Depreciation is computed principally using the straight-line method generally over the following estimated useful lives:
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
3 to 7 years
Leasehold improvements
5 to 15 years
Buildings and improvements
18 to 39 years
A summary of property and equipment is as follows:
(In thousands)April 30, 2025April 30, 2024
Land$11,998 $11,998 
Buildings and improvements23,575 23,435 
Furniture, fixtures and equipment26,139 21,752 
Leasehold improvements51,466 50,689 
Construction in progress1,028 2,393 
Accumulated depreciation and amortization(57,312)(49,906)
  
Property and equipment, net$56,894 $60,361 

About PP&E Disclosures

The PP&E disclosure details a company's physical asset base — land, buildings, machinery, and equipment — along with the depreciation methods and useful life assumptions that determine how these costs flow through the income statement. Capitalization policy thresholds reveal management's judgment on the boundary between expense and asset, directly affecting both reported earnings and asset values.

Key signals: changes in estimated useful lives or depreciation methods can materially shift reported earnings without any operational change. Compare capital expenditures against depreciation expense — when capex consistently trails depreciation, the asset base may be aging and underinvested. Watch for large asset impairments or write-downs that signal overvalued carrying amounts. Asset retirement obligations reveal future environmental or decommissioning costs that are often underappreciated. Compare PP&E intensity (PP&E-to-revenue) against industry peers to assess capital efficiency and competitive positioning.