Net Assets

At €84,833 million, total assets increased by €4,541 million compared with December 31, 2020, and declined by €7,522 million compared with March 31, 2020.

Noncurrent assets remained at the 2020 year-end level. The slight increase in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets primarily resulted from currency effects. Other receivables and miscellaneous assets rose compared with December 31, 2020, largely due to the increase in defined benefit assets. Offsetting effects were the decline in deferred taxes due to lower pension provisions, as well as the lower carrying amounts of non-integral investments accounted for using the equity method, mainly as a result of dividends at Wintershall Dea GmbH in the amount of €488 million.

Current assets rose by €4,756 million to €34,624 million. This was primarily due to the €3,056 million increase in trade accounts receivable. All segments contributed to the increase, especially the Agricultural Solutions segment as a result of seasonal effects. At €5,932 million, other receivables and miscellaneous assets were €1,259 million above the prior year-end figure, mainly due to higher precious metal trading items and higher fair values of derivatives. Cash and cash equivalents declined by €203 million.