10-Q 1 goog10-qq12018.htm 10-Q Document



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________________________________________________________________________________
FORM 10-Q
________________________________________________________________________________________
(Mark One)
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2018
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission file number: 001-37580
________________________________________________________________________________________
Alphabet Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
________________________________________________________________________________________
Delaware
61-1767919
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
1600 Amphitheatre Parkway
Mountain View, CA 94043
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(650) 253-0000
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) 
________________________________________________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
ý
  
Accelerated filer
¨
Non-accelerated filer
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
¨
 
Smaller reporting company
¨
Emerging growth company
¨
 
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.   ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes ¨    No ý
As of April 18, 2018, there were 298,656,198 shares of Alphabet’s Class A common stock outstanding, 46,940,340 shares of Alphabet's Class B common stock outstanding, and 348,952,225 shares of Alphabet's Class C capital stock outstanding.




Alphabet Inc.

Alphabet Inc.
Form 10-Q
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2018
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
Page No.
 
Item 1
 
 
 
 
 
Item 2
Item 3
Item 4
 
 
 
Item 1
Item 1A
Item 2
Item 5
Item 6
 

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Alphabet Inc.

NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, among other things, statements regarding:
the growth of our business and revenues and our expectations about the factors that influence our success and trends in our business;
our plans to continue to invest in new businesses, products, services and technologies, systems, facilities, and infrastructure, to continue to hire aggressively and provide competitive compensation programs, as well as to continue to invest in acquisitions;
seasonal fluctuations in internet usage and advertiser expenditures, underlying business trends such as traditional retail seasonality, and macroeconomic conditions, which are likely to cause fluctuations in our quarterly results;
the potential for declines in our revenue growth rate;
our expectation that we will continue to take steps to improve the relevance of the ads we deliver and to reduce the number of accidental clicks;
fluctuations in our revenue growth, as well as the change in paid clicks and cost-per-click on Google properties and the change in impressions and cost-per-impression on Google Network Members’ properties, and various factors contributing to such fluctuations;
our expectation that our foreign exchange risk management program will not fully offset our net exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
the expected variability of costs related to hedging activities under our foreign exchange risk management program;
the anticipated effect of, and our response to, new accounting pronouncements;
our expectation that our cost of revenues, research and development expenses, sales and marketing expenses, and general and administrative expenses will increase in dollars and may increase as a percentage of revenues;
our potential exposure in connection with pending investigations, proceedings, and other contingencies;
our expectation that our monetization trends will fluctuate, which could affect our revenues and margins in the future;
our expectation that our traffic acquisition costs (TAC) and the associated TAC rates will increase in the future;
our expectation that our results will be affected by our performance in international markets as users in developing economies increasingly come online;
our expectation that the portion of our revenues that we derive from non-advertising revenues will continue to increase and may affect margins;
our expectation that our other income (expense), net, will fluctuate in the future, as it is largely driven by market dynamics;
estimates of our future compensation expenses;
fluctuations in our effective tax rate;
the effect of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act);
the sufficiency of our sources of funding;
our payment terms to certain advertisers, which may increase our working capital requirements;
fluctuations in our capital expenditures;
our expectations related to the operating structure implemented pursuant to the Alphabet holding company reorganization;
the expected timing and amount of Alphabet Inc.'s share repurchases;
as well as other statements regarding our future operations, financial condition and prospects, and business strategies. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report and other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including without limitation, the following sections: Part I, Item 2, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, as may be updated in our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by words such as "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "expects," "intends," "plans," "predicts," "projects," "will be," "will continue," "may," "could," "will likely result," and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause our actual results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and in particular, the risks discussed in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, and those discussed in other documents we file with the SEC. We undertake no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revision to these forward-looking statements, except as required

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Alphabet Inc.

by law. Given these risks and uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements.
As used herein, "Alphabet," "the company," "we," "us," "our," and similar terms include Alphabet Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context indicates otherwise.
"Alphabet," "Google," and other trademarks of ours appearing in this report are our property. This report contains additional trade names and trademarks of other companies. We do not intend our use or display of other companies' trade names or trademarks to imply an endorsement or sponsorship of us by such companies, or any relationship with any of these companies.


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Alphabet Inc.

PART I.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Alphabet Inc.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share amounts which are reflected in thousands, and par value per share amounts)
 
As of
December 31, 2017
 
As of
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
(unaudited)
Assets
 
 
 
Current assets:
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
$
10,715

 
$
12,658

Marketable securities
91,156

 
90,227

Total cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities
101,871

 
102,885

Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $674 and $536
18,336

 
16,777

Income taxes receivable, net
369

 
37

Inventory
749

 
636

Other current assets
2,983

 
3,426

Total current assets
124,308

 
123,761

Non-marketable investments
7,813

 
10,976

Deferred income taxes
680

 
678

Property and equipment, net
42,383

 
48,845

Intangible assets, net
2,692

 
2,809

Goodwill
16,747

 
17,862

Other non-current assets
2,672

 
2,004

Total assets
$
197,295

 
$
206,935

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
 
 
Current liabilities:
 
 
 
Accounts payable
$
3,137

 
$
3,526

Short-term debt
0

 
1,329

Accrued compensation and benefits
4,581

 
3,812

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
10,177

 
10,065

Accrued revenue share
3,975

 
3,723

Deferred revenue
1,432

 
1,596

Income taxes payable, net
881

 
1,343

Total current liabilities
24,183

 
25,394

Long-term debt
3,969

 
3,973

Deferred revenue, non-current
340

 
315

Income taxes payable, non-current
12,812

 
12,885

Deferred income taxes
430

 
394

Other long-term liabilities
3,059

 
3,149

Total liabilities
44,793

 
46,110

Commitments and Contingencies (Note 9)

 

Stockholders’ equity:
 
 
 
Convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 100,000 shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
0

 
0

Class A and Class B common stock, and Class C capital stock and additional paid-in capital, $0.001 par value per share: 15,000,000 shares authorized (Class A 9,000,000, Class B 3,000,000, Class C 3,000,000); 694,783 (Class A 298,470, Class B 46,972, Class C 349,341) and 694,945 (Class A 298,652, Class B 46,940, Class C 349,353) shares issued and outstanding
40,247

 
41,487

Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(992
)
 
(670
)
Retained earnings
113,247

 
120,008

Total stockholders’ equity
152,502

 
160,825

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
$
197,295

 
$
206,935

See accompanying notes.

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Alphabet Inc.

Alphabet Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(in millions, except per share amounts; unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Revenues
$
24,750

 
$
31,146

Costs and expenses:
 
 
 
Cost of revenues
9,795

 
13,467

Research and development
3,942

 
5,039

Sales and marketing
2,644

 
3,604

General and administrative
1,801

 
2,035

Total costs and expenses
18,182

 
24,145

Income from operations
6,568

 
7,001

Other income (expense), net
251

 
3,542

Income before income taxes
6,819

 
10,543

Provision for income taxes
1,393

 
1,142

Net income
$
5,426

 
$
9,401

 
 
 
 
Basic net income per share of Class A and B common stock and Class C capital stock
$
7.85

 
$
13.53

Diluted net income per share of Class A and B common stock and Class C capital stock
$
7.73

 
$
13.33

See accompanying notes.

4

Alphabet Inc.

Alphabet Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions; unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Net income
$
5,426

 
$
9,401

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment
451

 
657

Available-for-sale investments:
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized gains (losses)
139

 
(208
)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses included in net income
25

 
39

Net change (net of tax effect of $0 and $0)
164

 
(169
)
Cash flow hedges:
 
 
 
Change in net unrealized gains (losses)
(229
)
 
(262
)
Less: reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses included in net income
(153
)
 
194

Net change (net of tax effect of $149 and $12)
(382
)
 
(68
)
Other comprehensive income
233

 
420

Comprehensive income
$
5,659

 
$
9,821

See accompanying notes.

5

Alphabet Inc.

Alphabet Inc.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions; unaudited)
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Operating activities
 
 
 
Net income
$
5,426

 
$
9,401

Adjustments:
 
 
 
Depreciation and impairment of property and equipment
1,287

 
1,791

Amortization and impairment of intangible assets
216

 
195

Stock-based compensation expense
2,009

 
2,457

Deferred income taxes
613

 
(18
)
(Gain) loss on debt and equity securities, net
19

 
(2,992
)
Other
57

 
(257
)
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions:
 
 
 
Accounts receivable
1,267

 
1,700

Income taxes, net
510

 
782

Other assets
(128
)
 
(241
)
Accounts payable
103

 
122

Accrued expenses and other liabilities
(1,868
)
 
(1,142
)
Accrued revenue share
(74
)
 
(286
)
Deferred revenue
111

 
130

Net cash provided by operating activities
9,548

 
11,642

Investing activities
 
 
 
Purchases of property and equipment
(2,508
)
 
(7,299
)
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment
41

 
30

Purchases of marketable securities
(20,119
)
 
(8,849
)
Maturities and sales of marketable securities
19,362

 
9,351

Purchases of non-marketable investments
(354
)
 
(327
)
Maturities and sales of non-marketable investments
78

 
498

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired, and purchases of intangible assets
(101
)
 
(1,250
)
Proceeds from collection of notes receivable
750

 
0

Net cash used in investing activities
(2,851
)
 
(7,846
)
Financing activities
 
 
 
Net payments related to stock-based award activities
(1,009
)
 
(1,158
)
Repurchases of capital stock
(1,127
)
 
(2,173
)
Proceeds from issuance of debt, net of costs
0

 
4,691

Repayments of debt
(18
)
 
(3,378
)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary shares
480

 
0

Net cash used in financing activities
(1,674
)
 
(2,018
)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
191

 
165

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
5,214

 
1,943

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
12,918

 
10,715

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
18,132

 
$
12,658

See accompanying notes.

6

Alphabet Inc.

Alphabet Inc.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of Operations
Google was incorporated in California in September 1998 and re-incorporated in the State of Delaware in August 2003. In 2015, we implemented a holding company reorganization, and as a result, Alphabet Inc. (Alphabet) became the successor issuer to Google.
We generate revenues primarily by delivering relevant, cost-effective online advertising.
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of Alphabet include the accounts of Alphabet and entities consolidated under the variable interest and voting models. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Unaudited Interim Financial Information
The Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018, the Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, and the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018 are unaudited. These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP). In our opinion, the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include all adjustments of a normal recurring nature necessary for the fair presentation of our financial position as of March 31, 2018, our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, and our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018.
These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 5, 2018.
Use of Estimates
Preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the accounts receivable, sales allowances, fair values of financial instruments, intangible assets and goodwill, useful lives of intangible assets and property and equipment, income taxes, and contingent liabilities, among others. We base our estimates on assumptions, both historical and forward looking, that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include cash equivalents, marketable securities, derivative contracts, and non-marketable debt securities. Our financial assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include non-marketable equity securities measured at fair value when observable price changes are identified or are impaired. Other financial assets and liabilities are carried at cost with fair value disclosed, if required.
Fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. Assets and liabilities recorded at fair value are measured and classified in accordance with a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the observability of the inputs available in the market used to measure fair value:
Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2 - Inputs that are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuation techniques for which all significant inputs are observable in the market or can be derived from observable market data. Where applicable,

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Alphabet Inc.

these models project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to a present value using market-based observable inputs including interest rate curves, foreign exchange rates, and credit ratings.
Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activities.
The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 (Topic 842) "Leases." Topic 842 supersedes the lease requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 840, "Leases." Under Topic 842, lessees are required to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for most leases and provide enhanced disclosures. Leases will continue to be classified as either finance or operating. As currently issued, entities are required to use a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. There are additional optional practical expedients that an entity may elect to apply. Based on our current portfolio of leases, approximately $8 billion of lease assets and liabilities would be recognized on our balance sheet, primarily relating to real estate. We are in the process of implementing changes to our systems and processes in conjunction with our review of lease agreements. We will adopt Topic 842 effective January 1, 2019 and expect to elect certain available transitional practical expedients.
In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13 (ASU 2016-13) "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss methodology, which will result in more timely recognition of credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for annual reporting periods, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2019. We are currently in the process of evaluating the effect of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on our consolidated financial statements.
Recently adopted accounting pronouncements
In January 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-01 (ASU 2016-01) "Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities," which amends various aspects of the recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure of financial instruments. We adopted ASU 2016-01 as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method for our marketable equity securities and the prospective method for our non-marketable equity securities. This resulted in a $98 million reclassification of net unrealized gains from accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) to opening retained earnings. We have elected to use the measurement alternative for our non-marketable equity securities, defined as cost adjusted for changes from observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer, less impairment. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 increases the volatility of our other income (expense), net, as a result of the remeasurement of our equity securities. For further information on unrealized gains from equity securities, see Note 3.
In October 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-16 (ASU 2016-16) "Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory." ASU 2016-16 generally accelerates the recognition of income tax consequences for asset transfers between entities under common control. We adopted ASU 2016-16 as of January 1, 2018 using a modified retrospective transition method, resulting in a $701 million reclassification of unrecognized income tax effects related to asset transfers that occurred prior to adoption from other current and non-current assets to opening retained earnings.
Prior Period Reclassifications
Certain amounts in prior periods have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation.
Note 2. Revenues
Revenue Recognition
Revenues are recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to our customers, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services.
The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by revenue source (in millions, unaudited). Sales and usage-based taxes are excluded from revenues.

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Alphabet Inc.

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Google properties
$
17,403

 
$
21,998

Google Network Members' properties
4,008

 
4,644

Google advertising revenues
21,411

 
26,642

Google other revenues
3,207

 
4,354

Other Bets revenues
132

 
150

Total revenues(1)
$
24,750

 
$
31,146

(1) 
Revenues include hedging gains (losses) of $217 million and $(239) million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively, which do not represent revenues recognized from contracts with customers.
The following table presents our revenues disaggregated by geography, based on the billing addresses of our customers (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
United States
$
11,769

 
$
14,144

EMEA(1)
8,091

 
10,474

APAC(1)
3,619

 
4,804

Other Americas(1)
1,271

 
1,724

Total revenues(2)
$
24,750

 
$
31,146

(1) 
Regions represent Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); Asia-Pacific (APAC); and Canada and Latin America (Other Americas).
(2) 
Revenues include hedging gains (losses) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018.
Advertising Revenues
We generate revenues primarily by delivering advertising on Google properties and Google Network Members’ properties.
Google properties revenues consist primarily of advertising revenues generated on Google.com, the Google Search app, and other Google owned and operated properties like Gmail, Google Maps, Google Play, and YouTube.
Google Network Members’ properties revenues consist primarily of advertising revenues generated on Google Network Members’ properties.
Our customers generally purchase advertising inventory through AdWords, DoubleClick AdExchange, and DoubleClick Bid Manager, among others.
We offer advertising on a cost-per-click basis, which means that an advertiser pays us only when a user clicks on an ad on Google properties or Google Network Members' properties or when a user views certain YouTube engagement ads. For these customers, we recognize revenue each time a user clicks on the ad or when a user views the ad for a specified period of time.
We also offer advertising on other bases such as cost-per-impression, which means an advertiser pays us based on the number of times their ads are displayed on Google properties or Google Network Members’ properties. For these customers, we recognize revenue each time an ad is displayed.
Certain customers may receive cash-based incentives or credits, which are accounted for as variable consideration. We estimate these amounts based on the expected amount to be provided to customers and reduce revenues recognized. We believe that there will not be significant changes to our estimates of variable consideration.
For ads placed on Google Network Members’ properties, we evaluate whether we are the principal (i.e., report revenues on a gross basis) or agent (i.e., report revenues on a net basis). Generally, we report advertising revenues for ads placed on Google Network Members’ properties on a gross basis, that is, the amounts billed to our customers are recorded as revenues, and amounts paid to Google Network Members are recorded as cost of revenues. Where we are the principal, we control the advertising inventory before it is transferred to our customers. Our control is evidenced by our sole ability to monetize the advertising inventory before it is transferred to our customers, and is

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further supported by us being primarily responsible to our customers and having a level of discretion in establishing pricing.
Other Revenues
Google other revenues and Other Bets revenues consist primarily of revenues from:
Apps, in-app purchases, and digital content in the Google Play store;
Google Cloud offerings;
Hardware; and
Other miscellaneous products and services.
As it relates to Google other revenues, the most significant judgment is determining whether we are the principal or agent for app sales and in-app purchases through the Google Play store. We report revenues from these transactions on a net basis because our performance obligation is to facilitate a transaction between app developers and end users, for which we earn a commission. Consequently, the portion of the gross amount billed to end users that is remitted to app developers is not reflected as revenues.
Arrangements with Multiple Performance Obligations
Our contracts with customers may include multiple performance obligations. For such arrangements, we allocate revenues to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price. We generally determine standalone selling prices based on the prices charged to customers or using expected cost plus margin.
Deferred Revenues
We record deferred revenues when cash payments are received or due in advance of our performance, including amounts which are refundable. The increase in the deferred revenue balance for the three months ended March 31, 2018 is primarily driven by cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations, offset by $647 million of revenues recognized that were included in the deferred revenue balance as of December 31, 2017.
Our payment terms vary by the type and location of our customer and the products or services offered. The term between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant. For certain products or services and customer types, we require payment before the products or services are delivered to the customer.
Practical Expedients and Exemptions
We generally expense sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within sales and marketing expenses.
We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.
Note 3. Financial Instruments
Debt Securities
We classify our marketable debt securities within Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy because we use quoted market prices to the extent available or alternative pricing sources and models utilizing market observable inputs to determine fair value. We reclassified our U.S. government notes included in marketable debt securities from Level 1 to Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy as these securities are priced based on a combination of quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in active markets and models with significant observable market inputs. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform with current period presentation. The vast majority of our government bond holdings are highly liquid U.S. government notes.
We classify our non-marketable debt securities as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy because they are primarily preferred stock and convertible notes issued by private companies without quoted market prices. To estimate the fair value of our non-marketable debt securities, we use a combination of valuation methodologies, including market and income approaches based on prior transaction prices; estimated timing, probability, and amount of cash flows; and illiquidity considerations. Financial information of private companies may not be available and consequently we will estimate the fair value based on the best available information at the measurement date.

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The following tables summarize our debt securities by significant investment categories as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 (in millions):
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
Adjusted
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Cash and Cash
Equivalents
 
Marketable
Securities
 
Non-Marketable
Securities
Level 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Time deposits(1)
$
359

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
359

 
$
357

 
$
2

 
$
0

Government bonds(2)
51,548

 
10

 
(406
)
 
51,152

 
1,241

 
49,911

 
0

Corporate debt securities
24,269

 
21

 
(135
)
 
24,155

 
126

 
24,029

 
0

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
16,789

 
13

 
(180
)
 
16,622

 
0

 
16,622

 
0

 
92,965

 
44

 
(721
)
 
92,288

 
1,724

 
90,564

 
0

Level 3:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-marketable debt securities
1,083

 
811

 
0

 
1,894

 
0

 
0

 
1,894

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
94,048

 
$
855

 
$
(721
)
 
$
94,182

 
$
1,724

 
$
90,564

 
$
1,894

 
As of March 31, 2018
 
Adjusted
Cost
 
Gross
Unrealized
Gains
 
Gross
Unrealized
Losses
 
Fair
Value
 
Cash and Cash
Equivalents
 
Marketable
Securities
 
Non-Marketable
Securities
 
(unaudited)
Level 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Time deposits(1)
$
187

 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
187

 
$
186

 
$
1

 
$
0

Government bonds(2)
50,187

 
14

 
(563
)
 
49,638

 
110

 
49,528

 
0

Corporate debt securities
24,305

 
10

 
(361
)
 
23,954

 
43

 
23,911

 
0

Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
16,309

 
9

 
(348
)
 
15,970

 
0

 
15,970

 
0

 
90,988

 
33

 
(1,272
)
 
89,749

 
339

 
89,410

 
0

Level 3:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-marketable debt securities
1,030

 
1,204

 
0

 
2,234

 
0

 
0

 
2,234

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total
$
92,018

 
$
1,237

 
$
(1,272
)
 
$
91,983

 
$
339

 
$
89,410

 
$
2,234

(1) 
The majority of our time deposits are foreign deposits.
(2) 
Government bonds is comprised primarily of U.S. government notes, and also includes U.S. government agencies, foreign government bonds and municipal securities.   
We determine realized gains or losses on the sale of debt securities on a specific identification method. We recognized gross realized gains of $145 million and $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. We recognized gross realized losses of $170 million and $41 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. We reflect these gains and losses as a component of other income (expense), net, in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

11

Alphabet Inc.

The following table summarizes the estimated fair value of our investments in marketable debt securities with stated contractual maturity dates, accounted for as available-for-sale securities and classified by the contractual maturity date of the securities (in millions, unaudited):
 
As of
March 31, 2018
Due in 1 year
$
17,262

Due in 1 year through 5 years
57,937

Due in 5 years through 10 years
2,325

Due after 10 years
11,886

Total
$
89,410

The following tables present gross unrealized losses and fair values for those investments that were in an unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, aggregated by investment category and the length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous loss position (in millions):
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
Government bonds(1)
$
28,836

 
$
(211
)
 
$
17,660

 
$
(195
)
 
$
46,496

 
$
(406
)
Corporate debt securities
18,300

 
(114
)
 
1,710

 
(21
)
 
20,010

 
(135
)
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
11,061

 
(105
)
 
3,449

 
(75
)
 
14,510

 
(180
)
Total
$
58,197

 
$
(430
)
 
$
22,819

 
$
(291
)
 
$
81,016

 
$
(721
)
 
As of March 31, 2018
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or Greater
 
Total
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
(unaudited)
Government bonds(1)
$
29,080

 
$
(358
)
 
$
15,054

 
$
(205
)
 
$
44,134

 
$
(563
)
Corporate debt securities
19,731

 
(327
)
 
1,653

 
(34
)
 
21,384

 
(361
)
Mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities
11,108

 
(230
)
 
3,242

 
(118
)
 
14,350

 
(348
)
Total
$
59,919

 
$
(915
)
 
$
19,949

 
$
(357
)
 
$
79,868

 
$
(1,272
)
(1) 
Government bonds is comprised primarily of U.S. government notes, and also includes U.S. government agencies, foreign government bonds and municipal securities.   
During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, we did not recognize any significant other-than-temporary impairment losses. Losses on impairment are included as a component of other income (expense), net, in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 6 for further details on other income (expense), net.

12

Alphabet Inc.

The following table presents a reconciliation for our non-marketable debt securities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Beginning balance
$
1,165

 
$
1,894

Total net gains (losses)
 
 
 
    Included in earnings
0

 
(21
)
    Included in other comprehensive income
65

 
393

Purchases
64

 
2

Sales
(1
)
 
0

Settlements
(3
)
 
(34
)
Ending balance
$
1,290

 
$
2,234

Equity Investments
Marketable equity securities
Our marketable equity securities are publicly traded stocks or funds measured at fair value and classified within Level 1 and 2 in the fair value hierarchy because we use quoted prices for identical assets in active markets or inputs that are based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets.
Prior to January 1, 2018, we accounted for the majority of our marketable equity securities at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income on the balance sheet. Realized gains and losses on marketable equity securities sold or impaired were recognized in other income (expense), net.
On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-01 which changed the way we account for marketable equity securities. Our marketable equity securities are measured at fair value and starting January 1, 2018 unrealized gains and losses are recognized in other income (expense), net. Upon adoption, we reclassified $98 million net unrealized gains related to marketable equity securities from accumulated other comprehensive income to opening retained earnings.
The following table summarizes marketable equity securities measured at fair value by significant investment categories as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 (in millions):
 
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
 
Marketable
Securities
Level 1:
 
 
 
 
Money market and other funds
 
$
1,833

 
$
0

Marketable equity securities
 
0

 
340

 
 
1,833

 
340

Level 2:
 
 
 
 
Mutual funds(1)
 
0

 
252

 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
1,833

 
$
592

(1) 
The fair value option was elected for mutual funds with gains (losses) recognized in other income (expense), net.

13

Alphabet Inc.

 
 
As of March 31, 2018
 
 
(unaudited)
 
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents
 
Marketable Securities
Level 1:
 
 
 
 
Money market and other funds
 
$
4,020

 
$
0

Marketable equity securities
 
0

 
581

 
 
4,020

 
581

Level 2:
 
 
 
 
Mutual funds
 
0

 
236

 
 
 
 
 
Total
 
$
4,020

 
$
817

Non-marketable equity securities
Our non-marketable equity securities are investments in privately held companies without readily determinable market values.
Prior to January 1, 2018, we accounted for our non-marketable equity securities at cost less impairment. Realized gains and losses on non-marketable securities sold or impaired were recognized in other income (expense), net. As of December 31, 2017, non-marketable equity securities accounted for under the cost method had a carrying value of $4.5 billion and a fair value of approximately $8.8 billion.
On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-01 which changed the way we account for non-marketable securities. We now adjust the carrying value of our non-marketable equity securities to fair value upon observable transactions for identical or similar investments of the same issuer or impairment (referred to as the measurement alternative). All gains and losses on non-marketable equity securities, realized and unrealized, are recognized in other income (expense), net. Because we adopted ASU 2016-01 prospectively, we will recognize unrealized gains that occurred in prior periods in the first period after January 1, 2018 when there is an observable transaction for our securities. Non-marketable equity securities remeasured during the three months ended March 31, 2018 are classified within Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy because we estimate the value based on valuation methods using the observable transaction price at the transaction date and other unobservable inputs including volatility, rights, and obligations of the securities we hold.
As of March 31, 2018, non-marketable equity securities had a carrying value of approximately $7.3 billion, of which $3.6 billion was remeasured to fair value based on observable transactions during the three months ended March 31, 2018. The following is a summary of unrealized gains and losses recorded in other income (expense), net, and included as adjustments to the carrying value of non-marketable equity securities held as of March 31, 2018 (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Upward adjustments (gross unrealized gains)
$
2,511

Downward adjustments (including impairment) (gross unrealized losses)
(23
)
Total
$
2,488

Gains and losses on marketable and non-marketable equity securities
Realized and unrealized gains and losses for our marketable and non-marketable equity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2018 are summarized below (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended March 31, 2018
Realized gain (loss) for equity securities sold
$
387

Unrealized gain (loss) on equity securities held
2,644

Total gain (loss) recognized in other income (expense), net
$
3,031


14

Alphabet Inc.

Investments accounted for under the Equity Method
As of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, investments accounted for under the equity method had a carrying value of approximately $1.4 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. Our share of gains and losses in equity method investments including impairment are included as a component of other income (expense), net, in the Consolidated Statements of Income. See Note 6 for further details on other income (expense), net.
Derivative Financial Instruments
We classify our foreign currency and interest rate derivative contracts primarily within Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as the valuation inputs are based on quoted prices and market observable data of similar instruments.
We recognize derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. We record changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of the derivatives in the Consolidated Statements of Income as either other income (expense), net, or revenues, or in the Consolidated Balance Sheets in AOCI, as discussed below. As a result of our adoption of Accounting Standard Update No. 2017-12 (ASU 2017-12) "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities," the components excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness are recognized in the same income statement line as the hedged item beginning January 1, 2018.
We enter into foreign currency contracts with financial institutions to reduce the risk that our cash flows and earnings will be adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. We also use interest rate derivative contracts to hedge interest rate exposures on our fixed income securities and debt issuances. Our program is not used for trading or speculative purposes.
We enter into master netting arrangements, which reduce credit risk by permitting net settlement of transactions with the same counterparty. To further reduce credit risk, we enter into collateral security arrangements under which the counterparty is required to provide collateral when the net fair value of certain financial instruments fluctuates from contractually established thresholds. We can take possession of the collateral in the event of counterparty default. As of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, we received cash collateral related to the derivative instruments under our collateral security arrangements of $15 million and $84 million, respectively.
Cash Flow Hedges
We use foreign currency forwards and option contracts, including collars (an option strategy comprised of a combination of purchased and written options), designated as cash flow hedges to hedge certain forecasted revenue transactions denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. The notional principal of these contracts was approximately $11.7 billion and $11.6 billion as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively. These contracts have maturities of 24 months or less.
For forwards and option contracts, we exclude the change in the forward points and time value from our assessment of hedge effectiveness. The initial value of the excluded component is amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the hedging instrument and recognized in revenues. The difference between fair value changes of the excluded component and the amount amortized to revenues is recorded in AOCI. We reflect the gains or losses of a cash flow hedge included in our hedge effective assessment as a component of AOCI and subsequently reclassify these gains and losses to revenues when the hedged transactions are recorded. If the hedged transactions become probable of not occurring, the corresponding amounts in AOCI are immediately reclassified to other income (expense), net.
As of March 31, 2018, the net gain or loss of our foreign currency cash flow hedges before tax effect was a net accumulated loss of $296 million, of which a net loss of $296 million is expected to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings within the next 12 months.
Fair Value Hedges
We use forward contracts designated as fair value hedges to hedge foreign currency risks for our investments denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. We exclude changes in forward points for the forward contracts from the assessment of hedge effectiveness. We recognize changes in the excluded component in other income (expense), net. The notional principal of these contracts was $2.9 billion and $2.8 billion as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively.
Gains and losses on these forward contracts are recognized in other income (expense), net, along with the offsetting gains and losses of the related hedged items.
Other Derivatives
Other derivatives not designated as hedging instruments consist of foreign currency forward contracts that we use to hedge intercompany transactions and other monetary assets or liabilities denominated in currencies other than the local currency of a subsidiary. We recognize gains and losses on these contracts, as well as the related costs in other income (expense), net, along with the foreign currency gains and losses on monetary assets and liabilities. The

15

Alphabet Inc.

notional principal of the outstanding foreign exchange contracts was $15.2 billion and $20.7 billion as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively.
The fair values of our outstanding derivative instruments were as follows (in millions):
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2017
  
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value of Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Fair Value of
Derivatives Not
Designated as
Hedging Instruments
 
Total Fair Value
Derivative Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
Other current and non-current assets
 
$
51

 
$
29

 
$
80

Total
 
 
$
51

 
$
29

 
$
80

Derivative Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
Accrued expenses and other liabilities, current and non-current
 
$
230

 
$
122

 
$
352

Total
 
 
$
230

 
$
122

 
$
352

 
 
 
As of March 31, 2018
  
Balance Sheet Location
 
Fair Value of
Derivatives
Designated as
Hedging Instruments
 
Fair Value of
Derivatives Not
Designated as
Hedging Instruments
 
Total Fair Value
 
 
 
(unaudited)
Derivative Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
Other current and non-current assets
 
$
37

 
$
149

 
$
186

Total
 
 
$
37

 
$
149

 
$
186

Derivative Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Level 2:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
Accrued expenses and other liabilities, current and non-current
 
$
285

 
$
120

 
$
405

Total
 
 
$
285

 
$
120

 
$
405

The gains (losses) on derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships recognized in other comprehensive income (OCI) is summarized below (in millions, unaudited):
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship
 
2017
 
2018
Foreign exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
Amount included in the assessment of effectiveness
 
$
(313
)
 
$
(319
)
Amount excluded from the assessment of effectiveness
 
0

 
(7
)
Total
 
$
(313
)
 
$
(326
)
 

16

Alphabet Inc.

The effect of derivative instruments on income is summarized below (in millions, unaudited):
 
 
Gains or (Losses) Recognized in Income
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2017
 
2018
 
 
Revenues
 
Other income (expense), net
 
Revenues
 
Other income (expense), net
Total amounts presented in the Consolidated Statements of Income in which the effects of cash flow and fair value hedges are recorded
 
$
24,750

 
$
251

 
$
31,146

 
$
3,542

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gains (Losses) on Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationship:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Amount of gains (losses) reclassified from AOCI to income
 
$
217

 
$
0

 
$
(247
)
 
$
0

Amount excluded from the assessment of effectiveness recognized in earnings based on an amortization approach
 
0

 
0

 
8

 
0

Amount excluded from the assessment of effectiveness
 
0

 
26

 
0

 
0

Gains (Losses) on Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationship:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Hedged items
 
0

 
51

 
0

 
113

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
 
0

 
(51
)
 
0

 
(113
)
Amount excluded from the assessment of effectiveness
 
0

 
4

 
0

 
11

Gains (Losses) on Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
 
0

 
(202
)
 
0

 
(100
)
Total gains (losses)
 
$
217

 
$
(172
)
 
$
(239
)
 
$
(89
)

17

Alphabet Inc.

Offsetting of Derivatives
We present our forwards and purchased options at gross fair values in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For foreign currency collars, we present at net fair values where both purchased and written options are with the same counterparty. Our master netting and other similar arrangements allow net settlements under certain conditions. As of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, information related to these offsetting arrangements were as follows (in millions):
Offsetting of Assets
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, but Have Legal Rights to Offset
 
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Financial Instruments
 
 Cash Collateral Received
 
Non-Cash Collateral Received
 
Net Assets Exposed
Derivatives
$
102

 
$
(22
)
 
$
80

 
$
(64
)
(1) 
$
(4
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
10

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, but Have Legal Rights to Offset
 
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Financial Instruments
 
Cash Collateral Received
 
Non-Cash Collateral Received
 
Net Assets Exposed
 
(unaudited)
Derivatives
$
223

 
$
(37
)
 
$
186

 
$
(124
)
(1) 
$
(58
)
 
$
0

 
$
4

(1) 
The balances as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 were related to derivative liabilities which are allowed to be net settled against derivative assets in accordance with our master netting agreements.
Offsetting of Liabilities
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, but Have Legal Rights to Offset
 
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Financial Instruments
 
 Cash Collateral Pledged
 
Non-Cash Collateral Pledged
 
Net Liabilities
Derivatives
$
374

 
$
(22
)
 
$
352

 
$
(64
)
(2) 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
288

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, but Have Legal Rights to Offset
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Financial Instruments
 
 Cash Collateral Pledged
 
Non-Cash Collateral Pledged
 
Net Liabilities
 
(unaudited)
Derivatives
$
442

 
$
(37
)
 
$
405

 
$
(124
)
(2) 
$
0

 
$
0

 
$
281

(2) 
The balances as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018 were related to derivative assets which are allowed to be net settled against derivative liabilities in accordance with our master netting agreements.
Note 4. Variable Interest Entities (VIEs)
Consolidated VIEs
We consolidate VIEs in which we hold a variable interest and are the primary beneficiary. We are the primary beneficiary because we have the power to direct activities that most significantly affect their economic performance and have the obligation to absorb the majority of their losses or benefits. The results of operations and statements of financial position of these VIEs are included in our consolidated financial statements.

18

Alphabet Inc.

For certain consolidated VIEs, their assets are not available to us and their creditors do not have recourse to us. As of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, assets that can only be used to settle obligations of these VIEs were $1.7 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, and the liabilities for which creditors do not have recourse to us were $997 million and $906 million, respectively.
Calico
Calico is a life science company with a mission to harness advanced technologies to increase our understanding of the biology that controls lifespan. As of March 31, 2018, we have contributed $240 million to Calico in exchange for Calico convertible preferred units and are committed to fund an additional $490 million on an as-needed basis.
In September 2014, AbbVie Inc. (AbbVie) and Calico announced a research and development collaboration agreement intended to help both companies discover, develop, and bring to market new therapies for patients with age-related diseases, including neurodegeneration and cancer. As of March 31, 2018, AbbVie has contributed $750 million to fund the collaboration pursuant to the agreement, which reflects its total commitment. As of March 31, 2018, Calico has contributed $250 million and committed up to an additional $500 million.
Calico has used its scientific expertise to establish a world-class research and development facility, with a focus on drug discovery and early drug development; and AbbVie provides scientific and clinical development support and its commercial expertise to bring new discoveries to market. Both companies share costs and profits equally. AbbVie's contribution has been recorded as a liability on Calico's financial statements, which is reduced and reflected as a reduction to research and development expense as eligible research and development costs are incurred by Calico.
Verily
Verily is a life science company with a mission to make the world's health data useful so that people enjoy healthier lives.
In 2017, Temasek, a Singapore-based investment company, purchased a noncontrolling interest in Verily for an aggregate of $800 million in cash. The transaction is accounted for as an equity transaction and no gain or loss was recognized. Noncontrolling interest and net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest were not separately presented on our consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2018 as the amounts were not material.
Unconsolidated VIEs
Certain renewable energy investments included in our non-marketable equity investments accounted for under the equity method are VIEs. These entities' activities involve power generation using renewable sources. We have determined that the governance structures of these entities do not allow us to direct the activities that would significantly affect their economic performance such as setting operating budgets. Therefore, we do not consolidate these VIEs in our consolidated financial statements. The carrying value and maximum exposure of these VIEs were $896 million and $877 million as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively. The maximum exposure is based on current investments to date. We have determined the single source of our exposure to these VIEs is our capital investment in them.
Other unconsolidated VIEs were not material as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018.
Note 5. Debt
Short-Term Debt
We have a debt financing program of up to $5.0 billion through the issuance of commercial paper. Net proceeds from this program are used for general corporate purposes. We had no commercial paper outstanding as of December 31, 2017 and $1.3 billion of outstanding commercial paper recorded as short-term debt with a weighted-average interest rate of 1.7% as of March 31, 2018. The estimated fair value of the short-term debt approximated its carrying value as of March 31, 2018.
Long-Term Debt
Google issued $3.0 billion of senior unsecured notes in three tranches (collectively, 2011 Notes) in May 2011, due in 2014, 2016, and 2021, as well as $1.0 billion of senior unsecured notes (2014 Notes) in February 2014 due in 2024.
In April 2016, we completed an exchange offer with eligible holders of Google’s 2011 Notes due 2021 and 2014 Notes due 2024 (collectively, the Google Notes). An aggregate principal amount of approximately $1.7 billion of the Google Notes was exchanged for approximately $1.7 billion of Alphabet notes with identical interest rate and maturity.

19

Alphabet Inc.

Because the exchange was between a parent and the subsidiary company and for substantially identical notes, the change was treated as a debt modification for accounting purposes with no gain or loss recognized.
In August 2016, Alphabet issued $2.0 billion of senior unsecured notes (2016 Notes) due 2026. The net proceeds from the issuance of the 2016 Notes were used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of outstanding commercial paper. The Alphabet notes due in 2021, 2024, and 2026 rank equally with each other and are structurally subordinate to the outstanding Google Notes.
The total outstanding long-term debt is summarized below (in millions):
 
As of
December 31, 2017
 
As of
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
(unaudited)
Long-term debt
 
 
 
3.625% Notes due on May 19, 2021
$
1,000

 
$
1,000

3.375% Notes due on February 25, 2024
1,000

 
1,000

1.998% Notes due on August 15, 2026
2,000

 
2,000

Unamortized discount for the Notes above
(57
)
 
(56
)
Subtotal(1)
$
3,943

 
$
3,944

Capital lease obligation
26

 
29

Total long-term debt
$
3,969

 
$
3,973

(1) 
Includes the outstanding (and unexchanged) Google Notes issued in 2011 and 2014 and the Alphabet notes exchanged in 2016.
The effective interest yields based on proceeds received from the outstanding notes due in 2021, 2024, and 2026 were 3.734%, 3.377%, and 2.231%, respectively, with interest payable semi-annually. We may redeem these notes at any time in whole or in part at specified redemption prices. The total estimated fair value of all outstanding notes was approximately $4.0 billion as of December 31, 2017 and $3.9 billion as of March 31, 2018. The fair value was determined based on observable market prices of identical instruments in less active markets and is categorized accordingly as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Credit Facility
We have a $4.0 billion revolving credit facility which expires in February 2021. The interest rate for the credit facility is determined based on a formula using certain market rates. No amounts were outstanding under the credit facility as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018.
Note 6. Supplemental Financial Statement Information
Property and Equipment, Net
Property and equipment, net, consisted of the following (in millions):
 
As of
December 31, 2017
 
As of
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
(unaudited)
Land and buildings
$
23,183

 
$
26,879

Information technology assets
21,429

 
23,795

Construction in progress
10,491

 
12,357

Leasehold improvements
4,496

 
4,720

Furniture and fixtures
48

 
50

Property and equipment, gross
59,647

 
67,801

Less: accumulated depreciation
(17,264
)
 
(18,956
)
Property and equipment, net
$
42,383

 
$
48,845

As of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, assets under capital lease with a cost basis of $390 million and $455 million were included in property and equipment, respectively.

20

Alphabet Inc.

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following (in millions):
 
As of
December 31, 2017
 
As of
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
(unaudited)
European Commission fine(1)
$
2,874

 
$
3,028

Accrued customer liabilities
1,489

 
1,457

Other accrued expenses and current liabilities
5,814

 
5,580

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
$
10,177

 
$
10,065

(1) 
Includes the effects of foreign exchange and interest. See Note 9 for further details.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The components of AOCI, net of tax, were as follows (in millions, unaudited):
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Investments
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2016
$
(2,646
)
 
$
(179
)
 
$
423

 
$
(2,402
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications
451

 
139

 
(229
)
 
361

Amounts reclassified from AOCI
0

 
25

 
(153
)
 
(128
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
451

 
164

 
(382
)
 
233

Balance as of March 31, 2017
$
(2,195
)
 
$
(15
)
 
$
41

 
$
(2,169
)
 
Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Available-for-Sale Investments
 
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Cash Flow Hedges
 
Total
Balance as of December 31, 2017
$
(1,103
)
 
$
233

 
$
(122
)
 
$
(992
)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(1)
657

 
(306
)
 
(255
)
 
96

Amounts excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness recorded in AOCI
0

 
0

 
(7
)
 
(7
)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI
0

 
39

 
194

 
233

Other comprehensive income (loss)
657

 
(267
)
 
(68
)
 
322

Balance as of March 31, 2018
$
(446
)
 
$
(34
)
 
$
(190
)
 
$
(670
)
(1) 
The change in unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments included a $98 million reclassification of net unrealized gains related to marketable equity securities from AOCI to opening retained earnings as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018.


21

Alphabet Inc.

The effects on net income of amounts reclassified from AOCI were as follows (in millions, unaudited):
 
 
 
 
Gains (Losses) Reclassified from AOCI to the Consolidated Statement of Income
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
 
 
 
March 31,
 AOCI Components
 
Location
 
2017
 
2018
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale investments
 
 
 
 
 
 
Other income (expense), net
 
$
(25
)
 
$
(39
)
 
 
Provision for income taxes
 
0

 
0

 
 
Net of tax
 
$
(25
)
 
$
(39
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
Revenue
 
$
217

 
$
(247
)
Interest rate contracts
 
Other income (expense), net
 
1

 
1

 
 
Benefit (provision) for income taxes
 
(65
)
 
52

 
 
Net of tax
 
$
153

 
$
(194
)
Total amount reclassified, net of tax
 
$
128

 
$
(233
)
Other Income (Expense), Net
The components of other income (expense), net, were as follows (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Interest income
$
312

 
$
399

Interest expense(1)
(25
)
 
(30
)
Foreign currency exchange losses, net
(2
)
 
(24
)
Loss on debt securities, net
(25
)
 
(39
)
Gain on equity securities, net
6

 
3,031

Loss and impairment from equity method investments, net
(49
)
 
(7
)
Other
34

 
212

Other income (expense), net
$
251

 
$
3,542

(1) 
Interest expense is net of $7 million and $16 million of interest capitalized for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
Note 7. Acquisitions
Agreement with HTC Corporation (HTC)
In January 2018, we completed the acquisition of a team of engineers and a non-exclusive license of intellectual property from HTC for $1.1 billion in cash. In aggregate, $10 million was cash acquired, $165 million was attributed to intangible assets, $934 million was attributed to goodwill, and $9 million was attributed to net liabilities assumed. Goodwill, which was included in Google, is not deductible for tax purposes. We expect this transaction to accelerate Google’s ongoing hardware efforts. The transaction was accounted for as a business combination.
Other Acquisitions
During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we completed other acquisitions and purchases of intangible assets for total consideration of approximately $304 million. In aggregate, $2 million was cash acquired, $159 million was attributed to intangible assets, $147 million was attributed to goodwill, and $4 million was attributed to net liabilities assumed. These acquisitions generally enhance the breadth and depth of our offerings and expand our expertise in engineering and other functional areas. The amount of goodwill expected to be deductible for tax purposes is approximately $54 million.
Pro forma results of operations for these acquisitions, including HTC, have not been presented because they are not material to the consolidated results of operations, either individually or in the aggregate.

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Alphabet Inc.

For all intangible assets acquired and purchased during the three months ended March 31, 2018, patents and developed technology have a weighted-average useful life of 3.8 years, customer relationships have a weighted-average useful life of 2.2 years, and trade names and other have a weighted-average useful life of 3.8 years.
Note 8. Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were as follows (in millions, unaudited):
 
Google
 
Other Bets
 
Total Consolidated
Balance as of December 31, 2017
$
16,295

 
$
452

 
$
16,747

Acquisitions
1,081

 
0

 
1,081

Transfers
80

 
(80
)
 
0

Foreign currency translation and other adjustments
36

 
(2
)
 
34

Balance as of March 31, 2018
$
17,492

 
$
370

 
$
17,862

Other Intangible Assets
Information regarding purchased intangible assets were as follows (in millions):
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
Patents and developed technology
$
5,260

 
$
3,040

 
$
2,220

Customer relationships
359

 
263

 
96

Trade names and other
544

 
168

 
376

Total
$
6,163

 
$
3,471

 
$
2,692

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of March 31, 2018
 
Gross
Carrying
Amount
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net
Carrying
Amount
 
(unaudited)
Patents and developed technology
$
5,315

 
$
3,066

 
$
2,249

Customer relationships
376

 
284

 
92

Trade names and other
643

 
175

 
468

Total
$
6,334

 
$
3,525

 
$
2,809

Amortization expense relating to purchased intangible assets was $206 million and $195 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively.
As of March 31, 2018, expected amortization expense relating to purchased intangible assets for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows (in millions, unaudited):
Remainder of 2018
$
608

2019
704

2020
578

2021
532

2022
218

Thereafter
169

 
$
2,809


23

Alphabet Inc.

Note 9. Contingencies
Legal Matters
Antitrust Investigations
On November 30, 2010, the European Commission's (EC) Directorate General for Competition opened an investigation into various antitrust-related complaints against us.
On April 15, 2015, the EC issued a Statement of Objections (SO) regarding the display and ranking of shopping search results and ads, to which we responded on August 27, 2015. On July 14, 2016, the EC issued a Supplementary SO regarding shopping search results and ads. On June 27, 2017, the EC announced its decision that certain actions taken by Google regarding its display and ranking of shopping search results and ads infringed European competition law. The EC decision imposed a €2.42 billion (approximately $2.74 billion as of June 27, 2017) fine. On September 11, 2017, we appealed the EC decision and on September 27, 2017, we implemented product changes to bring shopping ads into compliance with the EC's decision. We recognized a charge of approximately $2.74 billion for the fine in the second quarter of 2017. The fine is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as we provided bank guarantees in lieu of a cash payment for the fine.
On April 20, 2016, the EC issued an SO regarding certain Android distribution practices. On July 14, 2016, the EC issued an SO regarding the syndication of AdSense for Search. We responded to the SOs and continue to respond to the EC's informational requests. There is significant uncertainty as to the outcomes of these investigations; however, adverse decisions could result in fines and directives to alter or terminate certain conduct. Given the nature of these cases, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or ranges of loss, if any. We remain committed to working with the EC to resolve these matters.
The Comision Nacional de Defensa de la Competencia in Argentina, the Competition Commission of India (CCI), Brazil's Administrative Council for Economic Defense (CADE), and the Korean Fair Trade Commission have also opened investigations into certain of our business practices. In November 2016, we responded to the CCI Director General's report with interim findings of competition law infringements regarding search and ads. On February 8, 2018, the CCI issued its final decision, including a fine of approximately $21 million that was accrued for in the current quarter, finding no violation of competition law infringement on most of the issues it investigated, but finding violations, including in the display of the “flights unit” in search results, and a contractual provision in certain direct search intermediation agreements. We have appealed the CCI decision.
Patent and Intellectual Property Claims
We have had patent, copyright, and trademark infringement lawsuits filed against us claiming that certain of our products, services, and technologies infringe the intellectual property rights of others. Adverse results in these lawsuits may include awards of substantial monetary damages, costly royalty or licensing agreements, or orders preventing us from offering certain features, functionalities, products, or services, and may also cause us to change our business practices, and require development of non-infringing products or technologies, which could result in a loss of revenues for us and otherwise harm our business. In addition, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) has increasingly become an important forum to litigate intellectual property disputes because an ultimate loss for a company or its suppliers in an ITC action could result in a prohibition on importing infringing products into the U.S. Because the U.S. is an important market, a prohibition on importation could have an adverse effect on us, including preventing us from importing many important products into the U.S. or necessitating workarounds that may limit certain features of our products.
Furthermore, many of our agreements with our customers and partners require us to indemnify them for certain intellectual property infringement claims against them, which would increase our costs as a result of defending such claims, and may require that we pay significant damages if there were an adverse ruling in any such claims. Our customers and partners may discontinue the use of our products, services, and technologies, as a result of injunctions or otherwise, which could result in loss of revenues and adversely affect our business.
In 2010, Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle) brought a copyright lawsuit against Google in the Northern District of California, alleging that Google's Android operating system infringes Oracle's copyrights related to certain Java application programming interfaces. After trial, final judgment was entered by the district court in favor of Google on June 8, 2016, and the court decided post-trial motions in favor of Google. Oracle appealed and on March 27, 2018, the appeals court reversed and remanded the case for a trial on damages. We continue to review our options. We believe this lawsuit is without merit and are defending ourselves vigorously. Given the nature of this case, we are unable to estimate the reasonably possible loss or range of loss, if any, arising from this matter.

24

Alphabet Inc.

Other
We are also regularly subject to claims, suits, regulatory and government investigations, and other proceedings involving competition (such as the pending EC investigations described above), intellectual property, privacy, tax, labor and employment, commercial disputes, content generated by our users, goods and services offered by advertisers or publishers using our platforms, personal injury, consumer protection, and other matters. Such claims, suits, regulatory and government investigations, and other proceedings could result in fines, civil or criminal penalties, or other adverse consequences.
Certain of our outstanding legal matters include speculative claims for substantial or indeterminate amounts of damages. We record a liability when we believe that it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. If we determine that a loss is reasonably possible and the loss or range of loss can be estimated, we disclose the reasonably possible loss. We evaluate developments in our legal matters that could affect the amount of liability that has been previously accrued, and the matters and related reasonably possible losses disclosed, and make adjustments as appropriate. Significant judgment is required to determine both likelihood of there being and the estimated amount of a loss related to such matters.
With respect to our outstanding legal matters, based on our current knowledge, we believe that the amount or range of reasonably possible loss will not, either individually or in aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our business, consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. However, the outcome of such legal matters is inherently unpredictable and subject to significant uncertainties.
We expense legal fees in the period in which they are incurred.
Non-Income Taxes
We are under audit by various domestic and foreign tax authorities with regards to non-income tax matters. The subject matter of non-income tax audits primarily arises from disputes on the tax treatment and tax rate applied to the sale of our products and services in these jurisdictions and the tax treatment of certain employee benefits. We accrue non-income taxes that may result from examinations by, or any negotiated agreements with, these tax authorities when a loss is probable and reasonably estimable. If we determine that a loss is reasonably possible and the loss or range of loss can be estimated, we disclose the reasonably possible loss. We believe these matters are without merit and we are defending ourselves vigorously. Due to the inherent complexity and uncertainty of these matters and judicial process in certain jurisdictions, the final outcome may be materially different from our expectations.
For information regarding income tax contingencies, see Note 13.
Note 10. Stockholders’ Equity
Share Repurchases
In October 2016, the Board of Directors of Alphabet authorized the company to repurchase up to $7.0 billion of its Class C capital stock, which was completed during the three months ended March 31, 2018. In January 2018, the Board of Directors of Alphabet authorized the company to repurchase up to an additional $8.6 billion of its Class C capital stock. The repurchases are being executed from time to time, subject to general business and market conditions and other investment opportunities, through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including through Rule 10b5-1 plans. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date.
During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we repurchased and subsequently retired 2.0 million shares of Alphabet Class C capital stock for an aggregate amount of $2.2 billion.

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Alphabet Inc.

Note 11. Net Income Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share of Class A and Class B common stock and Class C capital stock (in millions, except share amounts which are reflected in thousands, and per share amounts, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
Class C
 
Class A
 
Class B
 
Class C
Basic net income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numerator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allocation of undistributed earnings
$
2,331

 
$
371

 
$
2,724

 
$
4,039

 
$
635

 
$
4,727

Denominator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of shares used in per share computation
297,150

 
47,301

 
347,104

 
298,449

 
46,956

 
349,347

Basic net income per share
$
7.85

 
$
7.85

 
$
7.85

 
$
13.53

 
$
13.53

 
$
13.53

Diluted net income per share:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Numerator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Allocation of undistributed earnings for basic computation
$
2,331

 
$
371

 
$
2,724

 
$
4,039

 
$
635

 
$
4,727

Reallocation of undistributed earnings as a result of conversion of Class B to Class A shares
371

 
0

 
0

 
635

 
0

 
0

Reallocation of undistributed earnings
(29
)
 
(5
)
 
29

 
(57
)
 
(9
)
 
57

Allocation of undistributed earnings
$
2,673

 
$
366

 
$
2,753

 
$
4,617

 
$
626

 
$
4,784

Denominator
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Number of shares used in basic computation
297,150

 
47,301

 
347,104

 
298,449

 
46,956

 
349,347

Weighted-average effect of dilutive securities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Add:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Conversion of Class B to Class A common shares outstanding
47,301

 
0

 
0

 
46,956

 
0

 
0

Restricted stock units and other contingently issuable shares
1,419

 
0

 
9,062

 
898

 
0

 
9,484

Number of shares used in per share computation
345,870

 
47,301

 
356,166

 
346,303

 
46,956

 
358,831

Diluted net income per share
$
7.73

 
$
7.73

 
$
7.73

 
$
13.33

 
$
13.33

 
$
13.33

For the periods presented above, the net income per share amounts are the same for Class A and Class B common stock and Class C capital stock because the holders of each class are entitled to equal per share dividends or distributions in liquidation in accordance with the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Alphabet Inc.
Note 12. Compensation Plans
Stock-Based Compensation
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, total stock-based compensation (SBC) expense was $2.1 billion and $2.5 billion, including amounts associated with awards we expect to settle in Alphabet stock of $2.0 billion and $2.5 billion, respectively.
Stock-Based Award Activities
The following table summarizes the activities for our unvested restricted stock units (RSUs) for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (unaudited):
 
Unvested Restricted Stock Units
 
Number of
Shares
 
Weighted-
Average
Grant-Date
Fair Value
Unvested as of December 31, 2017
20,077,346

 
$
712.45

Granted
9,086,353

 
$
1,084.56

 Vested
(2,940,503
)
 
$
722.72

 Forfeited/canceled
(367,368
)
 
$
791.33

Unvested as of March 31, 2018
25,855,828

 
$
840.89


26

Alphabet Inc.

As of March 31, 2018, there was $20.0 billion of unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested employee RSUs. This amount is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.8 years.
Performance Fees
We have compensation arrangements with payouts based on investment returns. We recognize compensation expense based on the estimated payouts. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, performance fees of $632 million primarily related to gains on equity securities (for further information, see Equity Investments in Note 3) were accrued and recorded as a component of general and administrative expenses.
Note 13. Income Taxes
We are subject to income taxes in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our uncertain tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. Our total gross unrecognized tax benefits were $4.7 billion and $5.0 billion as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively. Our total unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect our effective tax rate were $3.0 billion and $3.4 billion as of December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2018, respectively.
The Tax Act enacted in December 2017 introduced significant changes to U.S. income tax law. Effective 2018, the Tax Act reduced the U.S. statutory tax rate from 35% to 21% and created new taxes on certain foreign-sourced earnings and certain intercompany payments.
Due to the timing of the enactment and the complexity involved in applying the provisions of the Tax Act, we made reasonable estimates of the effects and recorded provisional amounts in our financial statements as of December 31, 2017. As we collect and prepare necessary data, and interpret the Tax Act and any additional guidance issued by the U.S. Treasury Department, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), and other standard-setting bodies, we may make adjustments to the provisional amounts. Those adjustments may materially affect our provision for income taxes and effective tax rate in the period in which the adjustments are made. The adjustments made in the first quarter of 2018 were not significant. The accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act will be completed later in 2018.
Our effective tax rate of 10.8% is lower than the 21% U.S. statutory rate due to the following: foreign income taxed at lower rates of 6.2%, income tax effects from a release of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance primarily related to capital investments of 4.1%, U.S. general business credit of 2.3%, and other items of 0.2%, offset by additional unrecognized tax benefits of 2.6%.
In addition, we are subject to the continuous examination of our income tax returns by the IRS and other domestic and foreign tax authorities. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations to determine the adequacy of our provision for income taxes. We continue to monitor the progress of ongoing discussions with tax authorities and the effect, if any, of the expected expiration of the statute of limitations in various taxing jurisdictions. We believe that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. However, the outcome of tax audits cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed in our tax audits are resolved in a manner not consistent with management's expectations, we could be required to adjust the provision for income taxes in the period such resolution occurs.
We have received tax assessments in multiple foreign jurisdictions asserting transfer pricing adjustments or permanent establishment. We continue to defend against any and all such claims as presented. While we believe it is more likely than not that our tax position will be sustained, it is reasonably possible that we will have future obligations related to these matters.
For information regarding non-income taxes, see Note 9.
Note 14. Information about Segments and Geographic Areas
We operate our business in multiple operating segments. Google is our only reportable segment. None of our other segments meet the quantitative thresholds to qualify as reportable segments; therefore, the other operating segments are combined and disclosed as Other Bets.
Our reported segments are:
Google – Google includes our main products such as Ads, Android, Chrome, Commerce, Google Cloud, Google Maps, Google Play, Hardware (including Nest), Search, and YouTube. Our technical infrastructure and some newer efforts like virtual reality are also included in Google. Google generates revenues primarily from advertising; sales of apps, in-app purchases, digital content products, and hardware; and licensing and service fees, including fees received for Google Cloud offerings.

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Alphabet Inc.

Other Bets – Other Bets is a combination of multiple operating segments that are not individually material. Other Bets includes businesses such as Access, Calico, CapitalG, Chronicle, GV, Verily, Waymo, and X. Revenues from the Other Bets are derived primarily through the sales of internet and TV services through Access as well as licensing and R&D services through Verily.
Revenues, cost of revenues, and operating expenses are generally directly attributed to our segments. Inter-segment revenues are not presented separately, as these amounts are immaterial. Our Chief Operating Decision Maker does not evaluate operating segments using asset information.
In Q1 2018, Nest joined forces with Google’s hardware team. Consequently, the financial results of Nest have been reported in the Google segment, with Nest revenues reflected in Google other revenues. Prior period segment information has been recast to conform to the current period segment presentation. Consolidated financial results are not affected.
Information about segments during the periods presented were as follows (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Revenues:
 
 
 
Google
$
24,618

 
$
30,996

Other Bets
132

 
150

Total revenues
$
24,750

 
$
31,146

 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Operating income (loss):
 
 
 
Google
$
7,446

 
$
8,368

Other Bets
(703
)
 
(571
)
Reconciling items(1)
(175
)
 
(796
)
Total income from operations
$
6,568

 
$
7,001

(1) 
Reconciling items are primarily related to performance fees for the three months ended March 31, 2018, as well as corporate administrative costs and other miscellaneous items that are not allocated to individual segments.
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Capital expenditures:
 
 
 
Google
$
2,409

 
$
7,669

Other Bets
167

 
55

Reconciling items(2)
(68
)
 
(425
)
Total capital expenditures as presented on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
$
2,508

 
$
7,299

(2) 
Reconciling items are related to timing differences of payments as segment capital expenditures are on accrual basis while total capital expenditures shown on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow are on cash basis and other miscellaneous differences.

28

Alphabet Inc.

Stock-based compensation and depreciation, amortization, and impairment are included in segment operating income (loss) as shown below (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Stock-based compensation:
 
 
 
Google
$
1,882

 
$
2,304

Other Bets
86

 
112

Reconciling items(3)
41

 
41

Total stock-based compensation(4)
$
2,009

 
$
2,457

 
 
 
 
Depreciation, amortization, and impairment:
 
 
 
Google
$
1,416

 
$
1,901

Other Bets
87

 
85

Total depreciation, amortization, and impairment as presented on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
$
1,503

 
$
1,986

(3) 
Reconciling items represent corporate administrative costs that are not allocated to individual segments.
(4) 
For purposes of segment reporting, SBC represents awards that we expect to settle in Alphabet stock.
The following table presents our long-lived assets by geographic area (in millions):
 
As of
December 31, 2017
 
As of
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
(unaudited)
Long-lived assets:
 
 
 
United States
$
55,113

 
$
62,347

International
17,874

 
20,827

Total long-lived assets
$
72,987

 
$
83,174

For revenues by geography, see Note 2.

29

Alphabet Inc.

ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Please read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included under Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Executive Overview of Results
Below are our key financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2018 (consolidated unless otherwise noted):
Revenues of $31.1 billion and revenue growth of 26% year over year, constant currency revenue growth of 23% year over year.
Google segment revenues of $31.0 billion with revenue growth of 26% year over year and Other Bets revenues of $150.0 million with revenue growth of 14% year over year.
Revenues from the United States, EMEA, APAC, and Other Americas were $14.1 billion, $10.5 billion, $4.8 billion, and $1.7 billion, respectively.
Cost of revenues was $13.5 billion, consisting of TAC of $6.3 billion and other cost of revenues of $7.2 billion. Our TAC as a percentage of advertising revenues was 24%.
Operating expenses (excluding cost of revenues) were $10.7 billion.
Income from operations was $7.0 billion.
Other income (expense), net was $3.5 billion.
Effective tax rate was 11%.
Net income was $9.4 billion with diluted net income per share of $13.33.
Operating cash flow was $11.6 billion.
Capital expenditures were $7.3 billion.
Number of employees was 85,050 as of March 31, 2018.
Information about Segments
We operate our business in multiple operating segments. Google is our only reportable segment. None of our other segments meet the quantitative thresholds to qualify as reportable segments; therefore, the other operating segments are combined and disclosed as Other Bets.
Our reported segments are:
Google – Google includes our main products such as Ads, Android, Chrome, Commerce, Google Cloud, Google Maps, Google Play, Hardware (including Nest), Search, and YouTube. Our technical infrastructure and some newer efforts like virtual reality are also included in Google. Google generates revenues primarily from advertising; sales of apps, in-app purchases, digital content products, and hardware; and licensing and service fees, including fees received for Google Cloud offerings.
Other Bets – Other Bets is a combination of multiple operating segments that are not individually material. Other Bets includes businesses such as Access, Calico, CapitalG, Chronicle, GV, Verily, Waymo, and X. Revenues from the Other Bets are derived primarily through the sales of internet and TV services through Access as well as licensing and R&D services through Verily.
In Q1 2018, Nest joined forces with Google’s hardware team. Consequently, the financial results of Nest have been reported in the Google segment, with Nest revenues reflected in Google other revenues. Prior period segment information has been recast to conform to the current period segment presentation. Consolidated financial results are not affected.
Please refer to Note 14 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information.

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Alphabet Inc.

Revenues
The following table presents our revenues, by segment and revenue source (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Google segment
 
 
 
Google properties revenues
$
17,403

 
$
21,998

Google Network Members' properties revenues
4,008

 
4,644

Google advertising revenues
21,411

 
26,642

Google other revenues
3,207

 
4,354

Google segment revenues
24,618

 
30,996

 
 
 
 
Other Bets
 
 
 
Other Bets revenues
132

 
150

 
 
 
 
Revenues
$
24,750

 
$
31,146

Google segment
The following table presents our Google segment revenues (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Google segment revenues
$
24,618

 
$
30,996

Google segment revenues as a percentage of total revenues
99.5
%
 
99.5
%
Use of Monetization Metrics
When assessing our advertising revenues performance, historically we presented the percentage change in the number of paid clicks and cost-per-click for both our Google properties and our Google Network Members’ properties (Network) revenues. As our impression-based revenues have become a more significant driver of Network revenues growth, the percentage change in paid clicks and cost-per-click cover less of our total Network revenues. As a result, in Q1 2018, we transitioned our Network revenue metrics from the percentage change in paid clicks and cost-per-click to the percentage change in impressions and cost-per-impression. Click-based revenues generated by our Network business are included in impression-based metrics, so that these metrics cover nearly all of our Network business. The monetization metrics for Google properties revenues remain unchanged.
Paid clicks for our Google properties represent engagement by users and include clicks on advertisements by end-users related to searches on Google.com, clicks related to advertisements on other owned and operated properties including Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Play; and viewed YouTube engagement ads. Impressions for our Google Network Members' properties include impressions displayed to users served on Google Network Members' properties participating primarily in AdMob, AdSense for Content, AdSense for Search, and DoubleClick AdExchange.
Cost-per-click is defined as click-driven revenues divided by our total number of paid clicks and represents the average amount we charge advertisers for each engagement by users.
Cost-per-impression is defined as impression-based and click-based revenues divided by our total number of impressions and represents the average amount we charge advertisers for each impression displayed to users.
As our business evolves, we periodically review, refine and update our methodologies for monitoring, gathering, and counting the number of paid clicks on our Google properties and the number of impressions on Google Network Members’ properties and for identifying the revenues generated by click activity on our Google properties and the revenues generated by impression activity on Google Network Members’ properties.

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Alphabet Inc.

Our advertising revenue growth, as well as the change in paid clicks and cost-per-click on Google properties and the change in impressions and cost-per-impression on Google Network Members' properties and the correlation between these items, have fluctuated and may continue to fluctuate because of various factors, including:
advertiser competition for keywords;
changes in advertising quality or formats;
changes in device mix;
changes in foreign currency exchange rates;
fees advertisers are willing to pay based on how they manage their advertising costs;
general economic conditions;
growth rates of revenues within Google properties;
seasonality; and
traffic growth in emerging markets compared to more mature markets and across various advertising verticals and channels.
Our advertising revenue growth rate has fluctuated over time as a result of a number of factors, including challenges in maintaining our growth rate as revenues increase to higher levels, changes in our product mix, increasing competition, query growth rates, our investments in new business strategies, shifts in the geographic mix of our revenues, and the evolution of the online advertising market. We also expect that our revenue growth rate will continue to be affected by evolving user preferences, the acceptance by users of our products and services as they are delivered on diverse devices and modalities, our ability to create a seamless experience for both users and advertisers, and movements in foreign currency exchange rates.
Google properties
The following table presents our Google properties revenues (in millions, unaudited), and changes in our paid clicks and cost-per-click (expressed as a percentage):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Google properties revenues
$
17,403

 
$
21,998

Google properties revenues as a percentage of Google segment revenues
70.7
%
 
71.0
 %
Paid clicks change
 
 
59
 %
Cost-per-click change
 
 
(19
)%
Google properties revenues consist primarily of advertising revenues that are generated on:
Google search properties which includes revenues from traffic generated by search distribution partners who use Google.com as their default search in browsers, toolbars, etc.; and
Other Google owned and operated properties like Gmail, Google Maps, Google Play, and YouTube.
Our Google properties revenues increased $4,595 million from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The growth was primarily driven by increases in mobile search resulting from ongoing growth in user adoption and usage, as well as continued growth in advertiser activity. We also experienced growth in desktop search due to improvements in ad formats and delivery, as well as growth in YouTube driven primarily by video advertising. Additionally, the growth was favorably affected by the general weakening of the U.S. dollar compared to certain foreign currencies.
The number of paid clicks through our advertising programs on Google properties increased from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018 due to growth in YouTube engagement ads, increases in mobile search queries, improvements we have made in ad formats and delivery, and continued global expansion of our products, advertisers and user base. The positive effect on our revenues from an increase in paid clicks was partially offset by a decrease in the cost-per-click paid by our advertisers. The decrease in cost-per-click was primarily driven by continued growth in YouTube engagement ads where cost-per-click remains lower than on our other advertising platforms. Cost-per-click was also affected by changes in device mix, geographic mix, ongoing product changes, product mix, property mix, and fluctuations of the U.S. dollar compared to certain foreign currencies.

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Alphabet Inc.

Google Network Members' properties
The following table presents our Google Network Members' properties revenues (in millions, unaudited) and changes in our impressions and cost-per-impression (expressed as a percentage):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Google Network Members' properties revenues
$
4,008

 
$
4,644

Google Network Members' properties revenues as a percentage of Google segment revenues
16.3
%
 
15.0
%
Impressions change
 
 
0
%
Cost-per-impression change
 
 
18
%
Google Network Members' properties revenues consist primarily of advertising revenues generated from advertisements served on Google Network Members' properties participating in:
AdMob;
AdSense (such as AdSense for Content, AdSense for Search, etc.); and
DoubleClick AdExchange.
Our Google Network Members' properties revenues increased $636 million from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The growth was primarily driven by strength in both programmatic advertising buying and AdMob as well as the general weakening of the U.S. dollar compared to certain foreign currencies. These increases were offset by a decline in our traditional AdSense businesses.
The impressions from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018 were relatively unchanged, with growth in both AdMob and programmatic advertising buying offset by a decrease from our traditional AdSense for Content business due to changes in product mix resulting from ongoing product changes. The changes in cost-per-impression were primarily due to ongoing product and policy changes and improvements we have made in ad formats and delivery and were also affected by changes in device mix, geographic mix, product mix, property mix, and fluctuations of the U.S. dollar compared to certain foreign currencies.
Google other revenues
The following table presents our Google other revenues (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Google other revenues
$
3,207

 
$
4,354

Google other revenues as a percentage of Google segment revenues
13.0
%
 
14.0
%
Google other revenues consist primarily of revenues from:
Apps, in-app purchases, and digital content in the Google Play store;
Google Cloud offerings; and
Hardware.
Our Google other revenues increased $1,147 million from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The growth was primarily driven by revenues from Google Cloud offerings, hardware sales, and revenues from Google Play, largely relating to in-app purchases (revenues which we recognize net of payout to developers).

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Alphabet Inc.

Other Bets
The following table presents our Other Bets revenues (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Other Bets revenues
$
132

 
$
150

Other Bets revenues as a percentage of total revenues
0.5
%
 
0.5
%
Other Bets revenues consist primarily of revenues and sales from internet and TV services as well as licensing and R&D services.
Our Other Bets revenues increased $18 million from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The growth was primarily driven by revenues from sales of Access internet and TV services.
Revenues by Geography
The following table presents our revenues by geography as a percentage of revenues, determined based on the billing addresses of our customers (unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
United States
48
%
 
45
%
EMEA
33
%
 
34
%
APAC
14
%
 
15
%
Other Americas
5
%
 
6
%
For the amounts of revenues by geography, see Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Use of Constant Currency Revenues and Constant Currency Revenue Growth
The effect of currency exchange rates on our business is an important factor in understanding period to period comparisons. Our international revenues are favorably affected as the U.S. dollar weakens relative to other foreign currencies, and unfavorably affected as the U.S. dollar strengthens relative to other foreign currencies. Our international revenues are also favorably affected by net hedging gains and unfavorably affected by net hedging losses.
We use non-GAAP constant currency revenues and constant currency revenue growth for financial and operational decision-making and as a means to evaluate period-to-period comparisons. We believe the presentation of results on a constant currency basis in addition to GAAP results helps improve the ability to understand our performance because they exclude the effects of foreign currency volatility that are not indicative of our core operating results.
Constant currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period over period. We define constant currency revenues as total revenues excluding the effect of foreign exchange rate movements and hedging activities, and use it to determine the constant currency revenue growth on a year-on-year basis. Constant currency revenues are calculated by translating current period revenues using prior period exchange rates, as well as excluding any hedging effects realized in the current period.
Constant currency revenue growth (expressed as a percentage) is calculated by determining the increase in current period revenues over prior period revenues where current period foreign currency revenues are translated using prior period exchange rates and hedging effects are excluded from revenues of both periods.
These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with GAAP. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not a measure of performance presented in accordance with GAAP.

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Alphabet Inc.

The following table presents the foreign exchange effect on our international revenues and total revenues (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
EMEA revenues
$
8,091

 
$
10,474

Exclude foreign exchange effect on current period revenues using prior year rates
444

 
(1,094
)
Exclude hedging effect recognized in current period
(158
)
 
217

EMEA constant currency revenues
$
8,377

 
$
9,597

Prior period EMEA revenues, excluding hedging effect
$
7,011

 
$
7,933

EMEA revenue growth
13
%
 
29
%
EMEA constant currency revenue growth
19
%
 
21
%
 
 
 
 
APAC revenues
$
3,619

 
$
4,804

Exclude foreign exchange effect on current period revenues using prior year rates
(63
)
 
(198
)
Exclude hedging effect recognized in current period
(59
)
 
15

APAC constant currency revenues
$
3,497

 
$
4,621

Prior period APAC revenues, excluding hedging effect
$
2,772

 
$
3,560

APAC revenue growth
29
%
 
33
%
APAC constant currency revenue growth
26
%
 
30
%
 
 
 
 
Other Americas revenues
$
1,271

 
$
1,724

Exclude foreign exchange effect on current period revenues using prior year rates
(77
)
 
(19
)
Exclude hedging effect recognized in current period
0

 
7

Other Americas constant currency revenues
$
1,194

 
$
1,712

Prior period Other Americas revenues, excluding hedging effect
$
924

 
$
1,271

Other Americas revenue growth
34
%
 
36
%
Other Americas constant currency revenue growth
29
%
 
35
%
 
 
 
 
United States revenues
$
11,769

 
$
14,144

United States revenue growth
25
%
 
20
%
 
 
 
 
Total revenues
$
24,750

 
$
31,146

Total constant currency revenues
$
24,837

 
$
30,074

Total revenue growth
22
%
 
26
%
Total constant currency revenue growth
24
%
 
23
%
Our EMEA revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were favorably affected by foreign currency exchange rates, slightly offset by hedging losses. The foreign exchange effect was due to the U.S. dollar weakening relative to certain currencies, including the Euro and British pound.
Our revenues from APAC for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were favorably affected by foreign currency exchange rates, slightly offset by hedging losses. The foreign exchange effect was due to the U.S. dollar weakening relative to certain currencies including the Japanese yen, Australian dollar, South Korean won, and Indian rupee.
Our revenues from Other Americas for the three months ended March 31, 2018 were favorably affected by foreign currency exchange rates, slightly offset by hedging losses. The foreign exchange effect was due to the U.S. dollar weakening relative to the Canadian dollar and Mexican peso, partially offset by the effect of the U.S. dollar strengthening relative to the Argentine peso.

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Alphabet Inc.

Costs and Expenses
Cost of Revenues
Cost of revenues consists of TAC which are paid to Google Network Members primarily for ads displayed on their properties and amounts paid to our distribution partners who make available our search access points and services. Our distribution partners include browser providers, mobile carriers, original equipment manufacturers, and software developers.
The cost of revenues related to revenues generated from ads placed on Google Network Members' properties are significantly higher than the cost of revenues related to revenues generated from ads placed on Google properties because most of the advertiser revenues from ads served on Google Network Members’ properties are paid as TAC to our Google Network Members.
Additionally, other cost of revenues (which is the cost of revenues excluding TAC) includes the following:
Amortization of certain intangible assets;
Content acquisition costs primarily related to payments to content providers from whom we license video and other content for distribution on YouTube and Google Play (we pay fees to these content providers based on revenues generated or a flat fee);
Credit card and other transaction fees related to processing customer transactions;
Expenses associated with our data centers and other operations (including bandwidth, compensation expenses (including SBC), depreciation, energy, and other equipment costs); and
Inventory related costs for hardware we sell.
The following tables present our cost of revenues, including TAC (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
TAC
$
4,629

 
$
6,288

Other cost of revenues
5,166

 
7,179

Total cost of revenues
$
9,795

 
$
13,467

Total cost of revenues as a percentage of revenues
39.6
%
 
43.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
TAC to distribution partners
$
1,805

 
$
2,902

TAC to distribution partners as a percentage of Google properties revenues(1) (Google properties TAC rate)
10.4
%
 
13.2
%
 
 
 
 
TAC to Google Network Members
$
2,824

 
$
3,386

TAC to Google Network Members as a percentage of Google Network Members' properties revenues(1) (Network Members TAC rate)
70.5
%
 
72.9
%
 
 
 
 
TAC
$
4,629

 
$
6,288

TAC as a percentage of advertising revenues(1) (Aggregate TAC rate)
21.6
%
 
23.6
%
(1) 
Revenues include hedging gains (losses) which affect TAC rates.
Cost of revenues increased $3,672 million from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was due to an increase in TAC of $1,659 million. The increase in TAC to distribution partners was a result of an increase in Google properties revenues and the associated TAC rate. The increase in TAC to Google Network Members was a result of an increase in Google Network Members' properties revenues and the associated TAC rate.
The increase in the Google properties TAC rate was driven by changes in partner agreements and the ongoing shift to mobile, which carries higher TAC because more mobile searches are channeled through paid access points. The increase in the Network Members TAC rate was driven by the ongoing shift in advertising buying from our traditional

36

Alphabet Inc.

network business to programmatic advertising buying which carries higher TAC. The increase in the aggregate TAC rate was partially offset by a favorable revenue mix shift from Google Network Members' properties to Google properties.
Other cost of revenues increased $2,013 million from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was due to various factors, including an increase in data center and other operations costs, which include depreciation, compensation expenses (including SBC), energy, bandwidth, and other equipment costs as a result of business growth and increased allocations primarily from general and administrative expenses; content acquisition costs as a result of increased activities related to YouTube; and hardware related costs.
We expect cost of revenues to increase in dollar amount and as a percentage of total revenues in future periods based on a number of factors, including the following:
Google Network Members TAC rates, which are affected by the ongoing shift in advertising buying from our traditional network business to programmatic advertising buying which carries higher TAC;
Google properties TAC rates, which are affected by changes in device mix between mobile, desktop, and tablet, partner mix, partner agreement terms such as revenue share arrangements, and the percentage of queries channeled through paid access points;
Growth rates of expenses associated with our data centers and other operations, content acquisition costs, as well as our hardware inventory and related costs;
Increased proportion of non-advertising revenues, whose costs of revenues are generally higher in relation to our advertising revenues; and
Relative revenue growth rates of Google properties and our Google Network Members' properties.
Research and Development
The following table presents our R&D expenses (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Research and development expenses
$
3,942

 
$
5,039

Research and development expenses as a percentage of revenues
15.9
%
 
16.2
%
R&D expenses consist primarily of:
Compensation expenses (including SBC) and facilities-related costs for employees responsible for R&D of our existing and new products and services; and
Depreciation and equipment-related expenses.
R&D expenses increased $1,097 million from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation expenses (including SBC) and facilities-related costs of $751 million, largely resulting from a 17% increase in headcount. In addition, there was an increase in depreciation and equipment-related expenses of $287 million.
We expect that R&D expenses will increase in dollar amount and may fluctuate as a percentage of revenues in future periods.
Sales and Marketing
The following table presents our sales and marketing expenses (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Sales and marketing expenses
$
2,644

 
$
3,604

Sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenues
10.7
%
 
11.6
%

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Alphabet Inc.

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of:
Advertising and promotional expenditures related to our products and services; and
Compensation expenses (including SBC) and facilities-related costs for employees engaged in sales and marketing, sales support, and certain customer service functions.
Sales and marketing expenses increased $960 million from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to an increase in advertising and promotional expenses of $429 million, largely resulting from increases in marketing and promotion-related expenses for our Cloud offerings and hardware products. In addition, there was an increase in compensation expenses (including SBC) and facilities-related costs of $333 million, largely resulting from a 6% increase in headcount, and an increase in professional services fees of $115 million primarily due to additional expenses incurred for outsourced services.
We expect that sales and marketing expenses will increase in dollar amount and may fluctuate as a percentage of revenues in future periods.
General and Administrative
The following table presents our general and administrative expenses (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
General and administrative expenses
$
1,801

 
$
2,035

General and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenues
7.3
%
 
6.5
%
General and administrative expenses consist primarily of:
Amortization of certain intangible assets;
Compensation expenses (including SBC) and facilities-related costs for employees in our facilities, finance, human resources, information technology, and legal organizations;
Depreciation and equipment-related expenses; and
Professional services fees primarily related to audit, information technology consulting, outside legal, and outsourcing services.
General and administrative expenses increased $234 million from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The increase was primarily due to an increase in compensation expenses (including SBC) and facilities-related costs of $615 million, largely resulting from accrued performance fees primarily related to gains on equity securities. The increase was offset by reduced allocations (with a corresponding net increase primarily in cost of revenues) and total legal settlement gain of $195 million.
We expect general and administrative expenses will increase in dollar amount and may fluctuate as a percentage of revenues in future periods.
Other Income (Expense), Net
The following table presents other income (expense), net (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Other income (expense), net
$
251

 
$
3,542

Other income (expense), net, as a percentage of revenues
1.1
%
 
11.4
%
Other income (expense), net, increased $3,291 million from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018. This increase was primarily driven by $2,644 million of unrealized gains related to observable price changes on equity securities as a result of the adoption of ASU 2016-01.
We expect other income (expense), net, will fluctuate in dollar amount and percentage of revenues in future periods as it is largely driven by market dynamics.

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Alphabet Inc.

Provision for Income Taxes
The following table presents our provision for income taxes (in millions, except for effective tax rate; unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Provision for income taxes
$
1,393

 
$
1,142

Effective tax rate
20.4
%
 
10.8
%
Our provision for income taxes and our effective tax rate decreased from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018. The decrease is primarily due to a release of our deferred tax asset valuation allowance related to gains on equity securities; and the Tax Act that became effective in 2018.
Our future effective tax rate could be adversely affected by earnings being lower than anticipated in countries that have lower statutory rates and higher than anticipated in countries that have higher statutory rates, changes in the valuation of our deferred tax assets or liabilities, or changes in tax laws, regulations, or accounting principles, as well as certain discrete items.
Capital Resources and Liquidity
As of March 31, 2018, we had $102.9 billion in cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities. Cash equivalents and marketable securities are comprised of time deposits, money market and other funds, highly liquid debt instruments of government bonds, corporate debt securities, mortgage-backed and asset-backed securities. From time to time, we may hold marketable equity securities obtained through acquisitions or strategic investments in private companies that subsequently go public.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Act was enacted and we recorded a tax liability for the one-time transition tax on accumulated foreign subsidiary earnings of $10.2 billion, of which $890 million and $9.3 billion were presented within “income tax payable, current” and “income tax payable, non-current,” respectively, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2018. As permitted by the Tax Act, we intend to pay the one-time transition tax in eight annual interest-free installments beginning in 2018.
Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities, as well as the cash flow that we generate from our operations. We have a short-term debt financing program of up to $5.0 billion through the issuance of commercial paper. Net proceeds from this program are used for general corporate purposes. As of March 31, 2018, we had $1.3 billion of commercial paper outstanding. We have a $4.0 billion revolving credit facility expiring in February 2021. The interest rate for the credit facility is determined based on a formula using certain market rates. As of March 31, 2018, no amounts were outstanding under the credit facility. We believe that our sources of funding will be sufficient to satisfy our currently anticipated cash requirements including capital expenditures, working capital requirements, potential acquisitions, and other liquidity requirements through at least the next 12 months.
As of March 31, 2018, we have senior unsecured notes outstanding due in 2021, 2024, and 2026 with a total carrying value of $3.9 billion.
In October 2016, the Board of Directors of Alphabet authorized the company to repurchase up to $7.0 billion of its Class C capital stock, which was completed during the three months ended March 31, 2018. In January 2018, the Board of Directors of Alphabet authorized the company to repurchase up to an additional $8.6 billion of its Class C capital stock. The repurchases are being executed from time to time, subject to general business and market conditions and other investment opportunities, through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including through Rule 10b5-1 plans. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date. During the three months ended March 31, 2018, we repurchased and subsequently retired 2.0 million shares of Alphabet Class C capital stock for an aggregate amount of $2.2 billion.
For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, our cash flows were as follows (in millions, unaudited):
 
Three Months Ended
 
March 31,
 
2017
 
2018
Net cash provided by operating activities
$
9,548

 
$
11,642

Net cash used in investing activities
$
(2,851
)
 
$
(7,846
)
Net cash used in financing activities
$
(1,674
)
 
$
(2,018
)

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Alphabet Inc.

Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Our largest source of cash provided by our operations are advertising revenues generated by Google properties and Google Network Members' properties. Additionally, we generate cash through sales of apps, in-app purchases, digital content products, and hardware; and licensing and service fees, including fees received for Google Cloud offerings.
Our primary uses of cash from our operating activities include payments to our Google Network Members and distribution partners, and payments for content acquisition costs. In addition, uses of cash from operating activities include compensation and related costs, hardware inventory costs, other general corporate expenditures, and income taxes.
Net cash provided by operating activities increased from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018 primarily due to increases in cash received from advertising revenues and Google other revenues (net of payouts to app developers) offset by increases in cash paid for cost of revenues and operating expenses.
Cash Used in Investing Activities
Cash provided by or used in investing activities primarily consists of purchases of property and equipment, purchases, maturities, and sales of marketable and non-marketable securities, and payments for acquisitions.
Net cash used in investing activities increased from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018 primarily due to increases in purchases of property and equipment, including the purchase of the Chelsea Market building, and increases in payments for acquisitions. These increases were offset by decreases in purchase of marketable securities and decreases in maturities and sales of marketable securities.
Cash Used in Financing Activities
Cash provided by or used in financing activities consists primarily of net proceeds or payments from stock-based award activities, repurchases of capital stock, and net proceeds or payments from issuance or repayments of debt.
Net cash used in financing activities increased from the three months ended March 31, 2017 to the three months ended March 31, 2018 primarily due to increases in repurchase of capital stock and increases in net payments related to stock-based award activities, offset by increases in net proceeds from the issuance of debt.
Contractual Obligations
We had short-term and long-term taxes payable of $10.2 billion as of March 31, 2018 related to a one-time transition tax payable incurred as a result of the Tax Act. For further information on the Tax Act, see Note 13. In addition, we had long-term taxes payable of $3.5 billion as of March 31, 2018 primarily related to uncertain tax positions, for which we are unable to make a reasonably reliable estimate of the timing of payments in individual years beyond 12 months due to uncertainties in the timing of tax audit outcomes.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. In doing so, we have to make estimates and assumptions that affect our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses, as well as related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. In some cases, we could reasonably have used different accounting policies and estimates. In some cases, changes in the accounting estimates are reasonably likely to occur from period to period. Accordingly, actual results could differ materially from our estimates. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or results of operations will be affected. 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. We refer to accounting estimates of this type as critical accounting policies and estimates, which we discuss further below. We have reviewed our critical accounting policies and estimates with the audit committee of our board of directors.
Impairment of Securities
We periodically review our debt securities for impairment. If we conclude that any of these investments are impaired, we determine whether such impairment is other-than-temporary. Factors we consider to make such determination include the duration and severity of the impairment, the reason for the decline in value and the potential recovery period and our intent to sell. We also consider whether (1) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis, and (2) the amortized cost basis cannot be recovered as a result of credit losses. If any impairment is considered other-than-temporary, we will write down the asset to its fair value and record the corresponding charge as other income (expense), net.

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Alphabet Inc.

Our equity securities not accounted for under the equity method are carried at fair value or under the measurement alternative with changes recognized in net income upon the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on January 1, 2018. Under the measurement alternative, the carrying value of our non-marketable equity securities is determined primarily based on a market approach as of the transaction date. We review impairment of those equity securities at each reporting period end when there are qualitative indicators that may reduce the carrying value. Once the qualitative indicators are identified and the fair value of the securities are less than carrying value, we will write down the asset to its fair value and record the corresponding charge as other income (expense), net.
See Note 1 of Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the summary of significant accounting policies. In addition, see Part I, Item 7, "Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017. There have been no other material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Available Information
Our website is located at www.abc.xyz, and our investor relations website is located at www.abc.xyz/investor. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and our Proxy Statements are available through our investor relations website, free of charge, after we file them with the SEC. We also provide a link to the section of the SEC's website at www.sec.gov that has all of the reports that we file or furnish with the SEC. You may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You can get information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.
We webcast via our investor relations website our earnings calls and certain events we participate in or host with members of the investment community. Our investor relations website also provides notifications of news or announcements regarding our financial performance, including SEC filings, investor events, press and earnings releases, and blogs. Further corporate governance information, including our certificate of incorporation, bylaws, governance guidelines, board committee charters, and code of conduct, is also available on our investor relations website under the heading "Other." The content of our websites are not incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or in any other report or document we file with the SEC, and any references to our websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.

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Alphabet Inc.

ITEM 3.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to financial market risks, including changes in currency exchange rates and interest rates. Our exposure to market risk has not changed materially since December 31, 2017. For quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk, refer to Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk, in our 2017 Form 10-K.
ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Based on this evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that, as of March 31, 2018, our disclosure controls and procedures are designed at a reasonable assurance level and are effective to provide reasonable assurance that information we are required to disclose in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Limitations on Effectiveness of Controls and Procedures
In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives. In addition, the design of disclosure controls and procedures must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints and that management is required to apply its judgment in evaluating the benefits of possible controls and procedures relative to their costs.

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Alphabet Inc.

PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
For a description of our material pending legal proceedings, see Note 9 “Contingencies - Legal Matters” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS                
Our operations and financial results are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described in Part I, Item 1A, "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and the trading price of our common and capital stock. There have been no material changes to our risk factors since our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
ITEM 2.
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
The following table presents information with respect to Alphabet's repurchases of Class C capital stock during the quarter ended March 31, 2018.
Period
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased
(in thousands) (1)
 
Average Price Paid per Share (2)
 
Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Programs
(in thousands) (1)
 
Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program
(in millions)
January 1 - 31
 
0

 
$
0.00

 
0

 
$
10,763

February 1 - 28
 
1,071

 
$
1,081.83

 
1,071

 
$
9,605

March 1 - 31
 
911

 
$
1,113.76

 
911

 
$
8,590

Total
 
1,982

 
$
1,096.51

 
1,982

 
 
(1) 
In October 2016, the board of directors of Alphabet authorized the company to repurchase up to $7.0 billion of its Class C capital stock, which was completed during the three months ended March 31, 2018. In January 2018, the board of directors authorized the company to repurchase up to an additional $8.6 billion of its Class C capital stock. The repurchases are being executed from time to time, subject to general business and market conditions and other investment opportunities, through open market purchases or privately negotiated transactions, including through Rule 10b5-1 plans. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date. See Note 10 in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information related to share repurchases.
(2) 
Average price paid per share includes costs associated with the repurchases.
ITEM 5.
OTHER INFORMATION
On April 23, 2018, Alphabet Inc. announced the appointment of Amie Thuener O’Toole as its Chief Accounting Officer, effective April 18, 2018.
Amie Thuener O’Toole, age 43, has worked for Alphabet since January 2013, most recently as Vice President, Accounting. She joined Alphabet from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC), where she was a Managing Director in PwC’s Transaction Services practice. During her 16 year tenure at PwC, Amie was a Practice Fellow at the Financial Accounting Standards Board from 2004 to 2006. There are no material changes to Amie’s compensation in connection with her appointment.
James G. Campbell, Vice President, will continue to serve as Corporate Controller of Alphabet.

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Alphabet Inc.

ITEM 6.
EXHIBITS
Exhibit
Number
  
Description
 
Incorporated by reference herein
 
Form
 
Date
31.01
*
 
 
 
 
31.02
*
 
 
 
 
32.01
 
 
 
 
101.INS
 
XBRL Instance Document
 
 
 
 
101.SCH
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
 
 
101.CAL
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.DEF
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.LAB
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
101.PRE
 
XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
 
 
____________________ 
*
Filed herewith.
Furnished herewith.


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Alphabet Inc.

SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
ALPHABET INC.
April 23, 2018
By:
/s/    RUTH M. PORAT        
 
 
Ruth M. Porat
 
 
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
 
 
ALPHABET INC.
April 23, 2018
By:
/s/    AMIE THUENER O'TOOLE        
 
 
Amie Thuener O'Toole
 
 
Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer


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