The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company

NETGEAR, Inc. (“NETGEAR” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Delaware in January 1996. The Company is a global company that delivers innovative networking and Internet connected products to consumers and growing businesses. The Company's products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless (WiFi and LTE), Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. The product line consists of devices that create and extend wired and wireless networks as well as devices that provide a special function and attach to the network, such as IP security cameras and home automation devices and services. These products are available in multiple configurations to address the changing needs of the customers in each geographic region in which the Company's products are sold.

Beginning with fiscal year 2017, the Company operates and reports in three segments: Arlo, Connected Home, and Small and Medium Business ("SMB"). The Company believes that this structure reflects its current operational and financial management, and provides the best structure for the Company to focus on growth opportunities while maintaining financial discipline. Each segment contains leadership focused on the product development efforts, both from a product marketing and engineering standpoint, to service the unique needs of their customers. Arlo segment focuses on intelligent internet-connected products for consumers and businesses that provide security and safety; Connected Home segment focuses on consumers and consists of high-performance, dependable and easy-to-use LTE and WiFi internet networking solutions; and SMB segment focuses on small and medium-sized businesses and consists of business networking, storage and security solutions that bring enterprise-class functionality to small and medium-sized businesses at an affordable price.

The Company sells networking products through multiple sales channels worldwide, including traditional retailers, online retailers, wholesale distributors, direct market resellers (“DMRs”), value-added resellers (“VARs”), and broadband service providers.

Reclassification

In the first fiscal quarter of 2017, the Company reorganized its operating segment structure resulting in a change to its reportable segments. This change primarily impacted Goodwill in Note 3, Balance Sheet Components and Note 11, Segment Information. The prior-year segment financial information has been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation. None of the changes impact previously reported consolidated net revenue, income from operations, net income per share, total assets, or stockholders’ equity. Refer to Note 11, Segment Information, for a further discussion of the segment reorganization.

In the first fiscal quarter of 2017, the Company elected to apply the presentation requirements for cash flows related to excess tax benefits retrospectively to all periods presented upon adoption of ASU 2016-09. Refer to "Accounting Pronouncement Recently Adopted" within this Note for a further discussion of the impact from the adoption of ASU 2016-09.

Basis of presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidation of these subsidiaries.

Fiscal periods

The Company's fiscal year begins on January 1 of the year stated and ends on December 31 of the same year. The Company reports its results on a fiscal quarter basis rather than on a calendar quarter basis. Under the fiscal quarter basis, each of the first three fiscal quarters ends on the Sunday closest to the calendar quarter end, with the fourth quarter ending on December 31.

Use of estimates

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

Cash and cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity or a remaining maturity at the time of purchase of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company deposits cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions.

Short-term investments

Short-term investments are partially comprised of marketable securities that consist of government securities with an original maturity or a remaining maturity at the time of purchase, of greater than three months and no more than 12 months. The marketable securities are held in the Company's name with one high quality financial institution, which acts as the Company's custodian and investment manager. These marketable securities are classified as available-for-sale securities in accordance with the provisions of the authoritative guidance for investments and are carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity.

Short-term investments are also comprised of marketable securities related to deferred compensation under the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan. Mutual funds are the only investments allowed in the Company's Deferred Compensation Plan and the investments are held in a grantor trust formed by the Company. The Company has classified these investments as trading securities as the grantor trust actively manages the asset allocation to match the participants’ notional fund allocations. These securities are recorded at fair market value with unrealized gains and losses included in other income (expense), net.

Certain risks and uncertainties

The Company's products are concentrated in the networking and smart connected industries, which are characterized by rapid technological advances, changes in customer requirements and evolving regulatory requirements and industry standards. The success of the Company depends on management's ability to anticipate and/or to respond quickly and adequately to such changes. Any significant delays in the development or introduction of products could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and operating results.

The Company relies on a limited number of third parties to manufacture all of its products. If any of the Company's third-party manufacturers cannot or will not manufacture its products in required volumes, on a cost-effective basis, in a timely manner, or at all, the Company will have to secure additional manufacturing capacity. Any interruption or delay in manufacturing could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and operating results.

Derivative financial instruments

The Company uses foreign currency forward contracts to manage the exposures to foreign exchange risk related to expected future cash flows on certain forecasted revenue, costs of revenue, operating expenses, and on certain existing assets and liabilities. Foreign currency forward contracts generally mature within eleven months of inception. Under its foreign currency risk management strategy, the Company utilizes derivative instruments to reduce the impact of currency exchange rate movements on the Company's operating results by offsetting gains and losses on the forward contracts with increases or decreases in foreign currency transactions. The company does not use derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.

The Company accounts for its derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities and records them at fair value. Derivatives that are not defined as hedges in the authoritative guidance for derivatives and hedging must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders' equity and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recognized in current earnings. To receive hedge accounting treatment, cash flow hedges must be highly effective in offsetting changes to expected future cash flows on hedged transactions. For derivatives designated as cash flow hedges, changes in the time value are excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness and are recognized in earnings.

Concentration of credit risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to a concentration of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments and accounts receivable. The Company believes that there is minimal credit risk associated with the investment of its cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments, due to the restrictions placed on the type of investment that can be entered into under the Company's investment policy. The Company's short-term investments consist of investment-grade securities, and the Company's cash and investments are held and managed by recognized financial institutions.

The Company's customers are primarily distributors as well as retailers and broadband service providers who sell or distribute the products to a large group of end-users. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of the Company's customers to make required payments. The Company regularly performs credit evaluations of the Company's customers' financial condition and considers factors such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances, geographic or country-specific risks and current economic conditions that may affect customers' ability to pay. The Company does not require collateral from its customers. The Company secures credit insurance for certain customers in international and domestic markets.

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, Best Buy, Inc. and affiliates accounted for 35% and 38% of the Company's total accounts receivable, respectively. Amazon and affiliates accounted for 12% and 11% of the Company's total accounts receivable as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. No other customers accounted for 10% or greater of the Company's total accounts receivable.

The Company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to the foreign currency forward contracts used to mitigate the effect of foreign currency exchange rate changes. The Company believes the counterparties for its outstanding contracts are large, financially sound institutions and thus, the Company does not anticipate nonperformance by these counterparties. In the event of turbulence or the onset of a financial crisis in financial markets, the failure of additional counterparties cannot be ruled out.

Fair value measurements

The carrying amounts of the Company's financial instruments, including cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their fair values due to their short maturities. Foreign currency forward contracts are recorded at fair value based on observable market data. Refer to Note 12, Fair Value Measurements, in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for disclosures regarding fair value measurements in accordance with the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements and disclosures.

Allowance for doubtful accounts

The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. The Company regularly performs credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and considers factors such as historical experience, credit quality, age of the accounts receivable balances, and geographic or country-specific risks and economic conditions that may affect a customer's ability to pay. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed quarterly and adjusted if necessary based on the Company's assessments of its customers' ability to pay. If the financial condition of the Company's customers should deteriorate or if actual defaults are higher than the Company's historical experience, additional allowances may be required, which could have an adverse impact on operating expenses.

Inventories

Inventories consist primarily of finished goods which are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with cost being determined using the first-in, first-out method. The Company writes down its inventories based on estimated excess and obsolete inventories determined primarily by the demand forecast but takes into account market conditions, product development plans, product life expectancy and other factors. At the point of loss recognition, a new, lower cost basis for that inventory is established, and subsequent changes in facts and circumstances do not result in the restoration or increase of the newly established cost basis.

Property and equipment, net

Property and equipment are stated at historical cost, less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:



Computer equipment	2 years
Furniture and fixtures	5 years
Software	2-5 years
Machinery and equipment	2-3 years
Leasehold improvements	Shorter of the lease term or 5 years

Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset to the estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the carrying amount of the asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. The carrying value of the asset is reviewed on a regular basis for the existence of facts, both internal and external, that may suggest impairment. Charges related to the impairment of property and equipment were insignificant for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the purchase price over estimated fair value of net assets of businesses acquired in a business combination. Goodwill acquired in a business combination is not amortized, but instead tested for impairment at least annually on the first day of the fourth quarter. Should certain events or indicators of impairment occur between annual impairment tests, the Company performs the impairment test as those events or indicators occur. Examples of such events or circumstances include the following: a significant decline in the Company’s expected future cash flows; a sustained, significant decline in the Company’s stock price and market capitalization; a significant adverse change in the business climate; and slower growth rates.

Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level by first performing a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. The qualitative assessment considers the following factors: macroeconomic conditions, industry and market considerations, cost factors, overall company financial performance, events affecting the reporting units, and changes in the Company's share price. If the reporting unit does not pass the qualitative assessment, the Company estimates its fair value and compares the fair value with the carrying value of its reporting unit, including goodwill. If the fair value is greater than the carrying value of its reporting unit, no impairment is recorded. If the fair value is less than the carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount that the carrying amount of a reporting unit, including goodwill, exceeds its fair value, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. The impairment charge would be recorded to earnings in the consolidated statements of operations.

In the first fiscal quarter of 2017, the Company reorganized its operating segment structure resulting in a change to its reportable segments. The Company identified the reporting units for the purpose of goodwill impairment testing as Arlo, Connected Home, and SMB reporting units. The Company did not recognize any goodwill impairment charges during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Refer to Goodwill in Note 3, Balance Sheet Components, for further discussions on its goodwill impairment testing relating to the segment change and its annual goodwill impairment testing.

Intangibles, net

Purchased intangibles with finite lives are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated economic lives of the assets, which range from three to ten years. Finite-lived intangibles are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Determination of recoverability is based on an estimate of undiscounted future cash flows resulting from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition.

During the years ended December 31, 2017, there were no events or changes in circumstances that indicated the carrying amount of our finite-lived assets may not be recoverable from their undiscounted cash flows. Consequently, we did not perform an impairment test. The Company recorded no impairments to intangibles during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Warranty obligations

The Company provides for estimated future warranty obligations at the time revenue is recognized. The Company's standard warranty obligation to its direct customers generally provides for a right of return of any product for a full refund in the event that such product is not merchantable or is found to be damaged or defective. At the time revenue is recognized, an estimate of future warranty returns is recorded to reduce revenue in the amount of the expected credit or refund to be provided to its direct customers. At the time the Company records the reduction to revenue related to warranty returns, the Company includes within cost of revenue a write-down to reduce the carrying value of such products to net realizable value. The Company's standard warranty obligation to its end-users provides for replacement of a defective product for one or more years. Factors that affect the warranty obligation include product failure rates, material usage, and service delivery costs incurred in correcting product failures. The estimated cost associated with fulfilling the Company's warranty obligation to end-users is recorded in cost of revenue. Because the Company's products are manufactured by third-party manufacturers, in certain cases the Company has recourse to the third-party manufacturer for replacement or credit for the defective products. The Company gives consideration to amounts recoverable from its third-party manufacturers in determining its warranty liability.

Revenue recognition

Revenue from product sales is generally recognized at the time the product is shipped provided that persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risk of loss has transferred to the customer, the selling price is fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured. Currently, for some of the Company's customers, title passes to the customer upon delivery to the port or country of destination, upon their receipt of the product, or upon the customer's resale of the product. At the end of each fiscal quarter, the Company estimates and defers revenue related to product where title has not transferred. The revenue continues to be deferred until such time that title passes to the customer. The Company assesses collectability based on a number of factors, including general economic and market conditions, past transaction history with the customer, and the creditworthiness of the customer. If the Company determines that collection is not reasonably assured, then revenue is deferred until receipt of the payment from the customer.

The Company has product offerings with multiple elements. The Company's multiple-element product offerings include hardware with free services, networking hardware with embedded software, various software subscription services, and support, which are considered separate units of accounting. In general, the hardware and networking hardware with embedded software are delivered up front, while the free services are delivered over the stated service period, or the estimated useful life. The subscription services and support are delivered over the subscription and support period whether included in a multiple-element offering or not. The Company allocates revenue to the deliverables based upon their relative selling price. Revenue allocated to each unit of accounting is then recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, title and risk of loss has transferred to the customer, the selling price is fixed or determinable and collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured.

When applying the relative selling price method, the Company determines the selling price for each deliverable using vendor-specific objective evidence ("VSOE") of fair value of the deliverable, or when VSOE of fair value is unavailable, its best estimate of selling price (“ESP”), as the Company has determined it is unable to establish third-party evidence of selling price for the deliverables. In determining VSOE, the Company requires that a substantial majority of the selling prices for a deliverable sold on a stand-alone basis fall within a reasonably narrow pricing range, generally evidenced by approximately 80% of such historical stand-alone transactions falling within +/-15% of the median price. The Company determines ESP for a deliverable by considering multiple factors including, but not limited to, market conditions, competitive landscape, internal costs, gross margin objectives and pricing practices. The objective of ESP is to determine the price at which the Company would transact a sale if the deliverable were sold on a stand-alone basis. The determination of ESP is made through consultation with and formal approval by the Company's management, taking into consideration the go-to-market strategy.

Certain distributors and retailers generally have the right to return product for stock rotation purposes. Upon shipment of the product, the Company reduces revenue for an estimate of potential future product warranty and stock rotation returns related to the current period product revenue. Management analyzes historical returns, channel inventory levels, current economic trends and changes in customer demand for the Company's products when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for sales returns, namely warranty and stock rotation returns. Revenue on shipments is also reduced for estimated price protection and sales incentives deemed to be contra-revenue under the authoritative guidance for revenue recognition.

Sales incentives

The Company accrues for sales incentives as a marketing expense if it receives an identifiable benefit in exchange and can reasonably estimate the fair value of the identifiable benefit received; otherwise, it is recorded as a reduction to revenues. As a consequence, the Company records a substantial portion of its channel marketing costs as a reduction of revenue.

The Company records estimated reductions to revenues for sales incentives at the later of when the related revenue is recognized or when the program is offered to the customer or end consumer.

Shipping and handling fees and costs

The Company includes shipping and handling fees billed to customers in net revenue. Shipping and handling costs associated with inbound freight are included in cost of revenue. In cases where the Company gives a freight allowance to the customer for their own inbound freight costs, such costs are appropriately recorded as a reduction in net revenue. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are included in sales and marketing expenses and totaled $9.4 million, $9.2 million and $10.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively.

Research and development

Costs incurred in the research and development of new products are charged to expense as incurred.

Advertising costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Total advertising and promotional expenses were $33.3 million, $24.5 million, and $19.4 million in the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 respectively.

Income taxes

The Company accounts for income taxes under an asset and liability approach. Under this method, income tax expense is recognized for the amount of taxes payable or refundable for the current year. In addition, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences resulting from different treatment for tax versus accounting for certain items, such as accruals and allowances not currently deductible for tax purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the consolidated balance sheets. The Company must then assess the likelihood that the Company's deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent the Company believes that recovery is not more likely than not, the Company must establish a valuation allowance. The Company’s assessment considers the recognition of deferred tax assets on a jurisdictional basis. Accordingly, in assessing its future taxable income on a jurisdictional basis, the Company considers the effect of its transfer pricing policies on that income.

In the ordinary course of business there is inherent uncertainty in assessing the Company's income tax positions. The Company assesses its tax positions and records benefits for all years subject to examination based on management's evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company records the largest amount of tax benefit with a greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where it is not more likely than not that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recorded in the financial statements. Where applicable, associated interest and penalties have also been recognized as a component of income tax expense.

Net income per share

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing the net income for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing the net income for the period by the weighted average number of shares of common stock and potentially dilutive common stock outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares include common shares issuable upon exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock awards, and issuances of shares under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which are reflected in diluted net income per share by application of the treasury stock method. Potentially dilutive common shares are excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share when their effect is anti-dilutive.

Stock-based compensation

The Company measures stock-based compensation at the grant date based on the fair value of the award. The fair value of stock options and the shares offered under the Employee Stock Purchase Plan is estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. Estimated compensation cost relating to restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is based on the closing fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant.

The compensation expense for equity awards is recognized over the vesting period of the award under a graded vesting method. Upon the adoption of ASU 2016-09, the Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimating expected forfeitures. Additionally, upon the adoption, the Company prospectively recorded all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies arising from stock awards vesting or settlement as income tax expense or benefit rather than in equity. Refer to Recent accounting pronouncements below for a further discussion of the impact from the adoption of ASU 2016-09, and refer to Note 10, Employee Benefit Plans, for a further discussion on stock-based compensation.

Comprehensive income

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting stockholder's equity that the Company excluded from net income, including gains and losses related to fair value of short-term investments and the effective portion of cash flow hedges that were outstanding as of the end of the year.

Foreign currency translation and re-measurement

The Company's functional currency is the U.S. dollar for all of its international subsidiaries. Foreign currency transactions of international subsidiaries are re-measured into U.S. dollars at the end-of-period exchange rates for monetary assets and liabilities, and at historical exchange rates for non-monetary assets. Revenue is re-measured at average exchange rates in effect during each period. Expenses are re-measured at average exchange rates in effect during each period, except for expenses related to non-monetary assets, which are re-measured at historical exchange rates. Gains and losses arising from foreign currency transactions are included in Other income (expense), net.

Recent accounting pronouncements

Accounting Pronouncement Recently Adopted

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued ASU 2016-09, "Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" (Topic 718), which simplifies the accounting for share-based payment transactions. The new guidance requires excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies to be recorded in the income statement when stock awards vest or are settled. In addition, cash flows related to excess tax benefits will no longer be separately classified as an inflow from financing activities with a corresponding outflow from operating activities but will be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity. The standard also allows the entity to repurchase more of an employee’s vesting shares for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting, clarifies that all cash payments made to tax authorities on an employee’s behalf for withheld shares should be presented as a financing activity on the cash flows statement, and provides an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur. The new guidance became effective for the Company in the first fiscal quarter of 2017.

Upon adoption on January 1, 2017, the Company prospectively recorded all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies arising from stock awards vesting or settlement as income tax expense or benefit rather than in equity. For the years ended December 31, 2017, the impact of the adoption was the recognition of $2.7 million excess tax benefits as a component of the provision for income taxes. The Company elected to account for forfeitures as they occur, rather than estimating expected forfeitures, which resulted in net cumulative-effect adjustment of $0.2 million decrease to retained earnings as of January 1, 2017. The Company elected to apply the presentation requirements for cash flows related to excess tax benefits retrospectively to all periods presented, which resulted in an increase to both net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in financing activities of $3.0 million and $0.8 million for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The presentation requirement for cash flows related to employee taxes paid for withheld shares had no impact to any of the periods presented on the consolidated statements of cash flows since the Company has historically been presented such cash flows as a financing activity.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Effective

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" (Topic 606), which was further updated in March, April, May and December 2016. The guidance in this update supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, "Revenue Recognition". Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The guidance also specifies the accounting for some costs to obtain or fulfill a contract with a customer. An entity should apply the amendments in the update either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying this update recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method). On July 9, 2015, the FASB concluded to delay the effective date of the new revenue standard by one year. ASU 2014-09 is effective for the Company beginning in the first fiscal quarter of 2018 and early adoption is permitted.

The Company will adopt the new standard effective January 1, 2018 electing to utilize the modified retrospective approach resulting in a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The impact upon adoption will be based upon open contracts existing at that date. The Company has identified major revenue streams, performed an analysis of its contracts to evaluate the impact of the standard, drafted its accounting policies and does not expect the adoption to have a material impact to the nature and timing of its revenues, results of operations, cash flows and statement of financial position. The Company is in the process of finalizing the cumulative effect adjustments, expects to make an adjustment to reduce the balance of retained earnings in the range of $10 million to $15 million before consideration of tax effects, primarily related to the establishment of a liability for yet to be committed sales incentives as of the adoption date, offset by a net reduction in outstanding deferred revenue balances. Under Topic 605, these incentives are recognized as a reduction of revenue at the later of when the related revenue is recognized or when the program is offered to the channel partner. Applying Topic 606, where customary business practice of providing such incentives is determined, there is a timing difference and will require the Company upon adoption to record an estimate of yet to be committed future sales incentives with respect to revenue already recognized. In addition, the Company has determined that the presentation of certain reserve balances currently shown net within accounts receivable will be presented as refund liabilities within current liabilities upon adoption.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities" (Subtopic 825-10), which addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. This guidance requires equity investments to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net income. This guidance simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values by requiring a qualitative assessment to identify impairment. This guidance also clarifies that an entity should evaluate the need for a valuation allowance on a deferred tax asset related to available-for-sale securities in combination with the entity’s other deferred tax assets. The Company expects to adopt the new guidance in the first fiscal quarter of 2018, when it is effective for the Company. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the guidance will have on its financial statements and related disclosures, including accounting policies and processes. To date, the Company believes the most significant impact will be that the adoption of the new guidance could increase the volatility of its other income (expense), net, as a result of the re-measurement of its equity securities that are classified as cost method investments under the current guidance upon the occurrence of observable price changes and impairments.

In February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, "Leases" (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize on the balance sheets a right-of-use asset, representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term, and a corresponding lease liability for all leases with terms greater than twelve months. The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments while the right-of-use asset will be based on the liability, subject to adjustment, such as for initial direct costs. In addition, ASU 2016-02 expands the disclosure requirements for lessees. Upon adoption, the Company will be required to record a lease asset and lease liability related to its operating leases. ASU 2016-02 will be applied using a modified retrospective transition method and is effective for the Company in the first fiscal quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect to early adopt the new guidance. The Company has appointed a project team and is in the process of evaluating the impact the new standard will have on its consolidated financial statements. The Company expects to complete the impact assessment process by the end of the third fiscal quarter of 2018, and to complete the implementation process, including adding procedures and evaluating necessary disclosures, prior to the first fiscal quarter of 2019.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, "Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" (Topic 326), which replaces the incurred-loss impairment methodology and requires immediate recognition of estimated credit losses expected to occur for most financial assets, including trade receivables. Credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses will be recognized as allowances for credit losses limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company beginning in the first fiscal quarter of 2020 and early adoption is permitted. The Company continues to assess the potential impact of the new guidance, but does not expect it to have material impacts on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, "Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory" (Topic 740), which requires the recognition of the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset, other than inventory, when the transfer occurs. This removes the exception to postpone recognition until the asset has been sold to an outside party. ASU 2016-16 is effective for the Company in the first fiscal quarter of 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not plan to early adopt the guidance. Upon adoption, the Company anticipates the recognition of a deferred tax asset estimated at $21.0 million resulting from differences in the tax basis of assets and the consolidated book basis of assets resulting from intra-entity transfers of intangible assets. Other than the recognition of the deferred tax asset that will be established in retained earnings upon adoption, the Company estimates that adoption of the standard will increase tax expense by an approximate $0.7 million annually. The Company does not anticipate it to have a material impact on its cash flows.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, "Intangibles-Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment" (Topic 350), which simplifies the subsequent measurement of goodwill by removing Step 2 of goodwill impairment test that requires the determination of the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit. The new guidance requires goodwill impairment to be measured as the amount by which a reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value, not to exceed the carrying amount of goodwill. ASU 2017-04 will be applied prospectively and is effective for the Company in the first fiscal quarter of 2020, with early adoption permitted. The Company early adopted the guidance during the fourth fiscal quarter of 2017, prior to its annual testing of goodwill impairment. There was no impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows as a result of the adoption.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, "Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities" (Topic 815), which expands and refines hedge accounting for both non-financial and financial risk components and aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of the hedging instrument and the hedged item in the financial statements. The guidance also makes certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance and ease the administrative burden of hedge documentation requirements and assessing hedge effectiveness. ASU 2017-12 is effective for the Company in the first fiscal quarter of 2019 and early adoption is permitted. Entities should apply the guidance to existing cash flow and net investment hedge relationships using a modified retrospective approach with a cumulative effect adjustment recorded to opening retained earnings on the date of adoption. The guidance also provides transition relief to make it easier for entities to apply certain amendments to existing hedges where the hedge documentation needs to be modified. The Company expects to early adopt the guidance in fiscal 2018 and does not expect the adoption of this guidance will have material impact on its financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

With the exception of the new standards discussed above, there have been no other new accounting pronouncements that have significance, or potential significance, to the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.