| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of significant accounting policies
Basis of presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements are stated in U.S. dollars, except for amounts otherwise indicated. Intercompany transactions and balances with subsidiaries have been eliminated for consolidation purposes.
Substantially all net revenues, cost of net revenues and operating expenses, are generated in the Company’s foreign operations. Operating income of foreign operations amounted to 96.7% and 99.9% of the con solidated amounts during the nine -month periods ende d September 30, 2017 and 2016. Long-lived assets, Intangible assets and Goodwill located in the foreign jurisdictions totaled $247,401 thousands and $ 232,314 thousands as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
These interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the Company’s consolidat ed financial position as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. These financial statements also show the Company’s consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016; and sta tement of cash flows for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. These interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments that management believes are necessary to fairly state the Company’s financial position, operating results and cash flows.
Because all of the disclosures required by U.S. GAAP for annual consolidated financial statements are not included herein, these unaudited interim condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2016, contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The condensed consolidated statements of income, of comprehensive income and of cash flows for the periods presented herein are not necessarily indicative of results expected for any future period. For a more detailed discussion of the Company’s significant accounting policies, see note 2 to the financial statements in the Form 10-K. During the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017, there were no material updates made to the Company’s significant accounting policies.
Foreign currency translation
All of the Company’s foreign operations have determined the local currency to be their functional currency, except for Venezuela since January 1, 2010, as described below. Accordingly, these foreign operating subsidiaries translate assets and liabilities from their local currencies into U.S. dollars by using period-end exchange rates while income and expense accounts are translated at the average rates in effect during the period, unless exchange rates fluctuate significantly during the period, in which case the exchange rates at the date of the transaction are used. The resulting translation adjustment is recorded as a component of other comprehensive (loss) income.
Venezuelan currency status
Pursuant to U.S. GAAP, the Company has transitioned its Venezuelan operations to highly inflationary status as from January 1, 2010, which requires that transactions and balances are re-measured as if the U.S. dollar was the functional currency for such operation. The cumulative three year inflation rate as from December 31, 2010 exceeded 100% at each period end. Thus, the Company continues to treat the economy of Venezuela as highly-inflationary.
On March 9, 2016 the Central Bank of Venezuela (“BCV”) issued the Exchange Agreement No.35. The agreement established a “protected” exchange rate (“DIPRO”) for certain transactions, such as but not limited to: imports of goods of the food and health sectors, as well as supplies associated with the production of said sectors; expenses relating to health treatments, sports, culture, scientific research, and other urgent matters defined by the exchange regulations. All foreign currency transactions not expressly provided in Exchange Agreement No.35 will be processed on the alternate foreign currency markets governed by the exchange regulations, at the floating supplementary market exchange rate (“DICOM”).
Additionally, the agreement established that the alternate foreign currency markets referred to in Exchange Agreement No.33 of February 10, 2015 (“SIMADI”) will continue to operate until replaced by others. From March 31, 2016 through June 30, 2016, the SIMADI exchange rate increased from 273 BsF per U.S. dollar to 628 BsF per U.S. dollar, a 130% increase in the exchange rate. As a consequence of the local currency devaluation, the Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of $4.9 million during the second quarter of 2016.
Considering the significant devaluation and the lower U.S. dollar-equivalent cash flows then expected from the Venezuelan business, the Company reviewed its long-lived assets (including non-current other assets), goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful life for impairment and concluded that the carrying value of certain real estate investments in Venezuela as of June 30, 2016 would not be fully recoverable. As a result, on June 30, 2016, the Company recorded an impairment of offices and commercial property under construction included within non-current other assets of $13.7 million. The carrying amount of offices and commercial property under construction was adjusted to its estimated fair value of approximately $12.5 million as of June 30, 2016, by using the market approach, and considering prices for similar assets.
On May 19, 2017, the BCV issued the Exchange Agreement No.38, which established a new foreign exchange mechanism under DICOM, replacing SIMADI. The new mechanism consists of auctions, administered by an auction committee, where sellers and buyers from the private sector may offer foreign currency under certain limits determined by the BCV.
In light of the disappearance of SIMADI ( which closed at 728.0 per U.S. dollar), and the Company’s inability to gain access to U.S. dollars under SIMADI, it started requesting U.S. dollars through DICOM. As a result, the Company expects to settle its transactions through DICOM going forward and concluded that the DICOM exchange rate should be used as from June 1, 2017 to measure its bolivar-denominated monetary assets and liabilities and to measure the revenues and expenses of the Venezuelan subsidiaries. Therefore, a s of June 30, 2017, monetary assets and liabilities in Bolivares Fuertes (“BsF”) were re-measured to the U.S. dollar using the DICOM closing exchange rate of 2640.0 BsF per U.S. dollar. A s a consequence of the local currency devaluation, the Company recorded a foreign exchange loss of $22.0 million during the second quarter of 2017.
Considering the significant devaluation and the lower U.S. dollar-equivalent cash flows then expected from the Venezuelan business, the Company reviewed its long-lived assets (including non-current other assets), goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful life for impairment and concluded that the carrying value of certain real estate investments in Venezuela as of June 30, 2017 would not be fully recoverable. As a result, on June 30, 2017, the Company recorded an impairment of offices and commercial property under construction included within non-current other assets of $2.8 million. The carrying amount of offices and commercial property under construction was adjusted to its estimated fair value of approximately $9.7 million as of June 30, 2017, by using the market approach and considering prices for similar assets. As of September 30, 2017, the DICOM exchange rate was 3,345.0 BsF per U.S. dollar.
Until 2010 the Company was able to obtain U.S. dollars for any purpose, including dividends distribution, using alternative mechanisms other than through the Commission for the Administration of Foreign Exchange Control (CADIVI). Those U.S. dollars, obtained at a higher exchange rate than the one offered by CADIVI, and held at U.S. bank accounts of its Venezuelan subsidiaries, were used until 2011 for dividend distributions from its Venezuelan subsidiaries. The Company has not distributed dividends from the Venezuelan subsidiaries since 2011.
The following table sets forth the assets, liabilities and net assets of the Company’s Venezuelan subsidiaries, before intercompany eliminations of a net liability of $29,594 thousands and $ 15,843 thousands, as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and net revenues for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2017 and 2016:
September 30,
2017
2016
(In thousands)
Venezuelan operations
Net Revenues
$ 38,329
$ 26,451
September 30,
December 31,
2017
2016
(In thousands)
Assets
62,648
66,165
Liabilities
(37,269)
(22,950)
Net Assets
$ 25,379
$ 43,215
As of September 30, 2017, the net assets (before intercompany eliminations) of the Venezuelan subsidiaries amounted to 6.2% of consolidated net assets, and cash and investments of the Venezuelan subsidiaries held in local currency in Venezuela amounted to 2.2% of our consolidated cash and investments.
The Company’s ability to obtain U.S. dollars in Venezuela is negatively affected by the exchange regulations in Venezuela that are described above and elsewhere in these interim condensed consolidated financial statements. In addition, its business and ability to obtain U.S. dollars in Venezuela would be negatively affected by additional material devaluations or the imposition of significant additional and more stringent controls on foreign currency exchange by the Venezuelan government.
Despite the current difficult macroeconomic environment in Venezuela, the Company continues to actively manage, through its Venezuelan subsidiaries, its investment in Venezuela.
Income and asset taxes
The Company is subject to U.S. and foreign income taxes. The Company accounts for income taxes following the liability method of accounting which requires the recognition of deferred tax liabilities and assets for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets are also recognized for tax loss carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured 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 effect on deferred tax assets or liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded when, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that all or a portion of the Company’s deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company’s income tax expense consists of taxes currently payable, if any, plus the change during the period in the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities.
On August 17, 2011, the Argentine government issued a new software development law and on September 9, 2013 the regulatory decree was issued, which established the new requirement to become beneficiary of the new software development law. The decree establishes compliance requirements with annual incremental ratios related to exports of services and research and development expenses that must be achieved to remain within the tax holiday. The Company’s Argentine subsidiary has to achieve certain required ratios annually under the software development law in order to be eligible for the benefits mentioned below.
On September 17, 2015, the Argentine Industry Secretary issued Resolution 1041/2015 approving the Company’s application for eligibility under the new software development law for the Company’s Argentinean subsidiary, Mercadolibre S.R.L. Furthermore, on September 18, 2016, the Argentine Industry Secretary issued Resolutions 93/2016 and 97/2016 approving the Company’s application for eligibility under the new software development law for the Company’s Argentinean subsidiaries, Neosur S.RL. and Business Vision S.A. As a result, the Company’s Argentinean subsidiaries have been granted a tax holiday retroactive from September 18, 2014. A portion of the benefits obtained as beneficiaries of the new law is a relief of 60% of total income tax related to software development activities and a 70% relief in payroll taxes related to software development activities.
The benefits to the Company under the software development law will expire on December 31, 2019. As a result of the Company’s eligibility under the new law, it recorded an income tax benefit of $17,672 thousands and $6,367 thousands during the nine and three-month periods ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Aggregate per share effect of the Argentine tax holiday amounted to $0.40 and $0.14 for the nine and three -month periods ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Furthermore, the Company recorded a labor cost benefit of $5,513 thousands and $2,016 thousands during the nine an d three-month periods ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Additionally, $1,623 thousands and $587 thousands were accrued to pay software developme nt law audit fees during the nine an d three-month periods ended September 30, 2017, resp ectively. During the nine months period ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $16,018 thousands, a labor cost benefit of $4,173 thousands and $1,416 thousands were accrued to pay software development law audit fees. Additionally, during the third quarter of 2016, the Company recorded an income tax benefit of $6,823 thousands, a labor cost benefit of $2,167 thousands and $631 thousands were accrued to pay software development law audit fees. Aggregate per share effect of the Argentine tax holiday amounted to $0.46 and $0.20 for the nine a nd three-month periods ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the Company had included under non-current deferred tax assets the foreign tax credits related to the dividend distributions received from its subsidiaries for a total amount of $11,588 thousands and $13,515 thousands, respectively. Those foreign tax credits will be used to offset the future domestic income tax payable.
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
The following table sets forth the Company’s accumulated oth er comprehensive loss as of September 30, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016:
September 30,
December 31,
2017
2016
(In thousands)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Foreign currency translation
$ (277,171)
$ (259,226)
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments
518
(909)
Estimated tax (loss) gain on unrealized gains (losses) on investments
(178)
322
$ (276,831)
$ (259,813)
The following tables summarize the changes in accumulated balances of other comprehensive loss for the nine-month period ended September 30, 2017:
Unrealized
Foreign
Estimated tax
(Losses) Gains on
Currency
(expense)
Investments
Translation
benefit
Total
(In thousands)
Balances as of December 31, 2016
$ (909)
$ (259,226)
$ 322
$ (259,813)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications adjustments for gains (losses) on available for sale investments
518
(17,945)
(178)
(17,605)
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss
909
—
(322)
587
Net current period other comprehensive income gain (loss)
1,427
(17,945)
(500)
(17,018)
Ending balance
$ 518
$ (277,171)
$ (178)
$ (276,831)
Amount of (Loss) Gain
Reclassified from
Details about Accumulated
Accumulated Other
Other Comprehensive Loss
Comprehensive
Affected Line Item
Components
Loss
in the Statement of Income
(In thousands)
Unrealized losses on investments
$ (909)
Interest expense and other financial losses
Estimated tax gain on unrealized losses on investments
322
Income tax gain
Total reclassifications for the year
$ (587)
Total, net of income taxes
Impairment of long-lived assets
The Company reviews its long-lived assets (including non-current other assets) for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.
As explained in section “Foreign Currency Translation” of the present Note to these interim condensed consolidated financial statements, Venezuelan currency experienced a steep devaluation in the second quarter of 2017 and 2016.
Considering this change in facts and circumstances and the lower U.S. dollar-equivalent cash flows expected from the Venezuelan business, and long-lived assets expected use, the Company concluded that certain real estate investments held in Caracas, Venezuela, should be impaired. The fair value of long-lived assets was estimated through market approach using level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy. These level 3 inputs included, but are not limited to, executed purchase agreements in similar assets and third party valuations. As a consequence, the Company estimated the fair value of the impaired long-lived assets, and recorded impairment losses of $2.8 million and $13.7 million on June 30, 2017 and June 30, 2016, respectively.
Use of estimates
The preparation of interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are used for, but not limited to accounting for allowance for doubtful accounts and chargeback provisions, recoverability of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful life, useful life of long-lived assets and intangible assets, impairment of short-term and long-term investments, impairment of long-lived assets, compensation costs relating to the Company’s long term retention plan, fair value of convertible debt note, recognition of income taxes and contingencies. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recently issued accounting pronouncements
In 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. This new standard will replace all current GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition guidance provides a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. In 2016, the FASB issued several amendments to the standard, including principal versus agent considerations when another party is involved in providing goods or services to a customer and the application of identifying performance obligations. The Company has substantially completed the assessment on the adoption of this standard concluding that it is not expected to have a material measurement impact on the Company´s financial statements. However, the Company continues assessing the potential impacts regarding the presentation of certain incentives recorded as an expense under current guidance . The adoption of this standard will also require to expand and include certain additional disclosures. The standard is required to be applied either retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented or retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying it recognized at the date of initial application. The Company continues evaluating the transition method upon adoption. The Company will adopt the new revenue standard in its first quarter of 2018.
On February 25, 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-02. The amendments in this update create Topic 842, Leases, which supersedes Topic 840, Leases. The core principle of Topic 842 is that a lessee should recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. Previous GAAP did not require lease assets and lease liabilities to be recognized for most leases. A lessee should recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. For leases with a term of 12 months or less, a lessee is permitted to make an accounting policy election by class of underlying asset not to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities. Topic 842 retains a distinction between finance leases and operating leases. The classification criteria for distinguishing between finance leases and operating leases are substantially similar to the classification criteria for distinguishing between capital leases and operating leases in the previous leases guidance. The result of retaining a distinction between finance leases and operating leases is that under the lessee accounting model in Topic 842, the effect of leases in the statement of comprehensive income and the statement of cash flows is largely unchanged from previous GAAP. Based on existing leases currently classified as operating leases, the Company expects to recognize on the statements of financial position right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is assessing the effects that the adoption of this accounting pronouncement may have on the Company’s financial statements.
On June 16, 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of credit losses on financial instruments”. This update amends guidance on reporting credit losses for assets held at amortized cost basis and available for sale debt securities. For assets held at amortized cost basis, this update eliminates the probable initial recognition threshold in current GAAP and, instead, requires an entity to reflect its current estimate of all expected credit losses. For available for sale debt securities, credit losses should be measured in a manner similar to current GAAP, however this topic will require that credit losses be presented as an allowance rather than as a write-down. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019. The Company is assessing the effects that the adoption of this accounting pronouncement may have on its financial statements.
On October 24, 2016 the FASB issued “ASU 2016-16—Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory”. This update eliminates the prohibition on recognizing current and deferred income tax consequences for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset or assets have been sold to an outside party. Consequently, this update requires recognition of the current and deferred income tax consequences of an intra-entity asset transfer when the transfer occurs. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company´s financial statements.
On September 29, 2017 the FASB issued “ ASU 2017-13—Revenue recognition (Topic 605), Revenue from contracts with customers (Topic 606), Leases (Topic 840), and Leases (Topic 842)”. This update addresses Transition Related to Accounting Standards Updates No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) , and No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . This Update also supersedes SEC paragraphs pursuant the rescission of SEC Staff Announcement, “Accounting for Management Fees Based on a Formula”, effective upon the initial adoption of Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and SEC Staff Announcement, “Lessor Consideration of Third-Party Value Guarantees,” effective upon the initial adoption of Topic 842, Leases. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company´s financial statements. |
