10-QPeriod: Q3 FY2006

Motorola Solutions, Inc. Quarterly Report for Q3 Ended Sep 30, 2006

Filed November 2, 2006For Securities:MSI

Summary

Motorola Solutions, Inc. (MSI) filed its 10-Q for the period ending September 29, 2006. The filing primarily details the company's quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, focusing on foreign currency and interest rate exposures. MSI actively manages its foreign currency risk through various derivative instruments, including forward contracts and options, to hedge against fluctuations in major currencies like the Chinese Renminbi and Euro, with significant outstanding hedge positions noted. The company also employs interest rate swaps to manage the mix of fixed and variable rates on its debt portfolio, particularly converting fixed-rate notes to LIBOR-based variable rates. Furthermore, the report addresses significant legal proceedings, including the ongoing Iridium bankruptcy court lawsuit seeking over $4 billion in damages, a shareholder derivative case related to Iridium and Telsim, and class action securities litigation. While management believes most pending legal matters, excluding certain Iridium cases, will not have a material adverse effect on the company's financial position, the potential outcomes of these lawsuits represent a notable risk factor for investors. The company also outlines its stock repurchase activities, including the completion of its 2005 Stock Repurchase Program and the initiation of a new 2006 Stock Repurchase Program.

Key Highlights

  • 1Motorola Solutions is actively hedging its foreign currency exposure with substantial outstanding foreign exchange contracts, totaling $2.4 billion as of September 30, 2006.
  • 2The company utilizes interest rate swaps to manage its debt structure, converting $2.6 billion in fixed-rate debt to variable rates.
  • 3Significant legal proceedings are ongoing, including a major lawsuit related to Iridium seeking over $4 billion in damages, with trial having commenced.
  • 4Management believes that most pending legal proceedings, except for certain Iridium-related cases, will not materially impact the company's financial position.
  • 5The company completed its 2005 stock repurchase program and initiated a new 2006 stock repurchase program with $4.5 billion authorized.
  • 6Motorola Solutions has robust disclosure controls and procedures in place, with no changes materially affecting internal controls reported during the quarter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Motorola Solutions is exposed to foreign currency risk as a multinational company. The company actively manages this risk by using financial instruments like forward contracts and options to hedge against currency fluctuations on its cash flows, receivables, payables, firm commitments, and forecasted transactions. As of September 30, 2006, the company had net outstanding foreign exchange contracts totaling $2.4 billion.

The company is involved in significant litigation related to Iridium. A lawsuit by the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors of Iridium seeks over $4 billion in damages for breach of contract, warranty, fiduciary duty, and fraudulent transfers. The trial for this case began on October 23, 2006. While management believes that most pending legal proceedings will not have a material adverse effect, an unfavorable outcome in one or more of the Iridium-related cases could materially impact Motorola's consolidated financial position, liquidity, or results of operations.

Motorola Solutions manages its interest rate risk by entering into interest rate swaps. These swaps allow the company to convert fixed-rate debt payments into short-term LIBOR-based variable rate payments, aiming to manage the mix of fixed and floating rates in its debt portfolio. As of September 30, 2006, the company had $2.642 billion in outstanding interest rate swaps designated as part of a fair value hedging relationship.

Motorola Solutions has been actively repurchasing its shares. During the quarter ending September 30, 2006, the company completed its 2005 Stock Repurchase Program, which authorized up to $4 billion in repurchases. On July 24, 2006, the company also announced a new 2006 Stock Repurchase Program, authorizing up to an additional $4.5 billion in repurchases over a 36-month period, none of which had been executed by the end of the third quarter.