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Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2016
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
2. Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-09 that requires entities to recognize the income tax effects of awards in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled. The new standard also allows entities to withhold an amount up to an employee’s maximum individual tax rate in the relevant jurisdiction without resulting in liability classification of the award. The new standard is effective for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2017. Early adoption is permitted, but all of the guidance must be adopted in the same period. We are assessing the impact the adoption of this standard will have on our financial statements.

Simplifying the Transition to the Equity Method of Accounting

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-07, which eliminates the requirement to apply the equity method of accounting retrospectively when an entity obtains significant influence over a previously held investment. Previously, entities were required to retrospectively apply the equity method of accounting when obtaining significant influence over an investment (for example due to an increase in ownership). The new standard is effective beginning January 1, 2017. Earlier application is permitted, however we elected not to early adopt. We do not expect this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” that requires lessees to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a “right-of-use” asset and lease liability but recognize related expenses in a manner similar to current accounting. The guidance also eliminates current real estate-specific provisions for all entities. The new standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (calendar year 2019 for Fortune Brands) and earlier application is permitted. We are assessing the impact the adoption of this standard will have on our financial statements.

Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January 2016, the FASB issued final guidance ASU 2016-01 that requires entities to measure investments in unconsolidated entities (other than those accounted for using the equity method of accounting) at fair value through the income statement. There will no longer be an available-for-sale classification (with changes in fair value reported in Other Comprehensive Income). In addition, the cost method is eliminated for equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The new standard is effective beginning January 1, 2018. Earlier application is permitted for certain provisions of the standard, however we elected not to early adopt. We do not expect this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements.

Simplifying Subsequent Measurement of Inventory

In July 2015, the FASB issued a final standard that simplifies the subsequent measurement of inventory by replacing the current standard of lower of cost or market test. Under the current guidance the subsequent measurement of inventory is measured at the lower of cost or market, where “market” may have multiple possible outcomes. The new guidance requires subsequent measurement of inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs to sell (completion, disposal, and transportation). This new standard is effective for the annual period beginning January 1, 2017 (calendar year 2017 for Fortune Brands). Earlier application is permitted, however we elected not to early adopt. We do not expect this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements.

Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern.” This ASU provides guidance about management’s responsibility to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. This amendment is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016 (calendar year 2017 for Fortune Brands), and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. Early application is permitted, however we elected not to early adopt. We do not expect this standard to have a material effect on our financial statements.

Revenue from Contracts with Customers

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” This ASU clarifies the accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and specifies the disclosures that an entity should include in its financial statements. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (calendar year 2018 for Fortune Brands). Further, in March 2016, the FASB issued the final guidance to clarify the principal versus agent guidance (i.e., whether an entity should report revenue gross or net) in its new revenue recognition standard. We are assessing the impact the adoption of this standard will have on our financial statements.