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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Organization
Seagate Technology plc (the "Company") is a leading provider of data storage technology and solutions. Its principal products are hard disk drives, commonly referred to as disk drives, hard drives or HDDs. In addition to HDDs, the Company produces a broad range of data storage products including solid state drives ("SSD") and their related controllers, solid state hybrid drives ("SSHD") and storage subsystems.

Hard disk drives are devices that store digitally encoded data on rapidly rotating disks with magnetic surfaces. Disk drives continue to be the primary medium of mass data storage due to their performance attributes, high quality and cost effectiveness. Complementing existing data center storage architecture, solid-state storage devices use integrated circuit assemblies as memory to store data, and most SSDs use NAND-based flash memory. In addition to HDDs and SSDs, SSHDs combine the features of SSDs and HDDs in the same unit, containing a large hard disk drive and an SSD cache to improve performance of frequently accessed data.

The Company's products are designed for mission critical and nearline applications in enterprise servers and storage systems; client compute applications, where its products are designed primarily for desktop and mobile computing; and client non-compute applications, where its products are designed for a wide variety of end user devices such as portable external storage systems, surveillance systems, network-attached storage ("NAS"), digital video recorders ("DVRs") and gaming consoles.
 
The Company's cloud systems and solutions extend innovation from the device into the information infrastructure, onsite and in the cloud. Its portfolio includes modular original equipment manufacturers ("OEM") storage systems and scale-out storage servers.

Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries, after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles also requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company’s consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. The methods, estimates and judgments the Company uses in applying its most critical accounting policies have a significant impact on the results the Company reports in its consolidated financial statements. Certain prior years amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.
The Company operates and reports financial results on a fiscal year of 52 or 53 weeks ending on the Friday closest to June 30. Accordingly, fiscal years 2017 and 2016 were comprised of 52 weeks and ended on June 30, 2017 and July 1, 2016, respectively. Fiscal year 2015 was comprised of 53 weeks and ended on July 3, 2015. All references to years in these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements represent fiscal years unless otherwise noted. Fiscal year 2018 will be 52 weeks and will end on June 29, 2018.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments. The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a remaining maturity of 90 days or less at the time of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company's short-term investments are primarily comprised of money market funds, time deposits and certificates of deposits. The Company has classified its marketable securities as available-for-sale and they are stated at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in Accumulated other comprehensive loss, which is a component of Shareholders' Equity. The Company evaluates the available-for sale securities in an unrealized loss position for other-than-temporary impairment. Realized gains and losses are included in Other, net on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. The cost of securities sold is based on the specific identification method.
Restricted Cash and Investments. Restricted cash and investments represent cash and cash equivalents and investments that are restricted as to withdrawal or use for other than current operations.
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts.    The Company maintains an allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable based upon expected collectability. This reserve is established based upon historical trends, global macroeconomic conditions and an analysis of specific exposures. The provision for doubtful accounts is recorded as a charge to Marketing and administrative expense on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Inventory.    Inventories are valued at the lower of cost (using the first-in, first-out method) or market. Market value is based upon an estimated average selling price reduced by estimated cost of completion and disposal.
Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements.    Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost. Equipment and buildings are depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated life of the asset or the remaining term of the lease. The costs of additions and substantial improvements to property, equipment and leasehold improvements, which extend the economic life of the underlying assets, are capitalized. The cost of maintenance and repairs to property, equipment and leasehold improvements are expensed as incurred.
Assessment of Goodwill and Other Long-lived Assets for Impairment. The Company accounts for goodwill in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 350 ("ASC 350"), Intangibles - Goodwill and Other. During fiscal year 2017, the Company adopted Accounting Standard Update ("ASU") No. 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (ASC Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The Company performs a qualitative assessment in the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently if indicators of potential impairment exist, to determine if any events or circumstances exist, such as an adverse change in business climate or a decline in the overall industry that would indicate that it would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount, including goodwill. If it is determined in the qualitative assessment that the fair value of a reporting unit is more likely than not below its carrying amount, including goodwill, then the Company will perform a quantitative impairment test. The quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. Any excess in the carrying value of a reporting unit's goodwill over its fair value is recognized as an impairment loss, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
The Company tests other long-lived assets, including property, equipment and leasehold improvements and other intangible assets subject to amortization, for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of those assets may not be recoverable. The Company performs a recoverability test to assess the recoverability of an asset group. If the recoverability test indicates that the carrying value of the asset group is not recoverable, the Company will estimate the fair value of the asset group and the excess of the carrying value over the fair value is allocated pro rata to derive the adjusted carrying value of assets in the asset group. The adjusted carrying value of each asset in the asset group is not reduced below its fair value.
The Company tests other intangible assets not subject to amortization whenever events occur or circumstances change, such as declining financial performance, deterioration in the environment in which the entity operates or deteriorating macroeconomic conditions that have a negative effect on future expected earnings and cash flows that could affect significant inputs used to determine the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset.
Derivative Financial Instruments.    The Company applies the requirements of ASC Topic 815 ("ASC 815"), Derivatives and Hedging. ASC 815 requires that all derivatives be recorded on the balance sheet at fair value and establishes criteria for designation and effectiveness of hedging relationships.
Establishment of Warranty Accruals.    The Company estimates probable product warranty costs at the time revenue is recognized. The Company generally warrants its products for a period of 1 to 5 years. The Company's warranty provision considers estimated product failure rates and trends (including the timing of product returns during the warranty periods), and estimated repair or replacement costs related to product quality issues, if any. The Company also exercises judgment in estimating its ability to sell certain repaired products. Should actual experience in any future period differ significantly from its estimates, the Company's future results of operations could be materially affected.
Revenue Recognition, Sales Returns and Allowances, and Sales Incentive Programs.    The Company's revenue recognition policy complies with ASC Topic 605 ("ASC 605"), Revenue Recognition. Revenue from sales of products, including sales to distribution customers, is generally recognized when title and risk of loss has passed to the buyer, which typically occurs upon shipment from the Company or third party's warehouse facilities, persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, including a fixed or determinable price to the buyer, and when collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue from sales of products to certain direct retail customers and to customers in certain indirect retail channels is recognized on a sell-through basis.
The Company records estimated product returns at the time of shipment. The Company also estimates reductions to revenue for sales incentive programs, such as price protection, and volume incentives, and records such reductions when revenue is recorded. The Company establishes certain distributor and OEM sales programs aimed at increasing customer demand. For OEM sales, rebates are typically based on an OEM customer's volume of purchases from Seagate or other agreed upon rebate programs. For the distribution channel, these programs typically involve rebates related to a distributor's level of sales, order size, advertising or point of sale activity and price protection adjustments. The Company provides for these obligations at the time that revenue is recorded based on estimated requirements. Marketing development programs are recorded as a reduction to revenue.
Shipping and Handling.    The Company includes costs related to shipping and handling in Cost of revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for all periods presented.
Restructuring Costs.     The Company records restructuring activities including costs for one-time termination benefits in accordance with ASC Topic 420 ("ASC 420"), Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations. The timing of recognition for severance costs accounted for under ASC 420 depends on whether employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits. If employees are required to render service until they are terminated in order to receive the termination benefits, a liability is recognized ratably over the future service period. Otherwise, a liability is recognized when management has committed to a restructuring plan and has communicated those actions to employees. Employee termination benefits covered by existing benefit arrangements are recorded in accordance with ASC Topic 712, Non-retirement Postemployment Benefits. These costs are recognized when management has committed to a restructuring plan and the severance costs are probable and estimable.
Advertising Expense.    The cost of advertising is expensed as incurred. Advertising costs were approximately $16 million, $31 million and $64 million in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Share-Based Compensation.    The Company accounts for share-based compensation under the provisions of ASC Topic 718 (ASC 718), Compensation-Stock Compensation. The Company has elected to apply the with-and-without method to assess the realization of related excess tax benefits.
Accounting for Income Taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to ASC Topic 740 ("ASC 740"), Income Taxes. In applying ASC 740, the Company makes certain estimates and judgments in determining income tax expense for financial statement purposes. These estimates and judgments occur in the calculation of tax credits, recognition of income and deductions and calculation of specific tax assets and liabilities, which arise from differences in the timing of recognition of revenue and expense for income tax and financial statement purposes, as well as tax liabilities associated with uncertain tax positions. The calculation of tax liabilities involves uncertainties in the application of complex tax rules and the potential for future adjustment of the Company’s uncertain tax positions by the Internal Revenue Service or other tax jurisdictions. If estimates of these tax liabilities are greater or less than actual results, an additional tax benefit or provision will result. The deferred tax assets the Company records each period depend primarily on the Company’s ability to generate future taxable income in the United States and certain non-U.S. jurisdictions. Each period, the Company evaluates the need for a valuation allowance for its deferred tax assets and, if necessary, adjusts the valuation allowance so that net deferred tax assets are recorded only to the extent the Company concludes it is more likely than not that these deferred tax assets will be realized. If the Company’s outlook for future taxable income changes significantly, the Company’s assessment of the need for, and the amount of, a valuation allowance may also change.
Comprehensive Income. The Company presents comprehensive income in a separate statement. Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other gains and losses affecting equity that are excluded from net income.
Foreign Currency Remeasurement and Translation.    The U.S. dollar is the functional currency for the majority of the Company's foreign operations. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured into the functional currency of the subsidiary at the balance sheet date. The gains and losses from the remeasurement of foreign currency denominated balances into the functional currency of the subsidiary are included in Other, net on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company had $4 million and $0 million in remeasurement losses in fiscal years 2017 and 2016, respectively, with $30 million in remeasurement gains in fiscal year 2015.
The Company translates the assets and liabilities of its non-U.S. dollar functional currency subsidiaries into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at the end of each period. Revenue and expenses for these subsidiaries are translated using rates that approximate those in effect during the period. Gains and losses from these translations are recognized in foreign currency translation included in Accumulated Other comprehensive loss, which is a component of shareholders’ equity. The Company’s subsidiaries that use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency remeasure monetary assets and liabilities at exchange rates in effect at the end of each period, and inventories, property, and nonmonetary assets and liabilities at historical rates. Gains and losses from these remeasurements were not significant and have been included in the Company’s results of operations.
Concentrations
Concentration of Credit Risk.    The Company's customer base for disk drive products is concentrated with a small number of OEMs and distributors. The Company does not generally require collateral or other security to support accounts receivable. To reduce credit risk, the Company performs ongoing credit evaluations on its customers' financial condition. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of customers, historical trends and other information. Dell Inc. accounted for more than 10% of the Company's accounts receivable as of June 30, 2017.
Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash equivalents, short-term investments and foreign currency forward exchange contracts. The Company further mitigates concentrations of credit risk in its investments through diversification, by limiting its investments in the debt securities of a single issuer, and investing in highly-rated securities.
In entering into foreign currency forward exchange contracts, the Company assumes the risk that might arise from the possible inability of counterparties to meet the terms of their contracts. The counterparties to these contracts are major multinational commercial banks, and the Company has not incurred and does not expect any losses as a result of counterparty defaults.
Supplier Concentration. Certain of the raw materials, components and equipment used by the Company in the manufacture of its products are available from single-sourced vendors. Shortages could occur in these essential materials and components due to an interruption of supply or increased demand in the industry. If the Company were unable to procure certain materials, components or equipment at acceptable prices, it would be required to reduce its manufacturing operations, which could have a material adverse effect on its results of operations. In addition, the Company may make prepayments to certain suppliers or enter into minimum volume commitment agreements. Should these suppliers be unable to deliver on their obligations or experience financial difficulty, the Company may not be able to recover these prepayments.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements 
In May 2014, August 2015, April 2016, May 2016 and December 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2014-09 (ASC Topic 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, ASU 2015-14 (ASC Topic 606) Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Deferral of the Effective Date, ASU 2016-10 (ASC Topic 606) Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing, ASU 2016-12 (ASC Topic 606) Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients, and ASU 2016-20 (ASC Topic 606) Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, respectively. ASC Topic 606 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. It also requires entities to disclose both quantitative and qualitative information that enable financial statements users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The Company is required to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. This standard may be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented, or retrospectively with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings in the year of adoption ("modified retrospective transition approach"). Based on its assessment, the Company plans to adopt the new revenue standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019, utilizing the modified retrospective method of transition.
While management has not yet completed its assessment of the impact of adopting this new standard on the Company's consolidated financial statements, the Company expects the adoption of the new standard will result in the recognition of revenues generally upon shipment (sell-in basis) for sales of products to certain direct retail customers and customers in certain indirect retail channels which are currently being recognized on a sell-through basis. Accordingly, the Company will need to estimate variable consideration (e.g. rebates) related to customer incentives on these arrangements. These changes are not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11 (ASC Topic 330), Inventory: Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The amendments in this ASU require inventory measurement at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The Company is required and intends to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. The Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 (ASC Subtopic 825-10), Financial Instruments - Overall Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in this ASU require entities to measure all investments in equity securities at fair value with changes recognized through net income. This requirement does not apply to investments that qualify for the equity method of accounting, to those that result in consolidation of the investee, or for which the entity meets a practicability exception to fair value measurement. Additionally, the amendments eliminate certain disclosure requirements related to financial instruments measured at amortized cost and add disclosures related to the measurement categories of financial assets and financial liabilities. The Company is required to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted for only certain portions of the ASU. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 (ASC Topic 842), Leases. The ASU amends a number of aspects of lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize operating leases with a term greater than one year on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability, measured at the present value of the lease payments. The Company is required to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09 (ASC Topic 718), Stock Compensation - Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The amendments in this ASU are intended to simplify several areas of accounting for share-based compensation arrangements, including the income tax consequences, classification on the consolidated statement of cash flows and treatment of forfeitures. The Company is required and intends to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2018. Upon adoption, the Company anticipates that this ASU will result in an increase in deferred tax assets relating to net operating losses of approximately $0.5 billion, offset by an equivalent increase in the valuation allowance. This guidance, however, is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's Consolidated balance sheets, statements of operations or cash flows.
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16 (ASC Topic 740), Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. The amendments in this ASU require the recognition of the income tax consequences for intra-entity transfers of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Under current GAAP, current and deferred income taxes for intra-entity asset transfers are not recognized until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The Company is required to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01 (ASC Topic 805), Business Combination: Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The amendments in this ASU change the definition of a business to assist with evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. The Company is required to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09 (ASC Topic 718), Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting. The amendments in this ASU provide guidance about which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. The Company is required to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In April 2015 and August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03 (ASC Subtopic 835-30), Interest-Imputation of Interest: Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs and ASU 2015-15 (ASC Subtopic 835-30), Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements- Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcement at June 18, 2015 EITF Meeting, respectively. The ASUs require that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability, with the exception of those related to line-of-credit arrangements, be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. ASU 2015-03 became effective and was adopted by the Company in the September 2016 quarter on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this guidance resulted in a reduction to Other assets, net and Long-term debt by $39 million, within the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of July 1, 2016. ASU 2015-15 became effective and was adopted by the Company in the September 2016 quarter on a retrospective basis with no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16 (ASC Topic 805), Business Combinations Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. The amendments in this update require that an acquirer recognize measurement period adjustments in the period in which the adjustments are determined. The income effects of such measurement period adjustments are to be recorded in the same period’s financial statements but calculated as if the accounting had been completed as of the acquisition date. The impact of measurement period adjustments to earnings that relate to prior period financial statements are to be presented separately on the income statement or disclosed by line item. The amendments in this update are for fiscal years, including interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. This ASU became effective and was adopted by the Company in the September 2016 quarter on a prospective basis with no material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18 (ASC Topic 230), Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash. The amendments in this update provide guidance on the classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash on the statement of cash flows. The ASU requires amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the total beginning and ending balances for the periods presented on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this update are for fiscal years, including interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company elected to adopt this ASU in the December 2016 quarter on a retrospective basis with no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and disclosures. The Company classifies restricted cash within Other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04 (ASC Topic 350), Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments in this ASU eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test, which requires entities to calculate the implied fair value of goodwill to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Instead, entities will record an impairment charge based on the excess of a reporting unit's carrying amount over its fair value, determined in step 1. The Company elected to adopt this ASU in the March 2017 quarter on a prospective basis with no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and disclosures.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15 (ASC Topic 230), Statement of Cash Flows - Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The amendments in this ASU are intended to clarify how certain cash receipts and cash payment are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The Company elected to adopt this ASU in the June 2017 quarter on a retrospective basis. The adoption of this guidance had no material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and disclosures.