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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Aug. 01, 2021
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CASH FLOW INFORMATION  
Fiscal Period, Policy

The Company uses a 52/53 week fiscal year with quarters ending on the last Sunday in the reporting period. The third quarter ends for fiscal year 2021 and 2020 were August 1, 2021 and August 2, 2020, respectively. Both third quarters contained 13 weeks, while both year-to-date periods contained 39 weeks. Unless otherwise stated, references to particular years, quarters, or months refer to the Company’s fiscal years generally ending in October and the associated periods in those fiscal years.

Use of Estimates in Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and related disclosures. The COVID pandemic has resulted in uncertainties in the Company’s business, which may result in actual results differing from those estimates.

Financing Receivables - Non-Performing, Policy

The Company monitors the credit quality of financing receivables based on delinquency status. Past due balances of financing receivables still accruing finance income represent the total balance held (principal plus accrued interest) with any payment amounts 30 days or more past the contractual payment due date. Non-performing financing receivables represent loans for which the Company has ceased accruing finance income. The Company ceases accruing finance income, and accrued finance income previously recognized is reversed when these receivables are generally 90 days delinquent. Generally, when receivables are 120 days delinquent the estimated uncollectible amount from the customer is written off to the allowance for credit losses. Finance income for non-performing receivables is recognized on a cash basis. Accrual of finance income is generally resumed when the receivable becomes contractually current and collections are reasonably assured.

Allowance for Credit Losses, Policy

The allowance for credit losses is an estimate of the credit losses expected over the life of the Company’s receivable portfolio. The Company measures expected credit losses on a collective basis when similar risk characteristics exist. Risk characteristics

considered by the Company include finance product category, market, geography, credit risk, and remaining duration. Receivables that do not share risk characteristics with other receivables in the portfolio are evaluated on an individual basis. Non-performing financing receivables are included in the estimate of expected credit losses.

The Company utilizes loss forecast models, which are selected based on the size and credit risk of the underlying pool of receivables, to estimate expected credit losses. Transition matrix models are used for large and complex customer receivable pools, while weighted average remaining maturity models are used for smaller and less complex customer receivable pools. Expected credit losses on wholesale receivables are based on historical loss rates, adjusted for current economic conditions. The modeled expected credit losses are adjusted based on reasonable and supportable forecasts, which may include economic indicators such as commodity prices, industry equipment sales, unemployment rates, and housing starts. Management reviews each model’s output quarterly, and qualitative adjustments are incorporated as necessary.

Troubled Debt Restructuring, Policy A troubled debt restructuring is generally the modification of debt in which a creditor grants a concession it would not otherwise consider to a debtor that is experiencing financial difficulties. These modifications may include a reduction of the stated interest rate, an extension of the maturity date, a reduction of the face amount or maturity amount of the debt, or a reduction of accrued interest.
Inventory Valuation, Policy Most inventories owned by Deere & Company and its U.S. equipment subsidiaries and certain foreign equipment subsidiaries are valued at cost on the “last-in, first-out” (LIFO) method.
Product Warranties

The Company generally determines its total warranty liability by applying historical claims rate experience to the estimated amount of equipment that has been sold and is still under warranty based on dealer inventories and retail sales. The historical claims rate is primarily determined by a review of five-year claims costs and current quality developments.

Extended Product Warranty, Policy The premiums for extended warranties are primarily recognized in income in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred over the contract period.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy

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. To determine fair value, the Company uses various methods including market and income approaches. The Company utilizes valuation models and techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs. The models are industry-standard models that consider various assumptions including time values and yield curves as well as other economic measures. These valuation techniques are consistently applied.

Derivative Financial Instruments

It is the Company’s policy that derivative transactions are executed only to manage exposures arising in the normal course of business and not for the purpose of creating speculative positions or trading. The Company’s financial services operations manage the relationship of the types and amounts of their funding sources to their receivable and lease portfolio in an effort to diminish risk due to interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations, while responding to favorable financing opportunities. The Company also has foreign currency exposures at some of its foreign and domestic operations related to buying, selling, and financing in currencies other than the functional currencies. In addition, the Company has interest rate exposure at certain equipment operations units for below market retail financing programs that are used as sales incentives and are offered for extended periods.

All derivatives are recorded at fair value on the balance sheet. Cash collateral received or paid is not offset against the derivative fair values on the balance sheet. Each derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, a fair value hedge, or remains undesignated. All designated hedges are formally documented as to the relationship with the hedged item as well as the risk-management strategy. Both at inception and on an ongoing basis the hedging instrument is assessed as to its effectiveness. If and when a derivative is determined not to be highly effective as a hedge, the underlying hedged transaction is no longer likely to occur, the hedge designation is removed, or the derivative is terminated, hedge accounting is discontinued.