C11-1 Target Corporation and Walmart Stores, Inc.: Identifying depreciation differences and performing financial statement analysis (LO 11-8) Target Corporation operates in a single business segment that is designed to enable guests to purchase products seamlessly in stores, online, or through mobile devices. Most of its operations are in the United States. Walmart is engaged in the operation of retail, wholesale, and other units located throughout the United States, Africa, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Central America, Chile, China, India, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom. The Company's operations are conducted in three reportable segments: Walmart U.S., Walmart International, and Sam's Club. Information taken from both firms' fiscal 2014 annual reports to shareholders follows. The fiscal 2014 years end in January Page 11-54 2015. Target Corporation Property and Equipment ($ in millions) Land Buildings and improvements Fixtures and equipment Computer hardware and software Construction in progress January 31, 2015 $ 6,127 February 1, 2014 $ 6,143 26,614 25,984 5,346 2,553 424 (15,106) $25,958 5,199 2,395 757 (14,066) Accumulated depreciation Property and equipment-net $26,412 Property and equipment is depreciated using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives or lease terms if shorter. We amortize leasehold improvements purchased after the beginning of the initial lease term over the shorter of the assets' useful lives or a term that includes the original lease term, plus any renewals that are reasonably assured at the date the leasehold improvements are acquired.... For income tax purposes, accelerated depreciation methods are generally used. Repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Facility pre-opening costs, including supplies and payroll, are expensed as incurred. Estimated useful lives by major asset category are as follows: Asset Life (in Years) Buildings and improvements Fixtures and equipment Computer hardware and software 8-39 2-15 2-7 Selected Income Statement Information ($ in millions) Depreciation and amortization Earnings before income taxes Net earnings from continuing operations Source: Target Corp. 2014 annual report. Years Ended January 31, 2015 February 1, 2014 $2,129 3,653 2,449 $1,996 4,121 2,214 Walmart Stores, Inc. Property and Equipment ($ in millions) Land Buildings and improvements Fixtures and equipment Transportation equipment Property under capital lease Property and equipment Accumulated depreciation Property and equipment, net Estimated useful lives for financial statement purposes are as follows: January 31, 2015 $ 26,261 January 31, 2014 $ 26,184 97,496 95,488 45,044 42,971 2,807 2,785 5,787 5,661 177,395 173,089 (63,115) (57,725) $114,280 $115,364 Page 11-55 Selected Income Statement Information Asset Life (in Years) Buildings and improvements 3-40 Fixtures and equipment 2-30 Transportation equipment 3-15 ($ in millions) Depreciation and amortization Income from continuing operations before income taxes Income from continuing operations Source: Walmart Stores, Inc., 2014 annual report. Required: Assume a 35% tax rate. Years Ended January 31, 2015 January 31, 2015 $ 9,100 24,799 16,814 $ 8,800 24,656 16,551 1. Estimate the average useful life of each firm's long-lived assets as of January 31, 2015. 2. Calculate a revised estimate of Walmart's depreciation expense for the year ended January 31, 2015, using the estimated average useful life of Target's assets. Use this amount to recalculate Walmart's income before taxes and income from continuing operations for the year ended January 31, 2015. 3. Calculate a revised estimate of Target's depreciation expense for the year ended January 31, 2015, using the estimated average useful life of Walmart's assets. Use this amount to recalculate Target's earnings before income taxes and net earnings from continuing operations for the year ended January 31, 2015. 4. Why might a financial analyst want to make adjustments in requirements 2 and 3? 5. What factors will affect the reliability and accuracy of the adjustments performed in requirements 2 and 3? C11-2 AT&T Inc.: Analyzing financial statement effects of capitalized interest (LO 11-2) AT&T Inc. is a global provider of telecommunications, media, and technology services. The following information was taken from AT&T's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.