Note 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business:

Mondelēz International, Inc. was incorporated in 2000 in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mondelēz International, Inc., through its subsidiaries (collectively “Mondelēz International,” “we,” “us” and “our”), sells food and beverage products to consumers in approximately 160 countries.

Principles of Consolidation:

The consolidated financial statements include Mondelēz International, Inc. as well as our wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions are eliminated. The noncontrolling interest represents the noncontrolling investors’ interests in the results of subsidiaries that we control and consolidate. Through December 31, 2015, the operating results of our Venezuelan subsidiaries are included in our consolidated financial statements. As of the close of the fourth quarter of 2015, we deconsolidated our Venezuelan operations from our consolidated financial statements and recognized a loss on deconsolidation. See Currency Translation and Highly Inflationary Accounting: Venezuela below for more information.

We account for investments in which we exercise significant influence 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 an equity interest (collectively, the “JDE coffee business transactions”). Historically, our coffee businesses and the income from equity method investments were recorded within our operating income as these businesses were part of our base business. While we retain an ongoing interest in coffee through equity method investments including JDE, Keurig Green Mountain Inc. (“Keurig”) and Dongsuh Foods Corporation (“DSF”), and we have significant influence with our equity method investments, we do not control these operations directly. As such, in the third quarter of 2015, we began to recognize equity method investment earnings, consisting primarily of investments in coffee businesses, outside of operating income and segment income. For periods prior to the third quarter of 2015, our historical coffee business and equity method investment earnings were included within our operating income and segment income. (For the six months ended December 31, 2015, after-tax equity method investment net earnings were less than $1 million on a combined basis and thus are not shown on our consolidated statement of earnings for this period.) Please see Note 2, Divestitures and Acquisitions – JDE Coffee Business Transactions, Keurig Transaction and Planned Keurig Dr Pepper Transaction, and Note 16, Segment Reporting, for more information on these transactions.

We use the cost method of accounting for investments in which we do not exercise significant influence or control. Under the cost method of accounting, earnings are recognized to the extent cash is received.

Use of Estimates:

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect a number of amounts in our consolidated financial statements. Significant accounting policy elections, estimates and assumptions include, among others, pension and benefit plan assumptions, valuation assumptions of goodwill and intangible assets, useful lives of long-lived assets, restructuring program liabilities, marketing program accruals, insurance and self-insurance reserves and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable. If actual amounts differ from estimates, we include the revisions in our consolidated results of operations in the period the actual amounts become known. Historically, the aggregate differences, if any, between our estimates and actual amounts in any year have not had a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Segment Change:

On October 1, 2016, we integrated our Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (“EEMEA”) operating segment into our Europe and Asia Pacific operating segments to further leverage and optimize the operating scale built within the Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Belarus, Georgia and Kazakhstan were combined within our Europe region, while the remaining Middle East and African countries were combined within our Asia Pacific region to form a new Asia, Middle East and Africa (“AMEA”) operating segment. We have reflected the segment change as if it had occurred in all periods presented.

As of October 1, 2016, our operations and management structure were organized into four reportable operating segments:

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Latin America

•

AMEA

•

Europe

•

North America

See Note 16, Segment Reporting, for additional information on our segments.

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) and realized exchange gains and losses on transactions in earnings.

Highly inflationary accounting is triggered when a country’s three-year cumulative inflation rate exceeds 100%. It requires the remeasurement of financial statements of subsidiaries in the country, from the functional currency of the subsidiary to our U.S. dollar reporting currency, with currency remeasurement gains or losses recorded in earnings. In 2017, none of our consolidated subsidiaries were accounted for as highly inflationary economies.

Argentina. We continue to closely monitor inflation and the potential for the economy to become highly inflationary for accounting purposes. As of December 31, 2017, the Argentinian economy was not designated as highly inflationary and we continued to record currency translation adjustments within equity and realized exchange gains and losses on transactions in earnings. Our Argentinian operations contributed $601 million, or 2.3% of consolidated net revenues in 2017. The net monetary liabilities of our Argentinian operations as of December 31, 2017 were not material.

Ukraine. Based on inflation data published by the National Bank of Ukraine, Ukraine’s three-year cumulative inflation rate dropped and remained below 100% by the end of 2017. As such, Ukraine is no longer highly inflationary and we continue to record currency translation adjustments within equity and realized exchange gains and losses on transactions in earnings. Our Ukrainian operations contributed $73 million, or 0.3%, of consolidated net revenues in 2017. The net monetary assets of our Ukrainian operations as of December 31, 2017 were not material.

Venezuela. From January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2015, we accounted for the results of our Venezuelan subsidiaries using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency as prescribed by U.S. GAAP for highly inflationary economies.

Effective as of the close of the 2015 fiscal year, we concluded that we no longer met the accounting criteria for consolidation of our Venezuelan subsidiaries due to a loss of control over our Venezuelan operations and an other-than-temporary lack of currency exchangeability. The economic and regulatory environment in Venezuela and the progressively limited access to dollars to import goods through the use of any of the available currency mechanisms impaired our ability to operate and control our Venezuelan businesses. As a result of these factors, we concluded that we no longer met the criteria for the consolidation of our Venezuelan subsidiaries.

As of the close of the 2015 fiscal year, we deconsolidated and changed to the cost method of accounting for our Venezuelan operations. We recorded a $778 million pre-tax loss on December 31, 2015 as we reduced the value of our cost method investment in Venezuela and all Venezuelan receivables held by our other subsidiaries to realizable fair value, resulting in full impairment. The recorded loss also included historical cumulative translation adjustments related to our Venezuelan operations that had previously been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive losses within equity. The fair value of our investments in our Venezuelan subsidiaries was estimated based on discounted cash flow projections of current and expected operating losses in the foreseeable future and our ability to operate the business on a sustainable basis. Our fair value estimate included U.S. dollar exchange and discount rate assumptions that reflected the inflation and economic uncertainty in Venezuela.

For 2015, the operating results of our Venezuela operations were included in our consolidated statements of earnings. During this time, we recognized a number of currency-related remeasurement losses resulting from devaluations of the Venezuela bolivar exchange rates we historically used to source U.S. dollars for purchases of imported raw materials, packaging and other goods and services. The following table sets forth the 2015 remeasurement losses, the deconsolidation loss and historical operating results and financial position of our Venezuelan subsidiaries for the period presented:


	For the Year Ended December 31, 2015
	(in millions)

Net revenues	$	1,217
Operating income (excluding remeasurement and deconsolidation loss)		266
Remeasurement loss in Q1 2015: 11.50 to 12.00 bolivars to the U.S. dollar		(11	)
Loss on deconsolidation		(778	)

	As of December 31, 2015 ⁽¹⁾
	(in millions)

Cash	$	611
Net monetary assets		405
Net assets		658

(1)

Represents the financial position of our Venezuelan subsidiaries on December 31, 2015 prior to deconsolidation.

Beginning in 2016, we no longer included net revenues, earnings or net assets of our Venezuelan subsidiaries within our consolidated financial statements. Under the cost method of accounting, earnings are only recognized to the extent cash is received. Given the current and ongoing difficult economic, regulatory and business environment in Venezuela, there continues to be significant uncertainty related to our operations in Venezuela. In early 2018, the profitability and cash flows of our local operations significantly deteriorated following the issuance of new government price controls. We are engaging with authorities on the pricing restrictions, however, if the situation is not resolved, it could significantly impede our ability to continue to operate in Venezuela.

Other Countries. Since we sell our products in approximately 160 countries and have operations in over 80 countries, we 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 recently experienced periods of significant economic uncertainty and exchange rate volatility, including Brazil, China, Mexico, Russia, United Kingdom (Brexit), Turkey, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa. We continue to monitor operations, currencies and net monetary exposures in these countries. At this time, we do not anticipate a risk to our operating results from changing to highly inflationary accounting in these countries.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits with banks and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Transfers of Financial Assets:

We account for transfers of financial assets, such as uncommitted revolving non-recourse accounts receivable factoring arrangements, when we have surrendered control over the related assets. Determining whether control has transferred requires an evaluation of relevant legal considerations, an assessment of the nature and extent of our continuing involvement with the assets transferred and any other relevant considerations. We use receivable factoring arrangements periodically when circumstances are favorable to manage liquidity. We have a factoring arrangement with a major global bank for a maximum combined capacity of $1.0 billion. Under the program, we may sell eligible short-term trade receivables to the bank in exchange for cash. We then continue to collect the receivables sold, acting solely as a collecting agent on behalf of the bank. The outstanding principal amount of receivables under this arrangement amounted to $804 million as of December 31, 2017, $644 million as of December 31, 2016 and $570 million as of December 31, 2015. The incremental cost of factoring receivables under this arrangement were no more than $6 million in each of the years presented. The proceeds from the sales of receivables are included in cash from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

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 $76 million on net revenues and $36 million on operating income in 2015. As a result of this change, each of our operating subsidiaries now reports results as of the last calendar day of the period.

Inventories:

We value our inventory using the average cost method. We also record inventory allowances for overstock and obsolete inventories due to ingredient and packaging changes.

Long-Lived Assets:

Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost and depreciated by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Machinery and equipment are depreciated over periods ranging from 3 to 20 years and buildings and building improvements over periods up to 40 years.

We review long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, for realizability on an ongoing basis. Changes in depreciation, generally accelerated depreciation, are determined and recorded when estimates of the remaining useful lives or residual values of long-term assets change. We also review for impairment when conditions exist that indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. In those circumstances, we perform undiscounted operating cash flow analyses to determine if an impairment exists. When testing for asset impairment, we group assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which cash flows are separately identifiable. Any impairment loss is calculated as the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value. Fair value is estimated based on the discounted cash flows for the asset group over the remaining useful life or based on the expected cash proceeds for the asset less costs of disposal. Any significant impairment losses would be recorded within asset impairment and exit costs in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Software Costs:

We capitalize certain computer software and software development costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining computer software for internal use. Capitalized software costs are included in property, plant and equipment and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the software, which do not exceed seven years.

Goodwill and Non-Amortizable Intangible Assets:

We have historically annually tested goodwill and non-amortizable intangible assets for impairment as of October 1. In 2017, we voluntarily changed the annual impairment assessment date from October 1 to July 1. We believe this measurement date, which represents a change in the method of applying an accounting principle, is preferable because it better aligns with our strategic business planning process and financial forecasts, which are key components of the annual impairment tests. The change in the measurement date did not delay, accelerate or prevent an impairment charge. Each quarter, we have evaluated goodwill and intangible asset impairment risks and recognized any related impairments to date. As such, the change in the annual test date was applied on July 1, 2017.

We assess goodwill impairment risk throughout the year by performing a qualitative review of entity-specific, industry, market and general economic factors affecting our goodwill reporting units. We review our operating segment and reporting unit structure for goodwill testing annually or as significant changes in the organization occur. Annually, we may perform qualitative testing, or depending on factors such as prior-year test results, current year developments, current risk evaluations and other practical considerations, we may elect to do quantitative testing instead. In our quantitative testing, we compare a reporting unit’s estimated fair value with its carrying value. We estimate a reporting unit’s fair value using a discounted cash flow method that incorporates planned growth rates, market-based discount rates and estimates of residual value. This year, for our Europe and North America reporting units, we used a market-based, weighted-average cost of capital of 7.2% to discount the projected cash flows of those operations. For our Latin America and AMEA reporting units, we used a risk-rated discount rate of 10.2%. Estimating the fair value of individual reporting units requires us to make assumptions and estimates regarding our future plans, industry and economic conditions, and our actual results and conditions may differ over time. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s net assets exceeds its fair value, we would recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value.

Annually we assess non-amortizable intangible assets for impairment by performing a qualitative review and assessing events and circumstances that could affect the fair value or carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets. If significant potential impairment risk exists for a specific asset, we quantitatively test it for impairment by comparing its estimated fair value with its carrying value. We determine estimated fair value using planned growth rates, market-based discount rates and estimates of royalty rates. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value, we consider the asset impaired and reduce its carrying value to the estimated fair value. We amortize definite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives and evaluate them for impairment as we do other long-lived assets.

Insurance and Self-Insurance:

We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability, product liability and our obligation for employee healthcare benefits. We estimate the liabilities associated with these risks on an undiscounted basis by evaluating and making judgments about historical claims experience and other actuarial assumptions and the estimated impact on future results.

Revenue Recognition:

We predominantly sell food and beverage products across several product categories and in all regions as disclosed in Note 16, Segment Reporting. We recognize revenue when control over the products transfers to our customers, which generally occurs upon delivery or shipment of the products. We account for product shipping, handling and insurance as fulfillment activities with revenues for these activities recorded within net revenue and costs recorded within cost of sales. Any taxes collected on behalf of government authorities are excluded from net revenues. A small percentage of our net revenues relates to the licensing of our intellectual property, predominantly brand and trade names, and we record these revenues over the license term.

Revenues are recorded net of trade and sales incentives and estimated product returns. Known or expected pricing or revenue adjustments, such as trade discounts, rebates or returns, are estimated at the time of sale. We base these estimates principally on historical utilization and redemption rates. Estimates that affect revenue, such as trade incentives and product returns, are monitored and adjusted each period until the incentives or product returns are realized.

Key sales terms, such as pricing and quantities ordered, are established on a very frequent basis such that most customer arrangements and related incentives have a one year or shorter duration. As such, we do not capitalize contract inception costs and we capitalize product fulfillment costs in accordance with U.S. GAAP and our inventory policies. We do not have any significant unbilled receivables at the end of any period. Deferred revenues are not material and primarily include customer advance payments typically collected a few days before product delivery, at which time, deferred revenues are reclassified and recorded as net revenues. We generally do not receive noncash consideration for the sale of goods nor do we grant payment financing terms greater than one year.

Marketing, Advertising and Research and Development:

We promote our products with marketing and advertising programs. These programs include, but are not limited to, cooperative advertising, in-store displays and consumer marketing promotions. For interim reporting purposes, advertising and consumer promotion expenses are charged to operations as a percentage of volume, based on estimated sales volume and estimated program spending. We do not defer costs on our year-end consolidated balance sheet and all marketing and advertising costs are recorded as an expense in the year incurred. Advertising expense was $1,248 million in 2017, $1,396 million in 2016 and $1,542 million in 2015. We expense product research and development costs as incurred. Research and development expense was $366 million in 2017, $376 million in 2016 and $409 million in 2015. We record marketing and advertising as well as research and development expenses within selling, general and administrative expenses.

Stock-based Compensation:

Stock-based compensation awarded to employees and non-employee directors is valued at fair value on the grant date. We record stock-based compensation expense over the vesting period, generally three years. Forfeitures are estimated on the grant date for all of our stock-based compensation awards.

Employee Benefit Plans:

We provide a range of benefits to our current and retired employees. These include pension benefits, postretirement health care benefits and postemployment benefits depending upon jurisdiction, tenure, job level and other factors. Local statutory requirements govern many of the benefit plans we provide around the world. Local government plans generally cover health care benefits for retirees outside the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. Our U.S., Canadian and U.K. subsidiaries provide health care and other benefits to most retired employees. Our postemployment benefit plans provide primarily severance benefits for eligible salaried and certain hourly employees. The cost for these plans is recognized in earnings primarily over the working life of the covered employee.

Financial Instruments:

We use financial instruments to manage our currency exchange rate, commodity price and interest rate risks. We monitor and manage these exposures as part of our overall risk management program, which focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on our operating results. A principal objective of our risk management strategies is to reduce significant, unanticipated earnings fluctuations that may arise from volatility in currency exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates, principally through the use of derivative instruments.

We use a combination of primarily currency forward contracts, futures, options and swaps; commodity forward contracts, futures and options; and interest rate swaps to manage our exposure to cash flow variability, protect the value of our existing currency assets and liabilities and protect the value of our debt. See Note 8, Financial Instruments, for more information on the types of derivative instruments we use.

We record derivative financial instruments on a gross basis and at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets within other current assets or other current liabilities due to their relatively short-term duration. Cash flows from derivative instruments are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows based on the nature of the derivative instrument. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated as a cash flow hedge, to the extent that the hedge is effective, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive earnings/(losses) and reclassified to earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in fair value of economic hedges and the ineffective portion of all hedges are recognized in current period earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated as a fair value hedge, along with the changes in the fair value of the related hedged asset or liability, are recorded in earnings in the same period. We use non-U.S. dollar denominated debt to hedge a portion of our net investment in non-U.S. operations against adverse movements in exchange rates, with currency movements related to the debt and net investment and the related deferred taxes recorded within currency translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive earnings/(losses).

In order to qualify for hedge accounting, a specified level of hedging effectiveness between the derivative instrument and the item being hedged must exist at inception and throughout the hedged period. We must also formally document the nature of and relationship between the derivative and the hedged item, as well as our risk management objectives, strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction and method of assessing hedge effectiveness. Additionally, for a hedge of a forecasted transaction, the significant characteristics and expected term of the forecasted transaction must be specifically identified, and it must be probable that the forecasted transaction will occur. If it is no longer probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will occur, we would recognize the gain or loss related to the derivative in earnings.

When we use derivatives, we are exposed to credit and market risks. Credit risk exists when a counterparty to a derivative contract might fail to fulfill its performance obligations under the contract. We reduce our credit risk by entering into transactions with counterparties with high quality, investment grade credit ratings, limiting the amount of exposure with each counterparty and monitoring the financial condition of our counterparties. We also maintain a policy of requiring that all significant, non-exchange traded derivative contracts with a duration of one year or longer are governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association master agreement. Market risk exists when the value of a derivative or other financial instrument might be adversely affected by changes in market conditions and commodity prices, currency exchange rates or interest rates. We manage derivative market risk by limiting the types of derivative instruments and derivative strategies we use and the degree of market risk that we plan to hedge through the use of derivative instruments.

Commodity derivatives. We are exposed to price risk related to forecasted purchases of certain commodities that we primarily use as raw materials. We enter into commodity forward contracts primarily for wheat, sugar and other sweeteners, soybean and vegetable oils and cocoa. Commodity forward contracts generally are not subject to the accounting requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities under the normal purchases exception. We also use commodity futures and options to hedge the price of certain input costs, including cocoa, energy costs, sugar and other sweeteners, wheat, packaging, dairy, corn, and soybean and vegetable oils. We also sell commodity futures to unprice future purchase commitments, and we occasionally use related futures to cross-hedge a commodity exposure. We are not a party to leveraged derivatives and, by policy, do not use financial instruments for speculative purposes. During the third quarter of 2016, we discontinued designating commodity derivatives for hedge accounting treatment. Any unrealized gains or losses (mark-to-market impacts) and realized gains or losses are recorded in earnings.

Currency exchange derivatives. We use various financial instruments to mitigate our exposure to changes in exchange rates from third-party and intercompany current and forecasted transactions. These instruments may include currency exchange forward contracts, futures, options and swaps. Based on the size and location of our businesses, we use these instruments to hedge our exposure to certain currencies, including the euro, pound sterling, Swiss franc, Canadian dollar and Mexican peso. During the third quarter of 2016, we discontinued designating currency exchange derivatives for hedge accounting treatment. Any unrealized gains or losses (mark-to-market impacts) and realized gains or losses are recorded in earnings (see Note 8, Financial Instruments, for additional information).

Interest rate cash flow and fair value hedges. We manage interest rate volatility by modifying the pricing or maturity characteristics of certain liabilities so that the net impact on expense is not, on a material basis, adversely affected by movements in interest rates. As a result of interest rate fluctuations, hedged fixed-rate liabilities appreciate or depreciate in market value. We expect the effect of this unrealized appreciation or depreciation to be substantially offset by our gains or losses on the derivative instruments that are linked to these hedged liabilities. We use derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps that have indices related to the pricing of specific liabilities as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. As a matter of policy, we do not use highly leveraged derivative instruments for interest rate risk management. We use interest rate swaps to economically convert a portion of our fixed-rate debt into variable-rate debt. Under the interest rate swap contracts, we agree with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts, which is calculated based on an agreed-upon notional amount. We use interest rate swaps to hedge the variability of interest payment cash flows on a portion of our future debt obligations. We also execute cross-currency interest rate swaps to hedge interest payments on newly issued debt denominated in a different currency than the functional currency of the borrowing entity. Substantially all of these derivative instruments are highly effective and qualify for hedge accounting treatment.

Hedges of net investments in non-U.S. operations. We have numerous investments outside the United States. The net assets of these subsidiaries are exposed to changes and volatility in currency exchange rates. We use local currency denominated debt to hedge our non-U.S. net investments against adverse movements in exchange rates. We designated our euro, pound sterling and Swiss franc denominated borrowings as a net investment hedge of a portion of our overall European operations. The gains and losses on our net investment in these designated European operations are economically offset by losses and gains on our euro, pound sterling and Swiss franc denominated borrowings. The change in the debt’s value, net of deferred taxes, is recorded in the currency translation adjustment component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings/(losses).

Income Taxes:

Our provision for income taxes includes amounts payable or refundable for the current year, the effects of deferred taxes and impacts from uncertain tax positions. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of our assets and liabilities, operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which those differences are expected to reverse.

The realization of certain deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in the appropriate jurisdiction prior to the expiration of the carryforward periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. When assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we consider any carryback potential, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences (including liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits), future taxable income and tax planning strategies.

We recognize tax benefits in our financial statements from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained based on the technical merits of the position. The amount we recognize is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon resolution. Future changes related to the expected resolution of uncertain tax positions could affect tax expense in the period when the change occurs.

We monitor for changes in tax laws and reflect the impacts of tax law changes in the period of enactment. In response to the United States tax reform legislation enacted on December 22, 2017 (“U.S. tax reform”), the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) issued guidance that allows us to record provisional amounts for the impacts of U.S. tax reform if the full accounting cannot be completed before we file our 2017 financial statements. For provisions of the tax law where we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the impact, the guidance allows us to continue to apply the historical tax provisions in computing our income tax liability and deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2017. The guidance also allows us to finalize accounting for the U.S. tax reform changes within one year of the December 22,2017 enactment date. See Note 14, Income Taxes, for additional information on how we recorded the impacts of the U.S. tax reform.

New Accounting Pronouncements:

In August 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) to simplify the application of hedge accounting and increase the transparency of hedge results. The updated standard changes how companies can assess the effectiveness of their hedging relationships. For cash flow and net investment hedges as of the adoption date, the ASU requires a modified retrospective transition approach. Presentation and disclosure requirements related to this ASU are required prospectively. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We intend to early adopt this standard in the first quarter of 2018 and we do not expect it to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements, including the cumulative-effect adjustment required upon adoption.

In May 2017, the FASB issued an ASU to clarify when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. The ASU is applied prospectively to awards that are modified on or after the adoption date. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt the standard on January 1, 2018 and we do not expect a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued an ASU to amend the amortization period for certain purchased callable debt securities held at a premium, shortening the period to the earliest call date instead of the maturity date. The standard does not impact securities held at a discount as the discount continues to be amortized to maturity. The ASU is applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt the standard on January 1, 2019. We do not expect a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2017, the FASB issued an ASU to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost. The standard requires employers to disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net benefit cost and disclose the amount and location where the net benefit cost is recorded in the income statement or capitalized in assets. The standard is to be applied on a retrospective basis for the change in presentation in the income statement and prospectively for the change in presentation on the balance sheet. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt the standard on January 1, 2018. We will reclassify net benefit costs other than service costs below operating income, with no impact to our net earnings. For information on our service cost and other components of net periodic benefit cost for pension, postretirement benefit and postemployment plans, see Note 9, Benefit Plans.

In January 2017, the FASB issued an ASU that clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist companies with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The definition of a business may affect many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. The ASU is applied on a prospective basis and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on January 1, 2018 and we do not expect a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that requires the change in restricted cash or cash equivalents to be included with other changes in cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on January 1, 2018 and we do not expect a material impact on our consolidated statements of cash flows.

In October 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that requires the recognition of tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers other than inventory when the transfer occurs and removes the exception to postpone recognition until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The standard is to be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on January 1, 2018 and we do not expect a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued an ASU to provide guidance on eight specific cash flow classification issues and reduce diversity in practice in how some cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt this standard on January 1, 2018 and we do not expect a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU on lease accounting. The ASU revises existing U.S. GAAP and outlines a new model for lessors and lessees to use in accounting for lease contracts. The guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases, with the exception of short-term leases. In the statement of earnings, lessees will classify leases as either operating (resulting in straight-line expense) or financing (resulting in a front-loaded expense pattern). The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We anticipate adopting the new standard on January 1, 2019. We continue to make progress in our due diligence and assess the impact of the new standard across our operations and on our consolidated financial statements, which will consist primarily of recording lease assets and liabilities on our balance sheet for our operating leases.

In January 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that provides updated guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial assets and liabilities. The standard requires that equity investments (other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) be measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The standard also impacts financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. We will adopt this standard on January 1, 2018 and we do not expect a material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an ASU on revenue recognition from contracts with customers. The 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 control over 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 2016 and 2017, the FASB issued several ASUs that clarified principal versus agent (gross versus net) revenue presentation considerations, confirmed the accounting for certain prepaid stored-value products and clarified the guidance for identifying performance obligations within a contract, the accounting for licenses and partial sales of nonfinancial assets. The FASB also issued two ASUs providing technical corrections, narrow scope exceptions and practical expedients to clarify and improve the implementation of the new revenue recognition guidance. The revenue guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date (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 adopted the new standard on January 1, 2018 on a full retrospective basis. There was no material financial impact from adopting the new revenue standards.