COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES |
NOTE8 COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Severance Costs and Facility Actions In Fiscal 2008, Dell announced a comprehensive review of costs that is currently ongoing. Since this announcement and through the end of the second quarter of Fiscal 2010, Dell has reduced its headcount and closed or sold certain Dell facilities. Results of operations for the second quarter and first six months of Fiscal 2010 include net pre-tax charges of $87million and $272million, respectively, for these actions, which is comprised of $62million and $237million, respectively, related to headcount reduction and a net $25million and $35million, respectively, related to facility actions, including accelerated depreciation. In the second quarter and first half of Fiscal 2009, costs related to severance and facility action expenses were $25million and $131million, respectively. As of July31, 2009, and January30, 2009, the accrual related to these cost reductions and efficiency actions was $188million and $98million, respectively, which is included in accrued and other liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position.
Restricted Cash Pursuant to an agreement between Dell and CIT, Dell is required to maintain escrow cash accounts that are held as recourse reserves for credit losses, performance fee deposits related to Dells private label credit card, and deferred servicing revenue. Restricted cash in the amount of $168million and $213million is included in other current assets at July31, 2009, and January30, 2009, respectively.
Legal Matters Dell is involved in various claims, suits, assessments, investigations, and legal proceedings that arise from time-to-time in the ordinary course of its business, including matters involving consumer, antitrust, tax, intellectual property, and other issues on a global basis. While Dell does not expect that the ultimate outcomes in these proceedings, individually or collectively, will have a material adverse effect on its business, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, the results and timing of the ultimate resolutions of these various proceedings are inherently unpredictable. Whether the outcome of any claim, suit, assessment, investigation, or legal proceeding, individually or collectively, could have a material effect on Dells business, financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows will depend on a number of variables, including the nature, timing, and amount of any associated expenses, amounts paid in settlement, damages or other remedies or consequences. As required by SFASNo.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. To the extent new information is obtained and Dells views on the probable outcomes of claims, suits, assessments, investigations, or legal proceedings change, changes in Dells accrued liabilities would be reco |