ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

62 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2012

Preparation of Financial Statements and Use of Estimates

Preparation of Financial Statements and Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent liabilities. On an on-going basis, management evaluates its estimates, including those related to inventories, investments, goodwill, intangible and other long-lived assets, doubtful accounts, income taxes, deferred tax assets, pensions, warranties, and loss contingencies. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on appropriate and customary assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition

Teradyne recognizes revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, title and risk of loss have passed, delivery has occurred or the services have been rendered, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. Title and risk of loss generally pass to its customers upon shipment or at delivery destination point. In circumstances where either title or risk of loss pass upon destination, acceptance or cash payment, Teradyne defers revenue recognition until such events occur.

Teradyne’s equipment has non-software and software components that function together to deliver the equipment’s essential functionality. Revenue is recognized upon shipment or at delivery destination point, provided that customer acceptance criteria can be demonstrated prior to shipment. Certain contracts require Teradyne to perform tests of the product to ensure that performance meets the published product specifications or customer requested specifications, which are generally conducted prior to shipment. Where the criteria cannot be demonstrated prior to shipment, revenue is deferred until customer acceptance has been received. Teradyne also defers the portion of the sales price that is not due until acceptance, which represents deferred profit.

For multiple element arrangements, Teradyne allocates revenue to all deliverables based on their relative selling prices. In such circumstances, a hierarchy is used to determine the selling price for allocating revenue to deliverables as follows: (i) vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price (“VSOE”), (ii) third-party evidence of selling price (“TPE”), and (iii) best estimate of the selling price (“BESP”). For a delivered item to be considered a separate unit the delivered item must have value to the customer on a standalone basis and the delivery or performance of the undelivered item must be considered probable and substantially in Teradyne’s control.

Teradyne’s post-shipment obligations include installation, training services, one-year standard warranties, and extended warranties. Installation does not alter the product capabilities, does not require specialized skills or tools and can be performed by the customers or other vendors. Installation is typically provided within five days of product shipment and is completed within one to two days thereafter. Training services are optional and do not affect the customers’ ability to use the product. Teradyne defers revenue for the selling price of installation and training. Extended warranties constitute warranty obligations beyond one year and Teradyne defers revenue in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 605-20, “Separately Priced Extended Warranty and Product Maintenance Contracts” and ASC 605-25, “Revenue Recognition Multiple-Element Arrangements.” Service revenue is recognized over the contractual period or as services are performed.

Teradyne’s products are generally subject to warranty and related costs of the warranty are provided for in cost of revenue when product revenue is recognized. Teradyne classifies shipping and handling costs in cost of revenue. Teradyne generally does not provide its customers with contractual rights of return for any of its products.

For transactions involving the sale of software, revenue is recognized in accordance with ASC 985-605, “Software Revenue Recognition.” Teradyne recognizes revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, delivery has occurred, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collectability is probable. In instances where an arrangement contains multiple elements, revenue related to the undelivered elements is deferred to the extent that vendor-specific objective evidence of fair value (“VSOE”) exists for such elements. In instances where VSOE does not exist for one or more of the undelivered elements of an arrangement, all revenue related to the arrangement is deferred until all elements have been delivered. VSOE is the price charged when the element is sold separately. Revenue for the separate elements is only recognized where the functionality of the undelivered element is not essential to the delivered element.

For certain contracts eligible for contract accounting under ASC 605-35, “Revenue Recognition Construction-Type and Production-Type Contracts,” revenue is recognized using the percentage-of-completion accounting method based upon the percentage of incurred costs to estimated total costs. These arrangements require significant production, modification or customization. In all cases, changes to total estimated costs and anticipated losses, if any, are recognized in the period in which they are determined. With respect to contract change orders, claims or similar items, judgment must be used in estimating related amounts and assessing the potential for realization. Such amounts are only included in the contract value when they can be reliably estimated and realization is reasonably assured, generally upon receipt of a customer approved change order.

As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, deferred revenue and customer advances consisted of the following and are included in the short and long-term deferred revenue and customer advances:

	2012		2011
	(in thousands)
Customer advances	$	39,613	$	70,001
Maintenance, training and extended warranty		51,198		33,953
Undelivered elements		6,773		7,939
Acceptance		—		318
Total deferred revenue and customer advances	$	97,584	$	112,211

Retirement and Postretirement Plans

Retirement and Postretirement Plans

Effective January 1, 2012, Teradyne changed the method of recognizing actuarial gains and losses for its defined benefit pension plans and postretirement benefit plan and calculating the expected return on plan assets for its defined benefit pension plans. Historically, Teradyne recognized net actuarial gains and losses in accumulated other comprehensive income within shareholders’ equity on its consolidated balance sheets on an annual basis and amortized them into operating results over the average remaining years of service of the plan participants, to the extent such gains and losses were outside of a range (“corridor”). Teradyne elected to immediately recognize net actuarial gains and losses and the change in the fair value of the plan assets in its operating results in the year in which they occur or upon any interim remeasurement of the plans. In addition, Teradyne used to calculate the expected return on plan assets using a calculated market-related value of plan assets. Effective January 1, 2012, Teradyne elected to calculate the expected return on plan assets using the fair value of the plan assets.

Teradyne believes that this new method is preferable as it eliminates the delay in recognizing gains and losses in its operating results and it will improve the transparency by faster recognition of the effects of economic and interest rate trends on plan obligations and investments. These actuarial gains and losses are generally measured annually as of December 31 and, accordingly, will be recorded during the fourth quarter of each year or upon any interim remeasurement of the plans. In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, all prior periods presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K have been adjusted to apply the new accounting method retrospectively.

Product Warranty

Product Warranty

Teradyne generally provides a one-year warranty on its products, commencing upon installation or shipment. A provision is recorded upon revenue recognition to cost of revenues for estimated warranty expense based on historical experience. Related costs are charged to the warranty accrual as incurred. The balance below is included in other accrued liabilities.

	Amount
	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	6,435
Accruals for warranties issued during the period		17,084
Accruals related to pre-existing warranties		(1,338	)
Settlements made during the period		(12,295	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		9,886
Acquisition		327
Accruals for warranties issued during the period		13,167
Accruals related to pre-existing warranties		(2,689	)
Settlements made during the period		(12,538	)
Balance at December 31, 2011		8,153
Accruals for warranties issued during the period		14,704
Accruals related to pre-existing warranties		877
Settlements made during the period		(13,948	)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	9,786

When Teradyne receives revenue for extended warranties, beyond one year, it is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the contract period. Related costs are expensed as incurred. The balance below is included in short and long-term deferred revenue and customer advances.

	Amount
	(in thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2009	$	4,462
Deferral of new extended warranty revenue		7,696
Recognition of extended warranty deferred revenue		(3,186	)
Balance at December 31, 2010		8,972
Acquisition		3,151
Deferral of new extended warranty revenue		8,659
Recognition of extended warranty deferred revenue		(8,040	)
Balance at December 31, 2011		12,742
Deferral of new extended warranty revenue		22,344
Recognition of extended warranty deferred revenue		(8,099	)
Balance at December 31, 2012	$	26,987

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The volatility of the industries that Teradyne serves can cause certain of its customers to experience shortages of cash flows, which can impact their ability to make required payments. Teradyne maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. Estimated allowances for doubtful accounts are reviewed periodically taking into account the customer’s recent payment history, the customer’s current financial statements and other information regarding the customer’s credit worthiness. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when it is determined the receivable will not be recovered.

Inventories

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out basis) or net realizable value. On a quarterly basis, Teradyne uses consistent methodologies to evaluate all inventories for net realizable value. Teradyne records a provision for both excess and obsolete inventory when such write-downs or write-offs are identified through the quarterly review process. The inventory valuation is based upon assumptions about future demand, product mix and possible alternative uses.

Investments

Investments

Teradyne accounts for its investments in debt and equity securities in accordance with the provisions of ASC 320-10, “Investments—Debt and Equity Securities.” ASC 320-10 requires that certain debt and equity securities be classified into one of three categories; trading, available-for-sale or held-to-maturity securities. On a quarterly basis, Teradyne reviews its investments to identify and evaluate those that have an indication of a potential other-than-temporary impairment. Factors considered in determining whether a loss is other-than-temporary include:

• The length of time and the extent to which the market value has been less than cost;

• The financial condition and near-term prospects of the issuer; and

• The intent and ability to retain the investment in the issuer for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in market value.

As defined in ASC 820-10 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, fair value is the price that would be received from the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Teradyne uses the market and income approach techniques to value its financial instruments and there were no changes in valuation techniques during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. ASC 820-10 requires that assets and liabilities carried at fair value be classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets as of the reporting date.

Level 2: Inputs other than Level 1, that are observable either directly or indirectly as of the reporting date. For example, a common approach for valuing fixed income securities is the use of matrix pricing. Matrix pricing is a mathematical technique used to value securities by relying on the securities’ relationship to other benchmark quoted prices, and therefore is considered a Level 2 input.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are not supported by market data. Unobservable inputs are developed based on the best information available, which might include Teradyne’s own data.

In accordance with ASC 820-10, Teradyne measures its debt and equity investments at fair value. Teradyne’s debt and equity investments are primarily classified within Level 1 and 2, with the exception of LitePoint acquisition-related contingent consideration, which was classified within Level 3. Teradyne determines the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration based on assessment of the probability that it would be required to make such payment.

Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets

Goodwill, Intangible and Long-Lived Assets

Teradyne accounts for goodwill and intangible assets in accordance with ASC 350-10, “Intangibles- Goodwill and Other.” Intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful economic life and are carried at cost less accumulated amortization. Goodwill is assessed for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter, on a reporting unit basis, or more frequently when events and circumstances occur indicating that the recorded goodwill may be impaired. In September 2011, the FASB issued new guidance which provides an entity with the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If an entity determines this is the case, it is required to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test to identify potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of goodwill impairment loss to be recognized. If an entity determines that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amounts, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. This new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011 with early adoption permitted. Teradyne adopted this guidance as of the fourth quarter of 2011.

In accordance with ASC 360-10, “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” Teradyne reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate. Each impairment test is based on a comparison of the estimated undiscounted cash flows to the recorded value of the asset. If impairment is indicated, the asset is written down to its estimated fair value based on a discounted cash flow analysis. The cash flow estimates used to determine the impairment, if any, contain management’s best estimates using appropriate assumptions and projections at that time.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements and major renewals are capitalized and included in property, plant and equipment accounts while expenditures for maintenance and repairs and minor renewals are charged to expense. When assets are retired, the assets and related allowances for depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in operations.

Teradyne provides for depreciation of its assets principally on the straight-line method with the cost of the assets being charged to expense over their useful lives as follows:

Buildings	40 years
Building improvements	5 to 10 years
Leasehold improvements	Lesser of lease term or useful life
Furniture and fixtures	10 years
Test systems manufactured internally	6 years
Machinery and equipment	3 to 5 years
Software	3 to 5 years

Test systems manufactured internally are used by Teradyne for customer evaluations and manufacturing and support of its customers. Teradyne depreciates the test systems manufactured internally over a six-year life to cost of revenues, engineering and development, and selling and administrative expenses. Teradyne often sells internally manufactured test equipment to customers. Upon the sale of an internally manufactured test system, the net book value of the system is transferred to inventory and expensed as cost of revenues. The net book value of internally manufactured test systems sold in the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $6.0 million, $7.8 million and $12.2 million, respectively.

Engineering and Development Costs

Engineering and Development Costs

Teradyne’s products are highly technical in nature and require a large and continuing engineering and development effort. Software development costs incurred prior to the establishment of technological feasibility are charged to expense. Software development costs incurred subsequent to the establishment of technological feasibility are capitalized until the product is available for release to customers. To date, the period between achieving technological feasibility and general availability of the product has been short and software development costs eligible for capitalization have not been material. Engineering and development costs are expensed as incurred and consist primarily of salaries, contractor fees, building costs, depreciation, and tooling costs.

Stock Compensation Plans and Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Stock Compensation Plans and Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Equity Plans and Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Stock-based compensation expense is based on the grant-date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718-10 “Compensation—Stock Compensation.” As required by ASC 718-10, Teradyne has made an estimate of expected forfeitures and is recognizing compensation costs only for those stock-based compensation awards expected to vest.

Under its stock compensation plans, Teradyne has granted stock options and restricted stock units, and employees are eligible to purchase Teradyne’s common stock through its Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”).

Stock options to purchase Teradyne’s common stock at 100% of the fair market value on the grant date generally vest in equal installments over four years from the grant date and have a maximum term of seven years.

Restricted stock unit awards granted to employees vest in equal annual installments over four years. Restricted stock unit awards granted to non-employee directors vest after a one year period, with 100% of the award vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date. A portion of restricted stock unit awards granted to executive officers is subject to time-based vesting and a portion is subject to performance-based vesting. The percentage level of performance satisfied for performance-based grants is assessed on or near the anniversary of the grant date and, in turn, that percentage level determines the number of performance-based restricted stock units available for vesting over the vesting period; portions of the performance-based grants not available for vesting will be forfeited. Restricted stock units do not have common stock voting rights, and the shares underlying the restricted stock units are not considered issued and outstanding until they become vested. Teradyne expenses the cost of the restricted stock unit awards subject to time-based vesting, which is determined to be the fair market value of the shares at the date of grant, ratably over the period during which the restrictions lapse.

Under the ESPP, eligible employees may purchase shares of common stock through regular payroll deductions of up to 10% of their eligible compensation, to a maximum of shares with a fair market value of $25,000 per calendar year, not to exceed 6,000 shares. The price paid for the common stock is equal to 85% of the lower of the fair market value of Teradyne’s common stock on the first business day and the last business day of the purchase period. Beginning in January 2013, the price paid will be equal to 85% of the stock price on the last business day of the purchase period. There are two six-month purchase periods in each fiscal year.

The effect to income from continuing operations for recording stock-based compensation for the years ended December 31 was as follows:

	2012			2011			2010
	(in thousands)
Cost of revenue	$	6,604		$	7,097		$	6,536
Engineering and development		13,589			10,001			9,209
Selling and administrative		19,727			15,239			14,032
Stock-based compensation		39,920			32,337			29,777
Income tax benefit		(9,548	)		(8,509	)		—
Total stock-based compensation expense after income taxes	$	30,372		$	23,828		$	29,777

Valuation Assumptions

The total number of stock options granted in 2012, 2011 and 2010 were 0.2 million, 0.1 million and 0.3 million, respectively, at the weighted average grant date fair value of $6.85, $6.74 and $4.10, respectively. The fair value of the stock options at grant date was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

	2012			2011			2010
Expected life (years)		3.50			4.00			4.75
Interest rate		0.4	%		1.5	%		2.4	%
Volatility-historical		56.0	%		52.1	%		48.8	%
Dividend yield		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%

Teradyne determined the stock option’s expected life based upon historical exercise data for executive officers, the age of executives and the terms of the stock option award. Volatility was determined using historical volatility for a period equal to the expected life. The interest rate was determined using the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

The weighted-average fair value of employee stock purchase rights granted pursuant to the ESPP in the first and last six months of 2012 was $4.09 and $3.42, respectively, the first and last six months of 2011 was $3.66 and $4.01, respectively, and the first and last six months of 2010 was $3.05 and $2.77, respectively. The fair value of the employees’ purchase rights was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following assumptions:

	2012			2011			2010
Expected life (years)		0.5			0.5			0.5
Interest rate		0.1	%		0.1	%		0.2	%
Volatility-historical		42.7	%		41.0	%		48.0	%
Dividend yield		0.0	%		0.0	%		0.0	%

As of December 31, 2012, there were 2.8 million shares available for grant under the ESPP.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced by a valuation allowance if, based upon weighted available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. U.S. income taxes are not provided for on the earnings of non-U.S. subsidiaries, except Japan, which are expected to be reinvested indefinitely in operations outside the U.S. For intra-period tax allocations, Teradyne first utilizes non-equity related tax attributes, such as net operating losses and credit carryforwards and then equity-related tax attributes. Teradyne uses the with-and-without method for calculating excess stock compensation deductions and does not take into account any indirect impacts of excess stock compensation deductions on its research and development tax credits, domestic production activities deduction, and other differences between financial reporting and tax reporting.

On January 2, 2013, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 was enacted which retrospectively reinstated the research and development tax credit for 2012 and extended it through December 31, 2013. As a result, in the first quarter of 2013, Teradyne expects to record a discrete benefit related to 2012 of approximately $7.0 million.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs

Teradyne expenses all advertising costs as incurred. Advertising costs were $1.6 million, $1.0 million and $0.6 million in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

Translation of Non-U.S. Currencies

Translation of Non-U.S. Currencies

The functional currency for all non-U.S. subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. All foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities are re-measured on a monthly basis into the functional currency using exchange rates in effect at the end of the period. All foreign currency denominated non-monetary assets and liabilities are re-measured into the functional currency using historical exchange rates. Net foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from re-measurement are included in interest expense and other and were a loss of $4.5 million, a gain of $0.9 million and a gain of $2.5 million, respectively, for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010. These amounts do not reflect the corresponding gain (loss) from foreign exchange contracts. See Note H: “Financial Instruments” regarding foreign exchange contracts. Revenue and expense amounts are translated using an average of exchange rates in effect during the period.

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

Net Income (Loss) per Common Share

Basic net income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Except where the result would be antidilutive, diluted net income (loss) per common share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the sum of the weighted average number of common shares plus common stock equivalents, if applicable.

Prior to the fourth quarter of 2010, net income for diluted net income (loss) per share includes an adjustment related to the convertible notes that represents interest expense that would have not been recorded if the notes converted at the beginning of the period. Dilutive potential common shares include incremental shares from assumed conversion of the convertible notes and the convertible notes hedge warrant shares. Incremental shares from assumed conversion of the convertible notes are calculated using the difference between the average Teradyne stock price for the period and the conversion price of $5.48, multiplied by the 34.7 million shares that will be issued upon conversion. The result of this calculation, representing the total intrinsic value of the convertible debt, is divided by the average Teradyne stock price for the period. Convertible notes hedge warrant shares are calculated using the difference between the average Teradyne stock price for the period and the warrant price of $7.67, multiplied by the 34.7 million shares that will be issued upon conversion. The result of this calculation, representing the total intrinsic value of the warrant, is divided by the average Teradyne stock price for the period. Teradyne’s call option for 34.7 million shares at an exercise price of $5.48 is not used in the GAAP earnings per share calculation as its effect would be anti-dilutive.

With respect to Teradyne’s convertible debt, Teradyne intends to settle its conversion spread (i.e., the intrinsic value of the embedded option feature contained in the convertible debt) in shares. Teradyne accounts for its conversion spread using the treasury stock method. In the fourth quarter of 2010, Teradyne determined that it had the ability and intent to settle the principal amount of the convertible debt in cash; accordingly as of the fourth quarter of 2010, the principal amount has been excluded from the determination of diluted earnings per share.

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Comprehensive income (loss) includes net income (loss), unrealized pension prior service costs and benefits, unrealized gains and losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities and foreign currency translation adjustments.