Verizon

Understanding these terms

Plain-English explanations of each figure in the table above, and what a beginner typically looks at. These are educational descriptions only, not advice.

Total Assets

Everything the company owns — fixed assets, investments, cash, inventory, and receivables combined.How a beginner reads it: A beginner reads total assets to gauge the size of the business and, alongside profit, how efficiently those assets generate earnings.

Stockholders Equity

The shareholders' total stake in the company — assets minus liabilities. Includes paid-in capital plus accumulated retained earnings.How a beginner reads it: A beginner views this as the company's net worth on the books. Steady growth in equity over years usually reflects retained profits building up.

Retained Earnings

The cumulative profit a company has kept rather than paid as dividends, reinvested back into the business. The US counterpart of accumulated "Reserves".How a beginner reads it: A beginner reads rising retained earnings as profits compounding inside the company. A long history of growth here often reflects a consistently profitable business.

Cash & Equivalents

Cash on hand plus highly liquid holdings that can be converted to cash almost immediately.How a beginner reads it: A beginner views cash as a cushion and a source of flexibility. Comparing cash to borrowings gives a quick sense of net debt — how much debt remains after cash is netted off.

Property, Plant & Equipment

The US balance-sheet term for long-lived physical assets — land, buildings, and equipment — net of depreciation.How a beginner reads it: A beginner uses this to judge how capital-intensive the business is. Rising PP&E alongside rising revenue can indicate productive expansion.

Current Debt

The portion of borrowings due within the next twelve months.How a beginner reads it: A beginner checks current debt against cash and current assets — a company needs enough liquid resources to meet near-term repayments without strain.

Current Assets

Assets expected to turn into cash within a year — cash itself, receivables, and inventory.How a beginner reads it: A beginner compares current assets to current liabilities (the current ratio) to gauge whether the company can meet its near-term bills comfortably.

Current Liabilities

Obligations due within the next year — supplier dues, short-term loans, and similar.How a beginner reads it: A beginner reads these against current assets. Comfortably more current assets than current liabilities generally suggests fewer short-term liquidity worries.