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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Oct. 29, 2017

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [Abstract]

Business

Photronics, Inc. and its subsidiaries ("Photronics", the "Company", “we”, “our”, or “us”) is one of the world's leading manufacturers of photomasks, which are high precision photographic quartz plates containing microscopic images of electronic circuits. Photomasks are a key element in the manufacture of semiconductors and flat panel displays ("FPDs"), and are used as masters to transfer circuit patterns onto semiconductor wafers and flat panel display substrates during the fabrication of integrated circuits ("ICs" or semiconductors) and a variety of FPDs and, to a lesser extent, other types of electrical and optical components. The Company currently operates principally from nine manufacturing facilities; two of which are located in Europe, three in Taiwan, one in Korea, and three in the United States. We have announced plans to construct two manufacturing facilities in China. See Note 19 for additional information.

Consolidation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Photronics, Inc. and majority-owned subsidiaries that it controls. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Estimates and Assumptions

Estimates and Assumptions

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported in them. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Our estimates are based on the facts and circumstances available at the time they are made. Actual results we report may differ from such estimates. We review these estimates periodically and reflect any effects of revisions in the period in which they are determined.

Fiscal Year

Our fiscal year ends on the Sunday closest to October thirty-first, and, as a result, a 53-week year occurs every 5 to 6 years. Fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 each included 52 weeks.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 3 months or less. The carrying values of cash equivalents approximate their fair values, due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We generally record our trade accounts receivable at their billed amounts. All outstanding past due customer invoices are reviewed during and at the end of every reporting period for collectability. When, in the judgment of management, a loss on the collection of a customer invoice is probable, the amount is charged to expense and credited to the allowance for doubtful accounts. When the amount is determined to be uncollectible, the amount is charged to the allowance for doubtful accounts, and the related receivable is eliminated.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined under the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method, or market. Presented below are the components of inventory at the balance sheet dates:

		October 29 2017				October 30, 2016

Finished goods		$	664			$	142
Work in process			2,957				2,987
Raw materials			20,082				18,952
		$	23,703			$	22,081

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment, except as explained below under "Impairment of Long-Lived Assets," is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Repairs and maintenance, as well as renewals and replacements of a routine nature, are charged to operations as incurred, while those that improve, or extend the lives of, existing assets are capitalized. Upon sale or other disposition, the cost of the asset and its related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in earnings.

Depreciation and amortization, substantially all of which are included in cost of goods sold, are computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over 15 to 40 years, machinery and equipment over 3 to 10 years, and furniture, fixtures and office equipment over 3 to 5 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is less. We employ judgment and assumptions when we establish estimated useful lives and depreciation periods, as well as when we periodically review property, plant and equipment for any potential impairment in carrying values, whenever events such as a significant industry downturn, plant closures, technological obsolescence, or other change in circumstances indicate that their carrying amounts may not be recoverable.

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist primarily of a technology license agreement and acquisition-related intangibles. These assets, except as explained below, are stated at fair value as of the date acquired, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is calculated based on the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from 3 to 15 years, using the straight-line method or another method that more fairly represents the utilization of the assets.

We periodically evaluate the remaining useful lives of our intangible assets to determine whether events or circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining periods of amortization. In the event that the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life has changed, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset is amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life. If it is determined that an intangible asset has an indefinite useful life, that intangible asset would be subject to impairment testing annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that its carrying value may not, based on future undiscounted cash flows or market factors, be recoverable; and an impairment loss would be recorded in the period where the impairment determination is made. The amount of the impairment loss recorded would be based on the fair value of the intangible asset at the measurement date.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determinations of recoverability are based upon our judgment and estimates of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the assets and their eventual disposition. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets that we expect to hold and use is based on the fair value of the assets determined using a market or income approach compared to the carrying value of the asset. The carrying values of assets determined to be impaired are reduced to their estimated fair values.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations

When acquiring other businesses, or participating in mergers or joint ventures in which we are deemed to be the acquirer, we generally recognize identifiable assets acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interests at their acquisition date fair values, separately from any goodwill that may be required to be recognized. Goodwill, when recognizable, would be measured as the excess amount of any consideration transferred, which is generally measured at fair value, over the acquisition date fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed.

Accounting for such transactions requires us to make significant assumptions and estimates and, although we believe any estimates and assumptions we make to be reasonable and appropriate at the time they are made, unanticipated events and circumstances may arise that affect their accuracy, which may cause actual results to differ from those we estimated. When required, we will adjust the values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed against the acquisition gain or goodwill, as initially recorded, for a period of up to one year after the transaction.

Costs incurred to effect a merger or acquisition, such as legal, accounting, valuation and other third party costs, as well as internal general and administrative costs incurred are charged to expense in the periods incurred. Costs incurred to issue any debt and equity securities are recognized in accordance with other applicable generally accepted accounting principles.

Investments in Joint Ventures

Investments in Joint Ventures

The financial results of investments in joint ventures of which we have a controlling financial interest are included in our consolidated financial statements. Investments in joint ventures over which we have the ability to exercise significant influence and that, in general, are at least 20 percent owned are accounted for under the equity method. An impairment loss would be recognized whenever a decrease in the fair value of such an investment below its carrying amount is determined to be other than temporary. In judging “other than temporary,” we would consider the length of time and the extent to which the fair value of the investment has been less than the carrying amount of the investment, the near-term and longer-term operating and financial prospects of the investee, and our longer-term intent of retaining our investment in the investee.

Variable Interest Entities

Variable Interest Entities

We account for the investments we make in certain legal entities in which equity investors do not have 1) sufficient equity at risk for the legal entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support or, 2) as a group, the holders of the equity investment at risk do not have either the power, through voting or similar rights, to direct the activities of the legal entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance or, 3) the obligation to absorb the expected losses of the legal entity or the right to receive expected residual returns of the legal entity as “variable interest entities”, or “VIEs”.

We would consolidate the results of any such entity in which we determined that we have a controlling financial interest. We would have a “controlling financial interest” in such an entity when we have both the power to direct the activities that most significantly affect the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb the losses of, or right to receive the benefits from, the VIE that could be potentially significant to the VIE. On a quarterly basis, we would reassess whether we have a controlling financial interest in any investments we have in these certain legal entities.

We account for investments we make in VIEs in which we have determined that we do not have a controlling financial interest but have a significant influence over, and hold at least a 20 percent ownership interest in, using the equity method. Any such investment not meeting the parameters to be accounted for under the equity method would be accounted for using the cost method, unless the investment had a readily determinable fair value, at which value it would then be reported.

Income Taxes

The income tax provision is computed on the basis of the various tax jurisdictions’ income or loss before income taxes. Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and their amounts used for income tax purposes, as well as the tax effects of net operating losses and tax credit carryforwards. We use judgment and make assumptions to determine if valuation allowances for deferred income tax assets are required, if their realization is not more likely than not, by considering future market growth, operating forecasts, future taxable income, and the mix of earnings among the tax jurisdictions in which we operate. Accordingly, income taxes charged against earnings may have been impacted by changes in the valuation allowances.

We consider income taxes in each of the tax jurisdictions in which we operate in order to determine our effective income tax rate. Our current income tax expense is thus identified, and temporary differences resulting from differing treatments of items for tax and financial reporting purposes are assessed. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included in our consolidated balance sheets.

We account for uncertain tax positions by recording a liability for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in our tax returns. We include any applicable interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in our income tax provision.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is based on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period, excluding any dilutive common share equivalents. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if certain share-based payment awards or financial instruments were exercised, earned or converted.

Research and Development

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, and consist primarily of development efforts related to high-end process technologies for advanced sub-wavelength reticle solutions for IC photomask technologies.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation

Our non-US subsidiaries maintain their accounts in their respective local currencies. Assets and liabilities of such subsidiaries are translated to U.S. dollars at year-end exchange rates. Income and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. Foreign currency translation adjustments are accumulated and reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of equity. The effects of changes in exchange rates on foreign currency transactions, which are included in interest income and other income (expense) were a net gain/(loss) of $(5.2) million, $(0.3) million and $2.5 million in fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling Interests

Noncontrolling interests represents the minority shareholders’ proportionate share in the equity of the Company’s two majority-owned subsidiaries, Photronics DNP Mask Corporation (“PDMC”) in Taiwan, of which noncontrolling interests owned 49.99% as of October 29, 2017 and October 30, 2016, and PK Ltd. (“PKL”) in Korea of which noncontrolling shareholders owned approximately 0.3% as of October 29, 2017 and October 30, 2016.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue when there is persuasive evidence that an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the sales price of the transaction is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is determined by the shipping terms of the individual revenue transactions. For transactions with FOB destination or similar shipping terms, delivery occurs when our product reaches its destination and is received by the customer. For transactions with FOB shipping point terms, delivery occurs when our product is received by the common carrier. We use judgment when estimating the effect on revenue of discounts and sales incentives, both of which are accrued when the related revenue is recognized. Our revenue is reported net of any sales taxes billed to customers.

Product Warranty

Product Warranty

For a 30-day period, we warrant that items sold will conform to customer specifications. However, our liability is limited to the repair or replacement of the photomasks at our sole option. We inspect photomasks for conformity to customer specifications prior to shipment. Accordingly, customer claims related to items under warranty have historically been insignificant. Our warranty policy includes accepting returns of products with defects, or products that have not been produced to precise customer specifications.