Accounts Receivable, Net

3 Months Ended

Jan. 27, 2013

Receivables [Abstract]

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts Receivable, Net

Applied has agreements with various financial institutions to sell accounts receivable and discount promissory notes from selected customers. Applied, from time to time, also discounts letters of credit through various financial institutions. Applied sells its accounts receivable without recourse.

Applied did not utilize programs to discount letters of credit issued by customers during the three months ended January 27, 2013 and January 29, 2012. Discounting of letters of credit depends on many factors, including the willingness of financial institutions to discount the letters of credit and the cost of such arrangements. There was no factoring of accounts receivable or discounting of promissory notes during the three months ended January 27, 2013. Applied factored accounts receivable and discounted promissory notes of $70 million during the three months ended January 29, 2012. Financing charges on the sale of receivables and discounting of letters of credit are included in interest expense in the accompanying Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations and were not material for all periods presented.

Accounts receivable are presented net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $82 million at January 27, 2013 and $87 million at October 28, 2012. Applied sells principally to manufacturers within the semiconductor, display and solar industries. While Applied believes that its allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate and represents Applied’s best estimate as of January 27, 2013, Applied continues to closely monitor customer liquidity and other economic conditions, which may result in changes to Applied’s estimates regarding collectability.