10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2005

Motorola Solutions, Inc. Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Jul 2, 2005

Filed August 10, 2005For Securities:MSI

Summary

This 10-Q filing for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) as of July 2, 2005, primarily details the company's management of foreign currency risks and ongoing legal proceedings. MSI actively hedges its foreign currency exposures using financial instruments like forward contracts and options to mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations on its global operations. The company has significant outstanding foreign exchange contracts, with the Euro, Chinese Yuan, and Canadian Dollar being the largest hedged positions. Additionally, the filing addresses the recent change in China's currency policy, noting its potential impact on MSI's Asian operations. Significant attention is given to various legal disputes, including those related to wireless telephone usage, two-way radio usage, Iridium, and a substantial loan default by Telsim. While the company believes most proceedings will not materially impact its financial position, ongoing litigation, particularly concerning Telsim and Iridium, presents potential risks. The company also provides an update on its share repurchase program, indicating significant buybacks during the quarter under a new authorized program.

Key Highlights

  • 1Motorola Solutions is actively managing foreign currency risk through hedging strategies, with substantial exposure to Euro, Chinese Yuan, and Canadian Dollar.
  • 2The company notes the recent change in China's currency policy (Yuan floating against a basket of currencies) and its potential impact on Asian operations.
  • 3Significant legal proceedings continue, including those related to past wireless phone usage claims (with some appeals exhausted), two-way radio usage, and substantial financial disputes surrounding Iridium and Telsim.
  • 4The company has a large outstanding judgment and ongoing arbitration related to the Telsim loan default, with collection efforts continuing despite complexities.
  • 5Motorola Solutions repurchased approximately 9.16 million shares of common stock in the quarter, totaling over $3.8 billion under a newly authorized stock repurchase program.
  • 6Disclosure controls and procedures were evaluated and found to be effective by senior management, with no material changes to internal control over financial reporting during the quarter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Motorola Solutions uses financial instruments, primarily forward contracts and options, to hedge its exposure to foreign currency fluctuations. The company's policy is to offset gains and losses on these instruments against those on underlying operational cash flows or investments. Almost all non-functional currency receivables and payables in major currencies are hedged. As of July 2, 2005, the company had net outstanding foreign exchange contracts totaling $3.4 billion.

Motorola Solutions is owed approximately $2 billion from Telsim, a Turkish wireless operator that defaulted in 2001. The company has fully reserved the carrying value of these loans. Legal proceedings include a U.S. civil action against the Uzan family, resulting in a $2.13 billion compensatory damages judgment in favor of Motorola Credit Corporation, with ongoing enforcement actions. Additionally, a Swiss arbitration awarded Motorola an additional $1.73 billion (now valued around $2.5 billion with interest) against Telsim. There is also an ongoing arbitration against the Turkish government regarding the expropriation of Motorola's investment in Telsim.

The company is involved in various legal proceedings. While management believes most will not have a material adverse effect, the Iridium-related cases and the Telsim litigation present potential risks. An unfavorable outcome in one or more of the pending Iridium cases could materially affect Motorola's financial position, liquidity, or results of operations. The Telsim situation involves significant judgments and ongoing collection efforts, which are complex and lengthy.

In May 2005, Motorola's Board of Directors authorized a new Stock Repurchase Program allowing the company to repurchase up to $4.0 billion of its outstanding common stock over a 36-month period ending May 31, 2008. During the quarter ended July 2, 2005, the company purchased approximately 9.16 million shares, totaling about $17.86 per share on average, with a significant portion of these purchases occurring under this new program.