Walmart makes significant investments in operating capacity, primarily via investments in property, plant, and equipment, but also via investments in wholly and partially owned subsidiaries. Walmart also has significant non-U.S. operations in its Walmart International segment. The Chapter 8 online appendix provides Walmarts January 31, 2016, Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes, which describe these significant investments.

Required

1. Estimate the average total estimated useful life of depreciable property, plant, and equipment. Does the estimate reconcile with stated accounting policy on useful lives for property, plant, and equipment? Explain.

2. How should an analyst interpret fluctuations in this estimate for a given company over time? How should an analyst interpret differences in this estimate between a company and its competitors?

3. Estimate the average age of depreciable assets, the percentage of PP&E that has been used up, and the remaining useful life. How might an analyst use this information?

4. Has Walmart recognized impairment of property, plant, and equipment or goodwill during the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016? Why is it important for the analyst to know the answer to this question?

5. Under U.S. GAAP, the impairment tests for goodwill and PP&E are different. Describe the main difference.

6. Walmart must consolidate subsidiaries that are partially owned. Evidence of this fact can be found in the income statement, the balance sheet, and the statement of cash flows, where noncontrolling interests in net income, noncontrolling interest in net assets, and cash flows related to noncontrolling interests are referenced. Explain the meaning of the noncontrolling interest in net income and the noncontrolling interest in net assets.

7. Generally speaking, firms, including firms that are partially owned subsidiaries, pay out only a portion of their net income during a period (i.e., the dividend payout ratio is generally less than one). The January 31, 2016, balance sheet reports a decrease in noncontrolling interest in net assets. Do other statements (and note information) provide evidence as to what might have happened?

8. What was the gain or loss from foreign currency translation for the year ended January 31, 2016? Where is it reported, and what is the rationale for reporting it there?

9. What happened to foreign exchange rates during the year?

Translation MethodologyForeign Currency Is Functional Currency

When the functional currency is the currency of the foreign unit, U.S. GAAP requires firms to use the all-current translation method. The rationale for this method is that the firm's investment in the foreign unit is for the long term; therefore, short-term changes in exchange rates should not affect periodic net income. Under the all-current translation method:

• translate revenues and expenses at the average exchange rate during the period.

• translate balance sheet items at the end-of-the-period exchange rate.

• include the resulting translation adjustment (the amount needed to balance the balance sheet) as a component of other comprehensive income rather than net income.

• recognize the cumulative amount in the translation adjustment account in net income when measuring any gain or loss in the case of a sale or disposal of a foreign unit.

IllustrationForeign Currency Is Functional Currency

Appendix Exhibit 8.1 illustrates the all-current method for a foreign unit during its first year of operations. The exchange rate was $1.0:1FC (FC = one unit of a foreign currency such as a euro or Singapore dollar) on January 1, $2.0:1FC on December 31, and $1.5:1FC on average during the year. Thus, the foreign currency increased in value relative to the U.S. dollar during the year. The translation process is as follows:

• The firm translates all assets and liabilities on the balance sheet at the exchange rate on December 31.

• The firm translates common stock at the exchange rate on the date of issuance.

• The firm translates all revenues and expenses of the foreign unit at the average exchange rate. The foreign unit realized a transaction gain during the year and recorded it in current income. In addition, the translated amounts for the foreign unit include an unrealized transaction gain arising from exposed accounts that are not yet settled. (These transaction gains and losses are covered in Chapter 9.)

• The firm takes translated net income and dividends to determine translated retained earnings. Note (a) to Appendix Exhibit 8.1 shows the computation of translated retained earnings. The foreign unit paid the dividend on December 31.

• The firm uses the translation adjustment account to reflect the cumulative effects of the exchange rate translations on this investment. The amount is determined as shown in note (b) to Appendix Exhibit 8.1.

Note (b) shows the calculation of the translation adjustment. By investing $30 in the foreign unit on January 1 and allowing the $22.5 of earnings to remain in the foreign unit throughout the year while the foreign currency was increasing in value relative to the U.S. dollar, the parent has a potential exchange gain of $37.5. It reports this amount as a component of other comprehensive income on the statement of comprehensive income.

Translation MethodologyU.S. Dollar Is Functional Currency

When the functional currency is the U.S. dollar, firms must use the monetaryonmonetary translation method. The underlying premise of the monetaryonmonetary method is that the translated amounts reflect amounts that the firm would have reported if it had originally made all measurements in U.S. dollars. To implement this underlying premise, it is necessary to distinguish between monetary items and nonmonetary items and translate each item at the appropriate exchange rate:

• A monetary item is an account whose nominal maturity amount does not change as the exchange rate changes.

• From a U.S.-dollar perspective, monetary items give rise to exchange gains and losses because the number of U.S. dollars required to settle the fixed foreign currency amounts fluctuates over time with exchange rate changes.

• Monetary items include cash, marketable securities, receivables, accounts payable, other accrued liabilities, and short-term and long-term debt.

• Firms translate monetary items using the end-of-the-period exchange rate and recognize translation gains and losses.

• These translation gains and losses increase or decrease net income each period regardless of whether the foreign unit must make an actual currency conversion to settle the monetary item. The rationale for the recognition of unrealized translation gains and losses in net income is that the foreign unit will likely make a currency conversion in the near future to settle monetary assets and liabilities or to convert foreign currency into U.S. dollars to remit a dividend to the parent. These activities are consistent with foreign units that operate as extensions of the U.S. parent.

• Nonmonetary items include inventories, fixed assets, common stock, revenues, and expenses.

• Firms translate nonmonetary items using the historical exchange rate in effect when the foreign unit initially made the measurements underlying these accounts.

  • Inventories and cost of goods sold translate at the exchange rate when the foreign unit acquired the inventory items.

  • Fixed assets and depreciation expense translate at the exchange rate when the foreign unit acquired the fixed assets.

  • Most revenues and operating expenses other than cost of goods sold and depreciation translate at the average exchange rate during the period.

  • The objective is to state these accounts at their U.S.-dollar-equivalent historical cost amounts. In this way, the translated amounts reflect the U.S.-dollar perspective that is appropriate when the U.S. dollar is the functional currency.

Translation MethodologyU.S. Dollar Is Functional Currency

When the functional currency is the U.S. dollar, firms must use the monetaryonmonetary translation method. The underlying premise of the monetaryonmonetary method is that the translated amounts reflect amounts that the firm would have reported if it had originally made all measurements in U.S. dollars. To implement this underlying premise, it is necessary to distinguish between monetary items and nonmonetary items and translate each item at the appropriate exchange rate:

• A monetary item is an account whose nominal maturity amount does not change as the exchange rate changes.

• From a U.S.-dollar perspective, monetary items give rise to exchange gains and losses because the number of U.S. dollars required to settle the fixed foreign currency amounts fluctuates over time with exchange rate changes.

• Monetary items include cash, marketable securities, receivables, accounts payable, other accrued liabilities, and short-term and long-term debt.

• Firms translate monetary items using the end-of-the-period exchange rate and recognize translation gains and losses.

• These translation gains and losses increase or decrease net income each period regardless of whether the foreign unit must make an actual currency conversion to settle the monetary item. The rationale for the recognition of unrealized translation gains and losses in net income is that the foreign unit will likely make a currency conversion in the near future to settle monetary assets and liabilities or to convert foreign currency into U.S. dollars to remit a dividend to the parent. These activities are consistent with foreign units that operate as extensions of the U.S. parent.

• Nonmonetary items include inventories, fixed assets, common stock, revenues, and expenses.

• Firms translate nonmonetary items using the historical exchange rate in effect when the foreign unit initially made the measurements underlying these accounts.

  • Inventories and cost of goods sold translate at the exchange rate when the foreign unit acquired the inventory items.

  • Fixed assets and depreciation expense translate at the exchange rate when the foreign unit acquired the fixed assets.

  • Most revenues and operating expenses other than cost of goods sold and depreciation translate at the average exchange rate during the period.

  • The objective is to state these accounts at their U.S.-dollar-equivalent historical cost amounts. In this way, the translated amounts reflect the U.S.-dollar perspective that is appropriate when the U.S. dollar is the functional currency.

Foreign Currency U.S. Dollars BALANCE SHEET ASSETS Cash Receivables Inventories Fixed assets (net) Total Assets FC 10 20 $2.0:1 FC $2.0:1 FC $2.0:1 FC $2.0:1 FC 30 40 $ 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 $ 200.0 FC 100 $2.0:1 FC $2.0:1 FC LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts payable Bonds payable Total Liabilities Common stock Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive income- unrealized translation adjustment Total Shareholders' Equity Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity FC 40 20 FC 60 FC 30 10 $ 80.0 40.0 $ 120.0 $ 30.0 12.59 $1.0:1FC 37.5b FC 40 FC 100 $ 80.0 $ 200.0 INCOME STATEMENT Sales Realized transaction gain Unrealized transaction gain Cost of goods sold Selling & administrative expense Depreciation expense Interest expense Income tax expense Net Income FC 200 2 10 (120) (40) (10) (2) (16) FC 15 $1.5:1 FC $1.5:1FC $1.5:1FC $1.5:1 FC $1.5:1FC $1.5:1 FC $1.5:1 FC $1.5:1FC $ 300.0 3.00 1.50 (180.0) (60.0) (15.0) (3.0) (24.0) $ 22.5 $ 0.0 22.5 $ (10.0) $ 12.5 $2.0:1 FC Retained earnings, January 1 Plus net income Less dividends Retained Earnings, December 31 bNet Asset Position, January 1 Plus net income Less dividends Net Asset Position, December 31 FC 0.0 15.0 (5.0) FC10.0 FC30.0 15.0 (5.0) FC 40.0 $1.0:1FC $2.0:1FC $ 30.0 22.5 $ (10.0) $ 42.5 80.0 $ 37.5 $2.0:1 FC Unrealized Translation "Gain" The foreign unit had receivables and payables denominated in a currency other than its own. When it settled these accounts during the period, the foreign unit made a currency conversion and realized a transaction gain of FC2. "The foreign unit has receivables and payables outstanding that will require a currency conversion in a future period when the foreign unit settles the accounts. Because the exchange rate changed while the receivables/ payables were outstanding, the foreign unit reports an unrealized transaction gain for financial reporting. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K Annual report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. or Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Commission file number 001-6991. Walmart WAL-MART STORES, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 71-6415188 (IRS Employer Identification No.) 702 S.W.8th Street Bentonville, Arkansas (Address of principal executive offices) 72716 (Zip Code Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (479) 273-4000 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Tick of each class Name of each enehungesa which registered Common Stock, par value S0.10 per share New York Stock Exchange Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Scaurities Act. Yes X No O Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes 0 No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for at least the past 90 days Yes No O Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted clectronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, cvery Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (6212.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (ar for such sharter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files) Yes Na Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Fuern 10- K Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company in Rule 12h-2 of the Exchange Act. Large Accelerated Filer Accelerated Filer Non-Accelerated Filer D Smaller Reporting Company Indicately check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (ns defined in Rule 125-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes 0 No R Asaf July 31, 2015, the aggregate market value of the voting common stock of the registrant held by non-affilintes of the registrant, based on the closing sale price of those shares on the New York Stock Exchange reported on July 31, 2015, was $112,949,060,512. For the purposes of this disclosure only, the registrant has assumed that its directors, executive officers (as defined in Rule 36-7 under the Exchange Act) and the beneficial owners of 5% or more of the registrant's outstanding common stock are the alliliates of the registran. The registrant had 3,144,335,104 shares of communen stuck outstanding as of March 28, 2016. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Document Parts Into Which incorporated Portions of the registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the Fiscal Year Parts 1 and 11 Ended January 31, 2016 (the "Annual Report to Shareholders") included as Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K Part III Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held June 3, 2016 (the "Proxy Statement") Foreign Currency U.S. Dollars BALANCE SHEET ASSETS Cash Receivables Inventories Fixed assets (net) Total Assets FC 10 20 $2.0:1 FC $2.0:1 FC $2.0:1 FC $2.0:1 FC 30 40 $ 20.0 40.0 60.0 80.0 $ 200.0 FC 100 $2.0:1 FC $2.0:1 FC LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts payable Bonds payable Total Liabilities Common stock Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive income- unrealized translation adjustment Total Shareholders' Equity Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity FC 40 20 FC 60 FC 30 10 $ 80.0 40.0 $ 120.0 $ 30.0 12.59 $1.0:1FC 37.5b FC 40 FC 100 $ 80.0 $ 200.0 INCOME STATEMENT Sales Realized transaction gain Unrealized transaction gain Cost of goods sold Selling & administrative expense Depreciation expense Interest expense Income tax expense Net Income FC 200 2 10 (120) (40) (10) (2) (16) FC 15 $1.5:1 FC $1.5:1FC $1.5:1FC $1.5:1 FC $1.5:1FC $1.5:1 FC $1.5:1 FC $1.5:1FC $ 300.0 3.00 1.50 (180.0) (60.0) (15.0) (3.0) (24.0) $ 22.5 $ 0.0 22.5 $ (10.0) $ 12.5 $2.0:1 FC Retained earnings, January 1 Plus net income Less dividends Retained Earnings, December 31 bNet Asset Position, January 1 Plus net income Less dividends Net Asset Position, December 31 FC 0.0 15.0 (5.0) FC10.0 FC30.0 15.0 (5.0) FC 40.0 $1.0:1FC $2.0:1FC $ 30.0 22.5 $ (10.0) $ 42.5 80.0 $ 37.5 $2.0:1 FC Unrealized Translation "Gain" The foreign unit had receivables and payables denominated in a currency other than its own. When it settled these accounts during the period, the foreign unit made a currency conversion and realized a transaction gain of FC2. "The foreign unit has receivables and payables outstanding that will require a currency conversion in a future period when the foreign unit settles the accounts. Because the exchange rate changed while the receivables/ payables were outstanding, the foreign unit reports an unrealized transaction gain for financial reporting. UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K Annual report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended January 31, 2016. or Transition report pursuant to section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Commission file number 001-6991. Walmart WAL-MART STORES, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) 71-6415188 (IRS Employer Identification No.) 702 S.W.8th Street Bentonville, Arkansas (Address of principal executive offices) 72716 (Zip Code Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (479) 273-4000 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Tick of each class Name of each enehungesa which registered Common Stock, par value S0.10 per share New York Stock Exchange Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Scaurities Act. Yes X No O Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes 0 No Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for at least the past 90 days Yes No O Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted clectronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, cvery Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (6212.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (ar for such sharter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files) Yes Na Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Fuern 10- K Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company in Rule 12h-2 of the Exchange Act. Large Accelerated Filer Accelerated Filer Non-Accelerated Filer D Smaller Reporting Company Indicately check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (ns defined in Rule 125-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes 0 No R Asaf July 31, 2015, the aggregate market value of the voting common stock of the registrant held by non-affilintes of the registrant, based on the closing sale price of those shares on the New York Stock Exchange reported on July 31, 2015, was $112,949,060,512. For the purposes of this disclosure only, the registrant has assumed that its directors, executive officers (as defined in Rule 36-7 under the Exchange Act) and the beneficial owners of 5% or more of the registrant's outstanding common stock are the alliliates of the registran. The registrant had 3,144,335,104 shares of communen stuck outstanding as of March 28, 2016. DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE Document Parts Into Which incorporated Portions of the registrant's Annual Report to Shareholders for the Fiscal Year Parts 1 and 11 Ended January 31, 2016 (the "Annual Report to Shareholders") included as Exhibit 13 to this Form 10-K Part III Portions of the registrant's Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held June 3, 2016 (the "Proxy Statement")