Walmart:

Design a spreadsheet and prepare a set of financial statement forecasts for Walmart for Year +1 to Year +5 using the assumptions that follow. Project the amounts in the order presented (unless indicated otherwise) beginning with the income statement, then the balance sheet, and then the statement of cash flows. For this portion of the problem, assume that Walmart will exercise its financial flexibility with the cash and cash equiva- lents account to balance the balance sheet.

b) If you have programmed your spreadsheet correctly, the projected amount of cash grows steadily from Year +1 to Year +5 and the projected cash balance at the end of Year 5 is a whopping $33,511 million (allow for rounding), which is more than 12.5% of total assets. Identify one problem that so much cash could create for the financial management of Walmart.

c) Assume that Walmart will augment its dividend policy by paying out 30% of lagged net income plus the amount of excess cash each year (if any). Assume that during Year +1 to Year +5, Walmart will maintain a constant cash balance of $7,781 million (the ending cash balance in 2012). Revise your forecast model spreadsheets to change the financial flexibility account from cash to dividends. Determine the total amount of dividends that Walmart could pay each year under this scenario. Identify one potential benefit that increased dividends could create for the financial management of Walmart.

d) Calculate and compare the return on common equity for Walmart using the forecast amounts determined in Requirements a and c for Year +1 to Year +5. Why are the two sets of returns different? Which results will Walmarts common shareholders prefer? Why?

Income Statement Forecast Assumptions

Sales

Sales grew by 3.4% in 2010, 6.0% in 2011, and 5.0% in 2012. The compound annual sales growth rate during the last three years was 5.5%. Walmart generates sales growth primarily through increasing same-store sales, opening new stores, and acquiring other retailers. In the future, Walmart will continue to grow in international markets by opening stores and acquiring other firms and in domestic U.S. markets by converting discount stores to Supercenters. In addi-tion, despite vigorous competition, Walmart will likely continue to generate steady increases in same-store sales, consistent with its experience through 2012. Assume that sales will grow 4.0% each year from Year +1 through Year +5.

Cost of Goods Sold

The percentage of costs of goods sold relative to sales increased slightly from 74.7% of sales in 2010 to 75.0% in 2011 to 75.1% in 2012. Walmarts everyday low-price strategy, its movement into grocery products, and competition will likely prevent Walmart from achieving significant reductions in this expense percentage. Assume that the cost of goods sold to sales percentage will be 75.0% for Year +1 to Year +5.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

The selling and administrative expense percentage has declined slightly from 19.3% of sales in 2010 to 19.1% in 2011 to 18.9% in 2012.

Walmart has exhibited strong cost control over the years, and is likely to continue to exhibit such control. Assume that the selling and administrative expenses will continue to average 19.0% of sales for Year +1 to Year +5.

Interest Income

Walmart earns interest income on its cash and cash equivalents accounts. The average interest rate earned on average cash balances was approximately 2.6% during 2012, similar to rates earned in 2010 and 2011. Assume that Walmart will earn interest income based on a 2.6% interest rate on average cash balances (that is, the sum of beginning and end- of-year cash balances divided by 2) for Year +1 through Year +5. (Note: Projecting the amount of interest income must await projection of cash on the balance sheet.)

Interest Expense

Walmart uses long-term mortgages and capital leases to finance new stores and warehouses and short- and long-term debt to finance corporate acquisitions. The average interest rate on all interest-bearing debt and capital leases was approximately 4.2% during 2011 and 2012. Assume a 4.2% interest rate for all outstanding borrowing (short-term and long-term debt, including capital leases, and the current portion of long-term debt) for Walmart for Year +1 through Year +5. Compute interest expense on the average amount of interest-bearing debt outstanding each year. (Note: Projecting the amount of interest expense must await projection of the interest-bearing debt accounts on the balance sheet.)

Income Tax Expense

Walmarts average income tax rate as a percentage of income before taxes has been roughly 32% during the last two years. Assume that Walmarts effective income tax rate remains a constant 32.0% of income before taxes for Year +1 through Year 5. (Note: Projecting the amount of income tax expense must await computation of income before taxes.)

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interest shareholders in Walmart subsidiaries were entitled to a $757 million share in Walmarts 2012 net income, which amounted to roughly a 15% rate of return on investment. Assume that the portion of net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in the future will continue to amount to a 15% rate of return in Year +1 through Year +5.

Balance Sheet Forecast Assumptions

Cash

We will adjust cash as the flexible financial account to equate total assets with total liabil- ities plus shareholders equity. Projecting the amount of cash must await projections of all other balance sheet amounts.

Accounts Receivable

As a retailer, a large portion of Walmarts sales are in cash or for third- party credit card charges, which Walmart can convert into cash within a day or two. Walmart has its own credit card that customers can use for purchases at its Sams Club warehouse stores, but the total amount of receivables outstanding on these credit cards is relatively minor com- pared to Walmarts total sales. As a consequence, Walmarts receivables turnover is very steady and fast, averaging roughly five days during each of the past two years. Assume that accounts receivable will continue to turnover at the same rate and increase at the growth rate in sales.

Inventories

Walmarts overall inventory efficiency has declined slightly in the past two years, in part because of the distribution of merchandise to stores worldwide. Inventory turnovers have decreased from an average of 42 days in 2011 to 44 days in 2012. Assume that ending inventory will continue to be equal to 44 days of cost of goods sold, in Year +1 to Year +5.

Prepaid Expenses

Current assets include prepayments for ongoing operating costs such as rent and insurance. Assume that prepayments will grow at the growth rate in sales.

Current Assets and Liabilities of Discontinued Segments

Walmarts balance sheets in 2010 and prior recognize amounts as current assets and current liabilities that are associated with discontinued segments (subsidiaries that Walmart is divesting). These operations were divested in 2011, so assume that these amounts will be zero in Year +1 through Year +5.

Property, Plant, and EquipmentAt Cost

Property, plant, and equipment (including assets held under capital leases) grew by roughly $12.5 billion per year in 2010 through 2012 (capital expenditures net of proceeds from selling property, plant, and equipment). The construction of new Supercenters and the acquisition of established retail chains abroad will require additional investments in property, plant, and equipment. Assume that property, plant, and equipment will continue to grow by $12.5 billion each year from Year +1 through Year +5.

Accumulated Depreciation

In 2011 and 2012, Walmart depreciated property, plant, and equipment using an average useful life of approximately 19.8 years. For Year +1 through Year +5, assume that accumulated depreciation will increase each year by depreciation expense. For simplicity, compute straight-line depreciation expense based on an average 20-year useful life and zero salvage value. In computing depreciation expense each year, make sure you depreciate the beginning balance in the existing property, plant, and equipmentat cost. Also add a new layer of depreciation expense for the new property, plant, and equipment acquired through capital expenditures. Assume that Walmart recognizes a full year of depreciation on new property, plant, and equipment in the first year of service.

Goodwill and Other Assets

Goodwill and other assets include primarily goodwill arising from corporate acquisitions outside the United States. Such acquisitions increase Walmart sales. Assume that goodwill and other assets will grow at the same rate as revenues. Also assume that goodwill and other assets are not amortizable.

Accounts Payable

Walmart has maintained a steady accounts payable turnover, with payment periods averaging 9.5 times per year (an average turnover of roughly 38 days) during the last three years. Assume that ending accounts payable will continue to approximate 38 days of inventory purchases in Years +1 to +5. To compute the ending accounts payable balance using a 38-day turnover period, remember to add the change in inventory to the cost of goods sold to obtain the total amount of credit purchases of inventory during the year.

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities relate to accrued expenses for ongoing operating activities and are expected to grow at the growth rate in selling and administrative expenses, which are expected to grow with sales.

Income Taxes Payable and Deferred Tax LiabilitiesNoncurrent

For simplicity, assume that income taxes payable and deferred tax liabilitiesnoncurrent grow at 3.0% per year in Year +1 through Year +5.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests

Redeemable noncontrolling interests amount to investments made by third-party investors in subsidiaries that Walmart controls and consolidates. Because these noncontrolling interests are redeemable, Walmart can redeem (pay off and retire) these interests. For simplicity, assume Walmart redeems and retires these redeemable noncontrolling interests in Year +1.

Short-Term Debt, Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt, Capital Leases, and Long- Term Debt

Walmart uses short-term debt, current maturities of long-term debt, capital leases, and long-term debt to augment cash from operations to finance capital expenditures on prop- erty, plant, and equipment and acquisitions of existing retail chains outside the United States. Over the past three years, each individual amount of debt financing (short-term debt, current maturities of long-term debt, and long-term debt) have fluctuated considerably from year to year, whereas the aggregate amount of debt financing has remained fairly steady, averaging roughly 27.0% of total assets. For simplicity, assume that the total amount of short-term debt, current maturities of long-term debt, and long-term debt will continue to remain a fairly steady percentage of total assets for Year +1 through Year +5. Assume that Walmarts short-term debt, current maturities of long-term debt, and long-term debt will grow at 3.0% per year in Year +1 through Year +5, roughly consistent with the projected growth in total assets.

Common Stock and Additional Paid-in Capital

Over the past three years, Walmarts com- mon stock and additional paid-in capital have remained a fairly steady 2.0% of total assets. (Walmart repurchases company shares on the open market and then reissues these shares to employees and executives to satisfy stock option exercises). Assume that common stock and additional paid-in capital will continue to be 2.0% of total assets for Year +1 through Year +5.

Retained Earnings

The increase in retained earnings equals net income minus dividends. In 2012, Walmart paid total dividends of $5,361 million to common shareholders, which amounted to roughly 30% of net income attributable to Walmart shareholders. Assume that Walmart will maintain a policy to pay dividends equivalent to 30% of net income attributable to Walmart shareholders in Year +1 through Year +5.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Assume that accumulated other comprehensive income will not change. Equivalently, assume that future other comprehensive income items will be zero, on average, in Year +1 through Year +5.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests amount to equity investments made by third-party investors in subsidiaries that Walmart controls and consolidates. Noncontrolling inter- ests grow each year by their proportionate share of the subsidiarys income, and these interests decrease by any dividends paid to them. We assumed for purposes of the income statement, that net income attributable to noncontrolling interests would generate a 15% rate of return for those investors. For simplicity, assume Walmarts noncontrolling interests will grow by the amount of net income attributable to these noncontrolling interests each year, and dividends paid to them will be the same amount in Year +1 to Year +5. Therefore, the amount of noncontrolling interests in equity will remain constant.

Cash

At this point, you can project the amount of cash on Walmarts balance sheet at each year- end from Year +1 to Year +5. Assume that Walmart uses cash as the flexible financial account to balance the balance sheet. The resulting cash balance each year should be the total amount of liabil- ities and shareholders equity minus the projected ending balances in all non-cash asset accounts.

Statement of Cash Flows Forecast Assumptions

Depreciation Addback

Include depreciation expense, which should equal the change in accu- mulated depreciation.

Other Addbacks

Assume that changes in other noncurrent liabilities on the balance sheet are operating activities.

Other Investing Transactions

Assume that changes in other noncurrent assets on the bal- ance sheet are investing activities.

Balance sheets (amounts in millions, allow for rounding)

	2010	2011	2012
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	7,395	6,550	7,781
Accounts and notes receivable-net	5,089	5,937	6,768
inventories	36,318	40,714	43,803
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,960	1,774	1,588
Current assets of discontinued segments	131
Current assets	51,893	54,975	59,940
Property,plant and equipment-at cost	154,489	160,938	171,724
Accumulated depreciation	(46,611)	(48,614)	(55,043)
Goodwill	16,743	20,651	20,497
Other assets	4,129	5,456	5,987
Total Assets	180,663	193,406	203,105
Liabilities and Equities :
Account payable	33,557	36,608	38,080
Current accrued expenses	18,701	18,180	18,808
Notes payable and short-term debt	1,031	4,047	6,805
Current maturities of long-term debt	4,991	2,301	5,914
Income-taxes payable	157	1,164	2,211
Current liabilities of discontinued operations	47
Current Liabilities	58,484	62,300	71,818
Long term debt obligations	43,482	47,079	41,417
Deferred tax liabilities-noncurrent	6,682	7,862	7,613
Redeemable noncontrolling interest	408	404	519
Total Liabilities	109,416	117,645	121,367
Common stock + additional paid in capital	3,929	4,034	3,952
Retained earnings	63,967	68,691	72,978
Accum. Other comprehensive income (loss)	646	(1,410)	(587)
Total Common Shareholdres Equity	68,542	71,315	76,343
Noncontrolling interests	2,705	4,446	5,395
Total equity	71,247	75,761	81,738
Total liabilities and equities	180,663	193,406	203,105

Income statements

	2010	2011	2012
Revenues	421,849	446,950	469,162)
Cost of goods sold	(314,946)	(335,127)	(352,488
Gross Profit	106,903	111,823	116,674
Selling, general and administrative expenses	(81,361)	(85,265)	(88,873)
Operation Profit	25,542	26,558	27,801
Interest Income	201	162	187
Interest expense	(2,205)	(2,322)	(2,251)
Income before tax	23,538	24,398	25,737
Income tax expense	(7,579)	(7,944)	(7,981)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations	1,034	(67)
Net Income	16,993	16,387	17,756
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	(604)	(688)	(757)
Net income attributable to common shareholders	16,389	15,699	16,999
Other comprehensive income items	716	(2,056)	823
Comprehensive income	17,105	13,643	17,822

Statement of Cash Flows

	2010	2011	2012
Net Income	16,993	16,387	17,756
Add back depreciation and amortization expenses	7,641	8,130	8,501
Deferred income taxes	651	1050	(133)
(Increase) Decrease in accounts receivable	(733)	(796)	(614)
(Increase) Decrease in inventories	(3,205)	(3,727)	(2,759)
Increase (Decrease) in accounts payable	2,676	2,687	1,061
(Increase) Decrease in income tax payable	(153)	994	981
(Increase) Decrease in other current liabilities	(280)	(935)	271
(Increase) Loss from discontinued segments	(1,034)	67	-
Other operating cash flows	1,087	398	527
Net Cash Flow from Operating Activities	23,643	24,255	25,591
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment	489	580	532
Property, plant and equipment acquired	(12,699)	(13,510)	(12,898)
Investments acquired	(202)	(3,548)	(316)
Other investment acquired	219	(131)	71
Net Cash Flow from Investing Activities	(12,193)	(16,609)	(12,611)
Increase (Decrease) in short-term borrowing	503	3,019	2,754
Increase (Decrease) in long-term borrowing	7,316	466	(1,267)
Share repurchases treasury stock	(14,776)	(6,298)	(7,600)
Dividend payments	(4,437)	(5,048)	(5,361)
Other financing activities	(634)	(597)	(498)
Net Cash Flow from Financing activities	(12,028)	(8,458)	(11,972)
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash	66	(33)	223
Net Change in Cash	(512)	(845)	1,231
Cash and cash equivalents ,beginning of year	7,907	7,395	6,550
Cash and cash equivalents end of year	7,395	6,550	7,781