Management has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of certain assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and reported amounts of revenues and expenses in preparing the elements of these financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Actual results could differ from these estimates.

The Company classified all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents. The Company maintains cash deposits according to a banking policy that requires diversification across a variety of highly-rated financial institutions. However, this could result in concentration of cash and cash equivalents across these financial institutions in excess of Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-insured limits.

Accounts receivable are evaluated for collectability based on numerous factors, including past transaction history with customers, their credit worthiness, and an assessment of lien and bond rights. An allowance for credit losses is estimated as a percentage of aged receivables. This estimate is periodically adjusted when management becomes aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations (e.g., a bankruptcy filing) or as a result of changes in historical collection patterns.

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The cost of substantially all inventories is determined by the weighted average cost method. This evaluation includes an analysis of historical physical inventory results, a review of excess and obsolete inventories based on inventory aging and anticipated future demand. The carrying value of inventory includes the capitalization of inbound freight costs and is net of supplier rebates and purchase discounts for products not yet sold.

The Company enters into agreements with many of its suppliers providing for inventory purchase rebates (“supplier rebates”) upon achievement of specified volume purchasing levels and purchase discounts. The Company accrues the receipt of supplier rebates and purchase discounts as part of its cost of sales for products sold based on progress towards earning the supplier rebates, taking into consideration cumulative purchases of inventory to the measurement date and projected purchases through the end of the year. An estimate of supplier rebates and purchase discounts is included in the carrying value of inventory at each period end for supplier rebates to be received on products not yet sold. Supplier rebates and purchase discounts included in inventory were $43 million and $77 million at January 28, 2024 and January 29, 2023, respectively.

Property and equipment assets are assessed for recovery when a triggering event occurs. A potential impairment is first evaluated by comparing the undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset, or the asset group it is part of, to its carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, the amount of potential impairment is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset, or the asset group it is part of, with its carrying value. The Company assesses the remaining useful life and the recoverability of property and equipment assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Judgments regarding the existence of a triggering event are based on market and operational performance. Evaluating potential impairment also requires estimates of future operating results and cash flows. There were no impairments of property and equipment assets during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 or fiscal 2021.

Amounts paid for acquisitions are allocated to the tangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company then allocates the purchase price in excess of net tangible assets acquired to identifiable intangible assets. The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is based on detailed valuations. The Company allocates any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired to goodwill.

The Company does not amortize goodwill but does conduct an impairment test of goodwill on an annual basis or whenever events or circumstances indicate that it is “more likely than not” that the fair value of its reporting unit has dropped below its carrying value. The annual goodwill impairment assessment for fiscal 2023 and fiscal 2022 consisted of a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is “more likely than not” that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying value. The Company performed a quantitative assessment for fiscal 2021. The quantitative assessment is comprised of comparing the carrying value of a reporting unit to its estimated fair value. The Company estimates the fair value of the reporting unit based on a detailed valuation, utilizing an income approach based on the present value of future cash flows, a market approach based on multiples of sales and profit metrics of similar public companies and a market approach based on multiples of sales and profit metrics for purchase transactions of similar companies (all of which are considered level three measurement techniques). If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the Company will recognize the excess of the carrying value over the fair value as a goodwill impairment loss.

Finite-lived intangible assets consist primarily of customer relationships which are amortized over the periods during which the Company expects to generate net sales from these customer relationships. The determined amortization life of finite-lived intangible assets ranged from 10 to 15 years. Finite-lived intangible assets are assessed for impairment when a triggering event occurs. A potential impairment of finite-lived intangible assets is first evaluated by comparing the undiscounted cash flows associated with the asset, or the asset group it is part of, to its carrying value. If the carrying value is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, the amount of potential impairment is measured by comparing the fair value of the asset, or the asset group it is part of, with their carrying value. The Company assesses the remaining useful life and the recoverability of finite-lived intangible assets whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable. Judgments regarding the existence of a triggering event are based on market and operational performance. Evaluating potential impairment also requires estimates of future operating results and cash flows.

Internal use software is recognized separately as an intangible asset and is carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Cost may include software licenses and external and internal costs directly attributable to the development, design and implementation of the computer software. Costs in respect of training and data conversion are expensed as incurred.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, accrued compensation and benefits and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The Company’s long-term financial assets and liabilities are generally recorded at historical costs. The carrying amounts of derivative assets or liabilities (see Note 6) are recorded at fair value.

The Company’s revenues are earned from contracts with customers. These contracts include written agreements and purchase orders as well as arrangements that are implied by customary business practices or law. The revenue contracts are primarily single performance obligations for the sale of product or performance of services for customers. Revenue is recognized when title is passed to the customer or services are provided in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for the products and services, which is net of sales tax, customer incentives, returns and discounts. For product sales, the transfer of title generally occurs at the point of destination for products shipped by internal fleet and at the point of shipping for products shipped by third-party carriers. Revenues related to services are recognized in the period the services are performed and were approximately $23 million, $17 million and $19 million during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively. Estimates for expected customer incentives, returns and discounts are based on historical experience, anticipated performance and management’s judgment. Generally, the Company’s contracts do not contain significant financing as the standard sales terms are short term in nature.

The Company includes shipping and handling fees billed to customers in net sales. Shipping and handling costs associated with inbound freight are capitalized to inventories and relieved through cost of sales as inventories are sold. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are included in selling, general and administrative expenses and totaled $43 million, $37 million and $27 million during fiscal 2023, fiscal 2022 and fiscal 2021, respectively.

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities from a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, the Company considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and results of recent operations. If it is determined that the Company is not able to realize deferred tax assets in the future, a valuation allowance would be established, which would impact the provision for income taxes.

Uncertain tax positions are recorded on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) it is determined if a tax position is more-likely-than-not of being sustained on the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company records interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the provision for income taxes in the audited Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The majority of the Company’s revenues are credit sales which are made primarily to customers whose ability to pay is dependent, in part, upon the economic strength of the construction industry in the areas where they operate and availability of municipal funding. Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is limited by the large number of customers comprising the Company’s customer base. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers.

The Company determines if an arrangement is or contains a lease at inception. Obligations under operating leases are included in the Balance Sheets in both current and non-current operating lease liabilities, while the corresponding rights to use the leased assets are presented as operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets. Operating lease ROU assets and operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of the remaining lease payments. As the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate, which is based on information available at the commencement date of the relevant lease, in determining the present value of future payments. The lease term includes an option to extend the lease when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise that option. Payment obligations related to real estate taxes, insurance and other lease components are excluded from the measurement of operating lease ROU assets and lease liabilities. The Company’s lease agreements generally do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The Company recognizes expense within selling, general and administrative expense associated with the accretion of operating lease liabilities and amortization of ROU assets in an amount calculated to result in straight-line expense over the lease terms.

In connection with the Reorganization Transactions and the IPO, Core & Main entered into a tax receivable agreement with the Former Limited Partners (the “Former Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement”) and a tax receivable agreement with the Continuing Limited Partners (the “Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement”) (collectively, the “Tax Receivable Agreements”). Core & Main has generated, and expects to generate additional, tax attributes associated with future exchanges of Partnership Interests by Continuing Limited Partners, that will reduce amounts that it would otherwise pay in the future to various tax authorities.

The Former Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement provides for the payment by Core & Main to certain Former Limited Partners, or their permitted transferees, of 85% of the tax benefits, if any, that Core & Main realizes, or in some circumstances is deemed to realize, as a result of (i) certain tax attributes of the Partnership Interests Core & Main holds in respect of such Former Limited Partners’ interest in Core & Main, including such attributes which resulted from such Former Limited Partners’ prior acquisition of ownership interests in Holdings and Core & Main’s allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the IPO attributable to the Former Limited Partners and (ii) certain other tax benefits.

The Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement provides for the payment by Core & Main to the Continuing Limited Partners, or their permitted transferees, of 85% of the benefits, if any, that Core & Main realizes, or in some circumstances is deemed to realize, as a result of (i) increases in tax basis or other similar tax benefits as a result of exchanges of Partnership Interests for cash or shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the Exchange Agreement, dated as of July 22, 2021 (the “Exchange Agreement”), by and among Core & Main, Holdings, CD&R Waterworks Holdings and Management Feeder, (ii) Core & Main’s allocable share of existing tax basis acquired in connection with the IPO attributable to the Continuing Limited Partners and in connection with exchanges of Partnership Interests for cash or shares of Class A common stock pursuant to the Exchange Agreement and (iii) Core & Main’s utilization of certain other tax benefits related to Core & Main’s entering into the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement, including tax benefits attributable to payments under the Continuing Limited Partners Tax Receivable Agreement. Core & Main expects to obtain an increase in its share of the tax basis in the net assets of Holdings as Partnership Interests are exchanged by Continuing Limited Partners. Core & Main intends to treat any exchanges of Partnership Interests as direct purchases of Partnership Interests for U.S. federal income tax purposes. These increases in tax basis may reduce the amounts that it would otherwise pay in the future to various tax authorities.

Except to the extent that any benefits are deemed realized, Core & Main will receive the full benefit in tax savings from relevant taxing authorities and provide payment of 85% of the amount of any tax benefits to the Former Limited Partners or the Continuing Limited Partners, as applicable, or their permitted transferees. Core & Main expects to benefit from the remaining 15% of any cash tax savings, except to the extent of any deemed realizations. For the Tax Receivable Agreements, Core & Main assesses the tax attributes to determine if it is more likely than not that the benefit of any deferred tax assets will be realized. Following that assessment, Core & Main recognizes a liability under the applicable Tax Receivable Agreements, reflecting approximately 85% of the expected future realization of such tax benefits. Amounts payable under the Tax Receivable Agreements are contingent upon, among other things, (i) generation of sufficient future taxable income during the term of the applicable Tax Receivable Agreements and (ii) future changes in tax laws.

Upon an exchange transaction that increases the tax attributes available to Core & Main, an increase to deferred tax assets or reduction to deferred tax liabilities is recorded with a corresponding increase to equity. The recognition of the liability under the Tax Receivable Agreement is recorded with a corresponding reduction to equity. Both of these transactions impact equity as they are transactions with shareholders.

The Company recognizes the cost of employee services received in exchange for awards of equity instruments based on the grant date fair value of those awards. That cost is recognized over the requisite service period (generally the vesting period), which is the period during which an employee is required to provide service in exchange for the award.

In connection with the Reorganization Transactions, which included the recapitalization of Management Feeder and entry into the Exchange Agreement, the equity awards issued by Holdings and held by Management Feeder were deemed to be modified for accounting purposes. The Company calculated the incremental fair value associated with the modification and recognized this incremental fair value immediately for each vested award with no remaining service period and over the remaining service period associated with each unvested award.

The non-controlling interests represent the Partnership Interests of Holdings held by the Continuing Limited Partners. Income or loss is attributed to the non-controlling interests based on the weighted average percentage of Partnership Interests held by Continuing Limited Partners, excluding unvested Partnership Interests held by Management Feeder, relative to all Partnership Interests of Holdings. Non-controlling interests presented in the consolidated Balance Sheets represent the ownership percentage of Partnership Interests held by Continuing Limited Partners as of the balance sheet date multiplied by the equity of Holdings, prior to distributions, less distributions to non-controlling interest holders. The non-controlling interests’ ownership percentage may fluctuate over time as the Continuing Limited Partners exchange Partnership Interests, together with the retirement of a corresponding number of shares of Class B common stock, for shares of Class A common stock and Partnership Interests held by Management Feeder vest.

Reference Rate Reform - In March 2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (“ASU 2020-04”). The new guidance provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts and hedging relationships that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The expedients and exceptions provided by ASU 2020-04 are effective for prospective contract modifications made and qualifying hedging relationships entered into as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2024.

In February 2023, the Company amended the terms of the 2028 Senior Term Loan (as defined in Note 6) in order to implement a forward-looking rate based on the term secured overnight financing rate (“Term SOFR”) in lieu of LIBOR. In addition, in February 2023, the Company amended the terms of the related interest rate swap to adjust the fixed interest rate and receive payments based upon the one-month Term SOFR rate, based on notional amounts associated with borrowings under the 2028 Senior Term Loan. There were no changes to the principal balances or maturity dates of these debt instruments. The amendments to the 2028 Senior Term Loan and related interest rate swap are related to the replacement of the reference rate, therefore these amendments are subject to the practical expedients in ASU 2020-04.

Segment Reporting - In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-07”). The new guidance expands reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 requires

disclosure of (i) significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the CODM and included within the segment measure of profit or loss, (ii) an amount and description of its composition for other segment items to reconcile to segment profit or loss, and (iii) the title and position of the Company’s CODM. The ASU does not change how a public entity identifies its operating segments, aggregates them, or applies the quantitative thresholds to determine its reportable segments. ASU 2023-07 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the segment disclosure impact of the amended guidance; however, ASU 2023-07 is not expected to have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Income Tax Disclosures - In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” (“ASU 2023-09”). The new guidance requires, on an annual basis, disclosure of specific categories in the rate reconciliation and disclosure of income taxes paid disaggregated by jurisdiction. ASU 2023-09 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2025. The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.