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CONTINGENCIES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 28, 2014
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
CONTINGENCIES

NOTE 6 – CONTINGENCIES

In the normal course of business, the Partnership has been named as a defendant in various legal actions, including arbitrations, class actions and other litigation. Certain of these legal actions include claims for substantial compensatory and/or punitive damages or claims for indeterminate amounts of damages. The Partnership is also involved from time to time in investigations and proceedings by governmental and self-regulatory organizations, certain of which may result in adverse judgments, fines or penalties. In addition, the Partnership provides for potential losses that may arise related to other contingencies.

The Partnership assesses its liabilities and contingencies utilizing available information. For those matters where it is probable the Partnership will incur a potential loss and the amount of the loss is reasonably estimable, in accordance with FASB ASC No. 450, Contingencies, an accrued liability has been established. These reserves represent the Partnership’s aggregate estimate of the potential loss contingency at March 28, 2014 and are believed to be sufficient. Such liability may be adjusted from time to time to reflect any relevant developments.

For such matters where an accrued liability has not been established and the Partnership believes a loss is both reasonably possible and estimable, as well as for matters where an accrued liability has been recorded but for which an exposure to loss in excess of the amount accrued is both reasonably possible and estimable, the current estimated aggregated range of additional possible loss is $4 to $38. This range of reasonably possible loss does not necessarily represent the Partnership’s maximum loss exposure as the Partnership was not able to estimate a range of reasonably possible loss for all matters.

Further, the matters underlying any disclosed estimated range will change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly. While the outcome of these matters is inherently uncertain, based on information currently available, the Partnership believes that its established reserves at March 28, 2014 are adequate and the liabilities arising from such proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows of the Partnership. However, based on future developments and the potential unfavorable resolution of these matters, the outcome could be material to the Partnership’s future consolidated operating results for a particular period or periods.