HD_11K_12.31.2011


 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 11-K
___________________
 
FOR ANNUAL REPORTS OF EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE, SAVINGS
AND SIMILAR PLANS PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

(Mark One):
x ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
OR
¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from_______to_______             
Commission file number 001-08207


A. Full title of the plan and the address of the plan, if different from that of the issuer named below:

The Home Depot FutureBuilder
___________________

B. Name of issuer of the securities held pursuant to the plan and the address of its principal executive office:


The Home Depot, Inc.
2455 Paces Ferry Road
Atlanta, Georgia 30339


 






THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER

Table of Contents
 
 
Page
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 






Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Administrative Committee
The Home Depot FutureBuilder:
We have audited the accompanying statements of net assets available for benefits of The Home Depot FutureBuilder (the Plan) as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the related statements of changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Plan's Administrative Committee. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the net assets available for benefits of the Plan as of December 31, 2011 and 2010, and the changes in net assets available for benefits for the years then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
Our audits were performed for the purpose of forming an opinion on the basic financial statements taken as a whole. The supplemental schedule, Schedule H, Line 4i - Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year) as of December 31, 2011, is presented for the purpose of additional analysis and is not a required part of the basic financial statements, but is supplementary information required by the Department of Labor's Rules and Regulations for Reporting and Disclosure under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. This supplemental schedule is the responsibility of the Plan's Administrative Committee. The supplemental schedule has been subjected to the auditing procedures applied in the audits of the basic financial statements and, in our opinion, is fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole.

/s/ KPMG LLP
Atlanta, Georgia
June 22, 2012


1



THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits
December 31, 2011 and 2010
 
 
2011
 
2010
Assets:
 
 
 
Plan's interest in Master Trust, at fair value
$
3,232,131,952

 
$
3,035,406,175

Receivables:
 
 
 
Notes receivable from participants
201,764,660

 
180,559,943

Participant contributions receivable
17,701

 

Employer contributions receivable
5,415

 

Total receivables
201,787,776

 
180,559,943

Net assets reflecting investments at fair value
3,433,919,728

 
3,215,966,118


Adjustment from fair value to contract value for Plan's interest in Master
     Trust for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
(4,216,965
)
 
1,328,250

Net assets available for benefits
$
3,429,702,763

 
$
3,217,294,368


See accompanying notes to the financial statements.


2



THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Statements of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits
Years Ended December 31, 2011 and 2010
 
 
2011
 
2010
Additions to net assets attributed to:
 
 
 
Investment Income:
 
 
 
Plan's interest in income of Master Trust
$
81,721,685

 
$
366,158,959

Interest on notes receivable from participants
7,611,179

 
7,506,903

Total investment income
89,332,864

 
373,665,862


Contributions:
 
 
 
Participant
287,893,481

 
279,693,081

Employer
148,355,969

 
147,854,825

Total contributions
436,249,450

 
427,547,906

Total additions
525,582,314

 
801,213,768

Deductions from net assets attributed to:
 
 
 
Benefits paid to participants
297,015,275

 
269,503,148

Administrative expenses
16,158,644

 
15,015,197

Total deductions
313,173,919

 
284,518,345

Net increase
212,408,395

 
516,695,423

Net assets available for benefits:
 
 
 
Beginning of year
3,217,294,368

 
2,700,598,945

End of year
$
3,429,702,763

 
$
3,217,294,368


See accompanying notes to the financial statements.



3

THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2011 and 2010


(1)
Description of the Plan
The following is a brief description of The Home Depot FutureBuilder (the Plan). Participants should refer to the Plan document or the summary plan description for a more complete description of the Plan's provisions.
(a)
General
The Plan is a defined contribution retirement plan covering substantially all U.S. associates of The Home Depot, Inc., the Plan sponsor, and subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"). After completing 90 days of service, associates are eligible to participate in the Plan for purposes of making before-tax and/or after-tax (Roth) contributions. Participants are eligible for the Company's matching contributions on the first day of the calendar quarter (January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1) coincident with or following the completion of 12 months of service and 1,000 hours. Temporary associates are eligible to make before-tax and/or after-tax (Roth) contributions following the completion of 12 months of service and 1,000 hours. The Plan excludes leased associates, nonresident aliens, and associates covered by a collective bargaining agreement, unless the terms of the collective bargaining agreement require that the associate be eligible to participate in the Plan. The Plan is subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA). The Plan is administered by the Administrative Committee, the members of which are officers of Home Depot U.S.A., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Home Depot, Inc.
(b)
Contributions
Under the Plan, participants may contribute up to 50% of annual compensation, as defined in the Plan, on a before-tax basis and/or an after-tax (Roth) basis subject to regulatory limitations, and participants age 50 or older can make catch-up contributions to the Plan. Participants may also contribute amounts representing eligible rollover distributions from other qualified retirement plans. The Company provides matching contributions of 150% of the first 1% of eligible compensation contributed by a participant and 50% of the next 2% to 5% of eligible compensation contributed by a participant beginning on the first day of the calendar quarter following the completion of 12 months of service and 1,000 hours. Before-tax and after-tax (Roth) contributions are eligible for matching contributions. Catch-up contributions are not eligible for matching contributions. Additional amounts may be contributed at the option of the Administrative Committee. The default for investment of the Company's matching contribution if no direction is given is the participant's current investment election with respect to before-tax contributions. If the participant has made no affirmative investment election with respect to before-tax or after-tax (Roth) contributions, the default is the appropriate LifePath Fund based on the participant's age.
Employee stock ownership contributions were made solely by the Company and at the discretion of the Company's Board of Directors (ESOP contributions). The Company made its last ESOP contribution in February 1999. The Plan was amended to eliminate ESOP contributions for Plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2007.
(c)
Participant Accounts
The Plan maintains a separate account for each participant, to which contributions and investment performance are allocated.
(d)
Vesting
Participants are immediately vested in their contributions and net value changes thereon. Vesting in the Company's matching and discretionary contributions and net value changes thereon is generally based on years of vesting service. For vesting purposes, a year of service is any calendar year in which a participant completes at least 1,000 hours of service.

A participant is cliff vested 100% in the Company's matching contributions after three years of vesting service.









4

THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2011 and 2010

Vesting for the ESOP contributions and net value changes thereon is based on years of service, as follows:
Years of Service
 
Vesting Percentage
3
 
20
%
4
 
40

5
 
60

6
 
80

7 or more
 
100


Effective January 1, 2010, each participant who completes an hour of service on or after January 1, 2010 becomes 100% vested in the Company's matching contributions and ESOP contributions upon completing five years of employment if such event precedes the vesting dates above.
A participant becomes 100% vested in the Company's matching, ESOP and any discretionary contributions and net value changes thereon upon death, attaining age 65 while still employed, total or permanent disability, or if the Plan is terminated.
(e)
Payment of Benefits
Upon death, disability, termination of service for any other reason, or attaining age 59 ½, participants or beneficiaries may elect to receive a lump-sum payment of their vested account balance at fair value on the date of distribution in the form of cash or Company stock in accordance with the terms of the Plan.
(f)
Notes Receivable from Participants
Participants may borrow from their accounts a minimum of $1,000 up to a maximum equal to the lesser of $50,000 minus the highest outstanding note balance in the preceding 12 months or 50% of their vested account balance. Note terms range from one to four years. The notes bear interest at a rate equal to the prime rate plus 1% at the time of the note. Certain notes with terms greater than four years remain outstanding, including certain notes rolled over from retirement plans of acquired companies. Notes receivable from participants are measured at their unpaid balance plus any accrued but unpaid interest. Delinquent notes receivable from participants are reclassified as distributions based upon the terms of the Plan document.
(g)
Forfeited Accounts
Forfeited nonvested accounts may be used to reduce future employer contributions and/or Plan expenses. In 2011 and 2010, forfeitures in the amount of $1,877,199 and $2,138,705, respectively, were used to reduce employer contributions. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, unallocated forfeitures totaled $1,560,920 and $1,744,888, respectively.
(h)
Administrative Expenses
Certain administrative expenses of the Plan may be paid by the Company. These costs include legal, accounting and certain administrative fees. Expenses paid by the Plan include all administrative costs not paid by the Company.
(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The following is a summary of significant accounting policies followed by the Plan in preparing its financial statements.
(a)
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting. The Plan evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition in the financial statements through the date the financial statements were issued.
(b)
Investment Valuation and Income Recognition
The Plan invests only in the Master Trust. Investments within the Master Trust are valued as follows:
Shares of registered investment companies, the Rainier Large-Cap Growth Fund, the TimesSquare Mid-Cap Growth

5

THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2011 and 2010

Strategy Fund, the TS&W Small-Cap Value Fund, the Cadence Small-Cap Growth Fund and the Schwab Personal Choice Retirement Account (PCRA) are valued at quoted market prices, which represent the net asset value of shares held by the Plan at year-end. The JP Morgan Stable Value Fund is valued as described below. All other investments in units of collective trusts are valued at the respective net asset values as reported by such trusts. The Company's common stock is valued at its quoted market price as obtained from the New York Stock Exchange. Securities transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis. The investment in short-term investment funds of The Northern Trust Company is reported at fair value as determined by The Northern Trust Company based on the quoted market prices of the securities in the fund.
The JP Morgan Stable Value Fund invests primarily in synthetic investment contracts and insurance company separate account contracts issued by insurance companies and banks that are fully benefit-responsive. These investments are presented at the fair value of units held by the Plan as of December 31 in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits including separate disclosure of the adjustment to contract value, which is equal to principal balance plus accrued interest. As provided in Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 962 (formerly known as Staff Position FSP AAG INV-1 and Statement of Position No. 94-4-1, Reporting of Fully Benefit-Responsive Investment Contracts Held by Certain Investment Companies Subject to the AICPA Investment Company Guide and Defined-Contribution Health and Welfare and Pension Plans), an investment contract is generally valued at contract value, rather than fair value, to the extent it is fully benefit-responsive. The fair value of fully benefit-responsive investment contracts is calculated using the market approach discounting methodology, which incorporates the difference between current market level rates for contract level wrap fees and the wrap fee being charged. The difference is calculated as a dollar value and discounted by the prevailing interpolated swap rate as of period-end. Additional information on the JP Morgan Stable Value Fund is discussed in Note 3.
Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Dividends are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The Plan's investments include funds that invest in various types of investment securities and in various companies within various markets. Investment securities are exposed to several risks, such as interest rate, market, credit, and individual country and currency risks. Due to the level of risk associated with certain investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities will occur in the near term and that such changes could materially affect the amounts reported in the Plan's financial statements and the supplemental schedule.
(c)
Payment of Benefits
Benefits are recorded when paid.
(d)
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires the Administrative Committee of the Plan to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of additions to and deductions from net assets available for benefits during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(e)
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The Plan's investments are stated at fair value, with the exception of the Plan's fully benefit-responsive investment contracts which, though stated at fair value, are adjusted to contract value within the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits. In addition, the carrying amount of notes receivable from participants is a reasonable approximation of the fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.
(f)
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
In September 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-25, Reporting Loans to Participants by Defined Contribution Pension Plans, (ASU No. 2010-25). ASU No. 2010-25 requires that participant loans be classified as notes receivable from participants in the Plan's Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits. ASU No. 2010-25 was effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2010, with early adoption permitted, and requires retrospective application to all prior periods presented. ASU No. 2010-25 was adopted for the year ended December 31, 2010.
(g)
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in the prior year have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement

6

THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2011 and 2010

presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported net assets available for benefits and changes therein.
(3) JP Morgan Stable Value Fund
Through the Master Trust, the Plan invests in a separate account, the JP Morgan Stable Value Fund (the Fund), which owns fully benefit-responsive investment contracts. As a result of ASC 962, the Plan's investment in the Fund is presented at fair value in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits with an adjustment from fair value to contract value as a decrease of $4,216,965 as of December 31, 2011 and an increase of $1,328,250 as of December 31, 2010. The fair value of the Fund as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 was $519,934,832 and $479,833,287, respectively. The fair value of the Fund equals the total of the fair value of the underlying assets plus the fair value of the wrap contract, which is calculated using the market approach discounting methodology, which incorporates the difference between current market level rates for the contract level wrap fees and the wrap fee being charged. The difference is calculated as a dollar value and discounted by the prevailing interpolated swap rate as of year end.
A synthetic investment contract (SIC), also known as a wrap contract, is an investment contract issued by an insurance company or other financial institution, designed to provide a contract value “wrapper” around a portfolio of bonds or other fixed income securities that are owned by the Fund. The assets underlying the Fund's wrap contracts are units of fixed income collective investment trusts (Aegon, Bank of America, Royal Bank of Canada and State Street Bank with credit ratings of AA-, A, AA- and AA-, respectively). An insurance company separate account is a book value contract issued from within an insurance company separate account that bundles the book value wrap contract and underlying fixed income portfolio (Metlife with a credit rating of AA-). The contract is backed by a portfolio of marketable fixed income securities owned by the insurance company, but segregated and insulated from the general account. These contracts provide that realized and unrealized gains and losses on the underlying assets are not reflected immediately in the net assets of the Fund, but rather are amortized, over the duration of the underlying assets, through adjustments to the future interest crediting rate. The issuer guarantees that all qualified participant withdrawals will occur at contract value.
The Plan's interest in the underlying fixed income collective investment trusts in which the Fund invests is calculated by applying the Fund's ownership percentage in these underlying fixed income collective investment trusts to the total fair value of the underlying fixed income collective investment trusts. The underlying assets owned by the Fund consist primarily of readily marketable fixed income securities with quoted market prices.
The interest crediting rate is determined quarterly and is primarily based on the current yield to maturity of the covered investments, plus or minus amortization of the difference between the market value and the contract value of the covered investments over the duration of the covered investments at the time of computation. There is no relationship between future crediting rates and the adjustments to contract value reported in the Statements of Net Assets Available for Benefits.
Certain events limit the ability of the Plan to transact at contract value with the issuer. Such events include the following: (1) amendments to the Plan document (including complete or partial Plan termination or merger with another plan), (2) changes to the Plan's prohibition on competing investment options or deletion of equity wash provisions, (3) bankruptcy of the Plan Sponsor or other Plan Sponsor events (for example, divestitures or spin-offs of a subsidiary) that cause a significant withdrawal from the Plan, or (4) the failure of the Master Trust to qualify for exemption from federal income taxes or any required prohibited transaction exemption under ERISA. The Plan's Administrative Committee does not believe that any events that would limit the Plan's ability to transact at contract value with participants are probable of occurring.
The average market yield of the Fund for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was 1.96% and 2.68%, respectively. The average yield earned by the Fund that reflects the actual interest credited to participants for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was 2.78% and 2.37% respectively.
(4) Tax Status
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has determined and informed the Company by a letter dated April 9, 2002 that the Plan and Master Trust are designed in accordance with applicable sections of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), and therefore, are exempt from federal income taxes. The Plan has been amended since receiving the determination letter. However, the Administrative Committee of the Plan believes the Plan and Master Trust continue to be designed and are currently being operated in compliance with the applicable requirements of the IRC. On October 21, 2011, the Plan submitted a determination letter application to the IRS.
U.S. generally accepted accounting principles require Plan management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Plan and

7

THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2011 and 2010

recognize a tax liability (or asset) if the Plan has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by the IRS. The Plan's Administrative Committee has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2011, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken that would require recognition of a liability (or asset) or disclosure in the Plan's financial statements. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress. The Plan's Administrative Committee believes it is no longer subject to income tax examinations for years prior to 2008.
(5) Plan Termination
Although it has not expressed any intent to do so, the Company has the right under the Plan to discontinue its contributions at any time and terminate the Plan subject to the provisions of ERISA. In the event the Plan is terminated, participants will become 100% vested in their accounts.
(6) Investments
The Plan's investments are held in a Master Trust by the Trustee of the Plan, The Northern Trust Company, as more fully described in Note 7. Plan participants may direct the investment of their accounts on a daily basis in a number of investment options available under the Plan. A description of the Plan's investment options follows:
The Home Depot, Inc. Common Stock Fund - Fund invests in common stock of The Home Depot, Inc. Effective September 17, 2008, this fund was frozen with respect to new contributions.
JP Morgan Stable Value Fund - Fund invests in high quality fixed income securities (see Note 3).
TimesSquare Mid-Cap Growth Strategy Fund - Fund is a separate account that invests in common and preferred stock of U.S. mid-sized companies that display strong growth prospects.
CRM Mid-Cap Value Fund - Fund invests in a registered investment company that seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing in the stocks of companies that are trading at a discount to the manager's estimate of private-market value within the mid-cap value universe.
BlackRock Equity Index Fund - Fund is a collective trust that invests in the common stocks included in the Standard & Poor's 500 Index.
Dodge & Cox Stock Fund - Fund invests in a registered investment company that invests in common stocks of companies that the fund's managers believe to be temporarily undervalued by the stock market but have favorable long-term growth prospects.
Rainier Large-Cap Growth Fund - Effective June 1, 2011, the fund became a separate account that invests in the common stock of large-cap and select mid-cap companies that the portfolio management team believes demonstrate the potential for superior earnings growth while trading at reasonable valuations in order to maximize long-term capital appreciation. Prior to June 1, 2011, the fund invested in a registered investment company.
Dodge & Cox International Stock Fund - Fund invests in a registered investment company that invests in a diversified portfolio of equity securities issued by non-U.S. companies to provide long-term growth.
TS&W Small-Cap Value Fund - Fund is a separate account that invests in common stocks of small companies that are believed to be undervalued relative to the market and industry peers.
Cadence Small-Cap Growth Fund - Fund is a separate account that invests in small-cap companies that exhibit an attractive combination of growth and value.
BlackRock LifePath Portfolios - Fund is a collective trust that invests in stocks, bonds, real estate and commodities.
BlackRock U.S. Debt Index Fund - Fund is a collective trust that invests in U.S. Treasury and federal agency bonds, corporate bonds, residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities and asset-backed securities.
BlackRock Balanced Fund - Fund is a synthetic fund that invests approximately 60% of its assets in the BlackRock Equity Index Fund (which invests in equity securities - stocks) with the remainder of the fund invested in the BlackRock U.S. Debt Index Fund (which invests in fixed income securities - bonds).
Schwab PCRA - The brokerage window provides the freedom to invest in a wide range of investment choices, including no-load, no transaction-fee mutual funds, stocks listed on major exchanges, exchange-traded funds and individual bonds, certificates of deposit and other fixed income investments.

8

THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2011 and 2010

The Master Trust's investments in separate accounts and collective trust funds are not subject to restrictions regarding redemptions, and there are no unfunded commitments to the funds.
(7) Investment in Master Trust
The assets of the Plan are invested in a Master Trust. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Plan's interest in the net assets of the Master Trust was over 99%, with The Home Depot FutureBuilder for Puerto Rico holding the remaining interest. Net assets, investment income and administrative expenses related to the Master Trust are allocated to the individual plans based upon actual activity for each of the plans.
The net assets of the Master Trust as of December 31, 2011 and 2010 were as follows:
 
2011
 
2010
Assets:
 
 
 
Investments:
 
 
 
The Home Depot, Inc. Common Stock Fund
586,688,337

 
563,372,023

Separate accounts: common stocks
524,866,697

 
536,158,924

Stable value fund
523,489,883

 
482,730,961

Collective trust funds
1,070,692,794

 
860,841,767

Registered investment funds
497,040,597

 
563,342,512

Brokerage window
38,559,861

 
35,862,008

Total investments
3,241,338,169

 
3,042,308,195

Receivables:
 
 
 
Due from broker

 
1,358,612

Other receivables
1,488,918

 
216,424

Total receivables
1,488,918

 
1,575,036

Total assets
3,242,827,087

 
3,043,883,231

Liabilities:
 
 
 
Accrued liabilities
1,539,715

 
1,326,139

Due to broker
1,103,020

 

Total liabilities
2,642,735

 
1,326,139

 
3,240,184,352

 
3,042,557,092

Adjustment from fair value to contract value for fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
(4,248,814
)
 
1,338,980

Net assets
$
3,235,935,538

 
$
3,043,896,072















9

THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2011 and 2010

Investment income for the Master Trust for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010 was as follows:
 
2011
 
2010
Investment Income:
 
 
 
Net appreciation (depreciation) in fair value of investments:
 
 
 
The Home Depot, Inc. Common Stock Fund
$
99,223,269

 
$
102,574,941

Separate accounts: common stocks
(9,379,765
)
 
83,476,214

Collective trust funds
22,878,423

 
82,900,842

Registered investment funds
(68,694,286
)
 
58,199,191

Brokerage window
(5,860,500
)
 
2,277,912

Net appreciation in fair value of investments
38,167,141

 
329,429,100

Dividends and interest income
43,777,500

 
37,374,106

Total investment income
$
81,944,641

 
$
366,803,206

(8) Fair Value Measurements
The fair value of an asset is considered to be the price at which the asset could be sold in an orderly transaction between unrelated knowledgeable and willing parties. A liability's fair value is defined as the amount that would be paid to transfer the liability to a new obligor, rather than the amount that would be paid to settle the liability with the creditor. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are measured using a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include:
Level 1 - inputs use unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Plan has the ability to access.  
Level 2 - inputs use other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and other inputs such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals.  
Level 3 - inputs are unobservable inputs, including inputs that are available in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the related asset or liability. 
The following tables set forth by level within the fair value hierarchy the Master Trust's investments measured at fair value on a recurring basis, as of December 31, 2011 and 2010. Investments are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

10

THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2011 and 2010

 
Investments at Fair Value as of December 31, 2011
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Home Depot, Inc. Common Stock Fund
$
586,688,337

 
$

 
$

 
$
586,688,337

Separate accounts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large U.S. Equity
20,343,071

 

 

 
20,343,071

Mid U.S. Equity
351,503,754

 

 

 
351,503,754

Small U.S. Equity
133,734,657

 

 

 
133,734,657

International Equity
19,285,215

 

 

 
19,285,215

Stable value fund

 
523,489,883

 

 
523,489,883

Collective trust funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lifestyle

 
376,184,086

 

 
376,184,086

Bond

 
285,029,053

 

 
285,029,053

Large U.S. Equity

 
376,855,302

 

 
376,855,302

Short-Term Investment
32,624,353

 

 

 
32,624,353

Registered investment funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large U.S. Equity
225,331,975

 

 

 
225,331,975

Mid U.S. Equity
21,505,905

 

 

 
21,505,905

International Equity
250,202,717

 

 

 
250,202,717

Brokerage window
38,559,861

 

 

 
38,559,861

        Total investments at fair value
$
1,679,779,845

 
$
1,561,558,324

 
$

 
$
3,241,338,169

 
Investments at Fair Value as of December 31, 2010
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Common stocks:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Home Depot, Inc. Common Stock Fund
$
563,372,023

 
$

 
$

 
$
563,372,023

Separate accounts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Mid U.S. Equity
380,101,813

 

 

 
380,101,813

Small U.S. Equity
136,618,650

 

 

 
136,618,650

International Equity
19,438,461

 

 

 
19,438,461

Stable value fund

 
482,730,961

 

 
482,730,961

Collective trust funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Lifestyle

 
301,028,671

 

 
301,028,671

Bond

 
210,288,124

 

 
210,288,124

Large U.S. Equity

 
313,870,794

 

 
313,870,794

Short-Term Investment
35,654,178

 

 

 
35,654,178

Registered investment funds:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Large U.S. Equity
255,475,308

 

 

 
255,475,308

Mid U.S. Equity
18,314,510

 

 

 
18,314,510

International Equity
289,552,694

 

 

 
289,552,694

Brokerage window
35,862,008

 

 

 
35,862,008

        Total investments at fair value
$
1,734,389,645

 
$
1,307,918,550

 
$

 
$
3,042,308,195


11

THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2011 and 2010

The Plan's interest in the Master Trust investment in the JP Morgan Stable Value Fund is a Level 2 investment. The fair value of units held in certain collective trust funds are based on their net asset values, as the Plan elected the practical expedient under the accounting guidance to measure the fair value of certain funds that use net asset value per unit. Net asset values are reported by the funds and are supported by the unit prices of actual purchase and sale transactions occurring as of or close to the financial statement date (level 2 inputs). There are no restrictions on the ability of investors to redeem any of the above investments at December 31, 2011 and 2010.
(9) Related-Party Transactions
Certain Plan investments included in the Master Trust include shares of common stock issued by The Home Depot, Inc., the Plan Sponsor. At December 31, 2011 and 2010, the Plan held a combined total of 13,954,961 and 16,075,870 shares valued at approximately $42.04 and $35.06 per share, respectively. Additionally, dividends received through the Master Trust by the Plan include dividends paid by The Home Depot, Inc. totaling $15,651,018 and $15,855,998 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These transactions constitute party-in-interest transactions since The Home Depot, Inc. is the Plan Sponsor.
Plan investments include units of short-term investment funds managed by The Northern Trust Company. The Northern Trust Company is the Trustee as defined by the Plan and a Plan fiduciary, and therefore, these transactions constitute party-in-interest transactions. The Plan paid fees to The Northern Trust Company of $693,531 and $615,596 for the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.
(10) Plan Amendments and Other Plan Changes
The Plan was amended and restated effective January 1, 2011. The Plan was also amended (1) effective January 1, 2011, to require compliance with IRC Section 401(a)(35) regarding diversification of Company stock; (2) effective October 21, 2010, to allow Roth contributions; (3) effective January 1, 2010, to vest the Company's matching contributions and ESOP contributions for participants who complete five years of employment; and (4) effective January 1, 2010, to incorporate regulatory changes to the hardship distribution requirements.

12

THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Notes to Financial Statements
December 31, 2011 and 2010

(11) Reconciliation of Financial Statements to Form 5500
The following is a reconciliation of net assets available for benefits as presented in these financial statements to the balance per Form 5500 as of December 31 (as expected to be filed for 2011 and as filed for 2010):
 
2011
 
2010
Net assets available for benefits
$
3,429,702,763

 
$
3,217,294,368

Deemed distributions
(4,006,643
)
 
(327,404
)
Participant withdrawals payable
(1,371,736
)
 
(965,395
)
Adjustment from contract value to fair value for Plan's interest in Master Trust for
     fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
4,216,965

 
(1,328,250
)
Net assets available for benefits - Form 5500
$
3,428,541,349

 
$
3,214,673,319


Deemed distributions are defaulted and unpaid notes receivable from participants.
The following is a reconciliation of changes in net assets available for benefits as presented in these financial statements and Form 5500 as of December 31 (as expected to be filed for 2011 and as filed for 2010):
 
2011
 
2010
Increase in net assets per statement of changes in net assets available for benefits
$
212,408,395

 
$
516,695,423

Deemed distributions
(3,679,239
)
 
(161,970
)
Participant withdrawals payable
(406,341
)
 
64,557

Adjustment from contract value to fair value for Plan's interest in Master Trust for
     fully benefit-responsive investment contracts
5,545,215

 
14,648,261

Net income - Part II Line K Form 5500
$
213,868,030

 
$
531,246,271



13




THE HOME DEPOT FUTUREBUILDER
Schedule H, Line 4i – Schedule of Assets (Held at End of Year)
December 31, 2011

Identity of Issue, Borrower, Lessor, or Similar Party
 
Description of Investment including Maturity Date, Rate of Interest, Collateral, Par or Maturity Date
 
Current Value
*
Plan's interest in Master Trust, at fair value
 
 
 
$
3,232,131,952

 
Notes receivable from participants
 
Notes with interest rates generally ranging from 4.25% to 9.75% and maturity dates through April 7, 2016
 
201,764,660

 
 
 
 
 
$
3,433,896,612


*Indicates party-in-interest included in Master Trust.

See accompanying report of independent registered public accounting firm.

14




SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the trustees (or other persons who administer the employee benefit plan) have duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Home Depot FutureBuilder
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 22, 2012
 
 By:
 
/s/ Richard I. Johnson
 
 
 
 
 
 
Richard I. Johnson
 
 
 
 
 
 
Member of The Home Depot
 
 
 
 
 
 
FutureBuilder Administrative
 
 
 
 
 
 
Committee
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 22, 2012
 
 By:
 
/s/ Timothy A. Hourigan
 
 
 
 
 
 
Timothy A. Hourigan
 
 
 
 
 
 
Member of The Home Depot
 
 
 
 
 
 
FutureBuilder Administrative
 
 
 
 
 
 
Committee
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Date:
June 22, 2012
 
 By:
 
/s/ Dwaine A. Kimmet
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dwaine A. Kimmet
 
 
 
 
 
 
Member of The Home Depot
 
 
 
 
 
 
FutureBuilder Administrative
 
 
 
 
 
 
Committee
 


15




EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
 
 
Number
 
Description
 
 
 
23.1
 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm