Balance Sheet: Assets

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.

Verizon Communications Inc., consolidated balance sheet: assets

US$ in millions

	Dec 31, 2024	Dec 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021	Dec 31, 2020
Cash and cash equivalents	4,194)	2,065)	2,605)	2,921)	22,171)
Accounts receivable, net	26,109)	25,085)	24,506)	23,846)	23,917)
Inventories	2,247)	2,057)	2,388)	3,055)	1,796)
Prepaid taxes	811)	550)	167)	1,093)	1,200)
Deferred contract costs	2,932)	2,756)	2,629)	2,432)	2,472)
Collateral payments related to derivative contracts	2,118)	1,406)	2,286)	21)	—)
Restricted cash	319)	1,244)	1,343)	1,094)	1,195)
Other prepaid expense and other	1,793)	1,651)	1,933)	2,266)	1,843)
Prepaid expenses and other	7,973)	7,607)	8,358)	6,906)	6,710)
Current assets	40,523)	36,814)	37,857)	36,728)	54,594)
Plant, property and equipment, net	108,522)	108,310)	107,434)	99,696)	94,833)
Investments in unconsolidated businesses	842)	953)	1,071)	1,061)	589)
Wireless licenses	156,613)	155,667)	149,796)	147,619)	96,097)
Deposits for wireless licenses	—)	—)	—)	—)	2,772)
Goodwill	22,841)	22,843)	28,671)	28,603)	24,773)
Other intangible assets, net	11,129)	11,057)	11,461)	11,677)	9,413)
Wireless licenses, goodwill and other intangible assets	190,583)	189,567)	189,928)	187,899)	133,055)
Operating lease right-of-use assets	24,472)	24,726)	26,130)	27,883)	22,531)
Other assets	19,769)	19,885)	17,260)	13,329)	10,879)
Non-current assets	344,188)	343,441)	341,823)	329,868)	261,887)
Total assets	384,711)	380,255)	379,680)	366,596)	316,481)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2024-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2023-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2022-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2021-12-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2020-12-31).

The analysis of the annual financial data reveals several notable trends across various asset categories over the five-year period under review.

Cash and Cash Equivalents: There was a significant decline from US$22,171 million in 2020 to a low point of US$2,065 million in 2023, followed by a partial recovery to US$4,194 million in 2024. This reflects considerable volatility and possible operational or investment cash flow fluctuations.
Accounts Receivable, Net: The balance remained relatively stable with a slight upward trend, increasing from US$23,917 million in 2020 to US$26,109 million in 2024, indicating steady revenue collection activity.
Inventories: Inventories peaked in 2021 at US$3,055 million, followed by a decline through 2023, then a slight increase in 2024. This pattern may suggest adjustments in inventory management or changes in sales demand.
Prepaid Taxes: There was a sharp reduction from US$1,200 million in 2020 to US$167 million in 2022, with a recovery beginning in 2023, reaching US$811 million in 2024. The fluctuations could be attributable to changing tax obligations or timing differences in payments.
Deferred Contract Costs: A consistent increase was observed, growing from US$2,472 million in 2020 to US$2,932 million in 2024, suggesting expanding contract-related asset recognition.
Collateral Payments Related to Derivative Contracts: This category showed a marked increase from no reported amount in 2020 to US$2,118 million in 2024, reflecting growing activity or exposure in derivative contracts.
Restricted Cash: Restricted cash levels decreased overall from US$1,195 million in 2020 to US$319 million in 2024, indicating less cash held under restriction or pledge agreements.
Prepaid Expenses and Other: The combined line item demonstrated growth from US$6,710 million in 2020 to US$7,973 million in 2024, with fluctuations in the component "other prepaid expense and other," which peaked in 2021 and then declined.
Current Assets: Current assets experienced a sharp decline from US$54,594 million in 2020 to US$36,728 million in 2021, with modest recovery thereafter, reaching US$40,523 million in 2024. This suggests a major reallocation or reduction in short-term resources between 2020 and 2021.
Plant, Property and Equipment, Net: There was a steady increase each year from US$94,833 million in 2020 to US$108,522 million in 2024, indicating ongoing investment in physical assets.
Investments in Unconsolidated Businesses: Investment in unconsolidated businesses grew from US$589 million in 2020 to a peak of US$1,071 million in 2022, followed by a decline to US$842 million in 2024, suggesting partial divestments or revaluations.
Wireless Licenses: Wireless licenses exhibited strong growth, rising from US$96,097 million in 2020 to US$156,613 million in 2024, reflecting significant capital deployment in spectrum assets.
Goodwill: Goodwill increased to a peak of US$28,671 million in 2022, then declined notably to US$22,841 million in 2024, which might indicate impairment charges or disposal of business units.
Other Intangible Assets, Net: These assets showed moderate growth initially, reaching US$11,677 million in 2021, then a slight decline and stabilization around US$11,100 million through 2024.
Wireless Licenses, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets: This aggregated category rose sharply from US$133,055 million in 2020 to US$190,583 million in 2024, driven mainly by growth in wireless licenses despite the decline in goodwill.
Operating Lease Right-of-Use Assets: These assets increased from US$22,531 million in 2020 to US$27,883 million in 2021, then steadily declined to US$24,472 million in 2024, suggesting lease modifications or expirations.
Other Assets: Other assets grew consistently from US$10,879 million in 2020 to a peak of US$19,885 million in 2023, followed by a slight decrease in 2024. This upward trend indicates expanding miscellaneous long-term holdings.
Non-current Assets: Non-current assets increased substantially from US$261,887 million in 2020 to US$344,188 million in 2024, reflecting broad growth in long-term asset bases including property, intangible, and other assets.
Total Assets: Total assets followed an upward trend from US$316,481 million in 2020 to US$384,711 million in 2024, with most growth occurring between 2020 and 2021, then stabilizing with moderate increases through the following years.

In summary, the data illustrate strong investment in wireless licenses and physical assets, a fluctuating liquidity position reflected in cash and equivalents, and an overall increase in total assets. Changes in goodwill and lease assets may indicate strategic portfolio adjustments, while growth in intangible assets supports a focus on network and technological capabilities.

Assets: Selected Items

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Current Assets: Selected Items

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Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE:VZ)

Balance Sheet: Assets

Assets: Selected Items

Current Assets: Selected Items