SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

12 Months Ended

Oct. 31, 2011

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES [Text Block]

3. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

A) Principles of Consolidation -- The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Canal Capital Corporation ("Canal") and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (“the Company”). All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

B) Properties and Related Depreciation -- Properties are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the properties. Such lives are estimated from 35 to 40 years for buildings and from 5 to 20 years for improvements and equipment.

Property held for Development or Resale -- Property held for development or resale consists of approximately 2 acres located in the midwest of undeveloped land not currently utilized for corporate purposes nor included in any of the present operating leases. The Company constantly evaluates proposals received for the purchase, leasing or development of this asset. The land is valued at cost which does not exceed the net realizable value.

Long-Lived Assets – The Company reviews the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The Company considers historical performance and future estimated results in its evaluation of potential impairment and then compares the carrying amount of the assets to the estimated future cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset. The measurement of the loss, if any, will be calculated as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred. Significant renewals and betterments are capitalized. When properties are sold or otherwise disposed of, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in current income.

C) Income Taxes -- Canal and its subsidiaries file a consolidated Federal income tax return. The Company accounts for income taxes under the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities.

The Company follows the uncertainty in income taxes guidance, which clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the Company’s financial statements and prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. It also provides guidance on derecognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.

The Company files income tax returns in several jurisdictions. The Company’s tax returns remain subject to examination, by major jurisdiction, as follows:

Federal	2011 and beyond
New York State	2011 and beyond
Minnesota State	2011 and beyond
Missouri State	2011 and beyond
Nebraska State	2011 and beyond
Iowa State	2011 and beyond

D) Accounting Estimates -- The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

E) Art Inventory Held for Sale - Inventory of art consisting of antiquities is valued at the lower of cost, including direct acquisition and restoration expenses, or net realizable value on a specific identification basis. The nature of art makes it difficult to determine a replacement value. The most compelling evidence of a value in most cases is an independent appraisal. For fiscal 2011 the net realizable value of Canals remaining art inventory has been estimated by management based in part on the Company’s history of art sales in previous years and in part on the results of the independent appraisals done in previous years. However, because of the nature of art inventory, such determination is very subjective and, therefore, the estimated values could differ significantly from the amount ultimately realized.

F) Stockyard Inventory - Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.

G) Revenue Recognition –- Lease and rental revenues are recognized ratably over the period covered. All real estate leases are accounted for as operating leases. Revenues from real estate sales are recognized generally when title to the property passes. Revenues from stockyard operations which consist primarily of yardage fees (a standard per head charge for each animal sold through the stockyards) and sale of feed and bedding are recognized at the time the service is rendered or the feed and bedding are delivered.

Other Income (Expense) Items -- Art sales are recognized using the specific identification method, when the piece is shipped to the purchaser.

H) Comprehensive Income (Loss) -- The Company’s only adjustments for each classification of the comprehensive income was for minimum pension liability.

I) Statements of Cash Flows -- The company considers all short-term investments with a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

J) Earnings (Loss) Per Share -- Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing the net income (loss) applicable to common shares by the weighted average of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share adjusts basic earnings (loss) per share for the effects of convertible securities, stock options and other potentially dilutive financial instruments, only in the period in which such effect is dilutive. There were no dilutive securities in any of the periods presented herein.

The shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options are excluded from the calculation of net income (loss) per share as their effect would be antidilutive.

K) Recent Accounting Pronouncements –- In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820) Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (“ASU 2010-06"). ASU 2010-06 requires reporting entities to provide information about movements of assets among Levels 1 and 2 of the three-tier fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820. The guidance is effective for any fiscal year that begins after December 15, 2010 and should be used for quarterly and annual filings. We do not believe that adoption of ASU 2010-06 will have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-04, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs” (“ASU 2011-04"). This update amends ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure.” ASU 2011-04 clarifies the application of certain existing fair value measurement guidance and expands the disclosures for fair value measurements that are estimated using significant unobservable (Level 3) inputs. ASU 2011-04 is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2011. The new guidance is to be adopted prospectively and early adoption is not permitted. We do not believe that adoption of ASU 2011-04 will have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

On June 16, 2011, the FASB issued ASU 2011-05, “Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Presentation of Comprehensive Income” (“ASU 2011-05"). This update amends ASC Topic 220, “Comprehensive Income” to provide that total comprehensive income will be reported in one continuous statement or two separate but consecutive statements of financial performance. Presentation of total comprehensive income in the statement of stockholders’ equity or the footnotes will no longer be allowed. The calculation of net income and basic and diluted net income per share will not be affected. ASU 2011-05 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning on or after December 15, 2011. Retrospective adoption is required and early adoption is permitted. We do not believe that adoption of ASU 2011-05 will have a significant impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.