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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent liabilities at the dates of the financial statements. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates its estimates, including those related to revenue recognition, goodwill and intangible assets, income taxes, litigation, stock-based compensation and contingencies, and to a lesser extent, product returns and allowances, bad debts, inventory valuation, warranty and installation provisions, retirement plan obligations and equity investments, which are not as significant to our financial statements. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other 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 amounts may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Reclassifications
Reclassifications
Certain amounts from prior year have been reclassified in the accompanying financial statements in order to be consistent with the current year’s classification.
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, which are wholly owned. The Company consolidates entities in which it owns or controls fifty percent or more of the voting shares. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Translation of Foreign Currencies
Translation of Foreign Currencies
The functional currency of each of the Company’s foreign operating subsidiaries is the local currency of its country of domicile, except for the Company’s subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Singapore and the Cayman Islands, where the underlying transactional cash flows are denominated in currencies other than the respective local currency of domicile. The functional currency of the Hong Kong, Singapore and Cayman Islands subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar, based on the respective entity’s cash flows.
For most of the Company’s foreign operations, assets and liabilities are translated into U.S. dollars at exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date, while revenues and expenses are translated at average exchange rates prevailing during the respective period. Any resulting translation gains or losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in the consolidated balance sheets.
The Company’s net sales derived from operations outside the United States were
71
%,
72
% and
71
% in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are included
primar
ily
in
cost of sales
in the consolidated statements of operations. In 2019, 2018 and 2017, foreign currency transactions resulted in net losses of $
9
million, $
3
million and $
1
million, respectively.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments
Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments, with original maturities of 90 days or less, primarily in bank deposits, U.S. treasury bill money market funds and commercial paper.
Investments with longer maturities are classified as investments, and are held primarily in U.S. treasury bills, U.S. dollar-denominated treasury bills and commercial paper, bank deposits and corporate debt securities.
Investments are classified as
available-for-sale
in accordance with the accounting standards for investments in debt securities. All debt securities are recorded at fair market value and any unrealized holding gains and losses, to the extent deemed temporary, are included in accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’
(deficit)
equity, net of the related tax effects. If any adjustment to fair value reflects a decline in the value of the investment, the Company considers all available evidence to evaluate the extent to which the decline is “other than temporary” and, if so, records a loss as a charge to the statement of operations. The Company classifies its investments exclusive of those categorized as cash equivalents.
The Company maintains cash balances in various operating accounts in excess of federally insured limits, and in foreign subsidiary accounts in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, $249 million out of $337 million and $471 million out of $1,735 million, respectively, of the Company’s total 
cash, cash equivalents and investments were held by foreign subsidiaries. In addition, $176 million out of $337 million and $251 million out of $1,735 million of cash, cash equivalents and investments were held in currencies other than the U.S. dollar at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company has very limited use of rebates and other cash considerations payable to customers and, as a result, the transaction price determination does not have any material variable consideration. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the existing accounts receivable. The allowance is based on a number of factors, including historical experience and the customer’s credit-worthiness. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed on at least a quarterly basis.
Past due balances over 90 days and over a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectibility.
Account balances are charged against the allowance when the Company determines it is probable that the receivable will not be recovered. The Company does not have any
off-balance
sheet credit exposure related to its customers. Historically, the Company has not experienced significant bad debt losses.
The following is a summary of the activity of the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts for the year ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):
                                 
 
Balance at
Beginning of Period
 
 
Additions
 
 
Deduction
 
 
Balance at
End of Period
 
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
   
     
     
     
 
December 31, 2019
  $
7,663
    $
 
 
4,701
    $
(2,804
  $
9,560
 
December 31, 2018
  $
6,109
    $
6,333
    $
(4,779
  $
7,663
 
December 31, 2017
  $
5,141
    $
3,752
    $
(2,784
  $
6,109
 
Risks and Uncertainties
Risks and Uncertainties
The Company is subject to risks common to companies in the analytical instrument industry, including, but not limited to, global economic and financial market conditions, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, fluctuations in customer demand, development by its competitors of new technological innovations, costs of developing new technologies, levels of debt and debt service requirements, risk of disruption, dependence on key personnel, protection and litigation of proprietary technology, shifts in taxable income between tax jurisdictions and compliance with regulations of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and similar foreign regulatory authorities and agencies.
Inventory
Inventory
The Company values all of its inventories at the lower of cost or net realizable value on a
first-in,
first-out
basis (“FIFO”).
Concentration of Credit Risk
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company sells its products and services to a significant number of large and small customers throughout the world, with net sales to the pharmaceutical industry of approximately
57
% in each of the years 2019, 2018 and 2017. None of the Company’s individual customers accounted for more than
2
% of annual Company sales in 2019, 2018 or 2017. The Company performs continuing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral, but in certain circumstances may require letters of credit or deposits. Historically, the Company has not experienced significant bad debt losses.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes are recognized for temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. A valuation allowance is provided to offset any net deferred tax assets if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Appropriate long-term liabilities have also been recorded to recognize uncertain tax positions.
As part of the 2017 Tax Act, there is a provision for the taxation of certain
 off-shore
 earnings referred to as the Global Intangible
 Low-Taxed
 Income (“GILTI”) provision. This provision taxes
 off-shore
 earnings at a rate of 10.5%, partially offset with foreign tax credits. In connection with this provision, the Company’s accounting policy is to treat this new tax as a current period cost.
The Company adopted new accounting guidance which eliminates the deferral of tax effects on intra-entity transfers other than inventory and requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences when the transfer occurs. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2018 with a $4 million charge to beginning retained earnings in the consolidated balance sheet.
The Company accounts for its uncertain tax return reporting positions in accordance with the accounting standards for income taxes, which require financial statement reporting of the expected future tax consequences of uncertain tax reporting positions on the presumption that all concerned tax authorities possess full knowledge of those tax reporting positions, as well as all of the pertinent facts and circumstances, but prohibit any discounting of unrecognized tax benefits associated with those reporting positions for the time value of money. The Company continues to classify interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of the provision for income taxes.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to expense, while the costs of significant improvements are capitalized. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives: buildings —
fifteen
to thirty-nine years; building improvements —
five
to ten years; leasehold improvements — the shorter of the economic useful life or life of lease; and production and other equipment —
three
to ten years. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of the assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the consolidated balance sheets and related gains or losses are reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
Asset Impairments
Asset Impairments
The Company reviews its long-lived assets for impairment in accordance with the accounting standards for property, plant and equipment. Whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, the Company evaluates the recoverability of the carrying value of the asset based on the expected future cash flows, relying on a number of factors, including, but not limited to, operating results, business plans, economic projections and anticipated future cash flows. If the asset is deemed not recoverable, it is written down to fair value and the impairment is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.
In-Process Research and Development Policy
The Company also acquires intellectual property through licensing arrangements. These arrangements often require upfront payments and may include additional milestone or royalty payments, contingent upon certain future events. IPR&D acquired in an asset acquisition (as opposed to a business combination) is expensed immediately unless there is an alternative future use. Subsequent payments made for the achievement of milestones are evaluated to determine whether they have an alternative future use or should be expensed. Payments made to third parties subsequent to commercialization are capitalized and amortized over the remaining useful life of the related asset, and are classified as intangible assets.
Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions
Business Combinations and Asset Acquisitions
The Company accounts for business acquisitions under the accounting standards for business combinations. The results of each acquisition are included in the Company’s consolidated results as of the acquisition date and the purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities based on their estimated fair values. Any excess of the fair value consideration transferred over the estimated fair values of the net assets acquired is recognized as goodwill. Acquired
in-process
research and development (“IPR&D”) included in a business combination is capitalized as an indefinite-lived intangible asset. Development costs incurred after the acquisition are expensed as incurred and acquired IPR&D is tested for impairment annually until completion of the acquired programs. Upon commercialization, this indefinite-lived intangible asset is then accounted for as a finite-lived intangible asset and amortized on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, subject to periodic impairment reviews. If the research and development project is abandoned, the indefinite-lived asset is charged to expense. Legal costs, due diligence costs, business valuation costs and all other business acquisition costs are expensed when incurred.
The Company also acquires intellectual property through licensing arrangements. These arrangements often require upfront payments and may include additional milestone or royalty payments, contingent upon certain future events. IPR&D acquired in an asset acquisition (as opposed to a business combination) is expensed immediately unless there is an alternative future use. Subsequent payments made for the achievement of milestones are evaluated to determine whether they have an alternative future use or should be expensed. Payments made to third parties subsequent to commercialization are capitalized and amortized over the remaining useful life of the related asset, and are classified as intangible assets.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
The Company tests for goodwill impairment using a fair-value approach at the reporting unit level annually, or earlier, if an event occurs or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. Additionally, the Company performs an annual goodwill impairment assessment for its reporting units as of
December 31
each year. The goodwill and other intangible assets accounting standards define a reporting unit as an operating segment, or one level below an operating segment, if discrete financial information is prepared and reviewed by management. For goodwill impairment review
purposes, the
Company has two reporting units: Waters
TM
and TA
TM
. Goodwill is allocated to the reporting units at the time of acquisition. Under the impairment test, if a reporting unit’s carrying amount exceeds its estimated fair value, goodwill impairment is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of the goodwill. The fair value of reporting units was estimated using a discounted cash flows technique, which includes certain management assumptions, such as estimated future cash flows, estimated growth rates and discount rates.
The Company’s intangible assets include purchased technology; capitalized software development costs; costs associated with acquiring Company patents, trademarks and intellectual properties, such as licenses; and acquired IPR&D. Purchased intangibles are recorded at their fair market values as of the acquisition date and amortized over their estimated useful lives, ranging from one to fifteen years. Other intangibles are amortized over a period ranging from one to ten years. Acquired IPR&D is amortized from the date of completion of the acquired program over its estimated useful life. IPR&D and indefinite-lived intangibles are tested annually for impairment.
Software Development Costs
Software Development Costs
The Company capitalizes internal and external software development costs for products offered for sale in accordance with the accounting standards for the costs of software to be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed. Capitalized costs are amortized to cost of sales over the period of economic benefit, which approximates a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related software products, generally three to ten years. The Company capitalized $40 million and $34 million of direct expenses that were related to the development of software in 2019 and 2018, respectively. Net capitalized software included in intangible assets totaled $149 million and $147 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. See Note
8
, “Goodwill and Other Intangibles”.
The Company capitalizes internal software development costs for internal use. Capitalized internal software development costs are amortized over the period of economic benefit, which approximates a straight-line basis over ten years. Net capitalized internal software included in property, plant and equipment totaled $
3
 
million and $
2
 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Internal Software Development Costs
The Company capitalizes internal software development costs for internal use. Capitalized internal software development costs are amortized over the period of economic benefit, which approximates a straight-line basis over ten years. Net capitalized internal software included in property, plant and equipment totaled $
3
 
million and $
2
 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Other Investments
Other Investments
The Company accounts for its investments that represent less than twenty percent ownership, and for which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence, using the accounting standards for investments in equity securities. Investments for which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence, and for which there is not a readily determinable market value, are accounted for at cost, adjusted for subsequent observable price changes as applicable. The Company periodically evaluates the carrying value of its investments for which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence, and for which there is not a readily determinable fair value and carries them at cost, less impairment, adjusted for subsequent observable price changes. For equity investments in which the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies of the investee, the equity method of accounting is used. The Company’s share of net income or losses of equity investments is included in the consolidated statements of operations and was not material in any period presented.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company made $9 million of investments in unaffiliated companies. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company made a $8 million investment in a
 developer of analytical system solutions used to make measurements, predict stability and accelerate product discovery in the routine analytic, process monitoring and quality control release processes for life science and biopharmaceutical markets.
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements
In accordance with the accounting standards for fair value measurements and disclosures, certain of the Company’s assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 2018. Fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize observable data, such as quoted prices in active markets. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize data points other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable either directly or indirectly. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs utilize unobservable data points for which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.
The following table represents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2019 (in thousands):
                                 
 
Total at
December 31,
2019
 
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Assets:
   
     
     
     
 
Time deposits
 
$
 
1,642
   
$
—  
   
$
 
1,642
   
$
—  
 
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets
   
30,158
     
30,158
     
—  
     
—  
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
   
16
     
—  
     
16
     
—  
 
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements
   
4,485
     
—  
     
4,485
     
—  
 
                                 
Total
  $
36,301
    $
30,158
    $
6,143
    $
—  
 
                                 
Liabilities:
   
     
     
     
 
Contingent consideration
  $
2,557
    $
—  
    $
—  
    $
2,557
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
   
1,028
     
—  
     
1,028
     
—  
 
                                 
Total
  $
3,585
    $
—  
    $
1,028
    $
2,557
 
                                 
 
 
The following table represents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2018 (in thousands):
 
Total at
December 31,
2018
 
 
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Assets:
   
     
     
     
 
U.S. Treasury securities
  $
164,315
    $
—  
    $
164,315
    $
—  
 
Foreign government securities
   
3,463
     
—  
     
3,463
     
—  
 
Corporate debt securities
   
723,059
     
—  
     
723,059
     
—  
 
Time deposits
   
108,638
     
—  
     
108,638
     
—  
 
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets
   
33,104
     
33,104
     
—  
     
—  
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
   
503
     
—  
     
503
     
—  
 
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements
   
1,093
     
     
1,093
     
 
                                 
Total
  $
1,034,175
    $
33,104
    $
1,001,071
    $
—  
 
                                 
Liabilities:
   
     
     
     
 
Contingent consideration
  $
2,476
    $
—  
    $
—  
    $
2,476
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts
   
224
     
—  
     
224
     
—  
 
                                 
Total
  $
2,700
    $
—  
    $
224
    $
2,476
 
                                 
Fair Value of 401(k) Restoration Plan Assets
The 401(k) Restoration Plan is a nonqualified defined contribution plan and the assets were held in registered mutual funds and have been classified as Level 1. The fair values of the assets in the plan are determined through market and observable sources from daily quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges.
Fair Value of Cash Equivalents, Investments, Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts and Interest Rate Cross-Currency Swap Agreements
The fair values of the Company’s cash equivalents, investments and foreign currency exchange contracts are determined through market and observable sources and have been classified as Level 2. These assets and liabilities have been initially valued at the transaction price and subsequently valued, typically utilizing third-party pricing services. The pricing services use many inputs to determine value, including reportable trades, benchmark yields, credit spreads, broker/dealer quotes, current spot rates and other industry and economic events. The Company validates the prices provided by third-party pricing services by reviewing their pricing methods and obtaining market values from other pricing sources.
Fair Value of Contingent Consideration
The fair value of the Company’s liability for contingent consideration relates to earnout payments in connection with the July 2014 acquisition of Medimass Research, Development and Service Kft. and is determined using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model, which uses significant unobservable inputs, and has been classified as Level 3. Subsequent changes in the fair value of the contingent consideration liability are recorded in the results of operations. The fair value of the contingent consideration liability associated with future earnout payments is based on several factors, including the estimated future results and a discount rate that reflects both the likelihood of achieving the estimated future results and the Company’s creditworthiness. A change in any of these unobservable inputs can significantly change the fair value of the contingent consideration. Although there
 
is no contractual limit, the fair value of future contingent consideration payments was estimated to be $
3
million and $
2
million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, based on the Company’s best estimate, as the
earnout
is based on future sales of certain products, some of which are currently in development, through 2034.
Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments
The Company’s accounts receivable, accounts payable and variable interest rate debt are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying value of the Company’s fixed interest rate debt was $1.0 billion and $510 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The fair value of the Company’s fixed interest rate debt was estimated using discounted cash flow models, based on estimated current rates offered for similar debt under current market conditions for the Company. The fair value of the Company’s fixed interest rate debt was estimated to be $1.0 billion and $502 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, using Level 2 inputs.
Derivative Transactions
Derivative Transactions
The Company is a global company that operates in over 35 countries and, as a result, the Company’s net sales, cost of sales, operating expenses and balance sheet amounts are significantly impacted by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company is exposed to currency price risk on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations when it translates its
non-U.S.
dollar foreign subsidiaries’ financial statements into U.S. dollars and when any of the Company’s subsidiaries purchase or sell products or services in a currency other than its own currency.
The Company’s principal strategies in managing exposures to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are to (1) naturally hedge the foreign-currency-denominated liabilities on the Company’s balance sheet against corresponding assets of the same currency, such that any changes in liabilities due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates are typically offset by corresponding changes in assets and (2) mitigate foreign exchange risk exposure of international operations by hedging the variability in the movement of foreign currency exchange rates on a portion of its Euro-denominated net asset investments. The Company presents the derivative transactions in financing activities in the statement of cash flows.
Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts
The Company does not specifically enter into any derivatives that hedge foreign-currency-denominated operating assets, liabilities or commitments on its balance sheet, other than a portion of certain third-party accounts receivable and accounts payable, and the Company’s net worldwide intercompany receivables and payables, which are eliminated in consolidation.
The Company periodically aggregates its net worldwide balances by currency and then enters into foreign currency exchange contracts that mature within 90 days to hedge a portion of the remaining balance to minimize some of the Company’s currency price risk exposure. The foreign currency exchange contracts are not designated for hedge accounting treatment.
Principal hedged currencies include the Euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Mexican peso and Brazilian real.
Interest Rate Cross-Currency Swap Agreements
As of Decem
b
er 31, 2019
, the Company
 
has
entered into three-year interest rate cross-currency swap derivative agreements with
a
notional value of $560 million to hedge the variability in the movement of foreign currency exchange rates on a portion of its Euro-denominated net asset investments. Under hedge accounting, the change in fair value of the derivative that relates to changes in the foreign currency spot rate are recorded in the currency translation adjustment in
 
other comprehensive income and remain in accumulated comprehensive income in stockholders’ (deficit) equity until the sale or substantial liquidation of the foreign operation. The difference between the interest rate received and paid under the interest rate cross-currency swap derivative agreement is recorded in interest income in the statement of operations.
The Company’s foreign currency exchange contracts and interest rate cross-currency swap agreements included in the consolidated balance sheets are classified as follows (in thousands):
 
December 31, 2019
   
December 31, 2018
 
 
Notional Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
 
Notional Value
 
 
Fair Value
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts:
   
     
     
     
 
Other current assets
  $
119,576
    $
16
    $
112,212
    $
503
 
Other current liabilities
  $
29,495
    $
1,028
    $
40,175
    $
224
 
                                 
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements:
   
     
     
     
 
Other assets
  $
560,000
    $
4,485
    $
300,000
    $
1,093
 
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
    $
(4,485
)    
    $
(1,093
)
The following is a summary of the activity included in the statements of comprehensive income related to the foreign currency exchange contracts (in thousands):
 
Financial
Statement
Classification
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Year Ended December 31,
 
2019
 
 
2018
 
 
2017
 
Foreign currency exchange contracts:
   
     
     
     
 
Realized (losses) gains on closed contracts
   
Cost of sales
    $
(3,552
)   $
(6,684
)   $
3,894
 
Unrealized (losses) gains on open contracts
   
Cost of sales
     
(1,292
)    
(105
)    
1,054
 
                                 
Cumulative net
pre-tax
(losses) gains
   
Cost of sales
    $
(4,844
)   $
(6,789
)   $
4,948
 
                                 
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements:
   
     
     
 
Interest earned
   
Interest income
    $
11,709
    $
2,713
    $
—  
 
Unrealized gains on open contracts
   
Stockholders’ 
(
def
i
cit
)
 
equity
    $
4,485
    $
1,093
    $
—  
 
Product Warranty Costs
Product Warranty Costs
The Company accrues estimated product warranty costs at the time of sale, which are included in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations. While the Company engages in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of its component suppliers, the Company’s warranty obligation is affected by product failure rates, material usage and service delivery costs incurred in correcting a product failure. The amount of the accrued warranty liability is based on historical information, such as past experience, product failure rates, number of units repaired and estimated costs of material and labor. The liability is reviewed for reasonableness at least quarterly.
The following is a summary of the activity of the Company’s accrued warranty liability for the
years
ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 (in thousands):
 
Balance at
Beginning of Period
 
 
Accruals for
Warranties
 
 
Settlements
Made
 
 
Balance at
End of Period
 
Accrued warranty liability:
   
     
     
     
 
December 31, 2019
  $
12,300
    $
7,540
    $
(7,876
)   $
11,964
 
December 31, 2018
  $
13,026
    $
5,033
    $
(5,759
)   $
12,300
 
December 31, 2017
  $
13,391
    $
8,746
    $
(9,111
)   $
13,026
 
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company has two stock-based compensation plans, which are described in Note 14, “Stock-Based Compensation”.
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation costs in accordance with the accounting standards for stock-based compensation, which require that all share-based payments to employees be recognized in the statements of operations, based on their grant date fair values. The Company recognizes the expense using the straight-line attribution method. The stock-based compensation expense recognized in the consolidated statements of operations is based on awards that ultimately are expected to vest; therefore, the amount of expense has been reduced for estimated forfeitures. Forfeitures are estimated based on historical experience. If actual results differ significantly from these estimates, stock-based compensation expense and the Company’s results of operations could be materially impacted. In addition, if the Company employs different assumptions in the application of these standards, the compensation expense that the Company records in the future periods may differ significantly from what the Company has recorded in the current period.
In determining the fair value of the stock options, the Company makes a variety of assumptions and estimates, including volatility measures, expected yields and expected stock option lives. The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company uses implied volatility on its publicly-traded options as the basis for its estimate of expected volatility. The Company believes that implied volatility is the most appropriate indicator of expected volatility because it is generally reflective of historical volatility and expectations of how future volatility will differ from historical volatility. The expected life assumption for grants is based on historical experience for the population of
non-qualified
stock option exercises. The risk-free interest rate is the yield currently available on U.S. Treasury
zero-coupon
issues with a remaining term approximating the expected term used as the input to the Black-Scholes model.
Performance Stock Units
generally reflective of historical volatility and expectations of how future volatility will differ from historical volatility. The expected life assumption for grants is based on the performance period of the underlying performance stock units. The risk-free interest rate is the yield currently available on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues with a remaining term approximating the expected term used as the input to the Monte Carlo simulation model. The correlation coefficient is used to model the way in which each company in the S&P Health Care Index tends to move in relation to each other during the performance period.
Earnings Per Share
Earnings Per Share
In accordance with the earnings per share accounting standards, the Company presents two earnings per share (“EPS”) amounts. Income per basic common share is based on income available to common shareholders and the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Income per diluted common share includes additional dilution from potential common stock, such as stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of stock options outstanding.
Retirement Plans
Retirement Plans
The Company sponsors various retirement plans, which are described in Note 17, “Retirement Plans”.
The net periodic pension cost is made up of several components that reflect different aspects of the Company’s financial arrangements as well as the cost of benefits earned by employees. These components are determined using the projected unit credit actuarial cost method and are based on certain actuarial assumptions. The Company’s accounting policy is to reflect in the projected benefit obligation all benefit changes to which the Company is committed as of the current valuation date; use a market-related value of assets to determine pension expense; amortize increases in prior service costs on a straight-line basis over the expected future service of active participants as of the date such costs are first recognized; and amortize cumulative actuarial gains and losses in excess of 10% of the larger of the market-related value of plan assets and the projected benefit obligation over the expected future service of active participants.
 
Net actuarial (gains) losses that arose during the year were due to changes in the discount rate as well as differences between expected and actual return on plan assets.
The Company adopted new accounting guidance which requires that an employer disaggregate the service cost component from other components of net benefit cost. As a result of the adoption of this standard, the components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in other income in the consolidated statements of operations and all previous periods have been adjusted accordingly.
New Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In February 2016, accounting guidance was issued regarding the accounting for leases. This new comprehensive lease standard amends various aspects of existing accounting guidance for leases. The core principle of the new guidance requires lessees to present the assets and liabilities that arise from leases on their balance sheets. This guidance was effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company has adopted this standard using a modified retrospective transition approach to be applied to leases existing as of, or entered into after, January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard did have a material effect on the Company’s balance sheet by recording a
right-of-use
lease asset and lease liabilities in the amount $100 million as of January 1, 2019; however, it did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and retained earnings.
In March 2017, accounting guidance was issued to amend the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium. Specifically, the amortization period for certain callable debt securities was shortened to end at the earliest call date. This guidance was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2019 and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In February 2018, accounting guidance was issued to address the impact of the 2017 Tax Act on items recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. Current accounting guidance requires deferred tax liabilities and assets to be adjusted for the effect of a change in tax laws or rates with the effect recorded in income from continuing operations, even if the related tax effects were originally recognized in other comprehensive income, the new guidance allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Act. This guidance was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company adopted this standard as of January 1, 2019 and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In August 2018, accounting guidance was issued to address the capitalization of implementation costs associated with hosting arrangements that meet the definition of a service contract. The new guidance clarified that the
internal-use
software capitalization guidance should be used to determine when implementation costs are capitalizable. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company elected to prospectively adopt this guidance as of January 1, 2019 and the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In June 2016, accounting guidance was issued that modifies the recognition of credit losses related to financial assets, such as debt securities, trade receivables, net investments in leases,
off-balance
sheet credit exposures, and other financial assets that have the contractual right to receive cash. Current guidance requires the recognition of a credit loss when it is considered probable that a loss event has occurred. The new guidance requires the measurement of expected credit losses to be based upon relevant information, including historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the asset. As such, expected credit losses may be recognized sooner under the new guidance due to the broader range of information that will be required to determine credit loss estimates. The new guidance also amends the current other-than-temporary impairment model used for debt securities classified as
available-for-sale.
When the fair value of an
available-for-sale
debt security is below its amortized cost, the new guidance requires the total unrealized loss to be bifurcated into its credit and
non-credit
components. Any expected credit losses or subsequent recoveries will
be recognized in earnings and any changes not considered credit related will continue to be recognized within other comprehensive income. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company currently does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In January 2017, accounting guidance was issued that simplifies the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance eliminates step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company currently does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In August 2018, accounting guidance was issued that modifies the disclosure requirements of fair value measurements. The amendments remove disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarify the specific requirements of disclosure and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In August 2018, accounting guidance was issued that modifies the disclosure requirements of retirement benefit plans. The amendments remove disclosures that are no longer considered cost beneficial, clarify the specific requirements of disclosure and add disclosure requirement identified as relevant. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
In December 2019, accounting guidance was issued that simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions within the current guidance; including the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences. The amendment also improves consistent application by clarifying and amending existing guidance related to aspects of the accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step up in the tax basis of goodwill. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2020 and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect that the adoption of this standard will have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.
Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition
The Company adopted new accounting guidance regarding the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers as of January 1, 2018 and applied the modified-retrospective method. The Company elected the practical expedient and only evaluated the contracts that were considered incomplete as of January 1, 2018 when quantifying the cumulative effect adjustment under the modified retrospective method. Ultimately, the Company determined that there was not a significant change in the timing or pattern of revenue recognition for the Company’s products and services. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows and, as such, did not require any adjustments to information reported in the prior year. The revenue recognition policies described below were effective as of January 1, 2018.
The Company recognizes revenue upon transfer of control of promised products and services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those products or services. The Company generally enters into contracts that include a combination of products and services. Revenue is allocated to distinct performance obligations and is recognized net of allowances for returns and discounts.
The Company recognizes revenue on product sales at the time control of the product transfers to the customer. In substantially all of the Company’s arrangements, title of the product transfers at shipping point and, as a result, the Company determined control transfers at the point of shipment. In more limited cases, there are destination-based shipping terms and, thus, control is deemed to transfer when the products arrive at the customer site. All incremental costs of obtaining a contract are expensed as and when incurred if the expected amortization period of the asset that would have been recognized is one year or less. Shipping and handling costs are included as a component of cost of sales. In situations where the control of the goods transfers prior to the completion of the Company’s obligation to ship the products to its customers, the Company has elected the practical expedient to account for the shipping services as a fulfillment cost. Accordingly, such costs are recognized when control of the related goods is transferred to the customer. In more rare situations, the Company has revenue associated with products that contain specific customer acceptance criteria and the related revenue is not recognized before the customer acceptance criteria are satisfied. The Company elected to exclude from the measurement of the transaction price all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with specific revenue-producing transactions and collected by the Company from a customer.
Generally, the Company’s contracts for products include a performance obligation related to installation. The Company has determined that the installation represents a distinct performance obligation and revenue is recognized separately upon the completion of installation. The Company determines the amount of the transaction price to allocate to the installation service based on the standalone selling price of the product and the service, which requires judgment. The Company determines
the
relative standalone selling price of installation based upon a number of factors, including hourly service billing rates and estimated installation hours. In developing these estimates, the Company considers past history, competition, billing rates of current services and other factors.
The Company has sales from standalone software, which
 
are
included in instrument systems revenue. These arrangements typically include software licenses and maintenance contracts, both of which the Company has determined are distinct performance obligations. The Company determines the amount of the transaction price to allocate to the license and maintenance contract based on the relative standalone selling price of each performance obligation. Software license revenue is recognized at the point in time when control has been transferred to the customer. The revenue allocated to the software maintenance contract is recognized on a straight-line basis over the maintenance period, which is the contractual term of the contract, as a time-based measure of progress best reflects the Company’s performance in satisfying this obligation. Unspecified rights to software upgrades are typically sold as part of the maintenance contract on a
when-and-if-available
basis.
Payment terms and conditions vary among the Company’s revenue streams, although terms generally include a requirement of payment within 30 to 60 days of product shipment.
Prior to providing payment terms to customers, an evaluation of
their
credit risk is performed. Returns and customer credits are infrequent and insignificant and are recorded as a reduction to sales. Rights of return are not included in sales arrangements and, therefore, there is minimal variable consideration included in the transaction price of our products.
Service revenue includes (1) service and software maintenance contracts and (2) service calls (time and materials). Instrument service contracts and software maintenance contracts are typically annual contracts, which are billed at the beginning of the contract or maintenance period. The amount of the service and software maintenance contract is recognized on a straight-line basis to revenue over the maintenance service period, which is the contractual term of the contract, as a time-based measure of progress best reflects the Company’s performance in satisfying this obligation. There are no deferred costs associated with the service contract, as the cost of the service is recorded when the service is performed. Service calls are recognized to revenue at the time a service is performed.