SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Jul. 28, 2019
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 2019 and 2018 were July 28, 2019 and July 29, 2018, respectively. Both periods contained 13 weeks.
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. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition	Sales of equipment and service parts. Sales of equipment and service parts are recognized when each of the following criteria are met: (1) the Company and an independent customer approve a contract with commercial substance, (2) the sales price is determinable and collectability of the payments are probable based on the terms outlined in the contract, and (3) control of the goods has transferred to the customer. Transfer of control generally occurs for equipment and service parts when the good is delivered as specified in the contract and the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred. In the U.S. and most international locations, this transfer occurs primarily when goods are shipped. In Canada and some other international locations, certain goods are shipped to dealers on a consignment basis under which the risks and rewards of ownership are not transferred to the dealer at the time the goods are shipped. Accordingly, in these locations, sales are not recorded until a retail customer has purchased the goods. Generally, no right of return exists on sales of equipment. In limited instances, equipment is transferred to a customer or a financial institution with an obligation to repurchase the equipment for a specified amount, which is exercisable at the customer’s option. When the equipment is expected to be repurchased, those arrangements are accounted for as leases. When the operating lease criteria are met, no sale is recorded at the time of the equipment transfer and the difference between sale price and the specified repurchase amount is recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis until the customer’s option expires. When this equipment is not expected to be repurchased, a sale is recorded with a return obligation. Under the terms of sales agreements with dealers, interest-free periods are determined based on the type of equipment sold and the time of year of the sale. These periods range from one to twelve months for most equipment. Interest-free periods may not be extended. Interest is primarily charged to dealers on outstanding balances, from the earlier of the date when goods are sold to retail customers by the dealer or the expiration of certain interest-free periods granted at the time of the sale to the dealer, until payment is received by the Company. Interest charged may not be forgiven and the past due interest rates exceed market rates. Dealers cannot cancel purchases after the equipment is shipped and are responsible for payment even if the equipment is not sold to retail customers. If the interest-free or below market interest rate period exceeds one year, the Company adjusts the expected sales revenue for the effects of the time value of money using a current market interest rate. The revenue related to the financing component is recognized in finance and interest income using the interest method. The Company elected to not adjust the sales price to account for a financing component if the expected interest-free or below market period is one year or less. Service parts and certain attachments returns are estimable and accrued at the time a sale is recognized. The estimated parts returns are recorded in other assets for the inventory value of estimated part returns, adjusted for restocking fees. The estimated dealer refund liability, adjusted for restocking fees, is recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses. The estimated returns are based on historical return rates, current dealer inventory levels, and current economic conditions. Sales incentives. In certain markets, the Company provides sales incentives to dealers. These incentives may be based on a dealer’s purchase volume, or on retail sales incentive programs for allowances and financing programs that will be due when the dealer sells the equipment to a retail customer. At the time of the sale to a dealer, the Company records an estimated cost of these programs as a reduction to the sales price. The estimated cost is based on historical data, field inventory levels, and forecasted sales volumes. The final cost of these programs is determined at the end of the measurement period for volume based incentives or when the dealer sells the equipment to a retail customer. Actual cost differences from the original cost estimate are recognized in net sales. Product warranties. For most equipment and parts sales, the Company provides a standard warranty to provide assurance that the equipment will function as intended for a specified period. At the time a sale is recognized, the estimated future warranty costs are recorded. The Company generally determines its total warranty liability by applying historical warranty 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 with consideration of current quality developments. The Company also offers extended warranty arrangements for purchase at the customer’s option. The premiums for extended warranties are recognized in other income in the statement of consolidated income primarily in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred over the contract period. The unamortized extended warranty premiums (deferred revenue) are recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet. Remanufactured components and parts. The Company remanufactures used engines and components (cores) that are sold to dealers and end customers for maintenance and repair parts. Revenue for remanufactured components is recognized using the same criteria as other parts sales. When a remanufactured part is sold, the Company collects a deposit that is repaid if the customer returns a core that meets certain specifications within a defined time period. The deposit received from the customer is recognized as a liability in accounts payable and accrued expenses and the used component that is expected to be returned is recognized in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. When a customer returns a core, the deposit is repaid, the liability reversed, and the returned core is recorded in inventory to be remanufactured and sold to another customer. If a core is not returned within the required time as estimated, the deposit is recognized as revenue in net sales, and the estimated core return is recorded as an expense in cost of sales in the statement of consolidated income. Precision guidance, telematics, and other information enabled solutions. Certain equipment is sold with precision guidance, telematics, and other information gathering and analyzing capabilities. The solutions require hardware, software, and include an obligation to provide telematic services for a specific period of time. These solutions are generally bundled with the sale of the equipment and can also be purchased or renewed separately. The revenue related to the hardware and embedded software is generally recognized at the time of the equipment sale and recorded in net sales in the consolidated statement of income. The revenue for the future services is generally deferred and recognized over the service period. The deferred revenue is recorded as a contract liability in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet and is recognized in other income with the associated expenses recognized in other operating expenses in the statement of consolidated income. Allowance for credit losses. The Company also records an allowance for credit losses related to the receivables from sales (trade receivables and certain financing receivables) in selling, administrative and general expenses. The allowance represents an estimate of the losses inherent in the receivable portfolio. The allowance is based on many quantitative and qualitative factors. The adequacy of the allowance is reviewed quarterly. Sales and transaction taxes. The Company collects and remits taxes assessed by different governmental authorities that are both imposed on and concurrent with revenue producing transactions between the Company and its customers. These taxes include sales, use, value-added, and some excise taxes. The Company elected to exclude these taxes from the determination of sales price (excluded from revenues). Shipping and handling costs. Shipping and handling costs related to the sales of the Company’s equipment after a customer obtains control of the equipment are accrued at the time of the sale in cost of sales. Contract costs. The Company elected to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred because the asset’s amortization period would be one year or less.
Financing Receivables - Non-Performing, Policy	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. Beginning in the first quarter of 2019, the Company ceased accruing finance income when these receivables are generally 90 days delinquent. Previously, finance income ceased accruing when the receivables were generally 120 days delinquent. This change in estimate was made on a prospective basis and did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Management’s methodology to determine the collectability of delinquent accounts was not affected by the change. Generally, when receivables are 120 days delinquent the estimated uncollectible amount, after charging the dealer’s withholding account, if any, 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. Financing receivables are considered impaired when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms. Receivables reviewed for impairment generally include those that are either past due, or have provided bankruptcy notification, or require significant collection efforts. Receivables that are impaired are generally classified as non-performing.
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 dates, a reduction of the face amount or maturity amount of the debt, or a reduction of accrued interest. During the first nine months of 2019, the Company identified 416 receivable contracts, primarily trade receivables and retail notes, as troubled debt restructurings with aggregate balances of $34 million pre-modification and $33 million post-modification. During the first nine months of 2018, there were 410 receivable contracts, primarily retail notes, identified as troubled debt restructurings with aggregate balances of $22 million pre-modification and $22 million post-modification. During these same periods, there were no significant troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted and were written off. At July 28, 2019, the Company had commitments to lend approximately $13 million to borrowers whose accounts were modified in troubled debt restructurings.
Inventory Valuation, Policy	A majority of inventory 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. If all of the Company’s inventories had been valued on a “first-in, first-out” (FIFO) method, estimated inventories by major classification in millions of dollars would have been as follows:
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. These unamortized extended warranty premiums (deferred revenue) included in the following table totaled $542 million and $486 million at July 28, 2019 and July 29, 2018, respectively.
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, along with periodic long-term debt issuances. 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, or the underlying hedged transaction is no longer likely to occur, or the hedge designation is removed, or the derivative is terminated, hedge accounting is discontinued.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Jul. 28, 2019

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND CASH FLOW INFORMATION

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 2019 and 2018 were July 28, 2019 and July 29, 2018, respectively. Both periods contained 13 weeks.

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. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Sales of equipment and service parts. Sales of equipment and service parts are recognized when each of the following criteria are met: (1) the Company and an independent customer approve a contract with commercial substance, (2) the sales price is determinable and collectability of the payments are probable based on the terms outlined in the contract, and (3) control of the goods has transferred to the customer. Transfer of control generally occurs for equipment and service parts when the good is delivered as specified in the contract and the risks and rewards of ownership are transferred. In the U.S. and most international locations, this transfer occurs primarily when goods are shipped. In Canada and some other international locations, certain goods are shipped to dealers on a consignment basis under which the risks and rewards of ownership are not transferred to the dealer at the time the goods are shipped. Accordingly, in these locations, sales are not recorded until a retail customer has purchased the goods. Generally, no right of return exists on sales of equipment.

In limited instances, equipment is transferred to a customer or a financial institution with an obligation to repurchase the equipment for a specified amount, which is exercisable at the customer’s option. When the equipment is expected to be repurchased, those arrangements are accounted for as leases. When the operating lease criteria are met, no sale is recorded at the time of the equipment transfer and the difference between sale price and the specified repurchase amount is recognized as revenue on a straight-line basis until the customer’s option expires. When this equipment is not expected to be repurchased, a sale is recorded with a return obligation.

Under the terms of sales agreements with dealers, interest-free periods are determined based on the type of equipment sold and the time of year of the sale. These periods range from one to twelve months for most equipment. Interest-free periods may not be extended. Interest is primarily charged to dealers on outstanding balances, from the earlier of the date when goods are sold to retail customers by the dealer or the expiration of certain interest-free periods granted at the time of the sale to the dealer, until payment is received by the Company. Interest charged may not be forgiven and the past due interest rates exceed market rates. Dealers cannot cancel purchases after the equipment is shipped and are responsible for payment even if the equipment is not sold to retail customers. If the interest-free or below market interest rate period exceeds one year, the Company adjusts the expected sales revenue for the effects of the time value of money using a current market interest rate. The revenue related to the financing component is recognized in finance and interest income using the interest method. The Company elected to not adjust the sales price to account for a financing component if the expected interest-free or below market period is one year or less.

Service parts and certain attachments returns are estimable and accrued at the time a sale is recognized. The estimated parts returns are recorded in other assets for the inventory value of estimated part returns, adjusted for restocking fees. The estimated dealer refund liability, adjusted for restocking fees, is recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses. The estimated returns are based on historical return rates, current dealer inventory levels, and current economic conditions.

Sales incentives. In certain markets, the Company provides sales incentives to dealers. These incentives may be based on a dealer’s purchase volume, or on retail sales incentive programs for allowances and financing programs that will be due when the dealer sells the equipment to a retail customer. At the time of the sale to a dealer, the Company records an estimated cost of these programs as a reduction to the sales price. The estimated cost is based on historical data, field inventory levels, and forecasted sales volumes. The final cost of these programs is determined at the end of the measurement period for volume based incentives or when the dealer sells the equipment to a retail customer. Actual cost differences from the original cost estimate are recognized in net sales.

Product warranties. For most equipment and parts sales, the Company provides a standard warranty to provide assurance that the equipment will function as intended for a specified period. At the time a sale is recognized, the estimated future warranty costs are recorded. The Company generally determines its total warranty liability by applying historical warranty 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 with consideration of current quality developments. The Company also offers extended warranty arrangements for purchase at the customer’s option. The premiums for extended warranties are recognized in other income in the statement of consolidated income primarily in proportion to the costs expected to be incurred over the contract period. The unamortized extended warranty premiums (deferred revenue) are recorded in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet.

Remanufactured components and parts. The Company remanufactures used engines and components (cores) that are sold to dealers and end customers for maintenance and repair parts. Revenue for remanufactured components is recognized using the same criteria as other parts sales. When a remanufactured part is sold, the Company collects a deposit that is repaid if the customer returns a core that meets certain specifications within a defined time period. The deposit received from the customer is recognized as a liability in accounts payable and accrued expenses and the used component that is expected to be returned is recognized in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet. When a customer returns a core, the deposit is repaid, the liability reversed, and the returned core is recorded in inventory to be remanufactured and sold to another customer. If a core is not returned within the required time as estimated, the deposit is recognized as revenue in net sales, and the estimated core return is recorded as an expense in cost of sales in the statement of consolidated income.

Precision guidance, telematics, and other information enabled solutions. Certain equipment is sold with precision guidance, telematics, and other information gathering and analyzing capabilities. The solutions require hardware, software, and include an obligation to provide telematic services for a specific period of time. These solutions are generally bundled with the sale of the equipment and can also be purchased or renewed separately. The revenue related to the hardware and embedded software is generally recognized at the time of the equipment sale and recorded in net sales in the consolidated statement of income. The revenue for the future services is generally deferred and recognized over the service period. The deferred revenue is recorded as a contract liability in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the consolidated balance sheet and is recognized in other income with the associated expenses recognized in other operating expenses in the statement of consolidated income.

Allowance for credit losses. The Company also records an allowance for credit losses related to the receivables from sales (trade receivables and certain financing receivables) in selling, administrative and general expenses. The allowance represents an estimate of the losses inherent in the receivable portfolio. The allowance is based on many quantitative and qualitative factors. The adequacy of the allowance is reviewed quarterly.

Sales and transaction taxes. The Company collects and remits taxes assessed by different governmental authorities that are both imposed on and concurrent with revenue producing transactions between the Company and its customers. These taxes include sales, use, value-added, and some excise taxes. The Company elected to exclude these taxes from the determination of sales price (excluded from revenues).

Shipping and handling costs. Shipping and handling costs related to the sales of the Company’s equipment after a customer obtains control of the equipment are accrued at the time of the sale in cost of sales.

Contract costs. The Company elected to recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred because the asset’s amortization period would be one year or less.

Financing Receivables - Non-Performing, Policy

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. Beginning in the first quarter of 2019, the Company ceased accruing finance income when these receivables are generally 90 days delinquent. Previously, finance income ceased accruing when the receivables were generally 120 days delinquent. This change in estimate was made on a prospective basis and did not have a significant effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Management’s methodology to determine the collectability of delinquent accounts was not affected by the change.

Generally, when receivables are 120 days delinquent the estimated uncollectible amount, after charging the dealer’s withholding account, if any, 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.

Financing receivables are considered impaired when it is probable the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the contractual terms. Receivables reviewed for impairment generally include those that are either past due, or have provided bankruptcy notification, or require significant collection efforts. Receivables that are impaired are generally classified as non-performing.

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 dates, a reduction of the face amount or maturity amount of the debt, or a reduction of accrued interest. During the first nine months of 2019, the Company identified 416 receivable contracts, primarily trade receivables and retail notes, as troubled debt restructurings with aggregate balances of $34 million pre-modification and $33 million post-modification. During the first nine months of 2018, there were 410 receivable contracts, primarily retail notes, identified as troubled debt restructurings with aggregate balances of $22 million pre-modification and $22 million post-modification. During these same periods, there were no significant troubled debt restructurings that subsequently defaulted and were written off. At July 28, 2019, the Company had commitments to lend approximately $13 million to borrowers whose accounts were modified in troubled debt restructurings.

Inventory Valuation, Policy

A majority of inventory 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. If all of the Company’s inventories had been valued on a “first-in, first-out” (FIFO) method, estimated inventories by major classification in millions of dollars would have been as follows:

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. These unamortized extended warranty premiums (deferred revenue) included in the following table totaled $542 million and $486 million at July 28, 2019 and July 29, 2018, respectively.

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, along with periodic long-term debt issuances.

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, or the underlying hedged transaction is no longer likely to occur, or the hedge designation is removed, or the derivative is terminated, hedge accounting is discontinued.