Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

v2.4.0.8
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 28, 2013
Fiscal Year
Fiscal Year. The Company uses a 52 or 53 week fiscal year ending on the last Saturday in December. Fiscal 2013, 2012 and 2011 ended December 28, 2013, December 29, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, consisted of 52, 52 and 53 weeks, respectively.
Principles of Consolidation
Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the Company’s accounts and those of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Upon consolidation, all significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated.
Use of Estimates
Use of Estimates. The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of commitments and contingencies at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results are likely to differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the financial statements. Areas where management uses subjective judgment include, but are not limited to, revenue allowances, inventory valuation, valuation and impairment of goodwill, valuation of investments in marketable securities, deferred income taxes and restructuring charges.
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition. The Company recognizes revenue from products sold directly to customers, including original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, the price is fixed or determinable, delivery has occurred and collectability is reasonably assured. Estimates of product returns, allowances and future price reductions, based on actual historical experience and other known or anticipated trends and factors, are recorded at the time revenue is recognized. The Company sells to distributors under terms allowing the majority of distributors certain rights of return and price protection on unsold merchandise held by them. The distributor agreements, which may be cancelled by either party upon specified notice, generally contain a provision for the return of those of the Company’s products that the Company has removed from its price book and that are not more than 12 months older than the manufacturing code date. In addition, some agreements with distributors may contain standard stock rotation provisions permitting limited levels of product returns. Therefore, the Company is unable to estimate the product returns and pricing when the product is sold to the distributors. Accordingly, the Company defers the gross margin resulting from the deferral of both revenue and related product costs from sales to distributors with agreements that have the aforementioned terms until the merchandise is resold by the distributors and reports such deferred amounts as “Deferred income on shipments to distributors” on its consolidated balance sheet. Products are sold to distributors at standard published prices that are contained in price books that are broadly provided to the Company’s various distributors. Distributors are then required to pay for these products within the Company’s standard commercial terms, which are typically net 30 days. The Company records allowances for price protection given to distributors and customer rebates in the period of distributor re-sale. The Company determines these allowances based on specific contractual terms with its distributors. Price reductions generally do not result in sales prices that are less than the Company’s product cost. Deferred income on shipments to distributors is revalued at the end of each period based on the change in inventory units at distributors, latest published prices and latest product costs.
The Company records estimated reductions to revenue under distributor and customer incentive programs, including certain cooperative advertising and marketing promotions and volume based incentives and special pricing arrangements, at the time the related revenues are recognized. For transactions where the Company reimburses a customer for a portion of the customer’s cost to perform specific product advertising or marketing and promotional activities, such amounts are recorded as a reduction of revenue unless they qualify for expense recognition. Shipping and handling costs associated with product sales are included in cost of sales.
Deferred revenue and related product costs were as follows:
 
December 28,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
 
(In millions)
Deferred revenue
$
253

 
$
189

Deferred cost of sales
(108
)
 
(81
)
Deferred income on shipments to distributors
$
145

 
$
108

Inventories
Inventories. Inventories are stated at standard cost adjusted to approximate the lower of actual cost (first-in, first-out method) or market. Inventories on hand in excess of forecasted demand are not valued. Obsolete inventories are written off.
Goodwill
Goodwill. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is not amortized, but rather is tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if indicators of impairment present. The Company performs its annual goodwill impairment analysis as of the first day of the fourth quarter of each year. The Company evaluates whether goodwill has been impaired at the reporting unit level by first determining whether the estimated fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value and, if so, by determining whether the implied fair value of goodwill within the reporting unit is less than the carrying value. The implied fair value of goodwill is determined through the application of one or more valuation models common to the Company's industry, including the income, market and cost approaches.
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies. From time to time the Company is a defendant or plaintiff in various legal actions that arise in the normal course of business. The Company is also a party to environmental matters, including local, regional, state and federal government clean-up activities at or near locations where the Company currently or has in the past conducted business. The Company is required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters as well as potential ranges of reasonably possible losses. A determination of the amount of reserves required for these commitments and contingencies, if any, that would be charged to earnings, includes assessing the probability of adverse outcomes and estimating the amount of potential losses. The required reserves, if any, may change in the future due to new developments in each matter or changes in circumstances such as a change in settlement strategy. Changes in required reserves could increase or decrease the Company’s earnings in the period the changes are made. (See Notes 16 and 17).
Restructuring Charges
Restructuring Charges. Restructuring charges are primarily comprised of severance costs, contract and program termination costs and costs of facility consolidation and closure. Restructuring charges are recorded upon approval of a formal management plan and are included in the operating results of the period in which such plan is approved and the expense becomes estimable. To estimate restructuring charges, management utilizes assumptions of the number of employees that would be involuntarily terminated and of future costs to operate and eventually vacate duplicate facilities. Severance and other employee separation costs are accrued when it is probable that benefits will be paid and the amount is reasonably estimable. The rates used in determining severance accruals are based on the Company's policies and practices and negotiated settlements.
Cash Equivalents
Cash Equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of financial instruments that are readily convertible into cash and have original maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.
Investments in Certain Debt and Equity Securities
Investments in Certain Debt and Equity Securities. The Company classifies its investments in debt and marketable equity securities at the date of acquisition as available-for-sale. Available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value with the related unrealized gains and losses included, net of tax, in other comprehensive income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses and declines in the value of available-for-sale securities determined to be other than temporary are included in other income (expense), net. The cost of securities sold is determined based on the specific identification method.
The Company classifies investments in debt securities with maturities of more than three months at the time of purchase as marketable securities on its consolidated balance sheet. Classification of these securities as current is based on the Company's intent and belief in its ability to sell these securities and use the proceeds from sale in operations within 12 months.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative Financial Instruments. The Company maintains a foreign currency hedging strategy, which uses derivative financial instruments to mitigate the risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. This strategy takes into consideration all of the Company’s consolidated exposures. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
In applying its strategy, the Company used foreign currency forward contracts to hedge certain forecasted expenses denominated in foreign currencies, primarily the Canadian dollar. The Company designated these contracts as cash flow hedges of forecasted expenses, to the extent eligible under the accounting rules, and evaluates hedge effectiveness prospectively and retrospectively. As such, the effective portion of the gain or loss on these contracts is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified to earnings in the same line item as the associated forecasted transaction and in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Any ineffective portion is immediately recorded in earnings.
The Company also uses, from time to time, foreign currency forward contracts to economically hedge recognized foreign currency exposures on the balance sheets of various subsidiaries, primarily those denominated in Canadian dollars. The Company does not designate these forward contracts as hedging instruments. Accordingly, the gain or loss associated with these contracts is immediately recorded in earnings.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Depreciation and amortization are provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets for financial reporting purposes. Estimated useful lives for financial reporting purposes are as follows: equipment, two to six years; buildings and building improvements, up to 39 years; and leasehold improvements, measured by the shorter of the remaining terms of the leases or the estimated useful economic lives of the improvements.
Product Warranties
Product Warranties. The Company generally warrants that its products sold to its customers will conform to the Company’s approved specifications and be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for one year. Subject to certain exceptions, the Company also offers a three-year limited warranty to end users for only those CPU and AMD APU A-Series products that are commonly referred to as “processors in a box” for PC workstation products. The Company has also offered extended limited warranties to certain customers of “tray” microprocessor products and/or workstation graphics products who have written agreements with the Company and target their computer systems at the commercial and/or embedded markets.
The Company accrues warranty costs at the time of sale of warranted products.
Foreign Currency Translation/Transactions
Foreign Currency Translation/Transactions. The functional currency of all of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries is the U.S. dollar. Assets and liabilities denominated in non-U.S. dollars have been remeasured into U.S. dollars at current exchange rates for monetary assets and liabilities and historical exchange rates for non-monetary assets and liabilities. Non-U.S. dollar denominated transactions have been remeasured at average exchange rates in effect during each period, except for those cost of sales and expense transactions related to non-monetary balance sheet amounts, which have been remeasured at historical exchange rates. The gains or losses from foreign currency remeasurement are included in earnings.
Foreign Subsidies
Foreign Subsidies. The Company received investment grants in connection with the construction and operation of certain facilities in Asia. Generally, such grants are subject to forfeiture in declining amounts over the life of the agreement if the Company does not maintain certain levels of employment or meet other conditions specified in the relevant grant documents. Accordingly, amounts granted are initially recorded as a receivable until cash proceeds are received. In the period the grant receivable is recorded, a current and long-term liability is also recorded which is subsequently amortized as a reduction to cost of sales.
The Company also received an investment grant relating to certain research and development projects. These research and development funds are recorded as a reduction of research and development expenses when all conditions and requirements set forth in the underlying grant agreement are met.
Marketing, Communications and Advertising Expenses
Marketing, Communications and Advertising Expenses. Marketing, communications and advertising expenses for 2013, 2012 and 2011 were approximately $210 million, $287 million and $397 million, respectively. Cooperative advertising funding obligations under customer incentive programs are accrued and the costs are recorded upon agreement with customers and vendor partners. Cooperative advertising expenses are recorded as marketing, general and administrative expense to the extent the cash paid does not exceed the estimated fair value of the advertising benefit received. Any excess of cash paid over the estimated fair value of the advertising benefit received is recorded as a reduction of revenue.
Net Income (Loss) Per Share
Net Income (Loss) Per Share. Basic net income (loss) per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding and 35 million shares issuable upon exercise of the warrants issued by the Company to West Coast Hitech L.P. (WCH), in connection with the initial GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Inc. (GF) transaction in 2009. The warrants became exercisable on July 24, 2009 at per share price of $0.01.
Diluted net income per share is computed based on the weighted-average number of shares outstanding plus any potentially dilutive shares outstanding. Potentially dilutive shares include stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units and shares issuable upon the conversion of convertible debt.
The following table sets forth the components of basic and diluted income (loss) per share:
 
2013
 
2012
 
2011
 
(In millions, except per share amounts)
Numerator—Net income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
Numerator for basic and diluted income (loss) from continuing operations
$
(83
)
 
$
(1,183
)
 
$
495

Numerator for basic and diluted income (loss) from discontinued operations
—

 
—

 
(4
)
Numerator for basic and diluted net income (loss)
$
(83
)
 
$
(1,183
)
 
$
491

Denominator—Weighted-average shares:
 
 
 
 
 
Denominator for basic net income (loss) per share
754

 
741

 
727

Effect of potentially dilutive shares:
 
 
 
 
 
Employee stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units
—

 
—

 
15

Denominator for diluted net income (loss) per share
754

 
741

 
742

Net income (loss) per share:
 
 
 
 
 
Basic
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(0.11
)
 
$
(1.60
)
 
$
0.68

Discontinued operations
—

 
—

 
(0.01
)
Basic net income (loss) per share
$
(0.11
)
 
$
(1.60
)
 
$
0.68

Diluted
 
 
 
 
 
Continuing operations
$
(0.11
)
 
$
(1.60
)
 
$
0.67

Discontinued operations
—

 
—

 
(0.01
)
Diluted net income (loss) per share
$
(0.11
)
 
$
(1.60
)
 
$
0.66



Potential shares from outstanding stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units totaling approximately 59 million, 45 million and 33 million for 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively, were not included in the net income (loss) per share calculations as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.

Potential shares issuable under the Company’s 5.75% Convertible Senior Notes due 2012 (5.75% Notes) totaling 15 million and 24 million for 2012 and 2011, respectively, were not included in the net income (loss) per share calculations as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. Unrealized holding gains or losses on the Company’s available-for-sale securities, unrealized holding gains and losses on derivative financial instruments qualifying as cash flow hedges and changes in minimum pension liabilities are included in other comprehensive loss.
The table below summarizes the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component for the years ended December 28, 2013 and December 29, 2012:
 
December 28,
2013
 
December 29,
2012
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
 
Total
 
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities
Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges
 
Total
 
(In millions)
Beginning balance
—

 
(3
)
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
(4
)
 
(5
)
Unrealized gains (losses) arising during the period, net of tax effects
(1
)
 
(6
)
 
(7
)
 
1

1

 
2

Reclassification adjustment for losses realized and included in net loss, net of tax effects
2

 
6

 
8

 
—

—

 
—

Total other comprehensive income
1

 
—

 
1

 
1

1

 
2

Ending balance
1

 
(3
)
 
(2
)
 
—

(3
)
 
(3
)
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation. The Company estimates stock-based compensation cost for stock options at the grant date based on the option’s fair-value as calculated by the lattice-binomial option-pricing model. For restricted stock and restricted stock units, fair value is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the grant date. The Company estimates the grant-date fair value of stock options, restricted stock and restricted stock units that involve a market condition using a Monte Carlo simulation model. The expense is recognized using the single option method which is ratable on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period.
The application of the lattice-binomial option-pricing model requires the use of extensive actual employee exercise behavior data and the use of a number of complex assumptions including expected volatility of the Company’s common stock, risk-free interest rate and expected dividends. Significant changes in any of these assumptions could materially affect the fair value of stock options granted in the future.
Forfeiture rates are estimated at the time of grant and revised, if necessary, in subsequent periods if actual forfeitures differ from those estimates in order to derive the Company’s best estimate of awards ultimately expected to vest.