Stryker Corp (SYK) SEC Quarterly Report (10-Q) for Q3 2017

NOTE 1 - BASIS OF PRESENTATION

General Information

These statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2016 . Management believes that the accompanying unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments, including normal recurring items, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the interim periods. However, the results of operations included in these Consolidated Financial Statements may not necessarily be indicative of our annual results. Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows and our segment information in Note 10.

New Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In August 2017 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging - Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which amends and simplifies hedge accounting guidance, as well as improves presentation and disclosure to align the economic effects of risk management strategies in the financial statements. The update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In May 2017 the FASB issued ASU 2017-09, Compensation - Stock Compensation, which revises the guidance related to changes in terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. We plan to adopt this update on January 1, 2018 and do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2017 the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits, which revises the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic post-retirement benefit cost. We plan to adopt this update on January 1, 2018 and do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In January 2017 the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations: Clarifying the Definition of a Business, which provides a more robust framework to use in determining when a set of acquired assets and activities constitutes a business.  

In February 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases. This update requires an entity to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for leases with terms greater than 12 months. We are in the process of evaluating the impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements and anticipate most of our current operating leases will result in the recognition of right to use assets and corresponding liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We also anticipate changes in classification between financial statement line items in our Consolidated Statements of Earnings and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, but do not anticipate adoption of the update will have a material impact on net earnings and cash flows. We plan to adopt this update on January 1, 2019.

In October 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which requires companies to account for the income tax effect of intercompany sales and transfers of assets other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Under current guidance, we defer the income tax effects of intercompany transfers of assets until the asset has been sold to an outside party or otherwise recognized. We are in the process of finalizing our assessment of this update, the impact of which we cannot reliably estimate due to potential changes in

business structures, future asset transfers, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and potential changes in rules and regulations enacted by tax authorities. We will adopt this update on January 1, 2018.

In May 2014 the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This update outlines a single, comprehensive model for accounting for revenue from contracts with customers. The guidance permits two methods of adoption: retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method) or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method). We plan to adopt this update on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. While we are still in the process of evaluating the full impact, we have identified certain immaterial historical revenue transactions on which the timing of recognition would have been different under this update. The actual amount of the cumulative adjustment will depend on the timing of revenue recognition of similar transactions at the end of 2017. While we cannot determine the amount based on information currently available, we do not expect it to have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements. We are in the process of updating our revenue accounting policy and implementing changes to our business processes and controls in response to the new update.

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

On January 1, 2017 we adopted ASU 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2016-09). The impact on our Consolidated Statements of Earnings was a tax benefit of $8 in the three months 2017 and $48 in the nine months 2017. In our 2016 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flow we reclassified $ 31 from other financing to income taxes within operating activities to conform to current year presentation.

On January 1, 2017 we adopted ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows: Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The adoption of this update did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

No other new accounting pronouncements were issued or became effective in the period that had, or are expected to have, a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

NOTE 2 - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (AOCI)

NOTE 3 - DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Foreign Currency Hedges

We use operational and economic hedges, foreign currency exchange forward contracts, net investment hedges (both long-term intercompany loans payable and forward exchange contracts) and interest rate derivative instruments to manage the impact of currency exchange and interest rate fluctuations on earnings and cash flow. We do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes. We did not change our hedging strategies, accounting practices or objectives from those disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2016 .

On September 30, 2017 the total after-tax amount in AOCI related to our designated net investment hedges was $21 . We evaluate the effectiveness of our net investment hedges quarterly. We have not recognized any ineffectiveness in 2017 .

We are exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by our counterparties on our outstanding derivative instruments but do not anticipate nonperformance by any of our counterparties. Should a counterparty default, our maximum exposure to loss is the asset balance of the instrument.

On September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 pretax gains on derivatives designated as hedges recorded in AOCI that are expected to be reclassified to earnings within 12 months of the balance sheet date were $2 and less than $1 . This reclassification is primarily due to the sale of inventory that includes previously hedged purchases. There were no ineffective portions of derivatives that resulted in gains or losses in any of the periods presented.

Interest Rate Risk on Future Debt Issuance

On  September 30, 2017 we had interest rate swaps with notional amounts of $ 600 designated as forward starting interest rate swaps in anticipation of future debt issuances. The market value of outstanding interest rate swap agreements on September 30, 2017 was $40 , which was recorded in other current assets with an offsetting amount recorded in AOCI. Upon the probable issuance of the debt, these amounts will be released to interest expense over the term of the debt. The cash flow effect of this hedge is recorded in cash flow from operations.

On  September 30, 2017 we had interest rate swaps with gross notional amounts of $500 designated as fair value hedges of underlying fixed rate obligations representing a portion of our $600 senior unsecured notes due in 2024. There was no hedge ineffectiveness recorded as a result of these fair value hedges in 2017 .

NOTE 4 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

When applying the fair value principles in the valuation of assets and liabilities, we are required to maximize the use of quoted market prices and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. We calculate the fair value of our Level 1 and Level 2 instruments based on the exchange traded price of identical or similar instruments, where available, or based on other observable inputs taking into account our credit and that of our counterparties. Foreign currency exchange contracts and interest rate hedges are included in Level 2 as we use inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability. The Level 2 derivative instruments are primarily valued using standard calculations and models that are based on readily observable market data. Our Level 3 liabilities represent milestone payments for acquisitions recorded at fair value calculated using either the Black-Scholes option pricing model or a discounted cash flow technique. Significant unobservable inputs were used in our probability assessments and were appropriately discounted considering the uncertainties associated with the obligation. We estimate that substantially all triggering events will occur. We remeasure the fair value of our assets and liabilities each reporting period. We record the changes in fair value within selling, general and administrative expense and the changes in the time value of money within other income (expense), net.

There were no significant transfers into or out of any level in 2017 .

On September 30, 2017 the aggregate difference between the cost and fair value of available-for-sale marketable securities was nominal. Interest and marketable securities income was $15 and $7 in the three months and $38 and $19 in the nine months 2017 and 2016 , which was recorded in other income (expense), net.

Less than 1% of our investments in available-for-sale marketable securities had a credit quality rating of less than A2 (Moody's), A (Standard & Poor's) and A (Fitch). We do not plan to sell the investments, and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the investments before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be maturity. We do not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired on September 30, 2017 . Substantially all our investments with unrealized losses that were not deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired were in a continuous unrealized loss position for less than twelve months, and the losses were nominal.

NOTE 5 - ACQUISITIONS

In September 2017 we completed the acquisition of NOVADAQ Technologies Inc. (NOVADAQ) for total consideration of approximately $716 . NOVADAQ is a leading developer of fluorescence imaging technology that provides surgeons with visualization of blood flow in vessels and related tissue perfusion in cardiac, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, plastic, microsurgical, and reconstructive procedures. This acquisition enhances product offerings within our MedSurg segment.

In April 2016 we completed the acquisition of Sage Products, LLC (Sage) for total consideration of approximately $2,875 . Sage develops, manufactures and distributes intensive care disposable products. This acquisition enhanced our product offerings within our MedSurg segment. The finalization of our purchase price allocation resulted in a $30 increase in goodwill from our preliminary allocation in 2016.

In April 2016 we completed the acquisition of Physio-Control International, Inc. (Physio) for total net consideration of approximately $ 1,299 . Physio develops, manufactures and markets monitors/defibrillators, AEDs and CPR-assist devices along with data management and support services. This acquisition enhanced our product offerings within our MedSurg segment. The finalization of our purchase price allocation resulted in a $19 decrease in goodwill from our preliminary allocation in 2016.

The Other acquisitions in 2016 include the acquisition of the Synergetics neuro portfolio (Synergetics). The Synergetics acquisition enhanced our product offerings within our MedSurg segment. The finalization of our purchase price allocation resulted in an $11 increase in goodwill from our preliminary allocation in 2016.

Purchase price allocations for NOVADAQ and certain Other acquisitions in 2017 and 2016 are based on preliminary valuations. Our estimates and assumptions are subject to change within the measurement period.

Goodwill acquired with the Sage and Synergetics acquisitions is deductible for tax purposes.

NOTE 6 - CONTINGENCIES AND COMMITMENTS

We are involved in various ongoing proceedings, legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business, including proceedings related to product, labor, intellectual property and other matters that are more fully described below. The outcomes of these matters will generally not be known for prolonged periods of time. In certain of the legal proceedings, the claimants seek damages as well as other compensatory and equitable relief that could result in the payment of significant claims and settlements and/or the imposition of injunctions or other equitable relief. For legal matters for which management had sufficient information to reasonably estimate our future obligations, a liability representing management's best estimate of the probable loss, or the minimum of the range of probable losses when a best estimate within the range is not known, is recorded. The estimates are based on consultation with legal counsel, previous settlement experience and settlement strategies. If actual outcomes are less favorable than those estimated by management, additional expense may be incurred, which could unfavorably affect future operating results. We are self-insured for product liability claims and expenses. The ultimate cost to us with respect to product liability claims could be materially different than the amount of the current estimates and accruals and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In June 2012 we voluntarily recalled our Rejuvenate and ABG II Modular-Neck hip stems and terminated global distribution of these hip products. Product liability lawsuits relating to this voluntary recall have been filed against us. On November 3, 2014 we announced that we had entered into a settlement agreement to compensate eligible United States patients who had revision surgery to replace their Rejuvenate and/or ABG II Modular-Neck hip stem prior to that date and in December 2016 the settlement program was extended to patients who had revision surgery prior to December 19, 2016. We continue to offer support for recall-related care and reimburse patients who are not eligible to enroll in the settlement program for testing and treatment services, including any necessary revision

surgeries. In addition, some lawsuits remain and we will continue to defend against them. Based on the information that has been received, the actuarially determined range of probable loss to resolve this matter globally is currently estimated to be approximately $2,072 to $2,327 (net of $232 of third-party insurance recoveries). We recognized additional charges to earnings of $35 and $104 in the three and nine months 2017 , representing the excess of the minimum of the range over the previously recorded reserves. The final outcome of this matter is dependent on many factors that are difficult to predict including the number of enrollees in the settlement program and the total awards to them, the number and costs of patients not eligible for the settlement program who seek testing and treatment services and require revision surgery and the number and actual costs to resolve the remaining lawsuits. Accordingly, the ultimate cost to resolve this entire matter globally may be materially different than the amount of the current estimate and accruals and could have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In 2010 we filed a lawsuit in federal court against Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. (Zimmer), alleging that a Zimmer product infringed on three of our patents. In 2013 following a jury trial favorable to us, the trial judge entered a final judgment that, among other things, awarded us damages of $76 and ordered Zimmer to pay us enhanced damages. Zimmer appealed this ruling. In December 2014 the Federal Circuit affirmed the damages awarded to us, reversed the order for enhanced damages and remanded the issue of attorney fees to the trial court. In May 2015 the trial court entered a stipulated judgment that, among other things, required Zimmer to pay us the base amount of damages and interest, while the issues of enhanced damages and attorney fees continue to be pursued. In June 2015 we recorded a $54 gain, net of legal costs, which was recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses. On June 13, 2016 the United States Supreme Court vacated the decision of the Federal Circuit that reversed our judgment for enhanced damages and remanded the case to the Federal Circuit to reconsider the issue. On September 12, 2016 the Federal Circuit issued an opinion that, among other things, remanded the issue of enhanced damages to the trial court. On July 12, 2017 the trial court reaffirmed its award of enhanced damages and then entered a judgment of $164 in our favor. On July 24, 2017 Zimmer filed a notice of appeal of this decision.

In April 2011 Hill-Rom Company, Inc. and affiliated entities (Hill-Rom) brought a lawsuit against us alleging infringement under United States patent laws with respect to nine patents related to electrical network communications for hospital beds. On July 18, 2017 the parties resolved the litigation pursuant to a confidential settlement agreement under which we agreed to pay $15 to Hill-Rom.

NOTE 7 - DEBT AND CREDIT FACILITIES

In January 2017 we issued $500 of senior unsecured notes with an interest rate of 1.800% due on January 15, 2019. Our commercial paper program allows us to have a maximum of $1,500 in commercial paper outstanding with maturities up to 397 days from the date of issuance. On September 30, 2017 there were no amounts outstanding under our commercial paper program.

We have lines of credit issued by various financial institutions that are available to fund our day-to-day operating needs. Certain of our credit facilities require us to comply with financial and other covenants. We were in compliance with all covenants on September 30, 2017 .

The fair value of the debt (excluding the interest rate hedge) was estimated using quoted interest rates, maturities and amounts of borrowings based on quoted active market prices and yields that took into account the underlying terms of the debt instruments. Substantially all of our debt is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

NOTE 8 - CAPITAL STOCK

In February 2017 we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.425 per share payable on April 28, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 31, 2017 . In May 2017 we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.425 per share payable on July 31, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on June 30, 2017 . In August 2017 we declared a quarterly dividend of $0.425 per share payable on October 31, 2017 to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 29, 2017 .

In March 2015 we announced that our Board of Directors had authorized us to purchase up to $2,000 of our common stock. In January 2017 we repurchased 1.9 million shares at a cost of $230 under our authorized repurchase program. The manner, timing and amount of repurchases are determined by management based on an evaluation of market conditions, stock price, and other factors and is subject to regulatory considerations. Purchases are made from time-to-time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise. On September 30, 2017 the total dollar value of shares that could be acquired under our authorized repurchase program was $1,640 .

NOTE 9 - INCOME TAXES

Our effective tax rates were 7.9% and 15.2% in the three months and 10.3% and 14.7% in the nine months 2017 and 2016 . The decrease in the effective income tax rates in the three and nine months 2017 was primarily due to the income tax effect of the adoption of ASU 2016-09. Refer to Note 1 for further information.

NOTE 10 - SEGMENT INFORMATION

There were no significant changes to total assets by segment from information provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2016 .

ABOUT STRYKER

Stryker Corporation is a global leader in medical technology with net sales of $11,325 and net earnings of $1,647 in 2016 . We offer a diverse array of innovative medical technologies, including orthopaedic, medical and surgical, and neurotechnology and spine products, to help people lead more active and satisfying lives.

We segregate our operations into three reportable business segments: Orthopaedics, MedSurg, and Neurotechnology and Spine. Orthopaedics products consist primarily of implants used in hip and knee joint replacements and trauma and extremities surgeries. MedSurg products include surgical equipment and surgical navigation systems (Instruments), endoscopic and communications systems (Endoscopy), patient handling and emergency medical equipment, and intensive care disposable products (Medical), reprocessed and remanufactured medical devices (Sustainability) and other medical device products used in a variety of medical specialties. Neurotechnology and Spine products include neurosurgical, neurovascular and spinal implant devices.

Overview of the Three and Nine Months

In the three months 2017 we achieved sales growth of 6.1% . Excluding the impact of acquisitions, sales grew 5.5% in constant currency, in line with our goal to grow organic sales at the high-end of the medical technology industry. We reported net earnings of $434 in the three months and achieved 21.3% growth in net earnings per diluted share. Excluding the impact of certain items, we achieved adjusted net earnings (1) of $578 and growth of 9.4% in adjusted net earnings per diluted share (1) .

In the nine months 2017 we achieved sales growth of 9.9% . Excluding the impact of acquisitions, sales grew 6.7% in constant currency, in line with our goal to grow organic sales at the high-end of the medical technology industry. We reported net earnings of $1,269 in the nine months and achieved 11.0% growth in net earnings per diluted share. Excluding the impact of certain items,

we achieved adjusted net earnings (1) of $1,719 and growth of 12.7% in adjusted net earnings per diluted share (1) .

Recent Developments

In October 2017 we acquired a majority of the outstanding equity securities of VEXIM, a French public company, and commenced a tender offer to acquire all of VEXIM's remaining outstanding equity securities for total cash consideration of approximately $215. VEXIM is a medical device company specializing in the minimally-invasive treatment of vertebral fractures and had net sales in 2016 of approximately $19. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2017.

In September 2017 we completed the acquisition of NOVADAQ Technologies Inc. (NOVADAQ) for total consideration of approximately $716. NOVADAQ is a leading developer of fluorescence imaging technology that provides surgeons with visualization of blood flow in vessels and related tissue perfusion in cardiac, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, plastic, microsurgical, and reconstructive procedures.

In August 2017, we initiated a voluntary product recall involving specific lots of our Sage Products (Sage) Oral Care products. We took this action in response to a Warning Letter received from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) dated July 17, 2017, which set forth concerns regarding the potential for cross-contamination of Oral Care solutions manufactured by a third party supplier on equipment also used to manufacture non-pharmaceutical products.  We discontinued business with the third-party supplier and the Oral Care solutions are now being manufactured in-house by Sage. We resumed shipping Oral Care products in October and continue to anticipate a return to full supply capacity by year-end.

We also placed Sage cloth-based products on a temporary ship hold during the quarter in response to concerns set forth in the FDA Warning Letter regarding testing methods used for all Sage products containing solutions.  We resumed shipping products manufactured by Sage and tested under the testing method required by FDA in September and continue to anticipate a return to full supply capacity by year-end.