Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

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.

Liabilities represents obligations of a company arising from past events, the settlement of which is expected to result in an outflow of economic benefits from the entity.

ConocoPhillips, consolidated balance sheet: liabilities and stockholders’ equity

US$ in millions

	Dec 31, 2025	Dec 31, 2024	Dec 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021
Accounts payable	6,218)	6,044)	5,117)	6,163)	5,025)
Short-term debt	1,020)	1,035)	1,074)	417)	1,200)
Accrued income and other taxes	1,835)	2,460)	1,811)	3,193)	2,862)
Employee benefit obligations	1,136)	1,087)	774)	728)	755)
Other accruals	1,763)	1,498)	1,229)	2,346)	2,179)
Current liabilities	11,972)	12,124)	10,005)	12,847)	12,021)
Long-term debt	22,424)	23,289)	17,863)	16,226)	18,734)
Asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs	8,214)	8,089)	7,220)	6,401)	5,754)
Deferred income taxes	12,237)	11,426)	8,813)	7,726)	6,179)
Employee benefit obligations	969)	1,022)	1,009)	1,074)	1,153)
Other liabilities and deferred credits	1,636)	2,034)	1,735)	1,552)	1,414)
Noncurrent liabilities	45,480)	45,860)	36,640)	32,979)	33,234)
Total liabilities	57,452)	57,984)	46,645)	45,826)	45,255)
Common stock, $0.01 par value	23)	23)	21)	21)	21)
Capital in excess of par	77,728)	77,529)	61,303)	61,142)	60,581)
Treasury stock, at cost	(76,217)	(71,152)	(65,640)	(60,189)	(50,920)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(5,911)	(6,473)	(5,673)	(6,000)	(4,950)
Retained earnings	68,864)	64,869)	59,268)	53,029)	40,674)
Equity	64,487)	64,796)	49,279)	48,003)	45,406)
Total liabilities and equity	121,939)	122,780)	95,924)	93,829)	90,661)

Based on: 10-K (reporting date: 2025-12-31), 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).

An examination of the provided financial information reveals notable shifts in both liabilities and stockholders’ equity over the five-year period. Total liabilities demonstrate a generally increasing trend, with a significant jump observed between 2023 and 2024, while equity also increased, though with more fluctuation. A closer look at the components of these figures provides further insight.

Current Liabilities: Current liabilities exhibited volatility. After peaking in 2022 at US$12,847 million, they decreased in 2023 to US$10,005 million before rising again in 2024 to US$12,124 million, and then slightly decreasing in 2025 to US$11,972 million. Accounts payable consistently remained the largest component of current liabilities, fluctuating between US$5,025 million and US$6,218 million. Accrued income and other taxes showed a decrease from 2022 to 2023, followed by an increase in 2024, and a subsequent decrease in 2025.
Noncurrent Liabilities: Noncurrent liabilities generally increased over the period, with a substantial rise between 2023 and 2024, from US$36,640 million to US$45,860 million. Long-term debt contributed significantly to this increase, growing from US$17,863 million in 2023 to US$23,289 million in 2024. Deferred income taxes also showed a consistent upward trend, increasing from US$8,813 million in 2023 to US$12,237 million in 2025. Asset retirement obligations and accrued environmental costs also increased steadily throughout the period.
Total Liabilities: Total liabilities increased from US$45,255 million in 2021 to US$57,452 million in 2025. The most significant increase occurred between 2023 and 2024, rising from US$46,645 million to US$57,984 million, driven primarily by the increase in long-term debt and deferred income taxes. While increasing overall, the rate of increase slowed in 2025.
Stockholders’ Equity: Stockholders’ equity also increased over the period, from US$45,406 million in 2021 to US$64,487 million in 2025. Retained earnings were the primary driver of this growth, increasing from US$40,674 million to US$68,864 million. Capital in excess of par also contributed to the increase, rising from US$60,581 million to US$77,728 million. Treasury stock consistently decreased (became more negative) throughout the period, indicating share repurchases. Accumulated other comprehensive loss remained relatively stable, with minor fluctuations.
Total Liabilities and Equity: Total liabilities and equity increased from US$90,661 million in 2021 to US$121,939 million in 2025. The substantial increase in 2024, from US$95,924 million to US$122,780 million, reflects the combined effect of increased liabilities and equity. The growth rate slowed in 2025.

In summary, the financial position of the entity demonstrates a trend of increasing size, as evidenced by the growth in both liabilities and equity. The significant increase in long-term debt and deferred income taxes in 2024 warrants further investigation, while the consistent growth in retained earnings suggests profitability and reinvestment in the business. The ongoing share repurchase program, indicated by the decreasing treasury stock balance, also represents a notable trend.

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ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP)

Balance Sheet: Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity