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Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Significant Accounting Policies
Significant Accounting Policies
 
Principles of Consolidation.  The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Methode Electronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the "Company”).  As used herein, “we,” “us,” “our,” the “Company” or “Methode” means Methode Electronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
 
Financial Reporting Periods.  We maintain our financial records on the basis of a fifty-two or fifty-three week fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to April 30.  Fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015 represent fifty-two weeks of results and fiscal 2014 represents fifty-three weeks of results.
 
Cash Equivalents.  All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased are classified in the consolidated balance sheets as cash equivalents.
 
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.  We carry accounts receivable at their face amounts less an allowance for doubtful accounts. On a regular basis, we record an allowance for uncollectible receivables based upon past transaction history with customers, customer payment practices and economic conditions. Actual collection experience may differ from the current estimate of net receivables. A change to the allowance for uncollectible amounts may be required if a future event or other change in circumstances results in a change in the estimate of the ultimate collectability of a specific account.  We do not require collateral for our accounts receivable balances.  Accounts are written off against the allowance account when they are determined to be no longer collectible.
 
Inventories.  Inventories are stated at the lower-of-cost (first-in, first-out method) or market, including direct material costs and direct and indirect manufacturing costs.
 
Property, Plant and Equipment.  Properties are stated on the basis of cost.  We amortize such costs by annual charges to income, computed on the straight-line method using estimated useful lives of 5 to 40 years for buildings and improvements and 3 to 15 years for machinery and equipment for financial reporting purposes.  Accelerated methods are generally used for income tax purposes.
 
Income Taxes.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.
 
Revenue Recognition.  We recognize revenue on product sales when i) persuasive evidence of an agreement exists, ii) the price is fixed or determinable, iii) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, and iv) collection of the sales proceeds is reasonably assured.  Revenue from our product sales not requiring installation, net of trade discounts and estimated sales allowances, is recognized when title passes, which is generally upon shipment.  We do not have any additional obligations or customer acceptance provisions after shipment of such products.  We handle returns by replacing, repairing or issuing credit for defective products when returned.  Return costs were not significant in fiscal 2016, 2015 or 2014. 
 
Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs.  Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are included in net sales, and the related costs are included in cost of products sold.
 
Foreign Currency Translation.  The functional currencies of the majority of our foreign subsidiaries are their local currencies.  The results of operations of these foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using average exchange rates during the year, while the assets and liabilities are translated using period-end exchange rates.  Adjustments from the translation process are classified as a component of shareholders’ equity.  Exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the foreign subsidiary are included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations in other income.  In fiscal 2016 and fiscal 2015, we had foreign exchange gains of $0.5 million and $0.2 million, respectively. In fiscal 2014, we had foreign exchange losses of $0.8 million.
 
Long-Lived Assets.  We continually evaluate whether events and circumstances have occurred which indicate that the remaining estimated useful lives of our intangible assets, excluding goodwill, and other long-lived assets, may warrant revision or that the remaining balance of such assets may not be recoverable. In the event that the undiscounted cash flows resulting from the use of the asset group is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss equal to the excess of the asset’s carrying amount over its fair value is recorded.

Goodwill and Other Intangibles.  Goodwill represents the excess of cost over fair market value of identifiable net assets acquired through business purchases. We review goodwill for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently if indicators of impairment are identified.

We evaluate goodwill using a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of any reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If we determine that the fair value of the reporting unit may be less than its carrying amount, we evaluate goodwill using a two-step impairment test. Otherwise, we conclude that no impairment is indicated and we do not perform the two-step impairment test.

Our qualitative screen includes an assessment of certain factors including, but not limited to, the results of prior year fair value calculations, the movement of our share price and market capitalization, the reporting unit and overall financial performance, and macroeconomic and industry conditions. We consider the qualitative factors and weight of the evidence obtained to determine if it is more likely than not that the reporting units' fair value is less than the carrying amount. Although we believe the factors considered in the impairment analysis are reasonable, significant changes in any one of the assumptions used could produce a different result. If, after assessing the qualitative factors, we were to determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value, then we would perform a two-step impairment test (a quantitative analysis). We may also elect to proceed directly to the two-step impairment analysis without considering such qualitative factors.

In the first step of the two-step impairment test, fair values are primarily established using a discounted cash flow methodology (specifically, the income and market approach). The determination of discounted cash flows is based on our long-range forecasts and requires assumptions related to revenue and operating income growth, asset-related expenditures, working capital levels, and other market participant assumptions. The revenue growth rates included in the forecasts are our best estimates based on current and anticipated market conditions, and the profitability assumptions are projected based on current and anticipated cost structures. Long-range forecasting involves uncertainty which increases with each successive period. Key assumptions, such as revenue growth rates and profitability, especially in the outer years, involve a greater degree of uncertainty.

During the quarter ended January 30, 2016, the Company voluntarily changed the date of its annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment testing from the last day of the fiscal year to the first day of the fourth quarter. This voluntary change is preferable under the circumstances as it provides the Company with additional time to complete its annual goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible asset impairment testing in advance of its year-end reporting and results in better alignment with the Company’s strategic planning and forecasting process. The voluntary change in accounting principle related to the annual testing date is not a material change and will not delay, accelerate or avoid an impairment charge. This change is not applied retrospectively as it is impracticable to do so because retrospective application would require application of significant estimates and assumptions with the use of hindsight. Accordingly, the change will be applied prospectively.
Research and Development Costs.  Costs associated with the enhancement of existing products and the development of new products are charged to expense when incurred.  Research and development expenses primarily relate to product engineering and design and development expenses and are classified as a component of our cost of goods sold on the Company's income statement. Research and development costs for the fiscal years ended April 30, 2016, May 2, 2015 and May 3, 2014 amounted to $27.8 million, $24.5 million and $25.7 million, respectively.
 
Stock-Based Compensation.  See Note 4, Shareholders’ Equity for a description of our stock-based compensation plans.
 
Use of Estimates.  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments.  The carrying values of our short-term financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, approximate their fair values because of the short maturity of these instruments. We have no material assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis.
 
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The ASU includes multiple provisions intended to simplify various aspects of the accounting for share-based payments. The amendments in this update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, which is our fiscal 2018, which will begin on May 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new requirements on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).” The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration which the entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting revenue gross versus net)," which clarifies gross versus net revenue reporting when another party is involved in the transaction. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, "Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing," which amends the revenue guidance on identifying performance obligations and accounting for licenses of intellectual property. There are two transition methods available under the new standard, either full retrospective or modified retrospective. The standard will be effective for us in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. Earlier adoption is permitted only for annual periods after December 15, 2016. Management is still assessing the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 Leases (ASC 842), which sets out the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases for both parties to a contract (i.e. lessees and lessors). The new standard requires lessors to account for leases using an approach that is substantially equivalent to existing guidance for sales-type leases, direct financing leases and operating leases. The new standard requires lessees to apply a dual approach, classifying leases as either finance or operating leases based on the principle of whether or not the lease is effectively a financed purchase by the lessee. This classification will determine whether lease expense is recognized based on an effective interest method or on a straight line basis over the term of the lease. A lessee is also required to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. Leases with a term of 12 months or less will be accounted for similar to existing guidance for operating leases today. ASC 842 supersedes the previous leases standard, ASC 840 Leases. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, which is our fiscal 2020, beginning on April 27, 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.
    
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01 Financial Instruments - Overall: Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. The new standard requires equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income, requires public business entities to use the exit price notion when measuring the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset, and eliminates the requirement for public business entities to disclose the method(s) and significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value that is required to be disclosed for financial instruments measured at amortized cost. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which is our fiscal 2019, beginning on April 28, 2018. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.    

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2016-17 "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes". This guidance simplifies the balance sheet classification of deferred taxes. Current GAAP requires an entity to separate deferred income tax liabilities and assets into current and noncurrent amounts in a classified statement of financial position. This amendment simplifies the presentation to require that all deferred tax liabilities and assets be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. The guidance does not change the existing requirement that only permits offsetting within a jurisdiction. The change to noncurrent classification will have an impact on working capital. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, which is our fiscal 2018, which will begin on May 1, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16 "Business Combinations Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments". The standard requires that an acquirer recognize measurement-period adjustments in the period in which the adjustments are determined. The income effects of such measurement-period adjustments are to be recorded in the same period’s financial statements but calculated as if the accounting had been completed as of the acquisition date. The impact of measurement-period adjustments to earnings that relate to prior period financial statements are to be presented separately on the income statement or disclosed by line item. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, which is our fiscal 2018, which will begin on May 1, 2017. There is currently no impact to be Company but this may impact any future acquisitions.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, "Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory". This ASU requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, rather than at the lower of cost or market. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, which is our fiscal 2018, which will begin on May 1, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated balance sheets.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements    

In May 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-7, "Fair Value Measurement: Disclosure for Investments in Certain Entities that calculates net asset value per share (or its Equivalent)". This amendment removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net value asset per share. This new guidance was effective for interim and annual periods that began after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this standard did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.