LIVEPERSON INCLPSN
LIVEPERSON INC Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosure
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Net
Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the aggregate purchase price over the fair value of net identifiable assets acquired in a business combination. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, and more frequently whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. Assumptions used in an impairment test require significant judgment, therefore, they are subject to change based on facts and circumstances present at each date goodwill is evaluated for impairment.
In connection with the annual impairment test completed as of October 1, 2025, using the quantitative “Step 1” assessment, the Company determined the fair value of its reporting unit using both an income approach and a market approach. The Company applied an equal weighting to the value conclusions resulting from the two employed approaches, because there was sufficient information to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit under both methods. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is a Level 3 measure in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value determination using an income approach requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future revenues, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) and the discount rate. The Company’s projections were used as a key input into the annual goodwill impairment test performed. The discount rate used in the income approach model was 12.5%. The fair value determination using a market approach requires management to make significant assumptions related to marketplace multiples from within a peer public company group. As a result of the October 1, 2025 impairment test, no impairment was identified, as the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit exceeded its carrying value.
During the fourth quarter of 2025, the Company performed its quarterly triggering event assessment and concluded that a triggering event was present due to the decrease in the stock price. As a result, the Company performed an interim impairment test as of December 31, 2025 using the quantitative “Step 1” assessment. The Company determined the fair value of its reporting unit using both an income approach and a market approach. The Company applied an equal weighting to the value conclusions resulting from the two employed approaches, because there was sufficient information to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit under both methods. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is a Level 3 measure in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value determination using an income approach requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future revenues, EBITDA and the discount rate. The Company’s projections were used as a key input into the goodwill impairment test performed. The discount rate used in the income approach model was 13.5%, which included a 1% risk premium. The fair value determination using a market approach requires management to make significant assumptions related to marketplace multiples from within a peer public company group. As a result of this impairment test, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $41.6 million in the consolidated statements of operations during the year ended December 31, 2025, to recognize the impairment of goodwill in the Company’s one reporting unit.
If, in future periods, the financial performance of the reporting unit does not meet expectations, or a prolonged decline occurs in the market place of our common stock, it may cause a material change in the results of the impairment assessment and result in future impairment to goodwill.
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:
| Goodwill, net | |||||
| (In thousands) | |||||
Balance as of December 31, 2023 (1) | $ | 285,631 | |||
| Goodwill impairment | (60,551) | ||||
| Foreign exchange adjustment | (2,526) | ||||
Balance as of December 31, 2024 (1) | 222,554 | ||||
| Goodwill impairment | (41,595) | ||||
| Foreign exchange adjustment | 3,943 | ||||
Balance as of December 31, 2025 (1) | $ | 184,902 | |||
(1) The accumulated impairment balance was $11.9 million, $72.4 million and $114.0 million as of December 31, 2023, 2024 and 2025, respectively.
In connection with the annual impairment test completed on October 1, 2024, using the quantitative “Step 1” assessment, the Company determined the fair value of its reporting unit using both an income approach and a market approach. The Company applied an equal weighting to the value conclusions resulting from the two employed approaches, because there was sufficient information to estimate the fair value of the reporting unit under both methods. The estimated fair value of the reporting unit is a Level 3 measure in the fair value hierarchy. The fair value determination using an income approach requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions related to forecasts of future revenues, EBITDA and the discount rate. The discount rate used in the income approach model was 13%. The fair value determination using a market approach requires management to make significant assumptions related to marketplace multiples from within a peer public company group. In connection with the Company’s annual budget process in the fourth quarter of 2024, management completed a comprehensive review of the Company’s operations, which resulted in reduced estimated future cash flows. The revised projections were used as a key input into the annual goodwill impairment test performed in the fourth quarter of 2024. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $56.9 million in the consolidated statements of operations during the year ended December 31, 2024, to recognize the impairment of goodwill in the Company’s one reporting unit.
In addition, during the first quarter of 2024, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $3.6 million in the consolidated statements of operations, to recognize a full impairment of goodwill associated with its WildHealth reporting unit, which was sold during the second quarter of fiscal 2024.
Intangible Assets, Net
Patents
Legal costs incurred to establish patents are capitalized. When patents are issued, capitalized costs are amortized on the straight-line method over the related patent term. We review our patent portfolio on a periodic basis to determine whether events and circumstances would indicate impairment. In the event a patent is abandoned, the net book value of the patent is written off.
In connection with the Company’s review process in the fourth quarter of 2025, management completed a comprehensive review of the Company operations and decided to cease pursuit of a portion of its pending patents. As a result, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $2.1 million, which was classified as Impairment of intangibles and other assets in the consolidated statements of operations during the year ended December 31, 2025.
The changes in the carrying amount of intangible assets, net for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 are as follows:
| December 31, 2025 | December 31, 2024 | ||||||||||
| (In thousands) | |||||||||||
| Patents: | |||||||||||
| Gross carrying amount | $ | 16,639 | $ | 17,609 | |||||||
| Accumulated amortization | (3,230) | (2,539) | |||||||||
| Net carrying amount | $ | 13,409 | $ | 15,070 | |||||||
| Weighted average amortization period | 11.0 years | 12.7 years | |||||||||
Amortization expense is recognized over the estimated useful life of the asset. Aggregate amortization expense for intangible assets and finance leases, net was $0.7 million, $12.0 million, and $22.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023, respectively.
As a result of the impairment test in 2024, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $35.2 million included in in the consolidated statements of operations. The fair value was determined using a combination of income and market approach. This non-cash charge resulted in a full impairment of the following intangible assets acquired in connection with historical business combination transactions: developed technology in the amount of $23.7 million, customer relationships in the amount of $11.0 million and trademarks in the amount of $0.5 million.
During the first quarter of 2024, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge related to WildHealth of $2.2 million included in Impairment of intangibles and other assets in the consolidated statements of operations.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company recognized a non-cash impairment charge of $3.0 million included in Impairment of intangibles and other assets in the consolidated statements of operations related to developed technology associated with WildHealth.
As of December 31, 2025, estimated annual amortization expense for the next five years and thereafter is as follows:
| Estimated Amortization Expense | |||||
| (In thousands) | |||||
| 2026 | $ | 654 | |||
| 2027 | 618 | ||||
| 2028 | 611 | ||||
| 2029 | 595 | ||||
| 2030 | 573 | ||||
| Thereafter | 10,358 | ||||
| Total | $ | 13,409 | |||
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Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Mar 16, 2026 | Showing above |
| 2024 | Mar 14, 2025 | |
| 2023 | Mar 4, 2024 | |
| 2022 | Mar 16, 2023 | |
| 2021 | Feb 28, 2022 | |
| 2020 | Mar 8, 2021 | |
| 2019 | Mar 2, 2020 | |
| 2018 | Feb 25, 2019 | |
| 2017 | Mar 15, 2018 | |
| 2016 | Mar 10, 2017 | |
| 2015 | Mar 15, 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.