Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 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.

The Walmart International segment offers a limited number of consumer credit products, primarily through its financial institutions in Canada and Chile to customers in those markets. The receivable balance from consumer credit products was $1.3 billion, net of a reserve for doubtful accounts of $83 million at October 31, 2017, compared to a receivable balance of $1.2 billion, net of a reserve for doubtful accounts of $79 million at January 31, 2017.

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. At October 31, 2017 and January 31, 2017, the Company's inventories valued at LIFO approximated those inventories as if they were valued at FIFO.

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 represents a single comprehensive model to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. Management has substantially completed its evaluation of existing contracts and the impact to the Company's consolidated net income, balance sheet and cash flows. The Company will adopt this ASU on February 1, 2018, under the modified retrospective approach, which will result in an immaterial cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. The ASU will also require additional disclosures.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lease assets and liabilities to be recorded on the balance sheet. Certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures are also required, as well as retrospective recognition and measurement of impacted leases. The Company will adopt this ASU on February 1, 2019 and is implementing new lease systems in connection with the adoption. Management is still evaluating the effect to the Company's consolidated net income, balance sheet, cash flows and disclosures. Management expects a material impact to the consolidated balance sheet.

Financial Instruments

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, Financial Instruments–Overall (Topic 825), which updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The Company will adopt this ASU on February 1, 2018. This ASU will primarily impact the Company's accounting for its investment in JD.com ("JD"). Upon adoption, the Company will record a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings, which could be material depending on the market value of our investment in JD at January 31, 2018. Subsequent to adoption, 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), which modifies the measurement of expected credit losses of certain financial instruments. The Company will adopt this ASU on February 1, 2020. Management is currently evaluating this ASU to determine its impact to the Company's consolidated net income, balance sheet, cash flows and disclosures.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging–Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (Topic 815), which amends and simplifies hedge accounting with the intent of better aligning financial reporting with an entity's risk management activities. The ASU is effective February 1, 2019. Management is currently evaluating this ASU to determine when the Company will adopt it and the resulting impact to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Stock Compensation

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation–Stock Compensation (Topic 718), which is intended to simplify accounting for share-based payment transactions. The ASU 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, and as a result, reclassified an immaterial amount from operating activities to financing activities in the Company's prior year consolidated 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.

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