9240.1 Overview

As an aid to understanding other liquidity and capital resources disclosures in MD&A, the contractual obligations tabular disclosure should be prepared with the goal of presenting a meaningful snapshot of cash requirements arising from contractual payment obligations. Registrants are encouraged to develop a presentation method that is clear, understandable and appropriately reflects the categories of obligations that are meaningful in light of its capital structure and business. Registrants should highlight any changes in presentation that are made, so that investors are able to use the information to make comparisons from period to period. (Last updated: 9/30/2010)

9240.2 Presentation

The table should be in substantially the format shown above. Disaggregating the specific categories shown above is appropriate, particularly if the categories used are specific to the underlying business. Therefore, the captions may be changed, and the number of line items expanded, as long as it is clear what is included within each line item. However, to the extent that the registrant has obligations that fall within the above categories, they should be reflected in the table.

9240.3 Purchase obligations

Purchase obligations are defined as agreements to purchase goods and services that are enforceable and legally binding, that specify all significant terms, including the quantities to be purchased, price provisions and the approximate timing of the transactions. Additional guidance has not been issued by the staff with respect to what should be included within this category. However, registrants should undertake reasonable effort and expense to assess and aggregate outstanding purchase obligations. Disclosure should accompany the table to clarify how the purchase obligations amount has been calculated.

9240.4 [Reserved]. (Last updated 12/31/2010)

9240.5 [Reserved].

9240.6 Other considerations

9240.7 Footnotes

The table of contractual obligations may be accompanied by footnotes to describe provisions that create, increase or accelerate obligations, or other pertinent data to the extent necessary for an understanding of the timing and amount of the registrant's specified contractual obligations. The footnote disclosure permits management to apply its judgment in determining what items should be included or excluded from the table. If management's judgment results in items being excluded from the table, accompanying footnotes should describe the nature of items excluded and why they are excluded. Management should also consider disclosing the prior year actual spending or budgeted amounts in cases where those purchase orders are not otherwise tracked by the registrant. Disclosure of the dollar amount up to which employees are authorized to make purchases could also be disclosed to help clarify the significance of amounts that may not be tracked by the registrant.

9240.8 Smaller reporting companies are NOT required to provide a tabular disclosure of contractual arrangements.