Core-Mark inventory - suggested solution (1)

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Feb 20, 2024

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The University of Chicago Booth School of Business Financial Accounting 30000 Core-Mark Holding Company Inventories Core-Mark Holding Company, Inc. distributes merchandise to convenience stores. It also provides business services such as category management and management of promotions. Attached are the excerpts from Core-Mark’s Annual report for 2017. Based on the information in the financial statements and footnotes, please, answer the questions below. Assume a tax rate of 35%. 1. Which cost flow assumptions does Core-Mark use to value its inventories? What is the value of inventories that Core-Mark values at LIFO basis as of December 31, 2017? Answer: Inventories in the Company’s Canadian divisions are valued on a first-in, first-out ("FIFO") basis, as LIFO is not a permitted inventory valuation method in Canada. Approximately 86% and 82% of the Company’s inventory was valued on a LIFO basis at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The inventories that Core- Mark values at LIFO is 86% x $ 689.1 = $ 592.6 million. 2. Suppose that Core-Mark had used first-in, first-out (FIFO) as a cost flow assumption for all of their Inventories. Would the book value of Inventories at December 31, 2017 be higher than, lower than, or the same as the amount currently recorded? If different, by how much? Answer: Inventories would be higher by $151.9m Would Total stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2017 be higher than, lower than, or the same as the amount currently recorded? If different, by how much? Answer: Stockholders’ equity would be higher by $151.9 x (1 - 35%) = $98.7m Would Income before income taxes in fiscal year 2017 be higher than, lower than, or the same as the amount currently recorded? If different, by how much? Answer: Income before income taxes would be higher by $151.9 - $130.4 = $21.5m What amount would the Core-Mark have reported as cost of goods sold in fiscal 2017 if it had always used the FIFO method for measuring the cost of inventories for which it uses LIFO method? Answer: Cost of goods sold in 2017 would have been lower at $14,895.9 - $21.5 = $14,874.4 m
3. Companies often cite income tax considerations as a primary reason for favoring LIFO over other cost flow assumptions. Did Core-Mark save income taxes cumulatively over the years since inception (up to December 31, 2017) by not using FIFO as the cost flow assumption for all of their inventories? If so, how much? If not, why? Answer: Core-Mark saved $151.9 x 35% = $53.2m over the years by not using FIFO. Did Core-Mark save income taxes in fiscal year 2017 by not using FIFO as the cost flow assumption for all of their inventories? If so, how much? If not why and how much more taxes they paid? Answer: Yes, Core-Mark saved income taxes in fiscal year 2017 because its LIFO reserve has increased reflecting higher cost of goods sold under LIFO. Core-Mark’s taxes under FIFO would be higher by $21.5 x 35% = $7.5m. If you were a Chief Financial Officer of Core-Mark and the LIFO conformity rule had been repealed by Congress. What inventory method would you recommend for 1) financial reporting and 2) for tax reporting purposes? Why? Answer: For financial reporting, FIFO would produce higher earnings; whereas, for tax reporting purposes, LIFO would allow the company to defer taxes. 4. Did physical any inventory levels valued on a LIFO basis increase or decrease during 2017 for Core-Mark? How do you know? Answer: Physcial inventory decreased for at least one inventory category. We know this because Core-Mark disclosed liquidation of some old LIFO layers. If inventory decreased, how did this affect the LIFO reserve as of December 31, 2017? Answer: The liquidation decreased the LIFO reserve since the company sold the older layers of inventory that were acquired at a more favorable price. (Note that the LIFO liquidation is a debit to the LIFO reserve. However, the LIFO reserve increased overall (with a credit) when looking at the total across all inventory categories.) What factors might explain Core-Mark’s decision to reduce certain inventories? Answer: Potential factors are that the company wanted to boost their earnings in 2017 (but then have to pay higher taxes) or a systematic change to inventory management techniques.
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