Reference no: EM132976947

We have a 52- or 53-week fiscal year that ends on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal year 2016 was a 53-week fiscal year, and the first quarter of 2016 was a 14-week quarter. Fiscal years 2015 and 2014 were 52-week years. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Intel Corporation (Intel) and our subsidiaries. We have eliminated intercompany accounts and transactions. We have reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to current period presentation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The actual results that we experience may differ materially from our estimates.

During our 2015 annual assessment of the useful lives of our property, plant and equipment, we determined that the estimated useful lives of machinery and equipment in our wafer fabrication facilities should be increased from 4 to 5 years based on the lengthening of the process technology cadence resulting in longer node transitions on both 14 nanometer (nm) and 10nm products. We have also increased the re-use of machinery and tools across each generation of process technology. This change in estimate was applied prospectively, effective at the beginning of 2016. During 2016, this change increased our operating income by approximately $1.3 billion, our net income by approximately $950 million, and our diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.19.

Problem 1: what do you believe is the motivation for the change described in this note? This changed provided a significant change to the company net income: since depreciation is a non cash expense, do you believe this makes a significant change in the valuation of the company?