Intangible Asset
 |
Definition of 'Intangible Asset'An asset that is not physical in nature. Corporate intellectual property (items such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, business methodologies), goodwill and brand recognition are all common intangible assets in today's marketplace. An intangible asset can be classified as either indefinite or definite depending on the specifics of that asset. A company brand name is considered to be an indefinite asset, as it stays with the company as long as the company continues operations. However, if a company enters a legal agreement to operate under another company's patent, with no plans of extending the agreement, it would have a limited life and would be classified as a definite asset. |
|
Investopedia explains 'Intangible Asset'While intangible assets don't have the obvious physical value of a factory or equipment, they can prove very valuable for a firm and can be critical to its long-term success or failure. For example, a company such as Coca-Cola wouldn't be nearly as successful were it not for the high value obtained through its brand-name recognition. Although brand recognition is not a physical asset you can see or touch, its positive effects on bottom-line profits can prove extremely valuable to firms such as Coca-Cola, whose brand strength drives global sales year after year. |
Related Definitions
Articles Of Interest
-
Using The Price-To-Book Ratio To Evaluate Companies
The P/B ratio can be an easy way to determine a company's value, but it isn't magic! -
Can You Count On Goodwill?
Carefully examine goodwill and its sources before considering the value of your investment. -
How To Evaluate A Company's Balance Sheet
Asset performance shows how what a company owes and owns affects its investment quality. -
Intangible Assets Provide Real Value To Stocks
Intangible assets don't appear on balance sheets, but they're crucial to judging a company's value. -
Should computer software be classified as an intangible asset or part of property, plant and equipment?
In accounting terms, an intangible asset is something of value that is not of physical nature. On the other hand, property, plant and equipment (PPE) are just as the name suggests. PPE refers ... -
What is the difference between amortization and depreciation?
Because very few assets last forever, one of the main principles of accrual accounting requires that an asset's cost be proportionally expensed based on the time period over which the asset was ... -
Depreciation: Straight-Line Vs. Double-Declining Methods
Appreciate the different methods used to describe how book value is "used up". -
Financial Statement: Extraordinary Vs. Nonrecurring Items
When it comes to analyzing a company, successful analysts spend considerable time differentiating between accounting items that are likely to recur going forward from those that most likely will ... -
The Basics Of A Financial Analysis Report
Running financial analysis on a company or industry is a key skill every investor must learn and understand how to undertake without which an ineffective financial report and investment recommendation ... -
GAAP And The IFRS Standards Convergence Efforts In 3 Substantial Areas
Understand the specific steps that have been taken in hopes of converging the GAAP and the IFRS accounting standards, despite the philosophically and culturally based methodological differences ...
