Walmart Inc. (WMT)

Property and equipment are initially recorded at cost. Gains or losses on disposition are recognized as earned or incurred. Costs of major improvements are capitalized, while costs of normal repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. The following table includes the estimated useful lives that are generally used to depreciate the assets on a straight-line basis:

	Estimated Useful Lives
Land	N/A
Buildings and improvements	3-40 years
Fixtures and equipment	1-30 years
Transportation equipment	3-15 years
Construction in progress	N/A

Leasehold improvements are depreciated or amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the remaining expected lease term. Total depreciation and amortization expense for property and equipment, property under financing obligations and property under capital leases for fiscal 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $10.5 billion, $10.1 billion and $9.5 billion, respectively.

Source: 10-K (filing date: 2018-03-30).

Walmart Inc., Statement of Financial Position, Property, Plant and Equipment

USD $ in millions

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-03-30), 10-K (filing date: 2017-03-31), 10-K (filing date: 2016-03-30), 10-K (filing date: 2015-04-01), 10-K (filing date: 2014-03-21), 10-K (filing date: 2013-03-26).

Item	Description	The company
Property and equipment, gross	Amount before accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.	Walmart Inc.’s property and equipment, gross increased from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.
Property and equipment, net	Amount after accumulated depreciation, depletion and amortization of physical assets used in the normal conduct of business to produce goods and services and not intended for resale. Examples include, but are not limited to, land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures.	Walmart Inc.’s property and equipment, net declined from 2016 to 2017 but then slightly increased from 2017 to 2018.

Walmart Inc., Property, Plant and Equipment Ratios

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-03-30), 10-K (filing date: 2017-03-31), 10-K (filing date: 2016-03-30), 10-K (filing date: 2015-04-01), 10-K (filing date: 2014-03-21), 10-K (filing date: 2013-03-26).

Ratio	Description	The company
Average age	As long as straight-line depreciation is used, this is an accurate estimate of asset age as a percentage of depreciable life. The relative age is a useful measure of whether the company’s fixed asset base is old or new. Newer assets are likely to be more efficient.	Walmart Inc.’s average age of depreciable property, plant and equipment deteriorated from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.
Estimated total useful life	Over longer time periods, this ratio is a useful measure of company’s depreciation policy and can be used for comparisons with competitors.	Walmart Inc.’s estimated total useful life of depreciable property, plant and equipment declined from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.
Estimated time elapsed since purchase	The approximate age in years of a company’s fixed assets. Useful for comparison purposes.	Walmart Inc.’s estimated time elapsed since purchase of depreciable property, plant and equipment deteriorated from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.
Estimated remaining life		Walmart Inc.’s estimated remaining life of depreciable property, plant and equipment declined from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-03-30), 10-K (filing date: 2017-03-31), 10-K (filing date: 2016-03-30), 10-K (filing date: 2015-04-01), 10-K (filing date: 2014-03-21), 10-K (filing date: 2013-03-26).

2018 Calculations

Ratio	Description	The company
Average age	As long as straight-line depreciation is used, this is an accurate estimate of asset age as a percentage of depreciable life. The relative age is a useful measure of whether the company’s fixed asset base is old or new. Newer assets are likely to be more efficient.	Walmart Inc.’s average age of depreciable property, plant and equipment deteriorated from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-03-30), 10-K (filing date: 2017-03-31), 10-K (filing date: 2016-03-30), 10-K (filing date: 2015-04-01), 10-K (filing date: 2014-03-21), 10-K (filing date: 2013-03-26).

2018 Calculations

Ratio	Description	The company
Estimated total useful life	Over longer time periods, this ratio is a useful measure of company’s depreciation policy and can be used for comparisons with competitors.	Walmart Inc.’s estimated total useful life of depreciable property, plant and equipment declined from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-03-30), 10-K (filing date: 2017-03-31), 10-K (filing date: 2016-03-30), 10-K (filing date: 2015-04-01), 10-K (filing date: 2014-03-21), 10-K (filing date: 2013-03-26).

2018 Calculations

Ratio	Description	The company
Estimated time elapsed since purchase	The approximate age in years of a company’s fixed assets. Useful for comparison purposes.	Walmart Inc.’s estimated time elapsed since purchase of depreciable property, plant and equipment deteriorated from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2018-03-30), 10-K (filing date: 2017-03-31), 10-K (filing date: 2016-03-30), 10-K (filing date: 2015-04-01), 10-K (filing date: 2014-03-21), 10-K (filing date: 2013-03-26).

2018 Calculations

Ratio	Description	The company
Estimated remaining life		Walmart Inc.’s estimated remaining life of depreciable property, plant and equipment declined from 2016 to 2017 and from 2017 to 2018.