Question: The qualitative characteristics outlined in the FASB's conceptual framework include:
Consider the following independent situations.
1. In deciding whether to invest in Southwest Airlines or American Airlines, investors evaluate the companies' income statements.
2. To provide the most reliable information about future sales, Walmart's management provides unbiased estimates of the decline in inventory value each year.
3. In deciding whether to loan money, Wells Fargo uses balance sheet information to forecast the probability of bankruptcy.
4. IBM is required to issue public financial statements within 60 days of its year-end.
5. Employees of Starbucks can use the company's financial statements to understand the efficiency with which management has conducted operations over the past year.
6. When first requiring firms to prepare a statement of cash flows, the FASB's intent was not to discourage or promote investment in the automobile industry.
7. When Harley-Davidson reports revenue for the year, the amount includes sales not only in the United States but also those outside the United States.
8. The amount of total assets reported by General Mills can be substantiated by its auditors.
9. The Cheesecake Factory prepares its balance sheet in a clear format using basic accounting terminology to allow users to easily comprehend the company's assets, liabilities, and stockholders' equity.
Required: Determine which qualitative characteristic best applies to each situation. Note: Each of the nine characteristics is used once and only once.