Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Receivables

Receivables are stated at their carrying values, net of a reserve for doubtful accounts. Receivables consist primarily of amounts due from:


•	insurance companies resulting from pharmacy sales;


•	banks for customer credit and debit cards and electronic bank transfers that take in excess of seven days to process;


•	consumer financing programs in certain international operations;


•	suppliers for marketing or incentive programs; and


•	real estate transactions.

Inventory, policy

Inventories

The Company values inventories at the lower of cost or market as determined primarily by the retail inventory method of accounting, using the last-in, first-out ("LIFO") method for substantially all of the Walmart U.S. segment's inventories. The inventory at the Walmart International segment is valued primarily by the retail inventory method of accounting, using the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") method. The retail inventory method of accounting results in inventory being valued at the lower of cost or market, since permanent markdowns are immediately recorded as a reduction of the retail value of inventory. The inventory at the Sam's Club segment is valued using the LIFO method.

New accounting pronouncements, policy

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. Management continues to evaluate the impact this ASU, the related amendments and the interpretive guidance will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements. While management does not expect this ASU to materially impact the Company's consolidated net income, balance sheet or cash flows, the ASU will impact the timing of recognition of some revenue and may impact the gross amount of revenue presented for certain contracts. Management expects the most significant timing change to result from the revenue associated with the unredeemed portion of Company issued gift cards, which will be recognized over the expected redemption period of the gift card under the new standard rather than waiting until the likelihood of redemption becomes remote or waiting for the gift card to expire. Additionally, management continues to assess the guidance and the related interpretation to determine if that guidance will impact the gross amount of revenue presented for certain contracts. Management also continues to evaluate the required quantitative and qualitative disclosures required by this ASU. The Company will adopt this ASU on February 1, 2018 under the modified retrospective approach, which will result in a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The FASB issued ASU 2016-02 to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. Certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures are required, as well as a retrospective recognition and measurement of impacted leases. The Company will adopt the ASU on February 1, 2019. Management is evaluating this ASU and currently expects it to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated balance sheet. Management is still evaluating the effect on consolidated net income, cash flows and disclosures.

Financial Instruments

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments–Overall (Topic 825). ASU 2016-01 updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The Company will adopt the ASU on February 1, 2018. Management is evaluating this ASU and expects it to primarily impact the Company's accounting for its investment in JD.com ("JD"). Subsequent to adoption, all changes in the value of the Company's investment in JD will be recorded in consolidated net income.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments–Credit Losses (Topic 326). ASU 2016-13 modifies the measurement of expected credit losses of certain financial instruments. The Company will adopt the ASU on February 1, 2020. Management is currently evaluating this ASU to determine its impact on the Company's consolidated net income, balance sheet, cash flows and disclosures.

Stock Compensation

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718). ASU 2016-09 includes new guidance on stock compensation, which is intended to simplify accounting for share-based payment transactions. The guidance changed several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment award transactions, including accounting for income taxes, forfeitures and minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. Management adopted this ASU beginning February 1, 2017, with an immaterial impact to the Company's consolidated net income and cash flows.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for trade and other accounts receivable, and finance, loan and lease receivables, including those classified as held for investment and held for sale. This disclosure may include (1) the basis at which such receivables are carried in the entity's statements of financial position (2) how the level of the valuation allowance for receivables is determined (3) when impairments, charge-offs or recoveries are recognized for such receivables (4) the treatment of origination fees and costs, including the amortization method for net deferred fees or costs (5) the treatment of any premiums or discounts or unearned income (6) the entity's income recognition policies for such receivables, including those that are impaired, past due or placed on nonaccrual status and (7) the treatment of foreclosures or repossessions (8) the nature and amount of any guarantees to repurchase receivables.

+ References + Details