Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies


(a)	Principles of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of j2 Global and its direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reorganization

On June 10, 2014, j2 Global, Inc., a Delaware corporation, completed a corporate reorganization (the “Holding Company Reorganization”) pursuant to which j2 Global, Inc. (the “Predecessor”), merged with j2 Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the Predecessor, and changed its name to “j2 Cloud Services, Inc.” The Predecessor surviving the merger became a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of a new public holding company, j2 Global Holdings, Inc. (the “Holding Company”), which in connection with the merger changed its name to j2 Global, Inc.

At the effective time of the merger and in connection with the Holding Company Reorganization, all outstanding shares of common stock and preferred stock of the Predecessor were automatically converted into identical shares of common stock or preferred stock, as applicable, of the Holding Company on a one-for-one basis, and the Predecessor’s existing stockholders and other equity holders became stockholders and equity holders, as applicable, of the Holding Company in the same amounts and percentages as they were in the Predecessor prior to the Holding Company Reorganization.

On August 10, 2016, j2 Cloud Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company and a Delaware corporation, converted into a Delaware limited liability company which continues as j2 Cloud Services, LLC.

On August 12, 2016, all of the equity interests in Ziff Davis, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and all of the equity interests in Advanced Messaging Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation, held by j2 Cloud Services, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, were distributed to j2 Global, the parent company of j2 Cloud Services, LLC.


(b)	Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, including judgments about investment classifications, and the reported amounts of net revenue and expenses during the reporting period. We believe that our most significant estimates are those related to valuation and impairment of marketable securities, valuation of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in connection with business combinations, long-lived and intangible asset impairment, contingent consideration, income taxes and contingencies and allowance for doubtful accounts. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates its estimates based on historical experience and on various other factors that the Company believes to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.


(c)	Allowances for Doubtful Accounts

j2 Global reserves for receivables it may not be able to collect. These reserves for the Company’s Business Cloud Services segment are typically driven by the volume of credit card declines and past due invoices and are based on historical experience as well as an evaluation of current market conditions. These reserves for the Company’s Digital Media segment are typically driven by past due invoices based on historical experience. On an ongoing basis, management evaluates the adequacy of these reserves.


(d)	Revenue Recognition

Business Cloud Services

The Company’s Business Cloud Services revenues substantially consist of monthly recurring subscription and usage-based fees, which are primarily paid in advance by credit card. In accordance with GAAP, the Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been provided, the sales price is fixed and determinable and collection is probable. The Company defers the portions of monthly, quarterly, semi-annually and annually recurring subscription and usage-based fees collected in advance and recognizes them in the period earned. Additionally, the Company defers and recognizes subscriber activation fees and related direct incremental costs over a subscriber’s estimated useful life.

Along with our numerous proprietary Business Cloud Services solutions, the Company also generates revenues by reselling various third party solutions, primarily through our email security and online backup lines of business. These third party solutions, along with our proprietary products, allow the Company to offer customers a variety of solutions to better meet their needs. The Company determines whether reseller revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis by assessing whether the Company is acting as the principal or an agent in the transaction. If the Company is acting as the principal in a transaction, the Company reports revenue on a gross basis. If the Company is acting as an agent in a transaction, the Company reports revenue on a net basis. In determining whether the Company acts as the principal or an agent, the Company follows the accounting guidance for principal-agent considerations and the Company places the most weight on three factors: whether or not the Company (i) is the primary obligor in the arrangement, (ii) has latitude in determining pricing and (iii) bears credit risk.

The Company records revenue on a gross basis with respect to reseller revenue as the Company is the primary obligator in the arrangement, has latitude in determining pricing and bears all credit risk associated with our reseller program partners.

j2 Global’s Business Cloud Services also include patent license revenues generated under license agreements that provide for the payment of contractually determined fully paid-up or royalty-bearing license fees to j2 Global in exchange for the grant of non-exclusive, retroactive and future licenses to our intellectual property, including patented technology. Patent revenues may also consist of revenues generated from the sale of patents. Patent license revenues are recognized when earned over the term of the license agreements. With regard to fully paid-up license arrangements, the Company recognizes as revenue in the period the license agreement is executed the portion of the payment attributable to past use of the intellectual property and amortizes the remaining portion of such payments on a straight-line basis, or pro-rata revenue basis, as appropriate over the life of the licensed patent(s). With regard to royalty-bearing license arrangements, the Company recognizes revenues of license fees earned during the applicable period. With regard to patent sales, the Company recognizes as revenue in the period of the sale the amount of the purchase price over the carrying value of the patent(s) sold.

The Business Cloud Services business also generates revenues by licensing certain technology to third parties. These licensing revenues are recognized when earned in accordance with the terms of the underlying agreement. Generally, revenue is recognized as the third party uses the licensed technology over the period.

Digital Media

The Company’s Digital Media revenues primarily consist of revenues generated from the sale of advertising campaigns that are targeted to the Company’s proprietary websites and to those websites operated by third parties that are part of the Digital Media business’s advertising network. Revenues for these advertising campaigns are recognized as earned, either when an ad is placed for viewing by a visitor to the appropriate web page or when the visitor “clicks through” on the ad, depending upon the terms with the individual advertiser.

Revenues for Digital Media business-to-business operations consist of lead-generation campaigns for IT vendors and are recognized as earned when the Company delivers the qualified leads to the customer.

j2 Global also generates Digital Media revenues through the license of certain assets to clients, for the clients’ use in their own promotional materials or otherwise. Such assets may include logos, editorial reviews, or other copyrighted material. Revenues under such license agreements are recognized when the assets are delivered to the client. Also, Digital Media revenues are generated through the license of certain speed testing technology which is recognized when delivered to the client through providing data services primarily to Internet Service Providers (“ISPs”) and wireless carriers which is recognized as earned over the term of the access period. The Digital Media business also generates other types of revenues, including business listing fees, subscriptions to online publications, and from other sources. Such other revenues are recognized as earned.

The Company determines whether Digital Media revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis by assessing whether the Company is acting as the principal or an agent in the transaction. If the Company is acting as the principal in a transaction, the Company reports revenue on a gross basis. If the Company is acting as an agent in a transaction, the Company reports revenue on a net basis. In determining whether the Company acts as the principal or an agent, the Company follows the accounting guidance for principal-agent considerations and the Company places the most weight on three factors: whether or not the Company (i) is the primary obligor in the arrangement, (ii) has latitude in determining pricing and (iii) bears credit risk.

The Company records revenue on a gross basis with respect to revenue generated (i) by the Company serving online display and video advertising across its owned-and-operated web properties, on third party sites or on unaffiliated advertising networks, (ii) through the Company’s lead-generation business and (iii) through the Company’s Digital Media licensing program. The Company records revenue on a net basis with respect to revenue paid to the Company by certain third-party advertising networks who serve online display and video advertising across the Company’s owned-and-operated web properties and certain third party sites.


(e)	Fair Value Measurements

j2 Global complies with the provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) Topic No. 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”), in measuring fair value and in disclosing fair value measurements. ASC 820 provides a framework for measuring fair value and expands the disclosures required for fair value measurements of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities.

As of December 31, 2016, the carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, interest receivable, accounts payable, accrued expenses, interest payable, customer deposits and long-term debt are reflected in the financial statements at cost. With the exception of long-term debt, cost approximates fair value due to the short-term nature of such instruments. The fair value of the Company’s outstanding debt was determined using the quoted market prices of debt instruments with similar terms and maturities, if available. As of the same dates, the carrying value of other long-term liabilities approximated fair value as the related interest rates approximate rates currently available to j2 Global.


(f)	Cash and Cash Equivalents

j2 Global considers cash equivalents to be only those investments that are highly liquid, readily convertible to cash and with maturities of three months or less at the purchase date.


(g)	Investments

j2 Global accounts for its investments in debt and equity securities in accordance with FASB ASC Topic No. 320, Investments - Debt and Equity Securities (“ASC 320”). Debt investments are typically comprised of corporate and governmental debt securities. Equity securities recorded as available-for-sale represent strategic equity investments. j2 Global determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of acquisition and evaluates such determination at each balance sheet date. Held-to-maturity securities are those investments which the Company has the ability and intent to hold until maturity and are recorded at amortized cost. Available-for-sale securities are those investments j2 Global does not intend to hold to maturity and can be sold. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in other comprehensive income. Trading securities are carried at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses included in investment income. Securities are accounted for on a specific identification basis, average cost method or other method, as appropriate.


(h)	Debt Issuance Costs and Debt Discount

j2 Global capitalizes costs incurred with borrowing and issuance of debt securities and records debt issuance costs and discounts as a reduction to the debt amount. These costs and discounts are amortized and included in interest expense over the life of the borrowing or term of the credit facility using the effective interest method.


(i)	Derivative Instruments

j2 Global currently holds an embedded derivative instrument related to contingent interest in connection with its 3.25% Convertible Notes issued on June 10, 2014. This embedded derivative instrument is carried at fair value with changes recorded to interest expense (see Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements).


(j)	Concentration of Credit Risk

All of the Company’s cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities are invested at major financial institutions primarily within the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland. These institutions are required to invest the Company’s cash in accordance with the Company’s investment policy with the principal objectives being preservation of capital, fulfillment of liquidity needs and above market returns commensurate with preservation of capital. The Company’s investment policy also requires that investments in marketable securities be in only highly rated instruments, with limitations on investing in securities of any single issuer. However, these investments are not insured against the possibility of a total or near complete loss of earnings or principal and are inherently subject to the credit risk related to the continued credit worthiness of the underlying issuer and general credit market risks. At December 31, 2016, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents were maintained in accounts that are insured up to the limit determined by the applicable governmental agency. The Company’s deposits held in qualifying financial institutions in Ireland are fully insured through March 28, 2018 to the extent on deposit prior to March 28, 2013. With respect to the Company’s deposits with financial institutions in other jurisdictions, the insured amount held in other institutions is immaterial in comparison to the total amount of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents held by these institutions which is not insured. These institutions are primarily in the United States and United Kingdom, however, the Company has accounts within several other countries including Australia, Austria, China, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and the Netherlands.


(k)	Foreign Currency

Some of j2 Global’s foreign subsidiaries use the local currency of their respective countries as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated at exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet dates. Revenues, costs and expenses are translated into U.S. Dollars at average exchange rates for the period. Gains and losses resulting from translation are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Net translation gain/(loss) was $(23.1) million, $(15.1) million and $(14.7) million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Realized gains and losses from foreign currency transactions are recognized within other expense (income), net. Net transaction gain/(loss) was $(0.7) million, $(0.1) million and $(0.1) million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.


(l)	Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Equipment under capital leases is stated at the present value of the minimum lease payments. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives of property and equipment range from 1 to 10 years. Fixtures, which are comprised primarily of leasehold improvements and equipment under capital leases, are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives or for leasehold improvements, the related lease term, if less. The Company has capitalized certain internal use software and website development costs which are included in property and equipment. The estimated useful life of costs capitalized is evaluated for each specific project and ranges from 1 to 5 years.


(m)	Long-Lived Assets

j2 Global accounts for long-lived assets, which include property and equipment and identifiable intangible assets with finite useful lives (subject to amortization), in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic No. 360, Property, Plant, and Equipment (“ASC 360”), which requires that long-lived assets be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the expected undiscounted future net cash flows generated by the asset. If it is determined that the asset may not be recoverable, and if the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated fair value, an impairment charge is recognized to the extent of the difference.

j2 Global assessed whether events or changes in circumstances have occurred that potentially indicate the carrying amount of long-lived assets may not be recoverable. No impairment was recorded in fiscal year 2016, 2015 or 2014.


(n)	Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired in a business combination. Intangible assets resulting from the acquisitions of entities accounted for using the purchase method of accounting are recorded at the estimated fair value of the assets acquired. Identifiable intangible assets are comprised of purchased customer relationships, trademarks and trade names, developed technologies and other intangible assets. Intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized over the period of estimated economic benefit ranging from 1 to 20 years. In accordance with FASB ASC Topic No. 350, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (“ASC 350”), goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but tested annually for impairment or more frequently if j2 Global believes indicators of impairment exist. In connection with the annual impairment test for goodwill, the Company has the option to perform a qualitative assessment in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then it performs the impairment test upon goodwill. The impairment test involves a two-step process. The first step involves comparing the fair values of the applicable reporting units with their aggregate carrying values, including goodwill. The Company generally determines the fair value of its reporting units using the income approach methodology of valuation. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, j2 Global performs the second step of the test to determine the amount of impairment loss. The second step involves measuring the impairment by comparing the implied fair values of the affected reporting unit’s goodwill and intangible assets with the respective carrying values. In connection with the annual impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets, we have the option to perform a qualitative assessment in determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value is less than its carrying amount, then we perform the impairment test upon indefinite-lived intangible assets. The impairment testing for indefinite-lived intangible assets consists of comparing the carrying values to the fair values and an impairment loss is recorded if the carrying value exceeds the fair value. j2 Global completed the required impairment review at the end of 2016, 2015 and 2014 and concluded that there were no impairments. Consequently, no impairment charges were recorded.


(o)	Contingent Consideration

j2 Global measures the contingent earn-out liabilities in connection with acquisitions at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy (see Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements). The Company may use various valuation techniques depending on the terms and conditions of the contingent consideration including a Monte-Carlo simulation. This simulation uses a probability distribution for each significant input to produce hundreds or thousands of possible outcomes and the results are analyzed to determine probabilities of different outcomes occurring. Significant increases or decreases to these inputs in isolation would result in a significantly higher or lower liability with a higher liability capped by the contractual maximum of the contingent earn-out obligation. Ultimately, the liability will be equivalent to the amount paid, and the difference between the fair value estimate and amount paid will be recorded in earnings. The amount paid that is less than or equal to the liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows. Any amount paid in excess of the liability on the acquisition date is reflected as cash used in operating activities.

j2 Global reviews and re-assess the estimated fair value of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis, and the updated fair value could differ materially from the initial estimates. Changes in the estimated fair value of our contingent earn-out liabilities related to the time component of the present value calculation are reported in interest expense. Adjustments to the estimated fair value related to changes in all other unobservable inputs are reported in operating income.


(p)	Income Taxes

j2 Global’s income is subject to taxation in both the U.S. and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating the Company’s tax positions and determining its provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. j2 Global establishes reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These reserves for tax contingencies are established when the Company believes that certain positions might be challenged despite the Company’s belief that its tax return positions are fully supportable. j2 Global adjusts these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the outcome of a tax audit or lapse of a statute of limitations. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve provisions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate.

j2 Global accounts for income taxes in accordance with FASB ASC Topic No. 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), which requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be recognized using enacted tax rates for the effect of temporary differences between the book and tax basis of recorded assets and liabilities. ASC 740 also requires that deferred tax assets be reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some or all of the net deferred tax assets will not be realized. The valuation allowance is reviewed quarterly based upon the facts and circumstances known at the time. In assessing this valuation allowance, j2 Global reviews historical and future expected operating results and other factors, including its recent cumulative earnings experience, expectations of future taxable income by taxing jurisdiction and the carryforward periods available for tax reporting purposes, to determine whether it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets are realizable.

ASC 740 provides guidance on the minimum threshold that an uncertain income tax benefit is required to meet before it can be recognized in the financial statements and applies to all income tax positions taken by a company. ASC 740 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain income tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes, if any. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. If it is not more likely than not that the benefit will be sustained on its technical merits, no benefit will be recorded. Uncertain income tax positions that relate only to timing of when an item is included on a tax return are considered to have met the recognition threshold. j2 Global recognized accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain income tax positions in income tax expense on its consolidated statement of income.


(q)	Share-Based Compensation

j2 Global accounts for share-based awards in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic No. 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). Accordingly, j2 Global measures share-based compensation expense at the grant date, based on the fair value of the award, and recognizes the expense over the employee’s requisite service period using the straight-line method. The measurement of share-based compensation expense is based on several criteria, including but not limited to the valuation model used and associated input factors, such as expected term of the award, stock price volatility, risk free interest rate, dividend rate and award cancellation rate. These inputs are subjective and are determined using management’s judgment. If differences arise between the assumptions used in determining share-based compensation expense and the actual factors, which become known over time, j2 Global may change the input factors used in determining future share-based compensation expense. Any such changes could materially impact the Company’s results of operations in the period in which the changes are made and in periods thereafter. The Company estimates the expected term based upon the historical exercise behavior of our employees.

j2 Global accounts for option grants to non-employees in accordance with FASB ASC Topic No. 505, Equity, whereby the fair value of such options is determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model at the earlier of the date at which the non-employee’s performance is complete or a performance commitment is reached.


(r)	Earnings Per Common Share

EPS is calculated pursuant to the two-class method as defined in ASC Topic No. 260, Earnings per Share (“ASC 260”), which specifies that all outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents are considered participating securities and should be included in the computation of EPS pursuant to the two-class method.

Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net distributed and undistributed earnings allocated to common shareholders, excluding participating securities, by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. The Company’s participating securities consist of its unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to nonforfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents. Diluted EPS includes the determinants of basic EPS and, in addition, reflects the impact of other potentially dilutive shares outstanding during the period. The dilutive effect of participating securities is calculated under the more dilutive of either the treasury method or the two-class method.


(s)	Research, Development and Engineering

Research, development and engineering costs are expensed as incurred. Costs for software development incurred subsequent to establishing technological feasibility, in the form of a working model, are capitalized and amortized over their estimated useful lives.


(t)	Segment Reporting

FASB ASC Topic No. 280, Segment Reporting (“ASC 280”), establishes standards for the way that public business enterprises report information about operating segments in their annual consolidated financial statements and requires that those enterprises report selected information about operating segments in interim financial reports. ASC 280 also establishes standards for related disclosures about products and services, geographic areas and major customers. The Company operates as two segments: (1) Business Cloud Services and (2) Digital Media.


(u)	Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising costs for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 was $96.8 million, $63.5 million and $60.5 million, respectively.


(v)	Sales Taxes

The Company may collect sales taxes from certain customers which are remitted to governmental authorities as required and are excluded from revenues.


(w)	Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as a new Topic, (ASC) Topic 606. The new revenue recognition standard provides a five-step analysis of transactions 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 to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Deferral of the Effective Date, which deferred the effective date of the new revenue standard for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 to December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted but not earlier than the original effective date. This ASU must be applied retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. The Company is considering the alternatives of adoption of this ASU, has substantially completed a review of the likely impact to the existing portfolio of customer contracts entered into prior to adoption and will continue to evaluate the effect of adopting this guidance upon the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. Currently, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial statements except that there are significant additional reporting requirements under the new standard.

In November 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-16, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Determining Whether the Host Contract in a Hybrid Financial Instrument Issued in the Form of a Share is More Akin to Debt or to Equity, which clarifies how current guidance should be interpreted in evaluating the economic characteristics and risks of a host contract in a hybrid financial instrument that is issued in the form of a share. Specifically, the amendments clarify that an entity should consider all relevant terms and features, including the embedded derivative feature being evaluated for bifurcation, in evaluating the nature of the host contract. The assessment of the substance of the relevant terms and features should incorporate a consideration of: (1) the characteristics of the terms and features themselves; (2) the circumstances under which the hybrid financial instrument was issued or acquired; and (3) the potential outcomes of the hybrid financial instrument, as well as the likelihood of those potential outcomes. The amendments in this ASU apply to all entities that are issuers of, or investors in, hybrid financial instruments that are issued in the form of a share. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company has adopted this guidance in the first quarter 2016 and has determined that there is no impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.

In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, Interest - Imputation Interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. The amendments in this ASU provide guidance that requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. The amendments in this ASU are effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance during the first quarter 2016 on a retrospective basis which resulted in a reclassification of 2015 debt issuance costs of $9.1 million from Other assets to Long-term debt in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements and related disclosures.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This ASU requires that deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent in a classified statement of financial position. The Company adopted this ASU during the first quarter 2016 on a prospective basis. Adoption has resulted in a reclassification of our current deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities to the non-current deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. No prior periods were retrospectively adjusted.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The amendments in this ASU modify how entities measure equity investments and present changes in the fair value of financial liabilities. Under the new guidance, entities will have to measure equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted under the equity method at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income unless the investments qualify for the new practicality exception. A practicality exception will apply to those equity investments that do not have a readily determinable fair value and do not qualify for the practical expedient to estimate fair value under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements, and as such these investments may be measured at cost. This ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases. This ASU establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of this new standard on our financial statements and has yet to determine the overall impact this ASU is expected to have. The Company currently has both capital and operating leases both domestically and internationally with varying expiration dates through 2025 in the amount of $74.2 million for the period ended December 31, 2016.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-06, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815). This ASU is related to the embedded derivative analysis for debt instruments with contingent call or put options. This ASU clarifies that an exercise contingency does not need to be evaluated to determine whether it relates only to interest rates or credit risk. Instead, the contingent put or call option should be evaluated for possible bifurcation as a derivative in accordance with the four-step decision sequence detailed in FASB ASC 815-15, without regard to the nature of the exercise contingency. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606). This ASU is related to reporting revenue gross versus net, or principal versus agent considerations. This ASU is meant to clarify the guidance in ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, as it pertains to principal versus agent considerations. Specifically, the guidance addresses how entities should identify goods and services being provided to a customer, the unit of account for a principal versus agent assessment, how to evaluate whether a good or service is controlled before being transferred to a customer, and how to assess whether an entity controls services performed by another party. This ASU has the same effective date as the new revenue standard, which is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating the effect and methodology of adopting this new accounting guidance upon the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. The Company is considering the alternatives of adoption of this ASU, has substantially completed a review of the likely impact to the existing portfolio of customer contracts entered into prior to adoption and will continue to evaluate the effect of adopting this guidance upon the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. Currently, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial statements except that there are significant additional reporting requirements under the new standard.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718). This ASU is related to simplifications of employee share-based payment accounting. This pronouncement eliminates the APIC pool concept and requires that excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies be recorded in the income statement when awards are settled. The pronouncement also addresses simplifications related to statement of cash flows classification, accounting for forfeitures and minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our financial statements.

In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing. This ASU is meant to clarify the guidance in FASB ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Specifically, the guidance addresses an entity’s identification of its performance obligations in a contract, as well as an entity’s evaluation of the nature of its promise to grant a license of intellectual property and whether or not that revenue is recognized over time or at a point in time. This ASU has the same effective date as the new revenue standard, which is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is considering the alternatives of adoption of this ASU, has substantially completed a review of the likely impact to the existing portfolio of customer contracts entered into prior to adoption and will continue to evaluate the effect of adopting this guidance upon the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. Currently, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial statements except that there are significant additional reporting requirements under the new standard.

In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-11, Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting. This ASU rescinds SEC paragraphs pursuant to two SEC Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) meeting. Specifically, registrants should not rely on the following SEC Staff Observer comments upon adoption of Topic 606: (1) Revenue and Expense Recognition for Freight Services in Process, which is codified in paragraph 605-20-S99-2; (2) Accounting for Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs, which is codified in paragraph 605-45-S99-1; (3) Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (including Reseller of the Vendor’s Products), which is codified in paragraph 605-50-S99-1; and (4) Accounting for Gas-Balancing Arrangements (i.e., use of the “entitlements method”), which is codified in paragraph 932-10-S99-5. This ASU becomes effective upon adoption of ASU 2014-09, which is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is considering the alternatives of adoption of this ASU, has substantially completed a review of the likely impact to the existing portfolio of customer contracts entered into prior to adoption and will continue to evaluate the effect of adopting this guidance upon the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. Currently, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients. This ASU does not change the core principle of the guidance in Topic 606. Instead, the amendments provide clarifying guidance in a few narrow areas and add some practical expedients to the guidance. This ASU has the same effective date as the new revenue standard, which is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the pending adoption of this new standard on our financial statements. The Company is considering the alternatives of adoption of this ASU, has substantially completed a review of the likely impact to the existing portfolio of customer contracts entered into prior to adoption and will continue to evaluate the effect of adopting this guidance upon the Company’s results of operations, cash flows and financial position. Currently, the Company does not expect the adoption of this ASU to have a material impact on our financial statements except that there are significant additional reporting requirements under the new standard.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The amendments in this ASU replace the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company has not adopted this ASU and currently has determined there to be no impact of this ASU on our financial statements and related disclosures.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The new guidance is intended to reduce diversity in practice in how transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory. The amendments in this ASU reduce the complexity in the accounting standards by allowing the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. Historically, the income tax consequence was not recognized until the asset was sold to an outside party. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash - a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force. The amendments in this ASU require restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents to be classified in the Statement of Cash Flows as cash and cash equivalents. The guidance will be applied on a retrospective basis beginning with the earliest period presented. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements.

In December 2016, the FASB issued 2016-19, Technical Corrections and Improvements. The amendments in this ASU represent changes to clarify, correct errors, or make minor improvements to the Codification. The Update includes simplification and minor improvements to topics on insurance and troubled debt restructuring that result in numerous editorial changes to the Codification. Most of the amendments in the Update do not require transition guidance and are effective upon issuance of the ASU. The remaining six amendments in this ASU have various adoption dates. The Company adopted this ASU during the fourth quarter 2016 on a prospective basis. Since this update is intended to clarify the Codification, correct unintended application of guidance, or make minor improvements to the Codification that are not expected to have a significant effect on current accounting practice, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In December 2016, the FASB issued 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The amendments in this ASU represent changes to clarify the Codification or to correct unintended application of guidance. Areas for correction or improvement include: Loan Guarantee Fees, Contract Costs - Impairment Testing, Contract Costs - Interaction of Impairment Testing with Guidance in Other Topics, Provisions for Losses on Construction-Type and Production Type Contracts, Scope of Topic 606, Disclosure of Remaining Performance Obligations, Disclosure of Prior-Period Performance Obligations, Contract Modification Example, Contract Asset versus Receivable, Refund Liability, Advertising Costs, Fixed-Odd Wagering Contracts in the Casino Industry and Cost Capitalization for Advisors to Private Funds and Public Funds. This ASU has the same effective date as the new revenue standard, which is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our financial statements except that there are significant additional reporting requirements under the new standard.

In January 2017, the FASB issued 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. The amendments in this ASU provide a robust framework to use in determining when a set of assets and activities is a business. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted and the standard should be applied prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our financial statements and related disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued 2017-03, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections (Topic 250) and Investments - Equity Method and Joint Ventures (Topic 323): Amendments to SEC Paragraphs Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the September 22, 2016 and November 17, 2016 EITF Meetings. The amendments in this ASU add language to the SEC Staff Guidance in relation to ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), and ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). This ASU provides the SEC Staff view that a registrant should consider additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures related to the previously mentioned ASUs in connection with the status and impact of their adoption. The Company adopted this ASU during the current quarter 2016. Since this update intended to add disclosures related to certain ASUs, the adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment. The amendments in this ASU simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill by eliminating Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and eliminating the requirement for a reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform a qualitative assessment. Instead, under this pronouncement, an entity would perform its annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount and would recognize an impairment change for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized is not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, income tax effects will be considered, if applicable. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our financial statements and related disclosures.

Reclassifications

Certain prior year reported amounts have been reclassified to conform with the 2016 presentation.