Amortization (Historical)
Returns historical amortization expense for a company. Amortization is the systematic allocation of the cost of intangible assets over their useful life. It's a non-cash expense that reduces reported income but doesn't affect cash flow.
Supported Symbols
| Type | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| US Stocks | SYMBOL | AAPL, MSFT |
| ETFs | SYMBOL | SPY, QQQ |
| International | SYMBOL | SHOP, TSM |
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Stock ticker symbol |
| Year | Fiscal year (2020, 2021) or period code (lq, ly, lt) |
| Quarter | Optional: 1, 2, 3, or 4 for quarterly data |
| TTM | Optional: Set to "TTM" for trailing twelve months |
Amortization vs Depreciation
| Item | Applies To |
|---|---|
| Amortization | Intangible assets (patents, software, goodwill) |
| Depreciation | Tangible assets (equipment, buildings) |
Notes
- Amortization is a non-cash expense
- Added back in cash flow statement
- High amortization common after acquisitions (goodwill/intangibles)
Syntax
=hf_Amortization(Symbol, Year, [Quarter], [TTM])Examples
=hf_Amortization("AAPL", 2023)=hf_Amortization("MSFT", 2023, 2)=hf_Amortization("GOOGL", "ly")=hf_Amortization("AMZN", 2023, , "TTM")=hf_Amortization(A1, B1, C1)When to Use
- Understanding non-cash expenses
- Calculating EBITDA components
- Analyzing acquisition impacts
- Cash flow analysis
- Comparing operating vs reported profits
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Need depreciation only | hf_Depreciation() |
| Need combined D&A | hf_Depreciation_and_Amortization() |
| Need EBITDA directly | hf_EBITDA() |
| Need intangibles only | hf_Amortization_of_intangibles() |
Common Issues & FAQ
Why is amortization important for acquisitive companies?
Companies that make many acquisitions often have high amortization from acquired intangibles. This reduces reported profits but doesn't affect cash.
How does amortization affect EBITDA?
EBITDA adds back amortization (the 'A' in EBITDA), showing operating profit before this non-cash charge.
Why am I getting "NA"?
Some companies have minimal intangible assets and thus low or no amortization to report.
Related Formulas
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