Financial Information
RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
Equity Method Investments
We have equity method investments in entities that own properties for which we provide management and/or franchise services and receive fees. We also have equity method investments in entities that provide management and/or franchise services to hotels and receive fees. In addition, in some cases we provide loans, preferred equity, or guarantees to these entities. Our ownership interests in these equity method investments generally vary from 10 to 49 percent. Undistributed earnings attributable to our equity method investments represented approximately $2 million of our consolidated retained earnings at year-end 2013. For other information on these equity method investments, including the impact to our financial statements of transactions with these related parties, see Footnote No. 18, “Related Party Transactions.”
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. Management considers an accounting estimate to be critical if: (1) we must make assumptions that were uncertain at the time the estimate was made; and (2) changes in the estimate, or selection of a different estimate methodology could have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.
While we believe that our estimates, assumptions, and judgments are reasonable, they are based on information presently available. Actual results may differ significantly. Additionally, changes in our assumptions, estimates or assessments as a result of unforeseen events or otherwise could have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.
Management has discussed the development and selection of its critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee has reviewed the disclosure presented below relating to them.
See Footnote No. 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” for further information on our critical accounting policies, including our policies on:
Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards, our frequent guest rewards programs, including how members earn points, how we estimate the value of our redemption obligation, and how we recognize revenue for these programs;
Goodwill, including how we evaluate the fair value of reporting units and when we record an impairment loss on goodwill;
Valuation of Intangibles and Long-Lived Assets, including how we evaluate the fair value of intangibles and long-lived assets and when we record impairment losses on intangibles and long-lived assets;
Valuation of Investments in Ventures, including information on how we evaluate the fair value of investments in ventures and when we record impairment losses on investments in ventures;
Legal Contingencies, including information on how we account for legal contingencies;
Income Taxes, including information on how we determine our current year amounts payable or refundable, as well as our estimate of deferred tax assets and liabilities; and
Loan Loss Reserves for Senior, Mezzanine, and Other Loans, including information on how we measure impairment on these types of loans.
OTHER MATTERS
Inflation
Inflation has been moderate in recent years and has not had a significant impact on our businesses.