Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation

In these notes, the terms “Corning,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Corning Incorporated and its subsidiary companies.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information.  Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted or condensed.  These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Corning’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 (“2017 Form 10-K”).

The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented.  All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.  The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.

On January 1, 2018, we adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2014-09 ASC (Topic 606), Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and applied the modified retrospective method of accounting to those contracts which were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under ASC Topic 605 “Revenue Recognition”.  Because the impact of adopting the standard on Corning’s financial statements was immaterial, we have not made an adjustment to opening retained earnings.

One of Corning’s equity affiliates is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 2014-09 on its financial statements and will adopt the standard on January 1, 2019.  Our preliminary analysis indicates that the impact of adoption will not have a material impact on Corning’s financial statements.

On January 1, 2018, Corning adopted ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments, which refines the classification of certain aspects of the cash flow statement in regards to debt prepayment, settlement of debt instruments, contingent consideration payments, proceeds from insurance claims and life insurance policies, distribution from equity method investees, beneficial interests in securitization transactions and separately identifiable cash flows.  The impact of adopting the standard on Corning’s financial statements was not material.  

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation—Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost. The service cost component of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit cost is presented with other current compensation costs in operating income.  The remaining components are included in the line item Other income (expense), net, in the Consolidated Statements of Income.  Corning has applied the practical expedient which permits it to use the amounts disclosed in its pension and other postretirement benefit plan note for the prior comparative periods as the estimation basis for applying the retrospective presentation requirements.  The impact of adopting the standard on Corning’s financial statements was not material.  

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation.  These reclassifications had no impact on our results of operations, financial position, or changes in shareholders’ equity. 

New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes all existing guidance on accounting for leases in ASC Topic 840.  ASU 2016-02 will continue to classify leases as either financing or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of income.  This standard will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years.  ASU 2016-02 is required to be applied with a modified retrospective approach with various optional practical expedients.  We are currently assessing the potential impact of adopting this standard on our financial statements and related disclosures.

One of Corning’s equity affiliates is currently assessing the potential impact of adopting this standard on its financial statements and elected to adopt the standard on January 1, 2020.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income, which allows for reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  ASU 2018-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods.  We are currently assessing the potential impact of adopting ASU 2018-02 on our financial statements