Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2017

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

Raven Industries, Inc. (the Company or Raven) is a diversified technology company providing a variety of products to customers within the industrial, agricultural, geomembrane (which includes energy), construction, and aerospace/defense markets. The Company conducts this business through the following direct and indirect subsidiaries: Aerostar International, Inc. (Aerostar); Vista Research, Inc. (Vista); Raven International Holding Company BV (Raven Holdings); Raven Industries Canada, Inc. (Raven Canada); SBG Innovatie BV; Navtronics BVBA; Raven Industries GmbH (Raven GmbH); Raven Industries Australia Pty Ltd (Raven Australia) and Raven Do Brazil Participacoes E Servicos Technicos LTDA (Raven Brazil). The Company and these subsidiaries comprise three unique operating units, or divisions, classified into reportable segments (Applied Technology, Engineered Films, and Aerostar).

The consolidated financial statements for the periods included herein have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned or controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Noncontrolling Interest

Noncontrolling interests represent capital contributions, income and loss attributable to the owners of less than wholly-owned and consolidated entities. The Company owns 75% of a business venture to pursue potential product and support services contracts for agencies and instrumentalities of the United States government. The business venture, Aerostar Integrated Systems (AIS), is included in the Aerostar business segment. No capital contributions have been made by the noncontrolling interest since the initial capitalization in fiscal year 2014. Given the Company's majority ownership interest, the accounts of the business venture have been consolidated with the accounts of the Company, and a noncontrolling interest has been recorded for the noncontrolling investor's interests in the net assets and operations of the business venture.

Equity Investments

In February 2016, the Applied Technology Division acquired an interest of approximately 5% in Ag-Eagle Aerial Systems, Inc. (AgEagle).

AgEagle is considered a variable interest entity (VIE) and the Company’s equity ownership interest in AgEagle is considered a variable interest. The Company accounts for its investment in AgEagle under the equity method of accounting as the Company has the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating policies of AgEagle through the Company's representation on AgEagle's Board of Directors and the exclusive distribution agreement between the companies discussed in Note 5 Acquisitions of and Investments in Businesses and Technologies. However, the Company is not the primary beneficiary as the Company does not have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb the majority of the losses or the right to receive the majority of the benefits of the VIE.

The Company also owns an interest of approximately 22% in Site-Specific Technology Development Group, Inc. (SST). The Company has significant influence, but neither a controlling interest nor a majority interest in the risks or rewards of SST and as such, this affiliate investment is accounted for using the equity method.

The investment balances for both AgEagle and SST are included in “Other assets” while the Company's share of the results of AgEagle and SST operations is included in “Other (expense), net.”

The Company considers whether the value of any of its equity method investments has been impaired whenever adverse events or changes in circumstances indicate that recorded values may not be recoverable. If the Company considered any such decline to be other than temporary (based on various factors, including historical financial results, product development activities, and the overall health of the affiliate's industry), an impairment loss would be recorded.

Use of Estimates

Preparing the financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. The Company's forecasts, based principally on estimates, are critical inputs to asset valuations such as those for inventory or goodwill. These assumptions and estimates require significant judgment and actual results could differ from assumed and estimated amounts.

Foreign Currency

The Company's subsidiaries that operate outside the United States use the local currency as their functional currency. The functional currency is translated into U.S. dollars for balance sheet accounts using the period-end exchange rates and average exchange rates for the statement of income and comprehensive income. Adjustments resulting from financial statement translations are included as foreign currency translation adjustments in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” within shareholders' equity. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses are recognized in the period incurred and are included in “Other (expense), net” in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income. Foreign currency transaction gains or losses on intercompany notes receivable and notes payable denominated in foreign currencies for which settlement is not planned in the foreseeable future are considered part the net investment and are reported in the same manner as foreign currency translation adjustments.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid instruments with original maturities of three or fewer months to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalent balances are principally concentrated in checking, money market, and savings accounts. Certificates of deposit that mature in over 90 days but less than one year are considered short-term investments. Certificates of deposit that mature in one year or more are considered to be other long-term assets and are carried at cost.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount, do not bear interest, and are considered past due based on invoice terms. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses. This is based on historical write-off experience by segment and an estimate of the collectability of past due accounts.

Inventory Valuation

Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market, with cost determined on the first-in, first-out basis. Market value encompasses consideration of all business factors including expected future sales, price, contract terms, and usefulness.

Pre-Contract Costs

From time to time, the Company incurs costs to begin fulfilling the statement of work under a specific anticipated contract still being negotiated with the customer. If the Company determines that it is probable it will be awarded the specific anticipated contract, the pre-contract costs incurred, excluding start-up costs which are expensed as incurred, are deferred to the balance sheet and included in "Inventories." Deferred pre-contract costs are periodically reviewed and assessed for recoverability under the contract based on the Company’s assessment of the nature of the costs, the probability and timing of the award, and other relevant facts and circumstances. Write-offs of pre-contract costs are charged to cost of sales when it becomes probable that such costs will not be recoverable. No pre-contract costs were included in "Inventories" at January 31, 2017, 2016, or 2015.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment held for use is carried at the asset's cost and depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. With the prospective adoption of the straight-line method of depreciation for manufacturing equipment, office equipment, and furniture and fixtures placed in service on or after February 1, 2015, the Company no longer primarily uses accelerated methods of computing depreciation. This change was made as a straight-line method of depreciation more accurately reflects the economic consumption of these assets than did the accelerated method previously used. This prospective change in the depreciation method did not have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations for the fiscal years ended January 31, 2017 or 2016.

The estimated useful lives used for computing depreciation are as follows:



Building and improvements	15 - 39 years
Manufacturing equipment by segment
Applied Technology	3 - 5 years
Engineered Films	5 - 12 years
Aerostar	3 - 5 years
Furniture, fixtures, office equipment, and other	3 - 7 years

The cost of maintenance and repairs is charged to expense in the period incurred, and renewals and betterments are capitalized. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or disposed are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations.

The Company capitalizes certain internal costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal-use software in accordance with the accounting guidance for such costs. There were no internal capitalized software costs during fiscal year 2017, 2016, or 2015. The costs are included in “Property, plant and equipment, net” on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Software costs that do not meet capitalization criteria are expensed as incurred. Amortization expense related to capitalized software is computed on the straight-line basis over the estimated lives ranging from 3 to 5 years and is included in depreciation expense.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as an exit price representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. The Company uses the established fair value hierarchy, which classifies or prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These classifications include:

Level 1 - Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore, requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.

The Company's financial assets required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis include cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments. The Company determines fair value of its cash equivalents and short-term investments through quoted market prices. The fair values of accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate carrying values because of the short-term nature of these instruments.

The Company's goodwill and long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These valuations are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable.

For all acquisitions, the Company is required to measure the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets acquired. In addition, the Company determines the estimated fair value of contingent consideration as of the acquisition date, and subsequently at the end of each reporting period. These valuations are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable. Fair value measurements associated with acquisitions, including acquisition-related contingent liabilities, are described in Note 5 Acquisition of and Investments in Businesses and Technologies.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets, primarily comprised of technologies acquired through acquisition, are recorded at cost and are presented net of accumulated amortization. Amortization is computed using the method that best approximates the pattern of economic benefits which the asset provides. The Company has used both the straight-line method and the undiscounted cash flows method to appropriately allocate the cost of intangible assets to earnings in each reporting period.

The straight-line method allocates the cost of such intangible assets ratably over the asset’s life. Under the undiscounted cash flow method, the estimated cash flow attributable to each year of an intangible asset’s life is calculated as a percentage of the total of the cash flows over the asset’s life and that percentage is applied to the initial value of the asset to determine the annual amortization to be recorded.

Intangible assets also include patents, trademarks, and other product rights attained to protect the Company’s intellectual property.

The estimated useful lives of the Company’s intangible assets range from 3 to 20 years.

Goodwill

The Company recognizes goodwill as the excess cost of an acquired business over the net amount assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Acquisition earn-out payments are accrued at fair value as of the purchase date and payments reduce the accrual without affecting goodwill. Any change in the fair value of the contingent consideration after the acquisition date is recognized in "Cost of sales" in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income.

Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis during the fourth quarter and between annual tests whenever a triggering event indicates there may be an impairment. Impairment tests of goodwill are performed at the reporting unit level. A qualitative impairment assessment over relevant events and circumstances may be assessed to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If events and circumstances indicate the fair value of a reporting unit may be less than its carrying value, then the fair values are estimated based on discounted cash flows and are compared with the corresponding carrying value of the reporting unit. If the fair value of the reporting unit is less than the carrying amount, the amount of the impairment loss must be measured and then recognized to the extent the carrying value of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value. When performing goodwill impairment testing, the fair values of reporting units are determined based on valuation techniques using the best available information, primarily discounted cash flow projections. Such valuations are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable (Level 3 fair value measures).

Long-Lived Assets

The Company periodically assesses the recoverability of long-lived and intangible assets. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds the estimated undiscounted cash flows used in determining the fair value of the asset group. The amount of the impairment loss to be recorded is the excess of the carrying value of the assets within the group over their fair value. When performing long-lived assets impairment testing, the fair values of assets are determined based on valuation techniques using the best available information. Such valuations are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable (Level 3 fair value measures).

Long-lived assets determined to be held for sale and classified as such in accordance with the applicable guidance are reported as long-term assets at the lower of the asset's carrying amount or fair value less the estimated cost to sell. Depreciation is not recorded once a long-lived asset has been classified as held for sale.

Acquisition-related contingent consideration represents an obligation of the Company to transfer additional assets or equity interests if specified future events occur or conditions are met. This contingency is accounted for at fair value either as a liability or equity depending on the terms of the acquisition agreement. The Company determines the estimated fair value of contingent consideration as of the acquisition date, and subsequently at the end of each reporting period. In doing so, the Company makes significant estimates and assumptions regarding future events or conditions being achieved under the subject contingent agreement as well as the appropriate discount rate to apply. Such valuations are derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are not observable (Level 3 fair value measures).

Insurance Obligations

The Company utilizes insurance policies to cover workers' compensation and general liability costs. Liabilities are accrued related to claims filed and estimates for claims incurred but not reported. To the extent these obligations are expected to be reimbursed by insurance, the probable insurance policy benefit is included as a component of "Other current assets."

Contingencies

The Company is involved as a defendant in lawsuits, claims, regulatory inquiries, or disputes arising in the normal course of business. While the ultimate settlement of these claims cannot be easily estimated, management believes that any liability resulting from these claims will, in many cases, be substantially covered by insurance. Management does not believe that the ultimate outcome of any pending matters will be material to its results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

The Company also has contingencies related to potential asset impairments or contingent liabilities. An estimate of the loss on these matters is charged to operations when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Management does not believe any potential contingent asset impairment or liability will be material to its results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when it is realized or realizable and has been earned. Revenue is recognized when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is determinable, collectability is reasonably assured, and shipment or delivery has occurred (depending on the terms of the sale). The Company sells directly to customers or distributors who incur the expense and commitment for any post-sale obligations beyond stated warranty terms. Estimated returns, sales allowances, or warranty charges are recognized upon shipment of a product.

For certain service-related contracts, the Company recognizes revenue under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, whereby contract revenues are recognized on a pro-rata basis based upon the ratio of costs incurred compared to total estimated contract costs. Contract costs include labor, material, subcontracting costs, as well as an allocation of indirect costs. Revenues including estimated profits are recorded as costs are incurred. Losses estimated to be incurred upon completion of contracts are charged to operations when they become known. Revenues recognized under the percentage-of-completion method of accounting were not material in any of the fiscal years reported in the Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Certain contracts contain provisions for incentive payments that the Company may receive based on performance criteria related to product design, development and production standards. Revenue related to the incentive payments is recognized when ultimate realization by the Company is assured, which generally occurs when the provisions and performance criteria required by the contract are met.

Operating Expenses

The primary types of operating expenses are classified in the income statement as follows:



Cost of sales	Research and development (R&D) expenses	Selling, general, and administrative (SG&A)expenses
Direct material costs Material acquisition and handling costs Direct labor Factory overhead including depreciation and amortization Inventory obsolescence Product warranties Shipping and handling cost	Personnel costs Professional service fees Material and supplies Facility allocation	Personnel costs Professional service fees Advertising Promotions Information technology equipment depreciation Office supplies Facility allocation Bad debt expense

The Company's R&D expenditures consist primarily of internal direct and indirect costs associated with development of technologies to support its proprietary product lines in each of its divisions. These R&D costs are expensed as incurred.

General and administrative expenses included in SG&A are not allocated at the segment level. The Company's gross margin and segment operating income may not be comparable to industry peers due to variability in the classification of these expenses across the industries in which the Company operates.

Warranties

Accruals necessary for product warranties are estimated based on historical warranty costs and average time elapsed between purchases and returns for each division. Additional accruals are made for any significant, discrete warranty issues.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company records compensation expense related to its share-based compensation plans using the fair value method. Under this method, the fair value of share-based compensation is determined as of the grant date and the related expense is recorded over the period in which the share-based compensation vests.

Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect future tax effects of temporary differences between the tax and financial reporting basis of the Company's assets and liabilities measured using enacted tax laws and statutory tax rates applicable to the periods when the temporary differences will affect taxable income. When necessary, deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to reflect realizable value. Accruals are maintained for uncertain tax positions.

Accounting Standards Adopted

In January 2017 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2017-01 "Business Combinations (Topic 805) - Clarifying the Definition of a Business" (ASU 2017-01). This update clarifies the definition of a business with the objective of adding guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The amendments provide a screen to determine when a set of assets and activities is not a business. If the screen is not met, the amendments require further consideration of inputs, substantive processes and outputs to determine whether the transaction is an acquisition of a business. The new update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-01 in the fiscal 2017 fourth quarter on a prospective basis with no impact on its consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures.

In November 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes" (ASU 2015-17). Currently GAAP requires the deferred taxes for each jurisdiction (or tax-paying component of a jurisdiction) to be presented as a net current asset or liability and net noncurrent asset or liability. This requires a jurisdiction-by-jurisdiction analysis based on the classification of the assets and liabilities to which the underlying temporary differences relate, or, in the case of loss or credit carryforwards, based on the period in which the attribute is expected to be realized. To simplify presentation, ASU 2015-17 requires that all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet. As a result, each jurisdiction will now only have one net noncurrent deferred tax asset or liability. The guidance does not change the existing requirement that only permits offsetting within a jurisdiction - that is, companies are still prohibited from offsetting deferred tax liabilities from one jurisdiction against deferred tax assets of another jurisdiction. The new update is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2015-17 in the fiscal 2017 first quarter using the prospective method. No current deferred tax assets or liabilities are recorded on the balance sheet. Since the Company adopted the guidance prospectively, the prior periods were not retrospectively adjusted.

In September 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-16, "Business Combinations (Topic 805) Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments" (ASU 2015-16). The amendments in ASU 2015-16 apply to all entities that have reported provisional amounts for items in a business combination for which the accounting is incomplete by the end of the reporting period in which the combination occurs and, during the measurement period, have an adjustment to provisional amounts recognized. ASU 2015-16 requires that an acquirer in a business combination recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. ASU 2015-16 requires that the acquirer record, in the same period’s financial statements, the effect on earnings of changes in depreciation, amortization, or other income effects, if any, as a result of the change to the provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The amendments in this update require an entity to present separately on the face of the income statement, or disclose in the notes, the portion of the amount recorded in current-period earnings by line item that would have been recorded in previous reporting periods if the adjustment to the provisional amounts had been recognized as of the acquisition date. The Company adopted ASU 2015-16 when it became effective in the fiscal 2017 first quarter with no impact on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, or associated disclosures.

In April 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-05, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) Customer’s Accounting for Fees Paid in a Cloud Computing Arrangement (CCA)" (ASU 2015-05). The amendments in ASU 2015-05 clarify existing GAAP guidance about a customer’s accounting for fees paid in a CCA with or without a software license. Examples of cloud computing arrangements include software as a service, platform as a service, infrastructure as a service, and other similar hosting arrangements. Under ASU 2015-05, fees paid by a customer in a CCA for a software license are within the scope of the internal-use software guidance if certain criteria are met. If the criteria are not met the fees paid are accounted for as a prepaid service contract and expensed. The Company has historically accounted for all fees in a CCA as a prepaid service contract. The Company adopted ASU 2015-05 in first quarter fiscal 2017 when it became effective using the prospective method. The Company did not pay any fees in a CCA in the current period that met the criteria to be in scope of the internal-use software guidance and it had no impact on the consolidated financial statements, results of operations, or associated disclosures.

In February 2015 the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-02, “Consolidation (Topic 810) Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis" (ASU 2015-02). The amendments in ASU 2015-02 affect reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. Specifically, the amendments: 1. Modify the evaluation of whether limited partnerships and similar legal entities are VIEs or voting interest entities; 2. Eliminate the presumption that a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership; 3. Affect the consolidation analysis of reporting entities that are involved with VIEs, particularly those that have fee arrangements and related party relationships; and 4. Provide a scope exception from consolidation guidance for reporting entities with interests in legal entities that are required to comply with or operate in accordance with requirements that are similar to those in Rule 2a-7 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. In October 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-17 "Consolidation (Topic 810) - Interests Held through Related Parties that are under Common Control" (ASU 2016-17) which amended ASU 2015-02. Under ASU 2016-17, the Company only needs to consider its proportionate indirect interest in the VIE held through a common control party when evaluating whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. ASU 2015-02 required that the common control party's interest be treated as if it was the Company's interest when evaluating whether the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company adopted ASU 2015-02 in first quarter fiscal 2017 when it became effective. ASU 2016-17 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2016-17 in third quarter fiscal 2017 using the retrospective method. The Company reevaluated all of it legal entities and one investment accounted for using the equity method during the first quarter. The Company did not have an indirect interest in any of the entities through an unconsolidated related party. Under ASU 2015-02 and the amended guidance in ASU 2016-17 neither of these equity method investments qualified for consolidation. The adoption of this guidance had no impact on the legal entities consolidated or the Company's consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures. No prior period retrospective adjustments were required.

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" (ASU 2015-01). The amendments in ASU 2015-01 eliminate the GAAP concept of extraordinary items and no longer requires that transactions that met the criteria for classification as extraordinary items be separately classified and reported in the financial statements. ASU 2015-01 retains the presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently and expands them to include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequently occurring. The Company adopted ASU 2015-01 in fiscal 2017 first quarter when it became effective using the prospective method. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures.

In August 2014 the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15, "Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern (Subtopic 205-40) Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern" (ASU 2014-15). The amendments in ASU 2014-15 require management to assess an entity’s ability to continue as a going concern by incorporating and expanding upon certain principles that are currently in U.S. auditing standards. ASU 2014-15 requires certain financial statement disclosures when there is "substantial doubt about the entity's ability to continue as a going concern" within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued (or available to be issued). ASU 2014-15 is effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2014-15 in the fiscal 2017 first quarter. The adoption of this guidance did not have any impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures.

New Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-05, "Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets" (ASU 2017-05). Subtopic 610-20 was issued as part of the new revenue standard. It provides guidance for recognizing gains and losses from the transfer of nonfinancial assets in contracts with non-customers. The new guidance defines “in substance nonfinancial assets,” unifies guidance related to partial sales of nonfinancial assets, eliminates rules specifically addressing sales of real estate, removes exceptions to the financial asset derecognition model, and clarifies the accounting for contributions of nonfinancial assets to joint ventures. The amendments are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted. Transition can use either the full retrospective approach or the modified retrospective approach. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and associated disclosures.

In January 2017 the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, "Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment" (ASU 2017-04). This ASU removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. Under the new guidance, a goodwill impairment will be measured as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. The amount of any impairment may not exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. The amendments should be applied on a prospective basis. The guidance is effective for annual or any interim goodwill impairment tests in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and associated disclosures.

In November 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory" (ASU 2016-16). Current GAAP prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. In addition, interpretations of this guidance have developed in practice over the years for transfers of certain intangible and tangible assets. This prohibition on recognition is an exception to the principle of comprehensive recognition of current and deferred income taxes in GAAP. The new guidance eliminates the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. The amendments in ASU 2016-16 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company can early adopt ASU 2016-16, but earlier adoption must be in the first quarter of the fiscal year. The amendments in ASU 2016-16 will be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and associated disclosures.

In August 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments" (ASU 2016-15). The new guidance clarifies eight cash flow classification issues where current GAAP was either unclear or had no specific guidance. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods within those fiscal years. All entities may elect to early adopt ASU 2016-15 in any interim period. If an entity early adopts it must adopt all eight of the amendments in the same period and if early adopted in an interim period any adjustments should be reflected as of the beginning of the year. The amendments in ASU 2016-15 will be applied using the modified retrospective transition method for each period presented. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on the classification of certain items on its Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

In June 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" (ASU 2016-13). Current GAAP generally delays recognition of the full amount of credit losses until the loss is probable of occurring. The amendments in this guidance eliminate the probable initial recognition threshold and, instead, reflect an entity’s current estimate of all expected credit losses. Previously, when credit losses were measured under GAAP, an entity generally only considered past events and current conditions in measuring the incurred loss. Under ASU 2016-13 the Company will need to create an economic forecast over the entire contractual life of long-dated financial assets. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019. All entities may elect to early adopt ASU 2016-13 for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The amendments in ASU 2016-13 will be applied using the modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings in the first reporting period. The Company's trade accounts receivable are in-scope under ASU 2016-13. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and associated disclosures.

In March 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, "Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" (ASU 2016-09). ASU 2016-09 amends the accounting for employee share-based payment transactions to require recognition of the tax effects resulting from the settlement of stock-based awards as discrete income tax expense or benefit in the income statement in the reporting period in which they occur. In addition, this guidance requires that all tax-related cash flows resulting from share-based payments, including the excess tax benefits related to the settlement of stock-based awards, be classified as cash flows from operating activities in the statement of cash flows. The guidance also requires that cash paid to taxing authorities on employees' behalf for withheld shares should be classified as a financing activity in the statement of cash flows. In addition, the guidance also allows companies to make an accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest, consistent with current GAAP, or account for forfeitures when they occur. The new standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016 with early adoption permitted. ASU 2016-09 requires that the various amendments be adopted using different methods. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements, results of operations, and associated disclosures.

In February 2016 the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases (Topic 842)" (ASU 2016-02). The primary difference between previous GAAP and ASU 2016-02 is the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases under previous GAAP. The guidance requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. When measuring assets and liabilities arising from a lease, a lessee (and a lessor) should include payments to be made in optional periods only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise an option to extend the lease or not to exercise an option to terminate the lease. Similarly, optional payments to purchase the underlying asset should be included in the measurement of lease assets and lease liabilities only if the lessee is reasonably certain to exercise that purchase option. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. If a lessee makes this election, it should recognize lease expense for such leases generally on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Lessees and lessors are required to recognize and measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that entities may elect to apply. An entity that elects to apply the practical expedients will, in effect, continue to account for leases that commence before the effective date in accordance with previous GAAP unless the lease is modified, except that lessees are required to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all operating leases at each reporting date based on the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments that were tracked and disclosed under previous GAAP. The Company is evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements and associated disclosures.

In May 2014 the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)" (ASU 2014-09). ASU 2014-09 provides a comprehensive new recognition model that requires recognition of revenue when a company transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in FASB ASC Topic 605, "Revenue Recognition," and most industry-specific guidance. ASU 2014-09 defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle and, in doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under the current guidance. It also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. In August 2015, the FASB approved a one-year deferral of the effective date (ASU 2015-14) and the standard is now effective for the Company for fiscal 2019 and interim periods therein. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted as of the original effective date, which for the Company is fiscal 2018. The guidance may be applied using either of the following transition methods: (i) a full retrospective approach reflecting the application of the standard in each prior reporting period with the option to elect certain practical expedients or (ii) a retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially adopting ASU 2014-09 recognized at the date of adoption (which includes additional footnote disclosures). In addition, FASB has amended Topic 606 prior to it becoming effective. The effective date and transition requirements for these amendments to Topic 606 are the same as ASU 2014-09. Management has designated a team to assess the Company's revenue streams to determine what, if any, impact the new standard will have on revenue recognition. The Company's evaluation of ASU 2014-09, and all subsequent amendments to Topic 606, is ongoing and no conclusions have been reached on the method and date of adoption or the impact the adoption will have on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, and associated disclosures.