Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Mar. 03, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. To measure fair value, we use a three-tier valuation hierarchy based upon observable and non-observable inputs:

Level 1 — Unadjusted quoted prices that are available in active markets for the identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date.

Level 2 — Significant other observable inputs available at the measurement date, other than quoted prices included in Level 1, either directly or indirectly, including:

• Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;

• Quoted prices for identical or similar assets in non-active markets;

• Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and

• Inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by other observable market data.

Level 3 — Significant unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data and reflect the use of significant management judgment. These values are generally determined using pricing models for which the assumptions utilize management's estimates of market participant assumptions.

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The fair value hierarchy requires the use of observable market data when available. In instances in which the inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the fair value measurement has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular item to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, including the consideration of inputs specific to the asset or liability. The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy, our financial assets and liabilities that were accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis at March 3, 2012, and February 26, 2011, according to the valuation techniques we used to determine their fair values.

			Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as
	Fair Value at March 3, 2012		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Money market funds	$	272	$	272	$	—	$	—
Other current assets
Money market funds (restricted assets)	119		119		—		—
U.S. Treasury bills (restricted assets)	30		30		—		—
Foreign currency derivative instruments	1		—		1		—
Equity and other investments
Auction rate securities	82		—		—		82
Marketable equity securities	3		3		—		—
Other assets
Marketable securities that fund deferred compensation	83		83		—		—
Liabilities
Accrued liabilities
Foreign currency derivative instruments	2		—		2		—
Long-term liabilities
Deferred compensation	62		62		—		—

			Fair Value Measurements Using Inputs Considered as
	Fair Value at February 26, 2011		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Money market funds	$	70	$	70	$	—	$	—
Short-term investments
Money market fund	2		—		2		—
U.S. Treasury bills	20		20		—		—
Other current assets
Money market funds (restricted assets)	63		63		—		—
U.S. Treasury bills (restricted assets)	105		105		—		—
Foreign currency derivative instruments	2		—		2		—
Equity and other investments
Auction rate securities	110		—		—		110
Marketable equity securities	146		146		—		—
Other assets
Marketable securities that fund deferred compensation	83		83		—		—
Liabilities
Accrued liabilities
Foreign currency derivative instruments	1		—		1		—
Long-term liabilities
Deferred compensation	64		64		—		—
Foreign currency derivative instruments	2		—		2		—

The following table provides a reconciliation between the beginning and ending balances of items measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the tables above that used significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

	Debt securities — Auction rate securities only
	Student loan bonds			Municipal revenue bonds			Total
Balances at February 27, 2010	$	261		$	19		$	280
Changes in unrealized losses in other comprehensive income	(1		)	1			—
Sales	(152		)	(18		)	(170		)
Balances at February 26, 2011	$	108		$	2		$	110
Changes in unrealized losses in other comprehensive income	(1		)	—			(1		)
Sales	(27		)	—			(27		)
Balances at March 3, 2012	$	80		$	2		$	82

The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument:

Money Market Funds. Our money market fund investments that are traded in an active market were measured at fair value using quoted market prices and, therefore, were classified as Level 1. Our money market fund investments not traded on a regular basis or in an active market, and for which we have been unable to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis, were measured using inputs other than quoted market prices that are observable for the investments and, therefore, were classified as Level 2.

U.S. Treasury Bills. Our U.S. Treasury notes were classified as Level 1 as they trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Foreign Currency Derivative Instruments. Comprised primarily of foreign currency forward contracts and foreign currency swap contracts, our foreign currency derivative instruments were measured at fair value using readily observable market inputs, such as quotations on forward foreign exchange points and foreign interest rates. Our foreign currency derivative instruments were classified as Level 2 as these instruments are custom, over-the-counter contracts with various bank counterparties that are not traded in an active market.

Auction Rate Securities. Our investments in ARS were classified as Level 3 as quoted prices were unavailable due to events described in Note 5, Investments. Due to limited market information, we utilized a DCF model to derive an estimate of fair value. The assumptions we used in preparing the DCF model included estimates with respect to the amount and timing of future interest and principal payments, forward projections of the interest rate benchmarks, the probability of full repayment of the principal considering the credit quality and guarantees in place, and the rate of return required by investors to own such securities given the current liquidity risk associated with ARS.

Marketable Equity Securities. Our marketable equity securities were measured at fair value using quoted market prices. They were classified as Level 1 as they trade in an active market for which closing stock prices are readily available.

Deferred Compensation. Our deferred compensation liabilities and the assets that fund our deferred compensation consist of investments in mutual funds. These investments were classified as Level 1 as the shares of these mutual funds trade with sufficient frequency and volume to enable us to obtain pricing information on an ongoing basis.

Assets and Liabilities that are Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis relate primarily to our tangible fixed assets, goodwill and other intangible assets, which are remeasured when the derived fair value is below carrying value on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. For these assets, we do not periodically adjust carrying value to fair value except in the event of impairment. When we determine that impairment has occurred, the carrying value of the asset is reduced to fair value and the difference is recorded within Operating income in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

With the exception of the goodwill impairment associated with our Best Buy Europe reporting unit described in Note 2, Profit Share Buy-Out, as well as the fixed asset and tradename impairments associated with our fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 restructuring activities described in Note 7, Restructuring Charges, we had no significant remeasurements of such assets or liabilities to fair value during fiscal 2012, 2011 and 2010. The following table summarizes the fair value remeasurments recorded for fiscal 2012 and 2011:

	Fiscal 2012				Fiscal 2011
	Impairments		Remaining Net Carrying Value		Impairments		Remaining Net Carrying Value
Continuing operations
Goodwill of Best Buy Europe reporting unit	$	1,207	$	—	$	—	$	—
Property and equipment	32		—		122		49
Total	$	1,239	$	—	$	122	$	49
Discontinued operations(1)
Property and equipment	$	111	$	—	$	25	$	2
Tradename	3		—		10		3
Total	$	114	$	—	$	35	$	5

(1) Fixed asset and tradename impairments associated with discontinued operations are recorded within Loss from discontinued operations in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings.

All of the fair value remeasurments included in the table above were based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3). Refer to Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, as well as Note 2, Profit Share Buy-Out, for further information associated with the goodwill impairment. Fixed asset fair values were derived using a DCF model to estimate the present value of net cash flows that the asset or asset group was expected to generate. The key inputs to the DCF model generally included our forecasts of net cash generated from revenue, expenses and other significant cash outflows, such as capital expenditures, as well as an appropriate discount rate. For the tradename, fair value was derived using the relief from royalty method, as described in Note 1, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. In the case of these specific assets, for which their impairment was the result of restructuring activities, no future cash flows have been assumed as the assets will cease to be used and expected sale values are nominal.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial instruments, other than those presented in the disclosures above, include cash, receivables, other investments, accounts payable, other payables and short- and long-term debt. The fair values of cash, receivables, accounts payable, other payables and short-term debt approximated carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Fair values for other investments held at cost are not readily available, but we estimate that the carrying values for these investments approximate fair value. See Note 8, Debt, for information about the fair value of our long-term debt.