NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 – Operations and summary of significant accounting policies

National Instruments Corporation is a Delaware corporation. We provide flexible application software and modular, multifunction hardware that users combine with industry-standard computers, networks and third party devices to create measurement, automation and embedded systems, which we refer to as “virtual instruments.” Our approach gives customers the ability to quickly and cost-effectively design, prototype and deploy unique custom-defined solutions for their design, control and test application needs. We offer hundreds of products used to create virtual instrumentation systems for general, commercial, industrial and scientific applications. Our products may be used in different environments, and consequently, specific application of our products is determined by the customer and generally is not known to us. We approach all markets with essentially the same products, which are used in a variety of applications from research and development to production testing, monitoring and industrial control. The following industries and applications are served by us worldwide: advanced research, automotive, commercial aerospace, computers and electronics, continuous process manufacturing, education, government/defense, medical research/pharmaceutical, power/energy, semiconductors, automated test equipment, telecommunications and others. These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Principles of consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of National Instruments Corporation and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Reclassifications

Certain amounts appearing in the prior year’s warranty footnote disclosures have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.

Use of estimates

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We base our estimates on past experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, and we evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis. Our critical accounting policies are those that affect our financial statements materially and involve difficult, subjective or complex judgments by management. Although these estimates are based on management's best knowledge of current events and actions that may impact the company in the future, actual results may be materially different from the estimates.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include cash and highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition.

Short-Term Investments

We value our available-for-sale short-term investments based on pricing from third party pricing vendors, who may use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1 inputs) or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable either directly or indirectly (Level 2 inputs) in determining fair value. We classify all of our fixed income available-for-sale securities as having Level 2 inputs. The valuation techniques used to measure the fair value of our financial instruments having Level 2 inputs were derived from non-binding market consensus prices that are corroborated by observable market data, quoted market prices for similar instruments, or pricing models, such as discounted cash flow techniques. We believe all of these sources reflect the credit risk associated with each of our available-for-sale short-term investments. Short-term investments available-for-sale consists of debt securities issued by states of the U.S. and political subdivisions of the U.S., corporate debt securities and debt securities issued by U.S. government organizations and agencies as well as debt securities issued by foreign governments. All short-term investments available-for-sale have contractual maturities of less than 57 months.

Our investments are classified as available-for-sale and accordingly are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses reported as other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity. Unrealized losses are charged against income when a decline in fair value is determined to be other than temporary. Investments with maturities beyond one year are classified as short-term based on their highly liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is available for current operations. The fair value of our short-term investments in debt securities at December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015 was $73 million and $82 million, respectively. The decrease was due to the net sales of $9 million of short-term investments. We had $4.4 million U.S. dollar equivalent of corporate bonds that were denominated in Euro at December 31, 2016.

We follow the guidance provided by FASB ASC 320 to assess whether our investments with unrealized loss positions are other than temporarily impaired. Realized gains and losses and declines in value judged to be other than temporary are determined based on the specific identification method and are reported in other income (expense), net, in our Consolidated Statements of Income. We did not identify or record any other-than-temporary impairments on our available-for-sale securities during 2016, 2015, and 2014.

Accounts Receivable, net

Accounts receivable are recorded net of allowances for sales returns of $1.8 million and $1.9 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and net of allowances for doubtful accounts of $1.9 million and $2.5 million at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. A provision for estimated sales returns is made by reducing recorded revenue based on historical experience. We analyze historical returns, current economic trends and changes in customer demand of our products when evaluating the adequacy of our sales returns allowance. Our allowance for doubtful accounts is based on historical experience. We analyze historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer creditworthiness and current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of our allowance for doubtful accounts.


(In thousands)
Year	Description		Balance at Beginning of Period		Provisions		Write-Offs		Balance at End of Period
2014	Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns	$	4,431	$	760	$	393	$	4,798
2015	Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns	$	4,798	$	536		968	$	4,366
2016	Allowance for doubtful accounts and sales returns	$	4,366	$	1,024		1,682	$	3,708

Inventories, net

Inventories are stated at the lower-of-cost or market. Cost is determined using standard costs, which approximate the first-in first-out (“FIFO”) method. Cost includes the acquisition cost of purchased components, parts and subassemblies, in-bound freight costs, labor and overhead. Market is replacement cost with respect to raw materials and is net realizable value with respect to work in process and finished goods.

Inventory is shown net of adjustment for excess and obsolete inventories of $12.6 million, $10.1 million and $9.6 million at December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.


(In thousands)
Year	Description		Balance at Beginning of Period		Provisions		Write-Offs		Balance at End of Period
2014	Adjustment for excess and obsolete inventories	$	5,459	$	5,812	$	1,673	$	9,598
2015	Adjustment for excess and obsolete inventories	$	9,598	$	3,087		2,631	$	10,054
2016	Adjustment for excess and obsolete inventories	$	10,054	$	5,793		3,208	$	12,639

Property and equipment, net

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, which range from twenty to forty years for buildings, three to seven years for purchased internal use software and for equipment which are each included in furniture and equipment. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of the life of the lease or the asset.

Intangible assets, net

We capitalize costs related to the development and acquisition of certain software products. Capitalization of costs begins when technological feasibility has been established and ends when the product is available for general release to customers. Technological feasibility for our products is established when the product is available for beta release. Amortization is computed on an individual product basis for those products available for market and is recognized based on the product’s estimated economic life, generally three years.

We use the services of outside counsel to search for, document, and apply for patents. Those costs, along with any filing or application fees, are capitalized. Costs related to patents which are abandoned are written off. Once a patent is granted, the patent costs are amortized ratably over the legal life of the patent, generally ten to seventeen years.

At each balance sheet date, the unamortized costs for all intangible assets are reviewed by management and reduced to net realizable value when necessary.

Goodwill

The excess purchase price over the fair value of net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. We have one operating segment and one reporting unit. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis, and between annual tests if indicators of potential impairment exist, using a fair-value-based approach based on the market capitalization of the reporting unit. Our annual impairment test was performed as of February 28, 2016. No impairment of goodwill was identified during 2016 and 2015. Goodwill is deductible for tax purposes in certain jurisdictions.

Concentrations of credit risk

We maintain cash and cash equivalents with various financial institutions located in many countries throughout the world. At December 31, 2016, $217 million or 76% of our cash and cash equivalents was held in cash in various operating accounts with financial institutions throughout the world, and $69 million or 24% was held in money market accounts. The most significant of our operating accounts was our domestic Wells Fargo operating account which held approximately $11 million or 4% of our total cash and cash equivalents at a bank that carried A/A2/AA- ratings at December 31, 2016. From a geographic standpoint, approximately $46 million or 16% of our cash was held in various domestic accounts with financial institutions and $239 million or 84% was held in various accounts outside of the U.S. with financial institutions. At December 31, 2016, our short-term investments consisted of $71 million or 98% in corporate notes, and $1.8 million or 2% in time deposits.

The goal of our investment policy is to manage our investment portfolio to preserve principal and liquidity while maximizing the return on our investment portfolio through the full investment of available funds. We place our cash investments in instruments that meet credit quality standards, as specified in our corporate investment policy guidelines. These guidelines also limit the amount of credit exposure to any one issue, issuer or type of instrument. Our cash equivalents and short-term investments carried ratings from the major credit rating agencies that were in accordance with our corporate investment policy. Our investment policy allows investments in the following: government and federal agency obligations, repurchase agreements (“Repos”), certificates of deposit and time deposits, corporate obligations, medium term notes and deposit notes, commercial paper including asset-backed commercial paper (“ABCP”), puttable bonds, general obligation and revenue bonds, money market funds, taxable commercial paper, corporate notes/bonds, municipal notes, municipal obligations, variable rate demand notes and tax exempt commercial paper. All such instruments must carry minimum ratings of A1/P1/F1, MIG1/VMIG1/SP1 and A2/A/A, as applicable, all of which are considered “investment grade”. Our investment policy for marketable securities requires that all securities mature in five years or less, with a weighted average maturity of no longer than 24 months with at least 10% maturing in 90 days or less. (See Note 2 – Cash, cash equivalents, short-term and long-term investments in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion and analysis of our investments).

Concentration of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable is limited due to our large number of customers and their dispersion across many countries and industries. No single customer accounted for more than 3%, 3%, or 5% of sales for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively. The largest trade account receivable from any individual customer at December 31, 2016 was approximately $4 million.

Key supplier risk

Our manufacturing processes use large volumes of high-quality components and subassemblies supplied by outside sources. Several of these components are available through sole or limited sources. Supply shortages or quality problems in connection with some of these key components could require us to procure components from replacement suppliers, which would cause significant delays in fulfillment of orders and likely result in additional costs. In order to manage this risk, we maintain safety stock of some of these single sourced components and subassemblies and perform regular assessments of suppliers performance, grading key suppliers in critical areas such as quality and “on-time” delivery.

Revenue recognition

We sell test and measurement solutions that include hardware, software licenses, and related services. Our sales are generally made under standard sales arrangements with payment terms ranging from net 30 days in the U.S. to net 30 days and up to net 120 days in some international markets. We offer rights of return and standard warranties for product defects related to our products. The rights of return are generally for a period of up to 30 days after the delivery date. Our standard warranties cover periods ranging from 90 days to three years. Our standard sales arrangements do not require product acceptance from the customer.

In recent years, we have made a concentrated effort to increase our revenue through the pursuit of orders with a value greater than $1.0 million. These orders often include contract terms that vary substantially from our standard terms of sale including product acceptance requirements and product performance evaluations which create uncertainty with respect to the timing of our ability to recognize revenue from such orders. These orders may also include most-favored customer pricing, significant discounts, extended payment terms and volume rebates, all of which may create uncertainty with respect to the amount and timing of revenue recognized from such orders.

Sales of application software licenses include post-contract support services. Other services include customer training, customer support, and extended warranties.

We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Delivery is considered to have occurred when title and risk of loss have transferred to the customer. For most of our hardware and software sales, title and risk of loss transfer upon shipment. For services, we recognize revenue when the service is provided, except for extended warranties for which revenue is recognized ratably over the warranty period.

We apply the separation guidance under U.S. GAAP for contracts with multiple deliverables. We analyze revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables to determine whether the deliverables should be divided into more than one unit of accounting. For contracts with more than one unit of accounting, we allocate the consideration we receive among the separate units of accounting based on their relative selling prices, which we determine based on prices of the deliverables as sold on a stand-alone basis, or if not sold on a stand-alone basis, the prices we would charge if sold on a stand-alone basis. We recognize revenue for each deliverable based on the revenue recognition policies described below.

For software arrangements that include multiple elements, including perpetual software licenses and undelivered items (e.g., software maintenance; subscriptions/term licenses), we allocate and defer revenue for the undelivered items based on vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) of the fair value of the undelivered elements, and recognize revenue on the perpetual license using the residual method. We base VSOE of each element on the price for which the undelivered element is sold separately. We determine fair value of the undelivered elements based on historical evidence of our stand-alone sales of these elements to third parties or from the stated renewal rate for the undelivered elements. When VSOE does not exist for undelivered items, we recognize the entire arrangement fee ratably over the applicable performance period.

A portion of our revenues are generated from the sale of systems that contain software components that operate together with our hardware platform to provide the essential functionality of the system. When sold in a multiple element arrangement, these systems are considered non-software deliverables, so we can allocate the arrangement fee based upon relative selling price of each element. When applying the relative selling price method, we determine the selling price of each element using best estimate of selling price (“BESP”), because VSOE and third-party evidence (“TPE”) are not available.

The revenues allocated to the software-related elements are recognized based on software industry specific revenue recognition guidance, as noted above. The revenues allocated to the non-software related elements are recognized based on the nature of the element provided. We estimate BESP by considering internal factors such as historical pricing practices and gross margin objectives, as well as market conditions such as competitor pricing strategies, customer demands and geography, and regularly review these assumptions.

The application of revenue recognition standards requires judgment, including whether a software arrangement includes multiple elements, and if so, whether VSOE of fair value exists for those elements. Changes to the elements in a software arrangement, the ability to identify VSOE for those elements, the fair value of the respective elements, and changes to a product’s estimated life cycle could materially impact the amount of our earned and unearned revenue. Judgment is also required to assess whether future releases of certain software represent new products or upgrades and enhancements to existing products.

Product revenue

Our product revenue is generated predominantly from the sales of measurement and automation products. Our products consist of application software and hardware components together with related driver software.

Software maintenance revenue

Software maintenance revenue is post contract customer support that provides the customer with unspecified upgrades/updates and technical support.

Shipping and handling costs

Our shipping and handling costs charged to customers are included in net sales, and the associated expense is recorded in cost of sales.

Warranty reserve

We offer a one-year limited warranty on most hardware products which is included in the terms of sale of such products. We also offer optional extended warranties on our hardware products for which the related revenue is recognized ratably over the warranty period. Provision is made for estimated future warranty costs at the time of the sale for the estimated costs that may be incurred under the limited warranty. Our estimate is based on historical experience and product sales during the period.

The warranty reserve for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 was as follows:



(In thousands)
		2016		2015		2014
Balance at the beginning of the period	$	1,755	$	1,885	$	1,764
Accruals for warranties issued during the period		2,454		1,834		2,956
Accruals related to pre-existing warranties		1,258		(263)		(246)
Settlements made (in cash or in kind) during the period		(2,781)		(1,701)		(2,589)
Balance at the end of the period	$	2,686	$	1,755	$	1,885

Loss contingencies

We accrue for probable losses from contingencies including legal defense costs, on an undiscounted basis, when such costs are considered probable of being incurred and are reasonably estimable. We periodically evaluate available information, both internal and external, relative to such contingencies and adjust this accrual as necessary.

Advertising expense

We expense costs of advertising as incurred. Advertising expense for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 was $12 million, $12 million, and $14 million, respectively.

Foreign currency translation

The functional currency for our international sales operations is the applicable local currency. The assets and liabilities of these operations are translated at the rate of exchange in effect on the balance sheet date and sales and expenses are translated at average rates. The resulting gains or losses from translation are included in a separate component of other comprehensive income. Gains and losses resulting from re-measuring monetary asset and liability accounts that are denominated in a currency other than a subsidiary’s functional currency are included in net foreign exchange loss and are included in net income.

Foreign currency hedging instruments

All of our derivative instruments are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value. We currently use foreign currency forward and purchased option contracts to hedge our exposure to material foreign currency denominated receivables and forecasted foreign currency cash flows.

On the date the derivative contract is entered into, we designate the derivative as a hedge of the variability of foreign currency cash flows to be received or paid (“cash flow” hedge) or as a hedge of our foreign denominated net receivable positions (“other derivatives”). Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges and that are deemed to be highly effective are recorded in other comprehensive income. These amounts are subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period during which the hedged transaction is realized. The gain or loss on the other derivatives as well as the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk is recognized in current earnings under the line item “Net foreign exchange loss”. We do not enter into derivative contracts for speculative purposes.

We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as our risk-management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions at the inception of the hedge. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges to specific forecasted transactions. We also formally assess, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedging instruments are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of hedged items.

We prospectively discontinue hedge accounting if (1) it is determined that the derivative is no longer highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair value of a hedged item (forecasted transactions); or (2) the derivative is de-designated as a hedge instrument, because it is unlikely that a forecasted transaction will occur. When hedge accounting is discontinued, the derivative is sold and the resulting gains and losses are recognized immediately in earnings.

Income taxes

We account for income taxes under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected tax consequences of temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are more likely than not to be realized. Judgment is required in assessing the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. Variations in the actual outcome of these future tax consequences could materially impact our financial position or our results of operations. In estimating future tax consequences, all expected future events are considered other than enactments of changes in tax laws or rates. We account for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in our financial statements using prescribed recognition thresholds and measurement attributes for financial statement disclosure of tax positions taken or expected to be taken on our tax returns. Our continuing policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense.

Earnings per share

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding (if dilutive) during each period. The number of common share equivalents, which include stock options and restricted stock units (“RSUs”), is computed using the treasury stock method.

The reconciliation of the denominators used to calculate basic EPS and diluted EPS for years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014 are as follows:



	Years ended December 31,
(In thousands)	2016	2015	2014
Weighted average shares outstanding-basic	128,453	127,997	127,030
Plus: Common share equivalents
Stock options, RSUs	555	671	769
Weighted average shares outstanding-diluted	129,008	128,668	127,799

Stock awards to acquire 10,900 shares, 292,400 shares, and 19,400 shares for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, respectively, were excluded in the computations of diluted EPS because the effect of including the stock awards would have been anti-dilutive.

Stock-based compensation

We account for stock-based compensation plans, which are more fully described in Note 11 – Authorized shares of common and preferred stock and stock-based compensation plans, using a fair-value method and recognize the expense in our Consolidated Statement of Income.

Comprehensive income

Our comprehensive income is comprised of net income, foreign currency translation and unrealized gains and losses on forward and option contracts and securities available-for-sale. Comprehensive income in 2016, 2015, and 2014 was $86 million, $69 million and $112 million, respectively.

Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The update is a comprehensive new revenue recognition model that requires a company to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of goods or services to a customer at an amount that reflects the consideration it expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also requires additional disclosure about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts, including significant judgments and changes in judgments and assets recognized from costs incurred to obtain or fulfill a contract. As currently issued and amended, ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within that period, beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within that period, beginning after December 31, 2016. We intend to adopt this standard as of January 1, 2018 by applying the modified retrospective transition method. Consequently, the cumulative effect of applying the standard will be recognized in the first quarter of 2018.

We anticipate ASU 2014-09 could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements, and we continue to make progress in assessing the potential impacts of the standard, including any impacts from recently issued amendments. We have reached conclusions on our key accounting matters related to the new standard. We will continue to monitor and assess the impact of changes to the standard and interpretations as they become available. The most significant impact of the standard relates to our accounting for software license revenue. Specifically, under the new standard we expect to recognize software license revenue at the time of contract execution rather than over the contractual term for most of our enterprise agreements that include software term licenses, software maintenance, training, and support. Due to the complexity of certain of our enterprise agreement contracts, the actual revenue recognition treatment required under the standard will be dependent on contract-specific terms, and may vary in some instances from recognition at the time of billing.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory. The purpose of ASU 2016-16 is to simplify the income tax accounting of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory and to record its effect when the transfer occurs. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim reporting periods within those annual reporting periods and early adoption is permitted. We are currently assessing the potential impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-16 on have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In March 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation , which simplifies the accounting for the taxes related to stock based compensation, including adjustments to how excess tax benefits and a company's payments for tax withholdings should be classified. The update is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 31, 2016 and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which supersedes ASC840, Leases. The guidance requires lessees to recognize most lease liabilities on their balance sheets but recognize the expenses on their income statements in a manner similar to current practice. The update states that a lessee would recognize a lease liability for the obligation to make lease payments and a right-to-use asset for the right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the effect that the updated standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and related disclosures.

Other Updates

The FASB also issued the following Accounting Standards Updates which are not expected to have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows upon adoption:

Update 2017-04—Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

Update 2017-01—Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business

Update 2016-18—Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force)

Update 2016-17—Consolidation (Topic 810): Interests Held through Related Parties That Are under Common Control