Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Consolidation

Basis of Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include CommScope Holding Company, Inc. (CommScope or the Company), along with its direct and indirect subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation.

The BNS acquisition was accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting and the BNS results of operations are reported in the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements from August 28, 2015, the date of acquisition, through their fiscal period ended December 25, 2015. Therefore, the Company’s consolidated results of operations for the year ended December 31, 2015 do not include the results of operations of BNS from December 26, 2015 to December 31, 2015.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents represent deposits in banks and cash invested temporarily in various instruments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts receivable are stated at the amount owed by the customer, net of allowances for estimated doubtful accounts, discounts, returns and rebates. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses expected to result from the inability of its customers to make required payments. These estimates are based on management’s evaluation of the ability of customers to make payments, focusing on historical experience, known customer financial difficulties and age of receivable balances. Accounts receivable are charged to the allowance when determined to be no longer collectible.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. Inventory cost is determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis. Costs such as idle facility expense, excessive scrap and rehandling costs are recognized as expenses as incurred. The Company maintains reserves to reduce the value of inventory to the lower of cost or market, including reserves for excess and obsolete inventory.

Long-Lived Assets

Long-Lived Assets

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost, including interest costs associated with qualifying capital additions. Upon application of acquisition accounting, property, plant and equipment are measured at estimated fair value as of the acquisition date to establish a new historical cost basis. Provisions for depreciation are based on estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method. Useful lives generally range from 10 to 35 years for buildings and improvements and 3 to 10 years for machinery and equipment. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Assets that management intends to dispose of and that meet held for sale criteria are carried at the lower of the carrying value or fair value less costs to sell.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill is assigned to reporting units, which are operating segments or one level below the operating segment level, based on the difference between the purchase price as allocated to the reporting units and the estimated fair value of the identified net assets acquired as allocated to the reporting units. Purchased intangible assets with finite lives are carried at their estimated fair values at the time of acquisition less accumulated amortization and any impairment charges. Amortization is recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets (see Note 4).

Asset Impairments

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or at other times if events have occurred or circumstances exist that indicate the carrying value of the reporting unit may exceed its fair value. Goodwill impairment charges of $74.4 million, $4.9 million and $36.2 million were recorded during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. See Notes 4 and 8 for further discussion of these impairment charges.

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets with finite lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable, based on the undiscounted cash flows expected to be derived from the use and ultimate disposition of the assets. Assets identified as impaired are carried at estimated fair value. During the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized pretax impairment charges for long-lived assets, other than goodwill impairments, of $5.5 million, $7.2 million and $9.3 million, respectively. See Notes 4 and 8 for further discussion of these impairment charges.

During the year ended December 31, 2015, the Company determined that a note receivable related to a previous divestiture was likely impaired and recorded a $10.9 million impairment charge.

Due to uncertain market conditions, it is possible that future impairment reviews may indicate additional impairments of goodwill and/or other intangible assets, which could result in charges that are material to the Company’s results of operations.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities. The Company records a valuation allowance, when appropriate, to reduce deferred tax assets to an amount that is more likely than not to be realized.

Tax benefits that result from uncertain tax positions may be recognized only if they are considered more likely than not to be sustainable, based on their technical merits. The amount of benefit to be recognized is the largest amount of tax benefit that is at least 50% likely to be realized.

The cumulative amount of undistributed earnings from foreign subsidiaries for which no U.S. taxes have been provided was $546.6 million as of December 31, 2015. In addition, the Company does not provide for U.S. taxes related to the foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses on its long-term intercompany loans with foreign subsidiaries. These loans are not expected to be repaid in the foreseeable future, and the foreign currency gains and losses are therefore recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or service has been rendered, the selling price is fixed or determinable and collectability is reasonably assured. The majority of the Company’s revenue comes from product sales. Revenue from product sales is recognized when the risks and rewards of ownership have passed to the customer and revenue is measurable. Revenue is not recognized related to product sold to contract manufacturers that the Company anticipates repurchasing in order to complete the sale to the ultimate customer.

Revenue for certain of the Company’s products is derived from multiple-element contracts. The value of the revenue elements within these contracts is allocated based on the relative selling price of each element. The relative selling price is determined using vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price or other third party evidence of selling price, if available. If these forms of evidence are unavailable, revenue is allocated among elements based on management’s best estimate of the stand-alone selling price of each element. Revenue is generally recognized upon acceptance by the customer.

Certain revenue arrangements are for the sale of software and services. Revenue for software products is recognized based on the timing of customer acceptance of the specific revenue elements. The fair value of each revenue element is determined based on vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value determined by stand-alone pricing of each element. These contracts typically contain post-contract support (PCS) services which are sold both as part of a bundled product offering and as a separate contract. Revenue for PCS services is recognized ratably over the term of the PCS contract. Other service revenue is typically recognized once the service is performed or over the period of time covered by the arrangement.

For sales to distributors, system integrators and value-added resellers (primarily for the Enterprise segment), revenue is recorded at the net amount to be received after deductions for estimated discounts, allowances, returns and rebates. These estimates are determined based upon historical experience, contract terms, inventory levels in the distributor channel and other related factors. Adjustments are recorded when circumstances indicate revisions may be necessary. If management does not have sufficient historical experience to make a reasonable estimation of these reductions to revenue, recognition of the revenue is deferred until management believes there is a sufficient basis to recognize such revenue.

Product Warranties

Product Warranties

The Company recognizes a liability for the estimated claims that may be paid under its customer warranty agreements to remedy potential deficiencies of quality or performance of the Company’s products. These product warranties extend over periods ranging from one to twenty-five years from the date of sale, depending upon the product subject to the warranty. The Company records a provision for estimated future warranty claims as cost of sales based upon the historical relationship of warranty claims to sales and specifically identified warranty issues. The Company bases its estimates on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances and revises its estimates, as appropriate, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that revisions may be necessary. Such revisions may be material.

Shipping and Handling Costs

Shipping and Handling Costs

CommScope includes shipping and handling costs billed to customers in net sales and includes the costs incurred to transport product to customers as cost of sales. Certain internal handling costs, which relate to activities to prepare goods for shipment, are recorded in selling, general and administrative expense and were approximately $29.3 million, $27.2 million and $27.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Advertising expense was $13.6 million, $10.5 million and $10.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Research and Development

Research and Development

Research and development (R&D) costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. R&D costs include materials and equipment that have no alternative future use, depreciation on equipment and facilities currently used for R&D purposes, personnel costs, contract services and reasonable allocations of indirect costs, if clearly related to an R&D activity. Expenditures in the pre-production phase of an R&D project are recorded as R&D expense. However, costs incurred in the pre-production phase that are associated with output actually used in production are recorded in cost of sales. A project is considered finished with pre-production efforts when management determines that it has achieved acceptable levels of scrap and yield, which vary by project. Expenditures related to ongoing production are recorded in cost of sales.

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

CommScope is exposed to risks resulting from adverse fluctuations in commodity prices, interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. CommScope’s risk management strategy includes the use of derivative financial instruments, such as forward contracts, options, cross currency swaps, certain interest rate swaps, caps and floors and non-derivative financial instruments, such as foreign-currency-denominated loans, as hedges of these risks, whenever management determines their use to be reasonable and practical. This strategy does not permit the use of derivative financial instruments for trading or speculation. The Company did not designate any transactions as hedges in the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 or 2013. Derivative contracts are measured at fair value and are marked to market each period through earnings. As such, there were no unrecognized gains or losses as of December 31, 2015 or 2014. See Note 7 for further disclosure related to the derivative instruments and hedging activities.

The Company has elected and documented the use of the normal purchases and sales exception for normal purchase and sales contracts that meet the definition of a derivative financial instrument.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

For the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, approximately 51%, 45% and 45%, respectively, of the Company’s net sales were to customers located outside the United States (U.S.). A portion of these sales were denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, particularly sales from the Company’s foreign subsidiaries. The financial position and results of operations of certain of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are measured using the local currency as the functional currency. Revenues and expenses of these subsidiaries have been translated into U.S. dollars at average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Assets and liabilities of these subsidiaries have been translated at the exchange rates as of the balance sheet date. Translation gains and losses are recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Aggregate foreign currency transaction gains and losses of the Company and its subsidiaries, such as those resulting from the settlement of receivables or payables and short-term intercompany advances in a currency other than the subsidiary’s functional currency, are recorded currently in earnings (included in other expense, net) and resulted in losses of $15.1 million, $2.7 million and $9.8 million during the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Foreign currency remeasurement gains and losses related to long-term intercompany loans that are not expected to be settled in the foreseeable future are recorded to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Equity-Based Compensation

Equity-Based Compensation

The estimated fair value of stock awards that are ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods. The Company records deferred tax assets related to compensation expense for awards that are expected to result in future tax deductions for the Company, based on the amount of compensation cost recognized and the Company’s statutory tax rate in the jurisdiction in which it expects to receive a deduction. Differences between the deferred tax assets recognized for financial reporting purposes and actual tax deductions reported on the Company’s income tax return are recorded in additional paid-in capital (if the tax deduction exceeds the deferred tax asset) or in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) as additional income tax expense (if the deferred tax asset exceeds the tax deduction and no excess additional paid-in capital exists from previous awards).

Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Stock Split

Common Stock, Preferred Stock and Stock Split

On October 4, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 3-for-1 stock split of the Company’s outstanding common stock, which was effective as of October 4, 2013. Each share of issued and outstanding common stock was increased to 3 shares of common stock, the number of shares of common stock into which each outstanding option to purchase stock is exercisable was proportionally increased on a 3-for-1 basis, and the exercise price of each outstanding option to purchase common stock was proportionally decreased. All of the share numbers, share prices, exercise prices and other per share information throughout these financial statements have been adjusted on a retroactive basis, to reflect this 3-for-1 stock split, including reclassifying an amount equal to the increase in par value from additional paid-in capital. In conjunction with the Company’s initial public offering in October 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized 1.3 billion shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share and 200 million shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share.

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Earnings (Loss) Per Share

Basic earnings (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share is based on net income (loss) divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding plus the dilutive effect of potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares include outstanding equity-based awards (stock options, performance share units and restricted stock units). Certain outstanding equity-based awards were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect was either antidilutive or the performance condition was not met (5.9 million, 1.4 million and 2.2 million shares for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively). Antidilutive securities for the year ended December 31, 2015 included 4.3 million shares of equity-based awards which would have been considered dilutive if the Company had not been in a net loss position.

The following table presents the basis for the earnings (loss) per share computations:

	Year Ended December 31,
	2015			2014		2013
Numerator:
Net income (loss) for basic and diluted (loss) earnings per share	$	(70,875	)	$	236,772	$	19,396
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic		189,876			186,905		160,641
Dilutive effect of equity-based awards		—			4,545		3,372
Weighted average common shares outstanding – diluted		189,876			191,450		164,013
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic	$	(0.37	)	$	1.27	$	0.12
Diluted	$	(0.37	)	$	1.24	$	0.12

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of the Financial Statements

The preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. These estimates and their underlying assumptions form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other objective sources. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances and revises its estimates, as appropriate, when events or changes in circumstances indicate that revisions may be necessary. Significant accounting estimates reflected in the Company’s financial statements include the allowance for doubtful accounts; reserves for sales returns, discounts, allowances, rebates and distributor price protection programs; inventory excess and obsolescence reserves; product warranty reserves and other contingent liabilities; tax valuation allowances and liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits; purchase price allocations; impairment reviews for investments, fixed assets, goodwill and other intangibles; and pension and other postretirement benefit costs and liabilities. Although these estimates are based on management’s knowledge of and experience with past and current events and on management’s assumptions about future events, it is at least reasonably possible that they may ultimately differ materially from actual results.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations

The Company uses the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations which requires assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values on the acquisition date. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are determined based upon the Company’s valuation and involves making significant estimates and assumptions based on facts and circumstances that existed as of acquisition date. The Company uses a measurement period following the acquisition date to gather information that existed as of the acquisition date that is needed to determine the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The measurement period ends once all information is obtained, but no later than one year from the acquisition date.

Concentrations of Risk

Concentrations of Risk

Non-derivative financial instruments used by the Company in the normal course of business include letters of credit and commitments to extend credit, primarily accounts receivable. The Company generally does not require collateral on its accounts receivable. These financial instruments involve risk, including the credit risk of nonperformance by the counterparties to those instruments, and the maximum potential loss may exceed the reserves provided in the Company’s balance sheet. See Note 14 for further discussion of customer-related concentrations of risk.

The Company manages its exposures to credit risk associated with accounts receivable using such tools as credit approvals, credit limits and monitoring procedures. CommScope estimates the allowance for doubtful accounts based on the actual payment history and individual circumstances of significant customers as well as the age of receivables. In management’s opinion, as of December 31, 2015, the Company did not have significant unreserved risk of credit loss due to the nonperformance of customers or other counterparties related to amounts receivable. However, an adverse change in financial condition of a significant customer or group of customers or in the telecommunications industry could materially affect the Company’s estimates related to doubtful accounts.

The principal raw materials purchased by CommScope (copper, aluminum, steel, plastics and other polymers, bimetals and optical fiber) are subject to changes in market price as these materials are linked to various commodity markets. The Company attempts to mitigate these risks through effective requirements planning and by working closely with its key suppliers to obtain the best possible pricing and delivery terms.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, on a prospective basis. The guidance requires organizations that present a classified balance sheet to classify all deferred taxes as noncurrent assets or noncurrent liabilities. Adoption of this ASU resulted in a reclassification of our current deferred tax assets and liabilities to non-current deferred tax assets and liabilities, respectively, in our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2015.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company adopted ASU No. 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. The guidance requires that acquirers in a business combination recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period that the adjustment amounts are determined and eliminates the requirement to retrospectively account for these adjustments. It also requires additional disclosure about the effects of the adjustments on prior periods. As such, adjustments in purchase accounting will not be accounted for retrospectively. There were no adjustments identified during 2015 and, as such, there are no additional disclosures.

During the second quarter of 2015, the Company adopted ASU No. 2015-03, Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Cost. The new accounting guidance requires debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be reported as a deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. In August 2015, this guidance was clarified to add that debt issuance costs related to line of credit arrangements can be presented as an asset regardless of whether there are outstanding borrowings. The guidance has been applied retrospectively to the prior period presented. The adoption of this accounting guidance reduced the Company’s other noncurrent assets and long-term debt. The amount of unamortized debt issuance costs reported in long-term debt as of December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, was $97.5 million and $38.8 million, respectively.

Issued but Not Adopted

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The guidance requires that inventory be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This guidance simplifies the prior guidance by eliminating the options of measuring inventory at replacement cost or net realizable value less an approximate normal profit margin. This guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2017, with early application permitted. The adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The new accounting standard defines a single comprehensive model in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The core principle of the ASU is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 deferring the effective date by one year, with early adoption on the original effective date permitted. The Company will be required to adopt the standard as of January 1, 2018 and early adoption is permitted as of January 1, 2017 using either of two methods: (i) retrospective application to each prior reporting period presented; or (ii) retrospective application with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard recognized at the date of initial application and providing certain additional required disclosures. The Company is currently determining its implementation approach and assessing the impact on the consolidated financial statements.