Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Jan. 30, 2016

Fair value measurements are reported in one of three levels based on the lowest level of significant input used: Level 1 (unadjusted quoted prices in active markets); Level 2 (observable market inputs, other than quoted prices included in Level 1); and Level 3 (unobservable inputs that cannot be corroborated by observable market data).



Fair Value Measurements - Recurring Basis		Fair Value at
(millions)	Pricing Category	January 30, 2016		January 31, 2015
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents
Short-term investments	Level 1	$	3,008	$	1,520
Other current assets
Interest rate swaps^(a)	Level 2	12		—
Prepaid forward contracts	Level 1	32		38
Beneficial interest asset	Level 3	19		43
Other noncurrent assets
Interest rate swaps^(a)	Level 2	27		65
Beneficial interest asset	Level 3	12		31
Liabilities
Other current liabilities
Interest rate swaps^(a)	Level 2	8		—
Other noncurrent liabilities
Interest rate swaps^(a)	Level 2	—		24


^(a)	See Note 21 for additional information on interest rate swaps.

Valuation Technique

Short-term investments - Carrying value approximates fair value because maturities are less than three months.

Prepaid forward contracts - Initially valued at transaction price. Subsequently valued by reference to the market price of Target common stock.

Interest rate swaps - Valuation models are calibrated to initial trade price. Subsequent valuations are based on observable inputs to the valuation model (e.g., interest rates and credit spreads).



Significant Financial Instruments not Measured at Fair Value ^(a) (millions)	2015				2014
	Carrying Amount		Fair Value		Carrying Amount		Fair Value
Debt ^(b)	$	11,859	$	13,385	$	11,875	$	14,089


^(a)	The carrying amounts of certain other current assets, accounts payable, and certain accrued and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term nature.


^(b)	The fair value of debt is generally measured using a discounted cash flow analysis based on current market interest rates for the same or similar types of financial instruments and would be classified as Level 2. These amounts exclude unamortized swap valuation adjustments and capital lease obligations.

Refer to Note 7 for information about fair value measurements related to our discontinued Canadian operations.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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