Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

12 Months Ended

Jul. 02, 2011

Summary of significant accounting policies [Abstract]

Summary of significant accounting policies

1. Summary of significant accounting policies

Principles of consolidation — The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Cash and cash equivalents — The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Inventories — Inventories, comprised principally of finished goods, are stated at cost (first-in, first-out) or market, whichever is lower.

Investments — Investments in joint ventures and entities in which the Company has an ownership interest greater than 50% and exercises control over the venture are consolidated in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. Non-controlling interests in the years presented are not material and, as a result, are included in the caption “accrued expenses and other” in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Investments in joint ventures and entities in which the Company exercises significant influence but not control are accounted for using the equity method. The Company invests from time to time in ventures in which the Company’s ownership interest is less than 20% and over which the Company does not exercise significant influence. Such investments are accounted for using the cost method. The fair values for investments not traded on a quoted exchange are estimated based upon the historical performance of the ventures, the ventures’ forecasted financial performance and management’s evaluation of the ventures’ viability and business models. To the extent the book value of an investment exceeds its assessed fair value, the Company will record an appropriate impairment charge. Thus, the carrying value of the Company’s investments approximates fair value.

Depreciation and amortization — Depreciation and amortization is generally provided for by the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives for depreciation and amortization are typically as follows: buildings — 30 years; machinery, fixtures and equipment — 2-10 years; and leasehold improvements — over the applicable remaining lease term or useful life if shorter.

Long-lived assets — Long-lived assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. An impairment is recognized when the estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition is less than its carrying amount. An impairment is measured as the amount by which an asset’s net book value exceeds its estimated fair value. The Company continually evaluates the carrying value and the remaining economic useful life of all long-lived assets and will adjust the carrying value and the related depreciation and amortization period if and when appropriate.

Goodwill — Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired. Annual tests for goodwill impairment are performed by applying a fair-value based test to Avnet’s six reporting units, defined as each of the three regional businesses, which are the Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Africa), and Asia, within each of the Company’s operating groups. The Company conducts its periodic test for goodwill impairment annually, on the first day of the fiscal fourth quarter. A two-step process is used to evaluate goodwill for impairment. The first step is to determine if there is an indication of impairment by comparing the estimated fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value including existing goodwill. Goodwill is considered impaired if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds the estimated fair value. The second step, which is performed only if there is an indication of impairment, determines the amount of the impairment by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with its carrying value. To estimate fair value of each reporting unit, the Company uses a combination of present value and market valuation techniques which utilizes Level 3 criteria under fair value measurement standards. The estimated fair values could change in the future due to changes in market and business conditions that could affect the assumptions and estimates used in these valuation techniques.

Foreign currency translation — The assets and liabilities of foreign operations are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, with the related translation adjustments reported as a separate component of shareholders’ equity and comprehensive income. Results of operations are translated using the average exchange rates prevailing throughout the period. Transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the Avnet business unit that is party to the transaction (primarily trade receivables and payables) are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date or upon settlement of the transaction. Gains and losses from such translation are recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of “other income (expense), net.” In fiscal 2011, 2010 and 2009, gains or losses on foreign currency translation were not material.

Income taxes — The Company follows the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax impact of differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in earnings in the period in which the new rate is enacted. Based upon historical and projected levels of taxable income and analysis of other key factors, the Company may record a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets, as deemed necessary, to state such assets at their estimated net realizable value.

The Company establishes reserves for potentially unfavorable outcomes of positions taken on certain tax matters. These reserves are based on management’s assessment of whether a tax benefit is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. There may be differences between the anticipated and actual outcomes of these matters that may result in reversals of reserves or additional tax liabilities in excess of the reserved amounts. To the extent such adjustments are warranted, the Company’s effective tax rate may potentially fluctuate as a result.

No provision for U.S. income taxes has been made for approximately $2.0 billion of cumulative unremitted earnings of foreign subsidiaries at July 2, 2011 because those earnings are expected to be permanently reinvested outside the U.S. A hypothetical calculation of the deferred tax liability, assuming those earnings were remitted, is not practicable.

Self-insurance — The Company is primarily self-insured for workers’ compensation, medical, and general, product and automobile liability costs; however, the Company also has a stop-loss insurance policy in place to limit the Company’s exposure to individual and aggregate claims made. Liabilities for these programs are estimated based upon outstanding claims and claims estimated to have been incurred but not yet reported based upon historical loss experience. These estimates are subject to variability due to changes in trends of losses for outstanding claims and incurred but not recorded claims, including external factors such as future inflation rates, benefit level changes and claim settlement patterns.

Revenue recognition —Revenue from product sales is recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured. Generally, these criteria are met upon shipment to customers. Most of the Company’s product sales come from product Avnet purchases from a supplier and holds in inventory. A portion of the Company’s sales are shipments of product directly from its suppliers to its customers. In such circumstances, Avnet negotiates the price with the customer, pays the supplier directly for the product shipped and bears credit risk of collecting payment from its customers. Furthermore, in such drop-shipment arrangements, Avnet bears responsibility for accepting returns of product from the customer even if Avnet, in turn, has a right to return the product to the original supplier if the product is defective. Under these terms, the Company serves as the principal with the customer and, therefore, recognizes the sale and cost of sale of the product upon receiving notification from the supplier that the product has shipped.

In addition, the Company has more limited contractual relationships with certain of its customers and suppliers whereby Avnet assumes an agency relationship in the transaction. In such arrangements, the Company recognizes the fee associated with serving as an agent in sales with no associated cost of sales.

Revenues from maintenance contracts are recognized ratably over the life of the contracts, generally ranging from one to three years.

Revenues are recorded net of discounts, rebates and estimated returns. Provisions are made for discounts and rebates, which are primarily volume-based, and are based on historical trends and anticipated customer buying patterns. Provisions for returns are estimated based on historical sales returns, credit memo analysis and other known factors.

Comprehensive income (loss)— Comprehensive income (loss) represents net income (loss) for the year adjusted for changes in shareholders’ equity from non-shareholder sources. Accumulated comprehensive income items typically include currency translation and the impact of the Company’s pension liability adjustment, net of tax (see Note 4).

Stock-based compensation —The Company measures share-based payments, including grants of employee stock options, at fair value and recognizes the associated expense in the consolidated statement of operations over the service period (see Note 12).

Concentration of credit risk — Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk principally consist of cash and cash equivalents and trade accounts receivable. The Company invests its excess cash primarily in overnight Eurodollar time deposits and institutional money market funds with quality financial institutions. The Company sells electronic components and computer products primarily to original equipment and contract manufacturers, including the military and military contractors, throughout the world. To reduce credit risk, management performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and, in some instances, has obtained insurance coverage to reduce such risk. The Company maintains reserves for potential credit losses, but has not experienced any material losses related to individual customers or groups of customers in any particular industry or geographic area.

Fair value of financial instruments — The Company measures financial assets and liabilities at fair value based upon exit price, representing the amount that would be received on the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants. Accounting standards require inputs used in valuation techniques for measuring fair value on a recurring or non-recurring basis be assigned to a hierarchical level as follows: Level 1 are observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. Level 2 are observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data and Level 3 are unobservable inputs that are not corroborated by market data. The carrying amounts of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable approximate their fair values at July 2, 2011 due to the short-term nature of these instruments. At July 2, 2011 and July 3, 2010, the Company had $164,157,000 and $643,281,000, respectively, of cash equivalents which were recorded based upon Level 1 criteria. See Note 7 for further discussion of the fair value of the Company’s fixed rate long-term debt instruments and see Investments in this Note 1 for further discussion of the fair value of the Company’s investments in unconsolidated entities.

Derivative financial instruments — Many of the Company’s subsidiaries, on occasion, purchase and sell products in currencies other than their functional currencies. This subjects the Company to the risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The Company reduces this risk by utilizing natural hedging (offsetting receivables and payables) as well as by creating offsetting positions through the use of derivative financial instruments, primarily forward foreign exchange contracts with maturities of less than sixty days. The Company continues to have exposure to foreign currency risks to the extent they are not hedged. The Company adjusts all foreign denominated balances and any outstanding foreign exchange contracts to fair market value through the consolidated statements of operations. Therefore, the market risk related to the foreign exchange contracts is offset by the changes in valuation of the underlying items being hedged. The asset or liability representing the fair value of foreign exchange contracts, based upon Level 2 criteria under the fair value measurements standards, is classified in the captions “other current assets” or “accrued expenses and other,” as applicable, in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and were not material. In addition, the Company did not have material gains or losses related to the forward contracts which are recorded in “other income (expense), net” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.

The Company has, from time to time, entered into hedge transactions that convert certain fixed rate debt to variable rate debt. To the extent the Company enters into such hedge transactions, those fair value hedges and the hedged debt are adjusted to current market values through interest expense.

The Company generally does not hedge its investment in its foreign operations. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and monitors the financial stability and credit standing of its counterparties.

Accounts receivable securitization — The Company has an accounts receivable securitization program whereby the Company may sell receivables in securitization transactions and retain a subordinated interest and servicing rights to those receivables. The securitization program is accounted for as an on-balance sheet financing through the securitization of accounts receivable (see Note 3).

Fiscal year — The Company operates on a “52/53 week” fiscal year, which ends on the Saturday closest to June 30th. Fiscal 2011 and 2009 contained 52 weeks while fiscal 2010 contained 53 weeks. Unless otherwise noted, all references to “fiscal 2011” or any other “year” shall mean the Company’s fiscal year.

Management estimates — The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect certain reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Adoption of accounting standard — The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued authoritative guidance which requires the issuer of certain convertible debt instruments that may be settled in cash (or other assets) on conversion to separately account for the debt and equity (conversion option) components of the instrument. The standard requires the convertible debt to be recognized at the present value of its cash flows discounted using the non-convertible debt borrowing rate at the date of issuance. The resulting debt discount from this present value calculation is to be recognized as the value of the equity component and recorded to “additional paid in capital.” The discounted convertible debt is then required to be accreted up to its face value and recorded as non-cash interest expense over the expected life of the convertible debt. In addition, deferred financing costs associated with the convertible debt are required to be allocated between the debt and equity components based upon relative values. During the first quarter of fiscal 2010, the Company adopted this standard, however, there was no impact to the fiscal 2010 consolidated financial statements because the Company’s 2% Convertible Senior Debentures (the “Debentures”), to which this standard applied, were extinguished in March 2009. Due to the required retrospective application of this standard to prior periods, the Company adjusted the prior period comparative consolidated financial statements, which are summarized in the following tables.

As a result of the adoption of this accounting standard, the Company recognized the cumulative effect of the change on certain components of equity as of the beginning of the earliest fiscal year presented in the consolidated statements of shareholders’ equity as presented in the following table:

	June 28, 2008
	As Reported		Adjustments			As Adjusted
	(Thousands)
Additional paid in capital (1)	$	1,122,852	$	43,190		$	1,166,042
Retained earnings (2)	$	2,379,723	$	(35,940	)	$	2,343,783

(1)	Adjustment represents the value of the equity component of the Debentures, net of deferred taxes.
(2)	Adjustment represents the accretion of the debt discount, net of tax, over the expected life of the Debentures, which was five years from the date of issuance, or March 2009, because this was the earliest date the holders had a right to exercise their put option.

	Fiscal Year Ended
Adjustments-increase (decrease)	June 27, 2009
	(Thousands, except
	per share data)
Selling, general and adminstrative expenses (3)	$	(291	)
Interest expense (4)		12,185
Income tax provision		(4,644	)
Net income		(7,250	)
Basic EPS	$	(0.05	)
Diluted EPS	$	(0.05	)

(3)	Adjustment represents a reduction to deferred financing cost amortization expense as a result of allocating a portion of such costs to the equity component of the Debentures.
(4)	Adjustment represents incremental non-cash interest expense as a result of accreting the Debenture debt discount.

Recently issued accounting pronouncements — In June 2011, the FASB amended its guidance on the presentation of comprehensive income in financial statements. The amended guidance eliminates the option to present components of other comprehensive income (“OCI”) as part of the statement of changes in equity. Instead, entities can elect to present items of net income and OCI in one continuous statement (a “statement of comprehensive income”), or can elect to present these items in two separate but consecutive statements. The guidance, which is effective beginning the Company’s fiscal year 2013, will not have an impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as the guidance only relates to changes in financial statement presentation.

In April 2011, the FASB issued new guidance to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements between U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”). This new guidance, which is effective beginning the Company’s fiscal year 2012, amends current U.S. GAAP fair value measurement and disclosure requirements to include increased transparency around valuation inputs and investment categorization. The adoption of this new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.