NOTE 1: ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization:

CEVA, Inc. (“CEVA” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware on November 22, 1999. The Company was formed through the combination of Parthus Technologies plc (“Parthus”) and the digital signal processor (DSP) cores licensing business and operations of DSP Group, Inc. in November 2002. The Company had no business or operations prior to the combination.

CEVA licenses a family of signal processing platforms and Artificial Intelligence (AI) processors. These IPs include programmable DSP cores and application-specific platforms for advanced imaging, computer vision, deep learning, sound, voice and audio processing, as well as long range wireless technologies for LTE/5G baseband processing in IoT, handsets and infrastructure, short range wireless platforms for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and a new family of self-contained AI processor.

CEVA’s technologies are licensed to leading semiconductor and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) companies in the form of intellectual property (IP). These companies design, manufacture, market and sell application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”) and application-specific standard products (“ASSPs”) based on CEVA’s technology to wireless, consumer electronics and automotive companies for incorporation into a wide variety of end products.

Basis of presentation:

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared according to U.S Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“U.S. GAAP”).

Use of estimates:

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions. The Company’s management believes that the estimates, judgments and assumptions used are reasonable based upon information available at the time they are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the dates of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Financial statements in U.S. dollars:

A majority of the revenues of the Company and its subsidiaries is generated in U.S. dollars (“dollars”). In addition, a portion of the Company and its subsidiaries’ costs are incurred in dollars. The Company’s management has determined that the dollar is the primary currency of the economic environment in which the Company and its subsidiaries principally operate. Thus, the functional and reporting currency of the Company and its subsidiaries is the dollar.

Accordingly, monetary accounts maintained in currencies other than the dollar are remeasured into dollars in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 830, “Foreign Currency Matters.” All transaction gains and losses from remeasurement of monetary balance sheet items are reflected in the consolidated statements of income as financial income or expenses, as appropriate, which is included in “financial income, net.” The foreign exchange losses arose principally on the EURO and the NIS monetary balance sheet items as a result of the currency fluctuations of the EURO and the NIS against the dollar.

Principles of consolidation:

The consolidated financial statements incorporate the financial statements of the Company and all of its subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated on consolidation.

Cash equivalents:

Cash equivalents are short-term highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash with original maturities of three months or less from the date acquired.

Short-term bank deposits:

Short-term bank deposits are deposits with maturities of more than three months but less than one year from the balance sheet date. The deposits are presented at their cost, including accrued interest. The deposits bear interest annually at an average rate of 1.51%, 1.76% and 1.85% during 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Marketable securities:

Marketable securities consist mainly of corporate bonds. The Company determines the appropriate classification of marketable securities at the time of purchase and re-evaluates such designation at each balance sheet date. In accordance with FASB ASC No. 320 “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities,” the Company classifies marketable securities as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are stated at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), a separate component of stockholders’ equity, net of taxes. Realized gains and losses on sales of marketable securities, as determined on a specific identification basis, are included in financial income, net. The amortized cost of marketable securities is adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of discount to maturity, both of which, together with interest, are included in financial income, net. The Company has classified all marketable securities as short-term, even though the stated maturity date may be one year or more beyond the current balance sheet date, because it is probable that the Company will sell these securities prior to maturity to meet liquidity needs or as part of risk versus reward objectives.

The Company recognizes an impairment charge when a decline in the fair value of its investments in debt securities below the cost basis of such securities is judged to be other-than-temporary. Factors considered in making such a determination include the duration and severity of the impairment, the reason for the decline in value and the potential recovery period. For securities that are deemed other-than-temporarily impaired (“OTTI”), the amount of impairment is recognized in the statement of income and is limited to the amount related to credit losses, while impairment related to other factors is recognized in other comprehensive income (loss). The Company did not recognize OTTI on its marketable securities in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Long-term bank deposits:

Long-term bank deposits are deposits with maturities of more than one year as of the balance sheet date. The deposits presented at their cost, including accrued interest. The deposits bear interest annually at an average rate of 1.82%, 1.97% and 2.26% during 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Property and equipment, net:

Property and equipment are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, at the following annual rates:


		%
Computers, software and equipment		10-33
Office furniture and equipment		7-33
Leasehold improvements		10-25
		(the shorter of the expected lease term or useful economic life)

The Company’s long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment in accordance with FASB ASC No. 360-10-35, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of the carrying amount of an asset to be held and used is measured by a comparison of its carrying amount to the future undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by such asset. If such asset is considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of such asset exceeds its fair value. In determining the fair value of long-lived assets for purposes of measuring impairment, the Company’s assumptions include those that market participants would consider in valuations of similar assets.

An asset to be disposed is reported at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less selling costs. No impairment was recorded in 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Goodwill:

Goodwill is carried at cost and is not amortized but rather is tested for impairment at least annually or between annual tests in certain circumstances. The Company conducts its annual test of impairment for goodwill on October 1st of each year.

The Company operates in one operating segment and this segment comprises the only reporting unit.

There is a two-phase process for impairment testing of goodwill. The first phase screens for potential impairment, while the second phase (if necessary) measures impairment. Goodwill impairment is deemed to exist if the net book value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value. In such case, the second phase is then performed, and the Company measures impairment by comparing the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill to the implied fair value of that goodwill. An impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess. For each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, no impairment of goodwill has been identified.

Intangible assets, net:

Acquired intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. The Company amortizes intangible assets on a straight-line basis with definite lives over periods ranging from one and a half to five and a half years.

Intangible assets with definite lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of their carrying amounts to future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized equals the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds its fair market value. The Company did not record any impairments during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017.

Investments in other company:

The Company’s investment in a private company, in which it holds minority equity interests, is presented at cost because the Company does not have significant influence over the underlying investee. The investment is reviewed periodically to determine if its value has been impaired and adjustments are recorded as necessary. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, no impairment loss was identified.

Revenue recognition:

The Company generates its revenues from (1) licensing intellectual property, which in certain circumstances is modified for customer-specific requirements, (2) royalty revenues, and (3) other revenues, which include revenues from support, training and sale of development systems.

The Company accounts for its IP license revenues and related services in accordance with FASB ASC No. 985-605, “Software Revenue Recognition.” Revenues are recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists and no further obligation exists, delivery has occurred, the license fee is fixed or determinable, and collection is reasonably assured. A license may be perpetual or time limited in its application. Revenue earned on licensing arrangements involving multiple elements are allocated to each element based on the “residual method” when vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of fair value exists for all undelivered elements and VSOE does not exist for one of the delivered elements. VSOE of fair value of the undelivered elements is determined based on the substantive renewal rate as stated in the agreement.

Extended payment terms in a licensing arrangement may indicate that the license fees are not deemed to be fixed or determinable. If the fee is not fixed or determinable, revenue is recognized as payments become due from the customer unless collection is not considered reasonably assured, then revenue is recognized as payments are collected from the customer, provided all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Revenues from license fees that involve significant customization of the Company’s IP to customer-specific specifications are recognized in accordance with the principles set out in FASB ASC No. 605-35-25, “Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts Recognition,” using contract accounting on a percentage of completion method. The amount of revenue recognized is based on the total license fees under the agreement and the percentage of completion achieved. The percentage of completion is measured by the actual time incurred to date on the project compared to the total estimated project requirements, which corresponds to the costs related to earned revenues. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made during the period in which such losses are first determined, in the amount of the estimated loss on the entire contract.

Revenues that are derived from the sale of a licensee’s products that incorporate the Company’s IP are classified as royalty revenues. Royalty revenues are recognized during the quarter in which the Company receives a report from the licensee detailing the shipment of products that incorporate the Company’s IP, which receipt is in the quarter following the licensee’s sale of such products to its customers. Royalties are calculated either as a percentage of the revenues received by the Company’s licensees on sales of products incorporating the Company’s IP or on a per unit basis, as specified in the agreements with the licensees.

In addition to license fees, contracts with customers generally contain an agreement to provide for post contract support and training, which consists of telephone or e-mail support, correction of errors (bug fixing) and unspecified updates and upgrades. Fees for post contract support, which takes place after delivery to the customer, are specified in the contract and are generally mandatory for the first year. After the mandatory period, the customer may extend the support agreement on similar terms on an annual basis. The Company recognizes revenue for post contract support on a straight-line basis over the period for which technical support is contractually agreed to be provided to the licensee, typically 12 months. Revenues from training are recognized as the training is performed.

Revenues from the sale of development systems are recognized when title to the product passes to the customer and all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

The Company usually does not provide rights of return. When rights of return are included in the license agreements, revenue is deferred until rights of return expire.

Deferred revenues include unearned amounts received under license agreements, unearned technical support and amounts paid by customers not yet recognized as revenues.

Cost of revenue:

Cost of revenue includes the costs of products, services and royalty expense payments to the Israeli Innovation Authority of the Ministry of Economy and Industry in Israel (the “IIA“) (refer to Note 13c for further details). Cost of product revenue includes materials, subcontractors and the portion of development costs associated with product development arrangements. Cost of service revenue includes salary and related costs for personnel engaged in services, training and customer support, and travel, office expenses and other support costs.

Income taxes:

The Company recognizes income taxes under the liability method. It recognizes deferred income tax assets and liabilities for the expected future consequences of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities. These differences are measured using the enacted statutory tax rates that are expected to apply to taxable income for the years in which differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred income taxes is recognized in the statements of income during the period that includes the enactment date.

Valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the deferred tax assets to the net amount that the Company believes is more likely than not to be realized. The Company considers all available evidence, both positive and negative, including historical levels of income, expectations and risks associated with estimates of future taxable income and ongoing tax planning strategies, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance.

The Company accounts for uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740. ASC 740-10 contains a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates that it is more likely than not that, on an evaluation of the technical merits, the tax position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% (cumulative probability) likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits under taxes on income.

Research and development:

Research and development costs are charged to the consolidated statements of income as incurred.

Government grants and tax credits:

Government grants received by the Company relating to categories of operating expenditures are credited to the consolidated statements of income during the period in which the expenditure to which they relate is charged. Royalty and non-royalty-bearinggrants from the IIA for funding certain approved research and development projects are recognized at the time when the Company is entitled to such grants, on the basis of the related costs incurred, and included as a deduction from research and development expenses.

The Company recorded grants in the amounts of $4,997, $6,410 and $4,417 for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively. The Company’s Israeli subsidiary is obligated to pay royalties amounting to 3%-3.5% of the sales of certain products the development of which received grants from the IIA in previous years. The obligation to pay these royalties is contingent on actual sales of the products. Grants received from the IIA may become repayable if certain criteria under the grants are not met.

The French Research Tax Credit, Crédit d’Impôt Recherche (“CIR”), is a French tax incentive to stimulate research and development (“R&D”) which is relevant for the Company’s French subsidiaries (RivieraWaves and CEVA France). Generally, the CIR offsets the income tax to be paid and the remaining portion (if any) can be refunded. The CIR is calculated based on the claimed volume of eligible R&D expenditures by the Company. As a result, the CIR is presented as a deduction to “Research and development expenses” in the consolidated statements of income. During the year ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company recorded CIR benefits in the amount of $1,414, $1,485 and $1,555, respectively.

Employee benefit plan:

Certain of the Company’s employees are eligible to participate in a defined contribution pension plan (the “Plan”). Participants in the Plan may elect to defer a portion of their pre-tax earnings into the Plan, which is run by an independent party. The Company makes pension contributions at rates varying up to 10% of the participant’s pensionable salary. Contributions to the Plan are recorded as an expense in the consolidated statements of income.

The Company’s U.S. operations maintain a retirement plan (the “U.S. Plan”) that qualifies as a deferred salary arrangement under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. Participants in the U.S. Plan may elect to defer a portion of their pre-taxearnings, up to the Internal Revenue Service annual contribution limit. The Company matches 100% of each participant’s contributions up to a maximum of 6% of the participant’s base pay. Each participant may contribute up to 15% of base remuneration. Contributions to the U.S. Plan are recorded during the year contributed as an expense in the consolidated statements of income.

Total contributions for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 were $733, $1,020 and $988, respectively.

Accrued severance pay:

The liability of CEVA’s Israeli subsidiary for severance pay for employees hired prior to August 1, 2016 is calculated pursuant to Israeli severance pay law based on the most recent salary of each employee multiplied by the number of years of employment for that employee as of the balance sheet date. The Israeli subsidiary’s liability is fully provided for by monthly deposits with severance pay funds, insurance policies and an accrual. The deposited funds include profits and losses accumulated up to the balance sheet date. The deposited funds may be withdrawn only upon the fulfillment of the obligation pursuant to Israeli severance pay law or labor agreements. The value of these policies is recorded as an asset on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Effective August 1, 2016, the Israeli subsidiary’s agreements with new employees in Israel are under Section 14 of the Severance Pay Law, 1963. The Israeli subsidiary’s contributions for severance pay have extinguished its severance obligation. Upon contribution of the full amount based on the employee’s monthly salary for each year of service, no additional obligation exists regarding the matter of severance pay, and no additional payments is made by the Israeli subsidiary to the employee. Furthermore, the related obligation and amounts deposited on behalf of the employee for such obligation are not stated on the balance sheet, as the Israeli subsidiary is legally released from any obligation to employees once the required deposit amounts have been paid.

Severance pay expenses, net of related income, for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, were $1,285, $1,348 and $1,413, respectively.

Equity-based compensation:

The Company accounts for equity-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC No. 718, “Stock Compensation” which requires the recognition of compensation expenses based on estimated fair values for all equity-based awards made to employees and non-employee directors.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting” (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transaction, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities, and classification on the statement of cash flows. For public companies, ASU 2016-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 during the first quarter of 2017, at which time it changed its accounting policy to account for forfeitures as they occur. There was no material impact of the adoption of this standard on the Company’s financial statements. In addition, historically, excess tax benefits or deficiencies from the Company’s equity awards were recorded as additional paid-in capital in its consolidated balance sheets and were classified as a financing activity in its consolidated statements of cash flows. As a result of adoption, the Company prospectively records any excess tax benefits or deficiencies from its equity awards as part of its provision for income taxes in its consolidated statements of operations during the reporting periods during which equity vesting occurs. Excess tax benefits for share-based payments are presented as an operating activity in the statements of cash flows rather than financing activity. The Company elected to apply the cash flow classification requirements related to excess tax benefits prospectively in accordance with ASU 2016-09 and prior periods have not been adjusted.

The Company estimates the fair value of options and stock appreciation right (“SAR”) awards on the date of grant using an option-pricing model. The value of the portion of an award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as an expense over the requisite service period in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. The Company recognizes compensation expenses for the value of its options and SARs, which have graded vesting based on the accelerated attribution method over the requisite service period of each of the awards. Prior to January 1, 2017, the Company recognized compensation expenses for the value of its options and SARs, net of estimated forfeitures. Estimated forfeitures were based on actual historical pre-vesting forfeitures and the rate was adjusted to reflect changes in facts and circumstances, if any.

The Company recognizes compensation expenses for the value of its restricted stock unit (“RSU”) awards, based on the straight-line method over the requisite service period of each of the awards. The fair value of each RSU is the market value as determined by the closing price of the common stock on the day of grant.

The Company uses the Monte-Carlo simulation model for options and SARs granted. The Monte-Carlo simulation model uses the assumptions noted below. Expected volatility was calculated based upon actual historical stock price movements over the most recent periods ending on the grant date, equal to the expected option and SAR term. The Company has historically not paid dividends and has no foreseeable plans to pay dividends. The risk-free interest rate is based on the yield from U.S. Treasury zero-couponbonds with an equivalent term. The Monte-Carlo model also considers the suboptimal exercise multiple which is based on the average exercise behavior of the Company’s employees over the past years, the contractual term of the options and SARs, and the probability of termination or retirement of the holder of the options and SARs in computing the value of the options and SARs.

The fair value for the Company’s stock options and SARs (other than share issuances in connection with the employee stock purchase plan, as detailed below) granted to employees and non-employees directors was estimated using the following assumptions (neither options nor SARs were granted during 2017):


	2015	2016 (*
Expected dividend yield	0%	0%
Expected volatility	33%-49%	38%-49%
Risk-free interest rate	0.2%-2.4%	0.5%-2.4%
Expected forfeiture (employees)	10%	—
Expected forfeiture (executives)	5%	5%
Contractual term of up to	10 years	10 years
Suboptimal exercise multiple (employees)	2.1	—
Suboptimal exercise multiple (executives)	2.4	2.4

(*	During 2016, the Company granted stock options only to its non-employee directors.

The fair value for rights to purchase shares of common stock under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan was estimated on the date of grant using the following assumptions:


	2015	2016	2017
Expected dividend yield	0%	0%	0%
Expected volatility	35%-36%	29%-57%	28%-46%
Risk-free interest rate	0.1%-0.3%	0.3%-0.5%	0.5%-1.1%
Expected forfeiture	0%	0%	0%
Contractual term of up to	24 months	24 months	24 months

During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, the Company recognized equity-based compensation expense related to stock options, SARs, RSUs and employee stock purchase plan as follows:


	Year ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017
Cost of revenue	$	155	$	246	$	459
Research and development, net		1,838		2,860		3,839
Sales and marketing		568		922		1,428
General and administrative		1,454		2,208		2,967

Total equity-based compensation expense	$	4,015	$	6,236	$	8,693

As of December 31, 2017, there was $620 of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options, SARs and employee stock purchase plan . This amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.3 years. As of December 31, 2017, there was $10,894 of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs. This amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.4 years.

Fair value of financial instruments:

The carrying amount of cash, cash equivalents, short term bank deposits, trade receivables, other accounts receivable, trade payables and other accounts payable approximates fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. Marketable securities and derivative instruments are carried at fair value. See Note 3 for more information.

Comprehensive income (loss):

The Company accounts for comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with FASB ASC No. 220, “Comprehensive Income.” This statement establishes standards for the reporting and display of comprehensive income (loss) and its components in a full set of general purpose financial statements. Comprehensive income (loss) generally represents all changes in stockholders’ equity during the period except those resulting from investments by, or distributions to, stockholders. The Company determined that its items of other comprehensive income (loss) relate to unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, on hedging derivative instruments and marketable securities.

Concentration of credit risk:

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash, cash equivalents, bank deposits, marketable securities, foreign exchange contracts and trade receivables. The Company invests its surplus cash in cash deposits and marketable securities in financial institutions and has established guidelines relating to diversification and maturities to maintain safety and liquidity of the investments.

The majority of the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are invested in high grade certificates of deposits with major U.S., European and Israeli banks. Generally, cash and cash equivalents and bank deposits may be redeemed on demand and therefore minimal credit risk exists with respect to them. Nonetheless, deposits with these banks exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) insurance limits or similar limits in foreign jurisdictions, to the extent such deposits are even insured in such foreign jurisdictions. While the Company monitors on a systematic basis the cash and cash equivalent balances in the operating accounts and adjust the balances as appropriate, these balances could be impacted if one or more of the financial institutions with which the Company deposit its funds fails or is subject to other adverse conditions in the financial or credit markets. To date the Company has experienced no loss of principal or lack of access to its invested cash or cash equivalents; however, the Company can provide no assurance that access to its invested cash and cash equivalents will not be affected if the financial institutions in which the Company holds its cash and cash equivalents fail. Furthermore, the Company holds an investment portfolio consisting principally of corporate bonds. The Company has the ability to hold such investments until recovery of temporary declines in market value or maturity; accordingly, as of December 31, 2017, the Company believes the losses associated with its investments are temporary and no impairment loss was recognized during 2017. However, the Company can provide no assurance that it will recover declines in the market value of its investments.

The Company is exposed primarily to fluctuations in the level of U.S. interest rates. To the extent that interest rates rise, fixed interest investments may be adversely impacted, whereas a decline in interest rates may decrease the anticipated interest income for variable rate investments.

The Company is exposed to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. The Company typically does not attempt to reduce or eliminate its market exposures on its investment securities because the majority of its investments are short-term.

The Company’s trade receivables are geographically diverse, mainly in the Asia Pacific, and also in the United States and Europe. Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade receivables is limited by credit limits, ongoing credit evaluation and account monitoring procedures. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and to date has not experienced any material losses. The Company makes judgments on its ability to collect outstanding receivables and provides allowances for the portion of receivables for which collection becomes doubtful. Provisions are made based upon a specific review of all significant outstanding receivables. In determining the provision, the Company considers the expected collectability of receivables.

The Company has no off-balance-sheet concentration of credit risk.

Derivative and hedging activities:

The Company follows the requirements of FASB ASC No. 815,” Derivatives and Hedging” which requires companies to recognize all of their derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position at fair value. The accounting for changes in fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated and qualifies as part of a hedging transaction and further, on the type of hedging transaction. For those derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as hedging instruments, a company must designate the hedging instrument, based upon the exposure being hedged, as a fair value hedge, cash flow hedge, or a hedge of a net investment in a foreign operation. Due to the Company’s global operations, it is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations in the normal course of its business. The Company’s treasury policy allows it to offset the risks associated with the effects of certain foreign currency exposures through the purchase of foreign exchange forward or option contracts (“Hedging Contracts”). The policy, however, prohibits the Company from speculating on such Hedging Contracts for profit. To protect against the increase in value of forecasted foreign currency cash flow resulting from salaries paid in currencies other than the U.S. dollar during the year, the Company instituted a foreign currency cash flow hedging program. The Company hedges portions of the anticipated payroll of its non-U.S. employees denominated in the currencies other than the U.S. dollar for a period of one to twelve months with Hedging Contracts. Accordingly, when the dollar strengthens against the foreign currencies, the decline in present value of future foreign currency expenses is offset by losses in the fair value of the Hedging Contracts. Conversely, when the dollar weakens, the increase in the present value of future foreign currency expenses is offset by gains in the fair value of the Hedging Contracts. These Hedging Contracts are designated as cash flow hedges.

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge (i.e., hedging the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that is attributable to a particular risk), the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any gain or loss on a derivative instrument in excess of the cumulative change in the present value of future cash flows of the hedged item is recognized in current earnings during the period of change. As of December 31, 2016 and 2017, the notional principal amount of the Hedging Contracts to sell U.S. dollars held by the Company was $3,300 and $0, respectively.

Advertising expenses:

Advertising expenses are charged to consolidated statements of income as incurred. Advertising expenses for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017 were $928, $1,033 and $1,118, respectively.

Treasury stock:

The Company repurchases its common stock from time to time pursuant to a board-authorized share repurchase program through open market purchases and repurchase plans.

The repurchases of common stock are accounted for as treasury stock, and result in a reduction of stockholders’ equity. When treasury shares are reissued, the Company accounts for the reissuance in accordance with FASB ASC No. 505-30, “Treasury Stock” and charges the excess of the repurchase cost over issuance price using the weighted average method to retained earnings . The purchase cost is calculated based on the specific identified method. In the case where the repurchase cost over issuance price using the weighted average method is lower than the issuance price, the Company credits the difference to additional paid-in capital.

Net income (loss) per share of common stock:

Basic net income per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each year. Diluted net income per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during each year, plus dilutive potential shares of common stock considered outstanding during the year, in accordance with FASB ASC No. 260, “Earnings Per Share.”


	Year ended December 31,
	2015		2016		2017
Numerator:
Net income	$	6,267	$	13,100	$	17,028
Denominator (in thousands):
Basic weighted-average common stock outstanding		20,480		20,850		21,771
Effect of stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock units		509		715		790

Diluted weighted-average common stock outstanding		20,989		21,565		22,561

Basic net income per share	$	0.31	$	0.63	$	0.78

Diluted net income per share	$	0.30	$	0.61	$	0.75

The weighted-average number of shares related to outstanding options, SARs and RSUs excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share, since their effect was anti-dilutive, were 820,631, 282,696 and 29,892 shares for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncement:

(a) Revenue recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to revenue recognition, which outlines a comprehensive revenue recognition model and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance. The new guidance requires a company to recognize revenue as control of goods or services transfers to a customer at an amount that reflects the expected consideration to be received in exchange for those goods or services. It defines a five-step approach for recognizing revenue, which may require a company to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. The Company adopted the new guidance during the first quarter of 2018 and applies the standard using modified retrospective approach, with the cumulative effect of applying the new guidance recognized as an adjustment to the opening retained earnings balance. Given the scope of work required to implement the new revenue recognition rules and disclosure requirements under the new guidance, the Company has made progress in the identification of changes to policy, processes and controls, and the Company continues to assess data availability and presentation necessary to meet the additional disclosure requirements of the guidance in the notes to the consolidated financial statements for the adoption period and onwards.

The Company finished analyzing the potential impact of the new guidance. The Company currently expects the adoption of this new guidance to most significantly impact its royalty business. Specifically, the Company expects a change in the timing of revenues recognized from sales-based royalties. The Company currently recognizes sales-based royalties as revenues during the quarter during which such royalties are reported by licensees, which is after the conclusion of the quarter in which the licensees’ sales occur and when all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Under the new guidance, the Company will be required to estimate and recognize sales-based royalties during the period during which the associated sales occur, resulting in an acceleration of revenue recognition compared to the current method. In addition, the Company expects an increase in trade receivables, due to royalty revenues now being recorded as accrued revenues in the statement of financial position, along with the Company’s current trade receivables.

Furthermore, based on its current analysis, another effect on the Company’s revenue recognition relates to certain deliverables that may be considered as distinct performance obligations separate from other performance obligations, and are measured using the relative standalone selling price basis.

Under the new standard, an entity recognizes revenue when or as it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring IP license or services to the customer, either at a point in time or over time. The Company expects to continue to recognize most of its revenues at a point in time upon delivery of its products. The Company expects to recognize revenue over time on significant license customization contracts that are covered by contract accounting standards using cost inputs to measure progress toward completion of its performance obligations, which is similar to the current method.

In addition, incremental costs that are related to sales from contracts signed during the period will require capitalization. If the amortization period of those costs are one year or less, the costs are expensed as incurred, which is a practical expedient manner permitted under the new guidance. The Company currently does not expect that this change will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

The Company currently estimates the cumulative adjustment to increase the Company’s retained earnings by $8,055, while increasing the Company’s assets by $9,117. The most significant impact of the standard on the Company’s financial statements relates to the timing of revenues recognized from sales-based royalties (amounted to $8,765). The Company will also record a provision for income taxes, which will increase the Company’s current liabilities, in an amount currently estimated at $1,062.

Other than specified above, the Company does not otherwise expect the adoption of the new guidance will have a material impact on its businesses.

(b) Other accounting standards

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,” which requires that equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting or those that result in consolidation of the investee) are to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. However, an entity may choose to measure equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. The Company adopted this ASU during the first quarter of 2018, and it does not expect the adoption to have a material impact on its financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which will replace the existing guidance in ASC 840, “Leases.” The updated standard aims to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by requiring lessees to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and requiring disclosure of key information about leasing arrangements. This ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods; early adoption is permitted and modified retrospective application is required. The Company is in the process of evaluating this guidance to determine the impact it will have on its financial statements and related disclosures.

The FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” requiring an allowance to be recorded for all expected credit losses for financial assets. The allowance for credit losses is based on historical information, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts. The new standard also makes revisions to the other than temporary impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. Disclosures of credit quality indicators in relation to the amortized cost of financing receivables are further disaggregated by year of origination. The new accounting guidance is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019 with early adoption permitted for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments will be applied through a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. The Company is analyzing the impact of this new standard and, at this time, cannot estimate the impact of adoption on its net income. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2020.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, “Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business.” The amendments in this update provide a more robust framework to use in determining when a set of assets and activities is a business. Because the current definition of a business is interpreted broadly and can be difficult to apply, analyzing transactions is inefficient and costly and that the definition does not permit the use of reasonable judgment. The amendments provide more consistency in applying the guidance, reduce the costs of application, and make the definition of a business more operable. The amendments in this update become effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements, but the adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Intangibles: Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” To simplify the subsequent measurement of goodwill, the amendments eliminate Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. The annual, or interim, goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An impairment charge should be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized should not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. In addition, the income tax effects of tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit should be considered when measuring the goodwill impairment loss, if applicable. The amendments also eliminate the requirements for any reporting unit with a zero or negative carrying amount to perform Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. An entity still has the option to perform the qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the qualitative impairment test is necessary. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis. The nature of and reason for the change in accounting principle should be disclosed upon transition. The amendments in this update should be adopted for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements, but the adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.