Common Stock Repurchase

12 Months Ended

Jan. 01, 2016

Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE

In August 2014, the Company's Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program (2014 Stock Repurchase Program), authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $300.0 million of Trimble’s common stock, replacing a stock repurchase program which had been in place since 2011. In August 2015, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program (2015 Stock Repurchase Program), authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $400.0 million of Trimble’s common stock, replacing the 2014 Stock Repurchase Program.

During fiscal 2015, the Company repurchased approximately 7.5 million shares of common stock in open market purchases, at an average price of $21.29 per share, for a total of $159.4 million. This total includes $75.1 million and $84.3 million of open market purchases completed under the 2015 and 2014 Stock Repurchase Programs, respectively.

As part of the 2015 Stock Repurchase Program, in September 2015, the Company entered into an accelerated share repurchase agreement, or ASR, with an investment bank for $75.0 million. The ASR was completed in December 2015 and resulted in the aggregate repurchase of approximately 3.7 million shares of common stock with a volume weighted average price of $20.11 per share.

During fiscal 2014, under the provisions of both the 2014 and 2011 Stock Repurchase Programs, the Company repurchased approximately 3.2 million shares of common stock in open market purchases at an average price of $30.22 per share, for a total of $97.8 million.

No shares of common stock were repurchased during fiscal 2013.

Stock repurchases are reflected as a decrease to common stock based on the average book value per share for all outstanding shares calculated at the time of each individual repurchase transaction. The excess of the purchase price over this average for each repurchase was charged to retained earnings. As a result of the 2015 repurchases, retained earnings was reduced by $180.3 million in fiscal 2015. Common stock repurchases under the program were recorded based upon the trade date for accounting purposes. All common shares repurchased under this program have been canceled.

At the end of fiscal 2015, the 2015 Stock Repurchase Program had remaining authorized funds of $249.9 million. Under the share repurchase program, the Company may repurchase shares from time to time in open market transactions, privately negotiated transactions, accelerated share buyback programs, tender offers, or by other means. The timing and amount of repurchase transactions will be determined by the Company’s management based on its evaluation of market conditions, share price, legal requirements and other factors. The program may be suspended, modified or discontinued at any time without prior notice.