Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business:

Mondelēz International, Inc. was incorporated in 2000 in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Mondelēz International, Inc., through its subsidiaries (collectively “Mondelēz International,” “we,” “us” and “our”), sells food and beverage products to consumers in approximately 165 countries.

Principles of Consolidation:

The consolidated financial statements include Mondelēz International, Inc. as well as our wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries. For all periods presented through December 31, 2015, the operating results of our Venezuelan subsidiaries are included in our consolidated financial statements. As of the close of the fourth quarter of 2015, we deconsolidated our Venezuelan operations from our consolidated financial statements and recognized a loss on deconsolidation. See Currency Translation and Highly Inflationary Accounting: Venezuela below for more information.

We account for investments in which we exercise significant influence (20%-50% ownership interest) under the equity method of accounting. On July 2, 2015, we contributed our global coffee businesses to a new company, Jacobs Douwe Egberts (“JDE”), in which we now hold an equity interest (collectively, the “JDE coffee business transactions”). Historically, our coffee businesses and the income from equity method investments were recorded within our operating income as these businesses were part of our base business. While we retain an ongoing interest in coffee through equity method investments including JDE, Keurig Green Mountain Inc. (“Keurig”) and Dongsuh Foods Corporation (“DSF”), and we have significant influence with our equity method investments, we do not control these operations directly. As such, in the third quarter of 2015, we began to recognize equity method investment earnings, consisting primarily of investments in coffee businesses, outside of operating income and segment income. For periods prior to the third quarter of 2015, our historical coffee business and equity method investment earnings were included within our operating income and segment income. For the six months ended December 31, 2015, after-tax equity method investment net earnings were less than $1 million on a combined basis and thus are not shown on our consolidated statement of earnings for this period. Please see Note 2, Divestitures and Acquisitions – JDE Coffee Business Transactions and Keurig Transaction, and Note 16, Segment Reporting, for more information on these transactions.

We use the cost method of accounting for investments in which we have an ownership interest of less than 20% and in which we do not exercise significant influence. The noncontrolling interest represents the noncontrolling investors’ interests in the results of subsidiaries that we control and consolidate. All intercompany transactions are eliminated.

Use of Estimates:

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect a number of amounts in our consolidated financial statements. Significant accounting policy elections, estimates and assumptions include, among others, pension and benefit plan assumptions, valuation assumptions of goodwill and intangible assets, useful lives of long-lived assets, restructuring program liabilities, marketing program accruals, insurance and self-insurance reserves and income taxes. We base our estimates on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable. If actual amounts differ from estimates, we include the revisions in our consolidated results of operations in the period the actual amounts become known. Historically, the aggregate differences, if any, between our estimates and actual amounts in any year have not had a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

Segment Change:

On October 1, 2016, we integrated our Eastern Europe, Middle East, and Africa (“EEMEA”) operating segment into our Europe and Asia Pacific operating segments to further leverage and optimize the operating scale built within the Europe and Asia Pacific regions. Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, Belarus, Georgia and Kazakhstan were combined within our Europe region, while the remaining Middle East and African countries were combined within our Asia Pacific region to form a new Asia, Middle East and Africa (“AMEA”) operating segment. We have reflected the segment change as if it had occurred in all periods presented.

As of October 1, 2016, our operations and management structure was organized into four reportable operating segments:

• Latin America

• AMEA

• Europe

• North America

See Note 16, Segment Reporting, for additional information on our segments.

Currency Translation and Highly Inflationary Accounting:

We translate the results of operations of our subsidiaries from multiple currencies using average exchange rates during each period and translate balance sheet accounts using exchange rates at the end of each period. We record currency translation adjustments as a component of equity (except for highly inflationary currencies) and realized exchange gains and losses on transactions in earnings. In 2016, none of our consolidated subsidiaries were subject to highly inflationary accounting.

United Kingdom. On June 23, 2016, the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) voted by referendum to exit the European Union; this vote is commonly referred to as “Brexit.” The referendum is non-binding and the exit from the European Union is not immediate. Once the United Kingdom invokes E.U. Article 50, there is a two-year window in which the United Kingdom and the European Commission can negotiate the future terms for imports, exports, taxes, employment, immigration and other areas.

Brexit has caused volatility in global stock markets and currency exchange rates, affecting the markets in which we operate. The implications of Brexit could adversely affect demand for our products, our financial results and operations, and our relationships with customers, suppliers and employees in the short or long-term. On June 24, 2016, the value of the British pound sterling relative to the U.S. dollar fell by 9%. Since that date, the value of the British pound sterling relative to the U.S. dollar declined an additional 11% through December 31, 2016. Further volatility in the exchange rate is expected over the transition period.

As the business operating environment remains uncertain, we continue to monitor our investments and currency exposures abroad. As the United Kingdom is not a highly-inflationary economy, we record currency translation adjustments within equity and realized exchange gains and losses on transactions in earnings. While we did not experience significant business disruptions in our U.K. businesses immediately following the referendum, the devaluation of the British pound sterling in 2016 adversely affected our translated results reported in U.S. dollars. We have a natural hedge in the form of pound sterling-denominated debt that acts as a net investment hedge, moving counter to adverse pound sterling currency translation impacts. British pound sterling currency transaction risks are largely mitigated due to our global chocolate businesses buying cocoa in British pound sterling. Our U.K. operations contributed $2.2 billion, or 8.6% of consolidated net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Venezuela. From January 1, 2010 through December 31, 2015, we accounted for the results of our Venezuelan subsidiaries using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency as prescribed by U.S. GAAP for highly inflationary economies.

Effective as of the close of the 2015 fiscal year, we concluded that we no longer met the accounting criteria for consolidation of our Venezuelan subsidiaries due to a loss of control over our Venezuelan operations and an other-than-temporary lack of currency exchangeability. During the fourth quarter of 2015, representatives of the Venezuelan government arbitrarily imposed pricing restrictions on our local operations that resulted in our inability to recover operating costs. We immediately began an appeal process with the Venezuelan authorities to demonstrate that our pricing was in line with the regulatory requirements. In January 2016, local officials communicated that some of the pricing restrictions had been lifted; however, the legally required administrative order had not been issued and it was uncertain when it would be issued. The legal and regulatory environment also became more unreliable. While we had been complying with the Venezuelan law governing pricing and profitability controls and followed the legal process for appeal, the appeal process was not available to us as outlined under law. Additionally, we were increasingly facing issues procuring raw materials and packaging. Taken together, these actions, the economic environment in Venezuela and the progressively limited access to dollars to import goods through the use of any of the available currency mechanisms impaired our ability to operate and control our Venezuelan businesses. As a result of these factors, we concluded that we no longer met the criteria for the consolidation of our Venezuelan subsidiaries.

As of the close of the 2015 fiscal year, we deconsolidated and changed to the cost method of accounting for our Venezuelan operations. We recorded a $778 million pre-tax loss on December 31, 2015 as we reduced the value of our cost method investment in Venezuela and all Venezuelan receivables held by our other subsidiaries to realizable fair value, resulting in full impairment. The recorded loss also included historical cumulative translation adjustments related to our Venezuelan operations that had previously been recorded in accumulated other comprehensive losses within equity. The fair value of our investments in our Venezuelan subsidiaries was estimated based on discounted cash flow projections of current and expected operating losses in the foreseeable future and our ability to operate the business on a sustainable basis. Our fair value estimate included U.S. dollar exchange and discount rate assumptions that reflect the inflation and economic uncertainty in Venezuela.

For 2015 and prior periods presented, the operating results of our Venezuela operations were included in our consolidated statements of earnings. During this time, we recognized a number of currency-related remeasurement losses resulting from devaluations of the Venezuela bolivar exchange rates we historically used to source U.S. dollars for purchases of imported raw materials, packaging and other goods and services. The following table sets forth a history of the remeasurement losses, the deconsolidation loss and historical operating results and financial position of our Venezuelan subsidiaries for the periods presented:

	For the Years Ended December 31,
	2015			2014
	(in millions)
Net revenues	$	1,217		$	760
Operating income (excluding remeasurement and deconsolidation losses)		266			181
Remeasurement losses:
Q1 2014: 6.30 to 10.70 bolivars to the U.S. dollar		–			(142	)
SICAD I remeasurements through December 31, 2014		–			(25	)
Q1 2015: 11.50 to 12.00 bolivars to the U.S. dollar		(11	)		–
Loss on deconsolidation		(778	)		–
	As of December 31,
	2015			2014
	(in millions)
Cash (1)	$	611		$	278
Net monetary assets (1)		405			236
Net assets (1)		658			500

(1) Represents the financial position of our Venezuelan subsidiaries prior to the accounting change on December 31, 2015.

Beginning in 2016, we no longer include net revenues, earnings or net assets of our Venezuelan subsidiaries within our consolidated financial statements. Under the cost method of accounting, earnings are only recognized to the extent cash is received. Given the current and ongoing difficult economic, regulatory and business environment in Venezuela, there continues to be significant uncertainty related to our operations in Venezuela, and we expect these conditions will continue for the foreseeable future. We will monitor the extent of our ability to control our Venezuelan operations and the liquidity and availability of U.S. dollars at different rates, as our current situation in Venezuela may change over time and lead to consolidation at a future date.

Argentina. On December 16, 2015, the new Argentinean government fiscal authority announced the lifting of strict currency controls and reduced restrictions on exports and imports. The next day, the value of the Argentinean peso relative to the U.S. dollar fell by 36%. In 2016, the value of the Argentinean peso relative to the U.S. dollar declined an additional 23%. Further volatility in the exchange rate is expected. While the business operating environment remains challenging, we continue to monitor and actively manage our investment and exposures in Argentina. We continue executing our hedging programs and refining our product portfolio to improve our product offerings, mix and profitability. We also continue to implement additional cost reduction initiatives to optimize and streamline our manufacturing facilities and commercial operations to protect the business together with pricing strategy to offset inflationary pressures. While further currency declines could have an adverse impact on our ongoing results of operations, we believe the actions by the government to reduce economic controls and business restrictions will provide favorable opportunities for our Argentinean subsidiaries. Our Argentinean operations contributed $583 million, or 2.2% of consolidated net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016. As of December 31, 2016, the net monetary liabilities of our Argentina operations were not material. Argentina is not designated as a highly-inflationary economy for accounting purposes, so we record currency translation adjustments within equity and realized exchange gains and losses on transactions in earnings.

Other Countries. Since we have operations in over 80 countries and sell in approximately 165 countries, we monitor economic and currency-related risks and seek to take protective measures in response to these exposures. Some of the countries in which we do business have recently experienced periods of significant economic uncertainty. These include Brazil, China, Mexico, Russia, Turkey, Egypt, Nigeria, Ukraine and South Africa, most of which have had either currency devaluation or volatility in exchange rates. We continue to monitor operations, currencies and net monetary exposures in these countries. At this time, we do not anticipate any risk to our operating results from changing to highly inflationary accounting in these countries.

Cash and Cash Equivalents:

Cash and cash equivalents include demand deposits with banks and all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Transfers of Financial Assets:

We account for transfers of financial assets, such as uncommitted revolving non-recourse accounts receivable factoring arrangements, when we have surrendered control over the related assets. Determining whether control has transferred requires an evaluation of relevant legal considerations, an assessment of the nature and extent of our continuing involvement with the assets transferred and any other relevant considerations. We use receivable factoring arrangements periodically when circumstances are favorable to manage liquidity. We have a factoring arrangement with a major global bank for a maximum combined capacity of $802 million. Under the program, we may sell eligible short-term trade receivables to the bank in exchange for cash. We then continue to collect the receivables sold, acting solely as a collecting agent on behalf of the bank. We also enter into arrangements with customers to achieve earlier collection of receivables. The total incremental cost of factoring receivables for all regions was $9 million in 2016, $7 million in 2015 and $7 million in 2014 and was recorded in net revenue. The outstanding principal amount of receivables under all arrangements amounted to $745 million as of December 31, 2016, $666 million as of December 31, 2015 and $421 million as of December 31, 2014.

Accounting Calendar Change:

In connection with moving toward a common consolidation date across the Company, in the first quarter of 2015, we changed the consolidation date for our North America segment from the last Saturday of each period to the last calendar day of each period. The change had a favorable impact of $76 million on net revenues and $36 million on operating income in 2015. As a result of this change, each of our operating subsidiaries now reports results as of the last calendar day of the period. As the effect to prior-period results was not material, we have not revised prior-period results.

Inventories:

We value our inventory using the average cost method. We also record inventory allowances for overstock and obsolete inventories due to ingredient and packaging changes.

Long-Lived Assets:

Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost and depreciated by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Machinery and equipment are depreciated over periods ranging from 3 to 20 years and buildings and building improvements over periods up to 40 years.

We review long-lived assets, including amortizable intangible assets, for realizability on an ongoing basis. Changes in depreciation, generally accelerated depreciation, are determined and recorded when estimates of the remaining useful lives or residual values of long-term assets change. We also review for impairment when conditions exist that indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable. In those circumstances, we perform undiscounted operating cash flow analyses to determine if an impairment exists. When testing for asset impairment, we group assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which cash flows are separately identifiable. Any impairment loss is calculated as the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value. Fair value is estimated based on the discounted cash flows for the asset group over the remaining useful life or based on the expected cash proceeds for the asset less costs of disposal. Any significant impairment losses would be recorded within asset impairment and exit costs in the consolidated statements of earnings.

Software Costs:

We capitalize certain computer software and software development costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining computer software for internal use. Capitalized software costs are included in property, plant and equipment and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the software, which do not exceed seven years.

Goodwill and Non-Amortizable Intangible Assets:

We test goodwill and non-amortizable intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis on October 1. We assess goodwill impairment risk throughout the year by performing a qualitative review of entity-specific, industry, market and general economic factors affecting our goodwill reporting units. We review our operating segment and reporting unit structure for goodwill testing annually or as significant changes in the organization occur. Annually, we may perform qualitative testing, or depending on factors such as prior-year test results, current year developments, current risk evaluations and other practical considerations, we may elect to do quantitative testing instead. In the event that significant potential goodwill impairment risk exists for a specific reporting unit, we apply a two-step quantitative test. The first step compares the reporting unit’s estimated fair value with its carrying value. We estimate a reporting unit’s fair value using a discounted cash flow method which incorporates planned growth rates, market-based discount rates and estimates of residual value. This year, for our Europe and North America reporting units, we used a market-based, weighted-average cost of capital of 6.7% to discount the projected cash flows of those operations. For our Latin America and AMEA reporting units, we used a risk-rated discount rate of 9.7%. Estimating the fair value of individual reporting units requires us to make assumptions and estimates regarding our future plans, industry and economic conditions, and our actual results and conditions may differ over time. If the carrying value of a reporting unit’s net assets exceeds its fair value, we would apply a second step to measure the difference between the carrying value and implied fair value of goodwill. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value, the goodwill is impaired and its carrying value is reduced to the implied fair value of the goodwill.

Annually we assess non-amortizable intangible assets for impairment by performing a qualitative review and assessing events and circumstances that could affect the fair value or carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets. If significant potential impairment risk exists for a specific asset, we quantitatively test it for impairment by comparing its estimated fair value with its carrying value. We determine estimated fair value using planned growth rates, market-based discount rates and estimates of royalty rates. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds its fair value, we consider the asset impaired and reduce its carrying value to the estimated fair value. We amortize definite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives and evaluate them for impairment as we do other long-lived assets.

Insurance and Self-Insurance:

We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance for a number of risks, including workers’ compensation, general liability, automobile liability, product liability and our obligation for employee healthcare benefits. We estimate the liabilities associated with these risks on an undiscounted basis by evaluating and making judgments about historical claims experience and other actuarial assumptions and the estimated impact on future results.

Revenue Recognition:

We recognize revenues when title and risk of loss pass to customers, which generally occurs upon delivery or shipment of goods. Revenues are recorded net of sales incentives and trade promotions and include all shipping and handling charges billed to customers. Our shipping and handling costs are classified as part of cost of sales. Provisions for product returns and other trade allowances are also recorded as reductions to revenues within the same period that the revenue is recognized.

Marketing and Research and Development:

We promote our products with advertising, marketing, sales incentives and trade promotions. These programs include, but are not limited to, cooperative advertising, in-store displays, consumer promotions, new product introduction fees, discounts, coupons, rebates and volume-based incentives. We expense advertising costs either in the period the advertising first takes place or as incurred. Sales incentive and trade promotion activities are recorded as a reduction to revenues based on amounts estimated due to customers and consumers at the end of a period. We base these estimates principally on historical utilization and redemption rates. For interim reporting purposes, advertising expenses and sales incentives are charged to operations as a percentage of volume, based on estimated volume and estimated program spending. We do not defer costs on our year-end consolidated balance sheet and all marketing costs are recorded as an expense in the year incurred. Advertising expense was $1,396 million in 2016, $1,542 million in 2015 and $1,552 million in 2014. Advertising declined in 2016 due primarily to the deconsolidation of our historical global coffee business and due to currency changes. We expense product research and development costs as incurred. Research and development expense was $376 million in 2016, $409 million in 2015 and $455 million in 2014. Our total research and development expense was lower in 2016 and 2015 primarily due to the deconsolidation of our global coffee business in July 2015, currency and cost optimization initiatives. We record marketing and research and development expenses within selling, general and administrative expenses.

Employee Benefit Plans:

We provide a range of benefits to our current and retired employees. These include pension benefits, postretirement health care benefits and postemployment benefits depending upon jurisdiction, tenure, job level and other factors. Local statutory requirements govern many of the benefit plans we provide around the world. Local government plans generally cover health care benefits for retirees outside the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. Our U.S., Canadian and U.K. subsidiaries provide health care and other benefits to most retired employees. Our postemployment benefit plans provide primarily severance benefits for eligible salaried and certain hourly employees. The cost for these plans is recognized in earnings primarily over the working life of the covered employee.

Financial Instruments:

We use financial instruments to manage our currency exchange rate, commodity price and interest rate risks. We monitor and manage these exposures as part of our overall risk management program, which focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of these markets may have on our operating results. A principal objective of our risk management strategies is to reduce significant, unanticipated earnings fluctuations that may arise from volatility in currency exchange rates, commodity prices and interest rates, principally through the use of derivative instruments.

We use a combination of primarily currency forward contracts, futures, options and swaps; commodity forward contracts, futures and options; and interest rate swaps to manage our exposure to cash flow variability, protect the value of our existing currency assets and liabilities and protect the value of our debt. See Note 8, Financial Instruments, for more information on the types of derivative instruments we use.

We record derivative financial instruments on a gross basis and at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets within other current assets or other current liabilities due to their relatively short-term duration. Cash flows from derivative instruments are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows based on the nature of the derivative instrument. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated as a cash flow hedge, to the extent that the hedge is effective, are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive earnings / (losses) and reclassified to earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in fair value of economic hedges and the ineffective portion of all hedges are recognized in current period earnings. Changes in the fair value of a derivative that is designated as a fair value hedge, along with the changes in the fair value of the related hedged asset or liability, are recorded in earnings in the same period. We use non-U.S. dollar denominated debt to hedge a portion of our net investment in non-U.S. operations against adverse movements in exchange rates, with currency movements related to the debt and net investment and the related deferred taxes recorded within currency translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive earnings / (losses).

In order to qualify for hedge accounting, a specified level of hedging effectiveness between the derivative instrument and the item being hedged must exist at inception and throughout the hedged period. We must also formally document the nature of and relationship between the derivative and the hedged item, as well as our risk management objectives, strategies for undertaking the hedge transaction and method of assessing hedge effectiveness. Additionally, for a hedge of a forecasted transaction, the significant characteristics and expected term of the forecasted transaction must be specifically identified, and it must be probable that the forecasted transaction will occur. If it is no longer probable that the hedged forecasted transaction will occur, we would recognize the gain or loss related to the derivative in earnings.

When we use derivatives, we are exposed to credit and market risks. Credit risk exists when a counterparty to a derivative contract might fail to fulfill its performance obligations under the contract. We reduce our credit risk by entering into transactions with counterparties with high quality, investment grade credit ratings, limiting the amount of exposure with each counterparty and monitoring the financial condition of our counterparties. We also maintain a policy of requiring that all significant, non-exchange traded derivative contracts with a duration of one year or longer are governed by an International Swaps and Derivatives Association master agreement. Market risk exists when the value of a derivative or other financial instrument might be adversely affected by changes in market conditions and commodity prices, currency exchange rates or interest rates. We manage derivative market risk by limiting the types of derivative instruments and derivative strategies we use and the degree of market risk that we plan to hedge through the use of derivative instruments.

Commodity cash flow hedges. We are exposed to price risk related to forecasted purchases of certain commodities that we primarily use as raw materials. We enter into commodity forward contracts primarily for wheat, sugar and other sweeteners, soybean and vegetable oils and cocoa. Commodity forward contracts generally are not subject to the accounting requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities under the normal purchases exception. We also use commodity futures and options to hedge the price of certain input costs, including cocoa, energy costs, sugar and other sweeteners, wheat, packaging, dairy, corn, and soybean and vegetable oils. Some of these derivative instruments are highly effective and qualify for hedge accounting treatment. We also sell commodity futures to unprice future purchase commitments, and we occasionally use related futures to cross-hedge a commodity exposure. We are not a party to leveraged derivatives and, by policy, do not use financial instruments for speculative purposes.

Currency exchange cash flow hedges. We use various financial instruments to mitigate our exposure to changes in exchange rates from third-party and intercompany current and forecasted transactions. These instruments may include currency exchange forward contracts, futures, options and swaps. Based on the size and location of our businesses, we use these instruments to hedge our exposure to certain currencies, including the euro, pound sterling, Swiss franc, Canadian dollar and Mexican peso.

Interest rate cash flow and fair value hedges. We manage interest rate volatility by modifying the pricing or maturity characteristics of certain liabilities so that the net impact on expense is not, on a material basis, adversely affected by movements in interest rates. As a result of interest rate fluctuations, hedged fixed-rate liabilities appreciate or depreciate in market value. We expect the effect of this unrealized appreciation or depreciation to be substantially offset by our gains or losses on the derivative instruments that are linked to these hedged liabilities. We use derivative instruments, including interest rate swaps that have indices related to the pricing of specific liabilities as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. As a matter of policy, we do not use highly leveraged derivative instruments for interest rate risk management. We use interest rate swaps to economically convert a portion of our fixed-rate debt into variable-rate debt. Under the interest rate swap contracts, we agree with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts, which is calculated based on an agreed-upon notional amount. We also use interest rate swaps to hedge the variability of interest payment cash flows on a portion of our future debt obligations. Most recently in October 2016, we executed cross-currency interest rate swaps that we use to hedge interest payment cash flows on newly issued debt denominated in a different currency than the functional currency of the borrowing entity. Substantially all of these derivative instruments are highly effective and qualify for hedge accounting treatment.

Hedges of net investments in non-U.S. operations. We have numerous investments outside the United States. The net assets of these subsidiaries are exposed to changes and volatility in currency exchange rates. We use local currency denominated debt to hedge our non-U.S. net investments against adverse movements in exchange rates. We designated our euro, pound sterling and Swiss franc denominated borrowings as a net investment hedge of a portion of our overall European operations. The gains and losses on our net investment in these designated European operations are economically offset by losses and gains on our euro, pound sterling and Swiss franc denominated borrowings. The change in the debt’s value, net of deferred taxes, is recorded in the currency translation adjustment component of accumulated other comprehensive earnings / (losses).

Income Taxes:

Our provision for income taxes includes amounts payable or refundable for the current year, the effect of deferred tax and impacts from uncertain tax positions. We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of our assets and liabilities, operating loss carryforwards and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the years in which those differences are expected to reverse.

The realization of certain deferred tax assets is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in the appropriate jurisdiction prior to the expiration of the carryforward periods. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. When assessing the need for a valuation allowance, we consider any carryback potential, future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences (including liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits), future taxable income and tax planning strategies.

We recognize tax benefits in our financial statements from uncertain tax positions only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained by the taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The amount we recognize is measured as the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon settlement. Future changes in judgment related to the expected resolution of uncertain tax positions could affect income in the period when the change occurs.

New Accounting Pronouncements:

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) that clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist companies with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions or disposals of assets or businesses. The definition of a business may affect many areas of accounting including acquisitions, disposals, goodwill and consolidation. The ASU is applied on a prospective basis and is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. We are currently assessing the ASU and potential prospective impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that requires the change in restricted cash or cash equivalents to be included with other changes in cash and cash equivalents in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We anticipate adopting this standard at the same time as the cash flow statement classification changes described below go into effect on January 1, 2018. We are currently assessing the impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued an ASU to amend the consolidation guidance on the treatment of indirect interests held through related parties that are under common control. Under the amendments, a single decision maker is required to include those interests on a proportionate basis consistent with indirect interests held through other related parties. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We adopted the new standard on December 31, 2016 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that requires the recognition of tax consequences of intercompany asset transfers other than inventory when the transfer occurs and removes the exception to postpone recognition until the asset has been sold to an outside party. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We anticipate adopting on January 1, 2018 and do not expect the ASU to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued an ASU to provide guidance on eight specific cash flow classification issues and reduce diversity in practice in how some cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted. We anticipate adopting this standard on January 1, 2018. We are currently assessing the impact on our consolidated statements of cash flows.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an ASU to simplify the accounting for stock-based compensation. The ASU addresses several areas of accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and cash flow statement presentation. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We will adopt the standard on January 1, 2017. Following adoption and on a prospective basis, we anticipate greater volatility in our consolidated statements of earnings as we will record certain stock-based compensation tax impacts in earnings (within the provision for income taxes) while under the former guidance and for periods prior to January 1, 2017, the tax impacts were recorded directly to equity (within additional paid-in capital).

In March 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that simplifies the transition accounting for increases in investments that require a change from the cost basis to the equity method of accounting. U.S. GAAP currently requires the impact of such changes in accounting method to be retroactively applied to all prior periods that the investment was held. Under the new standard, adjustments to the investor’s basis in the investment should be recorded on the date the investment becomes qualified for equity method accounting. The equity method of accounting is then applied prospectively from that date. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We early adopted this standard on December 31, 2016 and it did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that clarifies whether contingent put and call options meet the “clearly and closely related” criteria in connection with accounting for embedded derivatives. U.S GAAP requires that embedded derivatives be separated from the host contract and accounted for separately as derivatives if certain criteria are met. The criteria include determining that the economic characteristics and risks of the embedded derivatives are not “clearly and closely related” to those of the host contract. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We adopted the new standard on December 31, 2016 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that applies when there is a contract novation to a new counterparty for a derivative designated as an accounting hedge. The ASU clarifies that such a change in counterparty does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of the hedging relationship, provided that all other hedge accounting criteria continue to be met. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We adopted the new standard on December 31, 2016 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued an ASU on lease accounting. The ASU revises existing U.S. GAAP and outlines a new model for lessors and lessees to use in accounting for lease contracts. The guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases, with the exception of short-term leases. In the consolidated statement of earnings, lessees will classify leases as either operating (resulting in straight-line expense) or financing (resulting in a front-loaded expense pattern). The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We anticipate adopting the new standard on January 1, 2019. We have made progress in our due diligence and continue to assess the impact of the new standard across our operations and on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued an ASU that provides updated guidance for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial assets and liabilities. The standard requires that equity investments (other than those accounted for under equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) be measured at fair value, with changes in fair value recognized in net income. The standard also impacts financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. This ASU is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued an ASU on revenue recognition from contracts with customers. The ASU outlines a new, single comprehensive model for companies to use in accounting for revenue. The core principle is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of control over promised goods or services to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration the entity expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for the goods or services. The ASU also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows from customer contracts, including significant judgments made in recognizing revenue. In 2016, the FASB issued several ASUs that clarified principal versus agent (gross versus net) revenue presentation considerations, confirmed certain prepaid stored-value products should be accounted for under the new revenue recognition ASU and not under other U.S. GAAP and clarified the guidance for identifying performance obligations within a contract and the accounting for licenses. The FASB also issued two ASUs providing technical corrections, narrow scope exceptions and practical expedients to clarify and improve the implementation of the new revenue recognition guidance. The revenue guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date (annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016). The ASU may be applied retrospectively to historical periods presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We plan to adopt the new standard on January 1, 2018 on a full retrospective basis. We continue to make significant progress on quantifying the impact of the ASU on our consolidated financial statements and planning the final process, policy and disclosure changes that will go into effect on January 1, 2018. At this time, we do not expect a material impact from adopting the new revenue standards.

Reclassifications:

Certain amounts previously reported have been reclassified to conform to current-year presentation. See Segment Change above and Notes 5, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, 6, Restructuring Programs, and 16, Segment Reporting, for information on changes in prior-period segment goodwill, segment earnings and segment net asset reclassifications made in connection with the segment change that went into effect on October 1, 2016. We also reclassified certain amounts previously reported within our consolidated statements of comprehensive earnings and Note 13, Reclassifications from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, to be consistent with the current-year presentation.