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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 29, 2017
Organization
Organization: Anixter International Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as "Anixter" or the "Company"), formerly known as Itel Corporation, which was incorporated in Delaware in 1967, is a leading distributor of enterprise cabling and security solutions, electrical and electronic wire and cable solutions and utility power solutions through Anixter Inc. and its subsidiaries.
Basis of presentation
Basis of presentation: The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of Anixter International Inc. and its subsidiaries. The Company's fiscal year ends on the Friday nearest December 31 and includes 52 weeks in 2017, 2016 and 2015. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation.
In 2015, Anixter sold the OEM Supply - Fasteners ("Fasteners") business, as described in Note 2. "Discontinued Operations". The assets and liabilities and operating results of the Fasteners business are presented as "discontinued operations" in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements, and all prior periods have been revised to reflect this classification.
In the fourth quarter of 2015, in connection with the acquisition of the Power Solutions business from HD Supply, Inc., Anixter renamed its legacy Enterprise Cabling and Security Solutions segment to Network & Security Solutions ("NSS"). The low voltage business of Power Solutions was combined into the historical Electrical and Electronic Wire and Cable ("W&C") segment to form the Electrical & Electronic Solutions ("EES") segment. The high voltage business of Power Solutions formed the Utility Power Solutions ("UPS") segment.
Use of estimates
Use of estimates: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("U.S. GAAP") requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Anixter's significant estimates include allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory obsolescence, pension obligations, goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, deferred tax assets and uncertain tax positions.
Cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents: Cash equivalents consist of short-term, highly liquid investments that mature within three months or less. Such investments are stated at cost, which approximates fair value.
Receivables and allowance for doubtful accounts
Receivables and allowance for doubtful accounts: The Company carries its accounts receivable at their face amounts less an allowance for doubtful accounts, which was $43.8 million and $43.6 million at the end of 2017 and 2016, respectively. On a regular basis, Anixter evaluates its accounts receivable and establishes the allowance for doubtful accounts based on a combination of specific customer circumstances, as well as credit conditions and history of write-offs and collections. The provision for doubtful accounts was $10.0 million, $20.1 million and $25.8 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. A receivable is considered past due if payments have not been received within the agreed upon invoice terms. Receivables are written off and deducted from the allowance account when the receivables are deemed uncollectible.
Inventories
Inventories: Inventories, consisting primarily of purchased finished goods, are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the average-cost method. The Company has agreements with some vendors that provide a right to return products. This right is typically limited to a small percentage of total purchases from that vendor. Such rights provide that Anixter can return slow-moving product and the vendor will replace it with faster-moving product chosen by the Company. Some vendor agreements contain price protection provisions that require the manufacturer to issue a credit in an amount sufficient to reduce Anixter's current inventory carrying cost down to the manufacturer’s current price. The Company considers these agreements in determining the reserve for obsolescence.
At December 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016, the Company reported inventory of $1,238.7 million and $1,178.3 million, respectively (net of inventory reserves of $49.5 million and $48.3 million, respectively). Each quarter the Company reviews for excess inventories and makes an assessment of the net realizable value. There are many factors that management considers in determining whether or not the amount by which a reserve should be established. These factors include the following:
 
•
Return or rotation privileges with vendors 
•
Price protection from vendors
•
Expected future usage
•
Whether or not a customer is obligated by contract to purchase the inventory
•
Current market pricing
•
Historical consumption experience
•
Risk of obsolescence
If circumstances related to the above factors change, there could be a material impact on the net realizable value of the inventories.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment: At December 29, 2017, net property and equipment consisted of $115.5 million of equipment and computer software, $36.6 million of buildings and leasehold improvements and $2.2 million of land. At December 30, 2016, net property and equipment consisted of $101.9 million of equipment and computer software, $36.0 million of buildings and leasehold improvements and $2.4 million of land. Equipment and computer software are recorded at cost and depreciated by applying the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 3 to 20 years. Buildings are recorded at cost and depreciated by applying the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives, which range from 7 to 40 years. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over their useful life or over the term of the related lease, whichever is shorter. Upon sale or retirement, the cost and related depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and any gain or loss is included in income. Maintenance and repair costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation expense charged to continuing operations, including an immaterial amount of capital lease depreciation, was $28.2 million, $27.9 million and $22.2 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
The Company evaluates the recoverability of the carrying amount of our property and equipment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be fully recoverable. In order to measure an impairment loss of property and equipment, the Company estimates the fair value by using an orderly liquidation valuation. An orderly liquidation value is the amount that could be realized from a liquidation sale, given a reasonable period of time to find a purchaser (or purchasers), with the seller being compelled to sell the asset in the existing condition where it is located, as of a specific date, assuming the highest and best use of the asset by market participants. The valuation method also considers that it is physically possible, legally permissible and financially feasible to use the asset at the measurement date. The inputs used for the valuation include significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs, as described in the accounting fair value hierarchy, based on assumptions that market participants would use. A second step of the analysis is performed by comparing the orderly liquidation value to the carrying amount of that asset. The orderly liquidation values are applied against the original cost of the assets and the impairment loss measured as the difference between the liquidation value of the assets and the net book value of the assets.
Costs for software developed for internal use are capitalized when the preliminary project stage is complete and Anixter has committed funding for projects that are likely to be completed. Costs that are incurred during the preliminary project stage are expensed as incurred. Once the capitalization criteria has been met, external direct costs of materials and services consumed in developing internal-use computer software, payroll and payroll-related costs for employees who are directly associated with and who devote time to the internal-use computer software project (to the extent of their time spent directly on the project) and interest costs incurred when developing computer software for internal use are capitalized. At December 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016, capitalized costs, net of accumulated amortization, for software developed for internal use were approximately $61.6 million and $57.7 million, respectively. Amortization expense charged to continuing operations for capitalized costs was $5.5 million, $3.7 million and $2.8 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Interest expense incurred in connection with the development of internal use software is capitalized based on the amounts of accumulated expenditures and the weighted-average cost of borrowings for the period. Interest costs capitalized for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $0.3 million, $0.7 million and $1.2 million, respectively.
Goodwill
Goodwill: The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually at the beginning of the third quarter and when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value of these assets might exceed their current fair values. The Company assesses goodwill for impairment by first performing a qualitative assessment, which considers specific factors, based on the weight of evidence, and the significance of all identified events and circumstances in the context of determining whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If it is determined that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount using the qualitative assessment, Anixter performs the two-step impairment test. From time to time, the Company may also bypass the qualitative assessment and proceed directly to the two-step impairment test. The first step of the impairment test is to identify a potential impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. The estimates of fair value of a reporting unit are determined using the income approach and the market approach as described below. If step one of the test indicates a carrying value above the estimated fair value, the second step of the goodwill impairment test is performed by comparing the implied fair value of the reporting unit’s goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The implied residual value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as the amount of goodwill recognized in a business combination.
As a result of the reclassification of net sales of various product categories between segments during the first half of 2016, Anixter reassigned the carrying amount of goodwill based on the relative fair value of its reporting units. The Company then performed the quantitative two-step impairment test of goodwill for all reporting units before and after the change in composition of its segments utilizing a combination of the income and market approaches, both of which are broadly defined below. The Company concluded that no impairment of goodwill existed and the carrying amount of goodwill to be fully recoverable.
In connection with the annual assessment of goodwill at the beginning of the third quarter of 2017, the Company bypassed the qualitative assessment and performed a quantitative test for all reporting units and utilized a combination of the income and market approaches, both of which are broadly defined below. As a result of this assessment, the Company concluded that no impairment existed and the carrying amount of goodwill to be fully recoverable.
The income approach is a quantitative evaluation to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. Under the income approach fair value is determined based on estimated future cash flows discounted by an estimated weighted-average cost of capital plus a forecast risk, which reflects the overall level of inherent risk of the reporting unit and the rate of return a market participant would expect to earn. The inputs used for the income approach were significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs, as described in the accounting fair value hierarchy. Estimated future cash flows were based on internal projection models, industry projections and other assumptions deemed reasonable by management.
The market approach measures the fair value of a reporting unit through the analysis of recent sales, offerings, and financial multiples (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")) of comparable businesses. Consideration is given to the financial conditions and operating performance of the reporting unit being valued relative to those publicly-traded companies operating in the same or similar lines of business.
Although all of the Company's reporting units had fair values that exceeded the underlying carrying values at July 1, 2017, the date of the annual assessment, the margin of fair value over carrying value of the NSS and UPS reporting units were greater than 10%, while the fair value of the EES reporting unit was less than 10% over its carrying value due to the effects of the recovering industrial economy. While the EES reporting unit's margin of fair value over carrying value continues to be less than 10%, the margin improved approximately 225 basis points from prior year. The EES reporting unit is more susceptible to impairment risk from adverse macroeconomic conditions. Any such adverse changes in the future could reduce the underlying cash flows used to estimate fair values and could result in a decline in fair value that could trigger future impairment charges relating to the EES reporting unit.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets: As of December 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016, the Company's intangible asset balances are as follows:
 
 
 
 
December 29, 2017
 
December 30, 2016
(In millions)
 
Average useful life (in years)
 
Gross carrying amount
 
Accumulated amortization
 
Gross carrying amount
 
Accumulated amortization
Customer relationships
 
6-20
 
$
464.5

 
$
(113.2
)
 
$
458.5

 
$
(80.1
)
Exclusive supplier agreement
 
21
 
22.5

 
(3.5
)
 
22.1

 
(2.4
)
Trade names
 
3-10
 
12.8

 
(10.2
)
 
12.6

 
(7.5
)
Trade names
 
Indefinite
 
4.9

 
—

 
10.6

 
—

Non-compete agreements
 
1-5
 
6.3

 
(5.3
)
 
6.2

 
(4.6
)
Total
 
 
 
$
511.0

 
$
(132.2
)
 
$
510.0

 
$
(94.6
)

Anixter continually evaluates whether events or circumstances have occurred that would indicate the remaining estimated useful lives of intangible assets warrant revision or that the remaining balance of such assets may not be recoverable. For definite-lived intangible assets, the Company uses an estimate of the related undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the asset in measuring whether the asset is recoverable. Trade names that have been identified to have indefinite lives are not being amortized based on the expectation that the trade name products will generate future cash flows for the foreseeable future. In 2017, the Company recorded an impairment charge of $5.7 million related to certain indefinite-lived trade names in its NSS reporting unit. This impairment charge is included in "Operating expenses" in the Consolidated Statement of Income. The impairment charge was recorded as Anixter no longer plans to use certain trade names on certain products. All remaining indefinite-lived trade names are expected to be used on existing products for the foreseeable future.
The Company's definite-lived intangible assets are primarily related to customer relationships. In order to measure an impairment loss of customer relationships, Anixter estimates the fair value by using an excess earnings model, a form of the income approach. The analysis requires making various judgmental assumptions, including assumptions about future cash flows based on projected growth rates of revenue and expense, expectations of rates of customer attrition and working capital needs. The assumptions about future cash flows and growth rates are based on management’s forecast of the asset group. The key inputs utilized in determining the fair value of customer relationships include significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs, as described in the accounting fair value hierarchy. Inputs included discount rates derived from an estimated weighted-average cost of capital, which reflected the overall level of inherent risk of the asset group and the rate of return a market participant would expect to earn, as well as customer attrition rates.
Intangible amortization expense is expected to average $30.9 million per year for the next five years, of which $16.4 million relates to intangible assets recorded for the Power Solutions acquisition. See Note 3. "Business Combinations" for further details. The Company's definite lived intangible assets are amortized over a straight line basis as it approximates the customer attrition patterns and best estimates the use pattern of the assets.
Other, net
Other, net: The following represents the components of "Other, net" as reflected in the Consolidated Statements of Income:
 
 
Twelve Months Ended
(In millions)
 
December 29,
2017
 
December 30,
2016
 
January 1,
2016
Other, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Foreign exchange
 
$
(3.4
)
 
$
(10.8
)
 
$
(14.9
)
Foreign exchange devaluations
 
—

 
—

 
(3.6
)
Cash surrender value of life insurance policies
 
2.4

 
1.2

 
(0.8
)
Other
 
0.2

 
0.5

 
(1.8
)
Total other, net
 
$
(0.8
)
 
$
(9.1
)
 
$
(21.1
)

In the fourth quarter of 2015, the Argentine peso was devalued by approximately 40% against the U.S. dollar ("USD") due to the loosening of currency controls. In the first quarter of 2015, the Venezuelan government changed its policy regarding the bolivar, which required us to use the Sistema Marginal de Divisas or Marginal Exchange System ("SIMADI") a "completely free floating" rate. As a result, the Venezuelan bolivar was devalued from approximately 52.0 bolivars to one USD to approximately 200.0 bolivars to one USD in the year ended January 1, 2016. Due to these devaluations, the Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of $3.6 million for the year ended January 1, 2016. During 2016, the Venezuelan bolivar was devalued from approximately 200.0 bolivars to one USD to approximately 673.0 bolivars to one USD. During 2017, the Venezuelan bolivar was devalued from approximately 673.0 bolivars to one USD to approximately 3,345.0 bolivars to one USD, which is expected to be the rate available in the event Anixter repatriates cash from Venezuela. The 2016 and 2017 devaluations did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements as Anixter had minimal exposure remaining in Venezuela.
Due to fluctuations in the USD against certain foreign currencies, primarily in Europe, Canada and Latin America, the Company recorded additional foreign exchange losses of $3.4 million, $10.8 million and $14.9 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Several of Anixter's subsidiaries conduct business in a currency other than the legal entity’s functional currency. Transactions may produce receivables or payables that are fixed in terms of the amount of foreign currency that will be received or paid. A change in exchange rates between the functional currency and the currency in which a transaction is denominated increases or decreases the expected amount of functional currency cash flows upon settlement of the transaction. The increase or decrease in expected functional currency cash flows is a foreign currency transaction gain or loss that is included in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Company purchases foreign currency forward contracts to minimize the effect of fluctuating foreign currency-denominated accounts on its reported income. The foreign currency forward contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. The Company's strategy is to negotiate terms for its derivatives and other financial instruments to be highly effective, such that the change in the value of the derivative perfectly offsets the impact of the underlying hedged item (e.g., various foreign currency-denominated accounts). Its counterparties to foreign currency forward contracts have investment-grade credit ratings. Anixter expects the creditworthiness of its counterparties to remain intact through the term of the transactions. The Company regularly monitors the creditworthiness of its counterparties to ensure no issues exist which could affect the value of the derivatives.
The Company does not hedge 100% of its foreign currency-denominated accounts. In addition, the results of hedging can vary significantly based on various factors, such as the timing of executing the foreign currency forward contracts versus the movement of the currencies as well as the fluctuations in the account balances throughout each reporting period. The fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts is based on the difference between the contract rate and the current exchange rate. The fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts is measured using observable market information. These inputs would be considered Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. At December 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016, foreign currency forward contracts were revalued at then-current foreign exchange rates with the changes in valuation reflected directly in "Other, net" in the Consolidated Statements of Income offsetting the transaction gain/loss recorded on the foreign currency-denominated accounts. At December 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016, the gross notional amount of the foreign currency forward contracts outstanding was approximately $246.3 million and $114.8 million, respectively. At December 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016, the net notional amount of the foreign currency forward contracts outstanding was approximately $125.7 million and $90.9 million, respectively. While all of the Company's foreign currency forward contracts are subject to master netting arrangements with its counterparties, assets and liabilities related to derivative instruments are presented on a gross basis within the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The gross fair value of derivative assets and liabilities are immaterial.
The combined effect of changes in both the equity and bond markets resulted in changes in the cash surrender value of the Company's company owned life insurance policies associated with the sponsored deferred compensation program.
Fair value measurement
Fair value measurement: Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis consist of foreign currency forward contracts and the assets of Anixter's defined benefit plans. The fair value of the foreign currency forward contracts is discussed above in the section titled "Other, net." The fair value of the assets of Anixter's defined benefit plans is discussed in Note 9. "Pension Plans, Post-Retirement Benefits and Other Benefits". Fair value disclosures of debt are discussed in Note 6. "Debt".
The Company measure the fair values of goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment on a nonrecurring basis if required by impairment tests applicable to these assets. The fair value measurements of goodwill, intangible assets and property and equipment are discussed above.
The inputs used in the determination of fair values are categorized according to the fair value hierarchy as being Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3. In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs use quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs use other inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, and other inputs such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs, including inputs that are available in situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the related asset or liability. In instances where inputs used to measure fair value fall into different levels in the above fair value hierarchy, fair value measurements in their entirety are categorized based on the lowest level input that is significant to the valuation. The assessment of the significance of particular inputs to these fair value measurements requires judgment and considers factors specific to each asset or liability.
Revenue recognition
Revenue recognition: Sales to customers and related cost of sales are recognized upon transfer of title and risk of loss when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, when the price is fixed and determinable and when collectability is reasonably assured, which generally occurs on shipment of the products, upon delivery at the customer's designated location, or when services have been rendered.
Revenue is recorded net of customer discounts, rebates and similar charges. The Company also establishes a reserve for expected returns and credits that will be provided to customers based on an analysis of historical experience, which was $35.9 million and $34.9 million at December 29, 2017 and December 30, 2016, respectively.
In instances where goods are not in stock and delivery times are critical, product is purchased from the manufacturer and drop-shipped to the customer. Anixter generally takes title to the goods when shipped by the manufacturer and then bills the customer for the product upon transfer of the title and risk of loss to the customer.
Sales taxes
Sales taxes: Sales tax amounts collected from customers for remittance to governmental authorities are presented on a net basis in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Advertising and sales promotion
Advertising and sales promotion: Advertising and sales promotion costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising and promotion costs included in operating expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income were $10.6 million, $12.4 million and $13.2 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. The majority of the advertising and sales promotion costs are recouped through various cooperative advertising programs with vendors.
Shipping and handling fees and costs
Shipping and handling fees and costs: Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are included in net sales. Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight are included in "Operating expenses" on the Consolidated Statements of Income, which were $119.1 million, $113.9 million and $102.7 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.
Stock-based compensation
Stock-based compensation: The Company measures the cost of all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, using a fair-value-based method. Compensation costs are determined based on the fair value at the grant date and amortized over the respective vesting period representing the requisite service period.
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
Accumulated other comprehensive loss: Unrealized gains and losses are accumulated in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss" ("AOCI"). These changes are also reported in "Other comprehensive income (loss)" on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. These include unrealized gains and losses related to the Company's defined benefit obligations, foreign currency translation and certain immaterial derivative transactions that have been designated as cash flow hedges. See Note 9. "Pension Plans, Post-Retirement Benefits and Other Benefits" for pension related amounts reclassified into net income.
Investments in several subsidiaries are recorded in currencies other than the USD. As these foreign currency denominated investments are translated at the end of each period during consolidation using period-end exchange rates, fluctuations of exchange rates between the foreign currency and the USD increase or decrease the value of those investments. These fluctuations and the results of operations for foreign subsidiaries, where the functional currency is not the USD, are translated into USD using the average exchange rates during the periods reported, while the assets and liabilities are translated using period-end exchange rates. The assets and liabilities-related translation adjustments are recorded as a separate component of AOCI, "Foreign currency translation." In addition, as Anixter's subsidiaries maintain investments denominated in currencies other than local currencies, exchange rate fluctuations will occur. Borrowings are raised in certain foreign currencies to minimize the exchange rate translation adjustment risk.
Income taxes
Income taxes: Deferred taxes are recognized for the future tax effects of temporary differences between financial and income tax reporting based upon enacted tax laws and rates. The Company maintains valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax asset will not be realized based on available evidence. Anixter recognizes the benefit of tax positions when a benefit is more likely than not (i.e., greater than 50% likely) to be sustained on its technical merits. Recognized tax benefits are measured at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained, based on cumulative probability, in final settlement of the position.
Net income per share
Net income per share: Diluted net income per share reflects the potential dilution that would occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock.
The Company had 0.4 million in 2017 and 0.2 million in 2016 and 2015, of additional shares related to stock options and stock units included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect of those common stock equivalents were dilutive during these periods. Antidilutive stock options and units are excluded from the calculation of weighted-average shares for diluted earnings per share. For 2017, 2016 and 2015, the antidilutive stock options and units were immaterial.
Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements
Recently issued and adopted accounting pronouncements: In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. The new guidance requires all income tax effects of awards to be recognized in the income statement when the awards vest or are settled, allows an employer to repurchase more of an employee’s shares than previously allowed for tax withholding purposes without triggering liability accounting, allows a company to make a policy election to account for forfeitures as they occur, and eliminates the requirement that excess tax benefits be realized before companies can recognize them. The new guidance also requires excess tax benefits and tax shortfalls to be presented on the cash flow statement as an operating activity rather than as a financing activity, and clarifies that cash paid to a tax authority when shares are withheld to satisfy its statutory income tax withholding obligation are to be presented as a financing activity. The standard is effective for the Company's financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. On a prospective basis, excess tax benefits recognized on stock-based compensation expense were reflected as a component of the provision for income taxes. As allowed by the new guidance, the Company has elected to account for forfeitures as they occur. Anixter has also elected to present the cash flow statement on a retrospective transition method and prior periods have been adjusted to present the excess tax benefits as part of cash flows from operating activities. The result of this adoption did not have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.
New Accounting Pronouncements Not yet Adopted
Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted: In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance in August 2015, March 2016, April 2016, May 2016 and December 2016 within ASU 2015-14, ASU 2016-08, ASU 2016-10, ASU 2016-12 and ASU 2016-20, respectively. The core principle of this new revenue recognition guidance is that a company will recognize revenue when promised goods or services are transferred to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The new guidance defines a five-step process to achieve this core principle, and in doing so, it is possible more judgment and estimates may be required within the revenue recognition process than are required under current guidance, including identifying performance obligations in the contract, estimating the amount of variable consideration to include in the transaction price and allocating the transaction price to each separate performance obligation, among others. The new guidance also requires more detailed disclosures to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The new guidance provides for two transition methods: a full retrospective approach and a modified retrospective approach. Anixter will adopt the new revenue recognition guidance in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 utilizing the modified retrospective method of adoption. The Company has developed a multi-phase plan to assess the impact of adoption on its material revenue streams, evaluate the new disclosure requirements, and identify and implement appropriate changes to its business processes, systems and controls to support recognition and disclosure under the new guidance. The Company has updated its existing accounting policies, implemented new controls and is evaluating the expanded disclosure requirements. The Company does not expect the cumulative effect adjustment, if any, to be material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for the rights and obligations created by all leases with terms of more than 12 months. The standard is effective for Anixter's financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company anticipates adopting the new lease guidance in the first quarter of our fiscal year 2019. The Company has established an implementation team and is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses, which requires the measurement of expected credit losses for financial instruments held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable forecasts. The main objective of this ASU is to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments to extend credit held by a reporting entity at each reporting date. The standard is effective for Anixter's financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which adds guidance to assist entities with evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. The standard is effective for Anixter's financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company has adopted this standard as of the first quarter of fiscal year 2018 and will consider this guidance if a transaction should occur after this adoption date.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment, which removes step two from the goodwill impairment test. Step two measures a goodwill impairment loss by comparing the implied fair value of a reporting unit's goodwill with the carrying amount of that goodwill. The new guidance requires an entity to perform its goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount, including goodwill. The standard is effective for Anixter's financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. Early adoption is permitted for interim or annual goodwill impairment tests performed on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU on its methodology for evaluating goodwill for impairment subsequent to adoption of this standard.
In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits: Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which changes how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement benefit plans present the net periodic benefit cost in the income statement. The new guidance requires entities to report the service cost component in the same line item as other compensation costs. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the income statement separately from the service cost component outside of income from operations. The standard is effective for Anixter's financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period for which financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. Upon adoption, ASU 2017-07 requires changes to the presentation of the income statement to be applied retrospectively. The Company adopted this standard effective the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. Service costs will be recognized within "Operating expenses" in the Income Statement. All other components of net benefit costs will be recorded in "Other, net" in the Company's Income Statement.
In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation: Scope of Modification Accounting, which clarifies when changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award must be accounted for as modifications. Under the new guidance, modification accounting is required only if the fair value, the vesting conditions, or the classification of the award changes as a result of the change in terms or conditions. ASU 2017-09 will be applied prospectively to awards modified on or after the adoption date. The standard is effective for Anixter’s financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this ASU, but it is not expected to have a material effect on its Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company does not believe that any other recently issued, but not yet effective, accounting pronouncements, if adopted, would have a material impact on its Consolidated Financial Statements or disclosures.