Intel Corporation (INTC)

Cash ratio

		Dec 31, 2023	Sep 30, 2023	Jun 30, 2023	Mar 31, 2023	Dec 31, 2022	Sep 30, 2022	Jun 30, 2022	Mar 31, 2022	Dec 31, 2021	Sep 30, 2021	Jun 30, 2021	Mar 31, 2021	Dec 31, 2020	Sep 30, 2020	Jun 30, 2020	Mar 31, 2020	Dec 31, 2019	Sep 30, 2019	Jun 30, 2019	Mar 31, 2019
Cash and cash equivalents	US$ in thousands	7,079,000	7,621,000	8,349,000	8,232,000	11,144,000	4,529,000	4,390,000	6,215,000	4,827,000	7,870,000	4,746,000	5,192,000	5,865,000	3,356,000	8,736,000	11,380,000	4,194,000	3,935,000	2,867,000	3,154,000
Short-term investments	US$ in thousands	17,955,000	17,409,000	15,908,000	19,302,000	17,194,000	18,030,000	22,654,000	32,481,000	2,103,000	4,004,000	3,014,000	2,417,000	2,292,000	2,987,000	4,791,000	1,296,000	1,082,000	1,849,000	2,414,000	2,698,000
Total current liabilities	US$ in thousands	28,053,000	28,614,000	27,180,000	27,393,000	32,155,000	27,813,000	27,218,000	29,322,000	27,462,000	29,572,000	24,836,000	24,151,000	24,754,000	22,112,000	22,481,000	23,895,000	22,310,000	25,064,000	19,705,000	18,911,000
Cash ratio		0.89	0.87	0.89	1.01	0.88	0.81	0.99	1.32	0.25	0.40	0.31	0.32	0.33	0.29	0.60	0.53	0.24	0.23	0.27	0.31

December 31, 2023 calculation

Cash ratio = (Cash and cash equivalents + Short-term investments) ÷ Total current liabilities
= ($7,079,000K + $17,955,000K) ÷ $28,053,000K
= 0.89

The cash ratio is a liquidity ratio that measures a company's ability to cover its liabilities with its cash and cash equivalents. A higher cash ratio indicates a stronger ability to meet short-term obligations.

Analyzing the cash ratio of Intel Corporation over the past few quarters, we observe fluctuations in the ratio. The cash ratio has generally been above 1, except for a few quarters where it has dropped below that level. In particular, there was a significant decrease in the cash ratio in the last quarter of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, indicating a potential liquidity concern during that period.

However, the cash ratio rebounded in subsequent quarters, with a notable spike in the first quarter of 2022 and a gradual improvement thereafter. The cash ratio peaked at 1.32 in the first quarter of 2022, suggesting a strong ability to cover short-term obligations with its cash reserves at that time.

Overall, while the cash ratio of Intel Corporation has shown some variability, it has generally remained at levels indicating a healthy liquidity position. Investors and analysts should continue to monitor this ratio to ensure the company maintains an adequate level of cash to meet its short-term liabilities.