Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

May 31, 2017

Neogen Corporation develops, manufactures and markets a diverse line of products and services dedicated to food and animal safety.

Basis of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Neogen Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company), all of which are wholly owned as of May 31, 2017, with the exception of Neogen Latinoamerica. Neogen Latinoamerica was 90% owned as of May 31, 2017 and 2016. The Company made an additional capital contribution on December 31, 2013 which increased its ownership interest in Neogen Latinoamerica from 60% to 90%. Neogen do Brasil was 100% and 90% owned as of May 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company purchased all shares owned by the two minority interest owners on February 28, 2017, which increased its ownership interest in Neogen do Brasil to 100%. Non-controlling interest represents the non-controlling owner’s proportionate share in the equity of these subsidiaries; the non-controlling owner’s proportionate share in the income or losses of the subsidiaries is subtracted from, or added to, Company net income to calculate the net income attributable to Neogen Corporation.

All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Significant estimates impacting the accompanying consolidated financial statements include the allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable, inventory valuation and intangible assets.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income represents net income and any revenues, expenses, gains and losses that, under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, are excluded from net income and recognized directly as a component of equity. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) consists solely of foreign currency translation adjustments.

Accounts Receivable and Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts receivable. Management attempts to minimize credit risk by reviewing customers’ credit history before extending credit and by monitoring credit exposure on a regular basis. An allowance for doubtful accounts on accounts receivable is established based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information. Collateral or other security is generally not required for accounts receivable. Once a receivable balance has been determined to be uncollectible, that amount is charged against the allowance for doubtful accounts. No customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable at May 31, 2017 or 2016, respectively. The activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts was as follows:


	Year ended May 31
(in thousands)	2017			2016			2015
Beginning Balance	$	1,500		$	1,300		$	1,200
Provision		645			305			337
Recoveries		25			90			92
Write-offs		(170	)		(195	)		(329	)

Ending Balance	$	2,000		$	1,500		$	1,300

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments other than cash equivalents and marketable securities, which include accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate fair value based on either their short maturity or current terms for similar instruments.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value measurements are determined based upon the exit price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants exclusive of any transaction costs. The Company utilizes a fair value hierarchy based upon the observability of inputs used in valuation techniques as follows:


Level 1:		Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
Level 2:		Inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
Level 3:		Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents consist of bank demand accounts, savings deposits, certificates of deposit and commercial paper with original maturities of 90 days or less. Cash and cash equivalents were $77,567,000 and $55,257,000 at May 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The carrying value of these assets approximates fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments and meet the Level 1 criteria. Cash held by foreign subsidiaries was $8,132,000 and $5,320,000 at May 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Marketable Securities

The Company has marketable securities held by banks or broker-dealers at May 31, 2017, consisting of short-term domestic certificates of deposit of $25,355,000 and commercial paper rated at least A-2/P-2 with maturities between 91 days and one year of $40,713,000. Total outstanding marketable securities at May 31, 2017 were $66,068,000; there were $52,539,000 in marketable securities outstanding at May 31, 2016. These securities are classified as available for sale. The primary objective of the Company’s short-term investment activity is to preserve capital for the purpose of funding operations, capital expenditures and business acquisitions; short-term investments are not entered into for trading or speculative purposes. These securities are recorded at fair value (that approximates cost) based on recent trades or pricing models and therefore meet the Level 2 criteria. Interest income on these investments is recorded within Other Income on the income statement.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in, first-out method, or market. The components of inventories were as follows:


	Year ended May 31
(in thousands)	2017		2016
Raw Materials	$	33,190	$	29,501
Work-in-process		4,831		4,498
Finished goods		35,123		30,372

	$	73,144	$	64,371

The Company’s inventories are analyzed for slow moving, expired and obsolete items no less frequently than quarterly and the valuation allowance is adjusted as required. The valuation allowance for inventory was $2,000,000 and $1,550,000 at May 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment is stated at cost. Expenditures for major improvements are capitalized while repairs and maintenance are charged to expense. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which are generally seven to 39 years for buildings and improvements and three to ten years for furniture, fixtures, machinery and equipment. Depreciation expense was $8,783,000, $7,452,000 and $6,318,000 in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over fair value of tangible net assets of acquired businesses after amounts are allocated to other identifiable intangible assets. Other intangible assets include customer relationships, trademarks, licenses, trade names, covenants not-to-compete and patents. Amortizable intangible assets are amortized on either an accelerated or a straight-line basis, generally over 5 to 25 years. The Company reviews the carrying amounts of goodwill and other non-amortizable intangible assets annually, or when indications of impairment exist, to determine if such assets may be impaired by performing a quantitative assessment. If the carrying amounts of these assets are deemed to be less than fair value based upon a discounted cash flow analysis and comparison to comparable earnings multiples of peer companies, such assets are reduced to their estimated fair value and a charge is made to operations. The remaining weighted-average amortization period for customer-based intangibles and other intangibles are 11 and 12 years, respectively, at May 31, 2017 and May 31, 2016.

Long-lived Assets

Management reviews the carrying values of its long-lived assets to be held and used, including definite-lived intangible assets, for possible impairment whenever events or changes in business conditions warrant such a review. The carrying value of a long-lived asset is considered impaired when the anticipated separately identifiable undiscounted cash flows over the remaining useful life of the asset are less than the carrying value of the asset. In such an event, fair value is determined using discounted cash flows and if lower than the carrying value, impairment is recognized through a charge to operations.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts in the fiscal 2016 and 2015 financial statements have been reclassified to conform to the fiscal 2017 presentation.

See the Company’s discussion on Accounting Standards Update 2015-17, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, below for information on reclassifications related to the adoption of this standard as of May 31, 2017.

Stock Options

At May 31, 2017, the Company had stock option plans which are described more fully in Note 5.

The weighted-average fair value per share of stock options granted during fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, was $15.86, $13.11 and $11.91, respectively. The fair value of stock options granted was estimated using the following weighted-average assumptions:


	Year ended May 31
	2017		2016		2015
Risk-free interest rate		1.2%		1.2%		1.2%
Expected dividend yield		0.0%		0.0%		0.0%
Expected stock volatility		35.2%		33.3%		36.2%
Expected option life		4.0 years		4.0 years		4.0 years

The risk-free interest rate for periods within the expected life of options granted is based on the United States Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. Expected stock price volatility is based on historical volatility of the Company’s stock. The expected option life, representing the period of time that options granted are expected to be outstanding, is based on historical option exercise and employee termination data. The Company recognizes the fair value of stock options using the accelerated method over their requisite service periods which the Company has determined to be the vesting periods.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue from products and services is recognized when the product has been shipped or the service performed, the sales price is fixed and determinable, and collection of any receivable is probable. To the extent that customer payment has been received before all recognition criteria are met, these revenues are initially deferred and later recognized in the period that all recognition criteria have been met. Customer credits for sales returns, pricing and other disputes, and other related matters (including volume rebates offered to certain distributors as marketing support) represent approximately 3% of reported net revenue in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and handling costs that are charged to and reimbursed by the customer are recognized as revenues, while the related expenses incurred by the Company are recorded in sales and marketing expense; these expenses totaled $10,185,000, $9,734,000 and $8,648,000 in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and for tax credit carry forwards and are measured using the enacted tax rates in effect for the years in which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred income tax expense represents the change in net deferred income tax assets and liabilities during the year.

The Company’s wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries are comprised of Neogen Europe, Lab M Holdings, Quat-Chem, Neogen do Brasil, Neogen Bio-Scientific Technology Co (Shanghai), Neogen Food and Animal Security (India), Neogen Canada, Acumedia do Brasil, Deoxi Biotecnologia Ltda, and Rogama Industria e Comercio, Ltda; Neogen owns 90% of Neogen Latinoamerica. Based on historical experience, as well as the Company’s future plans, earnings from these subsidiaries are expected to be re-invested indefinitely for future expansion and working capital needs. Furthermore, the Company’s domestic operations have historically produced sufficient operating cash flow to mitigate the need to remit foreign earnings. On an annual basis, the Company evaluates the current business environment and whether any new events or other external changes might require a re-evaluation of the decision to indefinitely re-invest foreign earnings. At May 31, 2017, unremitted earnings of the foreign subsidiaries were $35,281,000.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs, which consist primarily of compensation costs, administrative expenses and new product development, among other items, are expensed as incurred.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and totaled $1,643,000, $1,463,000 and $1,371,000 in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Net Income Attributable to Neogen per Share

Basic net income per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding. The Company’s dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the years result entirely from dilutive stock options. The following table presents the net income per share calculations:


	Year ended May 31
(in thousands, except per share)	2017		2016		2015
Numerator for basic and diluted net income per share - Net Income attributable to Neogen	$	43,793	$	36,564	$	33,526

Denominator for basic net income per share - Weighted average shares		37,908		37,402		36,953
Effect of dilutive stock options		466		473		491

Denominator for diluted net income per share		38,374		37,875		37,444
Net income attributable to Neogen per share
Basic	$	1.16	$	0.98	$	0.91
Diluted	$	1.14	$	0.97	$	0.90

At May 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, the market price of the common stock exceeded the option exercise price for all outstanding options; therefore, no shares were excluded from the diluted net income per share computation.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09—Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new standard outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the revenue model is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The standard is designed to create greater comparability for financial statement users across industries and jurisdictions and also requires enhanced disclosures. In April 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-10— Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which amends and adds clarity to certain aspects of the guidance set forth in ASU 2014-09 related to identifying performance obligations and licensing. The guidance is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The guidance permits two methods of adoption; a full retrospective method to each prior reporting period presented or a modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application. The Company has formed a team to evaluate the impact of the adoption of this standard on its consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11—Inventory: Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The update requires inventory not measured using either the last in, first out (LIFO) or the retail inventory methods to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted for financial statements that have not been previously issued. The Company will adopt this standard on June 1, 2017 and does not expect the adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16—Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement—Period Adjustments. Changes to the accounting for measurement-period adjustments relate to business combinations. Currently, an acquiring entity is required to retrospectively adjust the balance sheet amounts of the acquiree recognized at the acquisition date with a corresponding adjustment to goodwill as a result of changes made to the balance sheet amounts of the acquiree. The measurement period is the period after the acquisition date during which the acquirer may adjust the balance sheet amounts recognized for a business combination (generally up to one year from the date of acquisition). The changes eliminate the requirement to make such retrospective adjustments, and instead require the acquiring entity to record these adjustments in the reporting period they are determined. The new standard is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015. The Company has adopted this standard; the adoption has not had a material impact on its consolidated financial condition and results of operations.

The FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17—Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes as part of its Simplification Initiative. The amendments eliminate the guidance in Topic 740, Income Taxes, that required an entity to separate deferred tax assets and liabilities between current and non-current amounts in a classified balance sheet. Rather, deferred taxes will be presented as non-current under the new standard. This ASU is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016 for public companies. Early adoption is permitted. The Company retrospectively adopted ASU 2015-17 as of May 31, 2017. On the May 31, 2016 balance sheet, the Company reclassified $1,775,000 of current deferred tax assets to Deferred Income Taxes, within Non-current Liabilities. Total assets and total liabilities decreased by $1,775,000.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02—Leases to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessor have not significantly changed from previous U.S. GAAP. This ASU is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2018. Modified retrospective application is permitted with certain practical expedients. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of evaluating its lessee and lessor arrangements to determine the impact of this amendment on its consolidated financial condition and results of operations. This evaluation includes a review of revenue through leasing arrangements as well as lease expenses, which are primarily through operating lease arrangements at most of the Company’s facilities.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09—Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting to provide guidance that changes the accounting for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. The guidance requires the recognition of the income tax effects of awards in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, thus eliminating additional paid-in capital pools. The guidance also allows for the employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting. In addition, the guidance allows for a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur rather than on an estimated basis. This ASU is effective for annual periods, including interim periods within those annual periods, beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt this standard effective June 1, 2017 and currently believes that tax benefits related to share-based payments will result in a lower effective tax rate in fiscal 2018.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13—Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which changes how companies measure credit losses on most financial instruments measured at amortized cost and certain other instruments, such as loans, receivables and held-to-maturity debt securities. Rather than generally recognizing credit losses when it is probable that the loss has been incurred, the revised guidance requires companies to recognize an allowance for credit losses for the difference between the amortized cost basis of a financial instrument and the amount of amortized cost that the company expects to collect over the instrument’s contractual life. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and must be adopted as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not believe the adoption of this guidance will have an impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15—Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (a consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force). The amendments in ASU 2016-15 address eight specific cash flow issues and apply to all entities that are required to present a statement of cash flows under FASB Accounting Standards Codification (FASB ASC) 230, Statement of Cash Flows. The amendments in ASU 2016-15 are effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption during an interim period. The Company has not yet adopted this update and is currently evaluating the impact of ASU No. 2016-15 on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04—Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). ASU 2017-04 simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the second step of the two-step impairment test. The amendment requires an entity to perform its annual, or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. The amendment should be applied on a prospective basis. ASU 2017-04 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company has adopted this amendment; the adoption has not had an impact on its consolidated financial statements.