Goodwill And Intangible Assets Goodwill And Intangible Assets (Policies)

3 Months Ended

Jan. 25, 2014

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill Policy

The Company conducts its goodwill impairment test annually, as of the first day of the second fiscal quarter, and whenever events occur or facts and circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. For the annual goodwill impairment test, the Company uses the income approach, the market approach or a combination thereof to determine each reporting unit’s fair value. The income approach provides an estimate of fair value based on discounted expected future cash flows (“DCF”). The market approach provides an estimate of fair value applying various observable market-based multiples to the reporting unit’s operating results and then applying an appropriate control premium. For the fiscal year 2013 annual goodwill impairment test, the Company used a combination of approaches to estimate each reporting unit’s fair value. The Company believed that at the time of the impairment testing performed in the second fiscal quarter of 2013, the income approach and the market approach were equally representative of a reporting unit’s fair value.

Determining the fair value of a reporting unit or an intangible asset requires judgment and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The Company based its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable, but inherently uncertain. Estimates and assumptions with respect to the determination of the fair value of its reporting units using the income approach include, among other inputs:


•	The Company’s operating forecasts;


•	Revenue growth rates; and


•	Risk-commensurate discount rates and costs of capital.

The Company’s estimates of revenues and costs are based on historical data, various internal estimates and a variety of external sources, and are developed as part of our regular long-range planning process. The control premium used in market or combined approaches is determined by considering control premiums offered as part of the acquisitions that have occurred in market segments that are comparable with the Company’s reporting units. Based on the results of the annual goodwill impairment analysis performed during the second fiscal quarter of 2013, the Company determined that no impairment needed to be recorded.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Indefinite-Lived, Policy

Acquired in-process research and development (“IPRD”) is an intangible asset accounted for as an indefinite-lived asset until the completion or abandonment of the associated research and development effort. While accounted as an indefinite-lived asset, the IPRD intangible asset is subject to testing for impairment annually, as of the first day of the second fiscal quarter, and whenever events or changes in facts and circumstances indicate that it is more likely than not that IPRD is impaired. If the research and development effort associated with the IPRD is successfully completed, then the IPRD intangible asset will be amortized over its estimated useful life to be determined at the date the effort is completed.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Intangible Assets, Policy

Intangible assets other than goodwill are amortized on a straight-line basis over the following estimated remaining useful lives, unless the Company has determined these lives to be indefinite.