ServiceNow Inc. (NYSE:NOW)

The analysis of the financial data reveals several key trends in the company's asset base over the examined periods. Overall, total assets exhibited a consistent upward movement, increasing from approximately $6.2 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2020 to a peak of around $22 billion by mid-2025, indicating sustained growth in the company's resource base.

Liquidity and Short-term Assets

Cash and cash equivalents showed significant fluctuations, with an initial growth phase through 2020 and early 2021, peaking at about $2.3 billion by the first quarter of 2025. Intermediate declines appear intermittently, reflecting possible operational cash flow variances or investment activities.

Marketable securities increased notably over the period, from about $1.05 billion in early 2020 to a high exceeding $3.4 billion by 2025, suggesting an enhanced portfolio of liquid investments, although a slight downward adjustment happens toward the latter periods.

Accounts receivable experienced marked volatility but trended upward overall, particularly showing substantial increases in the final quarters of some years, possibly tied to revenue recognition timing or expanding customer base, rising from $615 million to over $1.6 billion.

Current portion of deferred commissions and prepaid expenses both demonstrated consistent increases, pointing toward growing deferred revenue and increased investments in advance expenses, which align with expanding business activities.

Current Assets

The aggregation of current assets reflected the combined effects of the items noted above, growing significantly from around $2.8 billion in early 2020 to a peak of nearly $9.3 billion in mid-2025, albeit with some periods showing declines, which could be attributed to strategic liquidity management or timing of cash flows.

Long-Term Assets and Investments

Deferred commissions less current portion grew steadily, from $340 million to just over $1 billion, indicating increasing revenue commitments being recognized over longer terms.

Long-term marketable securities also increased markedly, particularly from 2021 onward, with amounts rising beyond $4.3 billion by mid-2025, reflecting strategic asset allocation toward longer-duration investments.

Strategic investments appear new in the latest period with a reported figure of $1.5 billion, indicating fresh or expanded investment initiatives beyond traditional marketable securities.

Property and equipment showed a steady upward trajectory, rising from $471 million to over $2.1 billion by the end of 2025, consistent with growing operational capacity or capital expenditure investments.

Operating lease right-of-use assets remained relatively stable with minor fluctuations, ranging mostly between $450 million and $820 million, indicative of consistent leasing arrangements.

Intangible assets, net, displayed some periodic decreases but overall increased from $171 million to nearly $400 million, suggesting ongoing investments in intangible resources, though some amortization or impairment might occur intermittently.

Goodwill saw a substantial rise beginning mid-2021, more than tripling from approximately $208 million to $1.8 billion by 2025, which likely reflects acquisitions or re-evaluations of acquired entities.

Deferred tax assets showed an initial rise followed by a decline from a peak of $1.5 billion to $1.2 billion toward the end, possibly related to changes in tax position or valuation allowances.

Other assets trended upward over time, from $74 million to $864 million, suggesting growing miscellaneous long-term asset holdings.

Long-Term Assets Overall

Long-term assets increased progressively, from roughly $3.4 billion to over $13.4 billion, underscoring a strategic build-up of non-current resources in line with company growth and investment strategies.

Summary of Trends

The data indicates a robust and consistent expansion in the overall asset base, driven by increases in cash, marketable securities, accounts receivable, property, and goodwill. Strategic initiatives are evident in the rising figures of long-term marketable securities and newly reported strategic investments.

Volatility in cash and receivables points to active management of working capital. The growth in deferred commissions and prepaid expenses aligns with expanding sales and customer engagement activities. The substantial increase in goodwill suggests notable acquisition activity or revaluation in recent years.

Overall, asset growth is balanced between current and long-term categories, indicating a strategy focusing on both liquidity maintenance and investment in long-term capacity and value generation.