XML 67 R24.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.1.9
Basis of Presentation (Policies)
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include Mondelēz International, Inc. as well as our wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries.

Our interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) have been omitted. It is management’s opinion that these financial statements include all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of our financial position and operating results. Net revenues and net earnings for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of future or annual results.

We derived the condensed consolidated balance sheet data as of December 31, 2014 from audited financial statements, but do not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. You should read these statements in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Accounting Calendar Change

Accounting Calendar Change:

In connection with moving toward a common consolidation date across the Company, in the first quarter of 2015, we changed the consolidation date for our North America segment from the last Saturday of each period to the last calendar day of each period. The change had a favorable impact of $39 million on net revenues and $19 million on operating income in the three months ended March 31, 2015.

As a result of this change, each of our operating subsidiaries now reports results as of the last calendar day of the period. We believe the change will improve business planning and financial reporting by better matching the close dates of the operating subsidiaries and bringing the reporting dates to the period-end date. As the effect to prior-period results was not material, we have not revised prior-period results.
Currency Translation and Highly Inflationary Accounting

Currency Translation and Highly Inflationary Accounting:

We translate the results of operations of our subsidiaries from multiple currencies using average exchange rates during each period and translate balance sheet accounts using exchange rates at the end of each period. We record currency translation adjustments as a component of equity (except for highly inflationary currencies such as in Venezuela) and realized exchange gains and losses on transactions in earnings.

Venezuela. As prescribed by U.S. GAAP for highly inflationary economies, we have been accounting for the results of our Venezuelan subsidiaries using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency since January 1, 2010.

On February 8, 2013, the Venezuelan government announced the devaluation of the official Venezuelan bolivar exchange rate from 4.30 bolivars to 6.30 bolivars to the U.S. dollar. The official rate of 6.30 is the rate applied to import food and other essential items, and we purchase a material portion of our imported raw materials using U.S. dollars secured at this rate.

On January 24, 2014, the Venezuelan government announced the expansion of a new auction-based currency transaction program which became known as SICAD I and new profit margin controls. The application of the SICAD I rate was extended to include foreign investments and significant operating activities, including contracts for leasing and services, use and exploitation of patents and trademarks, payments of royalties and contracts for technology import and technical assistance. On March 24, 2014, the Venezuelan government launched a new market-based currency exchange market, SICAD II, and at that time indicated that it may be used voluntarily to exchange bolivars into U.S. dollars.

As of March 31, 2014, we began to apply the SICAD I exchange rate to remeasure our bolivar-denominated net monetary assets, and we began translating our Venezuelan operating results at the SICAD I rate in the second quarter of 2014. On March 31, 2014, we recognized a $142 million currency remeasurement loss within selling, general and administrative expenses of our Latin America segment as a result of revaluing our bolivar-denominated net monetary assets from the official exchange rate of 6.30 bolivars to the U.S. dollar to the then-prevailing SICAD I exchange rate of 10.70 bolivars to the U.S. dollar.

 

On February 10, 2015, the Venezuelan government combined the SICAD I and SICAD II (“SICAD”) exchange rate mechanisms and in addition created a new market-based SIMADI rate, while retaining the 6.30 official rate for food and other essentials. The Venezuelan government also announced an opening SICAD auction rate of 12.00 bolivars to the U.S. dollar, which as of March 31, 2015 is the prevailing SICAD rate until our specific industry group auctions make U.S. dollars available at another offered SICAD rate. We continue to expect to secure U.S. dollars at the SICAD rate in addition to the official rate. The SIMADI rate was designed as a free market exchange rate that makes U.S. dollars available for any transactions based on the available supply of U.S. dollars at the offered rate. As of March 31, 2015, the SIMADI exchange rate was 193.05 bolivars to the U.S. dollar and availability of U.S. dollars at the SIMADI rate was limited. At this time, we do not anticipate using the SIMADI rate frequently in managing our local operations.

Our Venezuelan operations produce a range of biscuit, cheese & grocery, confectionery and beverage products. Based on the currency exchange developments this year, we reviewed our domestic and international sourcing of goods and services and the exchange rates we believe will be applicable. We evaluated the level of primarily raw material imports that we believe would continue to be sourced in exchange for U.S. dollars converted at the official 6.30 exchange rate. Our remaining imported goods and services would primarily be valued at the SICAD exchange rate. Imports that do not currently qualify for either the official rate or SICAD rate could be sourced at the SIMADI rate.

We believe the SICAD rate continues to be the most economically representative rate for us to use to value our net monetary assets and translate our operating results in Venezuela. While some of our net monetary assets or liabilities qualify for settlement at the official exchange rate, other operations do not, and we have utilized the SICAD auction process and expect to use the new SIMADI auctions on an as needed basis.

In the first quarter of 2015, we recognized an $11 million remeasurement loss, reflecting an increase in the SICAD exchange rate from 11.50 to 12.00 bolivars to the U.S. dollar.

The following table sets forth net revenues for our Venezuelan operations for the three months ended March 31, 2015 (measured at the SICAD rate), and cash, net monetary assets and net assets of our Venezuelan subsidiaries as of March 31, 2015 (translated at a SICAD rate of 12.00 bolivars to the U.S. dollar):

 

Venezuela operations

   

Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
Net revenues    $218 million or 2.8% of consolidated net revenues
    

As of March 31, 2015
Cash    $313 million
Net monetary assets    $234 million
Net assets    $522 million

Unlike the official rate that is fixed at 6.30 bolivars to the U.S. dollar, the SICAD rate can vary over time. If any of the three-tier currency exchange rates, or the application of the rates to our business, were to change, we would recognize additional currency losses, or gains, which could be significant.

In light of the ongoing difficult macroeconomic environment in Venezuela, we continue to monitor and actively manage our investment and exposures in Venezuela. We plan to continue to do business in the country as long as we can successfully operate our business there. We strive to locally source and produce a significant amount of the products we sell in Venezuela. We have taken other protective measures against currency devaluation, such as converting monetary assets into non-monetary assets that we can use in our business. However, suitable protective measures have become less available and more expensive and may not offset further currency devaluation that could occur.

Argentina. On January 23, 2014, the Central Bank of Argentina adjusted its currency policy, removed its currency stabilization measures and allowed the Argentine peso exchange rate to float relative to the U.S. dollar. On that day, the value of the Argentine peso relative to the U.S. dollar fell by 15%. In July 2014, Argentina had a technical default on its debt as the government was blocked from making payments on its restructured debt by certain creditors who did not participate in a debt restructuring in 2001. Further volatility in the exchange rate is expected. Since December 31, 2014 and through March 31, 2015, the value of the peso declined 4%. While the business operating environment remains challenging, we continue to monitor and actively manage our investment and exposures in Argentina. We continue refining our product portfolio to improve our product offerings, mix and profitability. We also continue to implement additional cost initiatives to protect the business. Further currency declines, economic controls or other business restrictions could have an adverse impact on our ongoing results of operations. Our Argentinian operations contributed approximately $175 million, or 2.3% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the net monetary liabilities of our Argentina operations were not material. Argentina is not designated as a highly-inflationary economy for accounting purposes and so we continue to record currency translation adjustments within equity and realized exchange gains and losses on transactions in earnings.

Russia. During the fourth quarter of 2014, the value of the Russian ruble relative to the U.S. dollar declined 50%. In the first quarter of 2015, the value of the ruble relative to the U.S. dollar fluctuated significantly, declining 18% in January then increasing 17% across February and March. Due to the significant currency movements, we continue to take actions to protect our near-term operating results, financial condition and cash flow. Our operations in Russia contributed approximately $170 million, or 2.2% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the net monetary assets of our Russia operations were not material. Russia is not designated as a highly-inflationary economy for accounting purposes and so we continue to record currency translation adjustments within equity and realized exchange gains and losses on transactions in earnings.

Ukraine. On February 5, 2015, the National Bank of Ukraine changed its currency policy by eliminating daily auctions, which effectively supported the exchange rate, and allowed the Ukrainian hryvnya exchange rate to float relative to the U.S. dollar. During the quarter, the International Monetary Fund also extended $18 billion of financing to Ukraine to support it meeting short- and near-term commitments. The value of the Ukrainian hryvnya relative to the U.S. dollar declined 49% from December 31, 2014 through March 31, 2015, and further volatility in the currency is expected. We continue to take actions to protect our near-term operating results, cash flow and financial condition. Our Ukrainian operations contributed approximately $45 million, or 0.6% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2015. As of March 31, 2015, the net monetary assets of our Ukrainian operations were not material. Ukraine is not designated as a highly-inflationary economy for accounting purposes and so we continue to record currency translation adjustments within equity and realized exchange gains and losses on transactions in earnings.
New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements:

In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update (“ASU”) that provides guidance on evaluating whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If there is a software license component, software licensing accounting should be applied; otherwise, service contract accounting should be applied. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued an ASU that provides a practical expedient for reporting entities with a fiscal year end that does not coincide with a month end when measuring the fair value of plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plan. It allows the measurement of plan assets and obligations using the month end that is closest to the entity’s fiscal year end. The ASU requires prospective application and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2015, with early adoption permitted. As our current fiscal year end coincides with a calendar month end, we do not expect the standard to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued an ASU that simplifies the presentation of debt issuance costs. The standard requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt obligation to be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt instead of being presented as an asset, similar to the presentation of debt discounts. The ASU requires retrospective application and represents a change in accounting principle. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We plan to adopt the new standard on or by the January 1, 2016 effective date and are currently assessing the impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued an ASU that amends current consolidation guidance related to the evaluation of whether certain legal entities should be consolidated. The standard modifies both the variable interest entity (“VIE”) model and the voting interest model, including analyses of whether limited partnerships are VIEs and the impact of service fees and related party interests in determining if an entity is a VIE to the reporting entity. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We plan to adopt the new standard on the January 1, 2016 effective date and are currently assessing the impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2015, the FASB issued an ASU to simplify income statement classification by removing the concept of extraordinary items from U.S. GAAP. As a result, items that are both unusual and infrequent will no longer be separately reported net of tax after continuing operations. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued an ASU on revenue recognition from contracts with customers. The new ASU outlines a new, single comprehensive model for companies to use in accounting for revenue. The core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for the goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from customer contracts, including significant judgments made in recognizing revenue. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption prohibited. In April 2015, the FASB proposed to defer the effective date by one year and allow early adoption as of the original effective date; the deferral has not yet been approved by the board but approval is expected. The ASU may be applied retrospectively to historical periods presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We plan to adopt the new standard on the January 1, 2017 effective date and are currently assessing the impact of the new standard on our consolidated financial statements.