BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS (Notes)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2019

BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation and Recently Issued Accounting Standards [Text Block]

Basis of Consolidation

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company prepared these unaudited consolidated financial statements following the requirements of the SEC and U.S. GAAP for interim reporting. Under those rules, certain footnotes and other financial information that are normally required for annual financial statements can be condensed or omitted. The Company is responsible for the consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the results of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, and cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. These financial statements and the related notes should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2018 included in the 2018 Form 10-K. Refer to the Summary of Abbreviated Terms at the end of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for terms used throughout the document.

Business Segment Information

The Company operates in a single segment engaged in the discovery, development, licensing, manufacturing, marketing, distribution and sale of innovative medicines that help patients prevail over serious diseases. A global research and development organization and supply chain organization are responsible for the discovery, development, manufacturing and supply of products. Regional commercial organizations market, distribute and sell the products. The business is also supported by global corporate staff functions. The determination of a single segment is consistent with the financial information regularly reviewed by the chief executive officer for purposes of evaluating performance, allocating resources, setting incentive compensation targets, and planning and forecasting future periods. For further information on product and regional revenue, see “—Note 2. Revenue.”

Use of Estimates and Judgments

Revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities can vary during each quarter of the year. Accordingly, the results and trends in these unaudited consolidated financial statements may not be indicative of full year operating results. The preparation of financial statements requires the use of management estimates, judgments and assumptions. The most significant assumptions are estimates used in determining sales rebate and return accruals; legal contingencies; income taxes; and pension and postretirement benefits. Actual results may differ from estimates.

Reclassification

Certain prior period amounts were reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Accrued liabilities, Deferred income and Income taxes payable previously presented separately in Total Current Liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets are now presented as Accrued and other current liabilities. Deferred income and Pension and other liabilities previously presented separately in Total Liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets are now presented as Other non-current liabilities.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

Leases

Amended guidance for lease accounting was adopted on January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective method with the cumulative effect of the change recognized in retained earnings in the period of adoption. The new guidance requires an entity to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability initially measured at the present value of future lease payments. The cumulative effect of the accounting change was not material. The Company elected the package of practical expedients upon adoption and will apply the practical expedient not to separate lease and non-lease components for new and modified leases commencing after adoption. In addition, the Company applied the short-term lease recognition exemption for leases with terms at inception not greater than 12 months. The amended guidance does not materially impact the Company’s results of operations other than recognition of the operating lease right-of-use asset and lease liability.

Goodwill Impairment Testing

Amended guidance that simplifies the recognition and measurement of a goodwill impairment loss by eliminating Step 2 of the quantitative goodwill impairment test was adopted prospectively in the first quarter of 2019. Under the amended guidance, a goodwill impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the reporting units carrying amount, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value up to the amount of its allocated goodwill. The adoption of the amended guidance did not have an impact on the Company’s results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Financial Instruments - Measurement of Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued amended guidance for the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments. Entities will be required to use a forward-looking estimated loss model. Available-for-sale debt security credit losses will be recognized as allowances rather than a reduction in amortized cost. The guidance is effective January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted in 2019 on a modified retrospective approach. The amended guidance is not expected to materially impact the Company’s results of operations.