FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

9 Months Ended

Oct. 30, 2011

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

NOTE 8 – FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value measurements and disclosure principles of U.S. GAAP (ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures) define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value and provide disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. These principles define a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

Level 1 –	Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 –	Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly;
Level 3 –	Unobservable inputs in which little or no market activity exists.

The Company’s interest rate swap contracts were measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 2 observable inputs. The fair value of these financial liabilities, which expired on January 31, 2011, was $1 million as of January 30, 2011.

The Company’s financial instruments that are not reflected at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows as of October 30, 2011 and January 30, 2011 (amounts in millions):

	As of October 30, 2011				As of January 30, 2011
	Recorded Amount(1)		Estimated Fair Value		Recorded Amount(1)		Estimated Fair Value
Term Loan due August 30, 2012	$	73	$	73	$	74	$	74
Term Loan due April 1, 2014		857		857		864		871
Revolving Credit Facility due August 30, 2013		—		—		—		—
ABL Revolving Credit Facility due August 30, 2012		16		16		—		—
ABL Revolving Credit Facility due April 1, 2014		103		100		—		—
ABL Term Loan due April 1, 2014		214		207		214		207
12.0% Senior Notes due September 1, 2014		2,500		2,338		2,500		2,338
13.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due September 1, 2015		1,820		1,438		1,597		1,198
Total	$	5,583	$	5,029	$	5,249	$	4,688

(1) These amounts do not include accrued interest; accrued interest is classified as Other current liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The Company utilized Level 2 inputs, as defined in the fair value hierarchy, to measure the fair value of the long-term debt.

The Term Loan is guaranteed by Home Depot. Based on a review of the fair value of debt issued by companies with similar credit ratings as Home Depot, management estimates that as of October 30, 2011, the fair value of the Term Loan due August 30, 2012 was approximately 99-101% of the principal value, or $73 million, and the Term Loan due April 1, 2014 is approximately 99-101% of principal, or $857 million. Management estimated that as of January 30, 2011, the fair value of the Term Loan due August 30, 2012 was approximately 99-101% of the principal value, or $74 million, and the Term Loan due April 1, 2014 was approximately 100-102% of principal, or $871 million.

The Company’s fair value estimates for the ABL Credit Facility, 12.0% Senior Notes, and 13.5% Senior Subordinated Notes were based on recent similar credit facilities initiated by companies with like credit quality in similar industries, quoted prices for similar instruments, and inquiries with certain investment communities. Based on this data, management estimates that as of October 30, 2011, the fair value of the ABL Revolving Credit Facility due August 30, 2012 was approximately 96-101% of the principal value, or $16 million, the fair value of the ABL Revolving Credit Facility due April 1, 2014 was approximately 93-100% of the principal value, or $100 million, the fair value of the ABL Term Loan due April 1, 2014 was approximately 94-100% of the principal value, or $207 million, the fair value of the 12.0% Senior Notes was approximately 90-97% of the principal value, or $2,338 million, and the fair value of the 13.5% Senior Subordinated Notes was approximately 70-88% of principal value, or $1,438 million. Management estimated that as of January 30, 2011, the fair value of the ABL Term Loan due April 1, 2014 was approximately 94-100% of the principal value, or $207 million, the fair value of the 12.0% Senior Notes was approximately 87-100% of the principal value, or $2,338 million, and the fair value of the 13.5% Senior Subordinated Notes was approximately 65-85% of principal value, or $1,198 million.