Balance Sheet: Assets
Quarterly Data
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.
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-03-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2019-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2019-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2019-06-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2019-03-31).
- Cash and Cash Equivalents
- The cash and cash equivalents displayed significant fluctuations over the reported periods. Starting at $3.9 billion in March 2019, the balance increased reaching peaks in the fourth quarter of 2022 and first quarter of 2023, with amounts exceeding $13 billion. Notably, there were periods of decline following some peaks, particularly a sharp decrease in late 2023 and into mid-2024, indicating substantial variability and possible liquidity management actions or operational cash flow impacts.
- Investment Securities
- Investment securities steadily increased throughout the timeline, rising from approximately $9.9 billion in early 2019 to over $19 billion by the third quarter of 2024. This consistent growth suggests a strategic accumulation or appreciation in investment assets, reflecting a long-term asset expansion approach.
- Receivables, Less Allowances
- The receivables saw considerable volatility. After an initial decline from $1.95 billion to below $1 billion in mid-2019, the metric rebounded sharply to values exceeding $3 billion in early 2022 and again in early 2024. This pattern may indicate fluctuations in revenue recognition timing, collection effectiveness, or changes in credit policies.
- Other Current Assets
- Other current assets showed moderate growth over the period, increasing from approximately $4 billion in early 2019 to around $6.6 billion by mid-2024. The values appear relatively stable with minor variations, suggesting steady operational asset management.
- Current Assets
- Current assets overall exhibited growth from roughly $19.7 billion in early 2019 to a peak near $38.7 billion in mid-2023, followed by a decline to around $32.9 billion by the third quarter of 2024. The rise and fall trend indicates shifts in liquidity or working capital components, possibly related to changes in operational scale or market conditions.
- Property and Equipment, Net
- The net value of property and equipment experienced gradual but consistent growth reaching $3.3 billion by late 2023, followed by a slight decrease to approximately $2.7 billion by mid-2024. The decline in recent quarters may imply disposals, asset impairments, or depreciation outpacing capital expenditures.
- Long-Term Investment Securities
- Long-term investment securities remained relatively stable, fluctuating slightly around the $400 million mark with minor increases and decreases. The lack of substantial change suggests a consistent investment position over the analyzed periods.
- Equity Method Investments
- Equity method investments showed mixed changes. After steady figures around $1 billion through 2020 and early 2021, there was a marked drop in late 2021 followed by a partial recovery in subsequent quarters, stabilizing near $730 million by mid-2024. This pattern may relate to changes in the performance or valuation of investees.
- Goodwill
- Goodwill increased significantly from roughly $3.9 billion in early 2019 to reach a high of over $11 billion in late 2021. A notable reduction followed, dropping below $9 billion in early 2022, then gradually rising and stabilizing around $9.5 billion through 2024. These dynamics indicate acquisitions followed by impairment charges or adjustments reflecting changes in the valuation of intangible assets.
- Other Long-Term Assets
- Other long-term assets fluctuated moderately, initially increasing to above $2.5 billion by mid-2020, then decreasing and showing irregular movement around $3.5 billion to $4.6 billion over subsequent periods. This variability may suggest reclassifications or changes in asset composition.
- Long-Term Assets
- Long-term assets overall rose substantially from $8.7 billion in early 2019 to a peak near $19.5 billion in late 2021, followed by a decrease to roughly $17 billion by mid-2024. The significant peak and subsequent decline imply considerable investment activity or asset revaluations during this timeframe.
- Total Assets
- Total assets followed a comparable trend to long-term assets and current assets. Starting at $28.3 billion in early 2019, total assets increased steadily to about $56.5 billion in mid-2023, then declined to around $50 billion by late 2024. This overall growth with a recent decrease reflects substantial asset accumulation with a correction phase or divestitures in the most recent periods.