KKR & Co. Inc.KKR
KKR & Co. Inc. Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosure
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the excess of acquisition cost over the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired in connection with an acquisition. Goodwill is assessed for impairment annually in the third quarter of each fiscal year or more frequently if circumstances indicate impairment may have occurred.
In accordance with GAAP, KKR has the option to either (i) perform a quantitative impairment test or (ii) first perform a qualitative assessment (commonly known as "step zero") to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, in which case the quantitative test would then be performed. When performing a quantitative impairment test, KKR compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, the goodwill impairment loss is equal to the excess of the carrying value over the fair value, limited to the carrying amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The estimated fair values of the reporting units are derived based on valuation techniques KKR believes market participants would use for each respective reporting unit. The estimated fair values are generally determined by utilizing a discounted cash flow methodology and methodologies that incorporate market multiples of certain comparable companies.
KKR tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is generally at the level of or one level below its reportable segments, on an annual basis, or, when an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Goodwill recorded as a result of the acquisition of Global Atlantic has been allocated to the insurance segment, and goodwill recorded as a result of the acquisition of KJR Management ("KJRM") has been allocated to the asset management segment. In the first quarter of 2024, the change in reportable segments required the identification of a new reporting unit related to the creation of the Strategic Holdings segment and the allocation of goodwill to this reporting unit based on the relative fair value approach.
During the third quarter of 2024, KKR performed its annual impairment analysis for the goodwill recorded at the asset management, strategic holdings and insurance reporting units.
KKR elected to perform step zero for the purposes of its impairment analysis for the goodwill recorded at its reporting units. Based upon these assessments, KKR determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting units exceeds its carrying value. Factors considered in the qualitative assessment included macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, current and projected financial performance, changes in management or strategy and market capitalization.
KKR tests indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at the aggregate level of management contracts. KKR has the option to either (i) perform a quantitative impairment test or (ii) first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than its carrying amount, in which case, the quantitative test would be performed.
During the third quarter of 2024, KKR performed its annual impairment analysis on KJRM’s investment management contracts recorded at KKR’s asset management business, which were determined to have indefinite useful lives and are not subject to amortization. KKR elected to perform a qualitative assessment for the purposes of its impairment analysis. Based upon this assessment, KKR determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the KJRM investment management contracts exceeded their carrying value. Factors considered in the qualitative assessment included macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, and current and projected financial performance.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets are recorded in Other Assets in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Feb 28, 2025 | Showing above |
| 2023 | Feb 29, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Feb 27, 2023 | |
| 2021 | Feb 28, 2022 | |
| 2017 | Feb 23, 2018 | |
| 2016 | Feb 24, 2017 | |
| 2015 | Feb 26, 2016 | |
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.