9. Financing Arrangements

Long-Term Debt

The following table summarizes information relating to our long-term debt, which we collectively refer to as our Senior Notes (in millions, except interest rates):

	October 27, 2017						April 28, 2017
				Effective						Effective
	Amount			Interest Rate			Amount			Interest Rate
2.00% Senior Notes Due December 2017	$	750			2.25	%	$	750			2.25	%
2.00% Senior Notes Due September 2019		400			2.32	%		—		N/A
3.375% Senior Notes Due June 2021		500			3.54	%		500			3.54	%
3.25% Senior Notes Due December 2022		250			3.43	%		250			3.43	%
3.30% Senior Notes Due September 2024		400			3.42	%		—		N/A
Total principal amount		2,300						1,500
Unamortized discount and issuance costs		(10	)					(7	)
Total senior notes		2,290						1,493
Less: Current portion of long-term debt		(750	)					(749	)
Total long-term debt	$	1,540					$	744

__________________

N/A - Not applicable

Senior Notes

In September 2017, we issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 2.00% Senior Notes due on September 27, 2019 and $400 million aggregate principal amount of 3.30% Senior Notes due on September 29, 2024. We received total proceeds of approximately $795 million, net of discount and issuance costs, which will be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of our outstanding 2.00% Senior Notes due December 2017. Interest on these Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in March and September. Our 3.375% Senior Notes, 2.00% Senior Notes due December 2017 and 3.25% Senior Notes, with principal amounts of $500 million, $750 million and $250 million, respectively, were issued in June 2014, December 2012 and December 2012, respectively. Interest on these Senior Notes is paid semi-annually in June and December. Our Senior Notes, which are unsecured, unsubordinated obligations, rank equally in right of payment with any existing and future senior unsecured indebtedness.

We may redeem the Senior Notes in whole or in part, at any time at our option at specified redemption prices. In addition, upon the occurrence of certain change of control triggering events, we may be required to repurchase the Senior Notes under specified terms. The Senior Notes also include covenants that limit our ability to incur debt secured by liens on assets or on shares of stock or indebtedness of our subsidiaries; to engage in certain sale and lease-back transactions; and to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets. As of October 27, 2017, we were in compliance with all covenants associated with the Senior Notes.

On October 4, 2017, we issued a notice to redeem all our 2.00% Senior Notes due December 2017. On November 3, 2017, the notes were extinguished through redemption for cash at an aggregate redemption price of $751 million, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

As of October 27, 2017, our aggregate future principal debt maturities, including the 2.00% Senior Notes due December 2017, are as follows (in millions):

Fiscal Year	Amount
Remainder of 2018	$	750
2020		400
2022		500
Thereafter		650
Total	$	2,300

Commercial Paper Program and Credit Facility

We have a commercial paper program (the Program), under which we may issue unsecured commercial paper notes. Amounts available under the Program, as amended on July 17, 2017, may be borrowed, repaid and re-borrowed, with the aggregate face or principal amount of the notes outstanding under the Program at any time not to exceed $1.0 billion. The maturities of the notes can vary, but may not exceed 397 days from the date of issue. The notes are sold under customary terms in the commercial paper market and may be issued at a discount from par or, alternatively, may be sold at par and bear interest at rates dictated by market conditions at the time of their issuance. The proceeds from the issuance of the notes are used for general corporate purposes. As of October 27, 2017, we had commercial paper notes outstanding with an aggregate principal amount of $719 million, a weighted-average interest rate of 1.43% and maturities ranging from 13 days to 44 days. As of April 28, 2017, we had commercial paper notes outstanding with an aggregate principal amount of $500 million, a weighted-average interest rate of 1.26% and maturities ranging from 7 days to 38 days.

In connection with the Program, we have a senior unsecured credit agreement with a syndicated group of lenders that expires on December 10, 2021. The credit agreement, as amended on July 17, 2017, provides a $1.0 billion revolving unsecured credit facility, with a $50 million letter of credit sub-facility, that serves as a back-up for the Program. Proceeds from the facility may also be used for general corporate purposes to the extent that the credit facility exceeds the outstanding debt issued under the Program. The credit agreement includes options that allow us to request an increase in the facility of up to an additional $300 million and to extend its maturity date for two additional one-year periods, both subject to certain conditions. As of October 27, 2017 we were in compliance with all associated covenants in this agreement. No amounts were drawn against this facility during any of the periods presented.

Sale-leaseback Transactions

In fiscal 2016, we entered into a sale-leaseback arrangement of certain of our land and buildings, under which we leased back certain of our properties rent free over lease terms ending at various dates ranging from March 31, 2017 to December 31, 2017, unless terminated early by us. Due to the existence of a prohibited form of continuing involvement, these properties did not qualify for sale-leaseback accounting and as a result they have been accounted for as financing transactions under lease accounting standards. Under the financing method, until such time as the related leases are terminated, the assets will remain on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and proceeds received by us from these transactions are reported as financing obligations. As of October 27, 2017, the balance of the remaining financing obligations, which relate to properties whose leases we expect to terminate in December 2017, was $130 million. At the end of the leaseback period, or when our continuing involvement under the leaseback agreement ends, this transaction will be reported as a non-cash sale and extinguishment of financing obligations, and the difference between the then net book value of the properties and the unamortized balance of the financing obligations will be recognized as a gain.