hello! working in a financial prediction project for home depot. one of the questions we need to answer is

1. 3. Does the firm have assured access on acceptable terms to the equity markets? How many shares could be sold and at what price in "good times"? In a period of adversity?

to find this answer, would I use. the information on the financial statements? I'm honestly a bit confused about how to begin answering this. but I think it means that. I would look at outstanding shares that are available.? POssibily repurchases of common stock?

THE HOME DEPOT, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal in millions 2022 2021 020 Common Stock: Balance at beginning of year $ 90 $ 89 $ 89 Shares issued under employee stock plans, net Balance at end of year 90 90 89 Paid-in Capital: Balance at beginning of year 12,132 11,540 11,001 Shares issued under employee stock plans, net 94 194 229 Stock-based compensation expense 366 398 310 Balance at end of year 12,592 12, 132 11,540 Retained Earnings: Balance at beginning of year 67,580 58, 134 51,729 Net earnings 17, 105 16,433 12,866 Cash dividends (7,789) (6,985) (6,451) Other (2) 10) Balance at end of year 76,896 67,580 58, 134 Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss: Balance at beginning of year (704) (671) (739) Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax (22) (77) 60 Cash flow hedges, net of tax 9 9 8 Other, net of tax (1) 35 Balance at end of year 718) 704) 671) Treasury Stock: Balance at beginning of year (80,794) (65,793) (65, 196) Repurchases of common stock (6,504) 15,001 597) Balance at end of year 87,298) (80,794) (65,793) Total stockholders' equity (deficit) $ 1,562 $ 1,696 $ 3,299THE HOME DEPOT, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS Fiscal Fiscal Fiscal in miiiions, except per share data 2022 2021 2020 Net sales 35 157,403 $ 151,157 $ 132,110 Cost of sales 104,625 100,325 87,257 Gross prot 52,778 50,832 44,853 Operating expenses: Selling, general and administrative 26,284 25,406 24,447 Depreciation and amortization 2,455 2,386 2,128 Total operating expenses 28,739 27,792 26,575 Operating income 24,039 23,040 18,278 Interest and other (income) expense: Interest income and other, net (55) (44) (47) Interest expense 1,617 1,347 1,347 Interest and other, net 1,562 1,303 1,300 Earnings before provision for income taxes 22,477 21,737 16,978 Provision for income taxes 5,372 5,304 4,112 Net earnings $ 17,105 $ 16,433 $ 12,866 Basic weighted average common shares 1,022 1,054 1,074 Basic earnings per share $ 16.74 $ 15.59 $ 11.98 Diluted weighted average common shares 1,025 1,058 1,078 Diluted earnings per share $ 16.69 $ 15.53 $ 11.94 See accompanying notes to consolidated nancial statements. THE HOME DEPOT, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME in millions Net earnings Other comprehensive (less) income, net of tax: Foreign currency translation adjustments Cash ow hedges Other Total other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax Comprehensive income See accompanying notes to consolidated nancial statements. 35 35 Fiscal 2022 17,105 (22) 9 (1) (14) 17,091 $ 33 Fiscal 2021 16,433 $ (77) 9 35 (33) 16,400 $ Fiscal 2020 12,866 60 68 12,934 THE HOME DEPOT, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS January 29. January 30, in millions, except per share data 2023 2022 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 2,757 $ 2,343 Receivables, net 3,317 3,428 Merchandise inventories 24,886 22,068 Other current assets 1,511 1,218 Total current assets 32,471 29,055 Net property and equipment 25,831 25,199 Operating lease right-of-use assets 8,941 5,968 Goodwill 7,444 7,449 Other assets 3,958 4,205 Total assets 8 78,445 $ 71,878 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Short-term debt at $ 1 ,035 Accounts payable 11,443 13,462 Accrued salaries and related expenses 1,991 2,428 Sales taxes payable 528 848 Deferred revenue 3,084 3,598 Income taxes payable 50 158 Current installments of long-term debt 1,231 2,447 Current operating lease liabilities 945 830 Other accrued expenses 3,858 3,891 Total current liabilities 23,110 28,893 Long-term debt, excluding current installments 41,982 36,804 Longterm operating lease liabilities 8,226 5,353 Deferred income taxes 1,019 909 Other longterm liabilities 2,586 2,013 Total liabilities 74,883 73,572 Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) Common stock, par value $0.05; authorized: 10,000 shares; issued: 1,794 shares at January 29, 2023 and 1,792 shares at January 30, 2022; outstanding: 1,018 shares at January 29, 2023 and 1,035 shares at January 30, 2022 90 90 Paidin capital 12,592 12,132 Retained earnings 78,896 67,580 Accumulated other comprehensive loss (718) (704] Treasury stock, at cost, 778 shares at January 29. 2023 and 757 shares at January 30, 2022 (87,298) (80,794) Total stockholders equity (decit) 1,582 (1 ,898] Total liabilities and stockholders\" equity $ 78,445 $ 71,878 See accompanying notes to consoiid'ated a'iv'ian'ciali statements