Understanding the notes to the Balance Sheet

Your friend, Liz, loves to shop at Target and is now interested in investing in the company. Tom, another friend, has told her that Target’s debt structure is risky with obligations of nearly 74% of total assets. Liz sees that debt on the balance sheet is 65% of total assets and is confused by Tom’s comment. Write an explanation to Liz discussing the debt structure of Target and why Tom thinks Target is risky. Be sure to explain clearly what information appears on financial statements, as well as what information does not appear directly on the financial statements. Use the information below in your discussion.

At fiscal year-end February 2, 2008, Target Corporation had the following assets and liabilities on its balance sheet (in millions):

Current liabilities	$11,782
Long-term debt	15,126
Other liabilities	2,345
Total assets	44,560

Target reported the following information on leases in the notes to the financial statements:
Total rent expense was $165 million in 2007, $158 million in 2006, and $154 million in 2005, including percentage rent expense of $5 million in 2007, 2006, and 2005. Most long-term leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term to more than 50 years. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased property.

Future minimum lease payments required under non-cancellable lease agreements existing at February 2, 2008, were:

Future Minimum Lease Payments (in Millions)	Operating Leases	Capital Leases
2008	$ 239	$ 12
2009	187	16
2010	173	16
2011	129	16
2010	123	17
After 2010	2, 843	155
Total future minimum lease payments	$3694 (a)	$232
Less: Interest (b)		(105)
Present value of minimum capital lease payments		$127 (c)

a) Total contractual lease payments include $1,721 million related to options to extend lease terms that are reasonably assured of being exercised, and also include $98 million of legally binding minimum lease payments for stores that will open in 2008 or later.
(b) Calculated using the interest rate at inception of each lease.
(c) Includes current portion of $4 million.