The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires the company to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined on a moving average cost basis, which approximates the first-in, first-out method. Substantially all inventories represent finished goods held for sale.

Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives for depreciation of buildings is generally 20 to 30 years, and the estimated useful lives of machinery and equipment is generally three to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the term of the related lease or the life of the improvement. Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable. If the carrying value of the asset cannot be recovered from estimated future cash flows, undiscounted and without interest, the fair value of the asset is calculated using the present value of estimated net future cash flows. If the fair value is less than the carrying amount of the asset, a loss is recognized for the difference, subject to the limitation of individual asset fair values within the group.

The company capitalizes certain internal and external costs incurred to acquire or create internal-use software. Capitalized software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, which is generally three to twelve years. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the company had unamortized software development costs of $501,190 and $539,398, respectively, which are included in "Machinery and equipment" in the company's consolidated balance sheets.

Amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is computed on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Identifiable intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

Investments are accounted for using the equity method if the investment provides the company the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over an investee. Significant influence is generally deemed to exist if the company has an ownership interest in the voting stock of the investee between 20% and 50%, although other factors, such as representation on the investee's Board of Directors, are considered in determining whether the equity method is appropriate. The company records its investments in equity method investees meeting these characteristics as "Investments in affiliated companies" in the company's consolidated balance sheets.

Equity investments which the company does not possess the ability to exercise significant influence, are measured at fair value, using quoted market prices, and are included in “Other assets” in the company's consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value are recorded in “Gain (Loss) on investments, net” in the company's consolidated statements of operations. During the year-ended December 31, 2019, the company recorded a net gain on investments of $11,831.

Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. The company tests goodwill for impairment annually as of the first day of the fourth quarter and/or when an event occurs or circumstances change such that it is more likely than not that an impairment may exist. Examples of such events and circumstances that the company would consider include the following:

Goodwill is tested at a level of reporting referred to as “the reporting unit.” The company's reporting units are defined as each of the three regional businesses within the global components business segment, which are the Americas; Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (“EMEA”); and Asia-Pacific, each of the two regional businesses within the global ECS business segment, which are North America and EMEA, and eInfochips which was acquired in 2018 and is part of the global components business segment.

An entity has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, an entity determines it is not more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the quantitative goodwill impairment test is unnecessary. The company has elected not to perform the qualitative assessment and performed the quantitative goodwill impairment test. The quantitative goodwill impairment test, used to identify both the existence of impairment and the amount of impairment loss, compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit is less than its fair value, no impairment exists. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss shall be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.

The company estimates the fair value of a reporting unit using the income approach. For the purposes of the income approach, fair value is determined based on the present value of estimated future cash flows, discounted at an appropriate risk-adjusted rate. The assumptions included in the income approach include forecasted revenues, gross profit margins, operating income margins, working capital cash flow, forecasted capital expenditures, perpetual growth rates, and long-term discount rates, among others, all of which require significant judgments by management. Actual results may differ from those assumed in the company's forecasts. The company also reconciles its discounted cash flow analysis to its current market capitalization allowing for a reasonable control premium. During the second quarter of 2019, the company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $509,000 and $61,175 within the Americas components and Asia-Pacific reporting units, respectively (see Note 4). As of the first day of the fourth quarters of

A decline in general economic conditions or global equity valuations could impact the judgments and assumptions about the fair value of the company's businesses, and the company could be required to record an impairment charge in the future, which could impact the company's consolidated balance sheet, as well as the company's consolidated statement of operations. If the company was required to recognize an impairment charge in the future, the charge would not impact the company's consolidated cash flows, current liquidity, capital resources, and covenants under its existing revolving credit facility, North American asset securitization program, and other outstanding borrowings.

As of December 31, 2019, the company has $2.1 billion of goodwill, of which approximately $603.5 million and $82.8 million was allocated to the Americas and EMEA reporting units within the global components business segment, respectively, $787.4 million and $390.4 million was allocated to the North America and EMEA reporting units within the global ECS business segment, respectively, and $197.2 million was allocated to the eInfochips reporting unit. As of the date of the company's latest impairment test, the fair value of the Americas and EMEA reporting units within the global components business segment, the fair value of the North America and EMEA reporting units within the global ECS business segment, and the fair value of the eInfochips reporting unit exceeded their carrying values by approximately 3%, 110%, 509%, 221%, and 6% respectively.

The company determines if a contract contains a lease at inception based on whether it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset. Substantially all of the company's leases are classified as operating leases. The company records operating lease right-of-use assets within “Other assets” and lease liabilities are recorded within “Other liabilities” and “Accrued expenses” in the consolidated balance sheets. Lease expenses are recorded within “Selling, general, and administrative expenses” in the consolidated statements of operations. Operating lease payments are presented within “Operating cash flows” in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

Operating lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are recognized based on the net present value of future minimum lease payments over the lease term starting on the commencement date. The company generally is not able to determine the rate implicit in its leases and, as such, applies an incremental borrowing rate based on the company's cost of borrowing for the relevant terms of each lease. Lease expense for minimum lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease terms may include an option to extend or terminate a lease if it is reasonably certain that the company will exercise such options. The company has elected the practical expedient to not separate lease components from non-lease components, and also has elected not to record a right-of-use asset or lease liability for leases which, at inception, have a term of twelve months or less. Variable lease payments are recognized in the period in which the obligation for those payments is incurred.

The assets and liabilities of international operations are translated at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expense accounts are translated at the monthly average exchange rates. Adjustments arising from the translation of the foreign currency financial statements of the company's international operations are reported as a component of “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the company's consolidated balance sheets.

For foreign currency remeasurement from each local currency into the appropriate functional currency, monetary assets and liabilities are remeasured to functional currencies using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Gains or losses from these remeasurements were not significant and have been included in the company's consolidated statements of operations. Non-monetary assets and liabilities are recorded at historical exchange rates.

Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined on the basis of differences between the tax bases of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.

The carrying value of the company's deferred tax assets is dependent upon the company's ability to generate sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions. Should the company determine that it is more likely than not that some portion or all of its deferred tax assets will not be realized, a valuation allowance to reduce the deferred tax assets is established in the period such determination is made. The assessment of the need for a valuation allowance requires considerable judgment on the part of management with respect to the benefits that could be realized from future taxable income, as well as other positive and negative factors.

It is also the company's policy to provide for uncertain tax positions and the related interest and penalties based upon management's assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. To the extent the company prevails in matters for which a liability for an unrecognized tax benefit is established, or is required to pay amounts in excess of the liability, or when other facts and circumstances change, the company's effective tax rate in a given financial statement period may be materially affected.

Basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to shareholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.

Comprehensive income (loss) consists of consolidated net income (loss), foreign currency translation adjustment, unrealized gains or losses on post-retirement benefit plans, unrealized gains on foreign exchange contracts designated as net investment hedges, and unrealized gains and losses on interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges. Unrealized gains or losses on interest rate swaps, and foreign exchange contracts are net of any reclassification adjustments for realized gains or losses included in consolidated net income. Amounts related to net investment hedges that are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness are amortized to “interest and other financing expenses, net” on a straight-line basis over the life of the hedging instrument. Foreign currency translation adjustments included in comprehensive income (loss) were not tax effected as investments in international affiliates are deemed to be permanent. All other comprehensive income (loss) items are net of related income taxes.

The company records share-based payment awards exchanged for employee services at fair value on the date of grant and expenses the awards in the consolidated statements of operations over the requisite employee service period. Stock-based compensation expense includes an estimate for forfeitures. Stock-based compensation expense related to awards with a market or performance condition which cliff vest, are recognized over the vesting period on a straight-line basis. Stock-based compensation awards with service conditions only are also recognized on a straight-line basis.

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The company's operations are classified into two reportable business segments: global components and global ECS.

The company recognizes revenue as control of products is transferred to customers, which generally happens at the point of shipment. Sales are recorded net of discounts, rebates, and returns, which historically have not been material. The company allows its customers to return product for exchange or credit in limited circumstances. A liability is recorded at the time of sale for estimated product returns based upon historical experience. The company also provides volume rebates and other discounts to certain customers which are considered variable consideration. A provision for customer rebates and other discounts is recorded as a reduction of revenue at the time of sale based on an evaluation of the contract terms and historical experience. Tariffs are included in sales as the company has enforceable rights to additional consideration to cover the cost of tariffs. Other taxes imposed by governmental authorities on the company's revenue producing activities with customers, such as sales taxes and value added taxes, are excluded from net sales.

Products sold by the company are generally delivered via shipment from the company's facilities, drop shipment directly from the vendor, or by electronic delivery of keys for software products. A portion of the company's business involves shipments directly from its suppliers to its customers, in these transactions, the company is generally responsible for negotiating price both with the supplier and customer, payment to the supplier, establishing payment terms with the customer, product returns, and has risk of loss if the customer does not make payment. As the principal with the customer, the company recognizes revenue upon receiving notification from the supplier that the product was shipped.

The company has contracts with certain customers where the company's performance obligation is to arrange for the products or services to be provided by another party. In these arrangements, as the company assumes an agency relationship in the transaction, revenue is recognized in the amount of the net fee associated with serving as an agent. These arrangements relate to the sale of supplier service contracts to customers where the company has no future obligation to perform under these contracts or the rendering of logistics services for the delivery of inventory for which the company does not assume the risks and rewards of ownership.

The company reports shipping and handling costs, primarily related to outbound freight, in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. Shipping and handling costs included in selling, general, and administrative expenses totaled $97,227, $103,553, and $90,709 in 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.

The company participates in supplier programs that provide for price protection, product rebates, marketing/promotional allowances, and other incentives. The consideration received under these programs is recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as an adjustment to cost of goods sold or selling, general, and administrative expenses, according to the nature of the activity and terms of the vendor program. Incentives are accrued as they are earned based on sales of qualifying products or as services are provided in accordance with the terms of the related program.

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740) (“ASU No. 2019-12”). ASU No. 2019-12 simplifies the accounting for income taxes by removing certain exceptions to the general principles in Topic 740. The amendments also improve consistent application of and simplify GAAP for other areas of Topic 740 by clarifying and amending existing guidance. Topic 740 is effective for the company in the first quarter of 2021, with early adoption permitted, and is to be applied on a prospective basis. The company is currently evaluating the potential effects of adopting the provision of ASU No. 2019-12.

In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other— Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force) (“ASU No. 2018-15”). ASU No. 2018-15 aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop internal-use software. Effective September 29, 2019 the company adopted the provisions of ASU 2018-15 on a prospective basis, and the impact was not material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815) (“ASU No. 2017-12”). ASU No. 2017-12 simplifies certain aspects of hedge accounting and results in a more accurate portrayal of the economics of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements. Effective January 1, 2019, the company adopted the provisions of ASU No. 2017-12 on a modified retrospective basis, and the impact was not material to our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (“Topic 326”). Topic 326 revises the methodology for measuring credit losses on financial instruments and the timing of when such losses are recorded. Effective January 1, 2020, the company will adopt the update using a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The new credit loss standard is not expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (“ASU No. 2016-02”). ASU No. 2016-02 requires the entity to recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by leased assets. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting expense recognition in the income statement. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-10, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases, and ASU No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) Targeted Improvements. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-01, Codification Improvements to Topic 842, Leases. These ASU's provide supplemental adoption guidance and clarification to ASU No. 2016-02, and must be adopted concurrently with the adoption of ASU No. 2016-02, cumulatively referred to as “Topic 842.”

On January 1, 2019, the company adopted Topic 842 applying the optional transition method, which allows an entity to apply the new standard at the adoption date with a cumulative effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. In addition, the company elected a package of practical expedients and the short-term lease exception outlined in Topic 842. As a result of adopting Topic 842, the company recognized assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by operating leases, refer to Note 15.