Fixed assets are depreciated over their estimated useful lives as follows:
Leasehold improvements and other fixed assetsshorter of the remaining term of lease or useful life
Software, including software development costs
3-5 years straight-line
Computer and communications equipment
3-5 years straight-line
Fixed assets, net consisted of the following (in thousands):
December 31, 2024December 31, 2023
Leasehold improvements, furniture and fixtures, and other fixed assets$254,337 $245,262 
Software, including software development costs64,680 56,883 
Computer and communications equipment41,144 37,693 
Total, cost360,161 339,838 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(193,432)(161,803)
Total, net$166,729 $178,035 

About PP&E Disclosures

The PP&E disclosure details a company's physical asset base — land, buildings, machinery, and equipment — along with the depreciation methods and useful life assumptions that determine how these costs flow through the income statement. Capitalization policy thresholds reveal management's judgment on the boundary between expense and asset, directly affecting both reported earnings and asset values.

Key signals: changes in estimated useful lives or depreciation methods can materially shift reported earnings without any operational change. Compare capital expenditures against depreciation expense — when capex consistently trails depreciation, the asset base may be aging and underinvested. Watch for large asset impairments or write-downs that signal overvalued carrying amounts. Asset retirement obligations reveal future environmental or decommissioning costs that are often underappreciated. Compare PP&E intensity (PP&E-to-revenue) against industry peers to assess capital efficiency and competitive positioning.