proceeds from the sale of the property and an agreed value. As of June 30, 2005, the maximum amount of the residual value guarantees was approximately $271 million. We believe that proceeds from the sale of properties under operating leases would exceed the payment obligation and therefore no liability currently exists. We have not engaged in any related party transactions or arrangements with unconsolidated entities or other persons that are reasonably likely to materially affect liquidity or the availability of requirements for capital resources. 

 

In fiscal year 2005, our Board of Directors approved $3.40 per share cash dividends, with $3.32 paid as of June 30, 2005. A quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share (or approximately $857 million) was approved by our Board of Directors on June 15, 2005 to be paid to shareholders of record as of August 17, 2005 on September 8, 2005. 

On July 20, 2004, our Board of Directors approved a plan to buy back up to $30 billion in Microsoft common stock over four years. The specific timing and amount of repurchases will vary based on market conditions, securities law limitations, and other factors. The repurchases will be made using our cash resources. The repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time without previous notice. In any period, cash used in financing activities related to common stock repurchased may differ from the comparable change in stockholders’ equity, reflecting timing differences between the recognition of share repurchase transactions and their settlement for cash. During fiscal year 2005, we repurchased 312 million shares, or $8.0 billion of our common stock under this plan. 

We believe existing cash and short-term investments, together with funds generated from operations should be sufficient to meet operating requirements, quarterly dividends and planned share repurchases. Our philosophy regarding the maintenance of a balance sheet with a large component of cash and short-term investments, and equity and other investments, reflects our views on potential future capital requirements relating to research and development, creation and expansion of sales distribution channels, investments and acquisitions, share dilution management, legal risks, and challenges to our business model. We regularly assess our investment management approach in view of our current and potential future needs. 



Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations 



Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements 



As of June 30, 2004, we had guaranteed the repayment of certain Japanese yen denominated bank loans and related interest and fees of Jupiter Telecommunication, Ltd., a Japanese cable company. The total amount of these guarantees was approximately $51 million. Effective December 21, 2004, the guarantees were terminated. 

We provide indemnifications of varying scope and amount to certain customers against claims of intellectual property infringement made by third parties arising from the use of our products. We evaluate estimated losses for such indemnifications under SFAS No. 5, Accounting for Contingencies, as interpreted by FASB Interpretation No. (FIN) 45. We consider factors