BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2015

Our consolidated financial statements provide an overall view of our results and financial condition. They include our accounts and the accounts of entities we control, including:


•	majority-owned domestic and foreign subsidiaries and


•	variable interest entities in which we are the primary beneficiary.

They do not include our intercompany transactions and accounts, which are eliminated, and noncontrolling interests are presented within equity.

We account for investments in and advances to unconsolidated equity affiliates using the equity method, with taxes provided on undistributed earnings. This means that we record earnings and accrue taxes in the period earnings are recognized by our unconsolidated equity affiliates.

Throughout these Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, unless specified otherwise, references to “Weyerhaeuser,” “we” and “our” refer to the consolidated company.

New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2014-09, a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires an entity to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 for an additional year. We plan to adopt the standard on January 1, 2018 and may use either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are evaluating the impact that ASU 2014-09 will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method nor determined the effect of the standard on our ongoing financial reporting.

In April 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-03, which amends the presentation of debt issuance costs on the consolidated balance sheet. Under the new guidance, debt issuance costs are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt liability rather than as an asset. The new guidance is effective retrospectively for fiscal periods starting after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. We expect to adopt ASU 2015-03 on January 1, 2016 and have determined that its adoption will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures at that time.

In May 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-07, which clarifies the presentation within the fair value hierarchy of certain investments held within our pension plan. The new guidance is effective retrospectively for fiscal periods starting after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. We have not yet determined an adoption date. This new guidance eliminates the requirement to categorize certain pension investments in the fair value hierarchy. Upon adoption these investments will be presented separately from the fair value hierarchy and reconciled to total investments in our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In July 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-11, which simplifies the measurement of inventories valued under most methods, including our inventories valued under FIFO – the first-in, first-out – and moving average cost methods. Inventories valued under LIFO – the last-in, first-out method – are excluded. Under this new guidance, inventories valued under these methods would be valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with net realizable value defined as the estimated selling price less reasonable costs to sell the inventory. The new guidance is effective prospectively for fiscal periods starting after December 15, 2016 and early adoption is permitted. We expect to adopt ASU 2015-11 on January 1, 2017 and are evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Earnings Per Share, Policy

We use the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of our outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units. Share-based payment awards that are contingently issuable upon the achievement of specified performance or market conditions are included in our diluted earnings per share calculation in the period in which the conditions are satisfied.

We use the if-converted method to calculate the effect of our outstanding preference shares. In applying the if-converted method, conversion is not assumed for purposes of computing diluted earnings per share if the effect would be antidilutive. Preference shares are antidilutive whenever the amount of the dividend declared in or accumulated for the current period per common share obtainable on conversion exceeds diluted earnings per share exclusive of the preference shares.

Preference shares are evaluated for participation on a quarterly basis to determine whether two-class presentation is required. Preference shares are considered to be participating as of the financial reporting period end to the extent they would participate in dividends paid to common shareholders. Preference shares are not considered participating for the quarter and year-to-date periods ended September 30, 2015. Under the provisions of the two-class method, basic and diluted earnings per share would be presented for both preference and common shareholders.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy

To estimate the fair value of long-term debt, we used the following valuation approaches:


•	market approach – based on quoted market prices we received for the same types and issues of our debt; or


•	income approach – based on the discounted value of the future cash flows using market yields for the same type and comparable issues of debt.

The inputs to these valuations are based on market data obtained from independent sources or information derived principally from observable market data.

The difference between the fair value and the carrying value represents the theoretical net premium or discount we would pay or receive to retire all debt at the measurement date.