Common-Size Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Quarterly Data
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., common-size consolidated balance sheet: liabilities and stockholders’ equity (quarterly data)
Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-09-27), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-06-28), 10-Q (reporting date: 2025-03-29), 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-09-28), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-06-29), 10-Q (reporting date: 2024-03-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-07-01), 10-Q (reporting date: 2023-04-01), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-10-01), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-07-02), 10-Q (reporting date: 2022-04-02), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-10-02), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-07-03), 10-Q (reporting date: 2021-04-03).
The composition of liabilities and stockholders’ equity for the analyzed entity exhibits several notable trends over the observed period. Overall, total liabilities generally represent a significant portion of the company’s funding, fluctuating between approximately 45% and 57% of the total, while equity comprises the remaining portion. A general increase in the proportion of equity is observed towards the end of the period.
- Current Liabilities
- Current liabilities, as a percentage of total liabilities and equity, demonstrate variability. They peaked at 17.51% in December 2022, before declining to 13.77% by December 2025. Within current liabilities, accounts payable remained relatively stable, generally ranging between 2.5% and 3.5%. Accrued payroll and employee benefits showed a slight decreasing trend from approximately 2.5% in late 2021 to around 1.8% in late 2025, with some fluctuations. Contract liabilities exhibited a similar pattern, remaining between 2.5% and 3.1% for most of the period, with a decrease towards the end. Short-term obligations show a significant increase in December 2021, followed by a decline to lower levels by the end of the period.
- Long-Term Liabilities
- Long-term liabilities consistently represent a larger portion of the total than current liabilities. They initially decreased from 36.87% in October 2021 to a low of 35.26% in December 2024, then increased slightly to 37.72% by December 2025. Long-term obligations, excluding current maturities, are the primary driver of this category, consistently representing between 27% and 33% of the total. Deferred income taxes show a decreasing trend over the period, falling from approximately 4% to under 2%.
- Stockholders’ Equity
- Total stockholders’ equity demonstrates a general upward trend as a percentage of the total. Retained earnings are the largest component of equity, fluctuating between approximately 43% and 51% of the total. Capital in excess of par value remains relatively stable, generally between 17% and 24%. Treasury stock represents a significant deduction from equity, with a negative percentage ranging from approximately -9% to -22%, becoming more substantial over time. Accumulated other comprehensive loss also represents a negative component, remaining relatively stable between -2% and -4%. Common stock remains a small, consistent percentage of the total, around 0.4% to 0.7%.
The observed trends suggest a shift in the company’s financial structure over the analyzed period. While liabilities remain a substantial part of the capital structure, the proportion of equity has generally increased, potentially indicating improved profitability and/or share repurchase activity. The decrease in deferred income taxes may reflect changes in tax planning or accounting practices. The increasing negative balance of treasury stock suggests ongoing share repurchase programs.