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Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontnued Operations
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2011
Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations [Abstract]  
Assets and Liabilities Of Business Held For Sale and Discontinued Operations

2. Assets and liabilities of Businesses held for sale and Discontinued Operations

Assets and Liabilities of Businesses Held for Sale

NBC Universal

In December 2009, we entered into an agreement with Comcast Corporation (Comcast) to transfer the assets of the NBCU business to a newly formed entity, comprising our NBCU business and Comcast's cable networks, regional sports networks, certain digital properties and certain unconsolidated investments, in exchange for cash and a 49% interest in the newly-formed entity.

 

On March 19, 2010, NBCU entered into a three-year credit agreement and a 364-day bridge loan agreement. On April 30, 2010, NBCU issued $4,000 million of senior, unsecured notes with maturities ranging from 2015 to 2040 (interest rates ranging from 3.65% to 6.40%). On October 4, 2010, NBCU issued $5,100 million of senior, unsecured notes with maturities ranging from 2014 to 2041 (interest rates ranging from 2.10% to 5.95%). Subsequent to these issuances, the credit agreement and bridge loan agreements were terminated, with a $750 million revolving credit agreement remaining in effect. Proceeds from these issuances were used to repay $1,678 million of existing debt and pay a dividend of $7,394 million to GE.

 

On September 26, 2010, we acquired approximately 38% of Vivendi S.A.'s (Vivendi) 20% interest in NBCU (7.7% of NBCU's outstanding shares) for $2,000 million. In January 2011 and prior to the transaction with Comcast, we acquired the remaining Vivendi interest in NBCU (12.3% of NBCU's outstanding shares) for $3,673 million and made an additional payment of $222 million related to the previously purchased shares.

 

On January 28, 2011, we transferred the assets of the NBCU business and Comcast transferred certain of its assets to a newly formed entity, NBCUniversal LLC (NBCU LLC). In connection with the transaction, we received $6,176 million in cash from Comcast (which included $49 million of transaction-related cost reimbursements) and a 49% interest in NBCU LLC. Comcast holds the remaining 51% interest in NBCU LLC.

 

With respect to our 49% interest in NBCU LLC, we hold redemption rights, which, if exercised, would require NBCU LLC or Comcast to purchase (either directly or indirectly by GE transferring common stock of our holding company that owns 49% of NBCU LLC) half of our ownership interest after three and a half years and the remaining half after seven years, subject to certain exceptions, conditions and limitations. Our interest in NBCU LLC also is subject to call provisions, which, if exercised, allow Comcast to purchase our interest (either directly or indirectly) at specified times subject to certain exceptions. The redemption prices for such transactions are determined based on a contractually specified formula.

 

In connection with the transaction, we also entered into a number of agreements with Comcast governing the operation of the venture and transitional services, employee, tax and other matters. Under the operating agreement, excess cash generated by the operations of NBCU LLC will be used to reduce borrowings, except for distributions in amounts necessary to pay taxes on NBCU LLC's profits. In addition, Comcast is obligated to share with us potential tax savings associated with Comcast's purchase of its NBCU LLC member interest, if realized. We have not recognized these potential future payments as consideration for the sale, but will record such payments in income as they are received.

 

As part of the transfer, we provided guarantees and indemnifications related to certain pre-existing contractual arrangements entered into by NBCU. We have provided guarantees, on behalf of NBCU LLC, for the acquisition of sports programming in the amount of $3,258 million, triggered only in the event NBCU LLC fails to meet its payment commitments. We also have agreed to indemnify Comcast against any loss (after giving consideration to underlying collateral) related to pre-existing debt plus accrued interest owed by a joint venture of NBCU LLC and have recorded a liability of $446 million for this guarantee.

 

Following the transaction, we deconsolidated NBCU and we account for our investment in NBCU LLC under the equity method. We recognized a pre-tax gain on the sale of $3,557 million ($400 million after tax). In connection with the sale, we recorded income tax expense of $3,157 million, reflecting the low tax basis in our investment in the NBCU business and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities related to our 49% investment in NBCU LLC. As our investment in NBCU LLC is structured as a partnership for U.S. tax purposes, U.S. taxes are recorded separately from the equity investment.

 

At June 30, 2011, the carrying amount of our equity investment in NBCU LLC was $17,291 million, reported in the All other assets” caption in our Statement of Financial Position. Deferred tax liabilities related to our NBCU LLC investment were $4,736 million at June 30, 2011 and were reported in the Deferred income taxes” caption in our Statement of Financial Position.

 

We valued the initial carrying value of our investment in NBCU LLC based on a combination of income and market approaches. An income approach was used to determine the fair values of NBCU LLC's underlying businesses and, when available and appropriate, an analysis of comparative market multiples was also undertaken. The resulting fair values were weighted equally between the two approaches. For purposes of the income approach, fair value was determined based on the present values of estimated future cash flows discounted at appropriate risk-adjusted rates. We used NBCU LLC management projections to estimate future cash flows and included an estimate of long-term future growth rates based on management's most recent views of the long-term outlook for its businesses. We believe that these assumptions are consistent with market participant assumptions. We derived discount rates using a weighted average cost of capital. The cost of equity was determined using the capital asset pricing model and the cost of debt financing was based on published rates for industries relevant to NBCU LLC. Under the market approach, the most significant assumption was the price multiple, which was selected based on the operating performance and financial condition of comparable publicly traded companies in industries similar to those of the NBCU LLC businesses. As NBCU LLC is a partnership, the fair value of our investment in NBCU LLC was determined based upon the amount a market participant would pay for the partnership interest taking into consideration the tax benefit associated with such a purchase. The value of our investment also incorporates the fair value of the redemption features described above, which was determined based on an option pricing framework that incorporates the specific contractual terms of the redemption features.

 

At December 31, 2010, we classified the NBCU assets and liabilities of $33,758 million and $15,455 million, respectively, as held for sale. The major classes of assets at December 31, 2010 were current receivables ($2,572 million), property, plant and equipment – net ($2,082 million), goodwill and other intangible assets – net ($22,263 million) and all other assets ($6,841 million), including film and television production costs of $4,423 million. The major classes of liabilities at December 31, 2010 were accounts payable ($492 million), other GE current liabilities ($3,983 million), long-term debt ($9,906 million) and all other liabilities ($1,073 million).

 

Other

In the second quarter of 2011, we committed to sell our GE Capital Consumer business banking operations in Latvia.

 

In 2010, we committed to sell our GE Capital Consumer businesses in Argentina, Brazil, and Canada, a CLL business in South Korea, and our Interpark business in Real Estate. The GE Capital Consumer Canada disposition was completed during the first quarter of 2011. The GE Capital Consumer Brazil and our Interpark business in Real Estate dispositions were completed during the second quarter of 2011 for proceeds of $22 million and $704 million, respectively.

 

Summarized financial information for businesses held for sale is shown below.

 June 30, December 31,
(In millions)2011 2010
      
Assets     
Cash and equivalents$149 $63
Current receivables 0  2,572
Financing receivables – net 576  1,917
Property, plant and equipment – net 100  2,185
Goodwill 0  19,606
Other intangible assets – net 31  2,844
All other assets 9  7,560
Other 30  140
Assets of businesses held for sale$895 $36,887
      
Liabilities     
Short-term borrowings$399 $146
Accounts payable 56  538
Other GE current liabilities 0  3,994
Long-term borrowings 19  10,134
All other liabilities 53  1,235
Liabilities of businesses held for sale$527 $16,047

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued operations primarily comprised BAC Credomatic GECF Inc. (BAC) (our Central American bank and card business), GE Money Japan (our Japanese personal loan business, Lake, and our Japanese mortgage and card businesses, excluding our investment in GE Nissen Credit Co., Ltd.), our U.S. mortgage business (WMC), our U.S. recreational vehicle and marine equipment financing business (Consumer RV Marine), Consumer Mexico, Consumer Singapore and our Consumer home lending operations in Australia and New Zealand (Australian Home Lending). Associated results of operations, financial position and cash flows are separately reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

 

Summarized financial information for discontinued operations is shown below.

 Three months ended  Six months ended June 30
(In millions) 2011  2010  2011  2010
            
Operations           
Total revenues$121 $513 $324 $1,050
            
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations           
   before income taxes$(14) $103 $8 $118
Benefit (provision) for income taxes 35  (19)  30  (6)
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations,            
   net of taxes$21 $84 $38 $112
            
Disposal           
Gain (loss) on disposal before income taxes$(52) $(185) $(41) $(566)
Benefit for income taxes 248  0  276  0
Gain (loss) on disposal, net of taxes$196 $(185) $235 $(566)
            
Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations,            
   net of taxes(a)$217 $(101) $273 $(454)
            
            

(a)       The sum of GE industrial earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, and GECS earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, is reported as GE industrial earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, on the Condensed Statement of Earnings.

 June 30, December 31,
(In millions)2011 2010
      
Assets     
Cash and equivalents$159 $142
Financing receivables – net 4,966  10,589
All other assets 17  168
Other 1,321  1,526
Assets of discontinued operations$6,463 $12,425
      
      
    
 June 30, December 31,
(In millions)2011 2010
      
Liabilities     
Accounts payable, principally trade accounts$16 $110
Deferred income taxes 169  230
All other liabilities 1,926  2,205
Other 7  42
Liabilities of discontinued operations $2,118 $2,587

Assets at June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, primarily comprised cash, financing receivables and a deferred tax asset for a loss carryforward, which expires principally in 2015 and in part in 2017, related to the sale of our GE Money Japan business.

 

BAC Credomatic GECF Inc. (BAC)

During the fourth quarter of 2010, we classified BAC as discontinued operations and completed the sale of BAC for $1,920 million. Immediately prior to the sale, and in accordance with terms of a previous agreement, we increased our ownership interest in BAC from 75% to 100% for a purchase price of $633 million. As a result of the sale of our interest in BAC, we recognized an after-tax gain of $780 million in 2010.

 

BAC revenues from discontinued operations were $248 million and $508 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively. In total, BAC earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $20 million and $37 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2010, respectively.

 

GE Money Japan

During the third quarter of 2007, we committed to a plan to sell our Japanese personal loan business, Lake, upon determining that, despite restructuring, Japanese regulatory limits for interest charges on unsecured personal loans did not permit us to earn an acceptable return. During the third quarter of 2008, we completed the sale of GE Money Japan, which included Lake, along with our Japanese mortgage and card businesses, excluding our investment in GE Nissen Credit Co., Ltd. In connection with the sale, we reduced the proceeds from the sale for estimated interest refund claims in excess of the statutory interest rate. Proceeds from the sale were to be increased or decreased based on the actual claims experienced in accordance with loss-sharing terms specified in the sale agreement, with all claims in excess of 258 billion Japanese Yen (approximately $3,000 million) remaining our responsibility. The underlying portfolio to which this obligation relates is in runoff and interest rates were capped for all designated accounts by mid-2009. In the third quarter of 2010, we began making reimbursements under this arrangement.

 

Our overall claims experience developed unfavorably through 2010. We believe that the level of excess interest refund claims has been impacted by the challenging global economic conditions, in addition to Japanese legislative and regulatory changes. In September 2010, a large independent personal loan company in Japan filed for bankruptcy, which precipitated a significant amount of publicity surrounding excess interest refund claims in the Japanese marketplace, along with substantial legal advertising. We observed an increase in claims during September 2010 and higher average daily claims in the fourth quarter of 2010 and the first two months of 2011. While we have experienced a decline in claims following the February 2011 claims filing deadline related to the bankruptcy filing of the personal loan company, it continues to be unclear whether excess interest refund claims activity will be also affected by the March 11, 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan. As of June 30, 2011, our reserve for reimbursement of claims in excess of the statutory interest rate was $1,037 million.

 

The amount of these reserves is based on analyses of recent and historical claims experience, pending and estimated future excess interest refund requests, the estimated percentage of customers who present valid requests, and our estimated payments related to those requests. Our estimated liability for excess interest refund claims at June 30, 2011 assumes the pace of incoming claims will decelerate, average exposure per claim remains consistent with historical experience, and we continue to see further impact of our loss mitigation efforts. Estimating the pace of decline in incoming claims can have a significant effect on the total amount of our liability. Average daily claims have been higher than expected, which we believe is primarily attributable to the bankruptcy filing of the large independent personal loan company described above and claims activity has declined substantially following that period. We believe that continued evaluation of claims activity will be important in order to fully assess the potential impact of this bankruptcy or other events on our overall claim reserve estimate. Holding all other assumptions constant, if claims declined at a rate of one percent higher or lower than assumed, our liability estimate would change by approximately $250 million.

 

Uncertainties around the impact of laws and regulations, challenging economic conditions, the runoff status of the underlying book of business, the effects of the March 11, 2011 earthquake and subsequent tsunami in Japan and the effects of our mitigation efforts make it difficult to develop a meaningful estimate of the aggregate possible claims exposure. Recent trends, including the effect of governmental actions, market activity regarding other personal loan companies and consumer activity, may continue to have an adverse effect on claims development.

 

GE Money Japan losses from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $0 million and $188 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $0 million and $571 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

WMC

During the fourth quarter of 2007, we completed the sale of WMC, our U.S. mortgage business. WMC substantially discontinued all new loan originations by the second quarter of 2007, and is not a loan servicer. In connection with the sale, WMC retained certain obligations related to loans sold prior to the disposal of the business, including WMC's contractual obligations to repurchase previously sold loans as to which there was an early payment default or with respect to which certain contractual representations and warranties were not met. All claims received for early payment default have either been resolved or are no longer being pursued.

 

Pending claims for unmet representations and warranties were $783 million at December 31, 2009, $347 million at December 31, 2010 and $469 million at June 30, 2011. Reserves related to these contractual representations and warranties were $101 million at both June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The amount of these reserves is based upon pending and estimated future loan repurchase requests, the estimated percentage of loans validly tendered for repurchase, and our estimated losses on loans repurchased. Based on our historical experience, we estimate that a small percentage of the total loans WMC originated and sold will be tendered for repurchase, and of those tendered, only a limited amount will qualify as “validly tendered,” meaning the loans sold did not satisfy specified contractual obligations. WMC's current reserve represents our best estimate of losses with respect to WMC's repurchase obligations. Actual losses could exceed the reserve amount if actual claim rates, investigative or litigation activity, valid tenders or losses WMC incurs on repurchased loans are higher than we have historically observed with respect to WMC.

WMC revenues (loss) from discontinued operations were $0 million and $(3) million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $0 million and $(3) million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In total, WMC's earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $(2) million and $1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $(3) million in both the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010.

 

Other Financial Services

In the second quarter of 2011, we entered into an agreement to sell our Australian Home Lending operations for approximately $4,700 million. As a result, we recognized an after-tax loss of $150 million in the second quarter of 2011. Australian Home Lending revenues from discontinued operations were $101 million and $131 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $215 million and $268 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Australian Home Lending earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $(118) million and $24 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $(80) million and $37 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

In the first quarter of 2011, we entered into an agreement to sell our Consumer Singapore business for $692 million. The sale was completed in the second quarter of 2011 and resulted in the recognition of a gain on disposal, net of taxes, of $319 million. Consumer Singapore revenues from discontinued operations were $2 million and $26 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $31 million and $52 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Consumer Singapore earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $319 million and $8 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $326 million and $16 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2010, we entered into agreements to sell our Consumer RV Marine portfolio and Consumer Mexico business. The Consumer RV Marine and Consumer Mexico dispositions were completed during the first quarter and the second quarter of 2011, respectively, for proceeds of $2,365 million and $1,943 million, respectively. Consumer RV Marine revenues from discontinued operations were $6 million and $54 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $11 million and $108 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Consumer RV Marine earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $2 million and $17 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $2 million and $(1) million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Consumer Mexico revenues from discontinued operations were $12 million and $56 million in the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $67 million and $117 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Consumer Mexico earnings from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $17 million in both the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, and $33 million and $35 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

GE Industrial

GE industrial losses from discontinued operations, net of taxes, were $1 million in both the three months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, and $1 million and $4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The sum of GE industrial earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, and GECS earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, is reported as GE industrial earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, on the Condensed Statement of Earnings.

 

Assets of GE industrial discontinued operations were $50 million at both June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010. Liabilities of GE industrial discontinued operations were $158 million and $164 million at June 30, 2011, and December 31, 2010, respectively, and primarily represent taxes payable and pension liabilities related to the sale of our Plastics business in 2007.