areas of marketing, servicing, and pricing of consumer credit accounts. The changes have not substantially altered how consumer credit is offered to our customers or how their accounts are serviced. We do not believe that the impact of these changes is material to our financial results.

 

See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II — Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information about our financing receivables and the associated allowance.

 

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

 

With the consolidation of our previously nonconsolidated special purpose entities, we no longer have off-balance sheet financing arrangements.

 

The following table summarizes our ending cash, cash equivalents, and investments balances for the respective periods:

 

 

Of the $15.1 billion of cash, cash equivalents, and investments, $13.9 billion is classified as cash and cash equivalents. Our cash equivalents primarily consist of money market funds and commercial paper. Due to the nature of these investments, we consider it reasonable to expect that they will not be significantly impacted by a change in interest rates, and that these investments can be liquidated for cash at short notice. Our cash equivalents are recorded at fair value.

 

The remaining $1.2 billion of cash, cash equivalents, and investments is primarily invested in fixed income securities, including government, agency and corporate debt securities of varying maturities at the date of acquisition. The fair value of our portfolio is affected primarily by interest rates more than by credit and liquidity risks. We attempt to mitigate these risks by investing primarily in high credit quality securities, limiting the amount that can be invested in any single issuer, and investing in short -to intermediate-term investments whose market value is less sensitive to interest rate changes. Based on our investment portfolio and interest rates at January 28, 2011, a 100 basis point increase or decrease in interest rates would result in a decrease or increase of approximately $4 million in the fair value of the investment portfolio.

 

We periodically review our investment portfolio to determine if any investment is other-than-temporarily impaired due to changes in credit risk or other potential valuation concerns. At January 28, 2011, our portfolio included securities with unrealized losses totaling $1 million, which have been recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), as we believe the investments are not other-than-temporarily impaired. While these available-for-sale securities have market values below cost, we believe it is probable that the principal and interest will be collected in accordance with the contractual terms, and that the decline in the market value is primarily due to changes in interest rates and not increased credit risk.

 

The fair value of our portfolio is based on prices provided from national pricing services, which we currently believe are indicative of fair value, as our assessment is that the inputs are market observable. We will continue to evaluate whether the inputs are market observable in accordance with the accounting guidance on fair value measurements . We conduct reviews on a quarterly basis to verify pricing, assess liquidity, and determine if significant inputs have changed that would impact our fair value disclosures.

 

LIQUIDITY, CAPITAL COMMITMENTS, AND CONTRACTUAL CASH OBLIGATIONS

 

Current Market Conditions

 

We regularly monitor economic conditions and associated impacts on the financial markets and our business. Though there was improvement in the global economic environment during Fiscal 2011, we continue to be cautious given the volatility associated with currency markets, international sovereign economies, and other economic indicators. We continue to evaluate the financial health of our supplier base, carefully manage customer credit, diversify counterparty risk, and monitor the concentration risk of our cash and cash equivalents balances globally.

 

We monitor credit risk associated with our financial counterparties using various market credit risk indicators such as credit ratings issued by nationally recognized rating agencies and changes in market credit default swap levels. We perform periodic evaluations of our positions with these counterparties and may limit exposure to any one

counterparty in accordance with our policies. We monitor and manage these activities depending on current and expected market developments.

 

See “Part I — Item 1A — Risk Factors” for further discussion of risks associated with our use of counterparties. The impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements of any credit adjustments related to these counterparties has been immaterial.

 

Liquidity

 

Cash generated from operations is our primary source of operating liquidity and we believe that internally generated cash flows are sufficient to support day-to-day business operations. Our working capital management team actively monitors the efficiency of our balance sheet under various macroeconomic and competitive scenarios. These scenarios quantify risks to the financial statements and provide a basis for actions necessary to ensure adequate liquidity, both domestically and internationally, to support our acquisition and investment strategy, share repurchase activity and other corporate needs. We utilize external capital sources, such as long-term notes and structured financing arrangements, and short-term borrowings, consisting primarily of commercial paper, to supplement our internally generated sources of liquidity as necessary. We have a currently effective shelf registration statement filed with the SEC for the issuance of debt securities. The current shelf registration will terminate during the first quarter of Fiscal 2012 and we intend to replace the shelf registration prior to its termination to allow us to continue to issue debt securities. We anticipate we will enter the debt capital markets in the near term; however, it will depend on the favorability of market conditions. We intend to maintain appropriate debt levels based upon cash flow expectations, the overall cost of capital, cash requirements for operations, and discretionary spending, including for acquisitions and share repurchases. Due to the overall strength of our financial position, we believe that we will have adequate access to capital markets. Any future disruptions, uncertainty or volatility in those markets may result in higher funding costs for us and adversely affect our ability to obtain funds.

 

Our cash balances are held in numerous locations throughout the world, most of which are outside of the U.S. While our U.S. cash balances do fluctuate, we typically operate with 10-20% of our cash balances held domestically. Demand on our domestic cash has increased as a result of our strategic initiatives. We fund these initiatives through a balance of internally generated cash, external sources of capital, which includes our $2 billion commercial paper program, and, when advantageous, access to foreign cash in a tax efficient manner. Where local regulations limit an efficient intercompany transfer of amounts held outside of the U.S., we will continue to utilize these funds for local liquidity needs. Under current law, balances available to be repatriated to the U.S. would be subject to U.S. federal income taxes, less applicable foreign tax credits. We have provided for the U.S. federal tax liability on these amounts for financial statement purposes, except for foreign earnings that are considered permanently reinvested outside of the U.S. We utilize a variety of tax planning and financing strategies with the objective of having our worldwide cash available in the locations where it is needed. Our non-U.S. domiciled cash and investments are generally denominated in the U.S. Dollar.

 

The following table contains a summary of our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the past three fiscal years:

 

Operating Activities  — Operating cash flows for Fiscal 2011 increased slightly compared to the prior fiscal year. Fiscal 2011 net income and deferred revenue increased year-over-year, but were offset by less favorable changes in working capital. For Fiscal 2010 compared to Fiscal 2009, the increase in operating cash flows was primarily attributable to the improvement of our cash conversion cycle, as a result of operational improvements related to our vendor programs, the effects of which were partially offset by the decrease in net income and growth in financing receivables. Our negative cash conversion cycle combined with revenue growth typically results in operating cash generation in excess of net income. See “Key Performance Metrics” below for additional discussion of our cash conversion cycle.

 

Investing Activities  — Investing activities consist of the net of maturities and sales and purchases of investments; net capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment; principal cash flows related to purchased financing receivables; and net cash used to fund strategic acquisitions. Cash used in investing activities during Fiscal 2011 was $1.2 billion compared to cash used of $3.8 billion and cash provided of $177 million during Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009, respectively. The year-over-year decrease in cash used in investing activities for Fiscal 2011 was mainly due to lower acquisition spending, partially offset by a $430 million purchase of financing receivables from CIT. The purchase of these financing receivables has allowed us to substantially end our servicing relationship with CIT related to the previous joint venture in the U.S. Additionally, we believe that the return on capital generated by these assets will be equal to or higher than that achieved by other financing activities. Cash used to fund strategic acquisitions, net of cash acquired, was approximately $376 million during Fiscal 2011 compared to $3.6 billion and $176 million during Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009, respectively. Our Fiscal 2011 acquisitions consisted of Kace Networks, Inc., Ocarina Networks Inc., Scalent Systems, Inc., Boomi, Inc., and InSite One, Inc.. Our principal acquisition in Fiscal 2010 was Perot Systems.

 

Financing Activities  — Financing activities primarily consist of proceeds and repayments from borrowings and the repurchase of our common stock. The year-over-year decrease in cash provided by financing activities for Fiscal 2011 was mainly due to the repurchase of our common stock and repayment of commercial paper. We repurchased 57 million shares of common stock for $800 million during Fiscal 2011. The amount of shares we purchased during Fiscal 2010 was immaterial to financing activities compared to approximately 134 million shares repurchased at an aggregate cost of $2.9 billion during Fiscal 2009. During Fiscal 2011, net cash used for repayment of commercial paper with maturities of both greater than and less than 90 days was $496 million, which was partially offset by $305 million in net proceeds from structured financing programs. We had net proceeds of $396 million and $100 million from commercial paper sales during Fiscal 2010 and Fiscal 2009, respectively. During both Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010, we had net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt of $1.5 billion. We had $4.8 billion principal amount of long-term notes outstanding as of January 28, 2011 compared to $3.3 billion and $1.8 billion at January 29, 2010 and January 30, 2009, respectively.

 

During Fiscal 2011, we entered into a new agreement to expand our commercial paper program to $2 billion. We have $2 billion of senior unsecured revolving credit facilities supporting the commercial paper program. Our $2 billion of credit facilities consist of two agreements, with $1 billion expiring on June 1, 2011, and the remaining $1 billion expiring on April 2, 2013. We intend to enter into a new senior unsecured revolving credit facility for a minimum of $1 billion prior to the expiration of the current facility in Fiscal 2012.

 

During Fiscal 2011, we issued commercial paper with original maturities of less than 90 days. As of January 28, 2011, we did not have any amounts outstanding under the commercial paper program compared to $496 million as of January 29, 2010, and $100 million as of January 30, 2009.

 

We issued structured financing-related debt to fund our financing receivables as previously discussed in the “Financing Receivables” section above. The total debt capacity of our securitization programs is $1.4 billion, and we had $1.0 billion in outstanding structured financing securitization debt as of January 28, 2011. During Fiscal 2011, we renewed one of our fixed-term securitization programs and increased the debt capacity by $100 million. We replaced the other fixed-term securitization program with no change in debt capacity. In addition, we expanded our existing revolving loan securitization program with a new program that increased debt capacity levels by $150 million.

 

See Note 5 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under “Part II — Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further discussion of our debt.

Key Performance Metrics  — Our cash conversion cycle for the fiscal quarter ended January 28, 2011 deteriorated from the fiscal quarter ended January 29, 2010 and improved from the fiscal quarter ended January 30, 2009. Our business model allows us to maintain an efficient cash conversion cycle, which compares favorably with that of others in our industry.

 

The following table presents the components of our cash conversion cycle for the fourth quarter of each of the past three fiscal years:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our cash conversion cycle decreased three days at January 28, 2011, from January 29, 2010, driven by a two day increase in DSO and a one day increase in DSI. DPO was flat year-over-year. The increase in DSO from January 29, 2010, was due to growth in our commercial business, which typically has longer payment terms. The slight increase in DSI from January 29, 2010, was primarily attributable to the optimization of our supply chain requiring an increase in strategic purchases of materials and finished goods inventory.

 

Our cash conversion cycle improved by 11 days at January 29, 2010, from January 30, 2009, driven by a 15 day improvement in DPO, the effect of which was partially offset by a three day increase in DSO and one day increase in DSI. The improvement in DPO from January 30, 2009, was attributable to our ongoing transition to contract manufacturing, further standardization of vendor agreements, and the timing of supplier purchases and payments during Fiscal 2010 as compared to Fiscal 2009. The increase in DSO from January 30, 2009, was primarily attributable to our growth in consumer retail, whose customers typically have longer payment terms, and to foreign currency movements due to the slight weakening of the U.S. Dollar, the effects of which were partially offset by a reduction in past-due receivables. The deterioration in DSI from January 30, 2009, was primarily attributable to an increase in finished goods inventory and strategic materials purchases.

 

We defer the cost of revenue associated with customer shipments not yet recognized as revenue until these shipments are delivered. These deferred costs are included in our reported DSO because we believe this reporting results in a more accurate presentation of our DSO and cash conversion cycle. These deferred costs are recorded in other current assets in our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and totaled $541 million, $523 million, and $556 million, at January 28, 2011, January 29, 2010, and January 30, 2009, respectively.

 

We believe that we can generate cash flow from operations in excess of net income over the long term and can operate our cash conversion cycle at mid negative 30 days or better.

Capital Commitments

 

Share Repurchase Program  — We have a share repurchase program that authorizes us to purchase shares of our common stock through a systematic program of open market purchases in order to increase shareholder value and manage dilution resulting from shares issued under our equity compensation plans. However, we do not currently have a policy that requires the repurchase of common stock to offset share-based compensation arrangements. For more information regarding share repurchases, see “Part II — Item 5 — Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities.”

 

Capital Expenditures  — During Fiscal 2011 and Fiscal 2010, we spent $444 million and $367 million, respectively, on property, plant, and equipment primarily in connection with our global expansion efforts and infrastructure investments made to support future growth. Product demand, product mix, and the increased use of contract manufacturers, as well as ongoing investments in operating and information technology infrastructure, influence the level and prioritization of our capital expenditures. Aggregate capital expenditures for Fiscal 2012, which will be primarily related to infrastructure investments and strategic initiatives, are currently expected to total approximately $700 million to $750 million. These expenditures will be primarily funded from our cash flows from operating activities.

 

Restricted Cash  — As of January 28, 2011 and January 29, 2010, we had restricted cash in the amounts of $25 million and $147 million, respectively. The balance at January 29, 2010 was primarily related to an agreement between DFS and CIT which required us to maintain an escrow cash account that was held as recourse reserves for credit losses, performance fee deposits related to our private label credit card, as well as amounts maintained in escrow accounts related to our recent acquisitions. During Fiscal 2011, the agreement between DFS and CIT was terminated and the restricted cash that was held on deposit was returned to CIT. The balance at January 28, 2011 was primarily related to various escrow accounts in connection with our acquisitions.

 

 

 

 

Principal Payments on Long Term Debt  — Our expected principal cash payments related to long term debt are exclusive of hedge accounting adjustments or discounts and premiums. We have outstanding long-term unsecured notes with varying maturities. For additional information, see Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements under “Part II — Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”.

 

Operating Leases  — We lease property and equipment, manufacturing facilities, and office space under non-cancellable leases. Certain of these leases obligate us to pay taxes, maintenance, and repair costs.

 

Purchase Obligations  — Purchase obligations are defined as contractual obligations to purchase goods or services that are enforceable and legally binding on us. These obligations specify all significant terms, including fixed or

minimum quantities to be purchased; fixed, minimum, or variable price provisions; and the approximate timing of the transaction. Purchase obligations do not include contracts that may be canceled without penalty.

 

We utilize several suppliers to manufacture sub-assemblies for our products. Our efficient supply chain management allows us to enter into flexible and mutually beneficial purchase arrangements with our suppliers in order to minimize inventory risk. Consistent with industry practice, we acquire raw materials or other goods and services, including product components, by issuing to suppliers authorizations to purchase based on our projected demand and manufacturing needs. These purchase orders are typically fulfilled within 30 days and are entered into during the ordinary course of business in order to establish best pricing and continuity of supply for our production. Purchase orders are not included in the table above as they typically represent our authorization to purchase rather than binding purchase obligations.

 

Purchase obligations decreased approximately $18 million from January 29, 2010, to $365 million at January 28, 2011. The decrease was primarily due to the fulfillment of commitments to purchase key components and services, partially offset by the renewal of or entry into new purchase contracts.

 

Interest  — See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II — Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for further discussion of our debt and related interest expense.

Risk Factors Affecting Our Business and Prospects

 

There are numerous significant risks that affect our business, operating results, financial condition, and prospects. Many of these risks are beyond our control. These risks include those relating to:

 

 

For a discussion of these risk factors affecting our business, operating results, financial conditions, and prospects, see “Part I — Item 1A — Risk Factors.”

Critical Accounting Policies

 

We prepare our financial statements in conformity with GAAP. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires certain estimates, assumptions, and judgments to be made that may affect our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position and Consolidated Statement of Income. We believe our most critical accounting policies relate to revenue recognition, business combinations, warranty liabilities, income taxes, and loss contingencies. We have discussed the development, selection, and disclosure of our critical accounting policies with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors. These critical accounting policies and our other accounting policies are also described in Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II — Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”

 

Revenue Recognition and Related Allowances  — We enter into contracts to sell our products, software and services and frequently enter into sales arrangements with customers that contain multiple elements or deliverables such as hardware, software, peripherals, and services. We use general revenue recognition accounting guidance for hardware, software bundled with hardware that is essential to the functionality of the hardware, peripherals, and certain services. We recognize revenue for these products when it is realized or realizable and earned. Revenue is considered realized and earned when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists; delivery has occurred or services have been rendered; Dell’s fee to its customer is fixed and determinable; and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. We recognize revenue in accordance with industry specific software accounting guidance for all software that is not essential to the functionality to the hardware. Judgments and estimates are necessary to ensure compliance with GAAP. These judgments include the allocation of the proceeds received from an arrangement to the multiple elements, and the appropriate timing of revenue recognition. Most of our products and services qualify as separate units of accounting. We allocate revenue to all deliverables based on their relative selling prices. GAAP requires a hierarchy to be used to determine the selling price for allocating revenue to deliverables; (1) vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”); (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”); and (iii) best estimate of the selling price (“ESP”). A majority of our product and service offerings are sold on a standalone basis. Because selling price is generally available based on standalone sales, we have limited application of TPE, as determined by comparison of pricing for products and services to the pricing of similar products and services as offered by Dell or its competitors in standalone sales to similarly situated customers.

 

We offer extended warranty and service contracts to customers that extend and/or enhance the technical support, parts, and labor coverage offered as part of the base warranty included with the product. Revenue from extended warranty and service contracts, for which we are obligated to perform, is recorded as deferred revenue and subsequently recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the contract or when the service is completed. Revenue from sales of third-party extended warranty and service contracts, which we are not obligated to perform, is recognized on a net basis at the time of sale. All other revenue is recognized on a gross basis.

 

We record reductions to revenue for estimated customer sales returns, rebates, and certain other customer incentive programs. These reductions to revenue are made based upon reasonable and reliable estimates that are determined by historical experience, contractual terms, and current conditions. The primary factors affecting our accrual for estimated customer returns include estimated return rates as well as the number of units shipped that have a right of return that has not expired as of the balance sheet date. If returns cannot be reliably estimated, revenue is not recognized until a reliable estimate can be made or the return right lapses. Each quarter, we reevaluate our estimates to assess the adequacy of our recorded accruals for customer returns and allowance for doubtful accounts, and adjust the amounts as necessary.

 

We sell our products directly to customers as well as through indirect channels, including retailers. Sales through our indirect channels are primarily made under agreements allowing for limited rights of return, price protection, rebates, and marketing development funds. We have generally limited the return rights through contractual caps. Our policy for sales to indirect channels is to defer, until the return period is over, the full amount of revenue relative to sales for which the rights of return apply unless there is sufficient historical data to establish reasonable and reliable estimates of returns. To the extent price protection or return rights are not limited and a reliable estimate cannot be made, all of the revenue and related cost are deferred until the product has been sold to the end-user or the rights expire. We record estimated reductions to revenue or an expense for indirect channel programs at the later of the offer or the time revenue is recognized.

We report revenue net of any revenue-based taxes assessed by governmental authorities that are imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transactions.

 

Business Combinations and Intangible Assets Including Goodwill  — We account for business combinations using the acquisition method of accounting and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired business are recorded at their fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair values is recorded as goodwill. Any changes in the estimated fair values of the net assets recorded for acquisitions prior to the finalization of more detailed analysis, but not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition, will change the amount of the purchase prices allocable to goodwill. All acquisition costs are expensed as incurred and in-process research and development costs are recorded at fair value as an indefinite-lived intangible asset and assessed for impairment thereafter until completion, at which point the asset is amortized over its expected useful life. Any restructuring charges associated with a business combination are expensed subsequent to the acquisition date. The application of business combination and impairment accounting requires the use of significant estimates and assumptions.

 

The results of operations of acquired businesses are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from the acquisition date.

 

Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment on an annual basis in the second fiscal quarter, or sooner if an indicator of impairment occurs. To determine whether goodwill is impaired, we determine the fair values of each of our reportable business units using a discounted cash flow methodology and then compare the fair values to the carrying values of each reportable business unit. We concluded that there were no impairment triggering events during Fiscal 2011. At the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2011, the annual testing period, our market capitalization, including common stock held by affiliates, was $25.7 billion compared to stockholders’ equity of $6.2 billion. We have determined that a 10% decrease in the fair value of any one of our reporting units as of January 28, 2011 would have no impact on the carrying value of our goodwill. Though we believe our estimates are reasonable, these fair values require the use of management’s assumptions, which would not reflect unanticipated events and circumstances that may occur.

 

Warranty Liabilities  — We record warranty liabilities at the time of sale for the estimated costs that may be incurred under the terms of the limited warranty. The specific warranty terms and conditions vary depending upon the product sold and the country in which we do business, but generally include technical support, parts, and labor over a period ranging from one to three years. Factors that affect our warranty liability include the number of installed units currently under warranty, historical and anticipated rates of warranty claims on those units, and cost per claim to satisfy our warranty obligation. The anticipated rate of warranty claims is the primary factor impacting our estimated warranty obligation. The other factors are less significant due to the fact that the average remaining aggregate warranty period of the covered installed base is approximately 15 months, repair parts are generally already in stock or available at pre-determined prices, and labor rates are generally arranged at pre-established amounts with service providers. Warranty claims are reasonably predictable based on historical experience of failure rates. If actual results differ from our estimates, we revise our estimated warranty liability to reflect such changes. Each quarter, we reevaluate our estimates to assess the adequacy of the recorded warranty liabilities and adjust the amounts as necessary.

 

Income Taxes  — We calculate a provision for income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized by identifying the temporary differences arising from the different treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. We provide related valuation allowances for deferred tax assets, where appropriate. In determining the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns, judgment is required. Differences between the anticipated and actual outcomes of these future tax consequences could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position. Additionally, we use tax planning strategies as a part of our global tax compliance program. Judgments and interpretation of statutes are inherent in this process.

 

While we believe our tax return positions are sustainable, we recognize tax benefits from uncertain tax positions in the financial statements only when it is more likely than not that the positions will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits and a consideration of the relevant taxing authority’s administrative practices and precedents. The determination of income tax expense

related to these positions requires management judgment as well as use of estimates. We believe we have provided adequate reserves for all uncertain tax positions.

 

Loss Contingencies  — We are subject to the possibility of various losses arising in the ordinary course of business. We consider the likelihood of loss or impairment of an asset or the incurrence of a liability, as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss, in determining loss contingencies. An estimated loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. We regularly evaluate current information available to us to determine whether such accruals should be adjusted and whether new accruals are required. Third parties have in the past and may in the future assert claims or initiate litigation related to exclusive patent, copyright, and other intellectual property rights to technologies and related standards that are relevant to us. If any infringement or other intellectual property claim made against us by any third party is successful, or if we fail to develop non-infringing technology or license the proprietary rights on commercially reasonable terms and conditions, our business, operating results, and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

 

Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Elements and Revenue Arrangements with Software Elements  — In September 2009, the Emerging Issues Task Force of the FASB reached a consensus on two issues which affects the timing of revenue recognition. The first consensus changes the level of evidence of standalone selling price required to separate deliverables in a multiple deliverable revenue arrangement by allowing a company to make its best estimate of the selling price of deliverables when more objective evidence of selling price is not available and eliminates the residual method. The consensus applies to multiple deliverable revenue arrangements that are not accounted for under other accounting pronouncements and retains the use of VSOE if available and third-party evidence of selling price or estimated selling price when VSOE is unavailable. The second consensus excludes sales of tangible products that contain essential software elements, that is, software enabled devices, from the scope of revenue recognition requirements for software arrangements. We elected to early adopt this accounting guidance at the beginning of the first quarter of Fiscal 2011 on a prospective basis for applicable transactions originating or materially modified after January 29, 2010. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

 

Variable Interest Entities and Transfers of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities  — In June 2009, the FASB issued a new pronouncement on transfers of financial assets and extinguishments of liabilities, which removes the concept of a qualifying special purpose entity and removes the exception from applying variable interest entity accounting to qualifying special-purpose entities. The pronouncement on variable interest entities requires an entity to perform an ongoing analysis to determine whether the entity’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. The pronouncements were effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. We adopted the pronouncements at the beginning of the first quarter of Fiscal 2011. The adoption of these two pronouncements resulted in the consolidation of our two qualifying special purpose entities. See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part II — Item 8 — Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” for additional information on the impact of consolidation to our financial position, net income, and cash flows.

 

Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses  — In July 2010, FASB issued an accounting pronouncement that requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature of credit risk inherent in an entity’s portfolio of financing receivables, how that risk is analyzed, and the changes and reasons for those changes in the allowance for credit losses. The new disclosures require information for both the financing receivables and the related allowance for credit losses at more disaggregated levels. Disclosures related to information as of the end of a reporting period became effective for us in Fiscal 2011. Specific disclosures regarding activities that occur during a reporting period will be required for us beginning in the first quarter of Fiscal 2012. As these changes only relate to disclosures, they will not have an impact on our consolidated financial results.

 

Information required by this Item 7A is included in “Part II — Item 7 — Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Market Risk” and is incorporated herein by reference.