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Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Basis Of Presentation And Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Nature of Operations [Text Block]
Description of Business
Newell Rubbermaid (the “Company”) is a global marketer of consumer and commercial products that help people get more out of life every day, where they live, learn, work and play. The Company’s products are marketed under a strong portfolio of brands, including Sharpie®, Paper Mate®, Expo®, Prismacolor®, Mr. Sketch®, Elmer’s®, Parker®, Waterman®, Dymo®, Rubbermaid®, Contigo®, Goody®, Calphalon®, Irwin®, Lenox®, Rubbermaid Commercial Products®, Graco®, Aprica®and Baby Jogger®. The Company’s multi-product offering consists of well-known, name brand consumer and commercial products in five business segments: Writing, Home Solutions, Tools, Commercial Products and Baby & Parenting.

During 2014, the Company’s Endicia® and Culinary electrics and retail businesses were classified as discontinued operations based on the Company’s commitment in 2014 to sell the businesses. The Company completed the sale of Endicia in November 2015 and ceased operations in its Culinary electrics and retail businesses in the first quarter of 2015. During 2013, the Company divested its Hardware and Teach businesses. Accordingly, the results of operations of these businesses have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Principles of Consolidation
The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company, its majority-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities where the Company is the primary beneficiary, after elimination of intercompany transactions and balances.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Use of Estimates
The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires the use of certain estimates by management in determining the Company’s assets, liabilities, sales and expenses, and related disclosures. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Concentration Risk Disclosure [Text Block]
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company sells products to customers in diversified industries and geographic regions and, therefore, has no significant concentrations of credit risk. The Company continuously evaluates the creditworthiness of its customers and generally does not require collateral.
The Company evaluates the collectibility of accounts receivable based on a combination of factors. When aware of a specific customer’s inability to meet its financial obligations, such as in the case of bankruptcy filings or deterioration in the customer’s operating results or financial position, the Company records a specific reserve for bad debt to reduce the related receivable to the amount the Company reasonably believes is collectible. The Company also records reserves for bad debt for all other customers based on a variety of factors, including the length of time the receivables are past due and historical collection experience. Accounts are also reviewed for potential write-off on a case-by-case basis. Accounts deemed uncollectible are written off, net of expected recoveries. If circumstances related to specific customers change, the Company’s estimates of the recoverability of receivables could be further adjusted.
The Company’s forward exchange contracts do not subject the Company to risk due to foreign exchange rate movement, because gains and losses on these instruments generally offset gains and losses on the assets, liabilities and other transactions being hedged. The Company is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of non-performance by counterparties to certain derivative financial instruments. The Company does not obtain collateral or other security to support derivative financial instruments subject to credit risk, but monitors the credit standing of the counterparties.
The credit exposure that results from commodity, interest rate, foreign exchange and other derivatives is the fair value of contracts with a positive fair value as of the reporting date. The credit exposure on the Company’s foreign currency and interest rate derivatives at December 31, 2015 was $7.2 million and $2.3 million, respectively.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Sales Recognition and Customer Programs
Sales of merchandise and freight billed to customers are recognized when title passes and all substantial risks of ownership change, which generally occurs either upon shipment or upon delivery based upon contractual terms. Sales are net of provisions for cash discounts, returns, customer discounts (such as volume or trade discounts), cooperative advertising and other sales-related discounts and programs.
Under customer programs and arrangements that require sales incentives to be paid in advance, the Company amortizes the amount paid over the period of benefit or contractual sales volume. When incentives are paid in arrears, the Company accrues the estimated amount to be paid based on the program’s contractual terms, expected customer performance and/or estimated sales volume.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and highly liquid investments that have a maturity of three months or less when purchased.

Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market value using the last-in, first-out (LIFO) or first-in, first-out (FIFO) methods (see Footnote 6 for additional information). The Company reduces its inventory value for estimated obsolete and slow-moving inventory in an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the net realizable value based upon estimates about future demand and market conditions.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation expense is calculated principally on the straight-line basis. Useful lives determined by the Company are as follows: buildings and improvements (20-40 years) and machinery and equipment (3-15 years).
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Goodwill and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
The Company conducts its annual test for impairment of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets in the third quarter because it coincides with its annual strategic planning process.
The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually at the reporting unit level. The Company also tests for impairment if events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is below its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit is greater than the fair value, impairment may be present. The Company assesses the fair value of each reporting unit for its goodwill impairment test based on a discounted cash flow model, an earnings multiple or an actual sales offer received from a prospective buyer, if available. Estimates critical to the Company’s fair value estimates using earnings multiples include the projected financial performance of the reporting unit and the applicable earnings multiple. Estimates critical to the Company’s fair value estimates under the discounted cash flow model include projected financial performance and cash flows of the reporting unit, the discount rate, long-term sales growth rate, product costs and the working capital investment required.
The Company measures the amount of any goodwill impairment based upon the estimated fair value of the underlying assets and liabilities of the reporting unit, including any unrecognized intangible assets, and estimates the implied fair value of goodwill. An impairment charge is recognized to the extent the recorded goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill.
The Company evaluates indefinite-lived intangible assets (primarily trademarks and trade names) for impairment annually. The Company also tests for impairment if events and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of an indefinite-lived intangible asset is below its carrying amount. Estimates critical to the Company’s evaluation of indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment include the discount rate, royalty rates used in its evaluation of trade names, projected average revenue growth and projected long-term growth rates in the determination of terminal values. An impairment charge is recorded if the carrying amount of an indefinite-lived intangible asset exceeds the estimated fair value on the measurement date.
See Footnote 8 for additional detail on goodwill and other intangible assets.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Other Long-Lived Assets
The Company tests its other long-lived assets for impairment in accordance with relevant authoritative guidance. The Company evaluates if impairment indicators related to its property, plant and equipment and other long-lived assets are present. These impairment indicators may include a significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset or asset group, a significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or asset group is being used or in its physical condition, or a current period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group. If impairment indicators are present, the Company estimates the future cash flows for the asset or group of assets. The sum of the undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the asset or group of assets is compared to their carrying amount. The cash flows are estimated utilizing various projections of sales and expenses, working capital and proceeds from asset disposals on a basis consistent with the strategic plan. If the carrying amount exceeds the sum of the undiscounted future cash flows, the Company determines the assets’ fair value by discounting the future cash flows using a discount rate required for a similar investment of like risk and records an impairment charge as the difference between the fair value and the carrying value of the asset group. Generally, the Company performs its testing of the asset group at the product-line level, as this is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are available.
Shipping and Handling Cost, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Shipping and Handling Costs
The Company records shipping and handling costs as a component of cost of products sold.
Product Liability Reserve [Policy Text Block]
Product Liability Reserves
The Company has a self-insurance program for product liability that includes reserves for self-retained losses and certain excess and aggregate risk transfer insurance. The Company uses historical loss experience combined with actuarial evaluation methods, review of significant individual files and the application of risk transfer programs in determining required product liability reserves. The Company’s actuarial evaluation methods take into account claims incurred but not reported when determining the Company’s product liability reserve. While the Company believes that it has adequately reserved for these claims, the ultimate outcome of these matters may exceed the amounts recorded by the Company, and such additional losses may be material to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.
Standard Product Warranty, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Product Warranties
In the normal course of business, the Company offers warranties for a variety of its products. The specific terms and conditions of the warranties vary depending upon the specific product and markets in which the products were sold. The Company accrues for the estimated cost of product warranty at the time of sale based on historical experience.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Advertising Costs
The Company expenses production costs of print, radio, television and other advertisements as of the first date the advertisements take place, and the Company expenses all other advertising and marketing costs when incurred.
Research and Development Expense, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs relating to both future and current products are charged to selling, general and administrative expenses as incurred.
Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative financial instruments are generally used to manage certain commodity, interest rate and foreign currency risks. These instruments primarily include interest rate swaps, forward starting interest rate swaps, forward exchange contracts and options. The Company’s forward exchange contracts and options do not subject the Company to exchange rate risk because gains and losses on these instruments generally offset gains and losses on the assets, liabilities and other transactions being hedged. However, these instruments, when settled, impact the Company’s cash flows from operations to the extent the underlying transaction being hedged is not simultaneously settled due to an extension, a renewal or otherwise.
On the date when the Company enters into a derivative, the derivative is designated as a hedge of the identified exposure. The Company measures effectiveness of its hedging relationships both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis.
Derivatives
The use of financial instruments, including derivatives, exposes the Company to market risk related to changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. The Company primarily uses derivatives to manage its interest rate exposure, to achieve a desired proportion of variable and fixed-rate debt, to manage the risk associated with the volatility of future cash flows denominated in foreign currencies and to manage changes in fair value resulting from changes in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
Fair Value Hedges-Interest Rate Swap Agreements
The Company enters into interest rate swap agreements related to existing debt obligations with initial maturities ranging from five to ten years. The Company’s interest rate swap agreements have the economic effect of modifying the fixed interest obligations associated with approximately $596.0 million of the medium-term notes so that the interest payable on these medium-term notes effectively became variable. The Company uses these interest rate swap agreements to manage its interest rate exposure and to achieve a desired proportion of variable- and fixed-rate debt. The critical terms of the interest rate swap agreements match the critical terms of the medium-term notes that the interest rate swap agreements pertain to, including the notional amounts and maturity dates. These transactions are characterized as fair value hedges for financial accounting purposes because they protect the Company against changes in the fair values of certain fixed-rate borrowings due to benchmark interest rate movements. The changes in fair values of these interest rate swap agreements are recognized as interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations with the corresponding amounts included in other assets or other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The amount of net gain (loss) attributable to the risk being hedged is recognized as interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations with the corresponding amount included in Current Portion of Long-term Debt and Long-term Debt. The periodic interest settlements for the interest rate swap agreements are included as interest expense and are included as a part of cash flows from operating activities.
Cash Flow Hedges-Forward-Starting Interest Rate Swaps
The Company also uses derivatives to hedge interest rates on anticipated issuances of medium-term notes occurring within one year or less of the inception date of the derivative, and the Company uses these instruments to reduce the volatility in future interest payments that would be made pursuant to the anticipated issuances of medium-term notes. These derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges. The changes in fair values of these instruments are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), and after the medium-term notes are issued and the derivative instruments are settled, the amount in other comprehensive income (loss) is amortized to interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations over the term of the related medium-term notes. The cash paid or received from the settlement of forward-starting interest rate swaps is included in cash flows from operating activities.
Cash Flow Hedges-Cross-Currency Swap Agreements
The Company’s foreign exchange risk management policy emphasizes hedging foreign currency intercompany financing activities with derivatives with maturity dates of three years or less. The Company uses derivative instruments, such as cross-currency swap agreements, to hedge currency risk associated with foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities associated with intercompany financing activities. In connection with intercompany financing arrangements entered into in April 2015, the Company entered into two cross-currency swap agreements to manage the related foreign currency exchange risk of the intercompany financing arrangements. As of December 31, 2015, the notional value of outstanding cross-currency interest rate swaps was $189.1 million, and the cross-currency swaps are intended to eliminate uncertainty in cash flows in U.S. Dollars and British Pounds in connection with the intercompany financing arrangements. The cross-currency swap agreements have been designated as qualifying hedging instruments and are accounted for as cash flow hedges. The critical terms of the cross-currency swap agreements correspond to the terms of the intercompany financing arrangements, including the annual principal and interest payments being hedged, and the cross-currency swap agreements mature at the same time as the intercompany financing arrangements.
The Company uses the hypothetical derivative method to measure the effectiveness of its cross-currency swap agreements. The fair values of these cross-currency swap agreements are recognized as other assets or other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The effective portions of the changes in fair values of these cross-currency swap agreements are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Balance Sheets and an amount is reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into other expense, net, in the same period that the carrying value of the underlying foreign currency intercompany financing arrangements are remeasured. The ineffective portion of the unrealized gains and losses on these cross-currency swaps, if any, is recorded immediately to other expense, net. The Company evaluates the effectiveness of its cross-currency swap agreements on a quarterly basis, and the Company did not record any ineffectiveness for the year ended December 31, 2015. The cash flows related to the cross-currency swap agreements, including amounts related to the periodic interest settlements and the principal balances, will be included in cash flows from operating activities.
Cash Flow Hedges-Foreign Currency Forward Contracts
The Company’s foreign exchange risk management policy generally emphasizes hedging certain transaction exposures of 18- month durations or less. The Company transacts business in various foreign currencies and periodically enters into primarily foreign currency forward contracts to offset the risks associated with the effects of certain foreign currency exposures, and the Company has designated such instruments as hedges of probable forecasted foreign currency denominated sales or purchases. As of December 31, 2015, the notional amounts of the forward contracts held to purchase U.S. Dollars in exchange for other major international currencies was $185.2 million, and the notional amounts of additional forward contracts held to buy and sell international currencies were $82.6 million. The net gains (losses) related to these forward contracts are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged transaction occurs or when the hedged transaction is no longer probable of occurring. The net gains (losses) in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are generally reclassified to cost of products sold in the Consolidated Statements of Operations because the forward currency contracts generally hedge purchases of inventory. The cash flows related to these foreign currency contracts are included in cash flows from operating activities.
Hedging instruments are not available for certain currencies in countries in which the Company has operations. In these cases, the Company uses alternative means in an effort to achieve an economic offset to the local currency exposure such as invoicing and/or paying intercompany and third party transactions in U.S. Dollars.
The Company reports its derivative positions in the Consolidated Balance Sheets on a gross basis and does not net asset and liability derivative positions with the same counterparty. The Company monitors its positions with, and the credit quality of, the financial institutions that are parties to its financial transactions. Gains and losses from changes in fair values of derivatives that are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes are recognized currently in earnings, and such amounts were not material for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
Gains and losses resulting from the settlement of interest rate swaps designated and effective as hedges are deferred and amortized as adjustments to interest expense over the remaining term of the debt covered by the interest rate swaps. The cash paid and received from the settlement of interest rate swaps is included in cash provided by operating activities in accrued liabilities and other in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Interest Rate Risk Management [Policy Text Block]
Interest Rate Risk Management
Gains and losses on interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges, to the extent that the hedge relationship has been effective, are deferred in other comprehensive income (loss) and recognized in interest expense over the period in which the Company recognizes interest expense on the related debt instrument. The fair value of interest rate swaps on long-term debt designated as fair value hedges, to the extent the hedge relationship is effective, are recorded as an asset or liability with a corresponding adjustment to the carrying value of the debt. Any ineffectiveness on these instruments is immediately recognized in interest expense in the period that the ineffectiveness occurs.
Gains or losses resulting from settled forward starting interest rate swaps previously designated as cash flow hedges are deferred and recognized in other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, and amortized as an adjustment to interest expense over the period originally covered by the swap. Gains or losses resulting from the early termination of interest rate swaps previously designated as fair value hedges are deferred as an increase or decrease to the carrying value of the related debt and amortized as an adjustment to the yield of the related debt instrument over the remaining period originally covered by the swap. The cash received or paid relating to interest rate swaps is included in accrued liabilities and other as an operating activity in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]
Foreign Currency Management

The Company’s foreign exchange risk management policy emphasizes hedging foreign currency intercompany financing activities with derivatives with maturity dates of three years or less. The Company uses derivative instruments, such as cross-currency swap agreements, to hedge currency risk associated with foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities associated with intercompany financing activities. The Company uses the hypothetical derivative method to measure the effectiveness of its cross-currency swap agreements. The effective portions of the changes in fair values of cross-currency swap agreements are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and an amount is reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into other expense, net, in the same period that the carrying value of the underlying foreign currency intercompany financing arrangements are remeasured. The ineffective portion of the unrealized gains and losses on cross-currency swaps, if any, is recorded immediately to other expense, net. The Company evaluates the effectiveness of cross-currency swap agreements on a quarterly basis. The cash flows related to the cross-currency swap agreements, including amounts related to the periodic interest settlements and the principal balances, are included in cash flows from operating activities.
The Company utilizes forward exchange contracts and options to manage foreign exchange risk related to both known and anticipated intercompany transactions and third-party commercial transaction exposures of approximately one year in duration or less. For instruments designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the changes in fair value of these instruments is reported in other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods in which the hedged transactions affect earnings. Any ineffective portion is immediately recognized in earnings. The earnings impact of cash flow hedges relating to forecasted purchases of inventory is generally reported in cost of products sold to match the underlying transaction being hedged. For instruments designated as fair value hedges, the changes in fair value are reported in earnings, generally offsetting the change in value of the underlying instrument being hedged. Gains and losses related to qualifying forward exchange contracts, which hedge certain anticipated transactions, are recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) until the underlying transaction occurs. For hedged forecasted transactions, hedge accounting is discontinued if the forecasted transaction is no longer probable of occurring, in which case previously deferred hedging gains or losses would be recorded to earnings immediately.
The fair values of foreign currency hedging instruments are recorded within Prepaid expenses and other, Other assets, Other accrued liabilities and Other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets based on the maturities of the derivative instruments at December 31, 2015 and 2014.
Foreign Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at the rates of exchange in effect at year-end. The related translation adjustments are made directly to accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Income and expenses are translated at the average monthly rates of exchange in effect during the year. Gains and losses from foreign currency transactions of these subsidiaries are included in net income (loss). International subsidiaries operating in highly inflationary economies remeasure nonmonetary assets at historical rates, while net monetary assets are remeasured at current rates, with the resulting remeasurement adjustment included in net income (loss) as other expense, net.
The Company designates certain foreign currency denominated, long-term intercompany financing transactions as being of a long-term investment nature and records gains and losses on the transactions arising from changes in exchange rates as translation adjustments.

Inflationary Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Venezuelan Operations
Until December 31, 2015, the Company accounted for its Venezuelan operations using highly inflationary accounting, and therefore, the Company remeasured assets, liabilities, sales and expenses denominated in Bolivar Fuertes (“Bolivars”) into U.S. Dollars using the applicable exchange rate, and the resulting translation adjustments were included in earnings.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for deferred income taxes using the asset and liability approach. Under this approach, deferred income taxes are recognized based on the tax effects of temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities, as measured by current enacted tax rates. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce the deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized. No provision is made for the U.S. income taxes on the undistributed earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries that are considered to be permanently invested.
The Company’s income tax provisions are based on calculations and assumptions that are subject to examination by various worldwide tax authorities. Although the Company believes that the positions taken on previously filed tax returns are reasonable, it has established tax, interest and penalty reserves in recognition that various taxing authorities may challenge the positions taken, which could result in additional liabilities for taxes, interest and penalties. The Company regularly reviews its deferred tax assets for recoverability considering historical profitability, projected future taxable income, the expected timing of the reversals of existing temporary differences and tax planning strategies.
The authoritative guidance requires application of a “more likely than not” threshold to the recognition and derecognition of tax positions. The Company’s ongoing assessments of the more likely than not outcomes of tax authority examinations and related tax positions require significant judgment and can increase or decrease the Company’s effective tax rate, as well as impact operating results.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation expense is adjusted for estimated forfeitures and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award, which is generally three years for stock options and one to three years for restricted stock units and performance-based restricted stock units. The Company estimates future forfeiture rates based on its historical experience. See Footnote 15 for additional information.
Stock Options
The Company has issued both nonqualified and incentive stock options at exercise prices equal to the Company’s common stock price on the date of grant with contractual terms of ten years. Stock options issued by the Company generally vest and are expensed ratably over three years. For options granted prior to 2008, options become fully vested and are exercisable for one year following termination due to death, disability or retirement at age 65 or older. For options granted since the beginning of 2008, options fully vest and are exercisable for a period of time depending on the employee’s age and years of service in the case of retirement (as defined in the stock option agreement). Stock option grants are generally subject to forfeiture if employment terminates prior to vesting, except upon retirement, in which case the options may remain outstanding and exercisable for the remaining contractual term of the option. The Company has not granted stock options since 2011.
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units
Awards of time-based restricted stock units are independent of stock option grants and are generally subject to forfeiture if employment terminates prior to vesting. The awards generally cliff-vest one to three years or vest ratably over three years from the date of grant. In the case of retirement (as defined in the award agreement), awards vest depending on the employee’s age and years of service. The time-based restricted stock units have rights to dividend equivalents payable in cash. The Company expenses the cost of restricted stock units ratably over the vesting period, net of estimated forfeitures.
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units
Performance-based restricted stock unit awards represent the right to receive unrestricted shares of stock based on the achievement of Company performance objectives and/or individual performance goals established by the Organizational Development & Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors. The performance-based restricted stock units generally entitle recipients to shares of common stock equal to 0% up to 200% of the number of units granted at the vesting date, depending on the level of achievement of the specified market and performance conditions (“Performance-Based RSUs”). With respect to Performance-Based RSUs granted prior to 2015, the number of shares in which the participant vests is based on the Company’s total shareholder return relative to its peer group over a three-year period (“Relative TSR Metric”). For Performance-Based RSUs granted in 2015, the number of shares in which the participant will vest is based on three criteria, including the Relative TSR Metric, a sales growth metric and an earnings growth metric.
Other performance-based restricted stock units entitle the recipient to shares of common stock if specified market and performance conditions are achieved and vest no earlier than one year from the date of grant and no later than seven years from the date of grant (“Stock-Price Based RSUs”).

The grant date fair value of the Performance-Based RSUs subject to the Relative TSR Metric and certain Stock-Price Based RSUs is estimated using Monte Carlo simulation, with the primary input into such valuation being the expected future volatility of the Company’s common stock, and if applicable, the volatilities of the common stocks of the companies in the Company’s peer group, upon which the relative total shareholder return performance is measured. The fair values of these awards generally approximate the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. For Performance-Based RSUs and Stock-Price Based RSUs whose vesting is dependent on a sales growth, earnings growth or other performance metric, the Company assesses the probability of achievement of such metrics each period and records expense for the awards based on the probable achievement of such metrics.
Performance-based restricted stock units are not subject to the payment of dividend equivalents in the same manner as time-based restricted stock units. Rather, with respect to performance-based restricted stock units, dividend equivalents are credited to the recipient and are paid only to the extent the applicable performance criteria are met and the performance-based restricted stock units vest and the related stock is issued. In the case of retirement (as defined in the award agreement), awards vest depending on the employee’s age and years of service, subject to the satisfaction of the applicable performance criteria.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Policy
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Changes to U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) are established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) in the form of accounting standards updates (“ASUs”) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification. The Company considers the applicability and impact of all ASUs.
In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity.” Under ASU 2014-08, only disposals representing a strategic shift in operations that have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results are presented as discontinued operations. This guidance requires expanded disclosure that provides information about the assets, liabilities, income and expenses of discontinued operations. Additionally, the guidance requires additional disclosure for a disposal of a significant part of an entity that does not qualify for discontinued operations reporting. The Company adopted ASU 2014-08 on January 1, 2015, and the adoption did not impact the Company’s financial statements and disclosures. As required by ASU 2014-08, the businesses classified as discontinued operations as of December 31, 2014 continued to be classified as such after January 1, 2015.
In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers. Accounting Standard Codification 605 — Revenue Recognition.” ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in “Accounting Standard Codification 605 — Revenue Recognition” and most industry-specific guidance. ASU 2014-09 requires that entities recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which a company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU 2014-09 permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is currently assessing the impact ASU 2014-09 will have on its financial position and results of operations.
In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-01, “Income Statement—Extraordinary and Unusual Items (Subtopic 225-20), Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items,” which simplifies income statement presentation by eliminating the concept of extraordinary items. Previously, events or transactions that were both unusual in nature and infrequent in occurrence for a business entity were considered to be extraordinary items and required separate presentation, net of tax, after income from continuing operations. The presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently will be retained and will be expanded to include items that are both unusual and infrequently occurring. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not adopted ASU 2015-01, but the adoption of ASU 2015-01 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810),” which amends previous guidance surrounding the consolidation model when assessing control over a legal entity and the primary beneficiary determination. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not adopted ASU 2015-02, but the adoption of ASU 2015-02 is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03, “Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs,” which changes the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. ASU 2015-03 requires an entity to present such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. The guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company has not adopted ASU 2015-03, but the adoption of ASU 2015-03 is expected to reduce the Company’s long-term assets and long-term debt by approximately $20.9 million upon adoption.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” which modifies existing requirements regarding measuring first-in, first-out and average cost inventory at the lower of cost or market. Under existing standards, the market amount requires consideration of replacement cost, net realizable value (“NRV”), and NRV less an approximately normal profit margin. ASU 2015-11 replaces market with NRV, defined as estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This eliminates the need to determine and consider replacement cost or NRV less an approximately normal profit margin when measuring inventory. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently assessing the impact ASU 2015-11 will have on its financial position and results of operations.
In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, “Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments,” which requires an acquirer in a business combination to recognize measurement-period adjustments during the period in which the acquirer determines the amounts, including the effect on earnings of any amounts the acquirer would have recorded in previous periods if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date, as opposed to retrospectively. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2015-16 in the third quarter of 2015, and the adoption did not have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes,” which simplifies the reporting of deferred tax positions, requiring deferred tax assets and liabilities to be classified as noncurrent in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, as opposed to current and noncurrent classification under current GAAP. This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted ASU 2015-17 on a retrospective basis in the fourth quarter of 2015, and the adoption resulted in deferred tax assets and liabilities being presented as noncurrent on the Company’s consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2015 and 2014. The adoption of ASU 2015-17 retrospectively resulted in a $134.4 million and $2.1 million reduction in current deferred tax assets and liabilities, respectively, and a $17.6 million increase and $114.7 million decrease in noncurrent deferred tax assets and liabilities, respectively, as of December 31, 2014.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability for all leases with terms of more than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a finance or operating lease. ASU 2016-02 is effective for the Company on January 1, 2019. The Company is beginning to evaluate the impact the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Other recently issued ASUs were assessed and determined to be either not applicable or are expected to have a minimal impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position and results of operations.