Note 1—Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

 

Business

 

Amphenol Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “Amphenol”, the “Company”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) is one of the world’s largest designers, manufacturers and marketers of electrical, electronic and fiber optic connectors, interconnect systems, antennas, sensors and sensor-based products and coaxial and high-speed specialty cable.  The Company sells its products to customer locations worldwide.

 

The Company operates through two reportable business segments:

 

 

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  The Company’s management evaluates these significant estimates and assumptions that affect the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  All normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been included.

 

Change in Presentation

 

Certain reclassifications of prior period amounts have been made to conform to the current period presentation, which had no impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. 

 

Principles of Consolidation

 

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in U.S. dollars and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All material intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.  The results of companies acquired are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the effective date of acquisition.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and liquid investments with an original maturity of less than three months. The carrying amounts approximate fair values of those instruments, the majority of which are in non-U.S. bank accounts.

 

Short-term Investments

 

Short-term investments consist primarily of certificates of deposit with original maturities of twelve months or less.  The carrying amounts approximate fair values of those instruments, the majority of which are in non-U.S. bank accounts.

 

Accounts Receivable

 

Accounts receivable is stated at net realizable value.  The Company regularly reviews accounts receivable balances and adjusts the receivable reserves as necessary whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable.

 

Inventories

 

Inventories are stated at the lower of standard cost, which approximates average cost, or net realizable value. The principal components of cost included in inventories are materials, direct labor and manufacturing overhead. The Company regularly reviews inventory quantities on hand and evaluates the realizability of inventories and adjusts the carrying value as necessary based on forecasted product demand.

 

Depreciable Assets

 

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over the respective asset lives determined on a composite basis by asset group or on a specific item basis using the estimated useful lives of such assets, which range from 3 to 12 years for machinery and equipment and 20 to 40 years for buildings. Leasehold building improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the lease term or estimated useful life. The Company periodically reviews fixed asset lives.  Depreciation expense is included in both Cost of sales and Selling, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Income based on the specific categorization and use of the underlying asset being depreciated. The Company assesses the impairment of property and equipment subject to depreciation, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Factors the Company considers important, which could trigger an impairment review, include significant changes in the manner of the use of the asset, significant changes in historical trends in operating performance, significant changes in projected operating performance, and significant negative economic trends.  There have been no impairments recorded as a result of such reviews during any of the periods presented.

 

Goodwill

 

The Company performs its annual evaluation for the impairment of goodwill for the Company’s two reporting units on an annual basis as of each July 1 or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate that a reporting unit’s carrying amount may be impaired.  The Company has defined its reporting units as the two reportable business segments “Interconnect Products and Assemblies” and “Cable Products and Solutions”, as the components of these reportable business segments have similar economic characteristics. 

 

In 2017 and 2016, as part of our annual evaluation, the Company utilized the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it was necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment assessment.  As part of this assessment, the Company reviews qualitative factors, which include but are not limited to, economic, market and industry conditions, as well as the financial performance of each reporting unit.  In accordance with applicable guidance, an entity is not required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit if, after assessing these qualitative factors, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting units is greater than its respective carrying amount.  As of July 1, 2017 and 2016, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting units exceeded their respective carrying amounts and therefore, a quantitative assessment was not required. 

 

The Company has not recognized any goodwill impairment in 2017,  2016 or 2015 in connection with its annual impairment test.

 

Intangible Assets

 

Intangible assets are included in Intangibles, net and other long-term assets and consist primarily of proprietary technology, customer relationships and license agreements and are generally amortized over the estimated periods of benefit. The Company assesses and reviews its long-lived assets, other than goodwill, for potential impairment including identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization, whenever significant events or significant changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount may not be recoverable.  Factors the Company considers important, which could trigger an impairment review, include significant changes in the manner of the use of the asset, changes in historical trends in operating performance, significant changes in projected operating performance, anticipated future cash flows and significant negative economic trends.  Indefinite-lived intangible assets that are not subject to amortization are reviewed at least annually for impairment.  In the third quarter of 2017, the Company performed its annual assessment of these identifiable indefinite-lived intangible assets.  Based on our qualitative assessment, the Company determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets exceeded their respective carrying amounts.  There have been no impairments recorded in 2017,  2016 or 2015 as a result of such reviews.

 

Revenue Recognition

 

The Company’s primary source of revenues is from product sales to its customers. Revenue from sales of the Company’s products is recognized at the time the goods are delivered, title passes, and the risks and rewards of ownership pass to the customer, provided the earning process is complete and revenue is measurable.  Such recognition generally occurs when the products reach the shipping point, the sales price is fixed and determinable, and collection is reasonably assured.  Delivery is determined by the Company’s shipping terms, which are primarily freight on board (“FOB”) shipping point. Revenue is recorded at the net amount to be received after deductions for estimated discounts, allowances and returns. These estimates and related reserves are determined and adjusted as needed based upon historical experience, contract terms and other related factors.

 

The shipping costs for the majority of the Company’s sales are paid directly by the Company’s customers.  In the broadband communications market (approximately 6% of net sales in 2017), the Company pays for shipping costs to the majority of its customers.  Shipping costs are also paid by the Company for certain customers in the Interconnect Products and Assemblies segment.  Amounts billed to customers related to shipping costs are immaterial and are included in Net sales.  Shipping costs incurred to transport products to the customer which are not reimbursed are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Retirement Pension Plans

 

Costs for retirement pension plans include current service costs and amortization of prior service costs over the average working life expectancy. It is the Company’s policy to fund current pension costs taking into consideration minimum funding requirements and maximum tax deductible limitations. The expense of retiree medical benefit programs is recognized during the employees’ service with the Company.  The recognition of expense for retirement pension plans and medical benefit programs is significantly impacted by estimates made by management such as discount rates used to value certain liabilities, expected return on assets, mortality projections and future health care costs.  The Company uses third-party specialists to assist management in appropriately measuring the expense and obligations associated with pension and other postretirement plan benefits.

 

Stock-Based Compensation

 

The Company accounts for its stock option and restricted share awards based on the fair value of the award at the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense over the service period that the awards are expected to vest.  The Company recognizes expense for stock-based compensation with graded vesting on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the entire award.  Stock-based compensation expense includes the estimated effects of forfeitures, which are adjusted over the requisite service period to the extent actual forfeitures differ or are expected to differ from such estimates.  Changes in estimated forfeitures are recognized in the period of change and impact the amount of expense to be recognized in future periods. 

 

The fair value of stock options has been estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

 

 

Income Taxes

 

Deferred income taxes are provided for revenue and expenses which are recognized in different periods for income tax and financial statement reporting purposes.  The Company recognizes the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on deferred income taxes in the period in which legislation is enacted.  Deferred income taxes are provided on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries in the period in which the Company determines it no longer intends to permanently reinvest such earnings outside the United States.   As of December 31, 2017, the Company has not provided for deferred income taxes on undistributed foreign earnings related to certain geographies of approximately $492.8, as it is the Company’s intention to permanently reinvest such earnings outside the United States.  The amount of taxes that would be payable if these undistributed foreign earnings were to be repatriated would not be material.  In addition, the Company remains indefinitely reinvested with respect to its financial statement basis in excess of tax basis of its investments in foreign subsidiaries.  It is not practicable to determine the deferred tax liability with respect to such basis differences.  Deferred tax assets are regularly assessed for recoverability based on both historical and anticipated earnings levels and a valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that these amounts will not be recovered. The tax effects of an uncertain tax position taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns are recognized only if it is “more likely than not” to be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on its technical merits as of the reporting date.  The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement.  The Company includes estimated interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in the provision for income taxes.    

 

As a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”), the Company has recorded (i) a provisional income tax charge related to the deemed repatriation of the accumulated unremitted earnings and profits of foreign subsidiaries, (ii) a provisional income tax charge related to changes in the Company’s permanent reinvestment assertion with regards to prior accumulated unremitted earnings from certain foreign subsidiaries, partially offset by (iii) a provisional income tax benefit associated with the remeasurement of its net deferred tax liabilities due to the U.S. federal corporate tax rate reduction, and included these amounts in its consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2017.  Beginning in 2018, the Tax Act also includes a global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI") provision, which as currently interpreted by the Company, requires a tax on foreign earnings in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of foreign subsidiaries.  The Company has elected an accounting policy to account for GILTI as a period cost if incurred, rather than recognizing deferred taxes for temporary basis differences expected to reverse as GILTI.    Other provisions of the Tax Act that impact future tax years continue to be assessed.

 

In December 2017, the SEC staff issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations where a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act.  In 2017, the Company recorded provisional income tax charges as a result of the Tax Act.  Due to the timing of the Tax Act’s enactment and the complexity of its provisions, the Company has not completed its accounting for the impact of the Tax Act.  The Company will analyze guidance and technical interpretations of the provisions of the Tax Act, as well as refine, analyze and update the underlying data, computations and assumptions used to prepare these provisional amounts. The Company will complete its accounting in 2018 once the Company has obtained, prepared, and fully analyzed all the necessary information.  We will record any necessary adjustments in the period in which such adjustments are identified. 

 

Refer to Note 4 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion on the Tax Act.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

 

The financial position and results of operations of the Company’s significant foreign subsidiaries are measured using local currency as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates and related revenues and expenses have been translated at weighted average exchange rates. The aggregate effect of translation adjustments is included as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) within equity.  Transaction gains and losses related to operating assets and liabilities are included in Cost of sales.

 

Research and Development

 

Costs incurred in connection with the development of new products and applications are expensed as incurred.  Research and development expenses for the creation of new and improved products and processes were $193.7,  $166.1 and $124.7, for the years 2017,  2016 and 2015, respectively, and are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses.

 

Acquisitions

 

The Company accounts for acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting, which requires that assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at fair value as of the acquisition date.   The purchase price of acquisitions is allocated to the tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair values, and any excess purchase price over the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill.  Any subsequent adjustments to the purchase price allocation prior to the completion of the measurement period will be reflected as an adjustment to goodwill in the period in which the adjustments are identified.  The Company may use independent valuation specialists to assist in determining the estimated fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, which could require certain significant management assumptions and estimates.

 

Environmental Obligations

 

The Company recognizes the potential cost for environmental remediation activities when site assessments are made, remediation efforts are probable and related amounts can be reasonably estimated; potential insurance reimbursements are not recorded. The Company assesses its environmental liabilities as necessary and appropriate through regular reviews of contractual commitments, site assessments, feasibility studies and formal remedial design and action plans.

 

Net Income per Common Share

 

Basic income per common share is based on the net income attributable to Amphenol Corporation for the year divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted income per common share assumes the exercise of outstanding dilutive stock options using the treasury stock method. 

 

Derivative Financial Instruments

 

Derivative financial instruments, which are periodically used by the Company in the management of its interest rate and foreign currency exposures, are accounted for as cash flow hedges.  Gains and losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges resulting from changes in fair value are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), and subsequently reflected in Cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income in a manner that matches the timing of the actual income or expense of such instruments with the hedged transaction. Any ineffective portion of the change in the fair value of designated hedging instruments is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

 

In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. (“ASU”) 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (“ASU 2015-11”), which requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, thereby simplifying the previous guidance of measuring inventory at the lower of cost or market.  The Company adopted ASU 2015-11 in the first quarter of 2017 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016‑09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016‑09”), which simplifies certain provisions associated with the accounting for stock compensation. The Company adopted ASU 2016‑09 on January 1, 2017, which requires any excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recorded as a discrete income tax item in the statement of income in the period in which they occur.  For the year ended December 31, 2017, this change resulted in the recognition of tax benefits of approximately $66.6 (or $0.21 per share) within the provision for income taxes in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income.  Under previous accounting guidance, these tax benefits would have been recorded directly to equity.  Since this provision of the standard was applied prospectively, there was no impact to prior periods.  As of January 1, 2017, the Company did not have any unrecognized excess tax benefits in which the related tax deduction did not reduce income taxes payable and therefore, there was no cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings.  The ASU also eliminated the requirement to reclassify cash flows related to excess tax benefits from operating activities to financing activities in the statement of cash flows, but rather requires such excess tax benefits and deficiencies to be classified within operating activities, consistent with other cash flows related to income taxes.  The Company adopted this provision prospectively, and prior year amounts in the Statements of Cash Flow have not been adjusted.  As permitted, the Company elected to continue its existing accounting practice of estimating forfeitures when recognizing stock-based compensation expense.  Other provisions of this standard did not and are not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.  The impact of this guidance on our consolidated financial statements could result in significant fluctuations in our effective tax rate in the future, since the provision for income taxes will be impacted by the timing and intrinsic value of future stock-based compensation award exercises.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”), which eliminates Step 2 of the two-step goodwill impairment assessment process requiring an entity to calculate any impairment as the difference between a reporting unit’s implied fair value of goodwill and the carrying value of the goodwill.  Rather, ASU 2017-04 would now require any goodwill impairment charges to be calculated as the difference between a reporting unit’s fair value and its carrying value, with the loss being limited to its carrying value.  The Company early adopted ASU 2017-04 in the third quarter of 2017 in conjunction with its annual impairment assessment and concluded that a Step 1 assessment was not required given the results of our annual impairment assessment discussed in Note 1 herein.  As such, ASU 2017-04 did not have any impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014‑09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014‑09” and collectively with its subsequent amendments, “Topic 606”), which stipulates that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for such goods or services.  To achieve this core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer, (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract(s), (3) determine the transaction price(s), (4) allocate the transaction price(s) to the performance obligations in the contract(s), and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The guidance also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers.  The guidance under ASU 2014‑09 shall apply for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within that period.  Since 2014, the FASB has issued various related updates including, but not limited to, ASU 2016‑08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net), which clarified the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations, and ASU 2016‑10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, which clarified the implementation guidance regarding performance obligations and licensing arrangements.  The Company had an implementation plan involving teams across our organization to review and implement the requirements of Topic 606.  We have completed the review of our existing contracts and the related revenue streams, and based on our review, the vast majority of our revenue will be recognized on a “point-in-time” basis which is consistent with current practice, while a nominal amount of our revenue will be recognized “over time” under the new standard.  The Company made system reporting changes to incorporate the impact of the new standard into our financial reporting processes; implemented the related internal controls, policies, and processes; and drafted the required disclosures.  The Company adopted Topic 606 in the first quarter of 2018 using the modified retrospective approach.  We will expand our financial statement disclosures in the first quarter of 2018 to comply with this new standard, including the disaggregation of revenue and performance obligations, among other requirements.  We have quantified the cumulative effect adjustment of applying this new standard on existing, uncompleted contracts as of January 1, 2018, and have determined that the cumulative effect is not material.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU 2016‑02”), which amends, among other things, the existing guidance by requiring lessees to recognize lease assets (right-to-use) and liabilities (for reasonably certain lease payments) arising from operating leases on the balance sheet.  For leases with a term of twelve months or less, ASU 2016‑02 permits an entity to make an accounting policy election to recognize such leases as lease expense, generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term.  ASU 2016‑02 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.  ASU 2016-02 requires a modified retrospective transition application, whereas the effect of the standard would need to be reflected as of the beginning of the earliest period presented in the financial statements.  The Company has begun evaluating ASU 2016‑02, including the review and implementation of the necessary changes to our existing processes and systems that will be required to implement this new standard.  While we expect the adoption of ASU 2016-02 to have an impact on our consolidated balance sheet, we currently do not expect ASU 2016-02 to have a material effect on either our consolidated income statement or consolidated statement of cash flow.  We plan to adopt ASU 2016-02 in the first quarter of 2019. 

 

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017‑07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (“ASU 2017‑07”), requiring employers to provide more details about the components of costs related to retirement benefits.  Specifically, ASU 2017‑07 requires employers to report the service costs for providing pensions to employees in the same line item as other employee compensation costs, while the other pension-related costs such as interest costs, amortization of pension-related costs from prior periods, and the gains or losses on plan assets, should be reported separately and outside of the subtotal of operating income.  ASU 2017‑07 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted only if adopted in the first quarter of the Company’s fiscal year.  We will adopt this new standard in the first quarter of 2018.  The Company has evaluated ASU 2017‑07 and we do not expect the reclassification to be material.    

 

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017‑09, Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Scope of Modification Accounting (“ASU 2017‑09”), which provides guidance to determine which changes to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards require an entity to apply modification accounting in Topic 718.  ASU 2017‑09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted, and requires prospective application to changes in terms or conditions of awards occurring on or after the adoption date.  The Company has evaluated ASU 2017‑09 and we do not believe it will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement—Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“ASU 2018-02”), which amends the standard on comprehensive income by providing an option for an entity to reclassify stranded tax effects of the Tax Act from accumulated other comprehensive income directly to retained earnings.  The stranded tax effects result from the remeasurement of net deferred tax positions which were originally recorded in comprehensive income but whose remeasurement was reflected in the income statement in 2017.  ASU 2018-02 only applies to the effects of the Tax Act and is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted.  ASU 2018-02 may be applied either in the period of adoption or on a retrospective basis to any period in which the impacts of the Tax Act are recognized.  The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2018-02 and its impact on our consolidated financial statements.