Basis of Presentation (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Jan. 29, 2016

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S.) (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations, comprehensive income, financial condition, and cash flows in conformity with U.S. GAAP. In the opinion of management, the condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair statement of the results of Medtronic plc and its subsidiaries (Medtronic plc, Medtronic or the Company) for the periods presented. Medtronic plc is the successor registrant to Medtronic, Inc.

Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the fiscal year as a whole. The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses, and the related disclosures at the date of the financial statements and during the reporting period. Actual results could materially differ from these estimates. For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 2015.

Fiscal Period

The Company’s fiscal years 2016, 2015, and 2014 will end or ended on April 29, 2016, April 24, 2015, and April 25, 2014, respectively. Fiscal year 2016 is a 53-week year, and the extra week occurred during the first quarter.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted

In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued amended guidance for reporting discontinued operations. The amended guidance changes the criteria for determining when the results of operations are to be reported as discontinued operations and expands the related disclosure requirements. The guidance defines a discontinued operation as a component or group of components that is disposed of or classified as held for sale, which is a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on financial position and results of operations. The Company prospectively adopted this accounting guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2016. Its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance which eliminates the requirement for an acquirer in a business combination to restate prior period financial statements for measurement period adjustments. An acquirer in a business combination is required to report provisional amounts when measurements are incomplete at the end of the reporting period covering the business combination. Prior to the issuance of the new guidance, an acquirer was required to adjust such provisional amounts by restating prior period financial statements. Under the new guidance, the acquirer will recognize the measurement-period adjustment in the period the adjustment is determined. The Company prospectively adopted this accounting guidance in the third quarter of fiscal year 2016. Its adoption did not have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued accounting guidance that requires all deferred tax assets and liabilities, along with any related valuation allowance, to be classified as noncurrent on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Current guidance requires the deferred taxes for each jurisdiction to be presented as a net current asset or liability and net noncurrent asset or liability. As a result of the new guidance, each jurisdiction will now only have one net noncurrent deferred tax asset or liability. The new guidance does not change the existing requirement that only permits offsetting deferred tax assets and liabilities within a single jurisdiction. Entities have the option to apply the new guidance prospectively or retrospectively. This accounting guidance is effective for financial statements issued for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The Company prospectively adopted this accounting guidance in the third quarter of fiscal year 2016. Prior periods have not been retrospectively adjusted for adoption of this statement.

Not Yet Adopted

In May 2014, the FASB issued amended revenue recognition guidance to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers. The guidance requires an entity to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which an entity expects to be entitled in exchange for the transfer of goods or services. The guidance also requires expanded disclosures relating to the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative disclosures are required about customer contracts, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. This accounting guidance is effective for the Company beginning in the first quarter of fiscal year 2019 using one of two prescribed retrospective methods. The Company is evaluating the impact of the amended revenue recognition guidance on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.