
1.	ORGANIZATION AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

Organization On April 6, 2017, Alpha SPV I, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings, Inc. (Holdings), merged with and into Metaldyne Performance Group, Inc. (MPG), with MPG as the surviving corporation in the merger. Upon completion of the merger, MPG became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings. As a result, we are now a global Tier I supplier to the automotive, commercial and industrial markets. We design, engineer, validate and manufacture driveline, metal forming, powertrain and casting products, employing over 25,000 associates, operating at more than 90 facilities in 17 countries, to support our customers on global and regional platforms with a continued focus on delivering operational excellence, technology leadership and quality.

Basis of Presentation We have prepared the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited but include all normal recurring adjustments, which we consider necessary for a fair presentation of the information set forth herein. Results of operations for the periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full fiscal year.

The balance sheet at December 31, 2016 presented herein has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) for complete consolidated financial statements.

In order to prepare the accompanying interim condensed consolidated financial statements, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures in our interim condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

For further information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Change in Accounting Principle Effective April 1, 2017, we changed our method of accounting for indirect inventory from capitalizing and recording as expense when the inventory was consumed to now expensing indirect inventory at the time of purchase. We believe that expensing indirect inventory at the time of purchase is preferable as the change will (1) align purchase patterns of indirect inventory with our current operational strategies, (2) reduce the administrative burden associated with recordkeeping for indirect inventory, and (3) result in a uniform accounting policy across our global operations as MPG's accounting method has been to expense indirect inventory upon purchase.

Based on the guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 250 Accounting Changes and Error Corrections we applied this change in accounting principle retrospectively. As a result of the change, we have decreased previously reported inventories, net by $37.2 million, decreased previously reported retained earnings by $24.2 million and increased previously reported deferred tax assets by $13.0 million as of January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016. The cumulative impact of the change in accounting principle from January 1, 2016 to March 31, 2017, which covers the periods in which we would be required to retrospectively revise our Statements of Income and Balance Sheets, is an increase to income of $2.4 million, net of tax. We have determined that the quarterly impact of this adjustment would not be material in any required prior period nor is the impact of recording the cumulative impact of $2.4 million, net of tax material to the current period. As such, we recorded the $2.4 million, net of tax adjustment related to prior periods in the second quarter of 2017. The impact of this $2.4 million, net of tax adjustment to income resulted in an increase in basic and diluted earnings per share of $0.02 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2017 and $0.03 per share for the six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively. The impact on current period income for the quarter ended June 30, 2017 was immaterial in comparison to accounting for indirect inventory under our historical accounting policy. See Note 5 - Inventories for further discussion.

Effect of New Accounting Standards

Accounting Standards Update 2017-07

On March 10, 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-07 - Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The amendments in this update require that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of defined benefit pension cost and postretirement benefit cost (net benefit cost). The amendments also provide explicit guidance on how to present the service cost component and the other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and allow only the service cost component of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. This guidance becomes effective at the beginning of our 2018 fiscal year, however early adoption is permitted. The guidance requires a retrospective transition method for the income statement classification of the net benefit cost components and a prospective transition method for the capitalization of the service cost component in assets. We are currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2017-04

On January 26, 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 - Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments in this update modify the concept of impairment from the condition that exists when the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value to the condition that exists when the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. An entity no longer will determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination, or what is referred to under existing guidance as "Step 2." Instead, under the amendments in this update, an entity should perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity should recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Additionally, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. This guidance becomes effective at the beginning of our 2020 fiscal year, however early adoption is permitted. The guidance requires a prospective transition method. We are currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2016-16

On October 24, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16 - Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. Existing income tax guidance prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. This existing guidance is deemed an exception to the principle of comprehensive recognition of current and deferred income taxes under GAAP. Due to the limited authoritative guidance about this exception, diversity in practice exists. ASU 2016-16 eliminates this exception for intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory and requires that entities recognize the income tax consequences when the transfers occur. This guidance becomes effective at the beginning of our 2018 fiscal year, however early adoption is permitted. The guidance requires a modified retrospective transition method. We are currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2016-02

On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 - Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes the existing lease accounting guidance and establishes new criteria for recognizing lease assets and liabilities. The most significant impact of the update, to AAM, is that a lessee will be required to recognize a "right-of-use" asset and lease liability for operating lease agreements that were not previously included on the balance sheet under the existing lease guidance. A lessee will be permitted to make a policy election, excluding recognition of the right-of-use asset and associated liability for lease terms of 12 months or less. Expense recognition in the statement of income along with cash flow statement classification for both financing (capital) and operating leases under the new standard will not be significantly changed from existing lease guidance. This guidance becomes effective for AAM at the beginning of our 2019 fiscal year and requires transition under a modified retrospective method. We are currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Standards Update 2014-09

In 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), and has subsequently issued ASUs 2015-14 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date, 2016-08 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross Versus Net), 2016-10 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, 2016-12 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, and 2016-20 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606 (collectively, the Revenue Recognition ASUs).

The Revenue Recognition ASUs outline a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersede most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The guidance is based on the principle that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to fulfill a contract. This guidance is effective for AAM beginning on January 1, 2018 and entities have the option of using either a full retrospective or a modified retrospective approach for the adoption of the new standard. We are evaluating whether we will adopt this guidance using the full retrospective or modified retrospective approach.

We are concluding the assessment phase of implementing this guidance. We have evaluated each of the five steps in the new revenue recognition model, which are as follows: 1) Identify the contract with the customer; 2) Identify the performance obligations in the contract; 3) Determine the transaction price; 4) Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations; and 5) Recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied. Our preliminary conclusion is that the determination of what constitutes a contract with our customers (step 1), our performance obligations under the contract (step 2), and the determination and allocation of the transaction price (steps 3 and 4) under the new revenue recognition model will not result in significant changes in comparison to the current revenue recognition guidance.

With regard to recognizing revenue when (or as) a performance obligation is satisfied (step 5), we are thoroughly reviewing the language in our contracts with each customer to determine whether the customer obtains control of the goods at a point in time or over time. Under current revenue recognition guidance, we recognize revenue when products are shipped to our customers and title transfers under standard commercial terms or when realizable in accordance with our commercial agreements. Topic 606 provides certain criteria that, if met, require companies to recognize revenue as the product is produced (over time) instead of at a point of time (i.e. upon shipment). We are evaluating our contracts in the context of the criteria for recognizing revenue over time. If we conclude that we meet the criteria for recognizing revenue over time, our timing of revenue recognition would be accelerated. We have initiated the assessment phase of evaluating the impact of Topic 606 on MPG's contracts with customers and are assessing the overall impact that the acquisition of MPG will have on our recognition of revenue.

There are also certain considerations related to internal control over financial reporting that are associated with implementing the new guidance under Topic 606. We are currently evaluating our control framework for revenue recognition and identifying any changes that may need to be made in response to the new guidance. Disclosure requirements under the new guidance in Topic 606 have been significantly expanded in comparison to the disclosure requirements under the current guidance. Designing and implementing the appropriate controls over gathering and reporting the information required under Topic 606 is currently in process.

Share Repurchase Program In 2016, AAM's Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program of up to $100 million of AAM's common shares through December 31, 2018 as part of AAM's overall capital allocation strategy. The repurchase of shares may be made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and will be funded through available cash balances and cash flow from operations. The timing and amount of any share repurchases will be determined based on market and economic conditions, share price, alternative uses of capital and other factors. Approximately $1.5 million of shares have been repurchased under the authorized share repurchase program, leaving approximately $98.5 million available for repurchase. There were no repurchases under the program in the first six months of 2017.