Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2019
Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	1. Significant Accounting Policies 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, 2018 (“2018 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. 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. Leases Corning leases certain real estate, vehicles, and equipment from third parties. On January 1, 2019 we adopted the new leasing standard. Corning classifies leases as either financing or operating. Operating leases are included in other assets with the corresponding liability in other accrued liabilities and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment with the corresponding liability in the current portion and long-term debt line items on our consolidated balance sheets. Leases where we are the lessor are not significant. Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term for operating leases. Financing leases are recognized on the effective interest method for interest expense and straight-line method for asset amortization. Renewals and terminations are included in the calculation of the Right of Use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities when considered to be reasonably certain to be exercised. When the implicit rate is unknown, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. Our leases do not include residual value guarantees. We are not the primary beneficiary in or have other forms of variable interests with the lessor of the leased assets. The impact to the balance sheet for operating leases is a gross-up for the addition of ROU assets and liabilities relating to the operating leases in the amount of $449 million at adoption. The impact to the balance sheet for financing leases was not material. Corning has elected the following practical expedients and accounting policy elections to apply the new lease accounting standard at its effective date as of January 1, 2019: Leases of less than 12 months in duration to be recorded as expense only; Account for lease and non-lease components of a contract as a single lease component; and Comparative reporting of prior periods under ASC 840 not restated due to modified retrospective implementation. At adoption, Corning recorded a nominal cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings. Refer to Note 4 (Leases) to the consolidated financial statements for additional information. Revenue One of Corning’s equity affiliates adopted the new revenue standard on January 1, 2019. The impact of adopting the new standard to Corning’s financial statements was a net reduction of $186 million to 2019 beginning retained earnings. Timing of revenue recognition for certain open performance obligations as measured at January 1, 2019 under the new standard was approximately $239 million with offsetting deferred tax impacts of $53 million. Income Taxes 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. We have adopted this new standard effective January 1, 2019. The impact of the new standard resulted in a reclassification of $53 million from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to beginning retained earnings. Other Accounting Standards No other accounting standards newly issued or adopted as of September 30, 2019, had a material impact on Corning’s financial statements or disclosures.

Significant Accounting Policies

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

1. Significant Accounting Policies

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, 2018 (“2018 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.

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.

Leases

Corning leases certain real estate, vehicles, and equipment from third parties. On January 1, 2019 we adopted the new leasing standard. Corning classifies leases as either financing or operating. Operating leases are included in other assets with the corresponding liability in other accrued liabilities and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment with the corresponding liability in the current portion and long-term debt line items on our consolidated balance sheets. Leases where we are the lessor are not significant.

Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term for operating leases. Financing leases are recognized on the effective interest method for interest expense and straight-line method for asset amortization. Renewals and terminations are included in the calculation of the Right of Use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities when considered to be reasonably certain to be exercised. When the implicit rate is unknown, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.

Our leases do not include residual value guarantees. We are not the primary beneficiary in or have other forms of variable interests with the lessor of the leased assets. The impact to the balance sheet for operating leases is a gross-up for the addition of ROU assets and liabilities relating to the operating leases in the amount of $449 million at adoption. The impact to the balance sheet for financing leases was not material.

Corning has elected the following practical expedients and accounting policy elections to apply the new lease accounting standard at its effective date as of January 1, 2019:

Leases of less than 12 months in duration to be recorded as expense only;

Account for lease and non-lease components of a contract as a single lease component; and

Comparative reporting of prior periods under ASC 840 not restated due to modified retrospective implementation.

At adoption, Corning recorded a nominal cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings.

Refer to Note 4 (Leases) to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Revenue

One of Corning’s equity affiliates adopted the new revenue standard on January 1, 2019. The impact of adopting the new standard to Corning’s financial statements was a net reduction of $186 million to 2019 beginning retained earnings. Timing of revenue recognition for certain open performance obligations as measured at January 1, 2019 under the new standard was approximately $239 million with offsetting deferred tax impacts of $53 million.

Income Taxes

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. We have adopted this new standard effective January 1, 2019. The impact of the new standard resulted in a reclassification of $53 million from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to beginning retained earnings.

Other Accounting Standards

No other accounting standards newly issued or adopted as of September 30, 2019, had a material impact on Corning’s financial statements or disclosures.