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Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2020
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | Note 1. Operations and summary of significant accounting policies Basis of presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of Woodward, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively “Woodward” or “the Company”). Dollar amounts contained in these Consolidated Financial Statements are in thousands, except per share amounts. Nature of operations Woodward is an independent designer, manufacturer, and service provider of energy control and optimization solutions. Woodward designs, produces and services reliable, efficient, low-emission, and high-performance energy control products for diverse applications in challenging environments. Woodward has significant production and assembly facilities in the United States, Europe and Asia, and promotes its products and services through its worldwide locations. Woodward’s strategic focus is providing energy control and optimization solutions for the aerospace and industrial markets. The precise and efficient control of energy, including motion, fluid, combustion and electrical energy, is a growing requirement in the markets Woodward serves. Woodward’s customers look to it to optimize the efficiency, emissions and operation of power equipment in both commercial and defense operations. Woodward’s core technologies leverage well across its markets and customer applications, enabling it to develop and integrate cost-effective and state-of-the-art fuel, combustion, fluid, actuation and electronic systems. Woodward focuses its solutions and services primarily on serving original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”) and equipment packagers, partnering with them to bring superior component and system solutions to their demanding applications. Woodward also provides aftermarket repair, maintenance, replacement and other service support for its installed products. Woodward’s components and integrated systems optimize performance of commercial aircraft, defense aircraft, military ground vehicles and other equipment, gas and steam turbines, industrial diesel, gas, bio-diesel and dual-fuel reciprocating engines, and electrical power systems. Woodward’s innovative motion, fluid, combustion and electrical energy control systems help its customers offer more cost-effective, cleaner, and more reliable equipment. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") outbreak a global pandemic. When combined with the various measures enacted by governments and private organizations to contain COVID-19 or slow its spread, the pandemic has adversely impacted global activity and contributed to significant declines and volatility in financial markets; and the Company has likewise been significantly impacted by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Despite recent promising announcements regarding various vaccines in development and their potential safety and efficacy, there can be no assurance as to whether any vaccine will in fact be safe and efficacious, or as to when any vaccines will be approved by appropriate regulatory authorities and become widely available. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic could continue to have a material adverse impact on economic and market conditions and trigger an extended period of global economic slowdown, and the full extent of its impact on the Company’s future business is currently unknown. The rapid development and fluidity of this situation precludes any prediction as to the ultimate material adverse impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including impacts to estimates and assumptions used by management for the reported amounts of assets and liabilities. The pandemic presents uncertainty and risk with respect to the Company and its performance and financial results. See Note 17, Accrued liabilities, for specific restructuring actions taken by the Company related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Summary of significant accounting policies Principles of consolidation: These Consolidated Financial Statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and include the accounts of Woodward and its wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries. Transactions within and between these companies are eliminated. Use of estimates: The preparation of the Consolidated Financial Statements requires management to make use of estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, at the date of the financial statements and the reported revenues and expenses recognized during the reporting period, and certain financial statement disclosures. Significant estimates include allowances for uncollectible amounts, net realizable value of inventories, customer rebates earned, useful lives of property and identifiable intangible assets, the evaluation of impairments of property, identifiable intangible assets and goodwill, the provision for income tax and related valuation reserves, the valuation of assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations, assumptions used in the determination of the funded status and annual expense of pension and postretirement employee benefit plans, the valuation of stock compensation instruments granted to employees, and contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Foreign currency exchange rates: The assets and liabilities of substantially all subsidiaries outside the United States are translated at fiscal year-end rates of exchange, and earnings and cash flow statements are translated at weighted-average rates of exchange. The exchange rate in effect at the time of the cash flow is used for significant or infrequent cash flows, such as payments for a business acquisition, for which the use of weighted-average rates of exchange would result in a substantially different cash flow. Translation adjustments are accumulated with other comprehensive (losses) earnings as a separate component of stockholders’ equity and are presented net of tax effects in the Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity. The effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on loans between consolidated subsidiaries that are considered permanent in nature are also accumulated with other comprehensive earnings, net of tax. The Company is exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates because some sales transactions, and certain assets and liabilities of its domestic and foreign subsidiaries, are denominated in foreign currencies. Selling, general, and administrative expenses include a net foreign currency gain of $194 in fiscal year 2020, a net foreign currency loss of $1,018 in fiscal year 2019, and a net foreign currency loss of $1,608 in fiscal year 2018. Revenue recognition: Revenue is recognized on contracts with Woodward’s customers for arrangements in which quantities and pricing are fixed and/or determinable and are generally based on customer purchase orders, often within the framework of a long-term supply arrangement with the customer. Woodward has determined that it is the principal in its sales transactions, as Woodward is primarily responsible for fulfilling the promised performance obligations, has discretion to establish the selling price, and generally assumes the inventory risk. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract with a customer to transfer a distinct product or service to the customer. Woodward recognizes revenue for performance obligations within a customer contract when control of the associated product or service is transferred to the customer. Some of Woodward’s contracts with customers contain a single performance obligation, while other contracts contain multiple performance obligations. Each product within a contract generally represents a separate performance obligation as Woodward does not provide significant installation and integration services, the products do not customize each other, and the products can function independently of each other. A contract's transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the customer obtains control of the associated product or service. When there are multiple performance obligations within a contract, Woodward generally uses the observable standalone sales price for each distinct product or service within the contract to allocate the transaction price to the distinct products or services. In instances when a standalone sales price for each product or service is not observable within the contract, Woodward allocates the transaction price to each performance obligation using an estimate of the standalone selling price for each product or service, which is generally based on incurred costs plus a reasonable margin, for each distinct product or service in the contract. When determining the transaction price of each contract, Woodward considers contractual consideration payable by the customer and variable consideration that may affect the total transaction price. Variable consideration, consisting of early payment discounts, rebates and other sources of price variability, are included in the estimated transaction price based on both customer-specific information as well as historical experience. Woodward’s contracts with customers generally do not include a financing component. Woodward regularly reviews its estimates of variable consideration on the transaction price and recognizes changes in estimates on a cumulative catch-up basis as if the most current estimate of the transaction price adjusted for variable consideration had been known as of the inception of the contract. In the fiscal years ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, Woodward did not recognize a significant amount of revenue due to changes in transaction price from performance obligations that were satisfied, or partially satisfied, in prior periods. Customers sometimes trade in used products in exchange for new or refurbished products. In addition, Woodward’s customers sometimes provide inventory to Woodward which will be integrated into final products sold to those customers. Woodward obtains control of these exchanged products and customer provided inventory, and therefore, both are forms of noncash consideration. Noncash consideration paid by customers on overall sales transactions is additive to the transaction price. Woodward’s net sales and cost of goods sold include the value of such noncash consideration for the same amount, with no resulting impact to earnings before income taxes. Upon receipt of such inventory, Woodward recognizes an inventory asset and a contract liability. Point in time and over time revenue recognition: Control of the products generally transfers to the customer at a point in time, as the customer does not control the products as they are produced. Woodward exercises judgment and considers the timing of right of payment, transfer of the risk and rewards, transfers of title, transfer of physical possession, and customer acceptance when determining when control of the product transfers to the customer, generally upon shipment of products, consistent with Woodward’s historical revenue recognition model. Performance obligations are satisfied and revenue is recognized over time if: (i) the customer receives the benefits as Woodward performs work, if the customer controls the asset as it is being enhanced, or if the product being produced for the customer has no alternative use to Woodward; and (ii) Woodward has an enforceable right to payment with a profit. For products being produced for the customer that have no alternative use to Woodward and Woodward has an enforceable right to payment with a profit, and where the products are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer, revenue is recognized as a series of distinct products. As Woodward satisfies MRO performance obligations, revenue is recognized over time, as the customer, rather than Woodward, controls the asset being enhanced. When services are provided, revenue from those services is recognized over time because control is transferred continuously to customers as Woodward performs the work. As a practical expedient, revenue for services that are short-term in nature are recognized using an output method as the customer is invoiced, as the invoiced amount corresponds directly to Woodward’s performance to date on the arrangement. For services that are not short-term in nature, MRO, and sales of products that have no alternative use to Woodward and an enforceable right to payment with a profit, Woodward uses an actual cost input measure to determine the extent of progress towards completion of the performance obligation. For these revenue streams, revenue is recognized over time as work is performed based on the relationship between actual costs incurred to-date for each contract and the total estimated costs for such contract at completion of the performance obligation (the cost-to-cost method). Woodward has concluded that this measure of progress best depicts the transfer of assets to the customer, because incurred costs are integral to Woodward’s completion of the performance obligation under the specific customer contract and correlate directly to the transfer of control to the customer. Contract costs include labor, material and overhead. Contract cost estimates are based on various assumptions to project the outcome of future events. These assumptions include labor productivity and availability; the complexity of the work to be performed; the cost and availability of materials; the performance of subcontractors; and the availability and timing of funding from the customer. Revenues, including estimated fees or profits, are recorded proportionally as costs are incurred. A change in one or more of these estimates could affect the timing of revenue recognition on these contracts. Woodward reviews and updates its cost estimates regularly. Due to uncertainties inherent in the estimation process, it is reasonably possible that completion costs may be different than those estimated. Such changes in cost estimates and the related impact on the revenue recognized in the period in which the revisions are determined is recorded as a cumulative catch-up adjustment. The production of products and MRO activities are generally shorter-term in nature and therefore, the impacts of changes in estimates for these costs are considered immaterial. If at any time the estimate of contract profitability indicates an anticipated loss on the contract, Woodward recognizes provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts in the period in which such losses are determined. In situations where the creditworthiness of a customer becomes in doubt, Woodward ceases to recognize the over-time revenue on the associated customer contract. Occasionally Woodward sells maintenance or service arrangements, extended warranties, or other stand ready services. Woodward recognizes revenue from such arrangements as a series of performance obligations over the time period in which the services are available to the customer. Material Rights and Costs to Fulfill a Contract: Customers sometimes pay consideration to Woodward for product engineering and development activities that do not result in the immediate transfer of distinct products or services to the customer. There is an implicit assumption that without the customer making such advance payments to Woodward, Woodward’s future sales of products or services to the customer would be at a higher selling price; therefore, such payments create a “material right” to the customer that effectively gives the customer an option to acquire future products or services, at a discount, that are dependent upon the product engineering and development. Material rights are recorded as contract liabilities and will be recognized when control of the related products or services are transferred to the customer. Woodward capitalizes costs of product engineering and development identified as material rights up to the amount of customer funding as costs to fulfill a contract because the costs incurred up to the amount of the customer funding commitment are recoverable. Due to the uncertainty of the product success and/or demand, fulfillment costs in excess of the customer funding are expensed as incurred. Woodward recognizes the deferred material rights as revenue based on a percentage of actual sales to total estimated lifetime sales of the related developed products as the customers exercise their option to acquire additional products or services at a discount. Woodward amortizes the capitalized costs to fulfill a contract as cost of goods sold proportionally to the recognition of the associated deferred material rights. Estimated total lifetime sales are reviewed at least annually and more frequently when circumstances warrant a modification to the previous estimate. Woodward does not record incremental costs of obtaining a contract, as Woodward does not pay sales commissions or incur other incremental costs related to contracts with Woodward’s customers for arrangements in which quantities and pricing are fixed and/or determinable. Contract liabilities: Advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized represent contract liabilities and are recorded as deferred revenues when customers remit contractual cash payments in advance of Woodward satisfying performance obligations under contractual arrangements, including those with performance obligations satisfied over time. Woodward generally receives advance payments from customers related to maintenance or service arrangements, extended warranties, or other stand ready services, which it recognizes over the performance period. Contract liabilities are derecognized when revenue is recognized and the performance obligation is satisfied. Advance payments and billings in excess of revenue recognized are included in deferred revenue, which is classified as current or noncurrent based on the timing of when Woodward expects to recognize revenue. Customer payments: Woodward occasionally agrees to make payments to certain customers in order to participate in anticipated sales activity. Payments made to customers are accounted for as a reduction of revenue unless they are made in exchange for identifiable goods or services with fair values that can be reasonably estimated. Reductions in revenue associated with these customer payments are recognized immediately to the extent that the payments cannot be attributed to anticipated future sales, and are recognized in future periods to the extent that the payments relate to anticipated future sales. Such determinations are based on the facts and circumstances underlying each payment. Stock-based compensation: Compensation cost relating to stock-based payment awards made to employees and directors is recognized in the financial statements using a fair value method. Non-qualified stock option awards and restricted stock awards are issued under Woodward’s stock-based compensation plans. The cost of such awards, measured at the grant date, is based on the estimated fair value of the award. Forfeitures are estimated at the time of each grant in order to estimate the portion of the award that will ultimately vest. The estimate is based on Woodward’s historical rates of forfeitures and is updated periodically. The portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods, which is generally the vesting period of the awards. Research and development costs: Company funded expenditures related to new product development, and significant product enhancement and/or upgrade activities are expensed as incurred and are separately reported in the Consolidated Statements of Earnings. Income taxes: Deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of Woodward’s assets, liabilities, and certain unrecognized gains and losses recorded in accumulated other comprehensive (losses) earnings. Woodward provides for taxes that may be payable if undistributed earnings of overseas subsidiaries were to be remitted to the United States, except for those earnings that it considers to be indefinitely invested. Cash equivalents: Highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with multiple financial institutions. Generally, these deposits may be redeemed upon demand and are maintained with financial institutions with reputable credit and therefore bear minimal credit risk. Woodward holds cash and cash equivalents at financial institutions in excess of amounts covered by the Federal Depository Insurance Corporation (the “FDIC”), sometimes invests excess cash in money market funds or other highly liquid investments not insured by the FDIC, and holds cash and cash equivalents outside the United States that are not insured by the FDIC. Accounts receivable: Almost all of Woodward’s sales are made on credit and result in accounts receivable, which are recorded at the amount invoiced and are generally not collateralized. In the normal course of business, not all accounts receivable are collected and, therefore, an allowance for uncollectible amounts is provided equal to the amount that Woodward believes ultimately will not be collected, either from credit risk or other adjustments to the original selling price or anticipated cash discounts. In establishing the amount of the allowance related to the credit risk of accounts receivable, customer-specific information is considered related to delinquent accounts, past loss experience, bankruptcy filings, deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, and current economic conditions. Bad debt losses are deducted from the allowance, and the related accounts receivable balances are written off when the receivables are deemed uncollectible. Recoveries of accounts receivable previously written off are recognized when received. The allowance associated with anticipated other adjustments to the selling price or cash discounts is also established and is included in the allowance for uncollectible amounts. In establishing this amount, both customer-specific information as well as historical experience is considered. In coordination with its customers and when terms are considered favorable to Woodward, Woodward from time to time transfers ownership to collect amounts due to Woodward for outstanding accounts receivable to third parties in exchange for cash. When the transfer of accounts receivable meets the criteria of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC Topic 860-10, “Transfers and Servicing,” and are without recourse, it is recognized as a sale and the accounts receivable is derecognized. Consistent with common business practice in China, Woodward’s Chinese subsidiaries accept bankers’ acceptance notes from Chinese customers in settlement of certain customer billed accounts receivable. Bankers’ acceptance notes are financial instruments issued by Chinese financial institutions as part of financing arrangements between the financial institution and a customer of the financial institution. Bankers’ acceptance notes represent a commitment by the issuing financial institution to pay a certain amount of money at a specified future maturity date to the legal owner of the bankers’ acceptance note as of the maturity date. The maturity date of bankers’ acceptance notes varies, but it is Woodward’s policy to only accept bankers’ acceptance notes with maturity dates no more than 180 days from the date of Woodward’s receipt of such draft. Woodward has elected to adopt the practical expedient to not adjust the promised amounts of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component at contract inception as the financing component associated with accepting bankers’ acceptance notes has a duration of less than one year. Woodward’s contracts with customers generally have no other financing components. Unbilled receivables (contract assets) arise when the timing of billing differs from the timing of revenue recognized, such as when contract provisions require revenue to be recognized over time rather than at a point in time. Unbilled receivables primarily relate to performance obligations satisfied over time when the cost-to-cost method is utilized and the revenue recognized exceeds the amount billed to the customer as there is not yet a right to payment in accordance with contractual terms. Unbilled receivables are recorded as a contract asset when the revenue associated with the contract is recognized prior to billing and derecognized when billed in accordance with the terms of the contract. For composition of accounts receivable, see Note 3, Revenue. Inventories: Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value, with cost being determined using methods that approximate a first-in, first-out basis. Short-term investments: From time to time, certain of Woodward’s foreign subsidiaries will invest excess cash in short-term time deposits with a fixed maturity date of longer than three months but less than one year from the date of the deposit. Woodward believes that the investments are with creditworthy financial institutions. Amounts with maturities of less than 365 days are classified as “Other current assets.” Property, plant, and equipment: Property, plant, and equipment are recorded at cost and are depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Assets are generally depreciated using the straight-line method. Assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Estimated lives over which fixed assets are generally depreciated at September 30, 2020 were as follows:
Land improvements |  |  | 3 |  |  | – |  |  | 20 |  |  | years
Buildings and improvements |  |  | 3 |  |  | – |  |  | 40 |  |  | years
Leasehold improvements |  |  | 1 |  |  | – |  |  | 10 |  |  | years
Machinery and production equipment |  |  | 3 |  |  | – |  |  | 20 |  |  | years
Computer equipment and software |  |  | 1 |  |  | – |  |  | 10 |  |  | years
Office furniture and equipment |  |  | 3 |  |  | – |  |  | 10 |  |  | years
Other |  |  | 3 |  |  | – |  |  | 10 |  |  | years
Included in computer equipment and software are Woodward’s enterprise resource planning (“ERP”) systems, which have an estimated useful life of 10 years. All other computer equipment and software is generally depreciated over three years to five years. Purchase accounting: Business combinations are accounted for using the purchase method of accounting. Under the purchase method, assets and liabilities, including intangible assets, are recorded at their fair values as of the acquisition date. Acquisition costs in excess of amounts assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded as goodwill. Transaction-related costs associated with business combinations are expensed as incurred. Goodwill: Woodward tests goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level on an annual basis and more often if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the fair value of a reporting unit may be below its carrying amount. Based on the relevant U.S. GAAP authoritative guidance, Woodward aggregates components of a single operating segment into a reporting unit, if appropriate. The impairment test consists of comparing the implied fair value of each reporting unit with its carrying amount that includes goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its implied fair value, Woodward compares the implied fair value of goodwill with the recorded carrying amount of goodwill. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss would be recognized to reduce the carrying amount to its implied fair value. In the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, Woodward determined that the approved plan to divest of the renewable power systems business and other related businesses (as described more fully in Note 11, Sale of businesses, and defined therein as the “disposal group”) represented a triggering event requiring the long-lived assets attributable to the disposal group be assessed for impairment. Given the facts and circumstances at the time, Woodward determined that the remaining value of the goodwill of the disposal group was not recoverable and an $8,640 non-cash impairment charge was recorded during the year ended September 30, 2020. Based on the results of Woodward’s annual goodwill impairment testing, no additional impairment charges were recorded in the year ended September 30, 2020 or since the goodwill was originally recorded due to the annual goodwill impairment test. Other intangibles: Other intangibles are recognized apart from goodwill whenever an acquired intangible asset arises from contractual or other legal rights, or whenever it is capable of being separated or divided from the acquired entity and sold, transferred, licensed, rented, or exchanged, either individually or in combination with a related contract, asset, or liability. Woodward amortizes the cost of other intangibles over their useful lives unless such lives are deemed indefinite. The cost of amortizable other intangibles are amortized over their respective useful life using patterns that reflect the periods over which the economic benefits of the assets are expected to be realized. Amortization expense is allocated to cost of goods sold and selling, general, and administrative expenses based on the nature of the intangible asset. Amortizable other intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever an event occurs or circumstances change indicating that the related carrying amount of the other intangible asset may not be recoverable. Impairment losses are recognized if the carrying amount of an intangible is both not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. Based on Woodward’s plan to divest the disposal group, Woodward determined that the remaining value of the intangible assets of the disposal group was not recoverable, and a $200 non-cash impairment charge was recorded for the year ended September 30, 2020. Woodward has recorded no additional impairment charges related to its other intangibles as of September 30, 2020 or since the other intangibles were originally recorded due to the annual goodwill impairment test. Estimated lives over which intangible assets are amortized at September 30, 2020 were as follows:
Customer relationships and contracts |  |  | 9 |  |  | – |  |  | 30 |  |  | years
Intellectual property |  |  | 10 |  |  | – |  |  | 17 |  |  | years
Process technology |  |  | 8 |  |  | – |  |  | 30 |  |  | years
Other |  |  | 3 |  |  | – |  |  | 15 |  |  | years
Woodward has one other indefinitely lived intangible asset consisting of the Woodward L’Orange tradename. The Woodward L’Orange tradename intangible asset is tested for impairment on an annual basis and more often if an event occurs or circumstances change that indicate the fair value of the Woodward L’Orange intangible asset may be below its carrying amount. The impairment test consists of comparing the fair value of the Woodward L’Orange tradename intangible asset, determined using discounted cash flows, with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the Woodward L’Orange intangible asset exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized to reduce the carrying amount to its fair value. Woodward has not recorded any impairment charges. Impairment of long-lived assets: Woodward reviews the carrying amount of its long-lived assets or asset groups to be used in operations whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets might not be recoverable. Factors that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, a significant adverse change in legal factors or the business climate that could affect the value of the asset, or a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, among others. If such facts indicate a potential impairment, the Company would assess the recoverability of an asset group by determining if the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds the sum of the projected undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the assets over the remaining economic life of the primary asset in the asset group. If the recoverability test indicates that the carrying amount of the asset group is not recoverable, the Company will estimate the fair value of the asset group using appropriate valuation methodologies, which would typically include an estimate of discounted cash flows. Any impairment would be measured as the difference between the asset groups carrying amount and its estimated fair value. On the approval of the divestiture plan and subsequent marketing of the disposal group (as described more fully in Note 11, Sale of businesses, and defined therein as the “disposal group”), Woodward determined that based on the current market conditions, the carrying value of the disposal group’s remaining held for sale net assets exceeded the fair value. As a result, Woodward recorded a non-cash impairment charge associated with the long-lived assets of $22,900 attributable to the disposal group for the year ended September 30, 2020. Investment in marketable equity securities: Woodward holds marketable equity securities related to its deferred compensation program. Based on Woodward’s intentions regarding these instruments, marketable equity securities are classified as trading securities. The trading securities are reported at fair value, with realized gains and losses recognized in “Other (income) expense, net.” The trading securities are included in “Other assets.” The associated obligation to provide benefits under the deferred compensation program is included in “Other liabilities.” Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries: Investments in, and operating results of, entities in which Woodward does not have a controlling financial interest or the ability to exercise significant influence over the operations are included in the financial statements using the cost method of accounting. Investments and operating results of entities in which Woodward does not have a controlling interest but does have the ability to exercise significant influence over operations are included in the financial statements using the equity method of accounting. Deferred compensation: The Company maintains a deferred compensation plan, or “rabbi trust,” as part of its overall compensation package for certain employees. Deferred compensation obligations will be settled either by delivery of a fixed number of shares of Woodward’s common stock (in accordance with certain eligible members’ irrevocable elections) or in cash. Woodward has contributed shares of its common stock into a trust established for the future settlement of deferred compensation obligations that are payable in shares of Woodward’s common stock. Common stock held by the trust is reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as “Treasury stock held for deferred compensation” and the related deferred compensation obligation is reflected as a separate component of equity in amounts equal to the fair value of the common stock at the dates of contribution. These accounts are not adjusted for subsequent changes in the fair value of the common stock. Deferred compensation obligations that will be settled in cash are accounted for on an accrual basis in accordance with the terms of the underlying contract and are reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as “Other liabilities.” Derivatives: The Company is exposed to various global market risks, including the effect of changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, changes in certain commodity prices and fluctuations in various producer indices. From time to time, Woodward enters into derivative instruments for risk management purposes only, including derivatives designated as accounting hedges and/or those utilized as economic hedges. Woodward uses interest rate related derivative instruments to manage its exposure to fluctuations of interest rates. Woodward does not enter into or issue derivatives for trading or speculative purposes. By using derivative and/or hedging instruments to manage its risk exposure, Woodward is subject, from time to time, to credit risk and market risk on those derivative instruments. Credit risk arises from the potential failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative and/or hedging instrument. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes Woodward, which creates credit risk for Woodward. Woodward mitigates this credit risk by entering into transactions only with counterparties that are believed to be creditworthy. Market risk arises from the potential adverse effects on the value of derivative and/or hedging instruments that result from a change in interest rates, commodity prices, or foreign currency exchange rates. Woodward minimizes this market risk by establishing and monitoring parameters that limit the types and degree of market risk that may be undertaken. To mitigate interest rate risk, the Company has utilized derivative instruments, such as treasury lock agreements to lock in fixed rates on future debt issuances, which qualify as cash flow or fair value hedges to mitigate the risk of variability in cash flows related to future interest payments attributable to changes in the designated benchmark rate. The Company records all such interest rate hedge instruments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Cash flows related to the instrument designated as a qualifying hedge are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the same categories as the cash flows from the items being hedged. Accordingly, cash flows relating to the settlement of interest rate derivatives hedging the forecasted future interest payments on debt have been reflected upon settlement as a component of financing cash flows. The resulting gain or loss from such settlement is deferred to other comprehensive income and reclassified to interest expense over the term of the underlying debt. This reclassification of the deferred gains and losses impacts the interest expense recognized on the underlying debt that was hedged and is therefore reflected as a component of operating cash flows in periods subsequent to settlement. The periodic settlement of interest rate derivatives hedging outstanding variable rate debt is recorded as an adjustment to interest expense and is therefore reflected as a component of operating cash flows. From time to time, in order to hedge against foreign currency exposure, Woodward designates certain non-derivative financial instrument loans as net investment hedges. Foreign exchange gains or losses on these loans are recognized in foreign currency translation adjustments within total comprehensive (losses) earnings. Also, to hedge against the foreign currency exposure attributable to the spot remeasurement its Euro denominated intercompany loans, Woodward has entered into derivative instruments in fair value hedging relationships, and derivative instruments in cash flow hedging relationships to hedge the risk of variability in cash flows attributable to the foreign currency exchange risk of cash flows for future principal and interest payments associated with its Euro denominated intercompany loans. Further information on net investment hedges and derivative instruments in fair value and cash flow hedging relationships, including the Company’s policy in accounting for these derivatives, can be found at Note 9, Derivative instruments and hedging activities. Financial instruments: The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, investments in the deferred compensation program, notes receivable from municipalities, investments in term deposits, cross-currency interest rate swaps and debt. Because of their short-term maturity, the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, and short-term debt approximate fair value. The fair value of investments in the deferred compensation program are adjusted to fair value based on the quoted market prices for the investments in the various mutual funds owned. The fair value of the long-term notes from municipalities are estimated based on a model that discounts future principal and interest payments received at interest rates available to the Company at the end of the period for similarly rated municipal notes of similar maturity. The fair value of term deposits is estimated based on a model that discounts future principal and interest payments received at interest rates available to the Company at the end of the period for similar term deposits with the same maturity in the same jurisdictions. The fair value of the cross-currency interest rate swaps is determined using a market approach that is based on observable inputs other than quoted market prices, including contract terms, interest rates, currency rates, and other market factors. The fair value of long-term debt is estimated based on a model that discounts future principal and interest payments at interest rates available to the Company at the end of the period for similar debt with the same maturity. Further information on the fair value of financial instruments can be found at Note 8, Financial instruments and fair value measurements. Financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value in the Consolidated Balance Sheets are categorized based upon a fair value hierarchy established by U.S. GAAP, which prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value into the following levels: Level 1: Inputs based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. Level 2: Quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable and can be corroborated by observable market data. Level 3: Inputs reflect management’s best estimates and assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. The inputs are unobservable in the market and significant to the valuation of the instruments. Postretirement benefits: The Company provides various benefits to certain current and former employees through defined benefit pension and postretirement plans. For financial reporting purposes, net periodic benefits expense and related obligations are calculated using a number of significant actuarial assumptions. Changes in net periodic expense and funding status may occur in the future due to changes in these assumptions. The funded status of defined pension and postretirement plans recognized in the statement of financial position is measured as the difference between the fair market value of the plan assets and the benefit obligation. For a defined benefit pension plan, the benefit obligation is the projected benefit obligation; for any other defined benefit postretirement plan, such as a retiree health care plan, the benefit obligation is the accumulated benefit obligation. Any over-funded status is recognized as an asset and any underfunded status is recognized as a liability. Projected benefit obligation is the actuarial present value as of the measurement date of all benefits attributed by the plan benefit formula to employee service rendered before the measurement date using assumptions as to future compensation levels if the plan benefit formula is based on those future compensation levels. The accumulated benefit obligation is the actuarial present value of benefits (whether vested or unvested) attributed by the plan benefit formula to employee service rendered before the measurement date and based on employee service and compensation, if applicable, prior to that date. The accumulated benefit obligation differs from the projected benefit obligation in that it includes no assumption about future compensation levels.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for the organization, consolidation and basis of presentation of financial statements disclosure, and significant accounting policies of the reporting entity. May be provided in more than one note to the financial statements, as long as users are provided with an understanding of (1) the significant judgments and assumptions made by an enterprise in determining whether it must consolidate a VIE and/or disclose information about its involvement with a VIE, (2) the nature of restrictions on a consolidated VIE's assets reported by an enterprise in its statement of financial position, including the carrying amounts of such assets, (3) the nature of, and changes in, the risks associated with an enterprise's involvement with the VIE, and (4) how an enterprise's involvement with the VIE affects the enterprise's financial position, financial performance, and cash flows. Describes procedure if disclosures are provided in more than one note to the financial statements. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 205 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122149 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 810 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2197479 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 235 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2122369 Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/topic&trid=2134479 + Details
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