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Basis of Presentation (Policies)
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 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 we 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.
Equity Method Investments

Equity Method Investments:

We account for investments in which we exercise significant influence (20%-50% ownership interest) under the equity method of accounting. On July 2, 2015, we contributed our global coffee businesses to a new company, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (“JDE”), in which we now hold a 43.5% equity interest (collectively, the “coffee business transactions”). Historically, our coffee businesses and the income from primarily coffee-related and smaller equity method investments were recorded within our operating income as these businesses operated as direct extensions of our base business. Following the coffee business transactions, while we retain an ongoing interest in coffee through significant equity method investments, and we have significant influence with JDE and other equity method investments, we do not have control over these operations directly. As such, beginning in the third quarter, we began to recognize the investment earnings in after-tax equity method investment earnings outside of operating income and segment income. For periods prior to the July 2, 2015 closing, the coffee and other equity method investment earnings were included within our operating income and segment income. Please see Note 2, Divestitures and Acquisitions – Coffee Business Transactions, and Note 15, Segment Reporting, for more information on these transactions.
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 $19 million on net revenues and $8 million on operating income in the three months and $58 million on net revenues and $27 million on operating income in the nine months ended September 30, 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. Through September 30, 2014, we recognized $19 million of additional remeasurement charges related primarily to changes in the SICAD I rate.

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 September 30, 2015 is the prevailing SICAD rate until our specific industry group auctions make U.S. dollars available at another offered SICAD 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 September 30, 2015, the SIMADI exchange rate was 199.42 bolivars to the U.S. dollar.

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. The large majority of imports continue to be sourced at the 6.30 official rate. Availability of U.S. dollars at the SICAD rate has been limited, and while we were able to secure U.S. dollars at the SICAD rate in the first six months of the year, we were not able to secure any U.S. dollars at this rate during the third quarter. Availability of U.S. dollars at the SIMADI rate has also been limited and to date we have not sourced U.S. dollars at this rate.

Based on our current sourcing of goods and services, 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. 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. We will also continue to monitor liquidity and availability of U.S. dollars at different rates as this situation may change in the future.

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 and nine months ended September 30, 2015 (measured at the SICAD rate), and cash, net monetary assets and net assets of our Venezuelan subsidiaries as of September 30, 2015 (translated at a SICAD rate of 12.00 bolivars to the U.S. dollar):

 

Venezuela operations

   

Three Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net revenues    $315 million or 4.6% of consolidated net revenues
    

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015
Net revenues    $834 million or 3.7% of consolidated net revenues
    

As of September 30, 2015
Cash    $401 million
Net monetary assets    $352 million
Net assets    $617 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.

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 other currencies. 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 September 30, 2015, the value of the peso relative to the U.S. dollar declined 11%. 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 $205 million, or 3.0% of consolidated net revenues for the three months and $565 million, or 2.5% of consolidated net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the net monetary liabilities of our Argentina operations were not material. Argentina is not designated as a highly-inflationary economy for accounting purposes, so we 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%. Since December 31, 2014 and through September 30, 2015, the value of the ruble relative to the U.S. dollar decreased 11%. 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 $145 million, or 2.1% of consolidated net revenues for the three months and $525 million, or 2.4% of consolidated net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. As of September 30, 2015, the net monetary assets of our Russia operations were not material. Russia is not designated as a highly-inflationary economy for accounting purposes, so we record currency translation adjustments within equity and realized exchange gains and losses on transactions in earnings.

Other Countries. Since we have operations in over 80 countries and sell in approximately 165 countries, we regularly monitor economic and currency-related risks and seek to take protective measures in response to these exposures. Some of the countries in which we do business have had significant economic uncertainty recently. These include Brazil, Ukraine, Turkey and Nigeria, most of which have had either currency devaluation or volatility. We continue to monitor operations, currencies and net monetary exposures in these countries. At this time, we do not have material net monetary asset exposures or risk to our operating results from changing to highly inflationary accounting in these countries.
New Accounting Pronouncements

New Accounting Pronouncements:

In September 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) that eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Under the new guidance, measurement-period adjustments should be accounted for during the period in which the entity determines the amount of the adjustment. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted, and should be applied prospectively to open measurement periods after the effective date, regardless of the acquisition date. We plan to early adopt and to apply the standard in our accounting for the acquisitions that we closed this quarter. See Note 2, Divestitures and Acquisitions, for more information.

In July 2015, the FASB issued an ASU that simplifies the guidance on the subsequent measurement of inventory. U.S. GAAP currently requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. Previously, market could be replacement cost, net realizable value or net realizable value less an approximate normal profit margin. Under the new standard, inventory should be valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the impact of the ASU across our operations and on our consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2015, the FASB issued an ASU that applies to reporting entities that elect to measure the fair value of an investment using the net asset value (“NAV”) per share (or its equivalent) practical expedient. This ASU removes the requirement to include investments measured using the practical expedient within fair value hierarchy disclosures. Also, practical expedient disclosures previously required for all eligible investments are now only required for investments for which the practical expedient has been elected. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. As we measure certain defined benefit plan assets using the NAV practical expedient, we plan to adopt the new standard on or by the January 1, 2016 effective date. The new standard will impact our disclosures as discussed above but is not otherwise expected to have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued an 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 15, 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 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. In August 2015, the FASB issued an update clarifying that for line-of-credit arrangements, entities may continue to defer debt issuance costs as an asset. The ASU represents a change in accounting principle and requires retrospective application. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. We plan to adopt the new standard as of December 31, 2015.

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 January 1, 2016 and are currently assessing the impact across our operations and 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. In May 2015, the FASB proposed changes to the new guidance in the areas of licenses and identifying performance obligations. In August 2015, the FASB issued an ASU that defers the effective date by one year to annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted as of the original effective date which was for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The ASU may be applied retrospectively to historical periods presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We continue to assess the impact of the new standard across our operations and on our consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications

Reclassifications:

Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to current-year presentation. We reclassified equity method investments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets to conform with the current-year presentation. We also reclassified cash flows related to our historical equity method investees on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. Refer to the Equity Method Investments section in this Note for additional discussion of the presentation of our equity method investment earnings.