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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 9 Months Ended
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Sep. 28, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 1 Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Waters Corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “our,” or “us”), a global leader in analytical instruments and software, has pioneered innovations in chromatography, mass spectrometry and thermal analysis serving life, materials and food sciences for more than 65 years. The Company primarily designs, manufactures, sells and services high-performance liquid chromatography (“HPLC”), ultra-performance liquid chromatography (“UPLC” and together with HPLC, referred to as “LC”) and mass spectrometry (“MS”) technology systems and support products, including chromatography columns, other consumable products and comprehensive post-warranty service plans. These systems are complementary products that are frequently employed together (“LC-MS”) and sold as integrated instrument systems using common software platforms. LC is a standard technique and is utilized in a broad range of industries to detect, identify, monitor and measure the chemical, physical and biological composition of materials, and to purify a full range of compounds. MS technology, principally in conjunction with chromatography, is employed in drug discovery and development, including clinical trial testing, the analysis of proteins in disease processes (known as “proteomics”), nutritional safety analysis and environmental testing. LC-MS instruments combine a liquid phase sample introduction and separation system with mass spectrometric compound identification and quantification. In addition, the Company designs, manufactures, sells and services thermal analysis, rheometry and calorimetry instruments through its TA Instruments product line. These instruments are used in predicting the suitability and stability of fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, water, polymers, metals and viscous liquids for various industrial, consumer goods and healthcare products, as well as for life science research. The Company is also a developer and supplier of advanced software-based products that interface with the Company’s instruments, as well as other manufacturers’ instruments. On May 16, 2023, the Company completed the acquisition of Wyatt Technology, LLC and its three operating subsidiaries, Wyatt Technology Europe GmbH, Wyatt Technology France and Wyatt Technology UK Ltd. (collectively, “Wyatt”), for a total purchase price of $1.3 billion in cash. Wyatt is a pioneer in innovative light scattering and field-flow fractionation instruments, software, accessories and services. The acquisition expanded Waters’ portfolio and increased exposure to large molecule applications. The Company financed this transaction with a combination of cash on its balance sheet and borrowings under its Credit Facility (as defined below). The Company’s financial results for the three and nine months ended September 28, 2024 include the financial results of Wyatt. The Company’s financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 only include four-and-a-half months of the financial results of Wyatt as the closing of the acquisition occurred during the second quarter of 2023. On an unaudited pro forma basis, as if the Wyatt acquisition had occurred at the beginning of fiscal year 2023, our consolidated net sales would have been $2.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2023. The difference between the net income calculated on a pro forma basis and actual net income was insignificant primarily due to purchased intangibles amortization expense and interest expense related to our acquisition of Wyatt. In addition, the Company has completed the purchase price allocation for the Wyatt acquisition and there were no material changes as compared to the Company’s preliminary purchase price allocation for the Wyatt acquisition. The Company’s interim fiscal quarter typically ends on the thirteenth Saturday of each quarter. Since the Company’s fiscal year end is December 31, the first and fourth fiscal quarters may have more or less than thirteen complete weeks. The Company’s third fiscal quarters for 2024 and 2023 ended on September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. The accompanying unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions in Form 10-Q and do not include all of the information and footnote disclosures required for annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) in the United States of America. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries, all of which are wholly owned. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. 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. Actual amounts may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. It is management’s opinion that the accompanying interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (which are normal and recurring) that are necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods. The interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2024. 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. 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 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 loss in the consolidated balance sheets. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Investments Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments, with original maturities of 90 days or less, while investments with longer maturities are classified as investments. 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 September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023, $287 million out of $331 million and $321 million out of $396 million, respectively, of the Company’s total cash, cash equivalents and investments were held by foreign subsidiaries. In addition, $234 million out of $331 million and $233 million out of $396 million of cash, cash equivalents and investments were held in currencies other than the U.S. dollar at September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively. Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Credit Losses 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 Company does not consider there to be significant concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables due to the short-term nature of the balances, the Company having a large and diverse customer base, and the Company having a strong historical experience of collecting receivables with minimal defaults. As a result, credit risk is considered low across territories and trade receivables are considered to be a single class of financial asset. The allowance for credit losses is based on a number of factors and is calculated by applying a historical loss rate to trade receivable aging balances to estimate a general reserve balance along with an additional adjustment for any specific receivables with known or anticipated issues affecting the likelihood of recovery. Past due balances with a probability of default based on historical data as well as relevant available forward-looking information are included in the specific adjustment. The historical loss rate is reviewed on at least an annual basis and the allowance for credit losses is reviewed quarterly for any required adjustments. The Company does not have any off-balance sheet credit exposure related to its customers. Trade receivables related to instrument sales are collateralized by the instrument that is sold. If there is a risk of default related to a receivable that is collateralized, then the fair value of the collateral is calculated and adjusted for the cost to re-possess, refurbish and re-sell the instrument. This adjusted fair value is compared to the receivable balance and the difference would be recorded as the expected credit loss. The following is a summary of the activity of the Company’s allowance for credit losses for the nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 (in thousands):
|  | Balance at Beginning of Period |  |  | Additions |  |  | Deductions and Other |  |  | Balance at End of Period |
Allowance for Credit Losses |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
September 28, 2024 |  | $ | 19,335 |  |  | $ | 4,109 |  |  | $ | (7,451 | ) |  | $ | 15,993 |
September 30, 2023 |  | $ | 14,311 |  |  | $ | 3,727 |  |  | $ | (3,434 | ) |  | $ | 14,604 |
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 September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023. 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 September 28, 2024 (in thousands):
|  | Total at September 28, 2024 |  |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Time deposits |  | $ | 944 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 944 |  |  | $ | — |
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets |  |  | 30,711 |  |  |  | 30,711 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Foreign currency exchange contracts |  |  | 93 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 93 |  |  |  | — |
Total |  | $ | 31,748 |  |  | $ | 30,711 |  |  | $ | 1,037 |  |  | $ | — |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency exchange contracts |  | $ | 60 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 60 |  |  | $ | — |
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements |  |  | 22,764 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 22,764 |  |  |  | — |
Interest rate swap cash flow hedge |  |  | 3,705 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 3,705 |  |  |  | — |
Total |  | $ | 26,529 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 26,529 |  |  | $ | — |
The following table represents the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2023 (in thousands):
|  | Total at December 31, 2023 |  |  | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) |  |  | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) |  |  | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) |
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Time deposits |  | $ | 898 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 898 |  |  | $ | — |
Waters 401(k) Restoration Plan assets |  |  | 28,995 |  |  |  | 28,995 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | — |
Foreign currency exchange contracts |  |  | 183 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 183 |  |  |  | — |
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements |  |  | 4,835 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 4,835 |  |  |  | — |
Total |  | $ | 34,911 |  |  | $ | 28,995 |  |  | $ | 5,916 |  |  | $ | — |
Liabilities: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Foreign currency exchange contracts |  |  | 207 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 207 |  |  |  | — |
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements |  |  | 13,384 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 13,384 |  |  |  | — |
Interest rate swap cash flow hedge |  |  | 2,974 |  |  |  | — |  |  |  | 2,974 |  |  |  | — |
Total |  | $ | 16,565 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 16,565 |  |  | $ | — |
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, Interest Rate Cross-Currency Swap Agreements and Interest Rate Swap Cash Flow Hedges The fair values of the Company’s cash equivalents, investments, foreign currency exchange contracts, interest rate cross-currency swap agreements and interest rate swap cash flow hedges 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 Other Financial Instruments The Company’s accounts receivable and accounts payable are recorded at cost, which approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying value of the Company’s variable interest rate debt approximates fair value due to the variable nature of the interest rate. The carrying value of the Company’s fixed interest rate debt was $1.3 billion at both September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023. 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 $1.2 billion at both September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023 using Level 2 inputs. 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 and yen-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. Cash Flow Hedges The Company’s Credit Facility is a variable borrowing and has interest payments based on a contractually specified interest rate index. The contractually specified index on the Credit Facility is the 3-month Term SOFR. The variable rate interest payments create interest risk for the Company as interest payments will fluctuate based on changes in the contractually specified interest rate index over the life of the Credit Facility. In order to reduce interest rate risk, the Company has entered in interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional value of $ 150 million to effectively lock-in the forecasted interest payments on the variable rate borrowing over its term. The interest rate swaps represent cash flow hedges and are assessed for hedge effectiveness each reporting period. When the hedge relationship is highly effective at achieving offsetting changes in cash flows, the Company will record the entire change in fair value of the interest rate swaps in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The amount in accumulated other comprehensive loss is reclassified to income in the period that the underlying transaction impacts consolidated income. If it becomes probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur, the hedge relationship will be de-designated and amounts accumulated in other comprehensive loss will be reclassified to income in the current period. Interest settlements due to benchmark interest rate changes are recorded in interest income or interest expense. For the nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company did not have any cash flow hedges that were deemed ineffective. Interest Rate Cross-Currency Swap Agreements As of September 28, 2024, the Company had entered into interest rate cross-currency swap derivative agreements with durations up to three years with an aggregate notional value of $625 million to hedge the variability in the movement of foreign currency exchange rates on a portion of its euro-denominated and yen-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 other comprehensive loss in stockholders’ 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, interest rate cross-currency swap agreements and interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges are included in the consolidated balance sheets are classified as follows (in thousands):
|  | September 28, 2024 |  |  | December 31, 2023 |
|  | Notional Value |  |  | Fair Value |  |  | Notional Value |  |  | Fair Value |
Foreign currency exchange contracts: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other current assets |  | $ | 16,000 |  |  | $ | 93 |  |  | $ | 24,155 |  |  | $ | 183 |
Other current liabilities |  | $ | 23,918 |  |  | $ | 60 |  |  | $ | 16,000 |  |  | $ | 207 |
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other assets |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 220,000 |  |  | $ | 4,835 |
Other liabilities |  | $ | 625,000 |  |  | $ | 22,764 |  |  | $ | 405,000 |  |  | $ | 13,384 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |  |  |  |  |  | $ | (14,750 | ) |  |  |  |  |  | $ | (7,975 | )
Interest rate swap cash flow hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Other liabilities |  | $ | 150,000 |  |  | $ | 3,705 |  |  | $ | 100,000 |  |  | $ | 2,974 |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |  |  |  |  |  | $ | (3,705 | ) |  |  |  |  |  | $ | (2,974 | )
The following is a summary of the activity included in the consolidated statements of operations and statements of comprehensive income related to the foreign currency exchange contracts, interest rate cross-currency swap agreements and interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges (in thousands):
|  | Financial Statement Classification |  |  | Three Months Ended |  |  | Nine Months Ended |
|  | September 28, 2024 |  |  | September 30, 2023 |  |  | September 28, 2024 |  |  | September 30, 2023 |
Foreign currency exchange contracts: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Realized (losses) gains on closed contracts |  |  | Cost of sales |  |  | $ | (138 | ) |  | $ | (755 | ) |  | $ | 914 |  |  | $ | (50 | )
Unrealized (losses) gains on open contracts |  |  | Cost of sales |  |  |  | (26 | ) |  |  | 168 |  |  |  | 39 |  |  |  | (123 | )
Cumulative net pre-tax (losses) gains |  |  | Cost of sales |  |  | $ | (164 | ) |  | $ | (587 | ) |  | $ | 953 |  |  | $ | (173 | )
Interest rate cross-currency swap agreements: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest earned |  |  | Interest income |  |  | $ | 2,486 |  |  | $ | 2,720 |  |  | $ | 7,613 |  |  | $ | 8,048 |
Unrealized (losses) gains on open contracts |  |  | Other comprehensive income |  |  | $ | (28,339 | ) |  | $ | 18,936 |  |  | $ | (6,775 | ) |  | $ | 10,280 |
Interest rate swap cash flow hedges: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest earned |  |  | Interest income |  |  | $ | 366 |  |  | $ | 93 |  |  | $ | 940 |  |  | $ | 93 |
Unrealized (losses) gains on open contracts |  |  | Other comprehensive income |  |  | $ | (3,391 | ) |  | $ | 510 |  |  | $ | (731 | ) |  | $ | 510 |
Stockholders’ Equity In December 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized the extension of its existing share repurchase program through January 21, 2025. The Company’s remaining authorization is $1.0 billion. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company repurchased 0.2 million shares of the Company’s outstanding common stock at a cost of $58 million under the Company’s share repurchase program. The Company did not make any open market share repurchases in 2024. In addition, the Company repurchased $13 million and $12 million of common stock related to the vesting of restricted stock units during the nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023, respectively. 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 nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023 (in thousands):
|  | Balance at Beginning of Period |  |  | Accruals for Warranties |  |  | Settlements Made |  |  | Balance at End of Period |
Accrued warranty liability: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
September 28, 2024 |  | $ | 12,050 |  |  | $ | 3,812 |  |  | $ | (5,371 | ) |  | $ | 10,491 |
September 30, 2023 |  | $ | 11,949 |  |  | $ | 4,813 |  |  | $ | (5,642 | ) |  | $ | 11,120 |
Restructuring In March 2024, the Company had a reduction in workforce that impacted approximately 2 % of the Company’s employees, primarily in China, where there had been a significant decline in sales as a result of lower customer demand. As a result, the Company incurred approximately $ 8 million of severance-related costs. During the nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company paid $13 million of severance-related costs in connection with the workforce reductions that occurred in March 2024 and July 2023. The accrued restructuring expense was approximately $ 2 million at September 28, 2024 and $8 million at December 31, 2023 and included in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the basis of presentation and significant accounting policies concepts. Basis of presentation describes the underlying basis used to prepare the financial statements (for example, US Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, Other Comprehensive Basis of Accounting, IFRS). Accounting policies describe all significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Topic 235 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/235/tableOfContent + Details
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