Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the last Saturday in September. Fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015 ended on September 30, 2017, September 24, 2016 and September 26, 2015, respectively.

Management's Estimates

Management’s Estimates and Uncertainties

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Significant estimates and assumptions by management affect the Company’s revenue recognition for multiple element arrangements, allowance for doubtful accounts, the net realizable value of inventory, estimated fair value of cost-method equity investments, valuations, purchase price allocations and contingent consideration related to business combinations, expected future cash flows including growth rates, discount rates, terminal values and other assumptions and estimates used to evaluate the recoverability of long-lived assets and goodwill, estimated fair values of intangible assets and goodwill, amortization methods and periods, warranty reserves, certain accrued expenses, restructuring and other related charges, stock-based compensation, contingent liabilities, tax reserves, deferred tax rates and recoverability of the Company’s net deferred tax assets and related valuation allowances.

Although the Company regularly assesses these estimates, actual results could differ materially from these estimates. Changes in estimates are recorded in the period in which they become known. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that it believes to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The Company is subject to a number of risks similar to those of other companies of similar size in its industry, including dependence on third-party reimbursements to support the markets of the Company’s products, early stage of development of certain products, rapid technological changes, recoverability of long-lived assets (including intangible assets and goodwill), competition, stability of world financial markets, ability to obtain regulatory approvals, changes in the regulatory environment, limited number of suppliers, customer concentration, integration of acquisitions, substantial indebtedness, government regulations, management of international activities, protection of proprietary rights, patent and other litigation, dependence on contract manufacturers and dependence on key individuals.

Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and maturities of three months or less at the time of acquisition.

Marketable Securities

The Company’s marketable securities as of September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016 are comprised solely of equity securities and as of September 26, 2015 also included mutual funds. The equity securities are investments in the common stock of publicly traded companies, and the mutual funds were used to fund a portion of the Company's deferred compensation plan. The equity securities are classified as available-for-sale and are recorded at fair value with the unrealized gains or losses, net of tax, recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), which is a component of stockholders’ equity. The mutual funds were classified as trading and recorded at fair value with unrealized gains and losses recorded in other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The Company periodically reviews its marketable equity securities classified as available-for-sale for other-than-temporary declines in fair value below carrying value, or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. The determination that a decline is other-than-temporary is, in part, subjective and influenced by many factors. When assessing marketable equity securities for other-than-temporary declines in fair value, the Company considers factors including: the significance of the decline in value compared to the carrying value; the underlying factors contributing to a decline in the price of the security; how long the market value of the investment has been less than its carrying value; any market conditions that impact liquidity; the views of external investment analysts; the financial condition and near-term prospects of the investee; any news or financial information that has been released specific to the investee; and the outlook for the overall industry in which the investee operates.

Concentrations of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that subject the Company to credit risk primarily consist of cash and cash equivalents, cost-method equity investments, and trade accounts receivable. The Company invests its cash and cash equivalents with high credit quality financial institutions.

The Company’s customers are principally located in the United States, Europe and Asia. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of the financial condition of its customers and generally does not require collateral. Although the Company is directly affected by the overall financial condition of the healthcare industry, as well as global economic conditions, management does not believe significant credit risk exists as of September 30, 2017. The Company generally has not experienced any material losses related to receivables from individual customers or groups of customers in the healthcare industry. The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts based on accounts past due and historical collection experience.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market on a first in, first out basis. Work-in-process and finished goods inventories consist of materials, labor and manufacturing overhead. The valuation of inventory requires management to estimate excess and obsolete inventory. The Company employs a variety of methodologies to determine the net realizable value of its inventory. Provisions for excess and obsolete inventory are primarily based on management’s estimates of forecasted sales, usage levels and expiration dates, as applicable for disposable products. A significant change in the timing or level of demand for the Company’s products compared to forecasted amounts may result in recording additional charges for excess and obsolete inventory in the future. The Company records charges for excess and obsolete inventory within cost of product revenues.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost less allowances for depreciation. The straight-line method of depreciation is used for all property and equipment.

Property, plant and equipment consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2017			September 24, 2016
Equipment and software	$	422.4		$	381.9
Equipment under customer usage agreements	368.7			334.6
Buildings and improvements	172.0			186.1
Leasehold improvements	60.6			65.6
Land	46.3			51.9
Furniture and fixtures	20.8			18.4
	1,090.8			1,038.5
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization	(599.6		)	(578.3		)
	$	491.2		$	460.2

Property, plant and equipment are depreciated over the following estimated useful lives:



Asset Classification		Estimated Useful Life
Building and improvements		20–35 years
Equipment and software		3–10 years
Equipment under customer usage agreements		3–8 years
Furniture and fixtures		5–7 years
Leasehold improvements		Shorter of the Original Term of Lease or Estimated Useful Life

Equipment under customer usage agreements primarily consists of diagnostic instrumentation and imaging equipment located at customer sites but owned by the Company. Generally, the customer has the right to use the equipment for a period of time provided they meet certain agreed to conditions. The Company recovers the cost of providing the equipment from the sale of disposables. The depreciation costs associated with equipment under customer usage agreements are charged to cost of product revenues over the estimated useful life of the equipment. The costs to maintain the equipment in the field are charged to cost of product revenue as incurred.

Long-Lived Assets

The Company reviews its long-lived assets, which includes property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets (see below for discussion of intangible assets), for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable in accordance with ASC 360-10-35-15, Property, Plant and Equipment—Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets (ASC 360). Recoverability of these assets is evaluated by comparing the carrying value of the assets to the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets over their remaining economic life. If the undiscounted cash flows are not sufficient to recover the carrying value of the assets, the assets are considered impaired. The impairment loss is measured by comparing the fair value of the assets to their carrying value. Fair value is determined by either a quoted market price, if any, or a value determined by a discounted cash flow technique.

Business Combinations and Acquisition of Intangible Assets

The Company accounts for the acquisition of a business in accordance with ASC 805, Business Combinations (ASC 805). Amounts paid for each acquisition are allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the date of acquisition. The Company determines the fair value of acquired intangible assets based on detailed valuations that use certain information and assumptions provided by management. The Company allocates any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net tangible and intangible assets acquired to goodwill.

The Company uses the income approach to determine the fair value of developed technology and in-process research and development ("IPR&D") acquired in a business combination. This approach determines fair value by estimating the after-tax cash flows attributable to the respective asset over its useful life and then discounting these after-tax cash flows back to a present value. The Company bases its revenue assumptions on estimates of relevant market sizes, expected market growth rates, expected trends in technology and expected product introductions by competitors. Developed technology represents patented and unpatented technology and know-how. The value of the in-process projects is based on projects’ stage of completion, the complexity of the work completed as of the acquisition date, the projected costs to complete, the contribution of core technologies and other acquired assets, the expected introduction date, the estimated cash flows to be generated upon commercial release and the estimated useful life of the technology. The Company believes that the estimated developed technology and IPR&D amounts represent the fair value at the date of acquisition and do not exceed the amount a third-party would pay for the assets.

The Company also uses the income approach, as described above, to determine the estimated fair value of certain other identifiable intangible assets including customer relationships, distribution agreements, trade names and business licenses. Customer relationships represent established relationships with customers, which provide a ready channel for the sale of additional products and services. Trade names represent acquired company and product names, and distribution agreements generally pertain to exclusive distribution of certain products manufactured by third parties

Intangible Assets and Goodwill

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets are initially recorded at fair value and stated net of accumulated amortization and impairments. The Company amortizes its intangible assets that have finite lives using either the straight-line method, or if reliably determinable, based on the pattern in which the economic benefit of the asset is expected to be utilized. Amortization is recorded over the estimated useful lives ranging from 2 to 30 years. The Company evaluates the realizability of its definite lived intangible assets whenever events or changes in circumstances or business conditions indicate that the carrying value of these assets may not be recoverable based on expectations of future undiscounted cash flows for each asset group. If the carrying value of an asset or asset group exceeds its undiscounted cash flows, the Company estimates the fair value of the assets, generally utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis based on the present value of estimated future cash flows to be generated by the assets using a risk-adjusted discount rate. To estimate the fair value of the assets, the Company uses market participant assumptions pursuant to ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements.

Indefinite lived intangible assets, such as IPR&D assets, are required to be tested for impairment annually, or more frequently if indicators of impairment are present. The Company’s annual impairment test date is as of the first day of its fourth quarter.

Intangible assets consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2017				September 24, 2016
Description	Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization		Gross Carrying Value		Accumulated Amortization
Developed technology	$	4,528.7	$	2,186.8	$	3,983.7	$	1,991.6
In-process research and development	46.0		—		3.7		—
Customer relationships	552.8		393.8		1,098.9		546.2
Trade names	310.3		156.4		236.2		141.6
Distribution agreement	42.0		2.8		—		—
Non-competition agreements	1.5		0.1		—		—
Business licenses	2.4		2.2		2.4		2.1
	$	5,483.7	$	2,742.1	$	5,324.9	$	2,681.5

During the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company divested its blood screening business and net book value of $154.0 million of developed technology and $387.7 million of customer relationship assets were disposed of (see Note 13). In addition, in the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company acquired Cynosure and recorded an aggregate of $994.0 million of intangible assets (see Note 3). In the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company acquired Medicor and recorded $5.4 million of intangible assets. In addition, during the third quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company obtained CE approval for its last in-process research and development project acquired in the Gen-Probe Incorporated acquisition and transferred $3.7 million to developed technology.

In the third quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company accelerated the amortization of the Cystic Fibrosis developed technology asset of $6.2 million as a result of discontinuing this product line. In the second quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company acquired certain intellectual property for $4.8 million, which was recorded in developed technology.

Amortization expense related to developed technology is classified as a component of cost of product revenues—amortization of intangible assets. Amortization expense related to customer relationships and contracts, trade names, and business licenses is classified as a component of amortization of intangible assets within operating expenses.

The estimated amortization expense at September 30, 2017 for each of the five succeeding fiscal years was as follows:



Fiscal 2018	$	376.6
Fiscal 2019	$	364.9
Fiscal 2020	$	353.6
Fiscal 2021	$	332.2
Fiscal 2022	$	319.8

Goodwill

In accordance with ASC 350, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other (ASC 350), the Company tests goodwill for impairment annually at the reporting unit level and between annual tests if events and circumstances indicate it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying value. Events that could indicate impairment and trigger an interim impairment assessment include, but are not limited to, current economic and market conditions, including a decline in market capitalization, a significant adverse change in legal factors, business climate, operational performance of the business or key personnel, and an adverse action or assessment by a regulator.

In performing the impairment test, the Company utilizes the two-step approach prescribed under ASC 350. The first step requires a comparison of the carrying value of each reporting unit to its estimated fair value. To estimate the fair value of its reporting units for Step 1, the Company primarily utilizes the income approach. The income approach is based on a DCF analysis and calculates the fair value by estimating the after-tax cash flows attributable to a reporting unit and then discounting the after-tax cash flows to present value using a risk-adjusted discount rate. Assumptions used in the DCF require significant judgment, including judgment about appropriate discount rates and terminal values, growth rates, and the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The forecasted cash flows are based on the Company’s most recent budget and strategic plan and for years beyond this period, the Company’s estimates are based on assumed growth rates expected as of the measurement date. The Company believes its assumptions are consistent with the plans and estimates used to manage the underlying businesses. The discount rates used are intended to reflect the risks inherent in future cash flow projections and are based on estimates of the weighted-average cost of capital (“WACC”) of market participants relative to each respective reporting unit. The market approach considers comparable market data based on multiples of revenue or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) and is primarily used as a corroborative analysis to the results of the DCF analysis. The Company believes its assumptions used to determine the fair value of its reporting units are reasonable. If different assumptions were used, particularly with respect to forecasted cash flows, terminal values, WACCs, or market multiples, different estimates of fair value may result and there could be the potential that an impairment charge could result. Actual operating results and the related cash flows of the reporting units could differ from the estimated operating results and related cash flows.

If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its estimated fair value, the Company is required to perform the second step of the goodwill impairment test to measure the amount of impairment loss, if any. The second step of the goodwill impairment test compares the implied fair value of a reporting unit’s goodwill to its carrying value. The implied fair value of goodwill is derived by performing a hypothetical purchase price allocation for the impaired reporting unit as of the measurement date and allocating the reporting unit’s estimated fair value to its assets and liabilities. The residual amount from performing this allocation represents the implied fair value of goodwill. To the extent this amount is below the carrying value of goodwill, an impairment charge is recorded.

The Company conducted its fiscal 2017 impairment test on the first day of the fourth quarter, and as noted above used DCF and market approaches to estimate the fair value of its reporting units as of July 2, 2017, and ultimately used the fair value determined by the DCF approach in making its impairment test conclusions. The Company believes it used reasonable estimates and assumptions about future revenue, cost projections, cash flows, market multiples and discount rates as of the measurement date. As a result of completing Step 1, all of the Company's reporting units had fair values exceeding their carrying values, and as such, Step 2 of the impairment test was not required. For illustrative purposes, had the fair value of each of the reporting units been lower by 10%, all of the reporting units, except the Company's Medical Aesthetics reporting unit, would still have passed Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test. This reporting unit had a fair value as of the measurement date that exceeded its carrying value by 2% with goodwill of $683.5 million. The Company acquired Cynosure, which is the sole business in Medical Aesthetics, on March 22, 2017. In connection with the Company's annual strategic planning process and annual goodwill impairment test, it lowered its estimated financial projections for this business as a result of its current operating performance being below expectations, which the Company primarily attributes to the significant turnover in the U.S. sales force in 2017. In the event, future operating performance is below forecasted projections, or there are negative changes to long-term growth rates or if discount rates increase, these factors could result in a decline in the fair value of the reporting unit and the Company may be required to record a goodwill impairment charge.

At September 30, 2017, the Company believes that its other reporting units, with goodwill aggregating $2.49 billion, was not at risk of failing Step 1 of the goodwill impairment test based on the current forecasts.

The Company conducted its fiscal 2016 and 2015 impairment tests on the first day of the respective year's fourth quarter, and as noted above used DCF and market approaches to estimate the fair value of its reporting units as of June 26, 2016 and June 28, 2015, respectively, and ultimately used the fair value determined by the DCF approach in making its impairment test conclusions. As a result of completing Step 1, all of the Company's reporting units had fair values exceeding their carrying values, and as such, Step 2 of the impairment test was not required.

Other Assets

Other assets consisted of the following:



	September 30, 2017		September 24, 2016
Other Assets
Life insurance contracts	$	41.0	$	36.0
Capitalized software	12.3		10.0
Manufacturing access fees	7.1		9.6
Cost-method equity investments	3.0		3.5
Deferred tax assets	9.1		9.3
Other	24.5		15.3
	$	97.0	$	83.7

Life insurance contracts were purchased in connection with the Company’s Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (“DCP”) and are recorded at their cash surrender value (see Note 9 for further discussion). Capitalized software relates to development costs incurred related to software embedded in the Company's products. The manufacturing access fees are related to a manufacturing supply and purchase agreement for our Aptima HPV products and are being amortized over the term of the agreement.

Research and Software Development Costs

Costs incurred for the research and development of the Company’s products are expensed as incurred. Nonrefundable advance payments for goods or services to be received in the future by the Company for use in research and development activities are deferred. The deferred costs are expensed as the related goods are delivered or the services are performed.

The Company accounts for the development costs of software embedded in the Company’s products in accordance with ASC 985, Software. Costs incurred in the research, design and development of software embedded in products to be sold to customers are charged to expense until technological feasibility of the ultimate product to be sold is established. The Company’s policy is that technological feasibility is achieved when a working model, with the key features and functions of the product, is available for customer testing. Software development costs incurred after the establishment of technological feasibility and until the product is available for general release are capitalized, provided recoverability is reasonably assured. Capitalized software development costs are amortized over their estimate useful life and recorded within cost of revenues - product.

Foreign Currency Translation

The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated in accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters. The reporting currency for the Company is the U.S. dollar. The functional currency of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is determined based on the guidance in ASC 830. The majority of the Company's foreign subsidiaries' functional currency is the applicable local currency, although certain of the Company's foreign subsidiaries' functional currency is the U.S. dollar based on the nature of their operations or functions. Assets and liabilities of subsidiaries whose functional currency is the local currency are translated at the exchange rate in effect at each balance sheet date. Before translation, the Company re-measures foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, including inter-company accounts receivable and payable, into the functional currency of the respective entity, resulting in unrealized gains or losses recorded in other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Revenues and expenses are translated using average exchange rates during the respective period. Foreign currency translation adjustments are accumulated as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) as a separate component of stockholders’ equity. Gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in foreign currencies are included in other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income and were not significant in any of the reporting periods presented.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Other comprehensive income (loss) includes certain transactions that have generally been reported in the statement of stockholders’ equity.

Derivatives

Interest Rate Cap - Cash Flow Hedge

The Company is exposed to certain risks arising from both its business operations and economic conditions. The Company manages its exposure to some of its interest rate risk through the use of interest rate caps, which are derivative financial instruments. The Company does not use derivatives for speculative purposes. For a derivative that is designated as a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income ("AOCI") to the extent the derivative is effective at offsetting the changes in the cash flows being hedged until the hedged item affects earnings. To the extent there is any hedge ineffectiveness, changes in fair value relating to the ineffective portion are immediately recognized in earnings in other income (expense) in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

During fiscal 2015, the Company entered into separate interest rate cap agreements with multiple counter-parties to help mitigate the interest rate volatility associated with the variable rate interest on its credit facilities under its Prior Credit Agreement, which was replaced by the Credit Agreement in 2015 (see Note 5). Interest rate cap agreements provide the right to receive cash if the reference interest rate rises above a contractual rate. The aggregate premium paid for the interest rate cap agreements was $13.2 million, which was the initial fair value of the instruments recorded in the Company's financial statements. Certain of these cap agreements expired during fiscal 2017.

During fiscal 2017, the Company entered into new separate interest rate cap agreements with multiple counter-parties to extend the expiration date of its hedges by an additional year. The aggregate premium paid for the interest rate cap agreements was $1.9 million, which was the initial fair value of the instruments recorded in the Company's financial statements.

The critical terms of the interest rate caps were designed to mirror the terms of the Company’s LIBOR-based borrowings under the Prior Credit Agreement. The terms in the 2015 Credit Agreement are consistent with the Prior Credit Agreement, and therefore the interest rate caps continue to be highly effective at offsetting the cash flows being hedged. The Company designated these derivatives as cash flow hedges of the variability of the LIBOR-based interest payments on $1.0 billion of principal, which ends on December 30, 2018.

As of September 30, 2017, the Company determined that the existence of hedge ineffectiveness, if any, was immaterial and all changes in the fair value of the interest rate caps were recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income as a component of AOCI.

During fiscal 2017 and 2016, interest expense of $6.9 million and $3.9 million, respectively, was reclassified from AOCI to the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income related to the interest rate cap agreements. The Company expects to similarly reclassify approximately $3.6 million from AOCI to the Consolidated Statements of Income in the next twelve months.

The aggregate fair value of these interest rate caps was $4.8 million and $1.4 million at September 30, 2017 and September 24, 2016, respectively, and is included in both Prepaid expenses and other current assets and Other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Refer to Note 6 “Fair Value Measurements” below for related fair value disclosures.

Forward Foreign Currency Contracts

The Company enters into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to mitigate certain operational exposures from the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Such exposures result from the portion of the Company's operations that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, primarily the Euro, the UK Pound, the Australian dollar, the Canadian dollar and the Japanese Yen. These foreign currency exchange contracts are entered into to support transactions made in the ordinary course of business and are not speculative in nature. The contracts are generally for periods of one year or less. During fiscal 2016, the Company began to execute forward foreign currency contracts in order to mitigate its exposure to fluctuations in various currencies against its reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. The Company executed additional contracts in fiscal 2017. The Company did not elect hedge accounting for these forward foreign currency contracts; however, the Company may seek to apply hedge accounting in future scenarios. The change in the fair value of these contracts is recognized directly in earnings as a component of other income (expense), net.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generates revenue from the sale of its products, primarily medical imaging systems, aesthetic treatment systems and diagnostic and surgical disposable products, and related services, which are primarily support and maintenance services on its medical imaging systems.

The Company recognizes product revenue upon shipment provided that there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, there are no uncertainties regarding acceptance, the sales price is fixed or determinable, and collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. Generally, the Company’s product arrangements for capital equipment sales, primarily in its Breast Health, Medical Aesthetics and Skeletal Health reporting segments, are multiple-element arrangements, including services, such as installation, training and support and maintenance, and multiple products. Based on the terms and conditions of the product arrangements, the Company believes that these services and undelivered products can be accounted for separately from the delivered product element as the Company’s delivered products have value to its customers on a stand-alone basis. Accordingly, revenue for services not yet performed at the time of product delivery are deferred and recognized as such services are performed. The relative selling price of any undelivered products is also deferred at the time of shipment and recognized as revenue when these products are delivered. There is no customer right of return in the Company’s sales agreements for its capital equipment.

Service revenues primarily consist of amounts recorded under service and maintenance contracts and repairs not covered under warranty, installation and training, and shipping and handling costs billed to customers. Service and maintenance contract revenues are recognized ratably over the term of the contract. Other service revenues are recognized as the services are performed. Service and other revenue also includes royalties which are recognized in the period the payments are due to the Company.

For revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables, the Company records revenue as separate units of accounting if the delivered items have value to the customer on a stand-alone basis, and if the arrangement includes a general right of return relative to the delivered items, the delivery or performance of the undelivered items is considered probable and substantially within the Company’s control. Some of the Company’s products have both software and non-software components that function together to deliver the product’s essential functionality. The Company determined that except for its computer-aided detection (“CAD”) products and C-View and Intelligent 2D products, the software element in its other products is not within the scope of the software revenue recognition rules, ASC 985-605, Software—Revenue Recognition. The Company determined that given the significance of the software component’s functionality to its CAD, C-View and Intelligent 2D components, which are sold by its Breast Health segment, these products are within the scope of the software revenue recognition rules. The Company evaluated the appropriate revenue recognition treatment of it hardware products, including its Dimensions digital mammography systems, which have both software and non-software components that function together to deliver the products’ essential functionality (i.e., it is a tangible product), and determined they are not within the scope of ASC 985-605.

The Company is required to allocate revenue to its multiple element arrangements based on the relative fair value of each element’s selling price. The Company typically determines the selling price of its products based on its best estimate of selling prices (“ESP”) and services based on vendor-specific objective evidence of selling price (“VSOE”). The Company determines VSOE based on its normal pricing and discounting practices for the specific product or service when sold on a stand-alone basis. In determining VSOE, the Company’s policy requires a substantial majority of selling prices for a product or service to be within a reasonably narrow range. The Company also considers the class of customer, method of distribution, and the geographies into which its products and services are sold when determining VSOE. If VSOE cannot be established, which may occur in instances when a product or service has not been sold separately, stand-alone sales are too infrequent, or product pricing is not within a relatively narrow range, the Company will generally establish the selling price using ESP to allocate arrangement consideration. The objective of ESP is to determine the price at which the Company would typically transact a stand-alone sale of the product or service. ESP is determined by considering a number of factors including Company pricing policies, internal costs and gross margin objectives, method of distribution, information gathered from experience in customer negotiations, market research and information, recent technological trends, competitive landscape and geographies.

For those arrangements accounted for under the software revenue recognition rules, ASC 985-605 generally requires revenue earned on software arrangements involving multiple elements to be allocated to each element based on their relative VSOE of fair value. If VSOE does not exist for a delivered element, the residual method is applied in which the arrangement consideration is allocated to the undelivered elements based on their VSOE with the remaining consideration recognized as revenue for the delivered elements. For multiple-element software arrangements where VSOE of fair value of Post-Contract Customer Support (“PCS”) has been established, the Company recognizes revenue using the residual method at the time all other revenue recognition criteria have been met.

Within its Diagnostics segment, the Company manufactured blood screening products according to demand schedules provided by its former collaboration partner, Grifols, S.A. (“Grifols”). In the second quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company sold its assets in the blood screening business to Grifols. Upon the closing of the transaction, the Company's existing collaboration agreement with Grifols terminated, and a new collaboration agreement was executed as part of this transaction for the Company to provide certain research and development services to Grifols. In addition, the Company agreed to provide transition services to Grifols over the next two to three years depending on the nature of the respective service, including the manufacture of inventory, and the Company is in effect serving as a contract manufacturer of assays to Grifols for a two to three year period. The Company also agreed to sell Panther instrumentation and certain supplies to Grifols as part of a long term supply agreement. As such, the Company will generate a level of revenues, but much lower than historical trends. Prior to divestiture, the Company’s agreement provided that it would share a portion of Grifols’s revenue from screening blood donations. Upon shipment to Grifols, the Company recognized product revenue at an agreed upon fixed transfer price, which was not refundable, and recorded the related cost of products sold. Based on the terms of the Company’s prior collaboration agreement with Grifols, the Company’s ultimate share of the net revenue from sales to the end user in excess of the transfer price was not known until it was reported to the Company by Grifols. On a monthly basis, Grifols reported net revenue generated during the prior month and remitted an additional corresponding net payment to the Company, which was recorded as revenue at that time. This payment combined with the transfer price revenues previously recognized represented the Company’s ultimate share of net revenue under the prior agreement.

While the majority of its instruments are placed at customer sites, in certain instances the Company sells instruments to its clinical diagnostics customers and records sales of these instruments upon shipment or delivery, depending on the terms of the arrangement.

Within its Diagnostics business, and to a lesser extent, its GYN Surgical business, the Company provides its instrumentation (for example, the ThinPrep Processor, ThinPrep Imaging System, and the Panther and Tigris systems) and certain other hardware to customers without requiring them to purchase the equipment or enter into a lease. The Company installs the instrumentation or equipment at the customer’s site and recovers the cost of providing the instrumentation or equipment in the amount it charges for its diagnostic tests, assays and other disposables. Customers enter into a customer usage agreement and typically commit to purchasing minimum quantities of disposable products at a stated price over a defined contract term, which is typically between three and five years. Revenue is recognized over the term of the customer usage agreement as tests, assays and other disposable products are shipped or delivered, depending on the customer's arrangement.

Accounts Receivable and Reserves

The Company records reserves for doubtful accounts based upon a specific review of all outstanding invoices, known collection issues and historical experience. The Company regularly evaluates the collectability of its trade accounts receivables and performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and adjusts credit limits based upon payment history and its assessment of the customer’s current credit worthiness.

Cost of Service and Other Revenues

Cost of service and other revenues primarily represents payroll and related costs associated with the Company’s professional services’ employees, consultants, infrastructure costs and overhead allocations, including depreciation, rent and materials consumed in providing the service.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share-based payments in accordance with ASC 718, Stock Compensation (ASC 718). As such, all share-based payments to employees, including grants of stock options, restricted stock units, performance stock units and market stock units and shares issued under the Company’s employee stock purchase plan, are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income based on their fair values on the date of grant.

In March 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2016-09). This guidance changes how companies account for certain aspects of share-based payments to employees. The amendments in the update are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and were applicable to the Company in fiscal 2018 with early adoption permitted in any interim or annual period. During the first quarter of fiscal 2017, the Company elected to early adopt this standard. The update requires certain changes to presentation of the financial statements as follows:

•

All excess tax benefits and deficiencies are recognized as a component of the provision for income taxes on a discrete basis in the period in which the equity awards vest and/or are settled. Previously, the Company recorded this tax impact directly to additional paid in capital. For fiscal 2017, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $10.3 million. The standard does not permit retroactive presentation of this benefit to prior fiscal years on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

•

The tax benefit or deficiency is required to be classified as a cash flow provided by (used in) operating activities. It was previously required to be presented as a cash flow provided by financing activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, with a corresponding adjustment to operating cash flows. As permitted by ASU 2016-09, the Company has elected to adopt this classification on a retrospective basis, and therefore, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for fiscal 2016 and 2015 have been recast for this provision resulting in an increase cash flows provided by operations of $11.0 million and $10.7 million, respectively, with a corresponding increase to cash flows used in financing activities.


•	In the diluted net earnings per share calculation, when applying the treasury stock method for shares that could be repurchased, the assumed proceeds no longer include the amount of excess tax benefit. This provision, which is only applicable on a prospective basis, did not have a material impact on the Company's diluted net earnings per share calculation in fiscal 2017.


•	ASU 2016-09 allows a Company to elect to account for award forfeitures as they occur or to continue to estimate forfeitures. The Company has elected to continue to estimate potential forfeitures. As such, there is no impact from a change in accounting principle within stockholders' equity.

Net Income Per Share

Basic net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted net income per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and the dilutive effect of potential future issuances of common stock from outstanding stock options, restricted stock units and convertible debt determined by applying the treasury stock method. In accordance with ASC 718, the assumed proceeds under the treasury stock method include the average unrecognized compensation expense of in-the-money stock options and restricted stock units. This results in the assumed buyback of additional shares, thereby reducing the dilutive impact of equity awards.

The Company applies the provisions of ASC 260, Earnings Per Share, Subsection 10-45-44, to determine the diluted weighted average shares outstanding as it relates to its convertible notes, and due to the type of debt instrument issued and its accounting policy, the Company applies the treasury stock method and not the if-converted method. The dilutive impact of the Company’s convertible notes is based on the difference between the Company’s current period average stock price and the conversion price of the convertible notes, provided there is a premium. As such, dilution related to the conversion premium on the 2010 Notes, 2012 Notes and 2013 Notes is included in the calculation of diluted weighted-average shares outstanding in all years to the extent each issuance is dilutive based on the average stock price during each reporting period being greater than the conversion price of the respective Notes.

Product Warranties

The Company generally offers a one-year warranty for its products. The Company provides for the estimated cost of product warranties at the time product revenue is recognized. Factors that affect the Company’s warranty reserves include the number of units sold, historical and anticipated rates of warranty repairs and the cost per repair. The Company periodically assesses the adequacy of the warranty reserve and adjusts the amount as necessary.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are charged to operations as incurred. The Company does not have any direct-response advertising. Advertising costs, which include trade shows and conventions, were approximately $22.5 million, $20.2 million and $14.4 million for fiscal 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, and were included in selling and marketing expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Intangibles-Goodwill and Other (Topic 350). This guidance simplifies how companies calculate goodwill impairments by eliminating Step 2 of the impairment test. The guidance requires companies to compare the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit's fair value. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and is applicable to the Company in fiscal 2020. Early adoption is permitted.

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740). The guidance requires companies to recognize the income tax effects of intercompany sales and transfers of assets, other than inventory, in the income statement as income tax expense (or benefit) in the period in which the transfer occurs. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and is applicable to the Company in fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-16 on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flow (Topic 230). The guidance reduces diversity in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the Statements of Cash Flows. Certain of ASU 2016-15 requirements are as follows: 1) cash payments for debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs should be classified as cash outflows for financing activities, 2) contingent consideration payments made soon after a business combination should be classified as cash outflows for investing activities and cash payment made thereafter should be classified as cash outflows for financing up to the amount of the contingent consideration liability recognized at the acquisition date with any excess classified as operating activities, 3) cash proceeds from the settlement of insurance claims should be classified on the basis of the nature of the loss, 4) cash proceeds from the settlement of Corporate-Owned Life Insurance (COLI) Policies should be classified as cash inflows from investing activities and cash payments for premiums on COLI policies may be classified as cash outflows for investing activities, operating activities, or a combination of investing and operating activities, and 5) cash paid to a tax authority by an employer when withholding shares from an employee's award for tax-withholding purposes should be classified as cash outflows for financing activities. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and is applicable to the Company in fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of ASU 2016-15 is not expected to have a material effect on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326). The guidance requires that financial assets measured at amortized cost be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The allowance for credit losses is a valuation account that is deducted from the amortized cost basis. The income statement reflects the measurement of credit losses for newly recognized financial assets, as well as the expected credit losses during the period. The measurement of expected credit losses is based upon historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the reported amount. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a direct write-down to the security. The updated guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and is applicable to the Company in fiscal 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The guidance requires an entity to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for virtually all of its leases with terms of more than 12 months. Recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses will depend on classification as a finance or operating lease. The amendments also require certain quantitative and qualitative disclosures about leasing arrangements. The guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and is applicable to the Company in fiscal 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The updated guidance requires a modified retrospective adoption. The Company is currently evaluating the anticipated impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-02 on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities. This guidance changes how entities measure equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method. Entities will be required to measure these investments at fair value at the end of each reporting period and recognize changes in fair value in net income. A practicability exception will be available for equity investments that do not have readily determinable fair values, however; the exception requires the Company to consider relevant transactions that can be reasonably known to identify any observable price changes that would impact the fair value. This guidance also changes certain disclosure requirements and other aspects of current U.S. GAAP. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and is applicable to the Company in fiscal 2019. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the anticipated impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-01 on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.

In July 2015, the FASB issued guidance under ASC 330, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory. The new guidance requires inventory to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which is defined as the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. This new guidance is effective for the Company's first quarter of fiscal 2018 and early adoption is permitted. The guidance must be applied prospectively. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this requirement on its consolidated financial statements but does not anticipate that adoption of this guidance will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which provides guidance for revenue recognition. This ASU is applicable to any entity that either enters into contracts with customers to transfer goods or services or enters into contracts for the transfer of nonfinancial assets. ASU 2014-09 will supersede the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 605, Revenue Recognition, and most industry-specific guidance. The standard’s core principle is that a company will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In doing so, companies will need to use more judgment and make more estimates than under current U.S. GAAP. These judgments may include 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. On July 9, 2015, the FASB voted in favor of delaying the effective date of the new standard by one year, with early adoption permitted as of the original effective date. ASU 2014-09 is effective prospectively for fiscal years, and interim reporting periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017, which is fiscal 2019 for the Company. The Company will adopt Topic 606 effective September 30, 2018 and has established a cross-functional team to evaluate and implement the new revenue recognition rules. The Company will adopt Topic 606 using the modified retrospective method but has not finalized evaluating the anticipated impact of the adoption of ASU 2014-09 on its consolidated financial position and results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements