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Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2019
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract] |
Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies | Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies Description of Business Newell Brands is a leading global consumer goods company with a strong portfolio of well-known brands, including Paper Mate®, Sharpie®, Dymo®, EXPO®, Parker®, Elmer’s®, Coleman®, Marmot®, Oster®, Sunbeam®, FoodSaver®, Mr. Coffee®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®, Baby Jogger®, NUK®, Calphalon®, Rubbermaid®, Contigo®, First Alert®, Mapa®, Spontex®, Quickie® and Yankee Candle®. For hundreds of millions of consumers, Newell Brands makes life better every day, where they live, learn, work and play. The Company’s multi-product offering consists of well-known, name brand consumer and commercial products. Effective September 30, 2019, the Company changed its reporting structure and began reporting its financial results in the following business segments: Appliances and Cookware, Food and Commercial, Home and Outdoor Living and Learning and Development. The Company also provides general corporate services to its segments which is reported as a non-operating segment, Corporate (see Footnote 18 for additional information). All prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current reporting structure. Discontinued Operations On December 31, 2019, the Company completed the sale of its Playing Cards business to Cartamundi Inc. and Cartamundi España S.L., completing its previously announced Accelerated Transformation Plan (“ATP”). The ATP was designed to accelerate value creation and more rapidly transform the portfolio to one best positioned to leverage the Company’s advantaged capabilities in innovation, design and e-commerce. The ATP was also designed to significantly increase shareholder value through both meaningful returns of capital to shareholders and strengthened operational and financial performance, while simultaneously deleveraging the balance sheet. In connection with the ATP, the Company completed the sale of several businesses during 2018 and 2019. In 2018, the Company sold: Goody Products, Inc. (“Goody”), Jostens, Inc. (“Jostens”), Pure Fishing, Inc. (“Pure Fishing”), the Rawlings Sporting Goods Company, Inc. (“Rawlings”), Waddington Group, Inc. (“Waddington”) and other related subsidiaries. In 2019, the Company sold: the Process Solutions business, Rexair Holdings Inc. ("Rexair"), The United States Playing Card Company and other related subsidiaries. In July 2019, the Company announced its decision to no longer pursue the sale of the majority of the Rubbermaid Outdoor, Closet, Refuse, Garage and Cleaning businesses (“Commercial Products”). The decision to keep Commercial Products was based on the strength of the brand, its competitive position in a large and growing category, and track record of cash flow generation, revenue growth and margin expansion. Management believes that retaining this business will further enhance the value creation opportunity for the Company. In October 2019, the Company decided to no longer pursue the sale of the Mapa/Spontex and Quickie businesses. The decision to keep these businesses was based on their financial profile, relative to expected sales proceeds. At December 31, 2019, the Rubbermaid Outdoor, Closet, Refuse, Garage and Cleaning businesses and the Mapa/Spontex and Quickie businesses (“Commercial Business”) are no longer classified as held for sale in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets nor as discontinued operations in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations. These businesses are reported in the Food and Commercial segment for all periods presented. See Footnotes 3 and 18 for further information. Out-of-Period Adjustments During 2019, the Company recorded an aggregate after-tax adjustment benefit of $10.2 million ($5.6 million in continuing operations and $4.6 million in discontinued operations) in the Company's Consolidated Statement of Operations reflecting the cumulative impact of prior period errors identified and corrected during the period. The prior period errors were primarily associated with income tax accounting matters more specifically related to: reserves for uncertain tax positions and the reconciliation of state income tax payables/receivables that resulted in a net after-tax benefit of $21.3 million ($10.5 million in continuing operations and $10.8 million in discontinued operations, respectively) recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations. In addition, as a result of certain of those income tax prior period adjustments, certain of the Company's previously recorded goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges and gain/loss on disposal calculations were incorrect, which resulted in a net after-tax charge of $8.4 million ($2.2 million in continuing operations and $6.2 million in discontinued operations, respectively) recorded in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations. See Footnote 8 for further information on how certain of these income tax matters impacted the Company's goodwill balances. The Company also recorded a net after-tax charge of $2.7 million in continuing operations in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations related to other out-of-period adjustments. Based on an analysis of qualitative and quantitative factors, the Company concluded that the cumulative impact of these errors was not material to any of the Company's previously issued financial statements. Revisions of Previously Issued Financial Statements During the first quarter of 2019, the Company identified that it did not utilize an accurate estimate of fair value and expected form of sale in its fourth quarter 2018 impairment testing for one of its five disposal groups classified as held for sale. The Company did not appropriately account for the disposal group as a stock sale. Consequently, certain income tax account balances (primarily related to deferred tax liabilities) were not classified as assets and liabilities held for sale in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018. As a result, the Company determined its book-over-tax outside basis differences and measured the tax effects of such difference, which resulted in an income tax expense of approximately $12.6 million. In addition, the Company did not use an accurate estimate of fair value in its 2018 impairment testing. Collectively, the estimate of fair value and expected form of sale resulted in adjustments to the estimated fair value and carrying value of the held for sale business utilized in the Company’s 2018 impairment testing. These changes resulted in an additional impairment charge of approximately $12.0 million to write-down the carrying value of the net assets of the held for sale business to its estimated fair value at December 31, 2018. In addition, as part of the presentation of discontinued operations, the Company periodically has to reclassify the prior period presentation to conform to the current year presentation. These adjustments are reflected in the Reclassification column below, which includes the Commercial Business that the Company decided to retain upon Board of Directors’ approval in the Third Quarter 2019 and the Fourth Quarter 2019. The following table presents the effect to the Company’s previously reported Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018 and Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2018:
| At December 31, 2018
| As Previously Reported |  | Revision |  | As Revised |  | Reclassification |  | As Reclassified
Assets: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 495.7 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 495.7 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 495.7 |
Accounts receivable, net | 1,850.7 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,850.7 |  |  | 312.8 |  |  | 2,163.5 |
Inventories | 1,583.1 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,583.1 |  |  | 177.6 |  |  | 1,760.7 |
Prepaid expenses and other current assets | 278.0 |  |  | (2.4 | ) |  | 275.6 |  |  | 19.2 |  |  | 294.8 |
Current assets held for sale | 3,541.3 |  |  | (6.1 | ) |  | 3,535.2 |  |  | (2,291.4 | ) |  | 1,243.8 |
Total current assets | 7,748.8 |  |  | (8.5 | ) |  | 7,740.3 |  |  | (1,781.8 | ) |  | 5,958.5 |
Property, plant and equipment, net | 925.6 |  |  | — |  |  | 925.6 |  |  | 300.5 |  |  | 1,226.1 |
Goodwill | 2,970.2 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,970.2 |  |  | 903.7 |  |  | 3,873.9 |
Other intangible assets, net | 5,579.6 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,579.6 |  |  | 571.0 |  |  | 6,150.6 |
Deferred income taxes | 165.2 |  |  | 14.5 |  |  | 179.7 |  |  | 3.6 |  |  | 183.3 |
Other assets | 327.0 |  |  | — |  |  | 327.0 |  |  | 3.0 |  |  | 330.0 |
Total assets | $ | 17,716.4 |  |  | $ | 6.0 |  |  | $ | 17,722.4 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 17,722.4 |
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Accounts payable | 1,019.5 |  |  | — |  |  | 1,019.5 |  |  | 172.1 |  |  | 1,191.6 |
Accrued compensation | 159.1 |  |  | — |  |  | 159.1 |  |  | 33.8 |  |  | 192.9 |
Other accrued liabilities | 1,182.3 |  |  | (0.8 | ) |  | 1,181.5 |  |  | 126.4 |  |  | 1,307.9 |
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt | 318.7 |  |  | — |  |  | 318.7 |  |  | — |  |  | 318.7 |
Current liabilities held for sale | 650.4 |  |  | 100.4 |  |  | 750.8 |  |  | (458.4 | ) |  | 292.4 |
Total current liabilities | 3,330.0 |  |  | 99.6 |  |  | 3,429.6 |  |  | (126.1 | ) |  | 3,303.5 |
Long-term debt | 6,696.3 |  |  | — |  |  | 6,696.3 |  |  | — |  |  | 6,696.3 |
Deferred income taxes | 1,041.8 |  |  | (66.7 | ) |  | 975.1 |  |  | 114.9 |  |  | 1,090.0 |
Other noncurrent liabilities | 1,370.5 |  |  | (2.3 | ) |  | 1,368.2 |  |  | 11.2 |  |  | 1,379.4 |
Total liabilities | 12,438.6 |  |  | 30.6 |  |  | 12,469.2 |  |  | — |  |  | 12,469.2 |
Total stockholders' equity | 5,277.8 |  |  | (24.6 | ) |  | 5,253.2 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,253.2 |
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 17,716.4 |  |  | $ | 6.0 |  |  | $ | 17,722.4 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 17,722.4 |
| For the year ended December 31, 2018
| As Previously Reported |  | Revision |  | As Revised |  | Reclassification |  | As Reclassified
Net sales | $ | 8,630.9 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | 8,630.9 |  |  | $ | 1,523.1 |  |  | $ | 10,154.0 |
Cost of products sold | 5,622.1 |  |  | — |  |  | 5,622.1 |  |  | 1,014.2 |  |  | 6,636.3 |
Gross profit | 3,008.8 |  |  | — |  |  | 3,008.8 |  |  | 508.9 |  |  | 3,517.7 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | 2,434.8 |  |  | — |  |  | 2,434.8 |  |  | 213.0 |  |  | 2,647.8 |
Restructuring costs, net | 80.5 |  |  | — |  |  | 80.5 |  |  | 6.3 |  |  | 86.8 |
Impairment of goodwill, intangibles and other assets | 8,322.0 |  |  | — |  |  | 8,322.0 |  |  | 15.1 |  |  | 8,337.1 |
Operating income (loss) | (7,828.5 | ) |  | — |  |  | (7,828.5 | ) |  | 274.5 |  |  | (7,554.0 | )
Non-operating expenses: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Interest expense, net | 446.3 |  |  | — |  |  | 446.3 |  |  | (0.1 | ) |  | 446.2 |
Loss on extinguishment of debt | 4.1 |  |  | — |  |  | 4.1 |  |  | — |  |  | 4.1 |
Other (income) expense, net | (11.2 | ) |  | — |  |  | (11.2 | ) |  | (1.4 | ) |  | (12.6 | )
Income (loss) before income taxes | (8,267.7 | ) |  | — |  |  | (8,267.7 | ) |  | 276.0 |  |  | (7,991.7 | )
Income tax expense (benefit) | (1,478.1 | ) |  | — |  |  | (1,478.1 | ) |  | 119.2 |  |  | (1,358.9 | )
Income (loss) from continuing operations | (6,789.6 | ) |  | — |  |  | (6,789.6 | ) |  | 156.8 |  |  | (6,632.8 | )
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax | (128.3 | ) |  | (24.6 | ) |  | (152.9 | ) |  | (156.8 | ) |  | (309.7 | )
Net loss | $ | (6,917.9 | ) |  | $ | (24.6 | ) |  | $ | (6,942.5 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (6,942.5 | )
Weighted average common shares outstanding: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic | 473.7 |  | 473.7 |  | 473.7 |  | 473.7 |  | 473.7
Diluted | 473.7 |  | 473.7 |  | 473.7 |  | 473.7 |  | 473.7
Loss per share: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Basic: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss from continuing operations | $ | (14.33 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (14.33 | ) |  | $ | 0.33 |  |  | $ | (14.00 | )
Loss from discontinued operations | (0.27 | ) |  | (0.05 | ) |  | (0.32 | ) |  | (0.33 | ) |  | (0.65 | )
Net loss | $ | (14.60 | ) |  | $ | (0.05 | ) |  | $ | (14.65 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (14.65 | )
Diluted: |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Loss from continuing operations | $ | (14.33 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (14.33 | ) |  | $ | 0.33 |  |  | $ | (14.00 | )
Loss from discontinued operations | (0.27 | ) |  | (0.05 | ) |  | (0.32 | ) |  | (0.33 | ) |  | (0.65 | )
Net loss | $ | (14.60 | ) |  | $ | (0.05 | ) |  | $ | (14.65 | ) |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | (14.65 | )
The Company concluded the above referenced effects were not material to its previously issued Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2018 and Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 4, 2019. As such, the Company has revised its Consolidated Statement of Operations, Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income (Loss), Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity for the year ended December 31, 2018 and Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018 within this 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The adjustments did not result in a change to net cash provided by operating activities in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the year ending December 31, 2018. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and include the consolidated accounts of the Company and its majority-owned subsidiaries after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances. Use of Estimates The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires the use of certain estimates and assumptions by management in determining the Company’s assets, liabilities, sales and expenses, and related disclosures. Significant estimates in these Consolidated Financial Statements include restructuring charges, estimates of future cash flows associated with asset impairments, useful lives for depreciation and amortization, loss contingencies (including legal, environmental and product liability reserves), net realizable value of inventories, valuation of assets held for sale, estimated contract revenue and related costs, capitalized software costs, income taxes and tax valuation allowances, and pension and postretirement employee benefit liabilities and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Other Items At December 31, 2019, the Company held a 23.4% investment in FireAngel Safety Technology Group PLC (formerly known as Sprue Aegis PLC) (“FireAngel”), which the Company accounts for under the equity method of accounting. During 2019, the Company recorded an other-than-temporary impairment of approximately $11.7 million. Prior to the other-than-temporary impairment, FireAngel experienced a decline in its share price. In addition, during 2019, FireAngel publicly disclosed its intentions to raise capital through a public offering at a price per share below the Company's investment’s basis. The Company concluded these facts were indicative of an other-than-temporary impairment and recorded the charge within other expense (income), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations for 2019. During 2019, the Company participated in FireAngel’s public offering to maintain its equity interest. The Company's carrying value of its investment in FireAngel was $3.9 million at December 31, 2019. On March 31, 2018, the Company terminated its distribution agreement with FireAngel. For 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company’s related party sales to FireAngel were nil, $8.4 million and $33.5 million, respectively. For 2019, 2018 and 2017, the income attributable to non-controlling interests was $1.6 million, $1.6 million and $3.5 million, respectively. Concentration of Credit Risk The Company sells products to customers in diversified industries and geographic regions and, therefore, has no significant concentrations of credit risk. The Company continuously evaluates the creditworthiness of its customers and generally does not require collateral. The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. When aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, the Company records a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes is collectible. The Company also records reserves for bad debt for all other customers based on a variety of factors, including the length of time the receivables are past due and historical collection experience. Accounts are also reviewed for potential write-off on a case-by-case basis. Accounts deemed uncollectible are written off, net of expected recoveries. If circumstances related to specific customers change, the Company’s estimates of the recoverability of receivables could be further adjusted. The Company’s forward exchange contracts do not subject the Company to risk due to foreign exchange rate movement, because gains and losses on these instruments generally offset gains and losses on the assets, liabilities and other transactions being hedged. The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to certain derivative financial instruments. The Company does not obtain collateral or other security to support derivative financial instruments subject to credit risk, but monitors the credit standing of the counterparties. Revenue Recognition The Company recognizes revenue when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with the customer are satisfied and are recognized at a point in time, which generally occurs either on shipment or on delivery based on contractual terms, which is also when control is transferred. The Company’s primary performance obligation is the distribution and sales of its consumer and commercial products to its customers. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration for which it expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. Certain customers may receive cash and/or non-cash incentives such as cash discounts, returns, credits or reimbursements related to defective products, customer discounts (such as volume or trade discounts), cooperative advertising and other customer-related programs, which are accounted for as variable consideration. In some cases, the Company must apply judgment, including contractual rates and historical payment trends, when estimating variable consideration. In addition, the Company participates in various programs and arrangements with customers designed to increase the sale of products by these customers. Among the programs negotiated are arrangements under which allowances are earned by customers for attaining agreed-upon sales levels or for participating in specific marketing programs. Coupon programs are also developed on a customer- and territory-specific basis with the intent of increasing sales by all customers. Under customer programs and arrangements that require sales incentives to be paid in advance, the Company amortizes the amount paid over the period of benefit or contractual sales volume. When incentives are paid in arrears, the Company accrues the estimated amount to be paid based on the program’s contractual terms, expected customer performance and/or estimated sales volume. These estimates are determined using historical customer experience and other factors, which sometimes require significant judgment. Due to the length of time necessary to obtain relevant data from customers, among other factors, actual amounts paid can differ from these estimates. Certain costs and cash payments made to customers previously recorded in costs of products sold and selling, general and administrative expenses are recorded as a reduction of net sales as they do not meet the specific criteria to qualify as a distinct good or service under the new guidance, primarily related to payments to customers for defective products under warranty. Sales taxes and other similar taxes are excluded from revenue. The Company elected to account for shipping and handling activities as a fulfillment cost as permitted by the standard. The Company also elected not to disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which revenue is recognized at the amount to which the Company has the right to invoice for services performed. Sales of Accounts Receivables In June 2019, the Company entered into a new factoring agreement with a financial institution to sell certain customer receivables at a more attractive discount rate than its previous cash discount terms offered to these customers (the “Customer Receivables Purchase Agreement”). The Company received approximately $201 million under the new agreement during the second quarter of 2019. The balance of the factored receivables at December 31, 2019, remained substantially unchanged from the balance at June 30, 2019. Transactions under this agreement are accounted for as sales of accounts receivable, and the receivables are removed from the Consolidated Balance Sheet at the time of the sales transaction. The Company classifies the proceeds received from the sales of accounts receivable as an operating cash flow in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. The Company records the discount as other expense (income), net in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid investments that have a maturity of three months or less when purchased. Restricted cash reflects cash received on previously sold customer receivables in connection with the new factoring program that are required to be remitted to a financial institution. Restricted cash is reported as prepaid expenses and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Accounts Receivable, Net Accounts receivables, net, include amounts billed and due from customers. Payment terms vary but generally are 90 days or less. The Company evaluates the collectability of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. When aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, the Company records a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes is collectible. The Company also records reserves for bad debt for all other customers based on a variety of factors, including the length of time the receivables are past due and historical collection experience. Accounts deemed uncollectible are written off, net of expected recoveries. During 2018, the Company wrote-off $35.7 million, primarily related to a former top 10 customer in the Baby business unit within the Learning and Development segment, who filed for liquidation of its bankrupt operations during 2018. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, accounts receivables are net of allowances of $28.7 million and $26.5 million, respectively. Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) or first-in, first-out (FIFO) methods (see Footnote 6 for additional information). The Company reduces its inventory value for estimated obsolete and slow-moving inventory in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the net realizable value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual market conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory write-downs may be required. Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation expense is calculated principally on the straight-line basis. Useful lives determined by the Company are as follows: buildings and improvements (20 - 40 years) and machinery and equipment (3 - 15 years). Leases The Company’s lease portfolio mainly consists of retail stores, warehouses, distribution centers, office space, and, to a lesser extent, equipment. Operating lease assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term whereas lease liabilities represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses incremental borrowing rates that reflect its own external unsecured borrowing rates and are risk-adjusted to approximate secured borrowing rates over similar terms. These rates are assessed on a quarterly basis for measurement of new lease obligations. The operating lease assets also include any lease payments made less lease incentives. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded on the balance sheet. Operating lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Many leases include one or more options to renew, with renewal terms that can extend the lease term for three years or more. The exercise of lease renewal options is at the Company’s sole discretion. Certain leases also include options to purchase the leased assets. The depreciable life of assets and leasehold improvements are limited by the expected lease term, unless there is a transfer of title or purchase option reasonably certain of exercise. The Company also has lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for as a single lease component. Additionally, for certain non-real estate leases, the portfolio approach is used to effectively account for the operating lease assets and liabilities. Operating lease assets, net and Long-term operating lease liabilities are reported as separate lines in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The current portion of Operating lease liabilities is reported in other accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance leases are generally those leases that allow the Company to substantially utilize or pay for the entire asset over its estimated life. The Company’s accounting for finance leases (previously referred to as capital leases) remains substantially unchanged. For finance leases, the Company recognizes a front-loaded pattern of total lease expense recognition due to the accretion of the lease liability and the straight-line amortization of the leased asset. Assets acquired under finance leases are recorded in property, plant and equipment, net. Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangibles have historically been tested and reviewed for impairment annually (during the third quarter), or more frequently if facts and circumstances warrant. During the second quarter of 2019, the Company changed the date of its annual impairment testing from July 1 to December 1. The change was made to more closely align the impairment testing date with the Company’s annual planning and budgeting process, as well as its long-term planning and forecasting process. Pursuant to the authoritative accounting literature, in 2019 the Company was required to perform an annual impairment testing as of the first day of its third quarter of 2019 (July 1), as well as December 1 to ensure that the change in impairment testing date did not delay or avoid an impairment charge. As such the Company performed its annual goodwill impairment testing at July 1, 2019 and December 1, 2019 Goodwill Goodwill is tested for impairment at a reporting unit level, and all of the Company’s goodwill is assigned to its reporting units. Reporting units are determined based upon the Company’s organizational structure in place at the date of the goodwill impairment testing and generally one level below the operating segment level. As a result of the ATP, which resulted in a number of businesses designated as held for sale, as well as the Company’s decision to retain the Commercial Business, the Company’s continuing operations are comprised of eight reporting units, within its four primary operating segments. In 2019, the Company bypassed the qualitative approach to testing goodwill and used a quantitative approach, which involves comparing the fair value of each of the reporting units to the carrying value of those reporting units. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss would be calculated as the difference between these amounts, limited to the amount of reporting unit goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The quantitative goodwill impairment testing requires significant use of judgment and assumptions, such as the identification of reporting units; the assignment of assets and liabilities to reporting units; and the estimation of future cash flows. The Company assesses the fair value of each reporting unit based on a discounted cash flow model, with five-year cash flow projections. Estimates critical to the Company’s fair value estimates under the discounted cash flow model include net sales growth rates, product and overhead costs, working capital investment requirements, projected tax rates, terminal values, discount rates and total enterprise value. The cash flows projected are analyzed on a “debt-free” basis (before cash payments to equity and interest-bearing debt investors) in order to develop an enterprise value from operations for the reporting unit. A provision is made, based on these projections, for the value of the reporting unit at the end of the forecast period, or terminal value. The present value of the finite-period cash flows and the terminal value are determined using a selected discount rate. The Company utilized its latest projections which included, among other things, the impact of tariffs on Chinese imports, as well as other inflation at the time for the Company’s impairment testing performed during the third and fourth quarter of 2019. Indefinite-lived intangibles The testing of indefinite-lived intangibles (primarily trademarks and tradenames) under established guidelines for impairment also requires significant use of judgment and assumptions (such as cash flow projections, royalty rates, projected tax rates, terminal values and discount rates). For impairment testing purposes, the fair value of indefinite-lived intangibles is determined using the same method which was used for determining the initial value. The first method is the relief from royalty method, which estimates the value of a tradename by discounting the hypothetical avoided royalty payments to their present value over the economic life of the asset. The second method, the excess earnings method, estimates the value of the intangible asset by quantifying the residual (or excess) cash flows generated by the asset and discounts those cash flows to the present. The excess earnings methodology requires the application of contributory asset charges. Contributory asset charges typically include assumed payments for the use of working capital, tangible assets and other intangible assets. Changes in forecasted operations and other assumptions could materially affect the estimated fair values. Changes in business conditions could potentially require adjustments to these asset valuations. See Footnote 8 for further information. Valuation of Assets held for Sale At December 31, 2019, the Company did not have any disposal groups classified as held for sale. Upon designation as held for sale, the Company’s disposal groups are assessed for impairment by comparing the fair value of the disposal groups to their carrying values. The fair value of the disposal groups is estimated using a market multiple approach. The Company uses various assumptions to estimate fair value under the market multiple approach, including estimating the market multiples expected from the eventual sale of the disposal groups based on information obtained as a result of its marketing process. See Footnote 3 for further information. Other Long-Lived Assets The Company continuously evaluates whether impairment indicators related to its property, plant and equipment, operating leases and other long-lived assets are present. These impairment indicators may include a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset or asset group, early termination of an operating lease, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or asset group is being used or in its physical condition, or a current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group. If impairment indicators are present, the Company estimates the future cash flows for the asset or group of assets. The sum of the undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the asset or group of assets is compared to their carrying amount. The cash flows are estimated utilizing various assumptions regarding future sales and expenses, working capital and proceeds from asset disposals on a basis consistent with the Company’s forecasts. If the carrying amount exceeds the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows, the Company discounts the future cash flows using a discount rate required for a similar investment of like risk and records an impairment charge as the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the asset group. Generally, the Company performs its testing of the asset group at the reporting unit level, as this is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available. Shipping and Handling Costs The Company records shipping and handling costs as a component of cost of products sold. Product Liability Reserves The Company has a self-insurance program for product liability that includes reserves for self-retained losses and certain excess and aggregate risk transfer insurance. The Company uses historical loss experience combined with actuarial evaluation methods, review of significant individual files and the application of risk transfer programs in determining required product liability reserves. The Company’s actuarial evaluation methods take into account claims incurred but not reported when determining the Company’s product liability reserve. While the Company believes that it has adequately reserved for these claims, the ultimate outcome of these matters may exceed the amounts recorded by the Company, and such additional losses may be material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements. Product Warranties In the normal course of business, the Company offers warranties for a variety of its products. The specific terms and conditions of the warranties vary depending upon the specific product and markets in which the products were sold. The Company accrues for the estimated cost of product warranty at the time of sale based on historical experience. Advertising Costs The Company expenses production costs of print, radio, television and other advertisements as of the first date the advertisements take place, and the Company expenses all other advertising and marketing costs when incurred. Advertising and promotion costs are recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses and totaled $389 million, $397 million and $485 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Research and Development Costs Research and development costs relating to both future and current products are charged to selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred. These costs totaled $149 million, $151 million and $175 million in 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative financial instruments are generally used to manage certain commodity, interest rate and foreign currency risks. These instruments primarily include interest rate swaps, forward starting interest rate swaps, forward exchange contracts and options. The Company’s forward exchange contracts and options do not subject the Company to exchange rate risk because gains and losses on these instruments generally offset gains and losses on the assets, liabilities and other transactions being hedged. However, these instruments, when settled, impact the Company’s cash flows from operations to the extent the underlying transaction being hedged is not simultaneously settled due to an extension, a renewal or otherwise. On the date when the Company enters into a derivative, the derivative is designated as a hedge of the identified exposure. The Company measures effectiveness of its hedging relationships both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis. Foreign Currency Operations Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at year-end. The related translation adjustments are made directly to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Income and expenses are translated at the average monthly rates of exchange in effect during the year. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in the results of operations and are generally classified in other (income) expense, net, in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Foreign currency transaction net losses for 2019, 2018 and 2017 were $5.6 million, $7.8 million and $9.5 million, respectively. The Company designates certain foreign currency denominated, long-term intercompany financing transactions as being of a long-term investment nature and records gains and losses on the transactions arising from changes in exchange rates as translation adjustments. Income Taxes The Company accounts for deferred income taxes using the asset and liability approach. Under this approach, deferred income taxes are recognized based on the tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities, as measured by current enacted tax rates. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce the deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized. The Company’s income tax provisions are based on calculations and assumptions that are subject to examination by various worldwide tax authorities. Although the Company believes that the positions taken on previously filed tax returns are reasonable, it has established tax, interest and penalty reserves in recognition that various taxing authorities may challenge the positions taken, which could result in additional liabilities for taxes, interest and penalties. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability considering historical profitability, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and tax planning strategies. For uncertain tax positions, the Company applies the provisions of relevant authoritative guidance, which requires application of a “more likely than not” threshold to the recognition and derecognition of tax positions. The Company’s ongoing assessments of the more likely than not outcomes of tax authority examinations and related tax positions require significant judgment and can increase or decrease the Company’s effective tax rate, as well as impact operating results. See Footnote 16 for further information. Stock-Based Compensation Stock-based compensation expense is adjusted for estimated forfeitures and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally three years for stock options and one to three years for restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units. The Company estimates future forfeiture rates based on its historical experience (see Footnote 15 for additional information). Recent Accounting Pronouncements Changes to U.S. GAAP are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of accounting standards updates (“ASUs”) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” ASU 2016-13 involves several aspects of the accounting for credit losses related to certain financial instruments including assets measured at amortized cost, available-for-sale debt securities and certain off-balance sheet commitments. ASU 2016-13, and subsequent updates, broadens the information that an entity must consider in developing its estimated credit losses expected to occur over the remaining life of assets measured either collectively or individually to include historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts, replacing the existing incurred credit loss model and other models with the Current Expected Credit Losses (“CECL”) model. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2019. The Company has completed its assessment and will adopt ASU 2016-13 on a modified retrospective basis. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2016-13 will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract.” ASU 2018-15 clarifies the accounting treatment for fees paid by a customer in a cloud computing arrangement (hosting arrangement) by providing guidance for determining when the arrangement includes a software license. ASU 2018-15 is effective for public business entities for years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company will adopt ASU 2018-15 prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company has designed processes and the appropriate internal controls to ensure its readiness for adoption. The Company does not believe the adoption of ASU 2018-15 will have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, “Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” ASU 2018-14 modifies disclosure requirements for defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans. ASU 2018-14 is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2020. Since ASU 2018-14 only impacts the disclosure requirements related to defined benefit pension and other postretirement plans, the adoption of ASU 2018-14 will not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, "Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes" (Topic 740). ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. ASU 2019-12 is effective for years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2020, with early adoption permitted. Depending on the amendment, adoption may be applied on the retrospective, modified retrospective or prospective basis. The Company is currently evaluating the potential effects of the adoption of ASU 2019-12. Adoption of New Accounting Guidance In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a finance or operating lease. The Company adopted ASU 2016-02 prospectively starting on January 1, 2019. As part of the adoption, the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance that includes not to reassess historical lease classification, and not to recognize short-term leases on the balance sheet, nor separate lease and non-lease components for all its leases. In addition, the Company used hindsight to determine the lease term and applied its incremental borrowing rate based on the remaining term of the lease as of the adoption date. The impact upon adoption, related to operating leases in continuing operations, as of January 1, 2019, resulted in the recognition of right-of-use assets of approximately $664 million, lease liabilities of approximately $725 million and a cumulative-effect adjustment on retained deficit of approximately $0.5 million on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet. See Footnote 12 for further information. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” ASU 2017-12 amends existing guidance to better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships. ASU 2017-12 also expands and refines hedge accounting for both nonfinancial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. ASU 2017-12 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods. The adoption of ASU 2017-12 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. See Footnote 11 for further information. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-9, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The Company adopted ASU 2014-9 and all the related amendments (“Topic 606”) on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective transition method and applied this approach to contracts not completed as of that date. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The adoption of Topic 606 did not result in a material adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. The Company does not expect the adoption of Topic 606 to have a material impact to its net income on an ongoing basis. As part of Topic 606, the Company reclassified items such as cash discounts, allowances for returns, and credits or incentives provided to customers from accounts receivable, net to other accrued liabilities as of the adoption date. These items are accounted for as variable consideration when estimating the amount of revenue to recognize. Also, as part of the new standard, the Company recognized right to recover assets associated with its estimated allowances for returns in prepaid expenses and other, which were previously netted against the allowance for returns included in accounts receivable, net. Certain costs and cash payments made to customers previously recorded in costs of products sold and selling, general and administrative expenses were reclassified against net sales as they did not meet the specific criteria to qualify as a distinct good or service under the new guidance, primarily related to payments to customers for defective products under warranty. The impact of adoption of Topic 606 on the Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2018 was not material. The impact of adoption of Topic 606 on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2018, was as follows (in millions):
|  | As Reported |  | Excluding Adjustments Due to Topic 606 |  | As Adjusted
Net sales |  | $ | 10,154.0 |  |  | $ | 230.5 |  |  | $ | 10,384.5 |
Cost of products sold |  | 6,636.3 |  |  | 222.8 |  |  | 6,859.1 |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |  | 2,647.8 |  |  | 8.4 |  |  | 2,656.2 |
Operating loss |  | (7,554.0 | ) |  | (0.7 | ) |  | (7,554.7 | )
Income tax benefit |  | (1,358.9 | ) |  | (0.2 | ) |  | (1,359.1 | )
Loss from continuing operations |  | (6,632.8 | ) |  | (0.5 | ) |  | (6,633.3 | )
Loss from discontinued operations, net of tax |  | (309.7 | ) |  | — |  |  | (309.7 | )
Net loss |  | (6,942.5 | ) |  | (0.5 | ) |  | (6,943.0 | )
Other recently issued ASUs were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have a minimal impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.

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