Fair Value

9 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2013

Fair Value

Fair Value

Note 7: Fair Value

        Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

• Fair Value Hierarchy

        Valuation techniques used by HP are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable or market inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect HP's assumptions about market participant assumptions based on the best information available. Assets and liabilities are classified in the fair value hierarchy based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement:

        Level 1—Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

        Level 2—Quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

        Level 3—Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

        The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to observable inputs and lowest priority to unobservable inputs.

        The following table presents HP's assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	As of July 31, 2013								As of October 31, 2012
	Fair Value Measured Using								Fair Value Measured Using
							Total Balance								Total Balance
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3				Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
	In millions
Assets
Time deposits	$	—	$	2,618	$	—	$	2,618	$	—	$	3,641	$	—	$	3,641
Money market funds		7,818		—		—		7,818		4,630		—		—		4,630
Mutual funds		—		382		—		382		—		469		—		469
Marketable equity securities		7		6		—		13		60		3		—		63
Foreign bonds		8		372		—		380		8		377		—		385
Other debt securities		—		2		37		39		1		—		44		45
Derivatives:
Interest rate contracts		—		162		—		162		—		344		—		344
Foreign exchange contracts		—		523		2		525		—		291		—		291
Other derivatives		—		10		—		10		—		1		—		1
Total Assets	$	7,833	$	4,075	$	39	$	11,947	$	4,699	$	5,126	$	44	$	9,869
Liabilities
Derivatives:
Interest rate contracts	$	—	$	144	$	—	$	144	$	—	$	29	$	—	$	29
Foreign exchange contracts		—		421		2		423		—		485		1		486
Other derivatives		—		—		—		—		—		3		—		3
Total Liabilities	$	—	$	565	$	2	$	567	$	—	$	517	$	1	$	518

        For the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013, there were no transfers between the levels within the fair value hierarchy.

• Valuation Techniques

        Cash Equivalents and Investments:    HP holds time deposits, money market funds, mutual funds, other debt securities primarily consisting of corporate and foreign government notes and bonds, and common stock and equivalents. HP values cash equivalents and equity investments using quoted market prices, alternative pricing sources, including net asset value, or models utilizing market observable inputs. The fair value of debt instruments were based on quoted market prices or model driven valuations using inputs primarily derived from or corroborated by observable market data, and in certain instances internally developed valuation models that utilize assumptions which cannot be corroborated with observable market data.

        Derivative Instruments:    As discussed in Note 8, HP mainly holds non-speculative forwards, swaps and options to hedge certain foreign currency and interest rate exposures. When prices in active markets are not available for the identical asset or liability, HP uses industry standard valuation models to measure fair value. Where applicable, these models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to present value using market-based observable inputs, including interest rate curves, HP and counterparty credit risk, foreign exchange rates, and forward and spot prices for currencies.

• Other Fair Value Disclosures

        Short- and Long-Term Debt:    HP calculates the estimated fair value of its debt primarily using an expected present value technique which is based upon observable market inputs using interest rates currently available to companies of similar credit standing for similar terms and remaining maturities and considers HP's own credit risk. The portion of HP's fixed-rate debt obligations that is hedged is reflected in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as an amount equal to the debt's carrying value, which includes a fair value adjustment representing changes in the fair value of the hedged debt obligations arising from movements in benchmark interest rates. The estimated fair value of HP's short- and long-term debt was approximately $24.8 billion at July 31, 2013, compared to its carrying value of $24.7 billion at that date. The estimated fair value of HP's short- and long-term debt approximated its carrying value of $28.4 billion at October 31, 2012. If measured at fair value in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, short- and long-term debt would be classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

        Other Financial Instruments:    For the balance of HP's financial instruments, primarily accounts receivable, accounts payable and financial liabilities in other accrued liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to their short maturities. If measured at fair value in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets, these other financial instruments would be classified in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.