Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to September 30. Fiscal years 2020, 2019, and 2018 ended on October 3, 2020, September 28, 2019, and September 29, 2018, respectively, and are referred to in these financial statements as fiscal 2020, fiscal 2019, and fiscal 2018 for convenience. Fiscal 2020 included 53 weeks and fiscal 2019 and 2018 each included 52 weeks. The fiscal years of several of our international subsidiaries end on September 30. Accordingly, the financial statements of these subsidiaries as of that date and for the years then ended have been used for our consolidated financial statements. Management believes that the impact of the use of different year-ends is immaterial to our consolidated financial statements taken as a whole.

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

We include the results of operations of the businesses that we acquire as of the respective dates of acquisition. We allocate the fair value of the purchase price of our business acquisitions to the tangible assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and intangible assets acquired, based on their estimated fair values. The excess of the purchase price over the fair values of these identifiable assets and liabilities is recorded as goodwill.

On March 8, 2018, we acquired privately held O.R. Lasertechnologie GmbH and certain assets of its U.S.-based affiliate (collectively "OR Laser"). On October 5, 2018, we acquired privately held Ondax, Inc. ("Ondax"). The significant accounting policies of OR Laser and Ondax have been aligned to conform to those of Coherent, and the consolidated financial statements include the results of OR Laser and Ondax as of their acquisition dates.

The carrying amounts of certain of our financial instruments including accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to their short maturities. Short-term investments are comprised of available-for-sale securities, which are carried at fair value. Other non-current assets include trading securities and life insurance contracts related to our deferred compensation plans; trading securities are carried at fair value and life insurance contracts are carried at cash surrender values, which due to their ability to be converted to cash at that amount, approximate their fair values. Foreign exchange contracts are stated at fair value based on prevailing financial market information. Short-term and long-term debt is carried at amortized cost, which approximates its fair value based on borrowing rates currently available to us for loans with similar terms.

Financial instruments that may potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash equivalents, short-term investments, and accounts receivable. At fiscal 2020 year-end, the majority of our short-term investments were in U.S. Treasury and agency obligations. Cash equivalents and short-term investments are maintained with several financial institutions and may exceed the amount of insurance provided on such balances. At October 3, 2020, we held cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments outside the U.S. in certain of our foreign operations totaling approximately $349.7 million, $334.3 million of which was denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. The majority of our accounts receivable are derived from sales to customers for commercial applications. We perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers' financial condition and limit the amount of credit extended when deemed necessary but generally require no collateral. In certain instances, we may require customers to issue a letter of credit. We maintain reserves for potential credit losses. Our products are broadly distributed and there was one customer who accounted for 23.9% and 28.6% of accounts receivable at fiscal 2020 and fiscal 2019 year-end, respectively.

Our primary objective for holding derivative financial instruments is to manage currency exchange rate risk. Principal currencies hedged include the Euro, South Korean Won, Japanese Yen, Chinese Renminbi, Singapore Dollar, British Pound, Malaysian Ringgit, Swiss Franc, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona, Taiwan Dollar, and Vietnamese Dong. Our derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value, on a gross basis, and are included in other current assets and other current liabilities.

Our accounting policies for derivative financial instruments are based on whether they meet the criteria for designation as a cash flow hedge. If we have any that meet this criteria, changes in the fair value of these cash flow hedges that are highly effective are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same line item on the consolidated statements of operations as the impact of the hedged transaction during the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of cash flow hedges are recognized immediately in other income and expenses. Derivatives that we designate as cash flow hedges are classified in the consolidated statements of cash flows in the same section as the underlying item, primarily within cash flows from operating activities. The changes in fair value of derivative instruments that are not designated as hedges are recognized immediately in other income (expense).

We formally document all relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. This process includes linking all derivatives that are designated as cash-flow hedges to specific forecasted transactions. We also assess, both at the hedge's inception and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items.

Accounts receivable allowances reflect our best estimate of probable losses inherent in our accounts receivable balances, including both losses for uncollectible accounts receivable and sales returns. We regularly review allowances by considering factors such as historical experience, credit quality, the age of the accounts receivable balances, and current economic conditions that may affect a customer's ability to pay.


	Fiscal year-end
	2020		2019		Useful Life
Land	$	19,576	$	19,490
Buildings and improvements	169,748		173,333		5-40 years
Equipment, furniture and fixtures	364,376		389,225		3-10 years
Leasehold improvements	72,474		94,878		shorter of asset life or lease term
	626,174		676,926
Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(380,496)		(353,492)
Property and equipment, net	$	245,678	$	323,434

The fair value (the present value of estimated cash flows) of a liability for an asset retirement obligation is recognized in the period in which it is incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. The fair value of the liability is added to the carrying amount of the associated asset and this additional carrying amount is depreciated over the life of the asset. All of our existing asset retirement obligations are associated with commitments to return the property to its original condition upon lease termination at various sites and costs to clean up and dispose of certain fixed assets at our Sunnyvale, California site. We estimated that as of fiscal 2020 year-end, gross expected future cash flows of $6.8 million would be required to fulfill these obligations.


Asset retirement liability as of September 29, 2018	$	5,802
Reduction to asset retirement obligations	(1,155)
Adjustments and additions to asset retirement obligations recognized	390
Accretion recognized	127
Changes due to foreign currency exchange	(90)
Asset retirement liability as of September 28, 2019	5,074
Reduction to asset retirement obligations	(32)
Adjustments and additions to asset retirement obligations recognized	813

Accretion recognized	161
Changes due to foreign currency exchange	163
Asset retirement liability as of October 3, 2020	$	6,179

At October 3, 2020, $0.3 million and $5.9 million of the asset retirement liability were included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheets. At September 28, 2019, $0.1 million and $4.9 million of the asset retirement liability were included in Other current liabilities and Other long-term liabilities, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheets.

We evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets, including intangible assets, whenever events or changes in business circumstances or our planned use of long-lived assets indicate that their carrying amounts may not be fully recoverable or that their useful lives are no longer appropriate. Reviews are performed to determine whether the carrying values of long-lived assets are impaired based on a comparison to the undiscounted expected future net cash flows. If the comparison indicates that impairment exists, long-lived assets that are classified as held and used are written down to their respective fair values. When long-lived assets are classified as held for sale, they are written down to their respective fair values less costs to sell. Significant management judgment is required in the forecast of future operating results that is used in the preparation of expected undiscounted cash flows. For fiscal 2020, we recorded non-cash pre-tax charges in the quarter ended April 4, 2020 related to the intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and right-of-use ("ROU") assets of the ILS reporting unit of $33.9 million, $85.6 million, and $1.8 million, respectively (See Note 8, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets").

Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis and between annual tests in certain circumstances, and written down when impaired (See Note 8, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets"). Based on the estimated fair value of the ILS reporting unit, in the quarter ended April 4, 2020, we recorded a non-cash pre-tax charge related to the ILS reporting unit of $327.2 million, reducing the goodwill balance of the reporting unit to zero. In testing for impairment, we have the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not (that is, a likelihood of more than 50%) that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Moreover, an entity can bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit in any period and proceed directly to the impairment test, and then resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period. In our fiscal 2020 annual testing, for our OLS reporting unit we conducted a qualitative assessment of the goodwill during the fourth quarter using the opening balance sheet as of the first day of the fourth quarter and concluded that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying amounts. Based on our assessment, goodwill in the OLS reporting unit was not impaired as of the first day of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. As such, it was not necessary to perform the goodwill impairment test in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. There is no goodwill in the ILS reporting unit due to the impairment of all goodwill of the ILS reporting unit in the second quarter of fiscal 2020.

We provide warranties on the majority of our product sales and reserves for estimated warranty costs are recorded during the period of sale. The determination of such reserves requires us to make estimates of product return rates and expected costs to repair or replace the products under warranty. We currently establish warranty reserves based on historical warranty costs for each product line. The weighted average warranty period covered is approximately 15 months to 18 months. If actual return rates and/or repair and replacement costs differ significantly from our estimates, adjustments to cost of sales may be required in future periods.


	Fiscal
	2020		2019		2018
Beginning balance	$	36,460	$	40,220	$	36,149
Additions related to current period sales	37,788		52,271		58,865
Warranty costs incurred in the current period	(40,724)		(54,538)		(51,935)
Accruals resulting from acquisitions	—		21		179
Adjustments to accruals related to foreign exchange and other	1,508		(1,514)		(3,038)
Ending balance	$	35,032	$	36,460	$	40,220

We are subject to the possibility of various loss contingencies arising in the ordinary course of business. We consider the likelihood of loss or impairment of an asset, or the incurrence of a liability, as well as our ability to reasonably estimate the amount of loss, in determining loss contingencies. An estimated loss contingency is accrued when it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. If we determine that a loss is possible and the range of the loss can be reasonably determined, then we disclose the range of the possible loss. We regularly evaluate current information available to us to determine whether an accrual is required, an accrual should be adjusted or a range of possible loss should be disclosed.

Effective September 30, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers ("ASC 606"), using the modified retrospective transition method applied to contracts that were not completed as of September 29, 2018. Revenue for the reporting periods after September 30, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts are reported in accordance with our historical accounting under ASC 605, Revenue Recognition ("ASC 605"). There was no impact on the opening accumulated retained earnings, revenues, costs, deferred income, customer deposits or other balances as of September 30, 2018 due to the adoption of ASC 606.

Contracts and customer purchase orders, which in some cases are governed by master sales agreements, are generally used to determine the existence of an arrangement. In addition, shipping documents and customer acceptance, if applicable, are used to verify delivery and transfer of control. Performance obligations are identified based on the products or services that will be transferred to the customer that are considered distinct. Being distinct is defined as products or services that the customer can benefit from either on its own or together with other resources that are readily available from third parties or from us, and by the product or service being separately identifiable from other promises in the contract. We assess our ability to collect from our customers based primarily on the creditworthiness and past payment history of each customer. Revenue from all sales are

recognized at the transaction price. The transaction price is determined based on the consideration to which we will be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to the customer adjusted for estimated variable consideration, if any. The consideration associated with customer contracts is generally fixed. Variable consideration includes discounts, rebates, credits and incentives, or other similar items. The amount of consideration that can vary is not a substantial portion of the total consideration. Variable consideration estimates are re-assessed at each reporting period until a final outcome is determined. Changes to the original transaction price due to a change in estimated variable consideration are calculated on a retrospective basis, with the adjustment recorded in the period in which the change occurs.

Sales to customers are generally not subject to any price protection or return rights. Accordingly, upon application of steps one through five above, product revenue is recognized upon shipment and transfer of control. The majority of products and services offered by us have readily observable selling prices. As a part of our stand-alone selling price policy, we review product pricing on a periodic basis to identify any significant changes and revise our expected selling price assumptions as appropriate.

Revenues recognized at a point in time consist primarily of product, installation and training. The majority of our sales are made to original equipment manufacturers ("OEMs"), distributors, representatives and end-users. Sales made to customers generally do not require installation of the products by us and are not subject to other post-delivery obligations. Sales to end-users in the scientific market typically require installation by us and, thus, involve post-delivery obligations; however, our post-delivery installation obligations are not essential to the functionality of our products and represent a separate performance obligation. We recognize revenue for these sales following the transfer of control of such products to the customer, which typically occurs upon shipment or delivery depending on the terms of the underlying contracts. In those instances that we have agreed to perform installation or provide training, we defer revenue related to installation or training until these services have been rendered.

Our sales to distributors, representatives and end-user customers typically do not have customer acceptance provisions and only certain of our sales to OEM customers and integrators have customer acceptance provisions. Customer acceptance is generally limited to performance under our published product specifications. For the few product sales that have customer acceptance provisions because of more advanced performance than our published specifications, the revenue is recognized when the control transfers or the revenue is deferred until customer acceptance occurs.

We periodically enter into contracts in which a customer may purchase a combination of goods and/or services, such as products with maintenance contracts or extended warranty. These contracts are evaluated to determine if the multiple promises are separate performance obligations. Once we determine the performance obligations, we then determine the transaction price, which includes estimating the amount of variable consideration, if any. We then allocate the transaction price to each performance obligation in the contract based on a relative stand-alone selling price charged separately to customers. Extended warranties are sold separately from products and represent a distinct performance obligation. Revenue related to the performance obligation for extended warranties is recognized over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits provided by us.

We provide warranties on the majority of our product sales and reserves for estimated warranty costs are recorded during the period of sale. These standard warranties are assurance type warranties and do not offer any services beyond the assurance that the product will continue working as specified. Therefore, these warranties are not considered separate performance obligations in the arrangement. Instead, the expected cost of the warranty is accrued as an expense. The determination of such reserves requires us to make estimates of product return rates and expected costs to repair or replace the products under warranty. We currently establish warranty reserves based on historical warranty costs for each product line. The weighted average warranty period covered is approximately 15 to 18 months. If actual return rates and/or repair and replacement costs differ significantly from our estimates, adjustments to cost of sales may be required in future periods.

We recognize the incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract from a customer as an expense, which primarily includes sales commissions. Sales commissions are recorded at a point of time when control of the product transfers or over a period of time when sales commission provided is expected to be recovered through future services. The costs are recorded within selling, general and administrative expense. Costs incurred prior to the transfer of control of the product to the customer and costs to be amortized over a future period are classified as a prepaid asset and are included in prepaid expenses and other assets. Upon adoption of ASC 606, we determined there was an immaterial impact on sales commissions and therefore, we did not record a transition adjustment on adoption. For the fiscal 2020 and 2019, costs of obtaining a contract to be amortized over a future period of $0.3 million and $0.1 million were classified as a prepaid asset and are included in prepaid expenses and other assets, respectively.

Our standard payment terms are 30 days but vary by the industry and location of the customer and the products or services offered. The time between invoicing and when payment is due is not significant. As our standard payment terms are less than one year, we have elected the practical expedient under ASC 606-10-32-18 and therefore are not required to assess whether each contract has a significant financing component.

When we receive consideration from a customer prior to transferring goods or services under the terms of a sales contract, we record customer deposits or deferred revenue, depending on whether or not the product has shipped to the customer, which are included in other current liabilities or other long-term liabilities when the payment is made or due, whichever is earlier. We recognize deferred revenue as net sales after control of the goods or services has been transferred to the customer and all revenue recognition criteria are met.

Research and development expenses include salaries, contractor and consultant fees, supplies and materials, as well as costs related to other overhead such as depreciation, facilities, utilities and other departmental expenses. The costs we incur with respect to internally developed technology and engineering services are included in research and development expenses as incurred as they do not directly relate to any particular licensee, license agreement or license fee.

We treat third party and government funding of our research and development activity, where we are the primary beneficiary of such work conducted, as a reduction of research and development cost. Research and development reimbursements of $3.4 million, $3.8 million, and $3.2 million were offset against research and development costs in fiscal 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively.

The functional currencies of our foreign subsidiaries are generally their respective local currencies. Accordingly, gains and losses from the translation of the financial statements of the foreign subsidiaries are reported as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income ("OCI"). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are included in earnings.

Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (net of tax) at fiscal 2020 year-end was substantially comprised of accumulated translation adjustments of $25.1 million and deferred actuarial losses on pension plans of $0.5 million. Accumulated other comprehensive loss (net of tax) at fiscal 2019 year-end was substantially comprised of accumulated translation adjustments of $34.4 million and deferred actuarial losses on pension plans of $2.0 million.

Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period, excluding unvested restricted stock. Diluted earnings per share is computed based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period increased by the effect of dilutive employee stock awards, including stock options, restricted stock awards and stock purchase plan contracts, using the treasury stock method.


	Fiscal
	2020		2019		2018
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic	24,105		24,118		24,572
Dilutive effect of employee stock awards	—		161		279
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted	24,105		24,279		24,851

Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(414,139)	$	53,825	$	247,360
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	—		—		(2)
Net income (loss)	$	(414,139)	$	53,825	$	247,358

We recognize compensation expense for all share-based payment awards based on the fair value of such awards. We value restricted stock units using the intrinsic value method, which is based on the fair market value price on the grant date. We use a Monte Carlo simulation model to estimate the fair value of performance restricted stock units whose number of units vesting is based on our total shareholder return over the performance period compared to the Russell Index. We value certain performance restricted stock units with vesting based on goals related to free cash flow target amounts units using the intrinsic value method, which is based on the fair market value price on the grant date. We amortize the fair value of stock awards on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods of the awards, which are generally the vesting periods. See Note 12, "Employee Stock Award and Benefit Plans" for a description of our stock-based employee compensation plans and the assumptions we use to calculate the fair value of stock-based employee compensation.

As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements, we are required to estimate our income tax provision (benefit) in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate. This process involves us estimating our current income tax provision (benefit) together with assessing temporary differences resulting from differing treatment of items for tax and accounting purposes. These differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within our consolidated balance sheets.

meet before being recognized in the financial statements. This standard provides a two-step approach for evaluating tax positions. The first step, recognition, occurs when a company concludes (based solely on the technical aspects of the matter) that a tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon examination by a taxing authority. The second step, measurement, is only considered after step one has been satisfied and measures any tax benefit at the largest amount that is deemed more likely than not to be realized upon ultimate settlement of the uncertainty. These determinations involve significant judgment by management. Tax positions that fail to qualify for initial recognition are recognized in the first subsequent interim period that they meet the more likely than not standard or when they are resolved through negotiation or litigation with factual interpretation, judgment and certainty. Tax laws and regulations themselves are complex and are subject to change as a result of changes in fiscal policy, changes in legislation, evolution of regulations and court filings. Therefore, the actual liability for U.S. or foreign taxes may be materially different from our estimates, which could result in the need to record additional tax liabilities or potentially to reverse previously recorded tax liabilities.

We record a valuation allowance to reduce our deferred tax assets to an amount that more likely than not will be realized. While we have considered future taxable income and ongoing prudent and feasible tax planning strategies in assessing the need for the valuation allowance, in the event we were to determine that we would be able to realize our deferred tax assets in the future in excess of our net recorded amount, an adjustment to the allowance for the deferred tax asset would increase income in the period such determination was made. Likewise, should we determine that we would not be able to realize all or part of our net deferred tax asset in the future, an adjustment to the allowance for the deferred tax asset would be charged to income in the period such determination was made.

We historically asserted our intention to indefinitely reinvest foreign earnings. As a result of enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) and certain foreign tax law changes, we no longer consider foreign earnings to be indefinitely reinvested in our foreign subsidiaries. As a result of this change in assertion, we recorded a $16.1 million tax expense against our foreign earnings that are not indefinitely reinvested as of fiscal 2020. This is mainly related to foreign withholding taxes and state income taxes. We have not recognized any deferred taxes for outside basis differences in foreign subsidiaries.

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes. The ASU updates specific areas of ASC 740, Income Taxes, to reduce complexity while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. We elected to early adopt ASU 2019-12 in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 with no material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement-Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. The guidance allows companies to reclassify stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Act from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings. The guidance also requires certain new disclosures regardless of the election. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. We adopted ASU 2018-02 in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 with no material impact to our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued accounting guidance (ASC 842) that modifies lease accounting for lessees to increase transparency and comparability by recording lease assets and liabilities for operating leases and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. We adopted ASC 842 in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 utilizing the optional transition method by applying the new standard to leases existing at the date of initial application and not restating comparative periods. We determine if an arrangement contains a lease at inception for arrangements with an initial term of more than 12 months, and classify it as either finance or operating. We have elected the package of practical expedients which allows us to not reassess 1) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases; 2) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases; and 3) initial direct costs for any existing leases. In addition, we also elected to use the practical expedient allowed in the standard to not separate lease and non-lease components and apply the short-term lease measurement and recognition exemption to all leases shorter than 12 months when calculating the lease liability under ASC 842. The adoption of the standard resulted in the recognition of operating lease assets of $90.4 million, with corresponding operating lease liabilities of $93.5 million on our consolidated balance sheet, primarily related to real estate leases. The difference between the operating lease right-of-use assets and operating lease liabilities primarily represents our deferred rent as of adoption. As of the date of adoption, we recognized finance lease assets of $1.0 million, with corresponding finance lease liabilities of $0.9 million on our consolidated balance sheet, primarily related to equipment leases.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments and a subsequent amendment, ASU 2018-19 (collectively, Topic 326). Topic 326 requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held. The new standard will become effective for our fiscal year 2021, which begins on October 4, 2020. We do not expect the standard will have a material impact on our consolidated statements of operations.