MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements present the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows of Marriott International, Inc. (“Marriott,” and together with its subsidiaries “we,” “us,” or the “Company”). In order to make this report easier to read, we refer throughout to (i) our Consolidated Financial Statements as our “Financial Statements,” (ii) our Consolidated Statements of Income as our “Income Statements,” our Consolidated Balance Sheets as our “Balance Sheets,” (iii) our properties, brands or markets in the continental United States and Canada as “North America” or “North American,” (iv) our properties, brands or markets outside of the continental United States and Canada as “international,” and (v) Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-16, “Transfers and Servicing (Topic 860): Accounting for Transfers of Financial Assets” (“ASU No. 2009-16”) and Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-17, “Consolidations (Topic 810): Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities” (“ASU No. 2009-17”) both of which we adopted on the first day of 2010 as the “new Transfers of Financial Assets and Consolidation standards.”

In accordance with the guidance for noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements, references in this report to our earnings per share, net income, and shareholders’ equity attributable to Marriott do not include noncontrolling interests (previously known as minority interests), which we report separately.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods, and the disclosures of contingent liabilities. Accordingly, ultimate results could differ from those estimates.

Because we permanently shut down our synthetic fuel business in 2007, we segregated the balances and activities of our synthetic fuel reportable segment and report them as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all normal and recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly our financial position at fiscal year-end 2010 and fiscal year-end 2009 and the results of our operations and cash flows for fiscal years 2010, 2009, and 2008. We have eliminated all material intercompany transactions and balances between entities consolidated in these financial statements. We have also reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to our 2010 presentation.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards Resulting in Consolidation of Special Purpose Entities

On January 2, 2010, the first day of the 2010 fiscal year, we adopted the new Transfers of Financial Assets and Consolidation standards (which were originally known as Financial Accounting Standards Nos. 166 and 167).

We use certain special purpose entities to securitize Timeshare segment notes receivables, which prior to our adoption of these new standards we treated as off-balance sheet entities. We retain the servicing rights and varying subordinated interests in the securitized notes. Pursuant to GAAP in effect prior to the 2010 fiscal year, we did not consolidate these special purpose entities in our financial statements because the securitization transactions qualified as sales of financial assets.

As a result of adopting the new Transfers of Financial Assets and Consolidation standards on the first day of 2010, we consolidated 13 existing qualifying special purpose entities associated with past securitization transactions. We recorded a one-time non-cash pretax reduction to shareholders’ equity of $238 million in 2010, representing the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. Including the related $92 million decrease in deferred tax liabilities, the after-tax reduction to shareholders’ equity totaled $146 million. The one-time non-cash after-tax reduction to shareholders’ equity was approximately $41 million greater than we had estimated for this charge, as disclosed in our 2009 Form 10-K, primarily due to increased notes receivable reserves recorded for the newly consolidated notes receivable. This increase in reserves was due to a change in estimate of uncollectible accounts based on historical experience. We now reserve for 100 percent of notes that are in default in addition to the reserve we record on the remaining notes.

We recorded the cumulative effect of the adoption of these standards to our financial statements in 2010. This consisted primarily of reestablishing the notes receivable (net of reserves) that we had transferred to special purpose entities as a result of the securitization transactions, eliminating residual interests that we initially recorded in connection with those transactions (and subsequently revalued on a periodic basis), the impact of recording debt obligations associated with third-party interests held in the special purpose entities, and related adjustments to inventory balances accounted for using the relative sales value method. We adjusted the inventory balance to include anticipated future revenue from the resale of inventory that we expect to acquire when we foreclose on defaulted notes.

Adopting these topics had the following impacts on our Balance Sheet at January 2, 2010: (1) assets increased by $970 million, primarily representing the consolidation of notes receivable (and corresponding reserves) partially offset by the elimination of our retained interests; (2) liabilities increased by $1,116 million, primarily representing the consolidation of debt obligations associated with third party interests; and (3) shareholders’ equity decreased by approximately $146 million. Adopting these topics also impacted our 2010 Income Statement by increasing interest income (reflected in Timeshare sales and services revenue) from securitized notes and increasing interest expense from consolidation of debt obligations, partially offset by the absence of accretion income on residual interests that were eliminated. We do not expect to recognize gains or losses from future securitizations of our timeshare notes as a result of the adoption of these topics. Our adoption of these topics on January 2, 2010 did not have a significant impact on our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flow because the resulting increase in assets and liabilities was primarily non-cash.

Please also see the parenthetical disclosures on our Balance Sheets that show the amounts of consolidated assets and liabilities associated with variable interest entities (including those associated with our Timeshare segment securitizations) that we consolidated. Also see the “New Accounting Standards” caption later in this footnote for additional information regarding ASU Nos. 2009-16 and 2009-17.

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest to December 31. The fiscal years in the following table encompass a 52-week period, except for 2002 and 2008, which both encompass a 53-week period. Unless otherwise specified, each reference to a particular year in this Form 10-K means the fiscal year ended on the date shown in the following table, rather than the corresponding calendar year:

Revenue Recognition

Our revenues include: (1) base management and incentive management fees; (2) franchise fees; (3) revenues from lodging properties owned or leased by us; (4) timeshare sales and services, which also includes resort rental revenue, interest income associated with our “Loans to timeshare owners,” Timeshare segment note securitization gains, and revenue from our points-based use system; and (5) cost reimbursements. Management fees comprise a base fee, which is a percentage of the revenues of hotels, and an incentive fee, which is generally based on hotel profitability. Franchise fees comprise initial application fees and continuing royalties generated from our franchise programs, which permit the hotel owners and operators to use certain of our brand names. Cost reimbursements include direct and indirect costs that are reimbursed to us by lodging properties that we manage or franchise.

Base Management and Incentive Management Fees: We recognize base management fees as revenue when earned in accordance with the contract. In interim periods and at year-end, we recognize incentive management fees that would be due as if the contract were to terminate at that date, exclusive of any termination fees payable or receivable by us.

• Franchise Fee Revenue: We recognize franchise fees as revenue in each accounting period as fees are earned from the franchisee.
• Owned and Leased Units: We recognize room sales and revenues from other guest services for our owned and leased units when rooms are occupied and services have been rendered.
• Timeshare and Fractional Intervals and Condominiums: We recognize sales when: (1) we have received a minimum of ten percent of the purchase price; (2) the purchaser’s period to cancel for a refund has expired; (3) we deem the receivables to be collectible; and (4) we have attained certain minimum sales and construction levels. We defer all revenue using the deposit method for sales that do not meet all four of these criteria. For sales that do not qualify for full revenue recognition as the project has progressed beyond the preliminary stages but has not yet reached completion, all revenue and profit are deferred and recognized in earnings using the percentage of completion method. Timeshare segment deferred revenue at year-end 2010 and 2009 was $56 million and $63 million, respectively.
• Timeshare Points-Based Use System Revenue: As sales under this points-based use system are considered to be the sale of real estate, we recognize these sales when the criteria noted in the “Timeshare and Fractional Intervals and Condominiums” caption are met.
• Timeshare Residential (Stand-Alone Structures): We recognize sales under the full accrual method of accounting when we receive our proceeds and transfer title at settlement.
• Cost Reimbursements: We recognize cost reimbursements from managed, franchised, and timeshare properties when we incur the related reimbursable costs.
• Other Revenue: Includes third-party licensing fees, branding fees for third party residential sales and credit card licensing, land rental income, and other revenue.

Ground Leases

We are both the lessor and lessee of land under long-term operating leases, which include scheduled increases in minimum rents. We recognize these scheduled rent increases on a straight-line basis over the initial lease term.

Real Estate Sales

We reduce gains on sales of real estate by the maximum exposure to loss if we have continuing involvement with the property and do not transfer substantially all of the risks and rewards of ownership. In sales transactions where we retain a management contract, the terms and conditions of the management contract are generally comparable to the terms and conditions of the management contracts obtained directly with third-party owners in competitive bid processes.

Profit Sharing Plan

We contribute to a profit sharing plan for the benefit of employees meeting certain eligibility requirements and electing participation in the plan. Contributions are determined based on a specified percentage of salary deferrals by participating employees. We recognized compensation costs from profit sharing of $86 million in 2010, $94 million in 2009, and $111 million in 2008.

Self-Insurance Programs

We are self-insured for certain levels of property, liability, workers’ compensation and employee medical coverage. We accrue estimated costs of these self-insurance programs at the present value of projected settlements for known and incurred but not reported claims. We use a discount rate of 2.0 percent to determine the present value of the projected settlements, which we consider to be reasonable given our history of settled claims, including payment patterns and the fixed nature of the individual settlements.

We are subject to a variety of assessments related to our insurance activities, including those by state guaranty funds and workers’ compensation second-injury funds. Our liabilities recorded for assessments are reflected within the amounts shown in our Balance Sheets on the other current liabilities line, are not discounted, and totaled $5 million at year-end 2010 and $4 million at year-end 2009. The $5 million liability for assessments as of year-end 2010 is expected to be paid by the end of 2011.

Our Rewards Programs

Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards are our frequent guest loyalty programs. Program members earn points based on their monetary spending at our lodging operations, purchases of timeshare interval, fractional ownership, and residential products and, to a lesser degree, through participation in affiliated partners’ programs, such as those offered by car rental and credit card companies. Points, which we track on members’ behalf, can be redeemed for stays at most of our lodging operations, airline tickets, airline frequent flyer program miles, rental cars, and a variety of other awards; however, points cannot be redeemed for cash. We provide Marriott Rewards and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards as marketing programs to participating properties, with the objective of operating the programs on a break-even basis to us. As members earn points at properties and other program partners, we sell the points for amounts that we expect will, in the aggregate, equal the costs of point redemptions and program operating costs over time.

We defer revenue received from managed, franchised, and Marriott-owned/leased hotels and program partners equal to the fair value of our future redemption obligation. We determine the fair value of the future redemption obligation based on statistical formulas that project timing of future point redemption based on historical levels, including an estimate of the “breakage” for points that will never be redeemed, and an estimate of the points that will eventually be redeemed. These judgment factors determine the required liability for outstanding points. Our rewards programs’ liability totaled $1,799 million and $1,647 million at year-end 2010 and 2009, respectively. A ten percent reduction in the estimate of “breakage” would have resulted in an estimated $90 million increase in the liability at year-end 2010.

Our management and franchise agreements require that we be reimbursed currently for the costs of operating the program, including marketing, promotion, communication with, and performing member services for rewards program members. Due to the requirement that properties reimburse us for program operating costs as incurred, we recognize the related cost reimbursements revenues from properties in connection with our rewards programs at the time such costs are incurred and expensed. We recognize the component of revenue from program partners that corresponds to program maintenance services over the expected life of the points awarded. Upon the redemption of points, we recognize as revenue the amounts previously deferred and recognize the corresponding expense relating to the costs of the awards redeemed.

Guarantees

We record a liability for the fair value of a guarantee on the date a guarantee is issued or modified. The offsetting entry depends on the circumstances in which the guarantee was issued. Funding under the guarantee reduces the recorded liability. When no funding is forecasted, the liability is amortized into income on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of the guarantee. On a quarterly basis, we evaluate all material estimated liabilities based on the operating results and the terms of the guarantee. If we conclude that it is probable that we will be required to fund a greater amount than previously estimated, we will record a loss unless the advance would be recoverable in the form of a loan.

Rebates and Allowances

We participate in various vendor rebate and allowance arrangements as a manager of hotel properties. There are three types of programs that are common in the hotel industry that are sometimes referred to as “rebates” or “allowances,” including unrestricted rebates, marketing (restricted) rebates and sponsorships. The primary business purpose of these arrangements is to secure favorable pricing for our hotel owners for various products and services or enhance resources for promotional campaigns co-sponsored by certain vendors. More specifically, unrestricted rebates are funds returned to the buyer, generally based upon volumes or quantities of goods purchased. Marketing (restricted) allowances are funds allocated by vendor agreements for certain marketing or other joint promotional initiatives. Sponsorships are funds paid by vendors, generally used by the vendor to gain exposure at meetings and events, which are accounted for as a reduction of the cost of the event.

We account for rebates and allowances as adjustments of the prices of the vendors’ products and services. We show vendor costs and the reimbursement of those costs as reimbursed costs and cost reimbursements revenue, respectively; therefore, rebates are reflected as a reduction of these line items.

Cash and Equivalents

We consider all highly liquid investments with an initial maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents.

Restricted Cash

Restricted cash in our Balance Sheets at year-end 2010 and year-end 2009 is recorded as $55 million and $54 million, respectively, in the “Other current assets” line and $30 million and $22 million, respectively, in the “Other long-term assets” line. Restricted cash primarily consists of cash held in a reserve account related to Timeshare segment notes receivable securitizations; cash held internationally that we have not repatriated due to statutory, tax and currency risks; and deposits received, primarily associated with timeshare interval, fractional ownership, and residential sales that are held in escrow until the associated contract has closed.

Assets Held for Sale

We consider properties (other than Timeshare segment interval, fractional ownership, and residential products, which we classify as inventory) to be assets held for sale when all of the following criteria are met:

• management commits to a plan to sell a property;
• it is unlikely that the disposal plan will be significantly modified or discontinued;
• the property is available for immediate sale in its present condition;
• actions required to complete the sale of the property have been initiated;
• sale of the property is probable and we expect the completed sale will occur within one year; and
• the property is actively being marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable given its current market value.

Upon designation as an asset held for sale, we record the carrying value of each property at the lower of its carrying value or its estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell, and we cease depreciation.

At year-end 2010 and 2009, we had no assets held for sale or liabilities related to assets held for sale.

Loan Loss Reserves

Senior, Mezzanine, and Other Loans

We make loans to owners of hotels that we operate or franchise, typically to facilitate the development of a hotel and sometimes to facilitate brand programs or initiatives. We expect the owners to repay the loans in accordance with the loan agreements, or earlier as the hotels mature and capital markets permit. We use metrics such as loan-to-value ratios, debt service coverage, collateral, etc., to assess the credit quality of the loan receivable upon entering into the loan agreement and on an ongoing basis as applicable.

On a regular basis, we individually assess all of these loans for impairment. Internally generated cash flow projections are used to determine if the loans are expected to be repaid according to the terms of the loan agreements. If it is probable that a loan will not be repaid in accordance with the loan agreement, we consider the loan impaired and begin recognizing interest income on a cash basis. To measure impairment, we calculate the present value of expected future cash flows discounted at the loan’s original effective interest rate or the estimated fair value of the collateral. If the present value or the estimated collateral is less than the carrying value of the loan receivable, we establish a specific impairment reserve for the difference.

If it is likely that a loan will not be collected based on financial or other business indicators, including our historical experience, it is our policy to charge off these loans in the quarter when it is deemed uncollectible.

Loans to Timeshare Owners

We record an estimate of expected uncollectibility on all notes receivable from timeshare purchasers as a reduction of revenue at the time we recognize profit on a timeshare sale. We fully reserve all defaulted notes in addition to recording a reserve on the estimated uncollectible portion of the remaining notes. For those notes not in default, we assess collectibility based on pools of receivables because we hold large numbers of homogeneous timeshare notes receivable. We estimate uncollectibles for the pool based on historical activity for similar timeshare notes receivable.

Although we consider loans to timeshare owners past due if we do not receive payment within 30 days of the due date, we suspend accrual of interest only on those that are over 90 days past due. We consider loans over 150 days past due to be in default. We apply payments we receive for loans on non-accrual status first to interest, then principal, and any remainder to fees. We resume accruing interest when loans are less than 90 days past due. We do not accept payments for notes during the foreclosure process unless the amount is sufficient to pay all principal, interest, fees and penalties owed and fully reinstate the note. We write uncollectible notes off against the reserve once we receive title through the foreclosure or deed-in-lieu process. At year-end 2010, we estimated an average remaining default rate of 9.25 percent for both non-securitized and securitized timeshare notes receivable. An increase of 0.5 percent in the estimated default rate would have resulted in an increase in our allowance for credit losses of $6 million.

For additional information on our notes receivable, including information on the related reserves, see Footnote No. 11, “Notes Receivable.”

Valuation of Goodwill

We evaluate the fair value of goodwill to assess potential impairments at the end of each fiscal year, or during the year if an event or other circumstance indicates that we may not be able to recover the carrying amount of the asset. In the first step of the review process, we compare the estimated fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying value. If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, no further analysis is needed.

If the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we proceed to the second step of the review process to calculate the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill in order to determine whether any impairment is required. We calculate the implied fair value of the reporting unit goodwill by allocating the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. If the carrying value of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill, we recognize an impairment loss for that excess amount. In allocating the estimated fair value of the reporting unit to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, we use industry and market data, as well as knowledge of the industry and our past experiences.

We base our calculation of the estimated fair value of a reporting unit on the income approach. For the income approach, we use internally developed discounted cash flow models that include, among others, the following assumptions: projections of revenues and expenses and related cash flows based on assumed long-term growth rates and demand trends; expected future investments to grow new units; and estimated discount rates. We base these assumptions on our historical data and experience, third-party appraisals, industry projections, micro and macro general economic condition projections, and our expectations.

We have not recorded a goodwill impairment charge in the last three fiscal years, and at year-end 2010, the estimated fair value of each of our reporting units’ exceeded its’ respective carrying amount by more than 100 percent based on our models and assumptions.

For additional information related to goodwill, including the amounts of goodwill by segment, see Footnote No. 17, “Business Segments.”

Investments

We consolidate entities that we control. We account for investments in joint ventures using the equity method of accounting when we exercise significant influence over the venture. If we do not exercise significant influence, we account for the investment using the cost method of accounting. We account for investments in limited partnerships and limited liability companies using the equity method of accounting when we own more than a minimal investment. Our ownership interest in these equity method investments varies generally from 10 percent to 49 percent.

The fair value of our available-for-sale securities totaled $18 million and $18 million at year-end 2010 and year-end 2009, respectively. The amount of net losses reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income as a result of the sale of available-for-sale securities totaled zero and ($4) million for 2010 and 2009, respectively. We determined the cost basis of the securities sold using specific identification.

Costs Incurred to Sell Real Estate Projects

We charge the majority of sales and marketing costs we incur to sell timeshares to expense when incurred. Deferred selling and marketing costs were $6 million at year-end 2010 and $5 million at year-end 2009 and are included in the accompanying Balance Sheets in the “Other” caption within the “Current assets” section. If a contract is canceled, we charge unrecoverable direct selling and marketing costs to expense and record deposits forfeited as income.

Valuation of Intangibles and Long-Lived Assets

We test intangibles and long-lived asset groups for recoverability when changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable, for example, when there are material adverse changes in projected revenues or expenses, significant underperformance relative to historical or projected operating results, and significant negative industry or economic trends. We also perform a test for recoverability when management has committed to a plan to sell or otherwise dispose of an asset group and the plan is expected to be completed within a year. We evaluate recoverability of an asset group by comparing its carrying value to the future net undiscounted cash flows that we expect will be generated by the asset group. If the comparison indicates that the carrying value of an asset group is not recoverable, we recognize an impairment loss for the excess of carrying value over the estimated fair value. When an impairment loss is recognized for assets to be held and used, we depreciate the adjusted carrying amount of those assets over their remaining useful life.

We base our calculations of the estimated fair value of an intangible asset or asset group on the income approach or the market approach. The assumptions and methodology we utilize for the income approach are the same as those described in the “Valuation of Goodwill” caption. For the market approach, we use internal analyses based primarily on market comparables and assumptions about market capitalization rates, growth rates, and inflation.

For information on impairment losses that we recorded in 2009 and 2008 associated with intangibles and long-lived assets, see Footnote No. 20, “Timeshare Strategy-Impairment Charges” and Footnote No. 21, “Restructuring Costs and Other Charges” of the Notes to the Financial Statements in our 2009 Form 10-K. For information on impairment losses that we recorded in 2010 associated with long-lived assets, see Footnote No. 8, “Property and Equipment.”

Valuation of Investments in Ventures

We sometimes hold a minority equity interest in ventures established to develop timeshare interval, fractional ownership and residential properties or to develop or acquire and own hotel properties. These ventures are generally limited liability companies or limited partnerships, and our equity interest in these ventures generally ranges from 10 percent to 49 percent.

We evaluate an investment in a venture for impairment when circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, for example due to loan defaults, significant under performance relative to historical or projected operating performance and significant negative industry or economic trends.

We impair investments accounted for using the equity and cost methods of accounting when we determine that there has been an “other than temporary” decline in the estimated fair value as compared to the carrying value, of the venture. Additionally, a commitment to a plan to sell some or all of the assets in a venture could cause a recoverability evaluation for the individual long-lived assets in the venture and possibly the venture itself.

We calculate the estimated fair value of an investment in a venture using either a market approach or an income approach. The assumptions and methodology we utilize for the income approach are the same as those described in the “Valuation of Goodwill” caption. For the market approach, we use internal analyses based primarily on market comparables and assumptions about market capitalization rates, growth rates, and inflation.

For information regarding impairment losses that we recorded in 2009 and 2008 associated with investments in ventures, see Footnote No. 20, “Timeshare Strategy-Impairment Charges” and Footnote No. 21, “Restructuring Costs and Other Charges” in the Notes to the Financial Statements in our 2009 Form 10-K.

Timeshare Segment Residual Interests

We periodically securitize notes receivable originated by our Timeshare segment. We continue to service the notes after securitization, and we retain servicing assets and other interests in the notes. Historically, we accounted for these residual interests, including the servicing assets, as trading securities under the then-applicable standards for accounting for certain investments in debt and equity securities. At the dates of sale and at the end of each reporting period, we estimated the fair value of our residual interests using a Level 3 discounted cash flow model.

For additional information, including the elimination of our residual interests upon adoption of the new Transfers of Financial Assets and Consolidation standards, see the “Adoption of New Accounting Standards Resulting in Consolidation of Special Purpose Entities” caption of this footnote, Footnote No. 5, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” and Footnote No. 12, “Asset Securitizations.”

Fair Value Measurements

We have various financial instruments we must measure at fair value on a recurring basis, including certain marketable securities and derivatives. See Footnote No. 5, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” for further information. We also apply the provisions of fair value measurement to various non-recurring measurements for our financial and non-financial assets and liabilities.

Fair value is defined 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 (an exit price). We measure our assets and liabilities using inputs from the following three levels of the fair value hierarchy:

• Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date.
• Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).
• Level 3 includes unobservable inputs that reflect our assumptions about what factors market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. We develop these inputs based on the best information available, including our own data.

Derivative Instruments

The designation of a derivative instrument as a hedge and its ability to meet the hedge accounting criteria determine how we reflect the change in fair value of the derivative instrument in our Financial Statements. A derivative qualifies for hedge accounting if, at inception, we expect the derivative to be highly effective in offsetting the underlying hedged cash flows or fair value and we fulfill the hedge documentation standards at the time we enter into the derivative contract. We designate a hedge as a cash flow hedge, fair value hedge, or a net investment in non-U.S. operations hedge based on the exposure we are hedging. The asset or liability value of the derivative will change in tandem with its fair value. For the effective portion of qualifying hedges, we record changes in fair value in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). We release the derivative’s gain or loss from OCI to match the timing of the underlying hedged items’ effect on earnings.

We review the effectiveness of our hedging instruments on a quarterly basis, recognize current period hedge ineffectiveness immediately in earnings, and discontinue hedge accounting for any hedge that we no longer consider to be highly effective. We recognize changes in fair value for derivatives not designated as hedges or those not qualifying for hedge accounting in current period earnings. Upon termination of cash flow hedges, we release gains and losses from OCI based on the timing of the underlying cash flows or revenue recognized, unless the termination results from the failure of the intended transaction to occur in the expected timeframe. Such untimely transactions require us to immediately recognize in earnings, gains and losses that we previously recorded in OCI.

Changes in interest rates, currency exchange rates, and equity securities expose us to market risk. We manage our exposure to these risks by monitoring available financing alternatives, as well as through development and application of credit granting policies. We also use derivative instruments, including cash flow hedges, net investment in non-U.S. operations hedges, fair value hedges, and other derivative instruments, as part of our overall strategy to manage our exposure to market risks. As a matter of policy, we only enter into transactions that we believe will be highly effective at offsetting the underlying risk, and we do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. See Footnote No. 5, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments,” for additional information. Non-U.S. Operations

The U.S. dollar is the functional currency of our consolidated and unconsolidated entities operating in the United States. The functional currency for our consolidated and unconsolidated entities operating outside of the United States is generally the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity primarily generates and expends cash. For consolidated entities whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar, we translate their financial statements into U.S. dollars, and we do the same, as needed, for unconsolidated entities whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar. We translate assets and liabilities at the exchange rate in effect as of the financial statement date, and translate income statement accounts using the weighted average exchange rate for the period. We include translation adjustments from currency exchange and the effect of exchange rate changes on intercompany transactions of a long-term investment nature as a separate component of shareholders’ equity. We report gains and losses from currency exchange rate changes related to intercompany receivables and payables that are not of a long-term investment nature, as well as gains and losses from non-U.S. currency transactions, currently in operating costs and expenses, and those amounted to a loss of $7 million in 2010, a loss of less than $1 million in 2009, and a $6 million loss in 2008. Gains and other income for 2010 included $2 million attributable to currency translation adjustment losses, net of gains, from the sale or complete or substantially complete liquidation of investments. There were no similar gains or losses in 2008 and 2009.

Legal Contingencies

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims, the outcomes of which are subject to significant uncertainty. We record an accrual for legal contingencies when we determine that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. In making such determinations we evaluate, among other things, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and, when it is probable that a liability has been incurred, our ability to make a reasonable estimate of the loss. We review these accruals each reporting period and make revisions based on changes in facts and circumstances.

Income Taxes

We record the amounts of taxes payable or refundable for the current year, as well as deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences of events that we have recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. We use judgment in assessing future profitability and the likely future tax consequences of events that we have recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. We base our estimates of deferred tax assets and liabilities on current tax laws, rates and interpretations, and, in certain cases, business plans and other expectations about future outcomes. We develop our estimates of future profitability and based on our historical data and experience, industry projections, micro and macro general economic condition projections, and our expectations.

Changes in existing tax laws and rates, their related interpretations, as well as the uncertainty generated by the current economic environment may affect the amounts of deferred tax liabilities or the valuations of deferred tax assets over time. Our accounting for deferred tax consequences represents management’s best estimate of future events that can be appropriately reflected in the accounting estimates.

For tax positions we have taken or expect to take in a tax return, we apply a more likely than not threshold, under which we must conclude a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained, assuming that the position will be examined by the appropriate taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information, in order to continue to recognize the benefit. In determining our provision for income taxes, we use judgment, reflecting our estimates and assumptions, in applying the more likely than not threshold.

For information about income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities, see footnote No. 2, “Income Taxes.”

New Accounting Standards

New Transfers of Financial Assets and Consolidation Standards

On the first day of 2010, we adopted ASU No. 2009-16, which amended Topic 860, “Transfers and Servicing,” by: (1) eliminating the concept of a qualifying special-purpose entity (“QSPE”); (2) clarifying and amending the criteria for a transfer to be accounted for as a sale; (3) amending and clarifying the unit of account eligible for sale accounting; and (4) requiring that a transferor initially measure at fair value and recognize all assets obtained (for example beneficial interests) and liabilities incurred as a result of a transfer of an entire financial asset or group of financial assets accounted for as a sale. In addition, this topic requires us to evaluate entities for consolidation that had been treated as QSPEs under previous accounting guidance. The topic also mandates that we supplement our disclosures about, among other things, our continuing involvement with transfers of financial assets previously accounted for as sales, the inherent risks in our retained financial assets, and the nature and financial effect of restrictions on the assets that we continue to report in our Balance Sheet.

We also adopted ASU No. 2009-17 on the first day of 2010, which changed the consolidation guidance applicable to variable interest entities (“VIEs”). This topic also amended the guidance on determination of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, and is, therefore, required to consolidate an entity, by requiring a qualitative, rather than the prior quantitative, analysis of the VIE. The new qualitative analysis includes, among other things, consideration of who has the power to direct those activities that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and who has the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits of the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. This topic also mandates that an enterprise continually reassess whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE, in contrast to the prior standard that required the primary beneficiary only be reassessed when specific events occurred. This topic now also expressly applies to QSPEs, which were previously exempt, and requires additional disclosures about an enterprise’s involvement with a VIE.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13 “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605): Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements” (“ASU No. 2009-13”)

We adopted ASU No. 2009-13 in the 2010 third quarter as required by the guidance and applied it retrospectively to the first day of 2010. ASU No. 2009-13 addresses the accounting for multiple-deliverable arrangements (complex contracts or related contracts that require the separate delivery of multiple goods and/or services) by expanding the circumstances in which vendors may account for deliverables separately rather than as a combined unit. This update clarifies the guidance on how to separate such deliverables and how to measure and allocate consideration for these arrangements to one or more units of accounting. The previous guidance required a vendor to use vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of selling price to separate deliverables in multiple-deliverable arrangements. In addition to retaining this guidance, in situations where vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence is not available, ASU No. 2009-13 requires a vendor to allocate arrangement consideration to each deliverable in multiple-deliverable arrangements based on each deliverable’s relative selling price. Our adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements, and we do not expect it will have a material effect on our financial statements in future periods.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-06 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820): Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements” (“ASU No. 2010-06”)

We adopted certain provisions of ASU No. 2010-06 in the 2010 first quarter. Those provisions amended Subtopic 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures – Overall,” by requiring additional disclosures for transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements, as well as requiring fair value measurement disclosures for each “class” of assets and liabilities, a subset of the captions in our Balance Sheets. Our adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements or disclosures, as we had no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements and no material classes of assets and liabilities that required additional disclosure. See “Future Adoption of Accounting Standards” for the provisions of this topic that apply to future periods.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-09 “Subsequent Events (Topic 855): Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements” (“ASU No. 2010-09”)

We adopted ASU No. 2010-09 in the 2010 first quarter. ASU No. 2010-09 amended Subtopic 855-10, “Subsequent Events – Overall,” by removing the requirement for a United States Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registrant to disclose a date, in both issued and revised financial statements, through which that filer had evaluated subsequent events. Accordingly, we removed the related disclosure from the “Basis of Presentation” caption of Footnote No. 1, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.” Our adoption did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update No. 2010-20 “Receivables (Topic 310): Disclosures about the Credit Quality of Financing Receivables and the Allowance for Credit Losses” (“ASU No. 2010-20”)

We adopted ASU No. 2010-20 in the 2010 fourth quarter. ASU No. 2010-20 amends existing guidance by requiring more robust and disaggregated disclosures by an entity about the credit quality of its financing receivables and its allowance for credit losses. These disclosures provide financial statement users with additional information about the nature of credit risks inherent in our financing receivables, how we analyze and assess credit risk in determining our allowance for credit losses, and the reasons for any changes we may make in our allowance for credit losses. Our adoption of this update primarily resulted in increased notes receivable disclosures (see Footnote No. 11, “Notes Receivable”), but did not have any other impact on our financial statements.

Future Adoption of Accounting Standards

ASU No. 2010-06 – Provisions Effective in the 2011 First Quarter

Certain provisions of ASU No. 2010-06 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010, which for us will be our 2011 first quarter. Those provisions, which amended Subtopic 820-10, will require us to present as separate line items all purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements of financial instruments valued using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) in the reconciliation of fair value measurements, in contrast to the current aggregate presentation as a single line item. Although this may change the appearance of our fair value reconciliations, we do not believe the adoption will have a material impact on our financial statements or disclosures.