11. Goodwill

The following table presents Apollo’s goodwill by segment: 

(In millions)December 31, 2023December 31, 2022
Asset Management$232 $232 
Retirement Services4,065 4,058 
Principal Investing32 32 
Total Goodwill$4,329 $4,322 

On January 1, 2022, the Company completed the previously announced merger transactions with Athene. In connection with the completion of the Mergers, the Company recognized goodwill of $4.1 billion as of the Merger Date. See note 4 for further disclosure regarding the goodwill recorded as a result of the Mergers.
In connection with the completion of the Mergers, the Company undertook a strategic review of its operating structure and business segments to assess the performance of its businesses and the allocation of resources. As a result, the Company reorganized into three reportable segments: Asset Management, Retirement Services, and Principal Investing. The Company conducted interim impairment testing immediately prior to and subsequent to the reorganization and determined there to be no impairment of historical goodwill.

Apollo acquired Griffin Capital’s U.S. wealth distribution business and U.S. asset management business in two separate closings on March 1, 2022 and May 3, 2022 and recorded goodwill of $13 million and $134 million, respectively, on each acquisition date. All of the goodwill associated with the Griffin Capital acquisitions is included within the Asset Management segment.

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2023Feb 27, 2024Showing above
2022Mar 1, 2023

About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures

Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.

Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.