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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Product Warranty Liability
The following table presents accrued product warranty and deferred warranty revenue activity:
 
Nine Months Ended July 31,
(in millions)
2013
 
2012
Balance at beginning of period
$
1,118

 
$
598

Costs accrued and revenues deferred
342

 
353

Divestitures
(3
)
 

Currency translation adjustment
(3
)
 
(4
)
Adjustments to pre-existing warranties(A)(B)
252

 
259

Payments and revenues recognized
(484
)
 
(324
)
Balance at end of period
1,222

 
882

Less: Current portion
618

 
448

Noncurrent accrued product warranty and deferred warranty revenue
$
604

 
$
434

_________________________
(A)
Adjustments to pre-existing warranties reflect changes in our estimate of warranty costs for products sold in prior periods. Such adjustments typically occur when claims experience deviates from historic and expected trends. Our warranty liability is generally affected by component failure rates, repair costs, and the timing of failures. Future events and circumstances related to these factors could materially change our estimates and require adjustments to our liability. In addition, new product launches require a greater use of judgment in developing estimates until historical experience becomes available.
In the first quarter of 2013, we recorded adjustments for changes in estimates of $40 million, or $0.50 per diluted share. In the second quarter of 2013, we recorded adjustments for changes in estimates of $164 million, or $2.04 per diluted share. In the third quarter of 2013, we recorded adjustments for changes in estimates of $48 million, or $0.60 per diluted share. The impact of income taxes on the 2013 adjustments are not material due to our deferred tax valuation allowances on our U.S. deferred tax assets.
In the first quarter of 2012, adjustments for changes in estimates amounted to $123 million, $75 million net of tax or $1.07 per diluted share. In the second quarter of 2012, we recorded adjustments for changes in estimates of $104 million, $63 million net of tax or $0.92. The impact of income taxes on the 2012 adjustments reflect the Company's 2012 estimated annual effective tax rate as of July 31, 2012.
(B)
In the first quarter of 2013, we recognized $13 million of charges for adjustments to pre-existing warranties for a specific warranty issue related to component parts from a supplier. Also during the first quarter of 2013, we reached agreement for reimbursement from this supplier for this amount and other costs previously accrued. As a result of this agreement, we recognized a recovery of $27 million within Costs of products sold and recorded a receivable within Other current assets. In the second quarter of 2013, we recognized a warranty recovery of $13 million within Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax and recorded a receivable within Other current assets.
In the third quarter of 2012, we recognized $10 million of adjustments to pre-existing warranties for a specific warranty issue related to component parts from a supplier. Also during the quarter, we reached agreement for reimbursement from such supplier and recognized a recovery for that amount and recorded a receivable within Other current assets.