Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
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.
Liabilities represents obligations of a company arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow of economic benefits from the entity.
Lowe’s Cos. Inc., consolidated balance sheet: liabilities and stockholders’ equity (quarterly data)
US$ in millions
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2026-01-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-10-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-08-01), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-05-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2025-01-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-11-01), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-08-02), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-05-03), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-02-02), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-11-03), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-08-04), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-05-05), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-02-03), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-10-28), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-07-29), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-04-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-01-28), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-10-29), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-07-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-04-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-01-29), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-10-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-07-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2020-05-01).
An examination of the provided financial information reveals notable shifts in the company’s liabilities and stockholders’ equity over the observed period. Current liabilities generally exhibited volatility, while noncurrent liabilities demonstrated a more consistent upward trend, particularly in later periods. Shareholders’ equity experienced a significant decline, culminating in a deficit by the end of the analyzed timeframe.
- Current Liabilities
- Current liabilities fluctuated considerably, peaking at US$22.892 billion in April 2021 before decreasing to US$15.568 billion in February 2024. A subsequent increase was observed, reaching US$19.506 billion in May 2024. Components of current liabilities, such as accounts payable, also showed variability, though generally remained substantial throughout the period. Current maturities of long-term debt increased significantly from January 2021 to February 2023, then decreased substantially, with a large spike in May 2024. Operating lease liabilities also increased over the period, with a notable rise in the most recent quarters. Deferred revenue remained relatively stable, while other current liabilities showed moderate fluctuations.
- Noncurrent Liabilities
- Noncurrent liabilities generally trended upward. Long-term debt, excluding current maturities, increased from US$20.2 billion in May 2020 to US$37.498 billion in January 2026. Noncurrent operating lease liabilities also increased steadily, reaching US$4.070 billion in January 2026. Deferred income taxes, net, appeared only in the later periods, contributing to the overall increase in noncurrent liabilities. Other liabilities showed moderate increases. This consistent growth in noncurrent liabilities suggests an increasing reliance on longer-term financing.
- Shareholders’ Equity
- Shareholders’ equity experienced a marked decline throughout the period. Beginning at US$1.716 billion in May 2020, it decreased to a deficit of US$9.917 billion by May 2025, and further to a deficit of US$10.839 billion by January 2026. This decline was primarily driven by substantial decreases in retained earnings, which moved from a positive value of US$1.722 billion to a negative value of US$15.637 billion by February 2024. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) remained relatively stable, with minor fluctuations. Common stock and capital in excess of par value remained relatively constant, having minimal impact on the overall trend.
- Total Liabilities and Equity
- Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity mirrored the trends in its components. Initially at US$45.832 billion in May 2020, it increased to US$51.763 billion in July 2020, then decreased to US$41.795 billion in February 2024, before increasing again to US$54.144 billion in February 2026. The shift from positive equity to a deficit significantly impacted the total, indicating a weakening financial position.
In summary, the company experienced increasing long-term debt obligations alongside a substantial erosion of shareholders’ equity, resulting in a deficit position. The volatility in current liabilities, coupled with the consistent growth in noncurrent liabilities, suggests a changing capital structure and potential increased financial risk.
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