WPP (WPP) Intangible Assets

: $11,695 Mil (As of Dec. 2023)

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Intangible assets are defined as identifiable non-monetary assets that cannot be seen, touched or physically measured. WPP's intangible assets for the quarter that ended in Dec. 2023 was $11,695 Mil.

WPP Intangible Assets Historical Data

The historical data trend for WPP's Intangible Assets can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

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WPP Annual Data

Trend

Dec14

Dec15

Dec16

Dec17

Dec18

Dec19

Dec20

Dec21

Dec22

Dec23

Intangible Assets

15,176.15

11,798.52

11,930.59

12,064.92

11,694.68

WPP Semi-Annual Data
	Jun14	Dec14	Jun15	Dec15	Jun16	Dec16	Jun17	Dec17	Jun18	Dec18	Jun19	Dec19	Jun20	Dec20	Jun21	Dec21	Jun22	Dec22	Jun23	Dec23
Intangible Assets																11,930.59	11,954.06	12,064.92	12,370.83	11,694.68

WPP Intangible Assets Calculation

Intangible assets are defined as identifiable non-monetary assets that cannot be seen, touched or physically measured. Examples of intangible assets include trade secrets, copyrights, patents, trademarks. If a company acquires assets at the prices above the book value, it may carry goodwill on its balance sheet. Goodwill reflects the difference between the price the company paid and the book value of the assets.

WPP (NYSE:WPP) Intangible Assets Explanation

If a company (company A) received a patent through their own work, though it has value, it does not show up on its balance sheet as an intangible asset. However, if company A sells this patent to company B, it will show up on company B's balance sheet as an intangible asset.

The same applies to brand names, trade secrets etc. For instance, Coca-Cola's brand is extremely valuable, but the brand does not appear on its balance sheet, because the brand was never acquired.

Some intangibles are amortized. Amortization is the depreciation of intangible assets.

Many intangibles are not amortized. They may still be written down when the company decides the asset is impaired.

Whenever you see an increase in goodwill over a number of years, you can assume it's because the company is out buying other businesses above book value. GOOD if buying businesses with durable competitive advantage.

If goodwill stays the same, the company when acquiring other companies is either paying less than book value or not acquiring. Businesses with moats never sell for less than book value.

Intangibles acquired are on balance sheet at fair value.

Internally developed brand names (Coke, Wrigleys, Band-Aid) however are not reflected on the balance sheet.

One of the reasons competitive advantage power can remain hidden for so long.

Be Aware

Companies may change the way intangible assets are amortized, and this will affect their reported earnings.

WPP Intangible Assets Related Terms

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WPP (WPP) Business Description

Industry

GURUFOCUS.COM » STOCK LIST » Communication Services » Media - Diversified » WPP PLC (NYSE:WPP) » Definitions » Intangible Assets

Comparable Companies

Traded in Other Exchanges

WPPGF:USA WPPl:UK WPP:UK 0WP:Germany 0WP:Germany

Address

18 Upper Ground, Sea Containers, London, GBR, SE1 9GL

Website

https://www.wpp.com

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, WPP is the world's largest ad holding company, based on annual revenues. WPP's services, which include traditional and digital advertising, public relations, and consulting, are provided worldwide, with over 70% of its revenue coming from more developed regions such as North America, the U.K., and Western Europe.