 30 billion starting mid-2018, consistent with the growth in noncurrent assets. The increase likely reflects corporate expansion activities.

Overall, the data depicts a period of relative stability in asset composition until approximately 2017, followed by marked increases in goodwill, intangible, noncurrent, and total assets. These shifts imply strategic acquisitions or major investments leading to a substantial enlargement of the asset base. Meanwhile, current assets including cash, receivables, and inventories show more variable patterns, reflecting operational fluctuations.