XML 30 R11.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies | B. ACCOUNTING POLICIES The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Teradyne and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated. Certain prior years’ amounts were reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Preparation of Financial Statements and Use of Estimates The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent liabilities. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to inventories, investments, goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets, accounts receivable, income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities, pensions, warranties, and loss contingencies. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on appropriate and customary assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates. Revenue Recognition Teradyne recognizes revenues, including revenues from distributors, when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, title and risk of loss have passed, delivery has occurred or the services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. Title and risk of loss generally pass to Teradyne’s customers upon shipment or at delivery destination point. In circumstances where either title or risk of loss pass upon destination, acceptance or cash payment, Teradyne defers revenue recognition until such events occur except when title transfer is tied to cash payment outside the United States. Outside the United States, Teradyne recognizes revenue upon shipment or at delivery destination point, even if Teradyne retains a form of title to products delivered to customers, provided the sole purpose is to enable Teradyne to recover the products in the event of customer payment default and the arrangement does not prohibit the customer’s use or resale of the product in the ordinary course of business. Teradyne’s equipment has non-software and software components that function together to deliver the equipment’s essential functionality. Revenue is recognized upon shipment or at delivery destination point, provided that customer acceptance criteria can be demonstrated prior to shipment. Certain contracts require Teradyne to perform tests of the product to ensure that performance meets the published product specifications or customer requested specifications, which are generally conducted prior to shipment. Where the criteria cannot be demonstrated prior to shipment, revenue is deferred until customer acceptance has been received. Teradyne also defers the portion of the sales price that is not due until acceptance, which represents deferred profit. For multiple element arrangements, Teradyne allocates revenue to all deliverables based on their relative selling prices. In such circumstances, a hierarchy is used to determine the selling price for allocating revenue to deliverables as follows: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price (“VSOE”), (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”), and (iii) best estimate of the selling price (“BESP”). For a delivered item to be considered a separate unit the delivered item must have value to the customer on a standalone basis and the delivery or performance of the undelivered item must be considered probable and substantially in Teradyne’s control. Teradyne’s post-shipment obligations include installation, training services, one-year standard warranties, and extended warranties. Installation does not alter the product capabilities, does not require specialized skills or tools and can be performed by the customers or other vendors. Installation is typically provided within five days of product shipment and is completed within one to two days thereafter. Training services are optional and do not affect the customers’ ability to use the product. Teradyne defers revenue for the selling price of installation and training. Extended warranties constitute warranty obligations beyond one year and Teradyne defers revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605-20, “Separately Priced Extended Warranty and Product Maintenance Contracts” and ASC 605-25, “Revenue Recognition Multiple-Element Arrangements.” Service revenue is recognized over the contractual period or as services are performed. Teradyne’s products are generally subject to warranty and related costs of the warranty are provided for in cost of revenues when product revenue is recognized. Teradyne classifies shipping and handling costs in cost of revenue. Teradyne does not provide its customers with contractual rights of return for any of its products. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, deferred revenue and customer advances consisted of the following and are included in the short and long-term deferred revenue and customer advances:
|  | 2017 |  |  | 2016 |
|  | (in thousands) |
Maintenance and training |  | $ | 57,256 |  |  | $ | 46,803 |
Customer advances, undelivered elements and other |  |  | 32,047 |  |  |  | 32,938 |
Extended warranty |  |  | 24,438 |  |  |  | 28,200 |
Total deferred revenue and customer advances |  | $ | 113,741 |  |  | $ | 107,941 |
Product Warranty Teradyne generally provides a one-year warranty on its products, commencing upon installation, acceptance or shipment. A provision is recorded upon revenue recognition to cost of revenues for estimated warranty expense based on historical experience. Related costs are charged to the warranty accrual as incurred. The balance below is included in other accrued liabilities:
|  | Amount |
|  | (in thousands) |
Balance at December 31, 2014 |  | $ | 8,942 |
Acquisition |  |  | 409 |
Accruals for warranties issued during the period |  |  | 11,539 |
Accruals related to pre-existing warranties |  |  | (3,159 | )
Settlements made during the period |  |  | (10,806 | )
Balance at December 31, 2015 |  |  | 6,925 |
Accruals for warranties issued during the period |  |  | 14,291 |
Accruals related to pre-existing warranties |  |  | (1,354 | )
Settlements made during the period |  |  | (12,659 | )
Balance at December 31, 2016 |  |  | 7,203 |
Accruals for warranties issued during the period |  |  | 14,223 |
Accruals related to pre-existing warranties |  |  | (379 | )
Settlements made during the period |  |  | (12,847 | )
Balance at December 31, 2017 |  | $ | 8,200 |
When Teradyne receives revenue for extended warranties, beyond one year, it is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period. Related costs are expensed as incurred. The balance below is included in short and long-term deferred revenue and customer advances:
|  | Amount |
|  | (in thousands) |
Balance at December 31, 2014 |  | $ | 34,197 |
Acquisition |  |  | 870 |
Deferral of new extended warranty revenue |  |  | 17,698 |
Recognition of extended warranty deferred revenue |  |  | (22,741 | )
Balance at December 31, 2015 |  |  | 30,024 |
Deferral of new extended warranty revenue |  |  | 19,909 |
Recognition of extended warranty deferred revenue |  |  | (21,733 | )
Balance at December 31, 2016 |  |  | 28,200 |
Deferral of new extended warranty revenue |  |  | 20,513 |
Recognition of extended warranty deferred revenue |  |  | (24,275 | )
Balance at December 31, 2017 |  | $ | 24,438 |
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The volatility of the industries that Teradyne serves can cause certain of its customers to experience shortages of cash flows, which can impact their ability to make required payments. Teradyne maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. Estimated allowances for doubtful accounts are reviewed periodically taking into account the customer’s recent payment history, the customer’s current financial statements and other information regarding the customer’s credit worthiness. Account balances are written off against the allowance when it is determined the receivable will not be recovered. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or net realizable value. On a quarterly basis, Teradyne uses consistent methodologies to evaluate all inventories for net realizable value. Teradyne records a provision for both excess and obsolete inventory when such write-downs or write-offs are identified through the quarterly review process. The inventory valuation is based upon assumptions about future demand, product mix and possible alternative uses. Investments Teradyne accounts for its investments in debt and equity securities in accordance with the provisions of ASC 320-10, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities.” ASC 320-10 requires that certain debt and equity securities be classified into one of three categories; trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity securities. On a quarterly basis, Teradyne reviews its investments to identify and evaluate those that have an indication of a potential other-than-temporary impairment. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is other-than-temporary include:
| • |  | The length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost;
| • |  | The financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; and
| • |  | The intent and ability to retain the investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.
As defined in ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Teradyne uses the market and income approach techniques to value its financial instruments and there were no changes in valuation techniques during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. ASC 820-10 requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories: Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets as of the reporting date. Level 2: Inputs other than Level 1, that are observable either directly or indirectly as of the reporting date. For example, a common approach for valuing fixed income securities is the use of matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used to value securities by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices, and therefore is considered a Level 2 input. Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not supported by market data. Unobservable inputs are developed based on the best information available, which might include Teradyne’s own data. In accordance with ASC 820-10, Teradyne measures its debt and equity investments at fair value. Teradyne’s debt and equity investments are primarily classified within Level 1 and 2. Acquisition-related contingent consideration is classified within Level 3. Teradyne determines the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration using a Monte Carlo simulation model. Assumptions utilized in the model include forecasted revenues, revenues volatility and discount rate. Prepayments Prepayments consist of the following and are included in prepayments and other current assets on the balance sheet:
|  | 2017 |  |  | 2016 |
|  | (in thousands) |
Contract manufacturer and supplier prepayments |  | $ | 82,503 |  |  | $ | 84,473 |
Prepaid maintenance and other services |  |  | 8,189 |  |  |  | 7,676 |
Prepaid taxes |  |  | 5,039 |  |  |  | 4,664 |
Other prepayments |  |  | 12,386 |  |  |  | 11,641 |
Total prepayments |  | $ | 108,117 |  |  | $ | 108,454 |
Retirement and Postretirement Plans Teradyne recognizes net actuarial gains and losses and the change in the fair value of the plan assets in its operating results in the year in which they occur or upon any interim remeasurement of the plans. Teradyne calculates the expected return on plan assets using the fair value of the plan assets. Actuarial gains and losses are generally measured annually as of December 31 and, accordingly, recorded during the fourth quarter of each year or upon any interim remeasurement of the plans. Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets Teradyne accounts for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350-10, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.” Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful economic life and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Goodwill is assessed for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter, as of December 31, on a reporting unit basis, or more frequently when events and circumstances occur indicating that the recorded goodwill may be impaired. In accordance with ASC 350-10, Teradyne has the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If Teradyne determines this is the case, Teradyne is required to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized. If Teradyne determines that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amounts, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. In accordance with ASC 360-10, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” Teradyne reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate. Each impairment test is based on a comparison of the estimated undiscounted cash flows to the recorded value of the asset. If impairment is indicated, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow analysis. The cash flow estimates used to determine the impairment, if any, contain management’s best estimates using appropriate assumptions and projections at that time. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements and major renewals are capitalized and included in property, plant and equipment accounts while expenditures for maintenance and repairs and minor renewals are charged to expense. When assets are retired, the assets and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations. Teradyne provides for depreciation of its assets principally on the straight-line method with the cost of the assets being charged to expense over their useful lives as follows:
Buildings |  | 40 years
Building improvements |  | 5 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements |  | Lesser of lease term or 10 years
Furniture and fixtures |  | 10 years
Test systems manufactured internally |  | 6 years
Machinery and equipment |  | 3 to 5 years
Software |  | 3 to 5 years
Test systems manufactured internally are used by Teradyne for customer evaluations and manufacturing and support of its customers. Teradyne depreciates the test systems manufactured internally over a six-year life to cost of revenues, engineering and development, and selling and administrative expenses. Teradyne often sells internally manufactured test equipment to customers. Upon the sale of an internally manufactured test system, the net book value of the system is transferred to inventory and expensed as cost of revenues. The net book value of internally manufactured test systems sold in the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015 was $3.6 million, $11.4 million, and $50.7 million, respectively. Engineering and Development Costs Teradyne’s products are highly technical in nature and require a large and continuing engineering and development effort. Software development costs incurred prior to the establishment of technological feasibility are charged to expense. Software development costs incurred subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility are capitalized until the product is available for release to customers. To date, the period between achieving technological feasibility and general availability of the product has been short and software development costs eligible for capitalization have not been material. Engineering and development costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of salaries, contractor fees including non-recurring engineering charges related to product design, allocated facility costs, depreciation, and tooling costs. Stock Compensation Plans and Employee Stock Purchase Plan Stock-based compensation expense is based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718-10, “Compensation-Stock Compensation.” In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09, “Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” Teradyne adopted this ASU in the first quarter of 2017. This ASU changes how Teradyne accounts for certain aspects of share-based payment awards to employees, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statements of cash flows. Adoption of this ASU required recognition of a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings for any prior year excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies not previously recorded. The cumulative effect adjustment of $39 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2017 as an increase to retained earnings and deferred tax assets. This ASU also required a change in how Teradyne recognizes the excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies related to stock-based compensation. Prior to adopting ASU 2016-09, these excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies were credited or charged to additional paid-in capital in Teradyne’s consolidated balance sheets. In accordance with ASU 2016-09, starting in the first quarter of 2017, these excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies are recognized as a discrete tax benefit or discrete tax expense to the current income tax provision in Teradyne’s consolidated statements of operations. ASU 2016-09 requires companies to adopt the amendment related to accounting for excess tax benefits or tax deficiencies on a prospective basis. In 2017, Teradyne recognized a discrete tax benefit of $6.3 million related to net excess tax benefit. In addition, under ASU 2016-09, all excess tax benefits related to share-based payments are reported as cash flows from operating activities. Previously, excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements were reported as cash flows from financing activities. The classification amendment was applied prospectively. This ASU also clarifies that all cash payments made to taxing authorities on the employees’ behalf for withheld shares should be presented as financing activities on the statement of cash flows. Previously, Teradyne reported cash payments made to taxing authorities as operating activities on the statement of cash flows. This change was applied retrospectively. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-09, Teradyne made an accounting policy election to continue accounting for forfeitures by applying an estimated forfeiture rate and to continue to recognize compensation costs only for those stock-based compensation awards expected to vest. Under its stock compensation plans, Teradyne has granted stock options, restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units, and employees are eligible to purchase Teradyne’s common stock through its Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). Income Taxes Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Teradyne performed the required assessment of positive and negative evidence regarding the realization of the net deferred tax assets in accordance with ASC 740, “Accounting for Income Taxes.” This assessment included the evaluation of scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, estimates of projected future taxable income and tax-planning strategies. Although realization is not assured, based on its assessment, Teradyne concluded that it is more likely than not that such assets, net of the existing valuation allowance, will be realized. Advertising Costs Teradyne expenses all advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs were $9.1 million, $6.4 million, and $3.3 million in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively. Translation of Non-U.S. Currencies The functional currency for all subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar, except for the Industrial Automation segment for which the local currency is its functional currency. All foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured on a monthly basis into the functional currency using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period. All foreign currency denominated non-monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured into the functional currency using historical exchange rates. Net foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from remeasurement are included in other (income) expense, net. For Industrial Automation, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period. Revenue and expense amounts are translated using an average of exchange rates in effect during the period. Translation adjustments are recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Net foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from remeasurement are included in other (income) expense, net. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, losses (gains) from the remeasurement of the monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies were $2.9 million, $(8.0) million, and $(2.5) million, respectively. These amounts do not reflect the corresponding (gains) losses from foreign exchange contracts. See Note G: “Financial Instruments” regarding foreign exchange contracts. Net Income (Loss) per Common Share Basic net income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Except where the result would be antidilutive, diluted net income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares plus common stock equivalents, if applicable. With respect to its convertible debt issued in 2016, Teradyne has determined that it has the ability and intent to settle the principal of the convertible debt in cash; accordingly, the principal amount is excluded from the determination of diluted earnings per share. As a result, Teradyne is accounting for the conversion spread using the treasury stock method. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income, unrealized pension and postretirement prior service costs and benefits, unrealized gains and losses on investments in debt and equity marketable securities and foreign currency translation adjustment.

X
- Definition The entire disclosure for all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122369 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_SignificantAccountingPoliciesTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | nonnum:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration