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The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]  
Use of Estimates Use of Estimates

The preparation of condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to provisions for transaction losses, legal contingencies, income taxes, revenue recognition, stock-based compensation, investments, goodwill and the recoverability of intangible assets. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation

The accompanying condensed financial statements are consolidated and include the financial statements of eBay Inc., our wholly and majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities (“VIE”) where we are the primary beneficiary. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Minority interests are recorded as a noncontrolling interest. A qualitative approach is applied to assess the consolidation requirement for VIEs. Investments in entities where we hold at least a 20% ownership interest and have the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. For such investments, our share of the investees’ results of operations is included in interest and other, net and our investment balance is included in long-term investments. Investments in entities where we hold less than a 20% ownership interest are generally accounted for as equity investments to be measured at fair value or, under an election, at cost if it does not have readily determinable fair value, in which case the carrying value would be adjusted upon the occurrence of an observable price change or impairment.

These condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. We have evaluated all subsequent events through the date these condensed consolidated financial statements were issued. In the opinion of management, these condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary for fair statement of the condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows for these interim periods. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified on our condensed consolidated financial statements to conform with current year presentation.
Investments Investments

Short-term investments, which may include marketable equity securities, time deposits, certificates of deposit, government bonds and corporate debt securities with original maturities of greater than three months but less than one year when purchased, are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value using the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses related to equity securities are recognized in interest & other, net, with all other unrealized gains and losses reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of related estimated income tax provisions or benefits.

Long-term investments may include marketable government bonds and corporate debt securities, time deposits, certificates of deposit and equity investments. Debt securities are classified as available-for-sale and are reported at fair value using the specific identification method. Unrealized gains and losses on our available-for-sale debt securities are excluded from earnings and reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of related estimated income tax provisions or benefits.

Our equity investments are primarily investments in privately-held companies. Our condensed consolidated results of operations include, as a component of interest and other, net, our share of the net income or loss of the equity investments accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Our share of investees’ results of operations is not significant for any period presented. Equity investments without readily determinable fair values are accounted for at cost, less impairment and adjusted for subsequent observable price changes obtained from orderly transactions for identical or similar investments issued by the same investee. Such changes in the basis of the equity investment are recognized in interest & other, net.

We assess whether an other-than-temporary impairment loss on our investments has occurred due to declines in fair value or other market conditions. With respect to our debt securities, this assessment takes into account the severity and duration of the decline in value, our intent to sell the security, whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, and whether we expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the security (that is, whether a credit loss exists).
Derivative Instruments Derivative Instruments

We use derivative financial instruments, primarily forwards, options and swaps, to hedge certain foreign currency and interest rate exposures. We may also use other derivative instruments not designated as hedges, such as forwards to hedge foreign currency balance sheet exposures. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. 

In addition, we entered into a warrant agreement with a service provider that, subject to meeting certain conditions, entitles us to acquire a fixed number of shares up to 5% of the service provider’s fully diluted issued and outstanding share capital at a specific date. The warrant is accounted for as a derivative instrument under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging.

See “Note 7 - Derivative Instruments” for a full description of our derivative instrument activities and related accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition Revenue Recognition
We generate net transaction revenues primarily from final value fees and fees to promote or feature listings from sellers in our Marketplace and final value fees from sellers and buyers on our StubHub platforms. We recognize revenue for the fees when the single performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time when transactions are successfully closed or payments are authorized to sellers on our Marketplace and StubHub platforms, respectively. We made the policy election to consider the delivery of tickets on our StubHub platform to be fulfillment activities and, consequently does not impact the timing of revenue recognition.
Our marketing services and other revenues are derived principally from the sale of advertisements, classifieds fees, and revenue sharing arrangements. Advertising revenue is derived principally from the sale of online advertisements which are based on “impressions” (i.e., the number of times that an advertisement appears in pages viewed by users of our platforms) or “clicks” (which are generated each time users on our platforms click through our advertisements to an advertiser’s designated website) delivered to advertisers. We use the output method and apply
the practical expedient to recognize advertising revenue in the amount to which we have a right to invoice. For contracts with target advertising commitments with rebates, estimated payout is accounted for as a variable consideration to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur.
We generate net revenues related to fees for listing items on our Classifieds platforms, which are recognized over the estimated period of the classifieds listing and fees to feature the listing that are recognized over the feature period or a point in time depending on the nature of the feature purchased. Discounts offered through purchase of packages of multiple services are allocated based on the stand-alone selling price (“SSP”) of each respective feature. Revenues related to revenue sharing arrangements are recognized based on whether we are the principal in the arrangement and are responsible for fulfilling the promise to provide the specified services or whether we are an agent arranging for those services to be provided by our partners. If the former, we recognize revenue in the gross amount of consideration received from the customer whereas if the latter, we recognize revenue net of the consideration due to our partners. Revenue related to revenue sharing arrangements are primarily recognized at a point in time when services are provided to customers.
We provide incentives to our users in various forms including discounts on fees, discounts on items sold on the platforms, coupons and rewards. Incentives which are consideration payable to the customer that are not in exchange for a distinct good or service are generally recognized as a reduction of revenue at the later of when revenue is recognized or when we pay or promise to pay the incentive. Further, we provide credits in certain circumstances in which we refund certain fees to our customers. Credits are accounted for as variable consideration at contract inception when estimating the amount of revenue to be recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal of revenue will not occur and updated as additional information becomes available.
Our contracts with customers may include promises to transfer multiple services including discounts on future services. Determining whether services are considered distinct performance obligations that should be accounted for separately versus together may require significant judgment. Further, judgment is required to determine the SSP for each distinct performance obligation. In instances where SSP is not directly observable, we generally estimate selling prices based on when they are sold to customers of a similar nature and geography. These estimates are generally based on pricing strategies, market factors, strategic objectives and observable inputs.
Contract Balances  

Timing of revenue recognition may differ from the timing of invoicing to customers. Accounts receivable represents amounts invoiced and revenue recognized prior to invoicing when we have satisfied our performance obligation and have the unconditional right to payment. The allowance for doubtful accounts and authorized credits is estimated based upon our assessment of various factors including historical experience, the age of the accounts receivable balances, current economic conditions and other factors that may affect our customers’ ability to pay. The allowance for doubtful accounts and authorized credits was $100 million and $102 million as of June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
Deferred revenue consists of fees received related to unsatisfied performance obligations at the end of the period. Due to the generally short-term duration of contracts, the majority of the performance obligations are satisfied in the following reporting period. The amount of revenue recognized for the six month period ended June 30, 2018 that was included in the deferred revenue balance at the beginning of the period was $90 million.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. This new standard replaces all current GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminates all industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition guidance provides a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In 2016, the FASB issued several amendments to the standard, including principal versus agent considerations when another party is involved in providing goods or services to a customer and the application of identifying performance obligations. We adopted the standard effective January 1, 2018 using the full retrospective transition method and recast each prior reporting period presented. The cumulative adjustment to retained earnings as of January 1, 2016 was immaterial.

Under the new standard, we identified one performance obligation related to the core service offered to sellers on our Marketplace platform and believe additional services, mainly to promote or feature listings at the option of sellers, are not distinct within the context of the contract. Accordingly, certain fees paid by sellers for these services will be recognized when the single performance obligation is satisfied or when the contract expires resulting, in some cases, in a change in the timing of recognition. In addition, we made the policy election to consider delivery of tickets in our StubHub business to be fulfillment activities and, consequently, the performance obligation is considered to be satisfied upon payment to sellers. The impact of this policy election will allow an acceleration of revenue recognition for certain users. The total impact resulting from the change in timing of recognition for both the Marketplace and StubHub platforms was an immaterial net increase in transaction revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, and an increase in deferred revenue of $20 million as of December 31, 2017.

Further, certain incentives such as coupons and rewards provided to certain users from which we do not earn revenue within the context of the identified contract of $90 million and $176 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017, respectively, are recognized as sales and marketing expenses, which historically were recorded as a reduction of revenue.

Adoption of this guidance impacted our previously reported results as follows (in millions, except per share data):
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
 
As Reported
 
As Adjusted
 
As Reported
 
As Adjusted
Net revenues
$
2,328

 
$
2,419

 
$
4,545

 
$
4,722

Cost of net revenues
$
561

 
$
560

 
$
1,076

 
$
1,074

Sales and marketing
$
637

 
$
727

 
$
1,199

 
$
1,375

Net income (loss)
$
27

 
$
29

 
$
1,062

 
$
1,064

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - basic
$
0.03

 
$
0.03

 
$
0.98

 
$
0.99

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss) per share - diluted
$
0.02

 
$
0.03

 
$
0.97

 
$
0.97



In 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. In addition, the FASB clarified guidance related to the valuation allowance assessment when recognizing deferred tax assets resulting from unrealized losses on available-for-sale debt securities. Further in 2018, the FASB issued certain clarifications related to the application of the new guidance. We anticipate that the adoption of the new standard will increase the volatility of our other income (expense), net, as a result of the remeasurement of equity investments. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 with no material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements at adoption.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to accounting for leases. The new guidance requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous guidance. Further in 2018, the FASB provided an optional transition practical expedient to not evaluate under the new guidance existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases under the current guidance. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. We are evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that requires credit losses on financial assets measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, not based on incurred losses. Further, credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities should be recorded through an allowance for credit losses limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption for fiscal years, and interim periods within
those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018 is permitted. We are evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In 2017, the FASB issued new guidance to simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing the requirement to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation to compute the implied fair value of goodwill to measure impairment. Instead, any goodwill impairment will equal the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. Further, the guidance eliminates the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment and, if it fails that qualitative test, to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. This standard is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment test in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In 2017, the FASB issued new guidance that will shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities held at a premium to the earliest call date to more closely align with expectations incorporated in market pricing. The new guidance will not impact debt securities held at a discount. Adoption of this standard will be made on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. While we continue to assess the potential impact of this standard, we do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In 2018, the FASB issued new guidance that allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, eliminating the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. However, the new guidance only applies to the tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and does not change the underlying guidance to recognize the effect of a change in tax laws or rates in income from continuing operations. The amendments are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the impact of adopting this new accounting guidance on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

In 2018, the FASB issued new guidance to simplify the accounting for nonemployee share-based payment transactions by expanding the scope of ASC Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring goods and services from nonemployees. Under the new standard, most of the guidance on stock compensation payments to nonemployees would be aligned with the requirements for share-based payments granted to employees. This standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods, with early adoption permitted. While we continue to assess the potential impact of this standard, we do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.