ITEM 1: BUSINESS
Available Information
Documents we provide to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) are available free of charge under the Investors section of our website at www.itron.com as soon as practicable after they are filed with or furnished to the SEC. In addition, these documents are available at the SEC's website (http://www.sec.gov), at the SEC's Headquarters at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549, or by calling 1-800-SEC-0330.
General
Itron enables utilities and cities to safely, securely and reliably deliver critical infrastructure services to communities in more than 100 countries. Our proven portfolio of smart networks, software, services, devices, and sensors helps our customers better manage their operations in the energy, water, and smart city space. We are among the leading technology and services companies offering end-to-end device solutions, networked solutions, and outcomes-based products and services. Our comprehensive offerings measure, manage, and provide data analytics and services to utilities and municipalities that enable them to responsibly and efficiently manage resources.
We have over 40 years of experience in supporting utilities and municipalities in the management of their data and critical infrastructure needs. Incorporated in 1977 with a focus on meter reading technology, we entered the electricity meter manufacturing business with the acquisition of Schlumberger Electricity Metering in 2004. In 2007, we expanded our presence in global meter manufacturing and systems with the acquisition of Actaris Metering Systems SA. In 2017, we completed our acquisition of Comverge by purchasing the stock of its parent, Peak Holding Corp. (Comverge), which enabled us to offer integrated cloud-based demand response, energy efficiency, and customer engagement solutions. In 2018, we strengthened our ability to deliver a broader set of solutions and to increase the pace of growth and innovation in the utility, smart city, and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) markets with the acquisition of Silver Spring Networks, Inc. (SSNI).
The following is a discussion of our major products, our markets, and our operating segments. Refer to Item 7: "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" for specific segment results.
Our Business
We are a technology and service company, which is a leader in the IIoT. We offer solutions that enable utilities and municipalities to safely, securely and reliably operate their critical infrastructure. Our solutions include the deployment of smart networks, software, services, devices, sensors, and data analytics that allow our customers to manage assets, secure revenue, lower operational costs, improve customer service, improve safety, and enable efficient management of valuable resources. Our comprehensive solutions and data analytics address the unique challenges facing the energy, water, and municipality sectors, including increasing demand on resources, non-technical loss, leak detection, environmental and regulatory compliance, and improved operational reliability.
We offer a portfolio of products, software, and services to our customers that can be a standalone, one-time purchase or an end-to-end solution that can be recurring over multiple years. The portfolio includes hardware products used for measurement,
control, or sensing with and without communications capability; a combination of endpoints and network infrastructure designed and sold as a complete solutions that acquires and transports application specific data; value added services, software, and products that organize, analyze and interpret data to gain insights, make decisions, and inform actions. We offer managed services, software-as-a-service (SaaS), technical support services, licensing hardware technology, and consulting services.
Industry Drivers
Utility and municipalities are undergoing an evolution of how they operate critical infrastructure, manage scarce resources, and interact with their customers. Efficiently managing resources within energy, water, and cities is a top priority globally, as increasing populations and resource consumption continues to stress an aging infrastructure. The growing demand for energy, water, and municipal services coupled with the proliferation of renewable energy sources, smart communicating devices, sensors, and multiple data producing technologies is forcing providers to rethink how they operate and service their communities. This evolution comes at a time when utilities and municipalities are challenged by cost constraints, regulatory requirements, environmental concerns, safety, and resource scarcity. Itron provides its customers with a solution-based offering to safely, securely, and reliably optimize their critical infrastructure to improve the efficiency of their services and to better understand their customers with near real-time knowledge of their resource usage. An added benefit of our solutions is the utility or municipality can empower their customers to understand and have control over their resource usage, allowing for better management and conservation of valuable resources.
Our Operating Segments
We operate under the Itron brand worldwide and manage and report under three operating segments: Device Solutions, Networked Solutions, and Outcomes. The following discussion provides a description of each of the three segments:
Device Solutions - This segment primarily includes hardware products used for measurement, control, or sensing that do not have communications capability embedded for use with our broader Itron systems, i.e., hardware-based products not part of a complete "end-to-end" solution. Examples from the Device Solutions portfolio include: standard endpoints that are shipped without Itron communications, such as our standard gas meters, electricity IEC meters, and water meters, in addition to our heat and allocation products; communicating meters that are not a part of an Itron solution such as Smart Spec meters; and the implementation and installation of non-communicating devices, such as gas regulators.
Networked Solutions - This segment primarily includes a combination of communicating devices (smart meters, modules, endpoints, and sensors), network infrastructure, and associated application software designed and sold as a complete solution for acquiring and transporting robust application-specific data. Networked Solutions combines the majority of the assets from the recently acquired SSNI organization with our legacy Itron networking products and software and the implementation and installation of communicating devices into one operating segment. Examples from the Networked Solutions portfolio include: communicating measurement, control, or sensing endpoints such as our Itron® and OpenWay® Riva meters, Itron traditional ERT® technology, Intelis smart gas or water meters, 500G gas communication modules, 500W water communication modules; GenX networking products, network modules and interface cards; and specific network control and management software applications. The IIoT solutions supported by this segment include automated meter reading (AMR), advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), smart grid and distribution automation (DA), and smart street lighting and smart city solutions.
Outcomes - This segment primarily includes our value-added, enhanced software and services in which we manage, organize, analyze, and interpret data to improve decision making, maximize operational profitability, drive resource efficiency, and deliver results for consumers, utilities, and smart cities. Outcomes places an emphasis on delivering to Itron customers high-value, turn-key, digital experiences by leveraging the footprint of our Device Solutions and Networked Solutions segments. The revenues from these offerings are primarily recurring in nature and would include any direct management of Device Solutions, Networked Solutions, and other products on behalf of our end customers. Examples from the Outcomes portfolio include: our meter data management and analytics offerings; our managed service solutions including network-as-a-service and platform-as-a-service, forecasting software and services; and any consulting-based engagement. Within the Outcomes segment, we also identify new business models, including performance-based contracting, to drive broader portfolio offerings across utilities and cities.
Bookings and Backlog of Orders
Bookings for a reported period represent customer contracts and purchase orders received during the period for hardware, software, and services that have met certain conditions, such as regulatory and/or contractual approval. Total backlog represents committed but undelivered products and services for contracts and purchase orders at period-end. Twelve-month backlog represents the portion of total backlog that we estimate will be recognized as revenue over the next 12 months. Backlog is not a complete measure of our future revenues as we also receive significant book-and-ship orders, as well as frame contracts. Bookings and backlog may fluctuate significantly due to the timing of large project awards. In addition, annual or multi-year contracts are subject to rescheduling and cancellation by customers due to the long-term nature of the contracts. Beginning total backlog, plus bookings, minus revenues, will not equal ending total backlog due to miscellaneous contract adjustments, foreign currency fluctuations, and other factors. Total bookings and backlog include certain contracts with termination for convenience clauses, which will not agree to the total transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations disclosed in Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 18: Revenues".
Sales and Distribution
We use a combination of direct and indirect sales channels in our operating segments. A direct sales force is utilized for large electric, natural gas, and water utilities, with which we have long-established relationships. For smaller utilities, we typically use an indirect sales force that consists of distributors, sales representatives, partners, and meter manufacturer representatives.
No single customer represented more than 10% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017. Our 10 largest customers accounted for approximately 31% of total revenues in the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and 33% in 2017.
Manufacturing
Our products require a wide variety of components and materials, which are subject to price and supply fluctuations. We enter into standard purchase orders in the ordinary course of business, which can include purchase orders for specific quantities based on market prices, as well as open-ended agreements that provide for estimated quantities over an extended shipment period, typically up to one year at an established unit cost. Although we have multiple sources of supply for many of our material requirements, certain components and raw materials are supplied by limited or sole-source vendors, and our ability to perform certain contracts depends on the availability of these materials. Refer to Item 1A:
ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS
We are dependent on the utility industry, which has experienced volatility in capital spending.
We derive the majority of our revenues from sales of products and services to utilities. Purchases of our products may be deferred as a result of many factors, including economic downturns, slowdowns in new residential and commercial construction, customers' access to capital upon acceptable terms, the timing and availability of government subsidies or other incentives, utility specific financial circumstances, mergers and acquisitions, regulatory decisions, weather conditions, and fluctuating interest rates. We have experienced, and may in the future experience, variability in operating results on an annual and a quarterly basis as a result of these factors.
The shifting in, and increasing complexity of, our products and services mix involves risks.
Our market is characterized by increasing complexity driven by evolving technology, increased industry regulatory pressures, and the emergence of new competitive products, all of which impact the manner in which our products and services are designed, developed, marketed and delivered. The shift in, and increasing complexity of, our products and services mix involves judgment and entails risks. In order to successfully design and develop more complex offerings, we must anticipate the right products, solutions, and technologies that will meet estimated market demands. These estimates may prove wrong. Additionally, our complex offerings may contain defects when they are first introduced; their release may be delayed due to unforeseen difficulties during product and service design and development; or have reliability, quality or compatibility problems. We may not be able to successfully design workarounds. Any shift in, or increased complexity of, our products and services mix may not be easily understood or adopted by our current or future customers, who may be reluctant to buy, or may delay purchases of, our products and services.
Additionally, our evolving product mix could cause us to incur substantial additional costs if we needed to materially improve our manufacturing infrastructure, develop new systems to deliver our services, or fundamentally change the way in which we deliver services. Also, if one of our new offerings were competitive to our prior offerings and represented an adequate or superior alternative, customers could decide to abandon prior offerings that produce higher revenue or better margins than the new offering. Therefore, the adaptation to new technologies or standards or the development and launch of new products or services could result in lower revenue, lower margins and/or higher costs, which could unfavorably impact our financial performance.
We depend on our ability to develop competitive products.
Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to continue to develop, design and manufacture competitive products and services, and to enhance and sustain our existing products and services, keep pace with technological advances and changing customer requirements, gain international market acceptance, and manage other factors in the markets in which we sell our products and services. Product and service development will require continued investment in order to maintain our competitive position, and the periods in which we incur significant research and development costs may drive variability in our quarterly results. We may not have the necessary capital, or access to capital at acceptable terms, to make these investments. We have made, and expect to continue to make, substantial investments in technology development. However, we may experience unforeseen problems in the development or performance of our technologies or products, which can prevent us from meeting our research and development schedules. New products often require certifications or regulatory approvals before the products can be used and we cannot be certain that our new products will be approved in a timely manner, or at all. Finally, we may not achieve market acceptance of our new products and services.
We depend on certain key vendors, strategic partners, and other third parties.
Certain of our products, subassemblies, and system components including most of our circuit boards are procured from limited or sole sources. We cannot be certain that we will not experience operational difficulties with these sources, including reductions in the availability of production capacity, errors in complying with product specifications, insufficient quality control, failures to meet production deadlines, increases in manufacturing costs, vendors' access to capital and increased lead times. Additionally, our manufacturers may experience disruptions in their manufacturing operations due to equipment breakdowns, labor strikes or shortages, natural disasters, component or material shortages, cost increases or other similar problems. Further, in order to minimize their inventory risk, our manufacturers might not order components from third-party suppliers with adequate lead time, thereby impacting our ability to meet our demand forecast. If we fail to manage our relationship with our manufacturers effectively, or if they experience operational difficulties, our ability to ship products to our customers and distributors could be impaired and our competitive position and reputation could be harmed. In the event that we receive shipments of products that fail to comply with our technical specifications or that fail to conform to our quality control
standards, and we are not able to obtain replacement products in a timely manner, we risk revenue losses from the inability to sell those products, increased administrative and shipping costs, and lower profitability. Additionally, if defects are not discovered until after consumers purchase our products, they could lose confidence in the technical attributes of our products and our business could be harmed. Although arrangements with these partners may contain provisions for warranty expense reimbursement, we may remain responsible to the consumer for warranty service in the event of product defects and could experience an unanticipated product defect or warranty liability. While we rely on partners to adhere to its supplier code of conduct, material violations of the supplier code of conduct could occur.
Delays in the availability of or shortages in raw materials and component parts used in the manufacture of our products could unfavorably impact our revenues and results of operations.
We are impacted by the availability and prices of raw materials and component parts used in the manufacturing process of our products. The inability to obtain adequate supplies of raw materials and component parts at favorable prices could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations, including by reducing revenue, decreasing profit margins, and by unfavorably impacting timely deliveries to customers, which could result in damages or penalties to be paid under the terms of some of the contracts with our customers. Since we do not control the production of these raw materials and component parts, there may be delays caused by an interruption in the production or transportation of these materials for reasons that are beyond our control. World commodity markets, inflation, and tariffs may also affect raw material and component part prices.
Utility industry sales cycles can be lengthy and unpredictable.
The industries in which we sell our products and services, in particular the utility industry are subject to substantial government regulation. For example, regulations have often influenced the frequency of customer meter replacements. Sales cycles for our standalone meter products have typically been based on annual or biennial bid-based agreements. Utilities place purchase orders against these agreements as their inventories decline, which can create fluctuations in our sales volumes.
Sales cycles for smart metering solutions are generally long and unpredictable due to several factors, including budgeting, purchasing, and regulatory approval processes that can take several years to complete. Our utility customers typically issue requests for quotes and proposals, establish evaluation processes, review different technical options with vendors, analyze performance and cost/benefit justifications, and perform a regulatory review, in addition to applying the normal budget approval process. Today, governments around the world are implementing new laws and regulations to promote increased energy efficiency, slow or reverse growth in the consumption of scarce resources, reduce carbon dioxide emissions, and protect the environment. Many of the legislative and regulatory initiatives encourage utilities to develop a smart grid infrastructure, and some of these initiatives provide for government subsidies, grants, or other incentives to utilities and other participants in their industry to promote transition to smart grid technologies. If government regulations regarding the smart grid and smart metering are delayed, revised to permit lower or different investment levels in metering infrastructure, or terminated altogether, this could have a material adverse effect on our results of operation, cash flow, and financial condition.
Our customer contracts are complex and contain provisions that could cause us to incur penalties, be liable for damages, and/or incur unanticipated expenses with respect to the functionality, deployment, operation, and availability of our products and services.
In addition to the risk of unanticipated warranty or recall expenses, our customer contracts may contain provisions that could cause us to incur penalties, be liable for damages, including liquidated damages, or incur other expenses if we experience difficulties with respect to the functionality, deployment, operation, and availability of our products and services. Some of these contracts contain long-term commitments to a set schedule of delivery or performance. If we failed in our estimated schedule or we fail in our management of the project, this may cause delays in completion. In the event of late deliveries, late or improper installations or operations, failure to meet product or performance specifications or other product defects, or interruptions or delays in our managed service offerings, our customer contracts may expose us to penalties, liquidated damages, and other liabilities. In the event we were to incur contractual penalties, such as liquidated damages or other related costs that exceed our expectations, our business, financial condition, and operating results could be materially and adversely affected. Further, we could be required to recognize a current-period reduction of revenue related to a specific component of a customer contract at the time we determine the products and/or services to be delivered under that component would result in a loss due to expected revenues estimated to be less than expected costs. Depending on the amounts of the associated revenues (if any) and the costs, this charge could be material to our results of operations in the period it is recognized.
If we are unable to maintain a high level of customer satisfaction, demand for our services could suffer.
We believe that our success depends on our ability to understand and address our customers' requirements and concerns. This includes our ability to effectively articulate and demonstrate to customers how our products and services meet their needs, deliver our products timely as committed, and with a sufficient level of quality. If we are unable to do so, we could face customer dissatisfaction, dilution of our brand, decreased overall demand for our services, and loss of revenue. In addition, our inability to meet customer performance and service expectations may damage our reputation and could consequently limit our ability to retain existing customers and attract new customers, which would adversely affect our ability to generate revenue and unfavorably impact our operating results.
We face increasing competition.
We face competitive pressures from a variety of companies in each of the markets we serve. Some of our present and potential future competitors have, or may have, substantially greater financial, marketing, technical, or manufacturing resources and, in some cases, have greater name recognition, customer relationships, and experience. Some competitors may enter markets we serve and sell products and services at lower prices in order to gain or grow market share. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. They may also be able to devote greater resources to the development, promotion, and sale of their products and services than we can. Some competitors have made, and others may make, strategic acquisitions or establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties that enhance their ability to address the needs of our prospective customers. It is possible that new competitors or alliances among current and new competitors may emerge and rapidly gain significant market share. Other companies may also drive technological innovation and develop products and services that are equal in quality and performance or superior to our products and services, which could reduce our market position, reduce our overall sales, and require us to invest additional funds in new technology development. In addition, there is a risk that low-cost providers will expand their presence in our markets, improve their quality, or form alliances or cooperative relationships with our competitors, thereby contributing to future price erosion. Some of our products and services may become commoditized, and we may have to adjust the prices of some of our products to stay competitive. Further, some utilities may purchase meters separately from the communication devices. The specifications for such meters may require interchangeability, which could lead to further commoditization of the meter, driving prices lower and reducing margins. Should we fail to compete successfully with current or future competitors, we could experience material adverse effects on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.
Our current and expected level and terms of indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to raise additional capital to fund our operations and take advantage of new business opportunities and prevent us from meeting our obligations under our debt instruments, and our ability to service our indebtedness is dependent on our ability to generate cash, which is influenced by many factors beyond our control.
In December 2017, we issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior notes due 2026 (December Notes). The December Notes were issued pursuant to an indenture, dated as of December 22, 2017 (Indenture), among Itron, the guarantors from time to time party thereto and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee. In January 2018, we issued an additional $100 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior notes due 2026 pursuant to the Indenture (January Notes; collectively with the December Notes, the Senior Notes). Proceeds from the Senior Notes were used to finance the Silver Spring Networks, Inc. (SSNI) acquisition, refinance existing indebtedness related to the SSNI acquisition, pay related fees and expenses, and for general corporate purposes.
Also in January 2018, we entered into a credit agreement providing for committed credit facilities in the amount of $1.2 billion, which we amended in October 2019 (as amended, the 2018 credit facility). The 2018 credit facility consists of a U.S. dollar term loan in the amount of $650 million and a multicurrency revolving credit facility in the committed amount of $500 million.
This substantial indebtedness could have important consequences to us, including:
•increasing our vulnerability to general economic and industry conditions;
•requiring a substantial portion of our cash flow used in operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, therefore reducing our liquidity and our ability to use our cash flow to fund our operations, capital expenditures and future business opportunities;
•exposing us to the risk of increased interest rates, and corresponding increased interest expense, as borrowings under the 2018 credit facility would be at variable rates of interest;
•limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, debt service requirements, acquisitions, and general corporate or other purposes; and
•limiting our ability to adjust to changing marketplace conditions and placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared with our competitors who may have less debt.
Our ability to make scheduled payments on and to refinance our indebtedness depends on, and is subject to, our financial and operating performance, which is influenced, in part, by general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, counterparty business, and other risks that are beyond our control, including the availability of financing in the U.S. banking and capital markets. We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to service our debt to refinance our debt or to fund our other liquidity needs on commercially reasonable terms or at all.
If we are unable to meet our debt service obligations or to fund our other liquidity needs, we will need to restructure or refinance all or a portion of our debt, which could cause us to default on our debt obligations and impair our liquidity. Our ability to restructure or refinance our debt will depend on the condition of the capital markets and our financial condition at such time. Even if refinancing indebtedness is available, any refinancing of our indebtedness could be at higher interest rates and may require us to comply with more onerous covenants that could further restrict our business operations.
Moreover, in the event of a default under any of our indebtedness the holders of the defaulted debt could elect to declare all the funds borrowed to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, which in turn could result in cross defaults under our other indebtedness. The lenders under the 2018 credit facility could also elect to terminate their commitments thereunder and cease making further loans, and such lenders could institute foreclosure proceedings against their collateral, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If we breach our covenants under the 2018 credit facility, we would be in default thereunder. Such lenders could exercise their rights, as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation.
Our variable rate indebtedness subjects us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly.
The 2018 credit facility will bear, and other indebtedness we may incur in the future may bear, interest at a variable rate. As a result, at any given time interest rates on the 2018 credit facility and any other variable rate debt could be higher or lower than current levels. If interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on our variable rate indebtedness may increase even though the amount borrowed remains the same, and therefore net income and associated cash flows, including cash available for servicing our indebtedness, may correspondingly decrease. While we continually monitor and assess our interest rate risk and have entered into derivative instruments to manage such risk, these instruments could be ineffective at mitigating all or a part of our risk, including changes to the applicable margin under our 2018 credit facility.
Our 2018 credit facility and Senior Notes limit our ability and the ability of many of our subsidiaries to take certain actions.
Our 2018 credit facility and Senior Notes place restrictions on our ability, and the ability of many of our subsidiaries, dependent on meeting specified financial ratios, to, among other things:
• incur more debt;• pay dividends, make distributions, and repurchase capital stock;
• make certain investments;• create liens;
• enter into transactions with affiliates;• enter into sale lease-back transactions;
• merge or consolidate;• transfer or sell assets.
Our 2018 credit facility contains other customary covenants, including the requirement to meet specified financial ratios and provide periodic financial reporting. Our ability to borrow will depend on the satisfaction of these covenants. Events beyond our control can affect our ability to meet those covenants. Our failure to comply with obligations under our borrowing arrangements may result in declaration of an event of default. An event of default, if not cured or waived, may permit acceleration of required payments against such indebtedness. We cannot be certain we will be able to remedy any such defaults. If our required payments are accelerated, we cannot be certain that we will have sufficient funds available to pay the indebtedness or that we will have the ability to raise sufficient capital to replace the indebtedness on terms favorable to us or at all. In addition, in the case of an event of default under our secured indebtedness such as our 2018 credit facility, the lenders may be permitted to foreclose on our assets securing that indebtedness. As a result of these restrictions, we will be limited as to how we conduct our business and we may be unable to raise additional debt or equity financing to compete effectively or to take advantage of new business opportunities. The terms of any future indebtedness we may incur could include more restrictive covenants. We cannot assure you that we will be able to maintain compliance with these covenants in the future and, if we fail to do so that we will be able to obtain waivers from the lenders and/or amend the covenants.
Despite our current level of indebtedness, we may be able to incur substantially more debt and enter into other transactions, which could further exacerbate the risks to our financial condition described above.
We may be able to incur significant additional indebtedness in the future. Although the credit agreement that currently governs our 2018 credit facility, the Senior Notes, and other debt instruments contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness and entering into certain types of other transactions, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions. Additional indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. These restrictions also do not prevent us from incurring obligations, such as certain trade payables that do not constitute indebtedness as defined under our debt instruments. To the extent we incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, the risks described in the immediately preceding risk factor and others described herein may increase.
The alteration or discontinuation of LIBOR may adversely affect our borrowing costs.
Certain of our interest rate derivatives and a portion of our indebtedness bear interest at variable interest rates, primarily based on LIBOR, which may be subject to regulatory guidance and/or reform that could cause interest rates under our current or future debt agreements to perform differently than in the past or cause other unanticipated consequences. In July 2017, the Chief Executive of the U.K. Financial Conduct Authority (the FCA), which regulates LIBOR, announced that the FCA will no longer persuade or compel banks to submit rates for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021. Such announcement indicates that the continuation of LIBOR on the current basis cannot and will not be guaranteed after 2021. At this time, it is not possible to predict the effect any discontinuance, modification or other reforms to LIBOR or any other reference rate, or the establishment of alternative reference rates will have on the Company. However, if LIBOR ceases to exist or if the methods of calculating LIBOR change from their current form, the Company’s borrowing costs may be adversely affected.
Our acquisitions, divestitures, and investments have risks.
In pursuing our business strategy, we may conduct discussions, evaluate companies, and enter into agreements regarding possible acquisitions, divestitures, and equity investments. We have recently completed acquisitions and may make investments in the future, both within and outside of the United States. We may also, if appropriate opportunities present themselves, make divestitures. Acquisitions, investments, and divestitures involve numerous risks such as the diversion of senior management's attention; unsuccessful integration of the acquired or disintegration of the divested entity's personnel, operations, technologies, and products; unidentified or identified but unindemnified pre-closing liabilities; incurrence of significant expenses to meet an acquiree's customer contractual commitments; lack of market acceptance of new services and technologies; difficulties in operating businesses in international legal jurisdictions; or transaction-related or other litigation, and other liabilities. Failure to adequately address these issues could result in the diversion of resources and adversely impact our ability to manage our business. In addition, acquisitions and investments in third parties may involve the assumption of obligations, significant write-offs, or other charges associated with the acquisition. Impairment of an investment, goodwill, or an intangible asset may result if these risks were to materialize. For investments in entities that are not wholly owned by Itron, such as joint ventures, a loss of control as defined by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) could result in a significant change in accounting treatment and a change in the carrying value of the entity. There can be no assurances that an acquired business will perform as expected, accomplish our strategic objectives, or generate significant revenues, profits, or cash flows. Any divestiture could result in disruption to other parts of our business, potential loss of employees or customers, exposure to unanticipated liabilities or result in ongoing obligations and liabilities to us following any such divestiture. For example, in connection with a divestiture, we may enter into transition services agreements or other strategic relationships, including long-term commercial arrangements, sales arrangements, or agree to provide certain indemnities to the purchaser in any such transaction, which may result in additional expense and may adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We may face adverse publicity, consumer or political opposition, or liability associated with our products.
The safety and security of the power grid and natural gas and water supply systems, the accuracy and protection of the data collected by meters and transmitted via the smart grid, concerns about the safety and perceived health risks of using radio frequency communications, and privacy concerns of monitoring home appliance energy usage have been the focus of recent adverse publicity. Unfavorable publicity and consumer opposition may cause utilities or their regulators to delay or modify planned smart grid initiatives. Smart grid projects may be, or may be perceived as, unsuccessful.
Our products are complex and may contain defects or experience failures due to any number of issues in design, materials, deployment, and/or use. If any of our products contain a defect, a compatibility or interoperability issue, or other types of errors, we may have to devote significant time and resources to identify and correct the issue. We provide product warranties for varying lengths of time and establish allowances in anticipation of warranty expenses. In addition, we recognize contingent liabilities for additional product-failure related costs. These warranty and related product-failure allowances may be inadequate
due to product defects and unanticipated component failures, as well as higher than anticipated material, labor, and other costs we may incur to replace projected product failures. A product recall or a significant number of product returns could be expensive; damage our reputation and relationships with utilities, meter and communication vendors, and other third-party vendors; result in the loss of business to competitors; or result in litigation. We may incur additional warranty expenses in the future with respect to new or established products, which could materially and adversely affect our operations and financial position.
We may be subject to claims that there are adverse health effects from the radio frequencies utilized in connection with our products. If these claims prevail, our customers could suspend implementation or purchase substitute products, which could cause a loss of sales.
Changes in tax laws, valuation allowances, and unanticipated tax liabilities could adversely affect our effective income tax rate and profitability.
We are subject to income tax in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We establish reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These reserves may be established when we believe that certain positions might be challenged despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve positions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate, as well as valuation allowances when we determine it is more likely than not that a deferred tax asset cannot be realized. In addition, future changes in tax laws in the jurisdictions in which we operate could have a material impact on our effective income tax rate and profitability. We regularly assess all of these matters to determine the adequacy of our tax provision, which is subject to significant judgment.
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development guidance under the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) initiatives aim to minimize perceived tax abuses and modernize global tax policy. The Anti-Tax Avoidance Directives (ATAD), issued by the Council of the European Union, provide further recommendations for legislative changes under these tax policies. Additional recommendations will be forthcoming. More countries are beginning to implement legislative changes based on these BEPS recommendations and ATAD measures.
On December 22, 2017, the United States enacted comprehensive tax reform commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act). The Tax Act makes significant changes to the way the U.S. taxes corporations. Clarifying proposed and final Treasury regulations have been issued throughout 2018 and 2019, for which we are continuing to evaluate the impact on our business. In addition, a number of U.S. states have not yet updated their laws to take into account the new federal legislation. As a result, there may be further impacts of the new law on our results of operations. It is possible that U.S. tax reform, or interpretations provided, could change and could have an adverse effect on us, and such effect could be material.
Disruption and turmoil in global credit and financial markets, which may be exacerbated by the inability of certain countries to continue to service their sovereign debt obligations, and the possible unfavorable implications of such events for the global economy, may unfavorably impact our business, liquidity, operating results, and financial condition.
The current economic conditions, including volatility in the availability of credit and foreign exchange rates and extended economic slowdowns, have contributed to the instability in some global credit and financial markets. Additionally, at-risk financial institutions in certain countries may, without forewarning, seize a portion of depositors' account balances. The seized funds would be used to recapitalize the at-risk financial institution and would no longer be available for the depositors' use. If such seizure were to occur at financial institutions where we have funds on deposit, it could have a significant impact on our overall liquidity. While the ultimate outcome of these events cannot be predicted, it is possible that such events may have an unfavorable impact on the global economy and our business, liquidity, operating results, and financial condition.
We are subject to international business uncertainties, obstacles to the repatriation of earnings, and foreign currency fluctuations.
A substantial portion of our revenues is derived from operations conducted outside the United States. International sales and operations may be subjected to risks such as the imposition of government controls, government expropriation of facilities, lack of a well-established system of laws and enforcement of those laws, access to a legal system free of undue influence or corruption, political instability, terrorist activities, restrictions on the import or export of critical technology, currency exchange rate fluctuations, and adverse tax burdens. Lack of availability of qualified third-party financing, generally longer receivable collection periods than those commonly practiced in the United States, trade restrictions, changes in tariffs, labor disruptions,
difficulties in staffing and managing international operations, difficulties in imposing and enforcing operational and financial controls at international locations, potential insolvency of international distributors, preference for local vendors, burdens of complying with different permitting standards and a wide variety of foreign laws, and obstacles to the repatriation of earnings and cash all present additional risk to our international operations. Fluctuations in the value of international currencies may impact our operating results due to the translation to the U.S. dollar as well as our ability to compete in international markets. International expansion and market acceptance depend on our ability to modify our technology to take into account such factors as the applicable regulatory and business environment, labor costs, and other economic conditions. In addition, the laws of certain countries do not protect our products or technologies in the same manner as the laws of the United States. Further, foreign regulations or restrictions, e.g., opposition from unions or works councils, could delay, limit, or disallow significant operating decisions made by our management, including decisions to exit certain businesses, close certain manufacturing locations, or other restructuring actions. There can be no assurance that these factors will not have a material adverse effect on our future international sales and, consequently, on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may engage in future restructuring activities and incur additional charges in our efforts to improve profitability. We also may not achieve the anticipated savings and benefits from current or any future restructuring projects.
We have implemented multiple restructuring projects to adjust our cost structure, and we may engage in similar restructuring activities in the future. These restructuring activities reduce our available employee talent, assets, and other resources, which could slow research and development, impact ability to respond to customers, increase quality issues, temporarily reduce manufacturing efficiencies, and limit our ability to increase production quickly. In addition, delays in implementing restructuring projects, unexpected costs, unfavorable negotiations with works councils, changes in governmental policies, or failure to meet targeted improvements could change the timing or reduce the overall savings realized from the restructuring project.
Business interruptions could adversely affect our business.
Our worldwide operations could be subject to hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, floods, fires, extreme weather conditions, medical epidemics or pandemics, or other natural or man-made disasters or business interruptions. The occurrence of any of these business disruptions could seriously harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our key manufacturing facilities are concentrated, and in the event of a significant interruption in production at any of our manufacturing facilities, considerable expense, time, and effort could be required to establish alternative production lines to meet contractual obligations, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
We may encounter strikes or other labor disruptions that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We have significant operations throughout the world. In a number of countries outside the U.S., our employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. As the result of various corporate or operational actions, which our management has undertaken or may be made in the future, we could encounter labor disruptions. These disruptions may be subject to local media coverage, which could damage our reputation. Additionally, the disruptions could delay our ability to meet customer orders and could adversely affect our results of operations. Any labor disruptions could also have an impact on our other employees. Employee morale and productivity could suffer, and we may lose valued employees whom we wish to retain.
Asset impairment could result in significant changes that would adversely impact our future operating results.
We have significant inventory, intangible assets, long-lived assets, and goodwill that are susceptible to valuation adjustments as a result of changes in various factors or conditions, which could impact our results of operations or and financial condition. Factors that could trigger an impairment of such assets include the following:
•reduction in the net realizable value of inventory, which becomes obsolete or exceeds anticipated demand;
•changes in our organization or management reporting structure, which could result in additional reporting units, requiring greater aggregation or disaggregation in our analysis by reporting unit and potentially alternative methods/assumptions of estimating fair values;
•underperformance relative to projected future operating results;
•changes in the manner or use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business;
•unfavorable industry or economic trends; and
•decline in our stock price for a sustained period or decline in our market capitalization below net book value.
We are subject to a variety of litigation that could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows.
From time to time, we are involved in litigation that arises from our business. In addition, parties to these lawsuits may bring claims against our customers, which, in some instances, could result in an indemnification of the customer by us. Litigation may also relate to, among other things, product failure or product liability claims, contractual disputes, employment matters, or securities litigation. Litigation can be expensive to defend and can divert the attention of management and other personnel for long periods of time, regardless of the ultimate outcome. We may be required to pay damage awards or settlements or become subject to equitable remedies that could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. While we currently maintain insurance coverage, such insurance may not provide adequate coverage against potential claims.
We may face losses associated with alleged unauthorized use of third-party intellectual property.
We may be subject to claims or inquiries regarding alleged unauthorized use of a third-party's intellectual property. An adverse outcome in any intellectual property litigation or negotiation could subject us to significant liabilities to third parties, require us to license technology or other intellectual property rights from others, require us to comply with injunctions to cease marketing or the use of certain products or brands, or require us to redesign, re-engineer, or rebrand certain products or packaging, any of which could affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. If we are required to seek licenses under patents or other intellectual property rights of others, we may not be able to acquire these licenses at acceptable terms, if at all. In addition, the cost of responding to an intellectual property infringement claim, in terms of legal fees, expenses, and the diversion of management resources, whether or not the claim is valid, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
If our products infringe the intellectual property rights of others, we may be required to indemnify our customers for any damages they suffer. We generally indemnify our customers with respect to infringement by our products of the proprietary rights of third parties. Third parties may assert infringement claims against our customers. These claims may require us to initiate or defend protracted and costly litigation on behalf of our customers, regardless of the merits of these claims. If any of these claims succeed, we may be forced to pay damages on behalf of our customers or may be required to obtain licenses for the products they use. If we cannot obtain all necessary licenses on commercially reasonable terms, our customers may be forced to stop using our products.
We are affected by the availability and regulation of radio spectrum and interference with the radio spectrum that we use.
A significant number of our products use radio spectrum, which are subject to regulation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. The FCC may adopt changes to the rules for our licensed and unlicensed frequency bands that are incompatible with our business. In the past, the FCC has adopted changes to the requirements for equipment using radio spectrum, and it is possible that the FCC or the U.S. Congress will adopt additional changes.
Although radio licenses are generally required for radio stations, Part 15 of the FCC's rules permits certain low-power radio devices (Part 15 devices) to operate on an unlicensed basis. Part 15 devices are designed for use on frequencies used by others. These other users may include licensed users, which have priority over Part 15 users. Part 15 devices cannot cause harmful interference to licensed users and must be designed to accept interference from licensed radio devices. In the United States, our smart metering solutions are typically Part 15 devices that transmit information to (and receive information from, if applicable) handheld, mobile, or fixed network systems pursuant to these rules.
We depend upon sufficient radio spectrum to be allocated by the FCC for our intended uses. As to the licensed frequencies, there is some risk that there may be insufficient available frequencies in some markets to sustain our planned operations. The unlicensed frequencies are available for a wide variety of uses and may not be entitled to protection from interference by other users who operate in accordance with FCC rules. The unlicensed frequencies are also often the subject of proposals to the FCC requesting a change in the rules under which such frequencies may be used. If the unlicensed frequencies become crowded to unacceptable levels, restrictive, or subject to changed rules governing their use, our business could be materially adversely affected.
We have committed, and will continue to commit, significant resources to the development of products that use particular radio frequencies. Action by the FCC could require modifications to our products. The inability to modify our products to meet such requirements, the possible delays in completing such modifications, and the cost of such modifications all could have a material adverse effect on our future business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Outside of the United States, certain of our products require the use of RF and are subject to regulations in those jurisdictions where we have deployed such equipment. In some jurisdictions, radio station licensees are generally required to operate a radio transmitter and such licenses may be granted for a fixed term and must be periodically renewed. In other jurisdictions, the rules permit certain low power devices to operate on an unlicensed basis. Our smart metering solutions typically transmit to (and receive information from, if applicable) handheld, mobile, or fixed network reading devices in license-exempt bands pursuant to rules regulating such use. In Europe, we generally use the 169 megahertz (MHz), 433/4 MHz, and 868 MHz bands. In the rest of the world, we primarily use the 433/4 MHz, 920 MHz and 2.4000-2.4835 gigahertz (GHz) bands, as well as other local license-exempt bands. To the extent we introduce new products designed for use in the United States or another country into a new market, such products may require significant modification or redesign in order to meet frequency requirements and other regulatory specifications. In some countries, limitations on frequency availability or the cost of making necessary modifications may preclude us from selling our products in those countries. In addition, new consumer products may create interference with the performance of our products, which could lead to claims against us.
We may be unable to adequately protect our intellectual property.
While we believe that our patents and other intellectual property have significant value, it is uncertain that this intellectual property or any intellectual property acquired or developed by us in the future will provide meaningful competitive advantages. There can be no assurance that our patents or pending applications will not be challenged, invalidated, or circumvented by competitors or that rights granted thereunder will provide meaningful proprietary protection. Moreover, competitors may infringe our patents or successfully avoid them through design innovation. To combat infringement or unauthorized use of our intellectual property, we may need to commence litigation, which can be expensive and time-consuming. In addition, in an infringement proceeding a court may decide that a patent or other intellectual property right of ours is not valid or is unenforceable, or may refuse to stop the other party from using the technology or other intellectual property right at issue on the grounds that it is non-infringing or the legal requirements for an injunction have not been met. Policing unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult and expensive, and we cannot provide assurance that we will be able to prevent misappropriation of our proprietary rights, particularly in countries that do not protect such rights in the same manner as in the United States.
We have pension benefit obligations, which could have a material impact on our earnings, liabilities, and shareholders' equity and could have significant adverse impacts in future periods.
We sponsor both funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans for our international employees, primarily in Germany, France, India, Indonesia, and Italy. Our general funding policy for these qualified pension plans is to contribute amounts sufficient to satisfy regulatory funding standards of the respective countries for each plan.
The determination of pension plan expense, benefit obligation, and future contributions depends heavily on market factors such as the discount rate and the actual return on plan assets. We estimate pension plan expense, benefit obligation, and future contributions to these plans using assumptions with respect to these and other items. Changes to those assumptions could have a significant effect on future contributions as well as on our annual pension costs and/or result in a significant change to shareholders' equity.
A number of key personnel are critical to the success of our business.
Our success depends in large part on the efforts of our highly qualified technical and management personnel and highly skilled individuals in all disciplines. The loss of one or more of these employees and the inability to attract and retain qualified replacements could have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, as our products and services become more technologically complex, it could become especially difficult to recruit or retain personnel with unique in-demand skills and knowledge, whom we would expect to become recruiting targets for our competitors and for other companies relying on similar talent. There is no assurance that we will be able to recruit or retain qualified personnel, and this failure could diminish our ability to develop and deliver new products and services, which could cause our operations and financial results to be unfavorably impacted.
If we are unable to protect our information technology infrastructure and network against data corruption, cyber-based attacks or network security incidents caused by unauthorized access, we could be exposed to an increase risk of customer liability and reputational damage.
We rely on various information technology systems to capture, process, store, and report data and interact with customers, vendors, and employees. Despite taking security steps to secure all information and transactions, our information technology
systems, and those of our third-party providers, may be subject to corruption from cyber-attacks, or other network security incidents. Any unauthorized access to data could result in misappropriation of the data or disruption of operations. In addition, hardware operating system software, and applications that we procure from third parties may contain defects in design or manufacturing that could interfere with the operation of the systems. Misuse of internal applications; theft of intellectual property, trade secrets, or other corporate assets; and inappropriate disclosure of confidential or personal information could stem from such incidents.
In addition, an increasing number of our products and services connect to and are part of the IIoT, the Internet, and public cloud services. As such, the products and services we offer may involve the transmission of large amounts of sensitive and proprietary information over public and private communications networks, as well as the processing and storage of confidential and personal customer data. While we attempt to provide adequate security measures to safeguard our products and services, techniques used to gain unauthorized access to or to sabotage systems are constantly evolving and therefore, may not be recognized until launched against a target. Unauthorized access, remnant data exposure, computer viruses, denial of service attacks, accidents, employee error or malfeasance, intentional misconduct by computer "hackers", and other disruptions can occur. This can lead to gaps in infrastructure, hardware and software vulnerabilities, and security controls. The exposed or unprotected data can (i) interfere with the delivery of services to our customers, (ii) impede our customers' ability to do business, or (iii) compromise the security of systems and data, which exposes information to unauthorized third-parties. Like many companies, we are the target of cyber-attacks of varying degrees on a regular basis. Although such cyber-attacks have not had a material adverse effect on our operating results, there can be no assurance of a similar result in future security incidents.
Security incidents that occur could expose us to an increased risk of lawsuits, loss of existing or potential customers, harm to our reputation and increases in our security costs. Depending on the jurisdiction, security incidents could trigger notice requirements to impacted individuals and regulatory investigations leading to penalties and increased reputational harm.
Any such operational disruption and/or misappropriation of information could result in lost sales, unfavorable publicity, or business delays and could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We may not realize the expected benefits from strategic alliances.
We have several strategic alliances with large and complex organizations and other companies with which we work to offer complementary products and services. There can be no assurance we will realize the expected benefits from these strategic alliances. If successful, these relationships may be mutually beneficial and result in shared growth. However, alliances carry an element of risk because, in most cases, we must both compete and collaborate with the same company from one market to the next. Should our strategic partnerships fail to perform, we could experience delays in research and development or experience other operational difficulties.
We rely on information technology systems.
Our industry requires the continued operation of sophisticated information technology systems and network infrastructures, which may be subject to disruptions arising from events that are beyond our control. We are dependent on information technology systems, including, but not limited to, networks, applications, and outsourced services. We continually enhance and implement new systems and processes throughout our global operations.
We offer managed services and software utilizing several data center facilities located worldwide. Any damage to, or failure of, these systems could result in interruptions in the services we provide to our utility customers. As we continue to add capacity to our existing and future data centers, we may move or transfer data. Despite precautions taken during this process, any delayed or unsuccessful data transfers may impair the delivery of our services to our utility customers. We also sell vending and pre-payment systems with security features that, if compromised, may lead to claims against us.
We have a primary enterprise resource planning (ERP) system that maintains sales and transactional information to facilitate processes. This system may require updates and upgrades periodically that could be expensive and time consuming undertakings. Successful upgrades and updates provide many benefits, while unsuccessful upgrades and updates may cost us significant time and resources.
The failure of these systems to operate effectively, problems with transitioning to upgraded or replacement systems, or a breach in security of these systems due to computer viruses, hacking, acts of terrorism, and other causes could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations by harming our ability to accurately forecast sales demand, manage our supply chain and production facilities, achieve accuracy in the conversion of electronic data and records, and report
financial and management information on a timely and accurate basis. In addition, due to the systemic internal control features within ERP systems, we may experience difficulties that could affect our internal control over financial reporting.
Changes in environmental regulations, violations of such regulations, or future environmental liabilities could cause us to incur significant costs and could adversely affect our operations.
Our business and our facilities are subject to numerous laws, regulations, and ordinances governing, among other things, the storage, discharge, handling, emission, generation, manufacture, disposal, remediation of, and exposure to toxic or other hazardous substances, and certain waste products. Many of these environmental laws and regulations subject current or previous owners or operators of land to liability for the costs of investigation, removal, or remediation of hazardous materials. In addition, these laws and regulations typically impose liability regardless of whether the owner or operator knew of, or was responsible for, the presence of any hazardous materials and regardless of whether the actions that led to the presence were conducted in compliance with the law. In the ordinary course of our business, we use metals, solvents, and similar materials, which are stored on-site. The waste created by the use of these materials is transported off-site on a regular basis by unaffiliated waste haulers. Many environmental laws and regulations require generators of waste to take remedial actions at, or in relation to, the off-site disposal location even if the disposal was conducted in compliance with the law. The requirements of these laws and regulations are complex, change frequently, and could become more stringent in the future. Failure to comply with current or future environmental regulations could result in the imposition of substantial fines, suspension of production, alteration of our production processes, cessation of operations, or other actions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. There can be no assurance that a claim, investigation, or liability would not arise with respect to these activities, or that the cost of complying with governmental regulations in the future, either for an individual claim or in aggregate of multiple claims, would not have a material adverse effect on us.
We are exposed to counterparty default risks with our financial institutions and insurance providers.
If one or more of the depository institutions in which we maintain significant cash balances were to fail, our ability to access these funds might be temporarily or permanently limited, and we could face material liquidity problems and financial losses.
The lenders of our 2018 credit facility consist of several participating financial institutions. Our revolving line of credit allows us to provide letters of credit in support of our obligations for customer contracts and provides additional liquidity. If our lenders are not able to honor their line of credit commitments due to the loss of a participating financial institution or other circumstance, we would need to seek alternative financing, which may not be under acceptable terms, and therefore could adversely impact our ability to successfully bid on future sales contracts and adversely impact our liquidity and ability to fund some of our internal initiatives or future acquisitions.
Our international sales and operations are subject to complex laws relating to foreign corrupt practices and anti-bribery laws, among many others, and a violation of, or change in, these laws could adversely affect our operations.
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act in the United States requires United States companies to comply with an extensive legal framework to prevent bribery of foreign officials. The laws are complex and require that we closely monitor local practices of our overseas offices. The United States Department of Justice continues to heighten enforcement of these laws. In addition, other countries continue to implement similar laws that may have extra-territorial effect. In the United Kingdom, where we have operations, the U.K. Bribery Act imposes significant oversight obligations on us and could impact our operations outside of the United Kingdom. The costs for complying with these and similar laws may be significant and could require significant management time and focus. Any violation of these or similar laws, intentional or unintentional, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or results of operations.
Changes in accounting principles and guidance could result in unfavorable accounting charges or effects.
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. These principles are subject to interpretation by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and various bodies formed to create and interpret appropriate accounting principles and guidance. A change in these principles or guidance, or in their interpretations, may have a material effect on our reported results, as well as our processes and related controls, and may retroactively affect previously reported results.
If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal controls, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results, prevent fraud, or maintain investor confidence.
Effective internal controls are necessary for us to provide reliable and accurate financial reports and effectively prevent fraud. We have devoted significant resources and time to comply with the internal control over financial reporting requirements of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act. In addition, Section 404 under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that our auditors attest to the design and operating effectiveness of our controls over financial reporting. Our compliance with the annual internal control report requirement for each fiscal year will depend on the effectiveness of our financial reporting, data systems, and controls across our operating subsidiaries. Furthermore, an important part of our growth strategy has been, and will likely continue to be, the acquisition of complementary businesses, and we expect these systems and controls to become increasingly complex to the extent that we integrate acquisitions and our business grows. Likewise, the complexity of our transactions, systems, and controls may become more difficult to manage. In addition, new accounting standards may have a significant impact on our financial statements in future periods, requiring new or enhanced controls. We cannot be certain that we will ensure that we design, implement, and maintain adequate controls over our financial processes and reporting in the future, especially for acquisition targets that may not have been required to be in compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act at the date of acquisition.
Failure to implement new controls or enhancements to controls, difficulties encountered in control implementation or operation, or difficulties in the assimilation of acquired businesses into our control system could result in additional errors, material misstatements, or delays in our financial reporting obligations. Inadequate internal controls could also cause investors to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have an unfavorable effect on the trading price of our stock and our access to capital.
We are subject to regulatory compliance.
We are subject to various governmental regulations in all of the jurisdictions in which we conduct business. Failure to comply with current or future regulations could result in the imposition of substantial fines, suspension of production, alteration of our production processes, cessation of operations, or other actions, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Regulations related to "conflict minerals" may force us to incur additional expenses, may result in damage to our business reputation, and may adversely impact our ability to conduct our business.
The SEC has adopted rules regarding disclosure for companies that use certain minerals and derivative metals (referred to as "conflict minerals," regardless of their actual country of origin) in their products. Some of these metals are commonly used in electronic equipment and devices, including our products. These requirements require companies to investigate, disclose and report whether or not such metals originated from the Democratic Republic of Congo or adjoining countries and required due diligence efforts. We may not be able to sufficiently verify the origins for all minerals used in our products, and our reputation may suffer if we determine that our products contain conflict minerals that are not determined to be conflict free or if we are unable to sufficiently verify the origins for all conflict minerals used in our products. There are costs associated with complying with these disclosure requirements, including for diligence to determine the sources of conflict minerals used in our products and related components, and other potential changes to products, processes or sources of supply as a consequence of such verification activities. Further interpretation and implementation of these rules could adversely affect the sourcing, supply, and pricing of materials used in our products.
ITEM 1B:
ITEM 1B: UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2:
ITEM 2: PROPERTIES
We own our headquarters facility, which is located in Liberty Lake, Washington.
The following table lists our major manufacturing facilities by region and location:
RegionLocation
North AmericaOconee, SC (O)
Waseca, MN (L)
Europe, Middle East, and AfricaChasseneuil, France (O)
Macon, France (O)
Massy, France (L)
Reims, France (O)
Karlsruhe, Germany (O)
Oldenburg, Germany (O)
Godollo, Hungary (O)
Asti, Italy (O)
Asia/PacificBekasi, Indonesia (O)
Latin AmericaAmericana, Brazil (O)
(O) - Manufacturing facility is owned
(L) - Manufacturing facility is leased
Our principal properties are in good condition, and we believe our current facilities are sufficient to support our operations. Our major manufacturing facilities are owned, while smaller factories are typically leased.
In addition to our manufacturing facilities, we have numerous sales offices, research and development facilities, and distribution centers, which are located throughout the world.
ITEM 3:
ITEM 3: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 4:
ITEM 4: MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5:
ITEM 5: MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Market Information for Common Stock
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "ITRI".
Performance Graph
The following graph compares the five-year cumulative total return to shareholders on our common stock with the five-year cumulative total return of our peer group of companies used for the year ended December 31, 2019 and the NASDAQ Composite Index.
* $100 invested on 12/31/14 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal years ending December 31.
The performance graph above is being furnished solely to accompany this Report pursuant to Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K and is not being filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any of our filings, whether made before or after the date hereof, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filing.
The above presentation assumes $100 invested on December 31, 2014 in the common stock of Itron, Inc., the peer group, and the NASDAQ Composite Index, with all dividends reinvested. With respect to companies in the peer group, the returns of each such corporation have been weighted to reflect relative stock market capitalization at the beginning of each annual period plotted. The historical stock prices shown above for our common stock are not necessarily indicative of future price performance.
Each year, we reassess our peer group to identify global companies that are either direct competitors or have similar industry and business operating characteristics. Our 2019 peer group includes the following publicly traded companies: Badger Meter, Inc., Landis+Gyr, Mueller Water Products, Inc., Roper Technologies, Inc., and Xylem, Inc (Sensus).
Issuer Repurchase of Equity Securities
(1)Shares purchased represent shares transferred to us by certain employees who vested in restricted stock units and used shares to pay all, or a portion of, the related taxes. On March 14, 2019, Itron's Board authorized a new repurchase program of up to $50 million of our common stock over a 12-month period. Repurchases are made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and in accordance with applicable securities laws.
Holders
At January 31, 2020, there were 183 holders of record of our common stock. This does not include persons whose stock is in nominee or accounts through brokers.
Dividends
Since the inception of the Company, we have not declared or paid cash dividends. We intend to retain future earnings for the development of our business and do not anticipate paying cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
ITEM 6:
ITEM 6: SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The selected consolidated financial data below is derived from our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and for the three years ended December 31, 2019 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The financial data as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 and for the two years ended December 31, 2016 were derived from financial statements not included herein. You should read this information together with Item 7:
ITEM 7: MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis compares the change in the consolidated financial statements for fiscal years 2019 and 2018 and should be read in conjunction with Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data". For comparisons of fiscal years 2018 and 2017, see our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Part II, Item 7 of our 2018 Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2019, and incorporated herein by reference.
Overview
We are a technology and service company, which is a leader in the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT). We offer solutions that enable utilities and municipalities to safely, securely and reliably operate their critical infrastructure. Our solutions include the deployment of smart networks, software, services, devices, sensors, and data analytics that allow our customers to manage assets, secure revenue, lower operational costs, improve customer service, improve safety, and enable efficient management of valuable resources. Our comprehensive solutions and data analytics address the unique challenges facing the energy, water, and municipality sectors, including increasing demand on resources, non-technical loss, leak detection, environmental and regulatory compliance, and improved operational reliability.
We operate under the Itron brand worldwide and manage and report under three operating segments: Device Solutions, Networked Solutions, and Outcomes. The product and operating definitions of the three segments are as follows:
Device Solutions - This segment primarily includes hardware products used for measurement, control, or sensing that do not have communications capability embedded for use with our broader Itron systems, i.e., hardware-based products not part of a complete "end-to-end" solution. Examples from the Device Solutions portfolio include: standard endpoints that are shipped without Itron communications, such as our standard gas meters, electricity IEC meters, and water meters, in addition to our heat and allocation products; communicating meters that are not a part of an Itron solution such as Smart Spec meters; and the implementation and installation of non-communicating devices, such as gas regulators.
Networked Solutions - This segment primarily includes a combination of communicating devices (smart meters, modules, endpoints, and sensors), network infrastructure, and associated application software designed and sold as a complete solution for acquiring and transporting robust application-specific data. Networked Solutions combines the majority of the assets from the recently acquired SSNI organization with our legacy Itron networking products and software and the implementation and installation of communicating devices into one operating segment. Examples from the Networked Solutions portfolio include: communicating measurement, control, or sensing endpoints such as our Itron® and OpenWay® Riva meters, Itron traditional ERT® technology, Intelis smart gas or water meters, 500G gas communication modules, 500W water communication modules; GenX networking products, network modules and interface cards; and specific network control and management software applications. The IIoT solutions supported by this segment include automated meter reading (AMR), advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), smart grid and distribution automation (DA), and smart street lighting and smart city solutions.
Outcomes - This segment primarily includes our value-added, enhanced software and services in which we manage, organize, analyze, and interpret data to improve decision making, maximize operational profitability, drive resource efficiency, and deliver results for consumers, utilities, and smart cities. Outcomes places an emphasis on delivering to Itron customers high-value, turn-key, digital experiences by leveraging the footprint of our Device Solutions and Networked Solutions segments. The revenues from these offerings are primarily recurring in nature and would include any direct management of Device Solutions, Networked Solutions, and other products on behalf of our end customers. Examples from the Outcomes portfolio include: our meter data management and analytics offerings; our managed service solutions including network-as-a-service and platform-as-a-service, forecasting software and services; and any consulting-based engagement. Within the Outcomes segment, we also identify new business models, including performance-based contracting, to drive broader portfolio offerings across utilities and cities.
We have three measures of segment performance: revenues, gross profit (margin), and operating income (margin). Intersegment revenues are minimal. Certain operating expenses are allocated to the operating segments based upon internally established allocation methodologies. Interest income, interest expense, other income (expense), the income tax provision (benefit), and certain corporate operating expenses are neither allocated to the segments nor included in the measures of segment performance.
Non-GAAP Measures
The following discussion includes financial information prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP), as well as certain adjusted or non-GAAP financial measures such as constant currency, free cash flow, non-GAAP operating expenses, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, adjusted EBITDA, and non-GAAP diluted earnings per share (EPS). We believe that non-GAAP financial measures, when reviewed in conjunction with GAAP financial measures, can provide more information to assist investors in evaluating current period performance and in assessing future performance. For these reasons, our internal management reporting also includes non-GAAP measures. We strongly encourage investors and shareholders to review our financial statements and publicly-filed reports in their entirety and not to rely on any single financial measure. Non-GAAP measures as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.
In our discussions of the operating results below, we sometimes refer to the impact of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, which are references to the differences between the foreign currency exchange rates we use to convert operating results from local currencies into U.S. dollars for reporting purposes. We also use the term "constant currency," which represents results adjusted to exclude foreign currency exchange rate impacts. We calculate the constant currency change as the difference between the current period results translated using the current period currency exchange rates and the comparable prior period's results restated using current period currency exchange rates. We believe the reconciliations of changes in constant currency provide useful supplementary information to investors in light of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.
Refer to the Non-GAAP Measures section below on pages 39-41 for information about these non-GAAP measures and the detailed reconciliation of items that impacted free cash flow, non-GAAP operating expense, non-GAAP operating income, non-GAAP net income, adjusted EBITDA, and non-GAAP diluted EPS in the presented periods.
Total Company Highlights
Highlights and significant developments for the year ended December 31, 2019
•Revenues were $2.5 billion compared with $2.4 billion last year, an increase of $126.4 million, or 5%.
•Gross margin was 30.1% compared with 30.7% last year.
•Operating expenses decreased $160.4 million, or (21)%, compared with 2018.
•Net income attributable to Itron, Inc. was $49.0 million compared with net loss attributable to Itron, Inc. of $99.3 million in 2018.
•Adjusted EBITDA increased $34.2 million, or 15%, to $270.0 million compared with 2018.
•GAAP diluted EPS was $1.23 compared with diluted loss per share of $2.53 in 2018.
•Non-GAAP diluted EPS was $3.32 compared with $2.65 in 2018.
•Total backlog was $3.2 billion, and twelve-month backlog was $1.5 billion at December 31, 2019.
Credit Facility Amendment
On October 18, 2019, we amended our 2018 credit facility by entering into the First Amendment to the credit agreement entered on January 5, 2018. This amendment extended the maturity date to October 18, 2024 and re-amortized the term loan based on the new balance as of the amendment date. The amendment also modified the required interest payments and made it based on total net leverage instead of total leverage. Amounts not borrowed under the revolver are subject to a commitment fee, which is paid in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter, ranging from 0.15% to 0.25% and drawn amounts are subject to a margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.75%.
Stock Repurchase Authorization
On March 14, 2019, Itron's Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $50 million of our common stock over a 12-month period (the 2019 Stock Repurchase Program). Following the announcement of the program and through December 31, 2019, we repurchased 529,396 shares at an average share price of $47.22 (including commissions) for a total of $25 million. The remaining $25 million may be repurchased by March 13, 2020. As of February 26, 2020, no purchases had been made in 2020.
Silver Spring Networks, Inc. Acquisition
On January 5, 2018, we completed the acquisition of Silver Spring Networks, Inc. (SSNI) by purchasing all outstanding shares for $16.25 per share, resulting in a total purchase price, net of cash, of $809.2 million. SSNI provided standards-based wireless connectivity platforms and solutions to utilities and cities. The acquisition continues our focus on expanding management services and software-as-a-service solutions, which allows us to provide more value to our customers by optimizing devices, network technologies, outcomes and analytics.
We continue to implement the integration plan associated with this acquisition. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we recognized $26.6 million of acquisition and integration related expenses. We estimate annualized savings of $50 million at the conclusion of the integration plan, which we expect to substantially complete by the end of 2020. For further discussion of the acquisition, refer to Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 17: Business Combinations".
2018 Restructuring Projects
On February 22, 2018, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan (the 2018 Projects) to continue our efforts to optimize our global supply chain and manufacturing operations, research and development, and sales and marketing organizations. We recognized restructuring expense of $9.3 million related to the 2018 Projects during the year ended December 31, 2019, and we anticipate an additional $13.5 million to be recognized in future periods, with the substantial portion recognized throughout 2020. At the conclusion of the 2018 Projects, we anticipate annualized savings of $45 million to $50 million. For further discussion of restructuring activities, refer to Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 13: Restructuring".
Total Company GAAP and Non-GAAP Highlights and Unit Shipments
(1)These measures exclude certain expenses that we do not believe are indicative of our core operating results. See pages 39-41 for information about these non-GAAP measures and reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures.
Endpoints Summary
Our revenue is driven significantly by sales of endpoints. We classify our endpoints into two categories:
•Standard Endpoints - an Itron product delivered primarily via our Device Solutions segment. The majority of our standard endpoint devices are used for delivery and metrology in the electricity, water, and gas distribution industries and have no built-in remote reading communication technology. However, some standard endpoint devices are shipped with non-Itron communications capabilities and are not a part of an Itron solution, such as Smart Spec meters, and are classified as a standard endpoint.
•Networked Endpoints - an Itron product with the capability of one-way communication or two-way communication of data including remote device configuration and upgrade (consisting primarily of our OpenWay® or Gen X technology). This primarily includes Itron devices used in electricity, water, and gas distribution industries. Networked endpoints also include smart communication modules and network interface cards (NICs). NICs are communicating modules that can be sold separately from the device directly to our customers or to third party manufacturers for use in endpoints such as electric, water, and gas meters; streetlights and smart city devices; sensors or another standard
device that the end customer would like to connect to our OpenWay or Gen X Networked Solutions. These endpoints are primarily delivered via our Networked Solutions segment.
A summary of our endpoints shipped is as follows:
(1)As of the second quarter of 2019, we have refined the definition of a standard and a networked endpoint to more closely align to the segment performance of Device Solutions and Networked Solutions as reported in the Operating Segment Results section below. The quantities presented for the year ended December 31, 2018 and for the three months ended March 31, 2019, as included in the year ended December 31, 2019, have been recast to align with the refined definitions of standard and networked endpoints. The total endpoints shipped for each period is unchanged.
Results of Operations
Revenues and Gross Margin
The actual results of and effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on revenues and gross profit were as follows:
(1)Constant currency change is a non-GAAP financial measure and represents the total change between periods excluding the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Revenues
Revenues increased $126.4 million in 2019 compared with 2018. Product revenues increased $124.9 million in 2019, primarily in North America as well as in our Asia Pacific region. This was partially offset by reduced product revenues in our Latin America and Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) regions during 2019. Service revenues increased $1.4 million in 2019 as compared with 2018, which was primarily driven by increases in North America and Asia Pacific regions. This was partially offset by reduced service revenues in our EMEA region during 2019. Changes in currency exchange rates unfavorably impacted revenues by $54.5 million in 2019.
No single customer represented more than 10% of total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Our 10 largest customers accounted for 31% of total revenues in 2019 and 2018.
Gross Margin
Gross margin was 30.1% for 2019, compared with 30.7% in 2018. Our gross margin associated with product sales decreased to 28.5% in 2019 from 29.5% in 2018 due to lower margin sales in Asia Pacific, North America, and EMEA. Gross margin associated with our service revenues increased to 42.4% from 39.7% in 2018 due to higher margin sales in our Latin America, North America and EMEA regions.
Refer to Operating Segment Results section below for further detail on total company revenues and gross margin.
Operating Expenses
The actual results of and effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on operating expenses were as follows:
(1)Constant currency change is a non-GAAP financial measure and represents the total change between periods excluding the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Operating expenses decreased $160.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared with the same period in 2018. This was primarily due to a decrease of $70.9 million in restructuring expense, driven by elevated 2018 restructuring expense following the announcement of the 2018 restructuring plan, and a decrease of $65.3 million in acquisition and integration costs, which are classified within sales, general and administrative expenses.
Other Income (Expense)
The following table shows the components of other income (expense):
Total other income (expense) for the year ended December 31, 2019 was a net expense of $59.7 million compared with $59.5 million in 2018.
The change in other income (expense), net, for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared with the same period in 2018 was primarily the result of $2.9 million decrease in interest expense for the credit facility and $1.4 million decrease in amortization expense for prepaid debt fees, offset by a legal settlement gain of $2.5 million recognized in the second quarter of 2018 and the effect of recognized foreign currency exchange gains and losses due to transactions denominated in a currency other than the reporting entity's functional currency.
Income Tax Provision
Our income tax provision (benefit) was $20.6 million and $(12.6) million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Our tax rate of 28% for the year ended December 31, 2019 differed from the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 21% due primarily to the level of profit or losses in domestic and foreign jurisdictions, research and development tax credits, state income taxes, adjustments to valuation allowances, and uncertain tax positions, among other items.
For additional discussion related to income taxes, see Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 11: Income Taxes".
Operating Segment Results
For a description of our operating segments, refer to Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 16: Segment Information". The following tables and discussion highlight significant changes in trends or components of each operating segment:
Device Solutions:
The effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the constant currency changes in certain Device Solutions segment financial results were as follows:
(1)Constant currency change is a non-GAAP financial measure and represents the total change between periods excluding the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Revenues
Revenues decreased by $74.5 million in 2019, or (8)%, compared with 2018 of which $43.3 million were due to foreign exchange rate changes. The overall decrease was a result of lower product sales in EMEA, partially offset by improvements in North America sales.
Gross Margin
Gross margin was 17.8% in 2019 compared with 20.1% in 2018. The 230 basis point deterioration compared with the prior year was due to unfavorable product mix, offset by lower warranty charges in 2019.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses decreased $1.5 million, or (3)%. The decrease was primarily due to lower research and development expense.
Networked Solutions:
The effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the constant currency changes in certain Networked Solutions segment financial results were as follows:
(1)Constant currency change is a non-GAAP financial measure and represents the total change between periods excluding the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Revenues
Revenues increased by $193.1 million, or 16%, in 2019 compared with 2018. This increase in revenues was primarily related to the increase in product revenue for existing and new deployments in North America.
Gross Margin
Gross margin was 36.6% in 2019 compared with 39.4% in 2018. The decrease of 280 basis points was driven by unfavorable product mix.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses decreased by $0.3 million, or (0.2)%, in 2019. The decrease was primarily due to lower product marketing expenses, partially offset by increased research and development expenses.
Outcomes:
The effects of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and the constant currency changes in certain Outcomes segment financial results were as follows:
(1)Constant currency change is a non-GAAP financial measure and represents the total change between periods excluding the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Revenues
Revenues increased $7.7 million, or 4%, in 2019. This increase was primarily due to an increase in software license sales and services revenue in North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. This increase was partially offset by a one-time customer adjustment in North America.
Gross Margin
Gross margin increased to 35.8% in 2019 compared with 27.7% in 2018. The 810 basis point increase was driven by higher margin software license sales and margin improvements within services.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses decreased $6.8 million, or (15.4)%, in 2019. The decrease was due to lower research and development expense.
Corporate unallocated:
Operating expenses not directly associated with an operating segment are classified as "Corporate unallocated". These expenses decreased $151.9 million, or 27%, in 2019 as compared with 2018. Restructuring expense decreased by $70.9 million, and acquisition and integration expense related to the SSNI acquisition decreased by $65.3 million. In addition, amortization of intangible assets decreased by $7.4 million.
Financial Condition
Cash Flow Information:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at December 31, 2019 were $149.9 million compared with $122.3 million at December 31, 2018. The $27.6 million increase in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash was primarily the result of cash flows from operations, partially offset by net payments on debt; acquisition of property, plant, and equipment; and repurchase of shares.
Operating activities
Cash provided by operating activities in 2019 was $63.1 million higher than in 2018. This increase was primarily due to an increase in gross profit and lower cash outflows for acquisition and integration costs and restructuring costs.
Investing activities
Cash used in investing activities in 2019 was $814.5 million lower than in 2018. This decreased use of cash was primarily related to our acquisition of SSNI in 2018.
Financing activities
Cash used in financing activities in 2019 was $97.5 million compared with cash provided in 2018 of $395.8 million. In 2019, we had net repayments of debt of $87.7 million and stock repurchases of $25.0 million. In 2018, we had net draws on our debt of $415.6 million to fund the acquisition of SSNI, as well as cash payments of $24.0 million for prepaid debt fees.
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents
Changes in exchange rates on the cash balances in currencies held in foreign denominations resulted in an increase of $0.4 million in 2019 and a decrease of $7.9 million 2018. Our foreign currency exposure relates to non-U.S. dollar denominated balances in our international subsidiary operations, the most significant of which is the euro.
Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)
To supplement our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows presented on a GAAP basis, we use the non-GAAP measure of free cash flow to analyze cash flows generated from our operations. The presentation of non-GAAP free cash flow is not meant to be considered in isolation or as an alternative to net income as an indicator of our performance, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of liquidity. We calculate free cash flows, using amounts from our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, as follows:
Free cash flow fluctuated primarily as a result of changes in cash provided by operating activities. See the cash flow discussion of operating activities above.
Off-balance sheet arrangements:
We have no off-balance sheet financing agreements or guarantees as defined by Item 303 of Regulation S-K at December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 that we believe could reasonably likely have a current or future effect on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.
Disclosures about contractual obligations and commitments:
The following table summarizes our known obligations to make future payments pursuant to certain contracts as of December 31, 2019, as well as an estimate of the timing in which these obligations are expected to be satisfied.
(1)Borrowings are disclosed within Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 6: Debt".
(2)Operating lease obligations are disclosed in Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 19: Leases" and do not include common area maintenance charges, real estate taxes, and insurance charges for which we are obligated.
(3)We enter into standard purchase orders in the ordinary course of business that typically obligate us to purchase materials and other items. Purchase orders can include open-ended agreements that provide for estimated quantities over an extended shipment period, typically up to one year at an established unit cost. Our long-term executory purchase agreements that contain termination clauses have been classified as less than one year, as the commitments are the estimated amounts we would be required to pay at December 31, 2019 if the commitments were canceled.
(4)Other long-term liabilities consist of warranty obligations, estimated pension benefit payments, and other obligations. Long-term unrecognized tax benefits totaling $26.7 million (net of pre-payments), which include accrued interest and penalties, are not included in the above contractual obligations and commitments table as we cannot reliably estimate the period of cash settlement with the respective taxing authorities. Additionally, because the amount and timing of the future cash outflows are uncertain, unearned revenue totaling $31.5 million, which includes unearned revenue related to extended warranty guarantees, is not included in the table. Finance leases are not material for disclosure above. For further information on defined benefit pension plans, income taxes, warranty obligations, and unearned revenue for extended warranties, see Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 8: Defined Benefit Pension Plans, Note 11: Income Taxes, Note 12: Commitments and Contingencies, and Note 18: Revenues," respectively.
(5)Amount includes principal and interest.
Liquidity and Capital Resources:
Our principal sources of liquidity are cash flows from operations, borrowings, and sales of common stock. Cash flows may fluctuate and are sensitive to many factors including changes in working capital and the timing and magnitude of capital expenditures and payments on debt. Working capital, which represents current assets less current liabilities, was $325.9 million at December 31, 2019.
Borrowings
On October 18, 2019 we amended our credit facility that was initially entered on January 5, 2018 (together with the amendment, the "2018 credit facility"). The 2018 credit facility provides for committed credit facilities in the amount of $1.2 billion U.S. dollars. The 2018 credit facility consists of a $650 million U.S. dollar term loan (the term loan) and a multicurrency revolving line of credit (the revolver) with a principal amount of up to $500 million. The revolver also contains a $300 million standby letter of credit sub-facility and a $50 million swingline sub-facility. The October 18, 2019, amendment extended the maturity date to October 18, 2024 and re-amortized the term loan based on the new balance as of the amendment date. During 2019 we made debt prepayments on the term loan in excess of required principal payments and may make additional payments in excess of required amounts due during the next year.
At December 31, 2019, no amount was outstanding under the 2018 credit facility revolver, and $41 million was utilized by outstanding standby letters of credit, resulting in $459 million available for additional borrowings or standby letters of credit. At December 31, 2019, $259 million was available for additional standby letters of credit under the letter of credit sub-facility and no amounts were outstanding under the swingline sub-facility. Both the term loan and the revolver mature on October 18, 2024 and can be repaid without penalty. Amounts repaid on the term loan may not be reborrowed and amounts borrowed under the revolver may be repaid and reborrowed until the revolver's maturity, at which time all outstanding loans together with all accrued and unpaid interest must be repaid.
On December 22, 2017 and January 19, 2018, we issued $300 million and $100 million, respectively, of aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior notes maturing January 15, 2026 (Senior Notes). The proceeds were used to refinance existing indebtedness related to the acquisition of SSNI, pay related fees and expenses, and for general corporate purposes. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by each of our subsidiaries that guarantee the 2018 credit facility.
Prior to maturity, we may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, plus a "make-whole" premium. On or after January 15, 2021, we may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at any time at declining redemption prices equal to 102.50% beginning on January 15, 2021, 101.25% beginning on January 15, 2022 and 100.00% beginning on January 15, 2023 and thereafter to the applicable redemption date. In addition, before January 15, 2021, and subject to certain conditions, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at 105.00% of the principal amount thereof to the date of redemption; provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes remains outstanding after such redemption and (ii) the redemption occurs within 60 days of the closing of any such equity offering.
For further description of our borrowings, refer to Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 6: Debt". For a description of our letters of credit and performance bonds, and the amounts available for additional borrowings or letters of credit under our lines of credit, including the revolver that is part of our credit facility, refer to Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 12: Commitments and Contingencies".
Silver Spring Networks, Inc. Acquisition
As part of the acquisition of SSNI, we announced an integration plan to obtain approximately $50 million of annualized savings by the end of 2020. For the year ended December 31, 2019, we have paid out $27.3 million and we have approximately $15 million to $25 million of estimated cash payments remaining on the integration plan, the majority of which is expected to be paid out in the next 12 months.
Restructuring
For the year ended December 31, 2019, we paid out a net $20.7 million related to the restructuring projects. As of December 31, 2019, $56.1 million was accrued for the restructuring projects, of which $18.9 million is expected to be paid over the next 12 months.
For further details regarding our restructuring activities, refer to Item 8: "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data, Note 13: Restructuring".
Income Tax
Our tax provision as a percentage of income before tax typically differs from the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21%. Changes in our actual tax rate are subject to several factors, including fluctuations in operating results, new or revised tax legislation and accounting pronouncements, changes in the level of business in domestic and foreign jurisdictions, research and development tax credits, state income taxes, adjustments to valuation allowances, settlement of tax audits, and uncertain tax positions, among other items. Changes in tax laws, valuation allowances, and unanticipated tax liabilities could significantly impact our tax rate.
Our cash income tax payments were as follows:
Based on current projections, we expect to pay, net of refunds, approximately $4 million in U.S. federal and state taxes and $8 million in foreign and local income taxes in 2020.
As of December 31, 2019, there was $40.5 million of cash and short-term investments held by certain foreign subsidiaries in which we are permanently reinvested for tax purposes. As a result of recent changes in U.S. tax legislation, any repatriation in the future would not result in U.S. federal income tax. Accordingly, there is no provision for U.S. deferred taxes on this cash. If this cash were repatriated to fund U.S. operations, additional withholding tax costs may be incurred. Tax is only one of many factors that we consider in the management of global cash. Accordingly, the amount of taxes that we would need to accrue and pay to repatriate foreign cash could vary significantly.
Other Liquidity Considerations
Among our consolidated international subsidiaries, we have joint venture partners who are minority shareholders. Although these entities are not wholly-owned by Itron, Inc., we consolidate them because we have a greater than 50% ownership interest and/or because we exercise control over the operations. The noncontrolling interest balance in our Consolidated Balance Sheets represents the proportional share of the equity of the joint venture entities, which is attributable to the minority shareholders. At December 31, 2019, $8.4 million of our consolidated cash balance was held in our joint venture entities. As a result, the minority shareholders of these entities have rights to their proportional share of this cash balance, and there may be limitations on our ability to repatriate cash to the United States from these entities.
At December 31, 2019, we have accrued $37.7 million of bonus and profit sharing plan expenses for the expected achievement of financial and nonfinancial targets, which we expect to pay in cash during the first quarter of 2020.
General Liquidity Overview
We expect to grow through a combination of internal new research and development, licensing technology from and to others, distribution agreements, partnering arrangements, and acquisitions of technology or other companies. We expect these activities to be funded with existing cash, cash flow from operations, borrowings, or the sale of common stock or other securities. We believe existing sources of liquidity will be sufficient to fund our existing operations and obligations for the next 12 months and into the foreseeable future but offer no assurances. Our liquidity could be affected by the stability of the electricity, gas, and water industries, competitive pressures, our dependence on certain key vendors and components, changes in estimated liabilities for product warranties and/or litigation, future business combinations, capital market fluctuations, international risks, and other factors described under Item 1A: "Risk Factors," as well as Item 7A:
ITEM 7A: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
In the normal course of business, we are exposed to interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate risks that could impact our financial position and results of operations. As part of our risk management strategy, we may use derivative financial instruments to hedge certain foreign currency and interest rate exposures. Our objective is to offset gains and losses resulting from these exposures with losses and gains on the derivative contracts used to hedge them, therefore reducing the impact of volatility on earnings or protecting the fair values of assets and liabilities. We use derivative contracts only to manage existing underlying exposures. Accordingly, we do not use derivative contracts for trading or speculative purposes.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk through our variable rate debt instruments. In October 2015, we entered into an interest rate swap, which is effective from August 31, 2016 to June 23, 2020, and converts $214 million of our LIBOR-based debt from a floating LIBOR interest rate to a fixed interest rate of 1.42% (excluding the applicable margin on the debt). The notional balance will amortize to maturity at the same rate as required minimum payments on our term loan. At December 31, 2019, our LIBOR-based debt balance was $550.2 million.
In November 2015, we entered into three interest rate cap contracts with a total notional amount of $100 million. The interest rate cap contracts expire on June 23, 2020 and were entered into in order to limit our interest rate exposure on $100 million of our variable LIBOR-based debt up to 2.00%. In the event LIBOR is higher than 2.00%, we would pay interest at the capped rate of 2.00% with respect to the $100 million notional amount of such agreements. The interest rate cap contracts do not include the effect of the applicable margin.
In April 2018, we entered into a cross-currency swap, which converts $56.0 million of floating rate LIBOR-based U.S. Dollar denominated debt into 1.38% fixed rate euro denominated debt. This cross-currency swap matures on April 30, 2021 and mitigates the risk associated with fluctuations in interest and currency rates impacting cash flows related to a U.S. Dollar denominated debt in a euro functional currency entity.
The table below provides information about our financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest rates and the scheduled minimum repayment of principal and the weighted average interest rates at December 31, 2019. Weighted average variable rates in the table are based on implied forward rates in the Reuters U.S. dollar yield curve as of December 31, 2019 and our estimated leverage ratio, which determines our additional interest rate margin at December 31, 2019.
Based on a sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2019, we estimate that, if market interest rates average one percentage point higher in 2020 than in the table above, our financial results in 2020 would not be materially impacted.
We continually monitor and assess our interest rate risk and may institute additional interest rate swaps or other derivative instruments to manage such risk in the future.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We conduct business in a number of countries. As a result, many of our revenues and operating expenses are denominated in foreign currencies, which expose our account balances to movements in foreign currency exchange rates that could have a material effect on our financial results. Our primary foreign currency exposure relates to non-U.S. dollar denominated transactions in our international subsidiary operations, the most significant of which is the euro. Revenues denominated in functional currencies other than the U.S. dollar were 37% of total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared with 41% and 47% for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.
We are also exposed to foreign exchange risk when we enter into non-functional currency transactions, both intercompany and third-party. At each period-end, non-functional currency monetary assets and liabilities are revalued with the change recognized in other income and expense. We enter into monthly foreign exchange forward contracts, which are not designated for hedge accounting, with the intent to reduce earnings volatility associated with currency exposures. As of December 31, 2019, a total of 48 contracts were offsetting our exposures from the euro, Canadian dollar, Chinese yuan, Indonesian rupiah, Pound sterling, Brazilian real, and various other currencies, with notional amounts ranging from $109,000 to $26.4 million. Based on a sensitivity analysis as of December 31, 2019, we estimate that, if foreign currency exchange rates average ten percentage points higher in 2020 for these financial instruments, our financial results in 2020 would not be materially impacted.
In future periods, we may use additional derivative contracts to protect against foreign currency exchange rate risks.
ITEM 8:
ITEM 8: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Itron, Inc.
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Itron, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 26, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, the Company changed its method of accounting for revenue from contracts with customers in 2018 due to the adoption of Accounting Standards Codification 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. The Company adopted the new revenue standard on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective approach.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Revenue Recognition ASC 606 - Revenue arrangements involving multiple performance obligations consisting of hardware, software, and professional services such as implementation, project management, installation, and consulting services. - Refer to Note 1 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
Certain of the Company’s revenue arrangements involve multiple performance obligations consisting of hardware, software, and professional services such as implementation, project management, installation, and consulting services. These contracts may contain customer-specific business terms and conditions, including service level commitments, variable consideration, and terms that govern when the customer has taken control. Additionally, these contracts may be modified from time to time as the Company delivers under the contract. These customer-specific business terms and conditions and modifications may involve complex accounting considerations, including determining whether the Company has enforceable rights and obligations,
whether contract modifications represent new or modification of existing contracts, whether certain performance obligations are distinct, and other considerations that may impact the timing of revenue recognition.
The evaluation of these factors is executed in accordance with the ASC 606 revenue recognition framework and requires significant management judgment that could affect the amount and timing of revenue recognition over the contractual period. The computations to recognize revenue under the ASC 606 revenue recognition framework can be complex and require a significant volume of data input. Additionally, there can be complexity in the computations and entries made to record the related contract assets and liabilities at the balance sheet date. Given the challenge in auditing the judgments and computations made in determining revenue recognition for these multiple performance obligation arrangements with customer-specific business terms and conditions and modifications, we identified revenue recognition as a critical audit matter.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to (1) determining whether the Company has enforceable rights and obligations, whether contract modifications represent new contracts or modifications, whether certain performance obligations are distinct and other considerations that may impact the timing of revenue recognition and (2) the completeness and accuracy of the revenue recognition computations and entries used to recognize revenue included the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of controls over contract reviews, including management’s use of checklists and other review procedures to determine whether customer-specific business terms are evident in the contract and whether accounting conclusions regarding enforceable rights and obligations, contract modifications, distinct products and services, and other considerations that may impact the timing of revenue recognition are appropriately applied.
•We tested the effectiveness of controls over revenue recognition computations and entries to audit whether the computations and entries appropriately reflect the accounting conclusions for these contracts. Such controls included (1) the review of the completeness and accuracy of data input into the computations and entries and (2) the review of the mathematical accuracy of the computations and entries.
•For a sample of contracts with customers that included existing contracts, new contracts and contract modifications, we:
•Tested management’s identification of customer-specific terms, whether the Company had enforceable rights and obligations, whether contract modifications represented new contracts or modifications to existing contracts, whether customer-specific terms introduced new or implied performance obligations, or other factors influencing the timing, nature and amount of revenue recognized, and assessed management’s conclusions regarding accounting treatment. Our procedures included reading the selected contracts and inquiring of the Company’s operational personnel to understand the nature of the contract and its business purpose, as well as evaluating management’s conclusions.
•Evaluated whether the identified accounting conclusions were appropriately reflected in the revenue recognition computations and entries.
•Tested the accuracy and completeness of the data used in the computations and entries to record revenue.
•Tested mathematical accuracy of revenue recognition computations and entries.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Seattle, Washington
February 26, 2020
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2016.
ITRON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ITRON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ITRON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ITRON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ITRON, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
ITRON, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 2019
In this Annual Report, the terms "we," "us," "our," "Itron," and the "Company" refer to Itron, Inc.
Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
We were incorporated in the state of Washington in 1977 and are a technology company, offering end-to-end solutions to enhance productivity and efficiency, primarily focused on utilities and municipalities around the globe. We operate under the Itron brand worldwide and manage and report under three operating segments: Device Solutions, Networked Solutions, and Outcomes.
Financial Statement Preparation
The consolidated financial statements presented in this Annual Report include the Consolidated Statements of Operations, Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), Consolidated Statements of Equity, and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 and the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 of Itron, Inc. and its subsidiaries, prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Examples of significant estimates include revenue recognition, warranty, restructuring, income taxes, business combinations, goodwill and intangible assets, defined benefit pension plans, contingencies, and stock-based compensation. Due to various factors affecting future costs and operations, actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Basis of Consolidation
We consolidate all entities in which we have a greater than 50% ownership interest or in which we exercise control over the operations. We use the equity method of accounting for entities in which we have a 20% to 50% investment and exercise significant influence. Entities in which we have less than a 20% investment and where we do not exercise significant influence are accounted for under the fair value method. Intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated upon consolidation.
Noncontrolling Interests
In several of our consolidated international subsidiaries, we have joint venture partners, who are minority shareholders. Although these entities are not wholly-owned by Itron, we consolidate them because we have a greater than 50% ownership interest or because we exercise control over the operations. The noncontrolling interest balance is adjusted each period to reflect the allocation of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests, as shown in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss), as well as contributions from and distributions to the owners. The noncontrolling interest balance in our Consolidated Balance Sheets represents the proportional share of the equity of the joint venture entities, which is attributable to the minority shareholders.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid instruments with remaining maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents that are contractually restricted from operating use are classified as restricted cash and cash equivalents. On December 22, 2017, we issued $300 million aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior unsecured notes due in 2026 (the December Notes). The proceeds of the December Notes plus prepaid interest and a premium for a special mandatory redemption option were deposited into escrow, where the funds remained until all the escrow release conditions were satisfied, specifically the closing of the acquisition of Silver Spring Networks, Inc. (SSNI) on January 5, 2018. We have recognized the balance in escrow as restricted cash in our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017. See "Note 6: Debt" for further details.
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash reported within the Consolidated Balance Sheets that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows:
Accounts Receivable, net
Accounts receivable are recognized for invoices issued to customers in accordance with our contractual arrangements. Interest and late payment fees are minimal. Unbilled receivables are recognized when revenues are recognized upon product shipment or service delivery and invoicing occurs at a later date. We recognize an allowance for doubtful accounts representing our estimate of the probable losses in accounts receivable at the date of the balance sheet based on our historical experience of bad debts and our specific review of outstanding receivables. Accounts receivable are written-off against the allowance when we believe an account, or a portion thereof, is no longer collectible.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value using the first-in, first-out method. Cost includes raw materials and labor, plus applied direct and indirect overhead costs. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the normal course of business, minus the cost of completion, disposal and transportation.
Derivative Instruments
All derivative instruments, whether designated in hedging relationships or not, are recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value as either assets or liabilities. The fair values of our derivative instruments are determined using the fair value measurements of significant other observable inputs (Level 2), as defined by GAAP. The fair value of our derivative instruments may switch between an asset and a liability depending on market circumstances at the end of the period. We include the effect of our counterparty credit risk based on current published credit default swap rates when the net fair value of our derivative instruments is in a net asset position and the effect of our own nonperformance risk when the net fair value of our derivative instruments is in a net liability position.
For any derivative designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings. For any derivative designated as a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) (OCI) and are recognized in earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. For a hedge of a net investment, any unrealized gain or loss from the foreign currency revaluation of the hedging instrument is reported in OCI as a net unrealized gain or loss on derivative instruments. Upon termination of a net investment hedge, the net derivative gain/loss will remain in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (AOCI) until such time when earnings are impacted by a sale or liquidation of the associated operations. We classify cash flows from our derivative programs as cash flows from operating activities in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Derivatives are not used for trading or speculative purposes. Our derivatives are with credit-worthy multinational commercial banks, with which we have master netting agreements; however, our derivative positions are not recognized on a net basis in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. There are no credit-risk related contingent features within our derivative instruments. Refer to "Note 7: Derivative Financial Instruments" and "Note 14: Shareholders' Equity" for further disclosures of our derivative instruments and their impact on OCI.
Property, Plant, and Equipment
Property, plant, and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 30 years for buildings and improvements and three years to 10 years for machinery and equipment, computers and software, and furniture. Leasehold improvements are capitalized and depreciated over the term of the applicable lease, including renewable periods if reasonably certain, or over the useful lives, whichever is shorter. Construction in process represents capital expenditures incurred for assets not yet placed in service. Costs related to internally developed software and software purchased for internal uses are capitalized and are amortized over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Repair and maintenance costs are recognized as incurred. We have no major planned maintenance activities.
We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset group may not be recoverable. Assets held for sale are classified within other current assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets, are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. Gains and losses from asset disposals and impairment losses are classified within the Consolidated Statements of Operations according to the use of the asset, except those gains and losses recognized in conjunction with our restructuring activities, which are classified within restructuring expense.
Prepaid Debt Fees
Prepaid debt fees for term debt represent the capitalized direct costs incurred related to the issuance of debt and are recognized as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the corresponding debt liability. We have elected to present prepaid debt fees for revolving debt within other long-term assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. These costs are amortized to interest expense over the terms of the respective borrowings, including contingent maturity or call features, using the effective interest method or the straight-line method when associated with a revolving credit facility. When debt is repaid early, the related portion of unamortized prepaid debt fees is written off and included in interest expense.
Business Combinations
On the date of acquisition, the assets acquired, liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interests in the acquiree are recognized at their fair values. The acquiree's results of operations are also included as of the date of acquisition in our consolidated results. Intangible assets that arise from contractual/legal rights, or are capable of being separated, as well as in-process research and development (IPR&D), are measured and recognized at fair value, and amortized over the estimated useful life. IPR&D is not amortized until such time as the associated development projects are completed or terminated. If a development project is completed, the IPR&D is reclassified as a core technology intangible asset and amortized over its estimated useful life. If the development project is terminated, the recognized value of the associated IPR&D is immediately expensed. If practicable, assets acquired and liabilities assumed arising from contingencies are measured and recognized at fair value. If not practicable, such assets and liabilities are measured and recognized when it is probable that a gain or loss has occurred and the amount can be reasonably estimated. The residual balance of the purchase price, after fair value allocations to all identified assets and liabilities, represents goodwill. Acquisition-related costs are recognized as incurred. Integration costs associated with an acquisition are generally recognized in periods subsequent to the acquisition date, and changes in deferred tax asset valuation allowances and acquired income tax uncertainties, including penalties and interest, after the measurement period are recognized as a component of the provision for income taxes. Our acquisitions may include contingent consideration, which require us to recognize the fair value of the estimated liability at the time of the acquisition. Subsequent changes in the estimate of the amount to be paid under the contingent consideration arrangement are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
We estimate the preliminary fair value of acquired assets and liabilities as of the date of acquisition based on information available at that time utilizing either a cost or income approach. The determination of the fair value is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Contingent consideration is recognized at fair value as of the date of the acquisition with adjustments occurring after the purchase price allocation period, which could be up to one year, recognized in earnings. Changes to valuation allowances on acquired deferred tax assets that occur after the acquisition date are recognized in the provision for, or benefit from, income taxes. The valuation of these tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities is subject to further management review and may change materially between the preliminary allocation and end of the purchase price allocation period. Any changes in these estimates may have a material effect on our consolidated operating results or financial position.
Leases - 2019
We adopted Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 842, on January 1, 2019, which required that substantially all our leases be recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability. Since ASC 842 required modified retrospective adoption, operating leases were not recognized on our balance sheet prior to January 1, 2019.
We determine if an arrangement is a lease at inception. A lease exists when a contract conveys to the customer the right to control the use of identified property, plant, or equipment for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The definition of a lease embodies two conditions: (1) there is an identified asset in the contract that is land or a depreciable asset (i.e., property, plant, and equipment), and (2) the customer has the right to control the use of the identified asset.
Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use ("ROU") assets, other current liabilities, and operating lease liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant, and equipment, other long-term assets, other current liabilities, and other long-term obligations on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
ROU assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. We use the rate implicit in the lease agreement when readily determinable. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate, which is the estimated rate of interest we expect to pay on a collateralized basis over a similar term, based on the information available at the lease commencement date. The Operating lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and is reduced by lease incentives received and initial direct costs incurred. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
We have lease agreements that include lease and nonlease components. When nonlease components are fixed, we have elected the practical expedient to account for lease and nonlease components as a single lease component, except for leases embedded in service contracts.
All leases with a lease term that is greater than one month are subject to recognition and measurement on the balance sheet, except where we have leases in service contracts with contract manufacturers. For leases with contract manufacturers, we have elected to utilize the short-term lease exemption.
Lease expense for variable lease payments, where the timing or amount of the payment is not fixed, are recognized when the obligation is incurred. Variable lease payments generally arise in our net lease arrangements where executory and other lease-related costs are billed to Itron when incurred by the lessor.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill and intangible assets may result from our business acquisitions. Intangible assets may also result from the purchase of assets and intellectual property in a transaction that does not qualify as a business combination. We use estimates, including estimates of useful lives of intangible assets, the amount and timing of related future cash flows, and fair values of the related operations, in determining the value assigned to goodwill and intangible assets. Our finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives based on estimated discounted cash flows, generally three years to ten years for core-developed technology and customer contracts and relationships. Finite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment at the asset group level when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Indefinite-lived intangible assets are tested for impairment annually, when events or changes in circumstances indicate the asset may be impaired, or when their useful lives are determined to be no longer indefinite.
Goodwill is assigned to our reporting units based on the expected benefit from the synergies arising from each business combination, determined by using certain financial metrics, including the forecasted discounted cash flows associated with each reporting unit. Each reporting unit corresponds with its respective operating segment. We test goodwill for impairment each year as of October 1, or more frequently should a significant impairment indicator occur. As part of the impairment test, we may elect to perform an assessment of qualitative factors. If this qualitative assessment indicates that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit, including goodwill, is less than its carrying amount, or if we elect to bypass the qualitative assessment, we would then proceed with the quantitative impairment test. The impairment test involves comparing the fair values of the reporting units to their carrying amounts. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the excess.
Determining the fair value of a reporting unit is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. We forecast discounted future cash flows at the reporting unit level using risk-adjusted discount rates and estimated future revenues and operating costs, which take into consideration factors such as existing backlog, expected future orders, supplier contracts, and expectations of competitive and economic environments. We also identify similar publicly traded companies and develop a correlation, referred to as a multiple, to apply to the operating results of the reporting units. These combined fair values are then reconciled to the aggregate market value of our common stock on the date of valuation, while considering a reasonable control premium.
Contingencies
A loss contingency is recognized if it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate, among other factors, the degree of probability of an unfavorable outcome and our ability to make a reasonable estimate of the amount of the ultimate loss. Loss contingencies that we determine to be reasonably possible, but not probable, are disclosed but not recognized. Legal costs to defend against contingent liabilities are recognized as incurred.
Bonus and Profit Sharing
We have various employee bonus and profit sharing plans, which provide award amounts for the achievement of financial and nonfinancial targets. If management determines it is probable that the targets will be achieved, and the amounts can be reasonably estimated, a compensation accrual is recognized based on the proportional achievement of the financial and nonfinancial targets.
Warranty
We offer standard warranties on our hardware products and large application software products. We accrue the estimated cost of new product warranties based on historical and projected product performance trends and costs during the warranty period. Testing of new products in the development stage helps identify and correct potential warranty issues prior to manufacturing. Quality control efforts during manufacturing reduce our exposure to warranty claims. When testing or quality control efforts fail to detect a fault in one of our products, we may experience an increase in warranty claims. We track warranty claims to identify potential warranty trends. If an unusual trend is noted, an additional warranty accrual would be recognized if a failure event is probable and the cost can be reasonably estimated. When new products are introduced, our process relies on historical averages of similar products until sufficient data is available. As actual experience on new products becomes available, it is used to modify the historical averages to ensure the expected warranty costs are within a range of likely outcomes. Management regularly evaluates the sufficiency of the warranty provisions and makes adjustments when necessary. The long-term warranty balance includes estimated warranty claims beyond one year. Warranty expense is classified within cost of revenues.
Restructuring
We recognize a liability for costs associated with an exit or disposal activity under a restructuring project in the period in which the liability is incurred. Employee termination benefits considered postemployment benefits are accrued when the obligation is probable and estimable, such as benefits stipulated by human resource policies and practices or statutory requirements. One-time termination benefits are recognized at the date the employee is notified. If the employee must provide future service greater than 60 days, such benefits are recognized ratably over the future service period. For contract termination costs, we recognize a liability upon the termination of a contract in accordance with the contract terms or the cessation of the use of the rights conveyed by the contract, whichever occurs later.
Asset impairments associated with a restructuring project are determined at the asset group level. An impairment may be recognized for assets that are to be abandoned, are to be sold for less than net book value, or are held for sale in which the estimated proceeds less costs to sell are less than the net book value. We may also recognize impairment on an asset group, which is held and used, when the carrying value is not recoverable and exceeds the asset group's fair value. If an asset group is considered a business, a portion of our goodwill balance is allocated to it based on relative fair value. If the sale of an asset group under a restructuring project results in proceeds that exceed the net book value of the asset group, the resulting gain is recognized within restructuring expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Defined Benefit Pension Plans
We sponsor both funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans for certain international employees. We recognize a liability for the projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets. We recognize an asset when plan assets exceed the projected benefit obligation. We also recognize the funded status of our defined benefit pension plans on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and recognize as a component of OCI, net of tax, the actuarial gains or losses and prior service costs or credits, if any, that arise during the period but that are not recognized as components of net periodic benefit cost. If actuarial gains and losses exceed ten percent of the greater of plan assets or plan liabilities, we amortize them over the employees' average future service period.
Share Repurchase Plans
From time to time, we may repurchase shares of Itron common stock under programs authorized by our Board of Directors. Share repurchases are made in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions and in accordance with applicable securities laws. Under applicable Washington State law, shares repurchased are retired and not displayed separately as treasury stock on the financial statements; the value of the repurchased shares is deducted from common stock.
Product Revenues and Service Revenues
Product revenues include sales from standard and smart meters, systems or software, and any associated implementation and installation revenue. Service revenues include sales from post-sale maintenance support, consulting, outsourcing, and managed services.
Revenue Recognition - 2019 and 2018
On January 1, 2018, we adopted Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASC 606), using the modified retrospective method. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under ASC 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under ASC 605, Revenue Recognition (ASC 605). Refer to our Revenue Recognition accounting policy described below and "Note 18: Revenues" for additional disclosures regarding our revenues from contracts with customers and the adoption of ASC 606.
The majority of our revenues consist primarily of hardware sales, but may also include the license of software, software implementation services, cloud services and SaaS, project management services, installation services, consulting services, post-sale maintenance support, and extended or customer-specific warranties. We account for a contract when it has approval and commitment from both parties, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability of consideration is probable. In determining whether the definition of a contract has been met, we consider whether the arrangement creates enforceable rights and obligations, which involves evaluation of contractual terms that would allow for the customer to terminate the agreement. If the customer has the unilateral right to terminate the agreement without providing further consideration to us, the agreement would not be considered to meet the definition of a contract.
Many of our revenue arrangements involve multiple performance obligations as our hardware and services are often sold together. Separate contracts entered into with the same customer (or related parties of the customer) at or near the same time are accounted for as a single contract when one or more of the following criteria are met:
•The contracts are negotiated as a package with a single commercial objective;
•The amount of consideration to be paid in one contract depends on the price or performance of the other contract; or
•The goods or services promised in the contracts (or some goods or services promised in each of the contracts) are a single performance obligation.
Once the contract has been defined, we evaluate whether the promises in the contract should be accounted for as more than one performance obligation. This evaluation requires significant judgment, and the decision to separate the combined or single contract into multiple performance obligations could change the amount of revenue and profit recognized in a given period. Some of our contracts contain a significant service of integrating, customizing or modifying goods or services in the contract, in which case the goods or services would be combined into a single performance obligation. It is common that we may promise to provide multiple distinct goods or services, in which case we separate the contract into more than one performance obligation. If a contract is separated into more than one performance obligation, we allocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation in an amount based on the estimated relative standalone selling prices of the promised goods or services. For goods or services where we have observable standalone sales, the observable standalone sales are used to determine the standalone selling price. For the majority of our goods and services, we do not have observable standalone sales. As a result, we estimate the standalone selling price using either the adjusted market assessment approach or the expected cost plus a margin approach. Approaches used to estimate the standalone selling price for a given good or service will maximize the use of observable inputs and considers several factors, including our pricing practices, costs to provide a good or service, the type of good or service, and availability of other transactional data, among others.
We determine the estimated standalone selling prices of goods or services used in our allocation of arrangement consideration on an annual basis or more frequently if there is a significant change in our business or if we experience significant variances in our transaction prices.
Many of our contracts with customers include variable consideration, which can include liquidated damage provisions, rebates and volume and early payment discounts. Some of our contracts with customers contain clauses for liquidated damages related to the timing of delivery or milestone accomplishments, which could become material in an event of failure to meet the contractual deadlines. At the inception of the arrangement and on an ongoing basis, we evaluate the probability and magnitude of having to pay liquidated damages. We estimate variable consideration using the expected value method, taking into consideration contract terms, historical customer behavior, and historical sales. In the case of liquidated damages, we also take into consideration progress towards meeting contractual milestones, including whether milestones have not been achieved, specified rates, if applicable, stated in the contract, and history of paying liquidated damages to the customer or similar customers. Variable consideration is included in the transaction price if, in our judgment, it is probable that a significant future reversal of cumulative revenue under the contract will not occur.
In the normal course of business, we do not accept product returns unless the item is defective as manufactured. We establish provisions for estimated returns and warranties. In addition, we do not typically provide customers with the right to a refund.
Hardware revenue is recognized at a point in time. Transfer of control is typically at the time of shipment, receipt by the customer, or, if applicable, upon receipt of customer acceptance provisions. We will recognize revenue prior to receipt of customer acceptance for hardware in cases where the customer acceptance provision is determined to be a formality. Transfer of control would not occur until receipt of customer acceptance in hardware arrangements where such provisions are subjective or where we do not have history of meeting the acceptance criteria.
Perpetual software licenses are considered to be a right to use intellectual property and are recognized at a point in time. Transfer of control is considered to be at the point at which it is available to the customer to download and use or upon receipt of customer acceptance. In certain contracts, software licenses may be sold with implementation services that include a significant service of integrating, customizing or modifying the software. In these instances, the software license is combined into single performance obligation with the implementation services and recognized over time as the implementation services are performed.
Hardware and software licenses (when not combined with professional services) are typically billed when shipped and revenue recognized at a point-in-time. As a result, the timing of revenue recognition and invoicing does not have a significant impact on contract assets and liabilities.
Professional services, which include implementation, project management, installation, and consulting services are recognized over time. We measure progress towards satisfying these performance obligations using input methods, most commonly based on the costs incurred in relation to the total expected costs to provide the service. We expect this method to best depict our performance in transferring control of services promised to the customer or represents a reasonable proxy for measuring progress. The estimate of expected costs to provide services requires judgment. Cost estimates take into consideration our historical experience and the specific scope requested by the customer and are updated quarterly. We may also offer professional services on a stand-ready basis over a specified period of time, in which case revenue would be recognized ratably over the term. Invoicing of these services is commensurate with performance and occurs on a monthly basis. As such, these services do not have a significant impact on contract assets and contract liabilities.
Cloud services and SaaS arrangements where customers have access to certain of our software within a cloud-based IT environment that we manage, host, and support are offered to customers on a subscription basis. Revenue for the cloud services and SaaS offerings are generally recognized over time, ratably over the contact term commencing with the date the services are made available to the customer.
Services, including professional services, cloud services, and SaaS arrangements, are commonly billed on a monthly basis in arrears and typically result in an unbilled receivable, which is not considered a contract asset as our right to consideration is unconditional.
Certain of our revenue arrangements include an extended or customer-specific warranty provision that covers all or a portion of a customer's replacement or repair costs beyond the standard warranty period. Whether or not the extended warranty is separately priced in the arrangement, such warranties are considered to be a separate good or service, and a portion of the transaction price is allocated to this extended warranty performance obligation. This revenue is recognized ratably over the extended warranty coverage period.
Hardware and software post-sale maintenance support fees are recognized over time, ratably over the life of the related service contract. Support fees are typically billed on an annual basis, resulting in a contract liability. Shipping and handling costs and incidental expenses billed to customers are recognized as revenue, with the associated cost charged to cost of revenues. We recognize sales, use, and value added taxes billed to our customers on a net basis.
Payment terms with customers can vary by customer; however, amounts billed are typically payable within 30 to 90 days, depending on the destination country. We do not typically offer financing as part of our contracts with customers.
We incur certain incremental costs to obtain contracts with customers, primarily in the form of sales commissions. Where the amortization period is one year or less, we have elected to apply the practical expedient and recognize the related commissions expense as incurred. Otherwise, such incremental costs are capitalized and amortized over the contract period. Capitalized incremental costs are not material.
Revenue Recognition - 2017
Revenues consist primarily of hardware sales, software license fees, software implementation, project management services, installation, consulting, and post-sale maintenance support. Revenues are recognized when (1) persuasive evidence of an
arrangement exists, (2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, (3) the sales price is fixed or determinable, and (4) collectability is reasonably assured.
Many of our revenue arrangements involve multiple deliverables, which combine two or more of the following: hardware, software, installation, and/or project management services. Separate contracts entered into with the same customer that meet certain criteria such as those that are entered into at or near the same time are evaluated as one single arrangement for purposes of applying multiple element arrangement revenue recognition. Revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables are divided into separate units of accounting at the inception of the arrangement and as each item in the arrangement is delivered. If the delivered item(s) has value to the customer on a standalone basis and delivery/performance of the undelivered item(s) is probable the total arrangement consideration is allocated among the separate units of accounting based on their relative fair values and the applicable revenue recognition criteria are then considered for each unit of accounting. The amount allocable to a delivered item is limited to the amount that we are entitled to collect and that is not contingent upon the delivery/performance of additional items. Revenues for each deliverable are then recognized based on the type of deliverable, such as (1) when the products are shipped, (2) services are delivered, (3) percentage-of-completion for implementation services, (4) upon receipt of customer acceptance, or 5) transfer of title and risk of loss. The majority of our revenue is recognized when products are shipped to or received by a customer or when services are provided.
Hardware revenues are generally recognized at the time of shipment, receipt by the customer, or, if applicable, upon completion of customer acceptance provisions.
Under contract accounting where revenue is recognized using percentage of completion, the cost to cost method is used to measure progress to completion. Revenue from network software and services are recognized using the units-of-delivery method of contract accounting, as network design services and network software are essential to the functionality of the related hardware (network) for certain contracts. This methodology results in the deferral of costs and revenues as professional services and software implementation commence prior to deployment of hardware.
In the unusual instances when we are unable to reliably estimate the cost to complete a contract at its inception, we use the completed contract method of contract accounting. Revenues and costs are recognized upon substantial completion when remaining costs are insignificant and potential risks are minimal.
Change orders and contract modifications entered into after inception of the original contract are analyzed to determine if change orders or modifications are extensions of an existing agreement or are accounted for as a separate arrangement for purposes of applying contract accounting.
If we estimate that the completion of a contract component (unit of accounting) will result in a loss, the loss is recognized in the period in which the loss becomes evident. We reevaluate the estimated loss through the completion of the contract component and adjust the estimated loss for changes in facts and circumstances.
A few of our larger customer arrangements contain clauses for liquidated damages, related to delays in delivery or milestone accomplishments, which could become material in an event of failure to meet the contractual deadlines. At the inception of the arrangement and on an ongoing basis, we evaluate if the liquidated damages represent contingent revenue and, if so, we reduce the amount of consideration allocated to the delivered products and services and recognize it as a reduction in revenue in the period of default. If the arrangement is subject to contract accounting, liquidated damages resulting from failure or expected failure to meet milestones are estimated and are accounted for as a reduction of revenue in the period in which the liquidated damages are deemed probable of occurrence and are reasonably estimable.
Our software customers often purchase a combination of software, software-related services, and post contract customer support (PCS). PCS includes telephone support services and updates or upgrades for software as part of a maintenance program. For these types of arrangements, revenue recognition is dependent upon the availability of vendor specific objective evidence (VSOE) of fair value for any undelivered element. We determine VSOE by reference to the range of comparable standalone sales or stated renewals. We review these standalone sales or renewals on at least an annual basis. If VSOE is established for all undelivered elements in the contract, revenue is recognized for delivered elements when all other revenue recognition criteria are met. Arrangements in which VSOE for all undelivered elements is not established, we recognize revenue under the combined services approach where revenue for software and software related elements is deferred until all software products have been delivered, all software related services have commenced, and undelivered services do not include significant production, customization or modification. This will also result in the deferral of costs for software and software implementation services until the undelivered element commence. Revenue would be recognized over the longest period that services would be provided, which is typically the PCS period.
Cloud services and SaaS arrangements where customers have access to certain of our software within a cloud-based IT environment that we manage, host and support are offered to customers on a subscription basis. Revenue for the cloud services and SaaS offerings are generally recognized ratably over the contact term commencing with the date the services is made available to customers and all other revenue recognition criteria have been satisfied. For arrangements where cloud services and SaaS is provided on a per meter basis, revenue is recognized based on actual meters read during the period.
Certain of our revenue arrangements include an extended or customer-specific warranty provision that covers all or a portion of a customer's replacement or repair costs beyond the standard warranty period. Whether or not the extended warranty is separately priced in the arrangement, a portion of the arrangement's total consideration is allocated to this extended warranty deliverable. This revenue is deferred and recognized over the extended warranty coverage period. Extended or customer-specific warranties do not represent a significant portion of our revenue.
We allocate consideration to each deliverable in an arrangement based on its relative selling price. We determine selling price using VSOE, if it exists, otherwise we use third-party evidence (TPE). We define VSOE as a median price of recent standalone transactions that are priced within a narrow range. TPE is determined based on the prices charged by our competitors for a similar deliverable when sold separately. If neither VSOE nor TPE of selling price exists for a unit of accounting, we use estimated selling price (ESP) to determine the price at which we would transact if the product or service were regularly sold by us on a standalone basis. Our determination of ESP involves a weighting of several factors based on the specific facts and circumstances of the arrangement. The factors considered include historical contractual sales, market conditions and entity specific factors, the cost to produce the deliverable, the anticipated margin on that deliverable, our ongoing pricing strategy and policies, and the characteristics of the varying markets in which the deliverable is sold.
We analyze the selling prices used in our allocation of arrangement consideration on an annual basis. Selling prices are analyzed on a more frequent basis if a significant change in our business necessitates a more timely analysis or if we experience significant variances in our selling prices.
Unearned revenue is recognized when a customer pays for products or services, but the criteria for revenue recognition have not been met as of the balance sheet date. Unearned revenue related primarily to professional services and software associated with our smart metering contracts, extended or customer-specific warranty, and prepaid post-contract support. Deferred costs are recognized for products or services for which ownership (typically defined as title and risk of loss) has transferred to the customer, but the criteria for revenue recognition have not been met as of the balance sheet date. Deferred costs are recognized within other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Hardware and software post-sale maintenance support fees, such as post contract support or extended warranty are recognized ratably over the life of the related service contract. Shipping and handling costs and incidental expenses billed to customers are recognized as revenue, with the associated cost charged to cost of revenues. We recognize sales, use, and value added taxes billed to our customers on a net basis.
Product and Software Development Costs
Product and software development costs primarily include employee compensation and third-party contracting fees. We do not capitalize product development costs, and we do not generally capitalize development expenses for computer software to be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed as the costs incurred are immaterial for the relatively short period of time between technological feasibility and the completion of software development.
Stock-Based Compensation
We grant various stock-based compensation awards to our officers, employees, and Board of Directors with service, performance, and market vesting conditions, including stock options, restricted stock units, phantom stock units, and unrestricted stock units (awards). We measure and recognize compensation expense for all awards based on estimated fair values. For awards with only a service condition, we expense stock-based compensation using the straight-line method over the requisite service period for the entire award. For awards with service and performance conditions where vesting is probable, we expense the stock-based compensation on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award. For awards with a market condition, we expense the fair value over the requisite service period. We have elected to account for forfeitures of any awards in stock-based compensation expense prospectively as they occur.
The fair value of stock options is estimated at the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Options to purchase our common stock are granted with an exercise price equal to the market close price of the stock on the date the Board of Directors approves the grant. Options generally become exercisable in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant and expire 10 years from the date of grant. Expected volatility is based on a combination of the historical volatility of our common stock and the implied volatility of our traded options for the related expected term. We believe this
combined approach is reflective of current and historical market conditions and is an appropriate indicator of expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate is the rate available as of the award date on zero-coupon U.S. government issues with a term equal to the expected term of the award. The expected term is the weighted average expected term of an award based on the period of time between the date the award is granted and the estimated date the award will be fully exercised. Factors considered in estimating the expected term include historical experience of similar awards, contractual terms, vesting schedules, and expectations of future employee behavior. We have not paid dividends in the past and do not plan to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
The fair value of a restricted stock unit is the market close price of our common stock on the date of grant. Restricted stock units vest over a maximum period of three years. After vesting, the restricted stock units are converted into shares of our common stock on a one-for-one basis and issued to employees. Certain restricted stock units are issued under the Long-Term Performance Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement and include performance and market conditions. The final number of shares issued will be based on the achievement of financial targets and our total shareholder return relative to the Russell 3000 Index during the performance periods. Due to the presence of a market condition, we utilize a Monte Carlo valuation model to determine the fair value of the awards at the grant date. Expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our common stock for the related expected term. We believe this approach is reflective of current and historical market conditions and is an appropriate indicator of expected volatility. The risk-free interest rate is the rate available as of the award date on zero-coupon U.S. government issues with a term equal to the expected term of the award. The expected term is the term of an award based on the period of time between the date of the award and the date the award is expected to vest. The expected term assumption is based upon the plan's performance period as of the date of the award. We have not paid dividends in the past and do not plan to pay dividends in the foreseeable future.
Phantom stock units are a form of share-based award that are indexed to our stock price and are settled in cash upon vesting and accounted for as liability-based awards. Fair value is remeasured at the end of each reporting period based on the market close price of our common stock. Phantom stock units vest over a maximum period of three years. Since phantom stock units are settled in cash, compensation expense recognized over the vesting period will vary based on changes in the fair value of the awards.
The fair value of unrestricted stock awards is the market close price of our common stock on the date of grant, and the awards are deemed fully vested. We expense stock-based compensation at the date of grant for unrestricted stock awards.
Excess tax benefits and deficiencies resulting from employee share-based payment are recognized as income tax provision or benefit in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, and as an operating activity on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
We also maintain an Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP) for our employees. Under the terms of the ESPP, employees can deduct up to 10% of their regular cash compensation to purchase our common stock at a 5% discount from the fair market value of the stock at the end of each fiscal quarter, subject to other limitations under the plan. The sale of the stock to the employees occurs at the beginning of the subsequent quarter. The ESPP is not considered compensatory, and no compensation expense is recognized for sales of our common stock to employees.
Income Taxes
We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method of accounting. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based upon anticipated future tax consequences, in each of the jurisdictions that we operate, attributable to: (1) the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective income tax bases; and (2) net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured annually using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The calculation of our tax liabilities involves applying complex tax regulations in different tax jurisdictions to our tax positions. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax legislation and/or rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recognized to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets if it is not more likely than not that such assets will be realized. We do not recognize tax liabilities on undistributed earnings of international subsidiaries that are permanently reinvested.
Foreign Exchange
Our consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities of international subsidiaries with non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date, or the last business day of the period, if applicable. Revenues and expenses for each subsidiary are translated to U.S. dollars using an average rate for the relevant reporting period. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included, net of tax, in OCI. Gains and losses that arise from exchange rate fluctuations for monetary asset and liability balances that are not
denominated in an entity's functional currency are included within other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Currency gains and losses of intercompany balances deemed to be long-term in nature or designated as a hedge of the net investment in international subsidiaries are included, net of tax, in OCI. Foreign currency losses, net of hedging, of $5.5 million, $3.0 million, and $5.1 million were included in other expenses, net, for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.
Fair Value Measurements
For assets and liabilities measured at fair value, the GAAP fair value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in different valuation methodologies, assigning the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in actively traded markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). Level 2 inputs consist of quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets and liabilities in non-active markets; and model-derived valuations in which significant inputs are corroborated by observable market data either directly or indirectly through correlation or other means. Inputs may include yield curves, volatility, credit risks, and default rates.
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02), which required that substantially all leases be recognized by lessees on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and corresponding lease liability, including leases previously accounted for as operating leases. The new standard also resulted in enhanced quantitative and qualitative disclosures, including judgments made by management, to provide greater insight into the extent of revenue and expense recognized and expected to be recognized from existing leases. The standard required modified retrospective adoption. We adopted ASC 842, as amended, on January 1, 2019, and it resulted in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use assets, other current liabilities, and operating lease liabilities of $74.6 million, $14.5 million, and $61.5 million, respectively, and a decrease in other current assets and other long-term obligations of $1.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). Accordingly, the standard requires an entity (customer) in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract to follow the guidance in ASC 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to capitalize as an asset related to the service contract and which costs to expense. The standard also requires us to amortize the capitalized implementation costs of a hosting arrangement that is a service contract over the term of the hosting arrangement, which includes reasonably certain renewals. We adopted ASU 2018-15 as of January 1, 2019, and it did not have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. We classify the capitalized implementation costs as prepaid assets, within other current assets and other long-term assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
In October 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-16, Inclusion of the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) Overnight Index Swap (OIS) Rate as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2019, and it did not materially impact our consolidated financial statements. This update establishes OIS rates based on SOFR as an approved benchmark interest rate in addition to existing rates such as the LIBOR swap rate.
Recent Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) (ASU 2016-13), which replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology based on expected credit losses. This estimate of expected credit losses uses a broader range of reasonable and supportable information. This change will result in earlier recognition of credit losses and immaterial modifications to our allowance for doubtful accounts. The FASB also issued codification improvements and transition relief in ASU 2019-04, ASU 2019-05 and ASU 2019-11, hereafter referred to as ASC 326. We will adopt ASC 326, as amended, on January 1, 2020. We do not anticipate that the adoption of ASC 326 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows, but are still evaluating the potential impact.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2018-13), which amends the disclosure requirements under ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for us beginning with our interim financial reports for the first quarter of 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on our consolidated financial statement disclosures related to assets and liabilities subject to fair value measurement.
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans (ASU 2018-14), which amends the disclosure requirements under ASC 715-20, Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans. ASU 2018-14 is effective for our financial reporting in 2020. We are currently evaluating the impact this standard will have on our consolidated financial statement disclosures for our defined benefit plans.
In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (ASU 2019-12), which modifies certain provisions of ASC 740, Income Taxes, in an effort to reduce the complexity of accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 is effective for us beginning with our interim financial reports for the first quarter of 2021. We are currently evaluating the effects and do not believe this standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Note 2: Earnings Per Share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share (EPS):
Stock-based Awards
For stock-based awards, the dilutive effect is calculated using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the dilutive effect is computed as if the awards were exercised at the beginning of the period (or at time of issuance, if later) and assumes the related proceeds were used to repurchase our common stock at the average market price during the period. Related proceeds include the amount the employee must pay upon exercise and future compensation cost associated with the stock award. Approximately 0.4 million, 1.1 million, and 0.2 million shares related to stock-based awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively, because they were anti-dilutive. These stock-based awards could be dilutive in future periods.
Note 3: Certain Balance Sheet Components
A summary of accounts receivable from contracts with customers is as follows:
Note 4: Intangible Assets and Liabilities
The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization (accretion) of our intangible assets and liabilities, other than goodwill, are as follows:
A summary of the intangible assets and liabilities account activity is as follows:
On January 5, 2018, we completed our acquisition of SSNI by purchasing 100% of the voting stock. Acquired intangible assets include in-process research and development (IPR&D), which is not amortized until such time as the associated development projects are completed. Of these projects, $3.1 million were completed during the first half of 2019 and are included in core-developed technology. Assumed intangible liabilities reflect the present value of the projected cash outflows for an existing contract where remaining costs are expected to exceed projected revenues.
Estimated future annual amortization (accretion) is as follows:
We have recognized amortization expense within operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. These expenses relate to intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed as part of business combinations.
Note 5: Goodwill
The following table reflects changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:
The accumulated goodwill impairment losses at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were $676.5 million. The goodwill impairment losses were originally recognized in 2011 and 2013.
Note 6: Debt
The components of our borrowings are as follows:
(1)During 2019 we made debt prepayments on the term loan in excess of required principal payments, reducing the current portion of debt to zero at December 31, 2019.
Credit Facility
On October 18, 2019 we amended our credit facility that was initially entered on January 5, 2018 (together with the amendment, the "2018 credit facility"). The 2018 credit facility provides for committed credit facilities in the amount of $1.2 billion U.S. dollars. The 2018 credit facility consists of a $650 million U.S. dollar term loan (the term loan) and a multicurrency revolving line of credit (the revolver) with a principal amount of up to $500 million. The revolver also contains a $300 million standby letter of credit sub-facility and a $50 million swingline sub-facility. The October 18, 2019, amendment extended the maturity date to October 18, 2024 and re-amortized the term loan based on the new balance as of the amendment date. The amendment also modified the required interest payments and made it based on total net leverage instead of total leverage. Amounts not borrowed under the revolver are subject to a commitment fee, which is paid in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter, ranging from 0.15% to 0.25% and drawn amounts are subject to a margin ranging from 1.00% to 1.75%. Both the term loan and the revolver can be repaid without penalty. Amounts repaid on the term loan may not be reborrowed and amounts borrowed under the revolver may be repaid and reborrowed until the revolver's maturity, at which time all outstanding loans together with all accrued and unpaid interest must be repaid.
The 2018 credit facility permits us and certain of our foreign subsidiaries to borrow in U.S. dollars, euros, British pounds, or, with lender approval, other currencies readily convertible into U.S. dollars. All obligations under the 2018 credit facility are guaranteed by Itron, Inc. and material U.S. domestic subsidiaries and are secured by a pledge of substantially all of the assets of Itron, Inc. and material U.S. domestic subsidiaries, including a pledge of their related assets. This includes a pledge of 100% of
the capital stock of material U.S. domestic subsidiaries and up to 66% of the voting stock (100% of the non-voting stock) of first-tier foreign subsidiaries. In addition, the obligations of any foreign subsidiary who is a foreign borrower, as defined by the 2018 credit facility, are guaranteed by the foreign subsidiary and by its direct and indirect foreign parents. The 2018 credit facility includes debt covenants, which contain certain financial thresholds and place certain restrictions on the incurrence of debt, investments, and the issuance of dividends. We were in compliance with the debt covenants under the 2018 credit facility at December 31, 2019.
Under the 2018 credit facility, we elect applicable market interest rates for both the term loan and any outstanding revolving loans. We also pay an applicable margin, which is based on our total leverage ratio as defined in the credit agreement. The applicable rates per annum may be based on either: (1) the LIBOR rate or EURIBOR rate (subject to a floor of 0%), plus an applicable margin, or (2) the Alternate Base Rate, plus an applicable margin. The Alternate Base Rate election is equal to the greatest of three rates: (i) the prime rate, (ii) the Federal Reserve effective rate plus 0.50%, or (iii) one month LIBOR plus 1%. At December 31, 2019, the interest rates for both the term loan and the revolver was 3.30%, which includes the LIBOR rate plus a margin of 1.50%.
At December 31, 2019, no amount was outstanding under the 2018 credit facility revolver, and $41.1 million was utilized by outstanding standby letters of credit, resulting in $458.9 million available for additional borrowings or standby letters of credit. At December 31, 2019, $258.9 million was available for additional standby letters of credit under the letter of credit sub-facility and no amounts were outstanding under the swingline sub-facility.
Senior Notes
On December 22, 2017 and January 19, 2018, we issued $300 million and $100 million, respectively, of aggregate principal amount of 5.00% senior notes maturing January 15, 2026 (Senior Notes). The proceeds were used to refinance existing indebtedness related to the acquisition of SSNI, pay related fees and expenses, and for general corporate purposes. Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15. The Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by each of our subsidiaries that guarantee the senior credit facilities.
Prior to maturity we may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes, together with accrued and unpaid interest, if any, plus a "make-whole" premium. On or after January 15, 2021, we may redeem some or all of the Senior Notes at any time at declining redemption prices equal to 102.50% beginning on January 15, 2021, 101.25% beginning on January 15, 2022 and 100.00% beginning on January 15, 2023 and thereafter to the applicable redemption date. In addition, before January 15, 2021, and subject to certain conditions, we may redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings at 105.00% thereof to the date of redemption; provided that (i) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes remains outstanding after such redemption and (ii) the redemption occurs within 60 days of the closing of any such equity offering.
Debt Maturities
The amount of required minimum principal payments on our long-term debt in aggregate over the next five years, are as follows:
Note 7: Derivative Financial Instruments
As part of our risk management strategy, we use derivative instruments to hedge certain foreign currency and interest rate exposures. Refer to "Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting Policies", "Note 14: Shareholders' Equity", and "Note 15: Fair Values of Financial Instruments" for additional disclosures on our derivative instruments.
The fair values of our derivative instruments are determined using the income approach and significant other observable inputs (are classified as "Level 2" in the fair value hierarchy). We have used observable market inputs based on the type of derivative
and the nature of the underlying instrument. The key inputs include interest rate yield curves (swap rates and futures) and foreign exchange spot and forward rates, all of which are available in an active market. We have utilized the mid-market pricing convention for these inputs. We include, as a discount to the derivative asset, the effect of our counterparty credit risk based on current published credit default swap rates when the net fair value of our derivative instruments is in a net asset position. We consider our own nonperformance risk when the net fair value of our derivative instruments is in a net liability position by discounting our derivative liabilities to reflect the potential credit risk to our counterparty through applying a current market indicative credit spread to all cash flows.
The fair values of our derivative instruments are as follows:
The changes in AOCI, net of tax, for our derivative and nonderivative instruments designated as hedging instruments, net of tax, were as follows:
Reclassification of amounts related to hedging instruments are included in interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Included in the net unrealized gain (loss) on hedging instruments at December 31, 2019 and 2018 is a loss of $14.4 million, net of tax, related to our nonderivative net investment hedge, which terminated in 2011. This loss on our net investment hedge will remain in AOCI until such time as earnings are impacted by a sale or liquidation of the associated foreign operation.
A summary of the potential effect of netting arrangements on our financial position related to the offsetting of our recognized derivative assets and liabilities under master netting arrangements or similar agreements is as follows:
Our derivative assets and liabilities subject to netting arrangements consist of foreign exchange forward and interest rate contracts with five counterparties at December 31, 2019 and 2018. No derivative asset or liability balance with any of our counterparties was individually significant at December 31, 2019 or 2018. Our derivative contracts with each of these counterparties exist under agreements that provide for the net settlement of all contracts through a single payment in a single currency in the event of default. We have no pledges of cash collateral against our obligations, and we have not received pledges of cash collateral from our counterparties under the associated derivative contracts.
Cash Flow Hedges
As a result of our floating rate debt, we are exposed to variability in our cash flows from changes in the applicable interest rate index. We enter into interest rate caps and swaps to reduce the variability of cash flows from increases in the LIBOR based borrowing rates on our floating rate credit facility. These instruments do not protect us from changes to the applicable margin under our credit facility. At December 31, 2019, our LIBOR-based debt balance was $550.2 million.
In October 2015, we entered into an interest rate swap, which is effective from August 31, 2016 to June 23, 2020, and converts $214 million of our LIBOR based debt from a floating LIBOR interest rate to a fixed interest rate of 1.42% (excluding the applicable margin on the debt). The notional balance will amortize to maturity at the same rate as required minimum payments on our term loan. Changes in the fair value of the interest rate swap are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income (OCI) and are recognized in earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. The amounts paid or received on the hedge are recognized as an adjustment to interest expense along with the earnings effect of the hedged item. The amount of net gains (loss) expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months is $0.2 million.
In November 2015, we entered into three interest rate cap contracts with a total notional amount of $100 million at a cost of $1.7 million. The interest rate cap contracts expire on June 23, 2020 and were entered into in order to limit our interest rate exposure on $100 million of our variable LIBOR based debt up to 2.00%. In the event LIBOR is higher than 2.00%, we will pay interest at the capped rate of 2.00% with respect to the $100 million notional amount of such agreements. The interest rate cap contracts do not include the effect of the applicable margin. As of December 31, 2016, due to the accelerated revolver payments from surplus cash, we elected to de-designate two of the interest rate cap contracts as cash flow hedges and discontinued the use of cash flow hedge accounting. The amounts recognized in AOCI from de-designated interest rate cap contracts were maintained in AOCI as the forecasted transactions were still probable to occur, and subsequent changes in fair value were recognized within interest expense. In April 2018, due to increases in our total LIBOR-based debt, we elected to re-designate the two interest rate cap contracts as cash flow hedges. Future changes in the fair value of these instruments will be recognized as a component of OCI, and these changes together with amounts previously maintained in AOCI will be recognized in earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. The amounts paid or received on the hedge are recognized as an adjustment to interest expense along with the earnings effect of the hedged item. The amount of net losses expected to be reclassified into earnings for all interest rate cap contracts in the next 12 months is $0.4 million.
In April 2018, we entered into a cross-currency swap, which converts $56.0 million of floating LIBOR-based U.S. Dollar denominated debt into 1.38% fixed rate euro denominated debt. This cross-currency swap matures on April 30, 2021 and mitigates the risk associated with fluctuations in currency rates impacting cash flows related to U.S. Dollar denominated debt in a euro functional currency entity. Changes in the fair value of the cross-currency swap are recognized as a component of OCI and will be recognized in earnings when the hedged item affects earnings. The amounts paid or received on the hedge are recognized as an adjustment to interest expense along with the earnings effect of the hedged item. The amount of net gains expected to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months is $1.1 million.
As a result of our forecasted inventory purchases in a non-functional currency, we are exposed to foreign exchange risk. We hedge portions of these purchases. During January 2019, we entered into foreign exchange option contracts for a total notional amount of $72 million at a cost of $1.3 million. The contracts matured ratably throughout the year with final maturity in October 2019. Changes in the fair value of the option contracts were recognized as a component of OCI and were recognized in product cost of revenues when the hedged item affected earnings. As of December 31, 2019, there are no more outstanding foreign exchange option contracts.
The before-tax effects of our accounting for derivative instruments designated as hedges on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, were as follows:
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Relationships
We are also exposed to foreign exchange risk when we enter into non-functional currency transactions, both intercompany and third-party. At each period-end, non-functional currency monetary assets and liabilities are revalued with the change recognized in other income and expense. We enter into monthly foreign exchange forward contracts, which are not designated for hedge accounting, with the intent to reduce earnings volatility associated with currency exposures. As of December 31, 2019, a total of 48 contracts were offsetting our exposures from the euro, Canadian dollar, Chinese yuan, Indonesian rupiah, Pound sterling, Brazilian real, and various other currencies, with notional amounts ranging from $109,000 to $26.4 million.
The effects of our derivative instruments not designated as hedges on the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, were as follows:
We will continue to monitor and assess our interest rate and foreign exchange risk and may institute additional derivative instruments to manage such risk in the future.
Note 8: Defined Benefit Pension Plans
We sponsor both funded and unfunded defined benefit pension plans offering death and disability, retirement, and special termination benefits for certain of our international employees, primarily in Germany, France, India, Indonesia, and Italy. The defined benefit obligation is calculated annually by using the projected unit credit method. The measurement date for the pension plans was December 31, 2019.
The following tables set forth the components of the changes in benefit obligations and fair value of plan assets:
Amounts recognized on the Consolidated Balance Sheets consist of:
Amounts recognized in OCI (pre-tax) are as follows:
If actuarial gains and losses exceed ten percent of the greater of plan assets or plan liabilities, we amortize them over the employees' average future service period. The estimated net actuarial loss and prior service cost that will be amortized from AOCI into net periodic benefit cost during 2020 is $1.9 million.
Net periodic pension benefit cost for our plans include the following components:
The components of net periodic benefit cost, other than the service cost component, are included in total other income (expense) on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The significant actuarial weighted average assumptions used in determining the benefit obligations and net periodic benefit cost for our benefit plans are as follows:
We determine a discount rate for our plans based on the estimated duration of each plan's liabilities. For euro denominated defined benefit pension plans, which represent 93% of our benefit obligation, we use discount rates with consideration of the duration of each of the plans, using a hypothetical yield curve developed from euro-denominated AA-rated corporate bond issues. These bonds are assigned different weights to adjust their relative influence on the yield curve, and the highest and lowest yielding 10% of bonds are excluded within each maturity group. The discount rates used, depending on the duration of the plans, were between 0.25% and 2.00%.
Our expected rate of return on plan assets is derived from a study of actual historic returns achieved and anticipated future long-term performance of plan assets, specific to plan investment asset category. While the study primarily gives consideration to recent insurers' performance and historical returns, the assumption represents a long-term prospective return.
The total accumulated benefit obligation for our defined benefit pension plans was $105.1 million and $97.3 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
The total obligations and fair value of plan assets for plans with projected benefit obligations and accumulated benefit obligations exceeding the fair value of plan assets are as follows:
Our asset investment strategy focuses on maintaining a portfolio using primarily insurance funds, which are accounted for as investments and measured at fair value, in order to achieve our long-term investment objectives on a risk adjusted basis. Our general funding policy for these qualified pension plans is to contribute amounts sufficient to satisfy regulatory funding standards of the respective countries for each plan.
The fair values of our plan investments by asset category are as follows:
The following tables present a reconciliation of Level 3 assets held during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
As the plan assets and contributions are not significant to our total company assets, no further disclosures are considered material.
Annual benefit payments for the next 10 years, including amounts to be paid from our assets for unfunded plans and reflecting expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid as follows:
Note 9: Stock-Based Compensation
We grant stock-based compensation awards under the Second Amended and Restated 2010 Stock Incentive Plan (Stock Incentive Plan), including stock options, restricted stock units, phantom stock, and unrestricted stock units. In the Stock Incentive Plan, we have 12,623,538 shares of common stock reserved and authorized for issuance subject to stock splits, dividends, and other similar events. At December 31, 2019, 5,977,990 shares were available for grant under the Stock Incentive Plan. We issue new shares of common stock upon the exercise of stock options or when vesting conditions on restricted stock units are fully satisfied. These shares are subject to a fungible share provision such that the authorized share reserve is reduced by (i) one share for every one share subject to a stock option or share appreciation right granted under the Plan and (ii) 1.7 shares for every one share of common stock that was subject to an award other than an option or share appreciation right.
As part of the acquisition of SSNI, we reserved and authorized 2,299,591 shares, collectively, of Itron common stock to be issued under the Stock Incentive Plan for certain SSNI common stock awards that were converted to Itron common stock awards on January 5, 2018 (Acquisition Date) pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger or were available for issuance pursuant to future awards under the Silver Spring Networks, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (SSNI Plan). New stock-based compensation awards originally from the SSNI Plan may only be made to individuals who were not employees of Itron as of the Acquisition Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, there is no fungible share provision for shares originally from the SSNI Plan.
We also periodically award phantom stock units, which are settled in cash upon vesting and accounted for as liability-based awards with no impact to the shares available for grant.
In addition, we maintain the ESPP, for which 232,563 shares of common stock were available for future issuance at December 31, 2019.
Unrestricted stock and ESPP activity for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 was not significant.
Stock-Based Compensation Expense
Total stock-based compensation expense and the related tax benefit were as follows:
Stock Options
A summary of our stock option activity is as follows:
At December 31, 2019, total unrecognized stock-based compensation expense related to unvested stock options was $2.5 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.3 years.
The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options granted and the resulting weighted average fair value are as follows:
Restricted Stock Units
The following table summarizes restricted stock unit activity:
At December 31, 2019, total unrecognized compensation expense on restricted stock units was $32.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.9 years.
The weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of performance-based restricted stock units granted with a service and market condition and the resulting weighted average fair value are as follows:
Phantom Stock Units
The following table summarizes phantom stock unit activity:
At December 31, 2019, total unrecognized compensation expense on phantom stock units was $5.3 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 2.1 years. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, we have recognized a phantom stock liability of $2.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively, within wages and benefits payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Note 10: Defined Contribution, Bonus, and Profit Sharing Plans
Defined Contribution Plans
In the United States, United Kingdom, and certain other countries, we make contributions to defined contribution plans. For our U.S. employee savings plan, which represents a majority of our contribution expense, we provide a 75% match on the first 6% of the employee salary deferral, subject to statutory limitations. For our international defined contribution plans, we provide various levels of contributions, based on salary, subject to stipulated or statutory limitations. The expense for our defined contribution plans was as follows:
Bonus and Profit Sharing Plans and Awards
We have employee bonus and profit sharing plans in which many of our employees participate, as well as an award program, which allows for recognition of individual employees' achievements. The bonus and profit sharing plans provide award amounts for the achievement of performance and financial targets. As the bonuses are being earned during the year, we estimate a compensation accrual each quarter based on the progress towards achieving the goals, the estimated financial forecast for the year, and the probability of achieving results. Bonus and profit sharing plans and award expense was as follows:
Note 11: Income Taxes
On December 22, 2017, H.R.1, commonly referred to as the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (Tax Act) was enacted into law in the United States. This new tax legislation represents one of the most significant overhauls to the U.S. federal tax code since 1986. The Tax Act lowered the U.S. corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% effective January 1, 2018. The Tax Act also includes numerous provisions, including, but not limited to, (1) imposing a one-time transition tax on certain unrepatriated earnings of foreign subsidiaries that had not been previously taxed in the U.S.; (2) creating a new provision designed to tax global intangible low-tax income (GILTI); (3) generally eliminating U.S. federal taxes on dividends from foreign subsidiaries; (4) eliminating the corporate alternative minimum tax (AMT); (5) creating the base erosion anti-abuse tax (BEAT); (6) establishing the deduction for foreign derived intangible income (FDII); (7) repealing the domestic production activity deduction; and (8) establishing new limitations on deductible interest expense and certain executive compensation.
On December 22, 2017, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (SAB 118), which provides guidance on accounting for the tax effects of the Tax Act. SAB 118 provides a measurement period that should not extend beyond one year from the Tax Act enactment date for companies to complete the accounting under ASC 740, Income Taxes. In accordance with SAB 118, a company must reflect the income tax effects of those aspects of the Tax Act for which the accounting under ASC 740 is complete. To the extent that a company's accounting for certain income tax effects of the Tax Act is incomplete but is able to determine a reasonable estimate, it must recognize a provisional estimate in the financial statements. Pursuant to SAB 118, we recognized provisional estimates for the impact of the Tax Act in 2017. This included a one-time tax charge of $30.4 million to remeasure our deferred tax assets as a result of these legislative changes. We have completed our accounting for the Tax Act, and we did not make any material adjustments to these provisional amounts for the year ended December 31, 2018.
The following table summarizes the provision (benefit) for U.S. federal, state, and foreign taxes on income from continuing operations:
The change in the valuation allowance does not include the impacts of currency translation adjustments, acquisitions, or significant intercompany transactions.
Our tax provision (benefit) as a percentage of income before tax was 28%, 12%, and 55% for 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Our actual tax rate differed from the 21% or 35% U.S. federal statutory tax rate due to various items. A reconciliation of income taxes at the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% for 2019 and 2018 and 35% for 2017 to the consolidated actual tax rate is as follows:
Change in tax rates line above includes the deferred tax impact of rate changes in 2017 to the U.S., France, and Luxembourg, among others. The rate change in 2019 related primarily to Luxembourg.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities consist of the following:
(1)For tax return purposes at December 31, 2019, we had U.S. federal loss carryforwards of $187.5 million, which begin to expire in the year 2020. At December 31, 2019, we have net operating loss carryforwards in Luxembourg of $992.7 million, the majority of which can be carried forward indefinitely, offset by a full valuation allowance. The remaining portion of the loss carryforwards are composed primarily of losses in various other state and foreign jurisdictions. The majority of these losses can be carried forward indefinitely. At December 31, 2019, there was a valuation allowance of $320.6 million primarily associated with foreign loss carryforwards and foreign tax credit carryforwards (discussed below).
(2)For tax return purposes at December 31, 2019, we had: (1) U.S. general business credits of $39.0 million, which begin to expire in 2022; (2) U.S. alternative minimum tax credits of $0.8 million that can be carried forward indefinitely; (3) U.S. foreign tax credits of $50.5 million, which begin to expire in 2024; and (4) state tax credits of $34.4 million, which begin to expire in 2020.
Changes in the valuation allowance for deferred tax assets are summarized as follows:
We recognize valuation allowances to reduce deferred tax assets to the extent we believe it is more likely than not that a portion of such assets will not be realized. In making such determinations, we consider all available favorable and unfavorable evidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax planning strategies, and our ability to carry back losses to prior years. We are required to make assumptions and judgments about potential outcomes that lie outside management's control. Our most sensitive and critical factors are the projection, source, and character of future taxable income. Although realization is not assured, management believes it is more likely than not that deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance, will be realized. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be reduced in
the near term if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward periods are reduced or current tax planning strategies are not implemented.
We do not provide U.S. deferred taxes on temporary differences related to our foreign investments that are considered permanent in duration. These temporary differences include undistributed foreign earnings of $13.7 million and $5.1 million at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Foreign taxes have been provided on these undistributed foreign earnings. As a result of recent changes in U.S. tax legislation, any repatriation of these earnings would not result in additional U.S. federal income tax.
We are subject to income tax in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in evaluating our tax positions and determining our provision for income taxes. During the ordinary course of business, there are many transactions and calculations for which the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. We establish reserves for tax-related uncertainties based on estimates of whether, and the extent to which, additional taxes will be due. These reserves are established when we believe that certain positions might be challenged despite our belief that our tax return positions are fully supportable. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the outcome of tax audits. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of reserve positions and changes to reserves that are considered appropriate.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
If certain unrecognized tax benefits are recognized they would create additional deferred tax assets. These assets would require a full valuation allowance in certain locations based upon present circumstances.
We classify interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits and interest income on tax overpayments as components of income tax expense. The net interest and penalties expense recognized is as follows:
At December 31, 2019, we are under examination by certain tax authorities. We believe we have appropriately accrued for the expected outcome of all tax matters and do not currently anticipate that the ultimate resolution of these examinations will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, future results of operations, or cash flows.
Based upon the timing and outcome of examinations, litigation, the impact of legislative, regulatory, and judicial developments, and the impact of these items on the statute of limitations, it is reasonably possible that the related unrecognized tax benefits could change from those recognized within the next twelve months. However, at this time, an estimate of the range of reasonably possible adjustments to the balance of unrecognized tax benefits cannot be made.
We file income tax returns in various jurisdictions. We are subject to income tax examination by tax authorities in our major tax jurisdictions as follows:
Note 12: Commitments and Contingencies
Guarantees and Indemnifications
We are often required to obtain standby letters of credit (LOCs) or bonds in support of our obligations for customer contracts. These standby LOCs or bonds typically provide a guarantee to the customer for future performance, which usually covers the installation phase of a contract and may, on occasion, cover the operations and maintenance phase of outsourcing contracts.
Our available lines of credit, outstanding standby LOCs, and bonds are as follows:
In the event any such standby LOC or bond is called, we would be obligated to reimburse the issuer of the standby LOC or bond; however, as of February 26, 2020, we do not believe that any outstanding LOC or bond will be called.
We generally provide an indemnification related to the infringement of any patent, copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property right on software or equipment within our sales contracts, which indemnifies the customer from and pays the resulting costs, damages, and attorney's fees awarded against a customer with respect to such a claim provided that (a) the customer promptly notifies us in writing of the claim and (b) we have the sole control of the defense and all related settlement negotiations. We may also provide an indemnification to our customers for third-party claims resulting from damages caused by the negligence or willful misconduct of our employees/agents in connection with the performance of certain contracts. The terms of our indemnifications generally do not limit the maximum potential payments. It is not possible to predict the maximum potential amount of future payments under these or similar agreements.
Legal Matters
We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims of which the outcomes are subject to significant uncertainty. Our policy is to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes related to legal matters, as well as ranges of probable losses. A determination of the amount of the liability required, if any, for these contingencies is made after an analysis of each known issue. A liability is recognized and charged to operating expense when we determine that a loss is probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated. Additionally, we disclose contingencies for which a material loss is reasonably possible, but not probable.
Warranty
A summary of the warranty accrual account activity is as follows:
Total warranty expense is classified within cost of revenues and consists of new product warranties issued, costs related to insurance and supplier recoveries, other changes and adjustments to warranties, and customer claims. Warranty expense was as follows:
Warranty expense decreased during the year ended December 31, 2019 compared with the same period in 2018. This decrease is primarily driven by a warranty reserve of $11.4 million for replacement of certain gas meters in our Device Solutions segment recognized in 2018.
Health Benefits
We are self-insured for a substantial portion of the cost of our U.S. employee group health insurance. We purchase insurance from a third-party, which provides individual and aggregate stop loss protection for these costs. Each reporting period, we expense the costs of our health insurance plan including paid claims, the change in the estimate of incurred but not reported (IBNR) claims, taxes, and administrative fees (collectively, the plan costs).
Plan costs were as follows:
IBNR accrual, which is included in wages and benefits payable, was as follows:
Our IBNR accrual and expenses may fluctuate due to the number of plan participants, claims activity, and deductible limits. For our employees located outside of the United States, health benefits are provided primarily through governmental social plans, which are funded through employee and employer tax withholdings.
Note 13: Restructuring
2018 Projects
On February 22, 2018, our Board of Directors approved a restructuring plan (2018 Projects) to continue our efforts to optimize our global supply chain and manufacturing operations, research and development, and sales and marketing organizations. We expect to substantially complete expense recognition on the plan by the end of 2020. Many of the affected employees are represented by unions or works councils, which require consultation, and potential restructuring projects may be subject to regulatory approval, both of which could impact the timing of charges, total expected charges, cost recognized, and planned savings in certain jurisdictions.
The total expected restructuring costs, the recognized restructuring costs, and the remaining expected restructuring costs related to the 2018 Projects are as follows:
2016 Projects
On September 1, 2016, we announced projects (2016 Projects) to restructure various company activities in order to improve operational efficiencies, reduce expenses and improve competitiveness. We closed or consolidated several facilities and reduce our global workforce as a result of the restructuring. The 2016 Projects were initiated during the third quarter of 2016 and were substantially complete as of December 31, 2018.
In April 2019, we completed the sale of our property in Stretford, United Kingdom. A gain on sale of $5.4 million was included in restructuring expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The total expected restructuring costs, the recognized restructuring costs, and the remaining expected restructuring costs related to the 2016 Projects are as follows:
The following table summarizes the activity within the restructuring related balance sheet accounts for the 2018 and 2016 Projects during the year ended December 31, 2019:
Asset impairments are determined at the asset group level. Revenues and net operating income from the activities we have exited or will exit under the restructuring projects are not material to our operating segments or consolidated results.
Other restructuring costs include expenses for employee relocation, professional fees associated with employee severance, and costs to exit the facilities once the operations in those facilities have ceased. Costs associated with restructuring activities are generally presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as restructuring, except for certain costs associated with inventory write-downs, which are classified within cost of revenues, and accelerated depreciation expense, which is recognized according to the use of the asset.
The current portion of restructuring liabilities were $18.9 million and $36.0 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The current portion of restructuring liabilities is classified within other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The long-term portion of restructuring liabilities balances were $37.2 million and $39.6 million as of
December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The long-term portion of restructuring liabilities is classified within other long-term obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and include severance accruals and facility exit costs.
All restructuring costs are recognized within the Corporate unallocated reporting segment.
Note 14: Shareholders' Equity
Preferred Stock
We have authorized the issuance of 10 million shares of preferred stock with no par value. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the affairs of the corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of any outstanding preferred stock will be entitled to be paid a preferential amount per share to be determined by our Board of Directors prior to any payment to holders of common stock. There was no preferred stock issued or outstanding at December 31, 2019 or 2018.
Stock Repurchase Authorization
On March 14, 2019, Itron's Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $50 million of our common stock over a 12-month period (the 2019 Stock Repurchase Program). Following the announcement of the program and through December 31, 2019, we repurchased 529,396 shares at an average share price of $47.22 (including commissions) for a total of $25 million. The remaining amount authorized for repurchase under the 2019 Stock Repurchase Program is $25 million. In accordance with the terms of our 5% senior notes indenture maturing January 15, 2026, we were limited to a total of $25 million in stock repurchases in 2019.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The changes in the components of AOCI, net of tax, were as follows:
The before-tax, income tax (provision) benefit, and net-of-tax amounts related to each component of OCI during the reporting periods were as follows:
Note 15: Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The fair values at December 31, 2019 and 2018 do not reflect subsequent changes in the economy, interest rates, tax rates, and other variables that may affect the determination of fair value.
The following methods and assumptions were used in estimating fair values:
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash: Due to the liquid nature of these instruments, the carrying value approximates fair value (Level 1).
Credit Facility - term loan and multicurrency revolving line of credit: The term loan and revolver are not traded publicly. The fair values, which are determined based upon a hypothetical market participant, are calculated using a discounted cash flow model with Level 2 inputs, including estimates of incremental borrowing rates for debt with similar terms, maturities, and credit profiles. Refer to "Note 6: Debt" for a further discussion of our debt.
Senior Notes: The Senior Notes are not registered securities nor listed on any securities exchange, but may be actively traded by qualified institutional buyers. The fair value is estimated using Level 1 inputs, as it is based on quoted prices for these instruments in active markets.
Derivatives: See "Note 7: Derivative Financial Instruments" for a description of our methods and assumptions in determining the fair value of our derivatives, which were determined using Level 2 inputs.
Note 16: Segment Information
We operate under the Itron brand worldwide and manage and report under three operating segments: Device Solutions, Networked Solutions, and Outcomes.
We have three GAAP measures of segment performance: revenues, gross profit (gross margin), and operating income (operating margin). Intersegment revenues are minimal. Certain operating expenses are allocated to the operating segments based upon internally established allocation methodologies. Corporate operating expenses, interest income, interest expense, other income (expense), and the income tax provision (benefit) are neither allocated to the segments, nor are they included in the measure of segment performance. In addition, we allocate only certain production assets and intangible assets to our operating segments. We do not manage the performance of the segments on a balance sheet basis.
Segment Products
Device Solutions - This segment primarily includes hardware products used for measurement, control, or sensing that do not have communications capability embedded for use with our broader Itron systems, i.e., hardware-based products not part of a complete "end-to-end" solution. Examples from the Device Solutions portfolio include: standard endpoints that are shipped without Itron communications, such as our standard gas meters, electricity IEC meters, and water meters, in addition to our heat and allocation products; communicating meters that are not a part of an Itron solution such as Smart Spec meters; and the implementation and installation of non-communicating devices, such as gas regulators.
Networked Solutions - This segment primarily includes a combination of communicating devices (smart meters, modules, endpoints, and sensors), network infrastructure, and associated application software designed and sold as a complete solution for acquiring and transporting robust application-specific data. Networked Solutions combines the majority of the assets from the recently acquired SSNI organization with our legacy Itron networking products and software and the implementation and installation of communicating devices into one operating segment. Examples from the Networked Solutions portfolio include: communicating measurement, control, or sensing endpoints such as our Itron® and OpenWay® Riva meters, Itron traditional ERT® technology, Intelis smart gas or water meters, 500G gas communication modules, 500W water communication modules; GenX networking products, network modules and interface cards; and specific network control and management software applications. The IIoT solutions supported by this segment include automated meter reading (AMR), advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), smart grid and distribution automation (DA), and smart street lighting and smart city solutions.
Outcomes - This segment primarily includes our value-added, enhanced software and services in which we manage, organize, analyze, and interpret data to improve decision making, maximize operational profitability, drive resource efficiency, and deliver results for consumers, utilities, and smart cities. Outcomes places an emphasis on delivering to Itron customers high-value, turn-key, digital experiences by leveraging the footprint of our Device Solutions and Networked Solutions segments. The revenues from these offerings are primarily recurring in nature and would include any direct management of Device Solutions, Networked Solutions, and other products on behalf of our end customers. Examples from the Outcomes portfolio include: our meter data management and analytics offerings; our managed service solutions including network-as-a-service and platform-as-a-service, forecasting software and services; and any consulting-based engagement. Within the Outcomes segment, we also identify new business models, including performance-based contracting, to drive broader portfolio offerings across utilities and cities.
Revenues, gross profit, and operating income associated with our segments were as follows:
During the year ended December 31, 2017, we recognized an insurance recovery associated with warranty expenses previously recognized as a result of our 2015 product replacement notification. As a result, gross profit increased $8.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2017. After adjusting for the tax impact, the recovery resulted in an increase of $0.13 and $0.12 for basic and diluted EPS, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017.
For all periods presented, no single customer represents more than 10% of total Company.
We currently buy a majority of our integrated circuit board assemblies from three suppliers. Management believes that other suppliers could provide similar products, but a change in suppliers, disputes with our suppliers, or unexpected constraints on the suppliers' production capacity could adversely affect operating results.
Revenues by region were as follows:
Property, plant, and equipment, net, by geographic area were as follows:
Depreciation expense is allocated to the operating segments based upon each segments use of the assets. All amortization expense is included in Corporate unallocated. Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets expense associated with our operating segments was as follows:
Note 17: Business Combinations
Silver Spring Networks, Inc.
On January 5, 2018, we completed the acquisition of SSNI by purchasing 100% of SSNI's outstanding stock. The acquisition was financed through incremental borrowings and cash on hand. Refer to "Note 6: Debt" for further discussion of our debt.
SSNI provided smart network and data platform solutions for electricity, gas, water and smart cities including advanced metering, distribution automation, demand-side management, and street lights. Solutions include one or several of the following: communications modules, access points, relays and bridges; network operating software, grid management, security and grid analytics managed services and SaaS; installation; implementation; and professional services including consulting and analysis. Upon acquisition, SSNI changed its name to Itron Networked Solutions, Inc. (INS) and initially operated separately as our Networks operating segment. Subsequent to the October 1, 2018 reorganization, the prior Networks operating segment was integrated into the new Networked Solutions and Outcomes operating segments.
The purchase price of SSNI was $809.2 million, which is net of $97.8 million of acquired cash and cash equivalents. Of the total consideration $802.5 million was paid in cash. The remaining $6.7 million relates to the fair value of pre-acquisition service for replacement awards of unvested SSNI options and restricted stock unit awards with an Itron equivalent award. We allocated the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimated fair value assessments. During the year ended December 31, 2019, we completed the measurement period for the acquisition of SSNI and any further adjustments to assets acquired or liabilities assumed will be recognized through the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The following reflects our allocation of purchase price:
The fair values for the identified trademarks and core-developed technology intangible assets were estimated using the relief from royalty method, which values the assets by estimating the savings achieved by ownership of trademark or technology when compared with the cost of licensing it from an independent owner. The fair value of customer contracts and relationship were estimated using the income approach. Under the income approach, the fair value reflects the present value of the projected cash flows that are expected to be generated.
The fair value of IPR&D was valued utilizing the replacement cost method, which measures the value of an asset based on the cost to replace the existing asset. We estimated it would take approximately one year to complete the in-process technology. A profit mark-up was used to account for the return that a third-party developer would require on development efforts for the asset based on expected earnings before interest and taxes, and a return of ten percent was used based on the risk of the asset relative to the overall business. IPR&D will be amortized using the straight-line method after the technology is fully developed and is considered a product offering. Incremental costs to be incurred for these projects are recognized as research and development expense as incurred within the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Core-developed technology represents the fair values of SSNI products that have reached technological feasibility and were part of SSNI's product offerings at the date of the acquisition. Customer contracts and relationships represent the fair value of the relationships developed with its customers, including the backlog. The core-developed technology, trademarks, and customer contracts and relationships intangible assets valued using the income approach will be amortized using the estimated discounted cash flows assumed in the valuation models.
Goodwill of $569.8 million arising from the acquisition consists largely of the synergies expected from combining the operations of Itron and SSNI, as well as certain intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. All of the goodwill balance was assigned to the prior Networks reporting unit and operating segment. Refer to "Note 5: Goodwill". We will not be able to deduct any of the goodwill balance for income tax purposes.
As a part of the business combination, we incurred $26.6 million and $91.9 million of acquisition and integration related expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Acquisition related expenses includes such activities as success fees, certain consulting and advisory costs, and incremental legal and accounting costs. Integration costs are expenses related to integrating SSNI into Itron, and include expenses such as accounting and process integration and the related consulting fees, severance, site closure costs, system integration, and travel associated with knowledge transfers as we consolidate redundant positions. All acquisition and integration related expenses are included within sales, general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The following table presents the revenues and net loss from SSNI operations that are included in our Consolidated Statements of Operations:
The following supplemental pro forma results (unaudited) are based on the individual historical results of Itron and SSNI, with adjustments to give effect to the combined operations as if the acquisition had been consummated on January 1, 2017.
The significant nonrecurring adjustments reflected in the proforma schedule above are considered material and include the following:
•Elimination of transaction costs incurred by SSNI and Itron prior to the acquisition completion
•Reclassification of certain expenses incurred after the acquisition to the appropriate periods assuming the acquisition closed on January 1, 2017
The supplemental pro forma results are intended for information purposes only and do not purport to represent what the combined companies' results of operations would actually have been had the transaction in fact occurred at an earlier date or project the results for any future date or period.
Note 18: Revenues
A summary of significant net changes in the contract assets and the contract liabilities balances during the period is as follows:
On January 1, 2019, total contract assets were $34.3 million and total contract liabilities were $136.5 million. On December 31, 2019, total contract assets were $50.7 million and total contract liabilities were $138.9 million. The contract assets primarily relate to contracts that include a retention clause and allocations related to contracts with multiple performance obligations. The contract liabilities primarily relate to deferred revenue, such as extended warranty and maintenance cost.
Transaction price allocated to the remaining performance obligations
Total transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations represents committed but undelivered products and services for contracts and purchase orders at period end. Twelve-month remaining performance obligations represent the portion of total transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations that we estimate will be recognized as revenue over the next 12 months. Total transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations is not a complete measure of our future revenues as we also receive orders where the customer may have legal termination rights but are not likely to terminate.
Total transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations related to contracts is approximately $1.4 billion for the next twelve months and approximately $931 million for periods longer than 12 months. The total remaining performance obligations consists of product and service components. The service component relates primarily to maintenance agreements for
which customers pay a full year's maintenance in advance, and service revenues are generally recognized over the service period. Total transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations also includes our extended warranty contracts, for which revenue is recognized over the warranty period, and hardware, which is recognized as units are delivered. The estimate of when remaining performance obligations will be recognized requires significant judgment.
Cost to obtain a contract and cost to fulfill a contract with a customer
Cost to obtain a contract and costs to fulfill a contract were capitalized and amortized using a systematic rational approach to align with the transfer of control of underlying contracts with customers. While amounts were capitalized, they are not material.
Disaggregation of revenue
Refer to "Note 16: Segment Information" and the Consolidated Statements of Operations for disclosure regarding the disaggregation of revenue into categories, which depict how revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors. Specifically, our operating segments and geographical regions as disclosed, and categories for products, which include hardware and software and services, are presented.
Note 19: Leases
We lease certain factories, service and distribution locations, offices, and equipment under operating leases. Our operating leases have initial lease terms ranging from 1 to 9 years, some of which include options to extend or renew the leases for up to 10 years. Certain lease agreements contain provisions for future rent increases. Our leases do not contain material residual value guarantees, and finance leases are not material.
The components of operating lease expense are as follows:
Supplemental cash flow information related to operating leases is as follows:
Supplemental balance sheet information related to operating leases is as follows:
Remaining maturities of operating lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019 are as follows:
Operating lease rental expense for factories, service and distribution locations, office, and equipment prior to adoption of ASC 842 was as follows:
The future obligations under operating leases in effect as of December 31, 2018 as determined prior to adoption of ASC 842 were as follows:
Note 20: Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
(1)The sum of the quarterly EPS data presented in the table may not equal the annual results due to rounding and the impact of dilutive securities on the annual versus the quarterly EPS calculations.
ITEM 9:
ITEM 9: CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
There were no disagreements with our independent accountants on accounting and financial disclosure matters within the three year period ended December 31, 2019, or in any period subsequent to such date, through the date of this report.
ITEM 9A:
ITEM 9A: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
An evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended. Based on that evaluation, the Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that as of December 31, 2019, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective to ensure the information required to be disclosed by an issuer in the reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. There are inherent limitations to the effectiveness of any system of disclosure controls and procedures, including the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of the controls and procedures. Accordingly, even effective disclosure controls and procedures can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving their control objectives.
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control- Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 Framework). Based on our evaluation under the 2013 Framework, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2019.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report that is included in this Annual Report.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the three months ended December 31, 2019 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the shareholders and the Board of Directors of Itron, Inc.
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of Itron, Inc. and subsidiaries (the "Company") as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, of the Company and our report dated February 26, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements and included an explanatory paragraph relating to the Company's adoption of ASC 606 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Seattle, Washington
February 26, 2020
ITEM 9B:
ITEM 9B: OTHER INFORMATION
No information was required to be disclosed in a report on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of 2019 that was not reported.
PART III
ITEM 10:
ITEM 10: DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The section entitled "Proposal 1 - Election of Directors" appearing in our Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 7, 2020 (the 2020 Proxy Statement) sets forth certain information with regard to our directors as required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Certain information with respect to persons who are or may be deemed to be executive officers of Itron, Inc. as required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K is set forth under the caption "Information about our Executive Officers" in Part I of this Annual Report.
The section entitled "Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports" appearing in the 2020 Proxy Statement sets forth certain information as required by Item 405 of Regulation S-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The section entitled "Corporate Governance" appearing in the 2020 Proxy Statement sets forth certain information with respect to the Registrant's code of conduct and ethics as required by Item 406 of Regulation S-K and is incorporated herein by reference. Our code of conduct and ethics can be accessed on our website, at www.itron.com under the Investors section.
There were no material changes to the procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to Itron's board of directors during 2020, as set forth by Item 407(c)(3) of Regulation S-K.
The section entitled "Corporate Governance" appearing in the 2020 Proxy Statement sets forth certain information regarding the Audit/Finance Committee, including the members of the Committee and the Audit/Finance Committee financial experts, as set forth by Item 407(d)(4) and (d)(5) of Regulation S-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 11:
ITEM 11: EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The sections entitled "Compensation of Directors" and "Executive Compensation" appearing in the 2020 Proxy Statement set forth certain information with respect to the compensation of directors and management of Itron as required by Item 402 of Regulation S-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
The section entitled "Corporate Governance" appearing in the 2020 Proxy Statement sets forth certain information regarding members of the Compensation Committee required by Item 407(e)(4) of Regulation S-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The section entitled "Compensation Committee Report" appearing in the 2020 Proxy Statement sets forth certain information required by Item 407(e)(5) of Regulation S-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12:
ITEM 12: SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The section entitled "Equity Compensation Plan Information" appearing in the 2020 Proxy Statement sets forth certain information required by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The section entitled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" appearing in the 2020 Proxy Statement sets forth certain information with respect to the ownership of our common stock as required by Item 403 of Regulation S-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 13:
ITEM 13: CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The section entitled "Corporate Governance" appearing in the 2020 Proxy Statement sets forth certain information required by Item 404 of Regulation S-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
The section entitled "Corporate Governance" appearing in the 2020 Proxy Statement sets forth certain information with respect to director independence as required by Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14:
ITEM 14: PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The section entitled "Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm's Audit Fees and Services" appearing in the 2020 Proxy Statement sets forth certain information with respect to the principal accounting fees and services and the Audit/Finance Committee's policy on pre-approval of audit and permissible non-audit services performed by our independent auditors as required by Item 9(e) of Schedule 14A and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
ITEM 15:
ITEM 15: EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
(a) (1) Financial Statements:
The financial statements required by this item are submitted in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
(a) (2) Financial Statement Schedule:
All schedules have been omitted because of the absence of conditions under which they are required or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.
(a) (3) Exhibits:
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Liberty Lake, State of Washington, on the 26th day of February, 2020.
ITRON, INC.
By:/s/ JOAN S. HOOPER
Joan S. Hooper
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 26th day of February, 2020.
SignaturesTitle
/s/ THOMAS L. DEITRICH
Thomas L. DeitrichPresident and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), Director
/s/ JOAN S. HOOPER
Joan S. HooperSenior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
/s/ THOMAS S. GLANVILLE
Thomas S. GlanvilleDirector
/s/ FRANK M. JAEHNERT
Frank M. JaehnertDirector
/s/ JEROME J. LANDE
Jerome J. LandeDirector
/s/ TIMOTHY M. LEYDEN
Timothy M. LeydenDirector
/s/ DANIEL S. PELINO
Daniel S. PelinoDirector
/s/ GARY E. PRUITT
Gary E. PruittDirector
/s/ DIANA D. TREMBLAY
Diana D. TremblayDirector
/s/ LYNDA L. ZIEGLER
Lynda L. ZieglerChair of the Board