UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

Commission File Number: 0-17017

 

Dell Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

One Dell Way

Round Rock, Texas 78682

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

 

(512) 338-4400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

  Yes þ     No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes o     No þ

 

As of the close of business on November 28, 2008, 1,944,431,517 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share, were outstanding.

 

INDEX

 

 

 

DELL INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION
(in millions)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

DELL INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

DELL INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions, unaudited)

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

DELL INC.

 

 

Basis of Presentation — The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of Dell Inc. (“Dell”) should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in Dell’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2008. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). In the opinion of management, the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments of a normal recurring nature considered necessary to fairly state the financial position of Dell and its consolidated subsidiaries at October 31, 2008, the results of its operations for the three and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007, and its cash flows for the nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007.

 

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in Dell’s condensed consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The results of operations for the three and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008, are not necessarily indicative of the operating results for the full fiscal year or any future periods.

 

Dell Financial Services L.L.C. (“DFS”) was formerly a joint venture with CIT Group Inc. (“CIT”). Previously, DFS’s financial results were consolidated by Dell in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 46R, as Dell was the primary beneficiary. On December 31, 2007, Dell purchased CIT’s remaining 30% interest in DFS, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary. DFS has been reported as a wholly-owned subsidiary since January 1, 2008. DFS allows Dell to provide its customers with various financing alternatives.

 

Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements — In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (“SFAS”) No. 157, Fair Value Measurements (“SFAS 157”), which defines fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value, and expands the disclosures required for assets and liabilities measured at fair value. SFAS 157 applies to existing accounting pronouncements that require fair value measurements; it does not require any new fair value measurements. Dell adopted the effective portions of SFAS 157 beginning the first quarter of Fiscal 2009. In February 2008, FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) 157-2, Effective Date of FASB Statement No. 157 (“FSP 157-2”), which delays the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except for items that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually), until the beginning of the first quarter of Fiscal 2010. Dell is currently evaluating the inputs and techniques used in these measurements, including items such as impairment assessments of fixed assets and goodwill impairment testing. See Note 6 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact of the adoption.

 

On October 10, 2008, the FASB issued FSP No. FAS 157-3 “Determining the Fair Value of a Financial Asset When the Market for that Asset is Not Active” (“FSP FAS 157-3”), which clarifies the application of SFAS 157 in a market that is not active. Additional guidance is provided regarding how the reporting entity’s own assumptions should be considered when relevant observable inputs do not exist, how available observable inputs in a market that is not active should be considered when measuring fair value, and how the use of market quotes should be considered when assessing the relevance of inputs available to measure fair value. FSP FAS 157-3 became effective immediately upon issuance. Dell considered the additional guidance with respect to the valuation of its financial assets and liabilities and their corresponding designation within the fair value hierarchy. Its adoption did not have a material effect on Dell’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities (“SFAS 159”), which provides companies with an option to report selected financial assets and liabilities at fair value with the changes in fair value recognized in earnings at each subsequent reporting date. SFAS 159

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

provides an opportunity to mitigate potential volatility in earnings caused by measuring related assets and liabilities differently, and it may reduce the need for applying complex hedge accounting provisions. While SFAS 159 became effective for Dell’s 2009 fiscal year, Dell did not elect the fair value measurement option for any of its financial assets or liabilities.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements — In March 2008, the FASB issued SFAS No. 161, Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities, an amendment of FASB Statement No. 133 (“SFAS 161”), which requires additional disclosures about the objectives of derivative instruments and hedging activities, the method of accounting for such instruments under SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (“SFAS 133”), and its related interpretations, and a tabular disclosure of the effects of such instruments and related hedged items on a company’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. SFAS 161 does not change the accounting treatment for derivative instruments and is effective for Dell beginning Fiscal 2010. Management is currently evaluating the impact of the disclosure requirements of SFAS 161.

 

Out of Period Adjustments — During the first nine-months of Fiscal 2009, Dell recorded adjustments related to net revenue, cost of net revenue, operating expenses, and investment and other, net that in the aggregate increased income before tax by approximately $110 million. The two largest of these corrections include a reversal of the excess amount of the provision for Fiscal 2008 employee bonuses and foreign exchange rate errors. Correcting these errors increased income before tax by $46 million and $42 million, respectively. Because these errors, both individually and in the aggregate, were not material to any of the prior years’ financial statements, and the impact of correcting these errors in the current year is not expected to be material to the full year Fiscal 2009 financial statements, Dell recorded the correction of these errors in the financial statements in the first quarter of Fiscal 2009.

 

Reclassifications — To maintain comparability among the periods presented, Dell has revised the presentation of certain prior period amounts reported within cash flow from operations presented in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The revision had no impact to the total change in cash from operating activities. Dell has also revised the classification of certain prior period amounts within the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. For further discussion regarding the reclassification of deferred service revenue and warranty liability, see Note 7 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

 

 

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

Basic earnings per share is based on the weighted-average effect of all common shares issued and outstanding and is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares used in the basic earnings per share calculation plus the number of common shares that would be issued assuming exercise or conversion of all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding. Dell excludes equity instruments from the calculation of diluted earnings per share if the effect of including such instruments is antidilutive. Accordingly, certain stock-based incentive awards have been excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share totaling 245 million and 183 million shares for the third quarter of Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, respectively, and 253 million and 228 million during the nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007.

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share for the three and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007:

 

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

 

The following table summarizes comprehensive income for the three and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007:

 

 

 

 

 

Dell Financial Services L.L.C.

 

Dell offers or arranges various financing options and services for its business and consumer customers in the U.S. through DFS, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dell. DFS’s key activities include the origination, collection, and servicing of customer receivables related to the purchase of Dell products.

 

Dell utilizes DFS to facilitate financing for customers who elect to finance products sold by Dell. New financing originations, which represent the amounts of financing provided to customers for equipment and related software and services through DFS, were $1.0 billion and $1.4 billion during the three-month periods ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007, respectively, and $3.3 billion and $4.1 billion for the nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007, respectively.

 

CIT, formerly a joint venture partner of DFS, continues to have the right to purchase a percentage of the new customer receivables facilitated by DFS until January 29, 2010 (“Fiscal 2010”). CIT’s contractual funding right is up to 35% in Fiscal 2009 and 25% in Fiscal 2010. In the three and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008, CIT’s funding percentage was approximately 30% and 35%, respectively. DFS services the receivables purchased by CIT. However, Dell’s obligation related to the performance of the DFS originated receivables purchased by CIT is limited to the cash funded credit reserves established at the time of funding.

 

In March 2008, Dell began a strategic assessment of ownership alternatives for DFS that focused primarily on U.S. revolving credit operations for consumer and small-and-medium business financing. In September 2008, Dell completed its strategic assessment of DFS. Dell will retain the current ownership and operating structure of DFS.

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

Financing Receivables

 

The following table summarizes the components of Dell’s financing receivables, net of the allowance for estimated uncollectible amounts:

 

 

Financing receivables consist of customer receivables, residual interest, and retained interest in securitized receivables. Customer receivables include revolving loans and fixed-term leases and loans resulting from the sale of Dell products and services. Of the customer receivables balance at October 31, 2008, and February 1, 2008, $31 million and $444 million, respectively, represent balances which are due from CIT in connection with specified promotional programs.

 

 

As of October 31, 2008, and February 1, 2008, customer financing receivables 60 days or more delinquent were $47 million and $34 million, respectively. These amounts represent 3.4% and 2.1% of the ending customer financing receivables balances for the respective periods.

 

Net credit losses for the three-month periods ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007, were $22 million and $10 million, respectively. These amounts represent annualized credit losses of 6.5% and 2.8% of the average outstanding customer financing receivables balance for the respective three-month periods. Net credit losses for the nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007, were $60 million and $27 million, respectively. These amounts represent annualized credit losses of 5.4% and 2.5% of the average outstanding customer financing receivables balance for the respective nine-month periods.

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

The following is a description of the components of customer receivables:

 

 

 

 

The monthly payment rate is the most significant estimate involved in the measurement process. Other significant estimates include the credit loss rate and the discount rate. These estimates are based on management’s expectations of future payment rates and credit loss rates, reflecting our historical rate of payments and credit losses, industry trends, current market interest rates, expected future interest rates, and other considerations.

 

The implementation of SFAS 157 did not result in material changes to the models or processes used to value retained interest. See Note 6 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for the impact of the implementation of SFAS 157.

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

 

The following table summarizes the activity in retained interest balances for the three and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007:

 

		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		October 31,				November 2,				October 31,				November 2,
		2008				2007				2008				2007
		(in millions)
Retained interest:
Retained interest at beginning of period		$	312			$	171			$	223			$	158
Issuances			59				57				291				137
Distributions from conduits			(73	)			(33	)			(213	)			(114	)
Net accretion			11				9				31				20
Change in fair value for the period			(1	)			(3	)			(24	)			-
Retained interest at end of period		$	308			$	201			$	308			$	201

 

The table below summarizes the assumptions used to measure the fair value of the retained interest as of October 31, 2008:

 

		Weighted Average Key Assumptions
		Monthly
		Payment				Credit
		Rates				Losses				Discount Rates				Life
						(lifetime)				(annualized)				(months)
Time of sale valuation of retained interest			14	%			6	%			14	%			14
Valuation of retained interests			8	%			12	%			14	%			12

 

The impact of adverse changes to the key valuation assumptions to the fair value of retained interest at October 31, 2008, is shown in the following table:

 

		October 31,
		2008
		(in millions)
Adverse change of:
Expected prepayment speed: 10%		$	(15	)
Expected prepayment speed: 20%		$	(22	)
Expected credit losses: 10%		$	(13	)
Expected credit losses: 20%		$	(25	)
Discount rate: 10%		$	(5	)
Discount rate: 20%		$	(10	)

 

The analyses above utilized 10% and 20% adverse variation in assumptions to assess the sensitivities in fair value of the retained interest. However, these changes generally cannot be extrapolated because the relationship between a change in one assumption to the resulting change in fair value may not be linear. For the above sensitivity analyses, each key assumption was isolated and evaluated separately. Each assumption was adjusted

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

by 10% and 20% while holding the other key assumptions constant. Assumptions may be interrelated, and changes to one assumption may impact others and the resulting fair value of the retained interest. For example, increases in market interest rates may result in lower prepayments and increased credit losses. The effect of multiple assumption changes were not considered in the analyses.

 

Asset Securitization

 

During the first nine months of Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, Dell sold $1.1 billion and $950 million, respectively, of fixed-term leases and loans and revolving loans to unconsolidated qualifying special purpose entities. The qualifying special purpose entities are bankruptcy remote legal entities with assets and liabilities separate from those of Dell. The sole purpose of the qualifying special purpose entities is to facilitate the funding of financing receivables in the capital markets. Dell determines the amount of receivables to securitize based on its funding requirements in conjunction with specific selection criteria designed for the transaction. The qualifying special purpose entities have entered into financing arrangements with three multi-seller conduits that, in turn, issue asset-backed debt securities in the capital markets. Transfers of financing receivables are recorded in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 140, Accounting for Transfers and Servicing of Financial Assets and Extinguishments of Liabilities — a Replacement of FASB Statement No. 125 (“SFAS 140”). The principal balance of the securitized receivables at October 31, 2008, and February 1, 2008, was $1.4 billion and $1.2 billion, respectively.

 

Dell retains the right to receive collections on securitized receivables in excess of amounts needed to pay interest and principal as well as other required fees. Upon the sale of the financing receivables, Dell records the present value of the excess cash flows as a retained interest. At October 31, 2008, Dell’s retained interest in securitized receivables was $308 million. Dell services the securitized contracts and earns a servicing fee. Dell’s securitization transactions generally do not result in servicing assets and liabilities, as the contractual fees are adequate compensation.

 

Dell securitization programs contain standard structural features related to the performance of the securitized receivables. These structural features include defined credit losses, delinquencies, average credit scores, and excess collections above or below specified levels. In the event one or more of these features are met and Dell is unable to restructure the program, no further funding of receivables will be permitted, and the timing of expected retained interest cash flows will be delayed, which would impact the valuation of the retained interest. Should these events occur, Dell does not expect a material adverse effect on the valuation of the retained interest or on Dell’s ability to securitize financing receivables.

 

As of October 31, 2008, and February 1, 2008, securitized financing receivables 60 days or more delinquent were $58 million and $54 million, respectively. These amounts represent 4.2% and 4.4% of the ending securitized financing receivables balances for the respective periods.

 

Net credit losses for the three months ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007, were $26 million and $21 million, respectively. These amounts represent annualized credit losses of 7.3% and 7.1% of the average outstanding securitized financing receivables balance for the respective three-month periods. Net credit losses for the nine months ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007, were $81 million and $55 million, respectively. These amounts represent annualized credit losses of 7.8% and 6.5% of the average outstanding securitized financing receivables balance for the respective nine-month periods.

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

 

On February 2, 2008, Dell adopted the effective portions of SFAS 157. In February 2008, the FASB issued FSP 157-2, which provides a one year deferral of the effective date of SFAS 157 for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Therefore, Dell adopted the provisions of SFAS 157 with respect to only financial assets and liabilities. SFAS 157 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value, and enhances disclosure requirements for fair value measurements. This statement does not require any new fair value measurements. SFAS 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. In determining fair value, Dell uses various methods including market, income, and cost approaches. Dell utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs. The adoption of this statement did not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

 

As a basis for categorizing these inputs, SFAS 157 establishes the following hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value from market based assumptions to entity specific assumptions:

 

 

The following table presents Dell’s hierarchy for its assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of October 31, 2008:

 

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

The following section describes the valuation methodologies Dell uses to measure financial instruments at fair value:

 

Investments Available for Sale — The majority of Dell’s investment portfolio consists of various fixed income securities such as U.S. government and agencies, U.S. and international corporate, and state and municipal bonds. This portfolio of investments, as of October 31, 2008, is valued based on model driven valuations whereby all significant inputs are observable or can be derived from or corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the asset. The Level 3 position represents a convertible debt security that Dell was unable to corroborate with observable market data. The investment is valued at cost plus accrued interest as this is management’s best estimate of fair value.

 

Investments Trading Securities — The majority of Dell’s trading portfolio consists of various mutual funds and equity securities. The Level 1 securities are valued using quoted prices for identical assets in active markets. The Level 2 securities include various mutual funds that are not exchange traded and valued at their net asset value, which can be market corroborated.

 

Retained Interests in Securitized Receivables — The fair value of the retained interest is determined using a discounted cash flow model. Significant assumptions to the model include pool credit losses, payment rates, and discount rates. These assumptions are supported by both historical experience and anticipated trends relative to the particular receivable pool. Retained interest in securitized receivables is included in financing receivables, current and long-term, on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position. See Note 5 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information about retained interest.

 

Derivative Instruments — Dell’s derivative financial instruments consist of interest rate swaps and foreign currency forward and purchased option contracts. The portfolio is valued using internal models based on market observable inputs, including interest rate curves and both forward and spot prices for currencies, implied volatilities, and credit risk.

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

The following tables show a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three and nine months ended October 31, 2008:

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains for the three and nine-month period ended October 31, 2008, related to the Level 3 retained interest asset and convertible debt security asset still held at the reporting date, are reported in income.

 

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis — Certain financial assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis and therefore not included in the recurring fair value table. The balances are not material relative to our balance sheet, and there were no material non-recurring adjustments to disclose under the provisions of SFAS 157 for the three and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008.

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

 

Revenue from extended warranty and service contracts, for which Dell is obligated to perform, is recorded as deferred revenue and subsequently recognized over the term of the contract or when the service is completed. Dell records warranty liabilities at the time of sale for the estimated costs that may be incurred under its limited warranty. Changes in Dell’s deferred revenue for extended warranties, and warranty liability for standard warranties which are included in other current and non-current liabilities on Dell’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, are presented in the following tables:

 

 

 

 

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

 

 

Dell completed two acquisitions, The Networked Storage Company and MessageOne, Inc. (“MessageOne”), in the first nine months of Fiscal 2009 for approximately $183 million in cash. Dell recorded approximately $126 million of goodwill and approximately $63 million of purchased intangibles related to these acquisitions. The larger of these transactions was the purchase of MessageOne, for approximately $164 million in cash plus an additional $10 million to be used for management retention. MessageOne has been integrated into Dell’s Global Services organization, which supports Dell’s Americas Commercial; Europe, Middle East, and Africa (“EMEA”) Commercial; and Asia Pacific-Japan (“APJ”) Commercial segments, and The Networked Storage Company has been integrated into Dell’s EMEA Commercial segment. With these acquisitions, Dell expects to be able to broaden its services offerings to customers.

 

The acquisition of MessageOne was identified and acknowledged by Dell’s Board of Directors as a related party transaction because Michael Dell and his family held indirect ownership interests in MessageOne. Consequently, Dell’s Board directed management to implement a series of measures designed to ensure that the transaction was considered, analyzed, negotiated, and approved objectively and independent of any control or influence from the related parties.

 

Dell has recorded all of its acquisitions using the purchase method of accounting in accordance with SFAS No. 141, Business Combinations. Accordingly, the results of operations of the acquired companies have been included in Dell’s consolidated results since the date of each acquisition. Dell allocates the purchase price of its acquisitions to the tangible assets, liabilities, and intangible assets acquired, which include in-process research & development charges, based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the identified assets and liabilities has been recorded as goodwill. The fair value assigned to the assets acquired is based on valuations using management’s estimates and assumptions. Dell does not expect the majority of goodwill related to these acquisitions to be deductible for tax purposes. Dell has not presented pro forma results of operations because these acquisitions are not material to Dell’s consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows on either an individual or an aggregate basis.

 

 

Goodwill

 

Dell records the excess of an acquisition’s purchase price over the fair value of the identified assets and liabilities as goodwill. Goodwill allocated to Dell’s business segments as of October 31, 2008, and changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the nine months ended October 31, 2008, were as follows:

 

 

Goodwill is tested annually during the second fiscal quarter and whenever events or circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its fair value, estimated based on discounted cash flow analyses, an impairment charge would be recorded. Based on the results of its annual impairment tests, Dell determined that no impairment of goodwill existed at August 1, 2008, and for the fiscal year ended February 1, 2008. The goodwill adjustments primarily relate to purchase price allocation adjustments. No triggering events have transpired since August 1, 2008, that would indicate a potential impairment of goodwill.

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

Intangible Assets

 

Dell’s intangible assets as of October 31, 2008, and February 1, 2008, were as follows:

 

 

Estimated future annual pre-tax amortization expense of finite-lived intangible assets as of October 31, 2008, over the next five fiscal years and thereafter is as follows:

 

 

 

Dell’s effective income tax rate was 28.0% for the third quarter of Fiscal 2009, as compared to 18.2% for the same quarter in the prior year. For the first nine months of Fiscal 2009 and Fiscal 2008, the effective income tax rate was 25.9% and 23.0%, respectively. The increase in the effective rate in the third quarter of Fiscal 2009 is primarily due to increased profitability mix in higher tax rate jurisdictions. Additionally, the third quarter of Fiscal 2008 included a $45 million reduction to update Dell’s estimated Fiscal 2008 effective annual income tax rate from 25.3% to 23.0%. The differences between the estimated effective income tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate of 35% principally result from Dell’s geographical distribution of taxable income and differences between the book and tax treatment of certain items. The income tax rate for Fiscal 2009 will be impacted by the actual mix of jurisdictions in which income is generated.

 

Dell is currently under income tax audits in various jurisdictions, including the United States. The tax periods open to examination by the major taxing jurisdictions to which Dell is subject include fiscal years 1997 through 2008. Although the timing of income tax audit resolution and negotiations with taxing authorities is highly uncertain, Dell does not anticipate a significant change to the total amount of unrecognized income tax benefits within the next 12 months. Dell has received certain non-income tax assessments and is involved in related non-income tax litigation matters in certain jurisdictions. Dell believes its positions are supportable, a liability is not probable, and that it will ultimately prevail. However, significant judgment is required in determining the ultimate outcome of these matters. In the normal course of business, Dell’s positions and conclusions related to its non-income taxes could be challenged and assessments may be made. To the extent new information is obtained and Dell’s views on

 

DELL INC.

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

its positions, probable outcomes of assessments, or litigation changes, changes in estimates to Dell’s accrued liabilities would be recorded in the period in which the determination is made.

 

 

Severance Costs and Facility Closures — In Fiscal 2008, Dell announced a comprehensive review of costs which is currently ongoing. Since this announcement and through the end of the third quarter of Fiscal 2009, Dell reduced headcount and closed certain Dell facilities. Results of operations for the third quarter and first nine months of Fiscal 2009 include net pre-tax charges of $17 million and $148 million, respectively, for these headcount and facility actions. Additionally, the sales of three facilities were finalized during the first nine months of Fiscal 2009 resulting in $44 million of proceeds reflected in cash from investing activities. As of October 31, 2008, and February 1, 2008, the accrual related to these cost reductions and efficiency actions was $45 million and $35 million, respectively, which is included in accrued and other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.

 

Restricted Cash — Pursuant to an agreement between DFS and CIT, Dell is required to maintain escrow cash accounts that are held as recourse reserves for credit losses, performance fee deposits related to Dell’s private label credit card, and deferred servicing revenue. Restricted cash in the amount of $247 million and $294 million is included in other current assets at October 31, 2008, and February 1, 2008, respectively.

 

Legal Matters — Dell is involved in various claims, suits, investigations, and legal proceedings. As required by SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, Dell accrues a liability when it believes that it is both probable that a liability has been incurred and that it can reasonably estimate the amount of the loss. Dell reviews these accruals at least quarterly and adjusts them to reflect ongoing negotiations, settlements, rulings, advice of legal counsel, and other relevant information. However, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, Dell could incur judgments or enter into settlements of claims that could adversely affect its operating results or cash flows in a particular period.

 

The following is a discussion of Dell’s significant legal matters.

 

 

Dell and several of its current and former directors and officers were named as parties to securities, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (“ERISA”), and shareholder derivative lawsuits all arising out of the same events and facts.

 

Four putative securities class actions that were filed in the Western District of Texas, Austin Division, against Dell and certain of its current and former officers were consolidated as In re Dell Securities Litigation, and a lead plaintiff was appointed by the court. The lead plaintiff asserted claims under sections 10(b), 20(a), and 20A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 based on alleged false and misleading disclosures or omissions regarding Dell’s financial statements, governmental investigations, internal controls, known battery problems and business model, and based on insiders’ sales of Dell securities. This action also included Dell’s

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, as a defendant. On October 6, 2008, the court dismissed all of the plaintiff’s claims with prejudice and without leave to amend. On November 3, 2008, the plaintiff filed a notice of appeal to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals with respect to the dismissal of Dell and the officer defendants.

 

Four other putative class actions that were also filed in the Western District, Austin Division, by purported participants in the Dell 401(k) Plan were consolidated as In re Dell ERISA Litigation, and lead plaintiffs were appointed by the court. The lead plaintiffs asserted claims under ERISA based on allegations that Dell and certain current and former directors and officers imprudently invested and managed participants’ funds and failed to disclose information regarding its stock held in the 401(k) Plan. On June 23, 2008, the court granted the defendants’ motion to dismiss as to the plaintiffs’ claims under ERISA based on allegations of imprudence, but the court denied the motion to dismiss as to the claims under ERISA based on allegations of a failure to accurately disclose information. On October 29, 2008, the court dismissed all of the individual plaintiffs’ claims with prejudice.

 

In addition, seven shareholder derivative lawsuits that were filed in three separate jurisdictions were consolidated as In re Dell Derivative Litigation into three actions. One of those consolidated actions was pending in the Western District of Texas, Austin Division, but was dismissed without prejudice by an order filed October 9, 2007. The second consolidated shareholder derivative action was pending in Delaware Chancery Court. On October 16, 2008, the Delaware court granted the parties’ stipulation to dismiss all of the plaintiffs’ claims in the Delaware lawsuit without prejudice. The third consolidated shareholder derivative action is pending in state district court in Williamson County, Texas. These shareholder derivative lawsuits named various current and former officers and directors as defendants and Dell as a nominal defendant, and asserted various claims derivatively on behalf of Dell under state law, including breaches of fiduciary duties.

 

The Board of Directors received a shareholder demand letter, dated November 12, 2008, asserting allegations similar to those made in the securities and derivative lawsuits against various current and former officers and directors and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and requesting that the Board of Directors investigate and assert claims relating to those allegations on behalf of Dell. The Board of Directors will consider and address the demand.

 

 

On December 29, 2005, Zentralstelle Für private Überspielungrechte (“ZPÜ”), a joint association of various German collection societies, instituted arbitration proceedings against Dell’s German subsidiary before the Arbitration Body in Munich. ZPÜ claims a levy of €18.4 per PC that Dell sold in Germany from January 1, 2002, through December 31, 2005. On July 31, 2007, the Arbitration Body recommended a levy of €15 on each PC sold during that period for audio and visual copying capabilities. Dell and ZPÜ rejected the recommendation, and on February 21, 2008, ZPÜ filed a lawsuit in the German Regional Court in Munich. Dell plans to continue to defend this claim vigorously and does not expect the outcome to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

 

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

 

Dell is involved in various other claims, suits, investigations, and legal proceedings that arise from time to time in the ordinary course of its business. Although Dell does not expect that the outcome in any of these other legal proceedings, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations, litigation is inherently unpredictable. Therefore, Dell could incur judgments or enter into settlements of claims that could adversely affect its operating results or cash flows in a particular period.

 

 

Dell conducts operations worldwide. Effective the first quarter of Fiscal 2009, Dell combined the consumer business of EMEA, APJ, and Americas International (formerly reported through Americas Commercial) with the U.S. Consumer business and re-aligned its management and financial reporting structure. As a result, effective May 2, 2008, Dell’s operating segments consisted of the following four segments: Americas Commercial, EMEA Commercial, APJ Commercial, and Global Consumer. Dell’s commercial business includes sales to corporate, government, healthcare, education, small and medium business customers, and value-added resellers and is managed through the Americas Commercial, EMEA Commercial, and APJ Commercial segments. The Americas Commercial segment, which is based in Round Rock, Texas, encompasses the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. The EMEA Commercial segment, based in Bracknell, England, covers Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; and the APJ Commercial segment, based in Singapore, encompasses the Asian countries of the Pacific Rim as well as Australia, New Zealand, and India. The Global Consumer segment, which is based in Round Rock, Texas, includes global sales and product development for individual consumers and retailers around the world. Dell revised previously reported operating segment information to conform to its new operating segments in effect as of May 2, 2008.

 

Corporate expenses are included in Dell’s measure of segment operating income for management reporting purposes; however, with the adoption of SFAS 123(R), stock-based compensation expense is not allocated to Dell’s operating segments. Beginning in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2008, acquisition-related charges such as in-process research and development and amortization of intangibles are not allocated to Dell’s operating segments.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

The following table presents net revenue by Dell’s reportable segments as well as a reconciliation of consolidated segment operating income to Dell’s consolidated operating income for the three and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007:

 

 

 

Commercial Paper

 

Dell has a commercial paper program with a supporting senior unsecured revolving credit facility that allows Dell to obtain favorable short-term borrowing rates. The commercial paper program and related revolving credit facilities were increased from $1.0 billion to $1.5 billion on April 4, 2008. Dell pays these facilities commitment fees at rates based upon Dell’s credit rating. Unless extended, $500 million expires on April 3, 2009, and $1.0 billion expires on June 1, 2011. The facilities require compliance with conditions that must be satisfied prior to any borrowing, as well as ongoing compliance with specified affirmative and negative covenants, including maintenance of a minimum interest coverage ratio. Amounts outstanding under the facilities may be accelerated for typical defaults, including failure to pay principal or interest, breaches of covenants, non-payment of judgments or debt obligations in excess of $200 million, occurrence of a change of control, and certain bankruptcy events.

 

At October 31, 2008, there was $253 million outstanding under the commercial paper program and no outstanding advances under the related revolving credit facilities. There were no events of default as of October 31, 2008. At February 1, 2008, there were no outstanding advances under the commercial paper program or the related credit facility. Dell uses the proceeds of the program for general corporate purposes.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

India Credit Facilities

 

Dell India Pvt Ltd. (“Dell India”), Dell’s wholly-owned subsidiary, maintains unsecured short-term credit facilities with Citibank N.A. Bangalore Branch India (“Citibank India”) that provide a maximum capacity of $55 million to fund Dell India’s working capital and import buyers’ credit needs. The capacity increased from $30 million to $55 million on August 6, 2008. The incremental $25 million line of credit will expire by December 31, 2008. Financing is available in both Indian Rupees and foreign currencies. The borrowings are extended on an unsecured basis based on Dell’s guarantee to Citibank U.S. Citibank India can cancel the facilities in whole or in part without prior notice, at which time any amounts owed under the facilities will become immediately due and payable. Interest on the outstanding loans is charged monthly and is calculated based on Citibank India’s internal cost of funds plus 0.25%. At October 31, 2008, and February 1, 2008, outstanding advances from Citibank India totaled $12 million and $23 million, respectively, and are included in short-term debt on Dell’s Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

 

Long-Term Debt and Interest Rate Risk Management

 

On April 17, 2008, Dell Inc. issued and sold in a private placement $600 million aggregate principal amount of 4.70% Notes due 2013 (“2013 Notes”), $500 million aggregate principal amount of 5.65% Notes due 2018 (“2018 Notes”) and $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.50% Notes due 2038 (“2038 Notes” and, together with the 2013 Notes and the 2018 Notes, the “Notes”). The Notes were issued pursuant to an Indenture dated as of April 17, 2008 (“Indenture”), between Dell and a trustee. The Indenture provides that the 2013 Notes will bear interest at the rate of 4.70% per year, the 2018 Notes will bear interest at the rate of 5.65% per year, and the 2038 Notes will bear interest at the rate of 6.50% per year. Interest will be payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15. The Notes are unsecured obligations and rank equally with Dell’s existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness. The Notes effectively rank junior to all indebtedness and other liabilities, including trade payables, of Dell’s subsidiaries. The offering of the Notes was made only to qualified institutional buyers in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933 (as amended, “Securities Act”), and to certain non-U.S. persons in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Notes were not registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold except pursuant to an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. Concurrent with the Notes issuance, Dell entered into an Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement as outlined below. The net proceeds from the offering of the Notes were approximately $1.5 billion after payment of expenses of the offering.

 

The Indenture contains customary events of default with respect to the Notes, including failure to make required payments, failure to comply with certain agreements or covenants and certain events of bankruptcy and insolvency. The Indenture also contains covenants limiting Dell’s ability to create certain liens, enter into sale and lease-back transactions and consolidate or merge with, or convey, transfer or lease all or substantially all of Dell’s assets to, another person. As of October 31, 2008, there were no events of default. The Notes will be redeemable, in whole or in part at any time, at Dell’s option, at a “make-whole premium” redemption price calculated by Dell equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the Notes to be redeemed; and (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (not including any portion of such payments of interest accrued as of the date of redemption), discounted to the date of redemption on a semi-annual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months) at the Treasury Rate (as defined in the Indenture) plus 35 basis points, plus accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption.

 

On April 17, 2008, in connection with the sale of the Notes, Dell entered into an Exchange and Registration Rights Agreement (“Registration Rights Agreement”). Under the Registration Rights Agreement, Dell agreed to file with the SEC no later than November 7, 2008, and use its reasonable best efforts to have declared effective within 270 days from the closing date, an exchange offer registration statement pursuant to which Dell will issue in exchange for tendered Notes registered securities containing terms substantially identical to the Notes in all

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
(unaudited)

 

material respects. Dell filed the exchange offer registration statement on September 11, 2008. The exchange offer registration statement was declared effective and the exchange offer was commenced on October 29, 2008.

 

Dell has outstanding the 1998 $300 million 7.10% fixed rate senior debentures due April 15, 2028 (the “Senior Debentures”), which pay interest semi-annually, on April 15 and October 15. The Senior Debentures generally contain no restrictive covenants, other than a limitation on liens on Dell’s assets and a limitation on sale-leaseback transactions involving Dell property. As of October 31, 2008, there were no events of default. An interest rate swap agreement entered into concurrently with the issuance of the Senior Debentures to convert the fixed rate to a floating rate has a notional amount of $300 million and will mature April 15, 2028. The floating rates are based on three-month London Interbank Offered Rates plus 0.79%. As a result of the interest rate swap agreement, Dell’s effective interest rates for the Senior Debentures were 4.03% and 4.17% for the third quarter and first nine months of Fiscal 2009, respectively.

 

The Senior Debentures interest rate swap agreement is designated as a fair value hedge. The changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap is recorded in accordance with SFAS 133 and reflected in the carrying value of the interest rate swap on the balance sheet. The carrying value of the debt is adjusted by an equal and offsetting amount. The estimated fair value of the debt was approximately $355 million at October 31, 2008, compared to a carrying value of $298 million at that date.

 

On April 15, 2008, Dell repaid the principal balance of the 1998 $200 million 6.55% fixed rate senior notes (the “Senior Notes”) upon their maturity. An interest rate swap agreement related to the Senior Notes had a notional amount of $200 million and also matured April 15, 2008. Dell’s effective interest rate for the Senior Notes, prior to repayment, was 4.03% for the first quarter of Fiscal 2009.

 

On November 4, 2008, Dell filed a shelf registration statement with the SEC, which provides Dell with the ability to issue additional term debt subject to market conditions.

 

 

Dell inadvertently failed to register with the SEC the issuance of some shares under certain employee benefit plans. As a result, certain purchasers of securities pursuant to those plans may have had the right to rescind their purchases for an amount equal to the purchase price paid for the securities, plus interest from the date of purchase. At February 1, 2008, approximately 4 million shares ($94 million) were classified outside stockholders’ equity because the redemption features were not within Dell’s control. These shares were treated as outstanding for financial reporting purposes. Dell may also be subject to civil and other penalties by regulatory authorities as a result of the failure to register. Dell made a registered rescission offer to eligible plan participants effective as of August 12, 2008. The registered rescission offer expired on September 26, 2008, and payments of $26 million under the offer have been substantially completed. With the completion of the rescission offer, $15 million was recorded to Treasury Stock, which represents the fair market value of the rescinded shares on September 26, 2008. The remaining shares that were presented in the mezzanine section of the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position have been reclassified to common stock within shareholder’s equity on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of October 31, 2008.

 

SPECIAL NOTE:  This section, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” contains forward-looking statements based on our current expectations. Actual results in future periods may differ materially from those expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements because of a number of risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of risk factors affecting our business and prospects, see “Part II — Item 1A — Risk Factors”.

 

All percentage amounts and ratios were calculated using the underlying data in thousands. Unless otherwise noted, all references to industry share and total industry growth data are for personal computers (including desktops, notebooks, and x86 servers), and are based on preliminary information provided by IDC Worldwide Quarterly PC Tracker, October 24, 2008. Share data is for the calendar quarter and all our growth rates are on a fiscal year-over-year basis. Unless otherwise noted, all references to time periods refer to our fiscal periods.

 

Overview

 

Our Company

 

As a leading technology company, we offer a broad range of product categories, including desktop PCs, notebooks, software and peripherals, servers and networking products, services, and storage. We are the number one supplier of personal computer systems in the United States, and the number two supplier worldwide.

 

We have manufacturing locations around the world and relationships with third-party original equipment manufacturers. This structure allows us to optimize our global supply chain to best serve our global customer base. We continue to expand our supply chain which allows us to enhance product design and features, shorten product development cycles, improve logistics, and lower costs, thus improving our competitiveness.

 

We were founded on the core principle of a direct customer business model which included build to order hardware for consumer and commercial customers. The inherent velocity of this model, which included a highly efficient global supply chain, allowed for low inventory levels and the ability to be the industry leader in selling the most relevant technology, at the best value, to our customers. Our direct relationships with customers also allowed us to bring to market products that featured customer driven innovation, thereby allowing us to be on the forefront of changing user requirements and needs. Over time we have expanded our business model to include a broader portfolio of products, including services, and we have also added new distribution channels, such as consumer retail, system integrators, and value added resellers, which allow us to reach even more end-users around the world. We also offer various financing alternatives, asset management services, and other customer financial services for business and consumer customers. As a part of our overall growth strategy, we have executed targeted acquisitions to augment select areas of our business with more products, services, and technology.

 

Our new distribution channels include the launch in Fiscal 2008 of our global retail initiative, offering select products in retail stores in the Americas; Europe, Middle East, and Africa (“EMEA”); and Asia Pacific-Japan (“APJ”). In Fiscal 2008, we also launched PartnerDirect, a global program that will bring our existing value-added reseller programs under one umbrella including training, certification, deal registration, focused sales and customer care, and a dedicated web portal.

 

We continue to simplify technology and lower costs for our customers while expanding our business opportunities. Underpinning these goals is our commitment to achieving world-class competitiveness, low cost and expense, any-to-any supply chain, services and solutions, and sales effectiveness. We are currently focused on five key growth priorities which, when coupled with our core competencies, we believe will drive an optimal balance of long-term sustained growth, profitability, and cash flow:

 

 

 

We continue to invest in initiatives that will align our new and existing products around customers’ needs in order to drive long-term, sustainable growth, profitability, and cash flow. We also continue to grow our business organically and through acquisitions. During the first nine months of Fiscal 2009, we acquired two companies, with the larger being MessageOne, Inc. These acquisitions are targeted to further expand our service capabilities. We expect to make more acquisitions in the future.

Third Quarter Performance

 

During the third quarter of Fiscal 2009, we faced a challenging IT end-user demand environment as current economic conditions influenced global customer spending behavior. We saw a meaningful decline in global IT end-user demand in September versus August, and this trend continued into October. Given the challenging environment, we focused on profitable growth opportunities, operating expense reductions, and optimizing product costs. In the third quarter, we also realized greater than typical declines in component costs. We believe that global IT industry end-user demand will continue to be challenging, and we will continue to focus on diversifying our revenue and profit base, optimizing our product mix, and aggressively managing our cost structure.

 

 

Results of Operations

 

The following table summarizes the results of our operations for the three and nine-month periods ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007:

 

 

Consolidated Operations

 

Consolidated revenue decreased 3% year-over-year for the third quarter of Fiscal 2009 and increased 6%, year-over-year, for the first nine months of Fiscal 2009. During the third quarter of Fiscal 2009, our global commercial business revenue declined 6% year-over-year on a unit shipment decline of 5% due to the challenging global IT end-user demand environment. Our global consumer business partially offset the declines in our global commercial business by posting year-over-year revenue growth of 10% for the third quarter of Fiscal 2009. For the first nine months of Fiscal 2009, our global commercial business grew 3% year-over-year and our global consumer business grew 19% year-over-year. During the third quarter of Fiscal 2009, we grew revenue in our mobility, software and peripherals, and services product lines as compared to the third quarter of Fiscal 2008. For the first nine months of Fiscal 2009, we grew revenue across all of our product lines with the exception of desktops. Revenue outside the U.S. comprised 48% of consolidated revenue for the third quarter of Fiscal 2009, compared to 46% for the same period last year. Collectively, Brazil, Russia, India, and China (“BRIC”) year-over-year revenue growth was 20% on unit growth of 43% for the third quarter of Fiscal 2009. To continue to capitalize on and increase international

growth, we are tailoring solutions to meet specific regional needs, enhancing relationships to provide customer choice and flexibility, and expanding into these and other emerging countries that represent 85% of the world’s population.

 

The U.S. Dollar strengthened during the third quarter of Fiscal 2009 against most major currencies, especially the Euro and British Pound. In such an environment, foreign denominated revenues and expenses translate to less U.S. Dollars. We manage our business on a U.S. Dollar basis and we have a comprehensive hedging program to substantially mitigate, but not completely eliminate, the impact of currency fluctuations on our financial results. We may periodically adjust local currency product and services pricing in response to currency fluctuations. The impact of the currency movements on our revenue growth in the third quarter of Fiscal 2009 was a benefit of approximately 2% - 3% against the same period of last year.

 

Operating income increased 22% year-over-year to $1.0 billion from $829 million for the third quarter of Fiscal 2009 as compared to the third quarter of Fiscal 2008. The improvement in operating income was driven by lower component costs, an improved mix of products and services, and lower operating expenses as we began to realize the benefits from our cost-improvement initiatives. Operating expenses declined 11%, reaching its lowest level in the past seven quarters. The increase in profitability as a percentage of revenue was most pronounced in the results of our APJ Commercial and Global Consumer segments. In the third quarter, the Global Consumer segment operating income was 4% of revenue. In the near-term, we expect the operating income percentage for Global Consumer to be in the 1% - 2% range as we balance profitability with growth in our expansion in this strategic market. Net income decreased 5% year-over-year to $727 million during the third quarter of Fiscal 2009. Impacting net income was a decline in investment and other, net and a higher effective income tax rate due to our geographic mix of pre-tax income.

 

Operating income increased 3% year-over-year to $2.7 billion for the nine months ended October 31, 2008. The increase in operating income was due to reduced operating expenses, component cost declines, and an improved mix of product and services. We continued to carefully manage our operating expenses while continuing to invest in selected strategic areas. In addition, for the first nine months of Fiscal 2009, adjustments to correct items related to prior periods, in the aggregate, increased income before taxes by approximately $110 million. The two largest of these corrections include a reversal of the excess amount of the provision for Fiscal 2008 employee bonuses and foreign exchange rate errors. Correcting these errors increased income before tax by $46 million and $42 million, respectively. We recorded the correction of these errors in the first quarter of Fiscal 2009. For the first nine months of Fiscal 2009, net income decreased 6% year-over-year to $2.1 billion. Net income was impacted by a decline in investment and other, and an increase in our effective tax rate for the first nine months of Fiscal 2009.

 

Our average selling price (total revenue per unit sold) during the third quarter and first nine months of Fiscal 2009 decreased 6% and 7%, respectively, year-over-year, which primarily resulted from our actions to increase our presence in consumer retail. Our recent market strategy has been to concentrate on solutions sales to drive a more profitable mix of products and services, while pricing our products to remain competitive in the marketplace. In the third quarter and first nine months of Fiscal 2009, we continued to see competitive pressure, particularly for lower priced desktops and notebooks, as we targeted a broader range of products and price bands. We expect that this competitive pricing environment will continue for the foreseeable future.

 

Revenues by Segment

 

We conduct operations worldwide. Effective the first quarter of Fiscal 2009, our operating structure consisted of the following four segments: Americas Commercial, EMEA Commercial, APJ Commercial, and Global Consumer. Our commercial business includes sales to corporate, government, healthcare, education, small and medium business customers, and value-added resellers and is managed through the Americas Commercial, EMEA Commercial, and APJ Commercial segments. The Americas Commercial segment, which is based in Round Rock, Texas, encompasses the U.S., Canada, and Latin America. The EMEA Commercial segment, based in Bracknell, England, covers Europe, the Middle East, and Africa; and the APJ Commercial segment, based in Singapore, encompasses the Asian countries of the Pacific Rim as well as Australia, New Zealand, and India. The Global Consumer segment, which is based in Round Rock, Texas, includes global sales and product development for individual consumers and retailers around the world. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in “Part I — Item 1 — Financial Statements” for additional information about our operating segments.

During the first nine months of Fiscal 2008, we began selling desktop and notebook computers, printers, ink, and toner through retail channels in the Americas, EMEA, and APJ in order to expand our customer base. Our goal is to have strategic relationships with a number of major retailers in our larger geographic regions. During the third quarter of Fiscal 2009, we continued to expand our global retail presence, and we now reach approximately 20,000 retail locations worldwide.

 

The following table summarizes our revenue by reportable segment for three and nine-month period ended October 31, 2008, and November 2, 2007: