of $82 million in fiscal year 2004 compared to $1.15 billion in fiscal year 2003 and higher net realized gains on sales in fiscal year 2004 as we moved to more liquid investment asset classes. Net realized gains on sales were $1.65 billion in fiscal year 2004 and $1.19 billion in fiscal year 2003. The decline in impairments was due to improved market conditions. Derivative losses decreased $156 million to $268 million in fiscal year 2004 compared to fiscal year 2003 primarily due to the combined effects of interest rate movements on interest rate sensitive instruments and equity market price movements relative to positions used to hedge the fair value of certain equity securities. 

Net losses on equity investees and other for the previous periods were reclassified into investment income and other to conform to the current period presentation. 

 

Income Taxes 

 

Our effective tax rate for the full fiscal year 2005 was 26% compared with 33% for fiscal year 2004. The decreased rate for the full year resulted primarily from the reversal of $776 million of previously accrued taxes upon settling an Internal Revenue Service examination for fiscal years 1997 to 1999 and recording a tax benefit of $179 million generated by the decision to repatriate foreign subsidiary earnings under a temporary incentive provided by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The effective tax rate for fiscal year 2003 was 32%. The fiscal year 2003 rate reflected a benefit in the second quarter of $126 million which resulted from the reversal of previously accrued taxes that were related to a previous unfavorable Tax Court ruling, portions of which were reversed in 2003 by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. 

 

Financial Condition 

 

Cash and short-term investments totaled $37.75 billion as of June 30, 2005 compared to $60.59 billion as of June 30, 2004. The decline is primarily attributable to the special dividend of $3.00 per share, or $32.64 billion, paid on December 2, 2004, and to common stock repurchases of 312 million shares for $8.0 billion during 2005. Equity and other investments were $11.00 billion as of June 30, 2005 compared to $12.21 billion as of June 30, 2004. The investment portfolio consists primarily of fixed-income securities, diversified among industries and individual issuers. Our investments are generally liquid and investment grade. The portfolio is invested predominantly in U.S. dollar denominated securities, but also includes foreign currency denominated positions in order to diversify financial risk. The portfolio is primarily invested in short-term securities to facilitate rapid deployment for immediate cash needs. As a result of the special dividend and shares repurchased, our retained deficit, including accumulated other comprehensive income, was $12.30 billion at June 30, 2005. Our retained deficit is not expected to impact our future ability to operate or pay dividends given our continuing profitability and strong cash and financial position. 

 

Unearned Revenue 

 

Unearned revenue is attributable to volume licensing programs, undelivered elements of software licensing arrangements, and certain other services. Unearned revenue