Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2012

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair value measurements

Fair Value Measurements

For assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and nonrecurring basis, a three-level hierarchy of measurements based upon observable and unobservable inputs is used to arrive at fair value. Observable inputs are developed based on market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our assumptions about valuation based on the best information available in the circumstances. Depending on the inputs, we classify each fair value measurement as follows:

• Level 1—based upon quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets,

• Level 2—based upon quoted prices for similar instruments, prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, or model-derived valuations, all of whose significant inputs are observable, and

• Level 3—based upon one or more significant unobservable inputs.

The following section describes key inputs and assumptions in our valuation methodologies:

Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Equivalents—We classify highly liquid investments, with a maturity of 90 days or less at the date of purchase, including U.S. Treasury bills, federal agency securities, and commercial paper, as cash equivalents. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value because of the short-term maturity and highly liquid nature of these instruments.

Marketable Securities—Our marketable securities portfolios are classified as available-for-sale and primarily include investments in U.S. government and commercial paper with a maturity of greater than 90 days at the date of purchase. We use quoted prices from active markets to determine fair value.

Derivative Assets and Liabilities—We measure the fair value of derivatives assuming that the unit of account is an individual derivative transaction and that each derivative could be sold or transferred on a stand-alone basis. We classify within Level 2 our derivatives that are traded over-the-counter and valued using internal models based on observable market inputs. In certain cases, market data is not available and we estimate inputs such as in situations where trading in a particular commodity is not active. Measurements based upon these unobservable inputs are classified within Level 3. For more information regarding derivatives, see Note 11, Financial Instruments and Commodity Contracts.

Retained Interests—We retain certain interests in receivables sold in off-balance sheet securitization transactions prior to November 1, 2010. We estimate the fair value of retained interests using internal valuation models that incorporate market inputs and our own assumptions about future cash flows. The fair value of retained interests is estimated based on the present value of monthly collections on the sold finance receivables in excess of amounts accruing to investors and other obligations arising in securitization transactions. In addition to the amount of debt and collateral held by the securitization vehicle, the three key inputs that affect the valuation of the retained interests include credit losses, payment speed, and the discount rate. We classify these assets within Level 3.

Guarantees—We provide certain guarantees of payments and residual values to specific counterparties. Fair value of these guarantees is based upon internally developed models that utilize current market-based assumptions and historical data. We classify these liabilities within Level 3. For more information regarding guarantees, see Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies.

The following tables present the financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	As of April 30, 2012
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
(in millions)
Assets
Marketable securities:
U.S. Treasury bills	$	249	$	—	$	—	$	249
Other U.S. and non-U.S. government bonds	68		—		—		68
Other	20		—		—		20
Derivative financial instruments:
Foreign currency contracts	—		—		—		—
Commodity contracts	—		1		—		1
Total assets	$	337	$	1	$	—	$	338
Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments:
Foreign currency contracts	$	—	$	1	$	—	$	1
Commodity contracts	—		3		—		3
Guarantees	—		—		7		7
Total liabilities	$	—	$	4	$	7	$	11

	As of October 31, 2011
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
(in millions)
Assets
Marketable securities:
U.S. Treasury bills	$	283	$	—	$	—	$	283
Other U.S and non-U.S. government bonds	415		—		—		415
Other	20		—		—		20
Derivative financial instruments:
Commodity contracts	—		—		1		1
Foreign currency contracts	—		3		—		3
Total assets	$	718	$	3	$	1	$	722
Liabilities
Derivative financial instruments:
Commodity contracts	$	—	$	3	$	3	$	6
Cross currency swaps	—		4		—		4
Guarantees	—		—		6		6
Total liabilities	$	—	$	7	$	9	$	16

The tables below present the changes for those financial instruments classified within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy:

	2012						2011
	Guarantees		Retained interests		Commodity contracts		Guarantees		Retained interests		Commodity contracts
(in millions)
Three Months Ended April 30
Balance at February 1	$	7	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	5
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized) included in earnings(A)	—		—		—		—		—		2
Settlements	—		—		—		—		—		(1		)
Balance at April 30	$	7	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	6
Change in unrealized gains on assets and liabilities still held	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	—

Six Months Ended April 30
Balance at November 1	$	6	$	—	$	(2	)	$	—	$	53		$	2
Total gains (losses) (realized/unrealized) included in earnings(A)	—		—		(1		)	—		1			6
Transfers into Level 3	—		—		—			—		—			—
Transfers out of Level 3	—		—		2			—		—			—
Issuances	1		—		—			—		—			—
Settlements	—		—		1			—		(54		)	(2		)
Balance at April 30	$	7	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	6
Change in unrealized gains on assets and liabilities still held	$	—	$	—	$	—		$	—	$	—		$	3

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(A) For commodity contracts, gains (losses) are included in Costs of products sold. For retained interests, gains recognized are included in Finance revenues.

During the three and six months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, there were no purchases or sales of Level 3 financial instruments. Additionally, for the three months ended April 30, 2012 and 2011, there were no issuances of Level 3 financial instruments and there were no transfers into or out of Level 3.

The following table presents the financial instruments measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis:

	Level 2
	April 30, 2012		October 31, 2011
(in millions)
Finance receivables(A)	$	6	$	5

_____________

(A) Certain impaired finance receivables are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis. An impairment charge is recorded for the amount by which the carrying value of the receivables exceeds the fair value of the underlying collateral, net of remarketing costs. As of April 30, 2012, impaired receivables with a carrying amount of $16 million had specific loss reserves of $10 million and a fair value of $6 million. As of October 31, 2011, impaired receivables with a carrying amount of $15 million had specific loss reserves of $10 million and a fair value of $5 million. Fair values of the underlying collateral are determined by reference to dealer vehicle value publications adjusted for certain market factors.

In addition to the methods and assumptions we use for the financial instruments recorded at fair value as discussed above, we use the following methods and assumptions to estimate the fair value for our other financial instruments that are not marked to market on a recurring basis. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, and accounts payable approximate fair values because of the short-term maturity and highly liquid nature of these instruments. Finance receivables generally consist of retail and wholesale accounts and retail and wholesale notes. The carrying amounts of trade and other receivables and retail and wholesale accounts approximate fair values as a result of the short-term nature of the receivables. The carrying amounts of wholesale notes approximate fair values as a result of the short-term nature of the wholesale notes and their variable interest rate terms. The fair values of these financial instruments are classified as Level 1. Due to the nature of the aforementioned financial instruments, they have been excluded from the fair value amounts presented in the table below.

The fair values of our retail notes are estimated by discounting expected cash flows at estimated current market rates. The fair values of our retail notes are classified as Level 3 financial instruments.

The fair values of our debt instruments classified as Level 1 were estimated using quoted market prices. Our tax exempt bonds are traded but are illiquid and as a result are classified as Level 2. The fair values of our Level 3 debt instruments are generally determined using internally developed valuation techniques such as discounted cash flow modeling. Inputs such as discount rates and credit spreads reflect our estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the instrument and may be unobservable.

The carrying values and estimated fair values of financial instruments are summarized in the tables below:

	As of April 30, 2012
	Estimated Fair Value								Carrying Value
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
(in millions)
Assets
Retail notes	$	—	$	—	$	773	$	773	$	780
Notes receivable	—		—		37		37		39
Liabilities
Debt:
Manufacturing operations
8.25% Senior Notes, due 2021	1,011		—		—		1,011		871
3.0% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes, due 2014(A)	591		—		—		591		508
Debt of majority-owned dealerships	—		—		82		82		84
Financing arrangements	—		—		128		128		132
Loan Agreement related to 6.5% Tax Exempt Bonds, due 2040	—		242		—		242		225
Promissory Note	—		—		36		36		36
Asset-Based Credit Facility	—		—		100		100		100
Other	—		—		47		47		49
Financial Services operations
Asset-backed debt issued by consolidated SPEs, at various rates, due serially through 2018	—		—		1,299		1,299		1,284
Bank revolvers, at fixed and variable rates, due dates from 2013 through 2017	—		—		1,057		1,057		1,060
Commercial paper, at variable rates, due serially through 2012	59		—		—		59		59
Borrowings secured by operating and finance leases, at various rates, due serially through 2017	—		—		64		64		66

	As of October 31, 2011
	Estimated Fair Value								Carrying Value
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
(in millions)
Assets
Retail notes	$	—	$	—	$	954	$	954	$	958
Notes receivable	—		—		47		47		47
Liabilities
Debt:
Manufacturing operations
8.25% Senior Notes, due 2021	1,131		—		—		1,131		967
3.0% Senior Subordinated Convertible Notes, due 2014(A)	633		—		—		633		497
Debt of majority-owned dealerships	—		—		88		88		94
Financing arrangements	—		—		112		112		114
Loan Agreement related to 6.5% Tax Exempt Bonds, due 2040	—		234		—		234		225
Promissory Note	—		—		39		39		40
Asset-Based Credit Facility	—		—		—		—		—
Other	—		—		26		26		39
Financial Services operations
Asset-backed debt issued by consolidated SPEs, at various rates, due serially through 2018	—		—		1,695		1,695		1,664
Bank revolvers, at fixed and variable rates, due dates from 2013 through 2017	—		—		1,091		1,091		1,072
Commercial paper, at variable rates, due serially through 2012	70		—		—		70		70
Borrowings secured by operating and finance leases, at various rates, due serially through 2017	—		—		70		70		70

_________________________

(A) The carrying value represents the financial statement amount of the debt after allocation of the conversion feature to equity, while the fair value is based on quoted market prices for the convertible note which includes the equity feature.