BASIS OF PRESENTATION (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2017

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Recently Issued/Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), which addresses eight specific cash flow issues with the objective of reducing the existing diversity in practice in how cash receipts and cash payments are presented in the statement of cash flows. The ASU is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, which is our fiscal 2019, beginning on April 29, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new requirements on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. The ASU includes multiples 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 April 30, 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.  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 2019. Earlier adoption is permitted only for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements. We have started our evaluation by establishing a project management team to analyze the impact of this standard by reviewing our current accounting policies and practices to identify potential differences that would result from the application of this standard.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02 Leases, Accounting Standards Codification, ("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 recognize 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 28, 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 of financial instruments for disclosure purposes, requires separate presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial assets, 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 29, 2018. 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 April 30, 2017. There is currently no impact to the Company expected upon adoption.

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 April 30, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

RECENTLY ADOPTED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17 Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes. This guidance simplifies the balance sheet classification of deferred taxes. Current U.S. 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 guidance was applied prospectively at the beginning of our current fiscal year which began on May 1, 2016. Prior period information was not adjusted. The adoption of this standard in fiscal 2017 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements. 

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 equivalents). 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 beginning after December 15, 2015. The adoption of this standard in fiscal 2017 did not have an impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

We review our goodwill and other intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of these assets may not be recoverable, and at least annually in accordance with ASC No. 350, Intangibles — Goodwill and Others.  The values assigned to goodwill and intangible assets are normally based on estimates and judgments regarding expectations for the success and life cycle of products and technologies acquired.  A severe decline in expectations could result in significant impairment charges, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations.

Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is calculated by dividing net income attributable to Methode shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the applicable period.  Diluted net income per share is calculated after adjusting the denominator of the basic net income per share calculation for the effect of all potentially dilutive stock compensation awards outstanding during the period.

Segment Information

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies in our Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2016.  We allocate resources to segments based on operating income. Transfers between segments are recorded using internal transfer prices set by us.

Contingencies

Certain litigation arising in the normal course of business is pending against us.  We are from time to time subject to various legal actions and claims incidental to our business, including those arising out of alleged defects, breach of contracts, employment-related matters, environmental matters and intellectual property matters.  We consider insurance coverage and third-party indemnification when determining required accruals for pending litigation and claims.