Cisco 2012 Annual Report Download - page 121

The notional amounts of the Company’s outstanding derivatives are summarized as follows (in millions):
July 28, 2012 July 30, 2011
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency derivatives - cash flow hedges ......... $ 2,910 $ 3,433
Interest rate derivatives ............................ 4,250 4,250
Net investment hedging instruments .................. 468 73
Equity derivatives ................................ 272 —
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency derivatives ........................ 6,241 4,565
Total return swaps-deferred compensation ............. 269 262
Total ....................................... $14,410 $12,583
(b) Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
The Company conducts business globally in numerous currencies. Therefore, it is exposed to adverse movements
in foreign currency exchange rates. To limit the exposure related to foreign currency changes, the Company
enters into foreign currency contracts. The Company does not enter into such contracts for trading purposes.
The Company hedges forecasted foreign currency transactions related to certain operating expenses and service
cost of sales with currency options and forward contracts. These currency option and forward contracts,
designated as cash flow hedges, generally have maturities of less than 18 months. The Company assesses
effectiveness based on changes in total fair value of the derivatives. The effective portion of the derivative
instrument’s gain or loss is initially reported as a component of AOCI and subsequently reclassified into earnings
when the hedged exposure affects earnings. The ineffective portion, if any, of the gain or loss is reported in
earnings immediately. During the fiscal years presented, the Company did not discontinue any cash flow hedges
for which it was probable that a forecasted transaction would not occur.
The Company enters into foreign exchange forward and option contracts to reduce the short-term effects of
foreign currency fluctuations on assets and liabilities such as foreign currency receivables, including long-term
customer financings, investments, and payables. These derivatives are not designated as hedging instruments.
Gains and losses on the contracts are included in other income, net, and substantially offset foreign exchange
gains and losses from the remeasurement of intercompany balances or other current assets, investments, or
liabilities denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the reporting entity.
The Company hedges certain net investments in its foreign operations with forward contracts to reduce the
effects of foreign currency fluctuations on the Company’s net investment in those foreign subsidiaries. These
derivative instruments generally have maturities of up to six months.
(c) Interest Rate Risk
Interest Rate Derivatives, Investments The Company’s primary objective for holding fixed income securities is to
achieve an appropriate investment return consistent with preserving principal and managing risk. To realize these
objectives, the Company may utilize interest rate swaps or other derivatives designated as fair value or cash flow
hedges. As of July 28, 2012 and July 30, 2011, the Company did not have any outstanding interest rate
derivatives related to its fixed income securities.
Interest Rate Derivatives Designated as Fair Value Hedge, Long-Term Debt In fiscal 2011, the Company entered
into interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges related to fixed-rate senior notes that were issued in
March 2011 and are due in 2014 and 2017. In fiscal 2010, the Company entered into interest rate swaps
designated as fair value hedges for a portion of senior fixed-rate notes that were issued in 2006 and are due in
2016. Under these interest rate swaps, the Company receives fixed-rate interest payments and makes interest
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