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Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 1. Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation —The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of R. R. Donnelley & Sons Company and its subsidiaries (the “Company” or “RRD”) and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). All intercompany transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The accounts of a business acquired during 2019 are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition.

Nature of Operations —RRD is a global, integrated communications provider enabling organizations to create, manage, deliver and optimize their multichannel marketing and business communications. We have a flexible and comprehensive portfolio of integrated communications solutions that allows our clients to engage audiences, reduce costs and drive revenues. Our innovative content management offering, production platform, supply chain management, outsourcing capabilities and customized consultative expertise assist our clients in the delivery of integrated messages across multiple media to highly targeted audiences at optimal times for clients in virtually every private and public sector.

Use of Estimates —The preparation of consolidated financial statements, in conformity with GAAP, requires the extensive use of management’s estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for items and matters including, but not limited to, allowance for uncollectible accounts receivable, inventory obsolescence, asset valuations and useful lives, employee benefits, self-insurance reserves, taxes, restructuring and other provisions and contingencies.

Foreign Operations —Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars at the exchange rates existing at the respective balance sheet dates. Income and expense items are translated at the average rates during the respective periods. Translation adjustments resulting from fluctuations in exchange rates are recorded as a separate component of other comprehensive income (loss) while transaction gains and losses are recorded in net income (loss). Deferred taxes are not provided on cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments when we expect foreign earnings to be permanently reinvested.

Fair Value Measurements —Certain assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis. Fair value is determined based on the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. We record the fair value of our foreign currency contracts, available-for-sale securities, interest rate swaps, pension plan assets and other postretirement benefits (“OPEB”) plan assets on a recurring basis. Assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include long-lived assets held and used, long-lived assets held for sale, goodwill and other intangible assets. The fair value of cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, short-term debt and accounts payable approximate their carrying values. The three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes valuation methodologies based on the reliability of the inputs, is:

Level 1Valuations based on quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.

Level 2Valuations based on observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 3Valuations based on unobservable inputs reflecting our own assumptions, consistent with reasonably available assumptions made by other market participants.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash and cash equivalents —We consider all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Short-term securities consist of investment grade instruments of governments, financial institutions and corporations.

Restricted cash —Amounts included in restricted cash primarily relate to letters of credit and bank acceptance drafts.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Cash and cash equivalents

$

190.8

 

 

$

370.6

 

Restricted cash - current (a)

 

32.9

 

 

 

32.9

 

Restricted cash - noncurrent (b)

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

$

223.8

 

 

$

403.6

 

(a)

Included within Prepaid expenses and other current assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

(b)

Included within Other noncurrent assets within the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Receivables —Receivables are stated net of allowances for doubtful accounts and primarily include trade receivables, notes receivable and miscellaneous receivables from suppliers. No single client comprised more than 10% of our consolidated net sales in 2019, 2018 or 2017. Specific client provisions are made when a review of significant outstanding amounts, utilizing information about client creditworthiness and current economic trends, indicates that collection is doubtful. In addition, provisions are made at differing rates, based upon the age of the receivable and our historical collection experience.

Transactions affecting the allowance for doubtful accounts receivable during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2017

 

Balance, beginning of year

$

25.9

 

 

$

32.4

 

 

$

35.9

 

Provisions charged to expense

 

7.4

 

 

 

13.3

 

 

 

3.2

 

Write-offs and other

 

(12.8

)

 

 

(19.8

)

 

 

(6.7

)

Balance, end of year

$

20.5

 

 

$

25.9

 

 

$

32.4

 

 

Inventories —Inventories include material, labor and factory overhead and are stated at the lower of cost or market and net of excess and obsolescence reserves for raw materials and finished goods. Provisions for excess and obsolete inventories are made at differing rates, utilizing historical data and current economic trends, based upon the age and type of the inventory. Specific excess and obsolescence provisions are also made when a review of specific balances indicates that the inventories will not be utilized in production or sold. The cost of 37.9% and 32.2% of the inventories at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, has been determined using the Last-In, First-Out (LIFO) method. This method is intended to reflect the effect of inventory replacement costs within results of operations; accordingly, charges to cost of sales generally reflect recent costs of material, labor and factory overhead. We use an external-index method of valuing LIFO inventories. The remaining inventories, primarily related to certain acquired and international operations, are valued using the First-In, First-Out or specific identification methods.

The components of inventories, net of excess and obsolescence reserves for raw materials and finished goods, at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Raw materials and manufacturing supplies

$

139.4

 

 

$

153.1

 

Work in process

 

64.6

 

 

 

75.1

 

Finished goods

 

116.4

 

 

 

120.1

 

LIFO reserve

 

(18.6

)

 

 

(18.6

)

Total

$

301.8

 

 

$

329.7

 

 

Long-Lived Assets —We assess potential impairments to our long-lived assets if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. An impaired asset is written down to its estimated fair value based upon the most recent information available. Estimated fair market value is generally measured by discounting estimated future cash flows. Long-lived assets, other than goodwill and other intangible assets, which are held for sale, are recorded at the lower of the carrying value or the fair market value less the estimated cost to sell.

Property, Plant and Equipment —Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Useful lives range from 15 to 40 years for buildings, the lesser of 7 years or the lease term for leasehold improvements and from 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. Major overhauls that extend the useful lives of existing assets are capitalized. When properties are retired or disposed, the costs and accumulated depreciation are eliminated and the resulting profit or loss is recognized in the results of operations.

The components of property, plant and equipment at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Land

$

47.8

 

 

$

51.0

 

Buildings

 

379.9

 

 

 

389.5

 

Machinery and equipment

 

1,704.7

 

 

 

1,797.1

 

 

 

2,132.4

 

 

 

2,237.6

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(1,632.4

)

 

 

(1,706.3

)

Total

$

500.0

 

 

$

531.3

 

During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, depreciation expense was $115.8 million, $126.5 million, and $139.8 million, respectively.

During the fourth quarter of 2017, we entered into an agreement to sell a printing facility in Shenzhen, China and transfer the related land use rights. As of December 31, 2019, we have received non-refundable deposits in accordance with the terms of the agreement of approximately $98.2 million which is recorded in Other noncurrent liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2019, the carrying cost of the building and land use rights is recorded in Other noncurrent assets and is not material.

Goodwill —Goodwill is reviewed for impairment annually as of October 31 or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying value.

For certain reporting units, we may perform a qualitative, rather than quantitative, assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. In performing this qualitative analysis, we consider various factors, including the excess of prior year estimates of fair value compared to carrying value, the effect of market or industry changes and the reporting units’ actual results compared to projected results. Based on this qualitative analysis, if we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying value, no further impairment testing is performed.

For the remaining reporting units, we compare each reporting unit’s fair value, estimated based on comparable company market valuations and expected future discounted cash flows to be generated by the reporting unit, to its carrying value. See Note 4, Restructuring, Impairment and Other Charges and Note 5, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for further discussion.

Amortization —Certain costs to acquire and develop internal-use computer software are capitalized and amortized over their estimated useful life using the straight-line method, up to a maximum of five years. Amortization expense, primarily related to internally-developed software and excluding amortization expense related to other intangible assets, was $29.4 million, $27.4 million and $23.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Deferred debt issuance costs are amortized over the term of the related debt. Other intangible assets are recognized separately from goodwill and are amortized over their estimated useful lives. See Note 5, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, for further discussion of other intangible assets and the related amortization expense.

Financial Instruments —We use derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to foreign exchange fluctuations in the ordinary course of business and to hedge the interest rate exposure on certain floating-rate debt.

All derivatives are recorded as other current or noncurrent assets or other current or noncurrent liabilities on the balance sheet at their respective fair values with unrealized gains and losses recorded in other comprehensive income (loss), net of applicable income taxes, or in the results of operations, depending on the purpose for which the derivative is held. For derivatives designated and that qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative, as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk, are recognized in the results of operations. Changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not meet the criteria for designation as a hedge at inception, or fail to meet the criteria thereafter, are recognized currently in the results of operations. At inception of a hedge transaction, we formally document the hedge relationship and the risk management objective for undertaking the hedge. In addition, we assess, both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivative in the hedging transaction has been highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged item and whether the derivative is expected to continue to be highly effective. The impact of any ineffectiveness is recognized currently in the results of operations.

Our foreign currency contracts and interest rate swaps are subject to master netting agreements that allow us to settle positive and negative positions with the respective counterparties. Under these master netting agreements, net settlement generally permits us or the counterparty to determine the net amount payable for contracts due on the same date and in the same currency for similar types of derivative transactions. The master netting agreements generally also provide for net settlement of all outstanding contracts with a counterparty in the case of an event of default or a termination event. See Note 12, Derivatives, for additional information.

Share-Based Compensation —We recognize share-based compensation expense based on estimated fair values for all share-based awards made to employees and directors, including stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units. We recognize compensation expense for share-based awards expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award based on their grant date fair value. See Note 15, Stock and Incentive Programs for Employees and Directors, for further discussion.

Preferred Stock —We have two million shares of $1.00 par value preferred stock authorized for issuance. The Board of Directors may divide the preferred stock into one or more series and fix the redemption, dividend, voting, conversion, sinking fund, liquidation and other rights. We have no present plans to issue any preferred stock. We have reserved 0.2 million preferred stock shares for issuance under the Stockholder Rights Plan discussed in Note 16.

Pension and OPEB Plans —We record annual income and expense amounts relating to our pension and OPEB plans based on calculations which include various actuarial assumptions, including discount rates, mortality, assumed rates of return, compensation increases, turnover rates and healthcare cost trend rates. We review our actuarial assumptions on an annual basis and make modifications to the assumptions based on current rates and trends when it is deemed appropriate to do so. The effect of modifications on the value of plan obligations and assets is recognized immediately within other comprehensive income (loss) and amortized into operating earnings over future periods. We believe that the assumptions utilized in recording our obligations under our plans are reasonable based on our experience, market conditions and input from our actuaries and investment advisors. See Note 9, Retirement Plans, for additional information.

Taxes on Income —Deferred taxes are provided using an asset and liability method whereby deferred tax assets are recognized for deductible temporary differences and operating loss carryforwards and deferred tax liabilities are recognized for taxable temporary differences. Temporary differences are the differences between the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and their tax basis. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in our opinion, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are adjusted for the effects of changes in tax laws and rates on the date of enactment.

We recognize deferred tax liabilities related to taxes on certain foreign earnings that were not considered to be permanently reinvested. No deferred tax liabilities were recognized for foreign earnings that were considered to be permanently reinvested. We regularly evaluate whether foreign earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested. This evaluation requires judgment about our future operating and liquidity needs. Changes in economic and business conditions, foreign or U.S. tax laws, or our financial situation could result in changes to these judgments and the need to record additional tax liabilities.

We are regularly audited by foreign and domestic tax authorities. These audits occasionally result in proposed assessments where the ultimate resolution might result in us owing additional taxes, including in some cases, penalties and interest. We recognize a tax position in our financial statements when it is more likely than not (i.e., a likelihood of more than fifty percent) that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. This recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than fifty percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Although we believe that our estimates are reasonable, the final outcome of uncertain tax positions may be materially different from that which is reflected in our financial statements. We adjust such reserves upon changes in circumstances that would cause a change to the estimate of the ultimate liability, upon effective settlement or upon the expiration of the statute of limitations, in the period in which such event occurs. See Note 10, Income Taxes, for further discussion.

Spinoff Transactions On October 1, 2016, we completed the separation of our financial communications and data services business (“Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc.” or “Donnelley Financial”) and the publishing and retail-centric print services and office products business (“LSC Communications, Inc.” or “LSC”) into two separate publicly-traded companies (the "Separation"). We completed the tax-free distribution of 80.75% of the outstanding common stock of each Donnelley Financial and LSC to our stockholders of record on September 23, 2016 who received one share of Donnelley Financial and LSC for every eight shares of RRD common stock held as of the record date (the “Distribution”). We originally retained 19.25% of the outstanding common stock of each Donnelley Financial and LSC, but disposed of our retained investment in those businesses in subsequent transactions.

The Distribution was recorded as a reduction in Stockholder's Equity during the fourth quarter of 2016. During the second quarter of 2019, we identified an error in the accounting for the Distribution. As a result, the error, which was determined by management to be immaterial to the previously issued consolidated financial statements, has been corrected by increasing Accumulated Deficit by $12.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.