Goodwill and Other Identifiable Intangible Assets
Goodwill
($ in millions)Global Architectural CoatingsPerformance CoatingsIndustrial CoatingsTotal
January 1, 2024
$2,996 $1,913 $1,206 $6,115 
Acquisitions, including purchase accounting adjustments— — 
Divestitures— — (2)(2)
Foreign currency impact and other(308)(61)(56)(425)
December 31, 2024$2,688 $1,854 $1,148 $5,690 
Foreign currency impact and other320 60 79 459 
December 31, 2025$3,008 $1,914 $1,227 $6,149 
In the fourth quarter, the Company tests the carrying value of goodwill for impairment, as discussed in Note 1. “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” In both 2025 and 2024, the annual impairment testing of goodwill did not result in impairment of any of the Company’s reporting units. In conjunction with the 2023 assessment, the Company determined that the estimated fair value of the traffic solutions reporting unit was less than its carrying value, resulting in recognition of a goodwill impairment charge of $158 million in Impairment and other related charges, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. The fair value of the traffic solutions reporting unit was estimated using a discounted cash flow model. Key assumptions and estimates used in the discounted cash flow model included projected future revenues, a discount rate, operating cash flows, capital expenditures, and a tax rate. The decline in the fair value of the traffic solutions reporting unit compared to prior periods was primarily due to an increase in the weighted average cost of capital (discount rate assumption) reflecting the current interest rate environment. In addition, the fair value was impacted by a decline in the reporting unit’s long-term cash generation forecast due to the highly inflationary environment in Argentina and the fourth quarter 2023 divestitures of its European and Australian businesses.
As of December 31, 2025, accumulated goodwill impairment losses totaled $158 million, all of which relates to the Performance Coatings reportable segment.
Identifiable Intangible Assets
 December 31, 2025December 31, 2024
($ in millions)Gross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNetGross Carrying AmountAccumulated AmortizationNet
Indefinite-Lived Identifiable Intangible Assets
Trademarks$1,274 $— $1,274 $1,123 $— $1,123 
Definite-Lived Identifiable Intangible Assets
Acquired technology$819 ($720)$99 $800 ($666)$134 
Customer-related1,782 (1,293)489 1,656 (1,106)550 
Trade names299 (191)108 276 (162)114 
Other46 (45)43 (42)
Total Definite Lived Intangible Assets$2,946 ($2,249)$697 $2,775 ($1,976)$799 
Total Identifiable Intangible Assets$4,220 ($2,249)$1,971 $3,898 ($1,976)$1,922 
In the fourth quarter, the Company tests the carrying value of indefinite-lived trademarks for impairment, as discussed in Note 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” In both 2025 and 2024, the annual impairment testing review of indefinite-lived intangibles did not result in an impairment. In conjunction with the 2023 annual impairment test, the Company determined that the estimated fair value of certain trademarks in the Global Architectural Coatings segment were less than the carrying value, resulting in recognition of impairment charges of $2 million in Impairment and other related charges, net in the accompanying consolidated statement of income.
Aggregate amortization expense was $125 million, $132 million and $154 million in 2025, 2024 and 2023, respectively. In the fourth quarter 2023, the Company recognized accelerated amortization expense of $6 million related to the exit of a non-core business.
($ in millions)20262027202820292030Thereafter
Estimated future amortization expense$104 $84 $77 $71 $62 $299 

Historical Timeline

Fiscal YearFiled
2025Feb 19, 2026Showing above
2024Feb 20, 2025
2023Feb 15, 2024
2022Feb 16, 2023
2021Feb 17, 2022
2020Feb 18, 2021
2019Feb 20, 2020
2017Feb 15, 2018

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.