NOW (DNOW) 10-Q 1 Nov 17 2017 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Oct. 25, 2017
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	DNOW
Entity Registrant Name	NOW INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1,599,617
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		107,803,100

Consolidated Balance Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 99	$ 106
Receivables, net	466	354
Inventories, net	562	483
Prepaid and other current assets	22	16
Total current assets	1,149	959
Property, plant and equipment, net	126	143
Deferred income taxes	2	1
Goodwill	328	311
Intangibles, net	171	184
Other assets	4	5
Total assets	1,780	1,603
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	310	246
Accrued liabilities	111	100
Other current liabilities	1	1
Total current liabilities	422	347
Long-term debt	163	65
Deferred income taxes	7	7
Other long-term liabilities	1	1
Total liabilities	593	420
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock—par value $0.01; 20 million shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding
Common stock - par value $0.01; 330 million shares authorized; 107,803,100 and 107,474,904 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	1	1
Additional paid-in capital	2,017	2,002
Accumulated deficit	(727)	(678)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(104)	(142)
Total stockholders' equity	1,187	1,183
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$ 1,780	$ 1,603

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract]
Preferred stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	20,000,000	20,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	330,000,000	330,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	107,803,100	107,474,904
Common stock, shares outstanding	107,803,100	107,474,904

Consolidated Statements of Oper

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 697	$ 520	$ 1,979	$ 1,569
Operating expenses:
Cost of products	562	433	1,606	1,312
Warehousing, selling and administrative	141	140	414	432
Operating loss	(6)	(53)	(41)	(175)
Other expense	(3)	(3)	(8)	(7)
Loss before income taxes	(9)	(56)	(49)	(182)
Income tax provision (benefit)	0	0	0	(19)
Net loss	$ (9)	$ (56)	$ (49)	$ (163)
Loss per share:
Basic loss per common share	$ (0.08)	$ (0.53)	$ (0.45)	$ (1.52)
Diluted loss per common share	$ (0.08)	$ (0.53)	$ (0.45)	$ (1.52)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic	107,752,427	107,473,952	107,695,277	107,396,681
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted	107,752,427	107,473,952	107,695,277	107,396,681

Consolidated Statements of Comp

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Statement Of Income And Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net loss	$ (9)	$ (56)	$ (49)	$ (163)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments	16	(3)	38	12
Comprehensive income (loss)	$ 7	$ (59)	$ (11)	$ (151)

Consolidated Statements of Cash

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$ (49)	$ (163)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	38	39
Deferred income taxes	(1)	(24)
Stock-based compensation	16	17
Provision for doubtful accounts	3	16
Provision for inventory	11	31
Other, net	(1)	1
Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Receivables	(106)	129
Inventories	(81)	152
Prepaid and other current assets	(6)	1
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	70	(38)
Income taxes receivable, net	(1)	26
Other assets / liabilities, net		(1)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities	(107)	186
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property, plant and equipment	(3)	(3)
Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired	(4)	(182)
Purchases of intangible assets		(7)
Other, net	4	1
Net cash used in investing activities	(3)	(191)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowing under the revolving credit facility	277	227
Repayments under the revolving credit facility	(179)	(190)
Other	(1)	(4)
Net cash provided by financing activities	97	33
Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents	6	13
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	(7)	41
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	106	90
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	$ 99	$ 131

Organization and Basis of Prese

Organization and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Basis of Presentation	1. Organization and Basis of Presentation Nature of Operations NOW Inc. (“NOW” or the “Company”) is a holding company headquartered in Houston, Texas that was incorporated in Delaware on November 22, 2013. NOW operates primarily under the DistributionNOW and Wilson Export brands. NOW is a global distributor of energy products as well as products for industrial applications through its locations in the U.S., Canada and internationally which are geographically positioned to serve the energy and industrial markets in over 80 countries. NOW’s energy product offerings are used in the oil and gas industry including upstream drilling and completion, exploration and production, midstream infrastructure development and downstream petroleum refining – as well as in other industries, such as chemical processing, power generation and industrial manufacturing operations. The industrial distribution portion of NOW’s business targets a diverse range of manufacturing and other facilities across numerous industries and end markets. NOW also provides supply chain management to drilling contractors, E&P operators, midstream operators, downstream energy and industrial manufacturing companies. NOW’s supplier network consists of thousands of vendors in approximately 40 countries. Basis of Presentation All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. The unaudited consolidated financial information included in this report has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. The principles for interim financial information do not require the inclusion of all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported and contingent amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Reclassification Certain amounts in the prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported results of operations. Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximated fair value because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments. Cash equivalents include only those investments having a maturity date of three months or less at the time of purchase. See Note 11 “Derivative Financial Instruments” for the fair value of derivative financial instruments. Recently Issued Accounting Standards In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers Revenue Recognition Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory to recognize the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted in the first interim period of fiscal year 2017. Upon adoption, any deferred charge established upon the intra-company transfer would be recorded as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The Company early adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 and reversed a deferred charge of $1 million previously recorded in prepaid and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. However, due to the Company’s full valuation allowance in the U.S., the deferred charge recorded as a cumulative-effect adjustment to accumulated deficit netted to zero. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

Property, Plant and Equipment,

Property, Plant and Equipment, net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment, net	2. Property, Plant and Equipment, net Property, plant and equipment consist of (in millions): Estimated Useful Lives September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Information technology assets 1-7 Years $ 48 $ 47 Operating equipment 2-15 Years 93 93 Buildings and land (1)(2) 5-35 Years 98 95 Construction in progress 1 1 Total property, plant and equipment 240 236 Less: accumulated depreciation (114 ) (93 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 126 $ 143 (1) Land has an indefinite life . (2) As of September 30, 2017, the Company had classified assets from the U.S. segment related to a facility relocation as held for sale. The net carrying value of these properties was approximately $2 million. The Company expects to complete the sale of these assets within one year.

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Accrued Liabilities	3. Accrued Liabilities Accrued liabilities consist of (in millions): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Compensation and other related expenses $ 36 $ 25 Customer credits and prepayments 27 27 Taxes (non-income) 17 17 Other 31 31 Total $ 111 $ 100

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	4. Debt On January 20, 2016, the Company entered into an amendment (the “Amendment”) to its credit facility dated as of April 18, 2014 (the “Credit Agreement”). The Amendment, among other things, (i) suspends, until the Company elects otherwise, the Credit Agreement’s minimum interest coverage ratio effective as of December 30, 2015, (ii) adds a minimum asset coverage ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement), which requires that the ratio of the value of the Company’s eligible assets (value of qualified cash, eligible inventory and eligible accounts receivable) to the amount of its outstanding obligations under the Credit Agreement is no less than 1.50 to 1.00, (iii) reduces the maximum capitalization ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) from 50% to 45%, (iv) increases the applicable interest margin on current borrowings by 75 basis points and the current commitment fee by 5 basis points and (v) reduces sub-facilities for standby letters of credit and swingline loans to $40 million and $25 million, respectively. In connection with the Amendment, the Company also entered into a Security Agreement dated as of January 20, 2016 (the “Security Agreement”) pursuant to which it granted the lenders under the Credit Agreement customary security interests in substantially all of the Company’s U.S. assets and in approximately 65% of the equity interests of the Company’s first-tier foreign subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2017, the Company had borrowed $163 million against its senior secured revolving credit facility, and had $441 million in availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement) resulting in the excess availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of 72%, subject to certain restrictions. Borrowings that result in the excess availability dropping below 25% are conditioned upon compliance with or waiver of a minimum fixed charge ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement). The Company was not obligated to pay back the borrowing against the senior secured revolving credit facility until the expiration date of April 18, 2019, as such the outstanding borrowing is classified as long term. As of September 30, 2017, the Company was in compliance with all financial covenants in the credit facility. Total commitments under the amended credit facility remain at $750 million and the amended credit facility includes a $250 million accordion feature, subject to certain conditions. At September 30, 2017, the Company issued $5 million in letters of credit under its senior revolving credit facility primarily for casualty insurance expiring in July 2018.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	5. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in millions) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (142 ) Other comprehensive income 38 Balance at September 30, 2017 $ (104 ) The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. A majority of the Company’s international entities in which there is a substantial investment have the local currency as their functional currency. As a result, foreign currency translation adjustments resulting from the process of translating the entities’ financial statements into the reporting currency are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with ASC Topic 830, “Foreign Currency Matters.”

Business Segments

Business Segments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Business Segments	6. Business Segments Operating results by reportable segment are as follows (in millions) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Revenue: United States $ 506 $ 372 $ 1,426 $ 1,066 Canada 96 67 271 185 International 95 81 282 318 Total revenue $ 697 $ 520 $ 1,979 $ 1,569 Operating profit (loss): United States $ (10 ) $ (46 ) $ (52 ) $ (149 ) Canada 4 (2 ) 9 (16 ) International — (5 ) 2 (10 ) Total operating loss $ (6 ) $ (53 ) $ (41 ) $ (175 ) Operating profit (loss) % of revenue: United States (2.0 %) (12.4 %) (3.6 %) (14.0 %) Canada 4.2 % (3.0 %) 3.3 % (8.6 %) International 0.0 % (6.2 %) 0.7 % (3.1 %) Total operating loss % (0.9 %) (10.2 %) (2.1 %) (11.2 %)

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	7. Income Taxes On May 1, 2014, the National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (“NOV”) Board of Directors approved the Spin-Off (the “Spin-Off” or “Separation”) of its distribution business into an independent, publicly traded company named NOW Inc. In connection with the Separation, the Company and NOV entered into a Tax Matters Agreement, dated as of May 29, 2014 (the “Tax Matters Agreement”). The Tax Matters Agreement sets forth the Company and NOV’s rights and obligations related to the allocation of federal, state, local and foreign taxes for periods before and after the Spin-Off, as well as taxes attributable to the Spin-Off, and related matters such as the filing of tax returns and the conduct of IRS and other audits. Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, NOV has prepared and filed the consolidated federal income tax return, and any other tax returns that include both NOV and the Company for all the liability periods ended on or prior to May 30, 2014. The income tax provision (benefit) for periods prior to the Separation has been computed as if NOW were a stand-alone company. NOV will indemnify and hold harmless the Company for any income tax liability for periods before the Separation date. The Company will prepare and file all tax returns that include solely the Company for all taxable periods ending after that date. Settlements of tax payments between NOV and the Company were generally treated as contributions from or distributions to NOV in periods prior to the Separation date. The effective tax rates for the three and nine months ended September September During the second quarter of 2016, the Company acquired Power Service and recorded a deferred tax liability of $19 million related to basis differences between U.S. GAAP and U.S. Tax associated with the acquisition and step-up to fair value of certain assets, primarily intangible assets. The step up in basis resulted in higher future taxable temporary differences and a corresponding reduction in the valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets in the U.S. To the extent penalties and interest would be assessed on any underpayment of income tax, such accrued amounts would be classified as a component of income tax provision (benefit) in the financial statements consistent with the Company’s policy. The Company is subject to taxation in the United States, various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has significant operations in the United States and Canada and to a lesser extent in various other international jurisdictions. Tax years that remain subject to examination by major tax jurisdictions vary by legal entity, but are generally open in the U.S. for the tax years ending after 2013 and outside the U.S. for the tax years ending after 2011. The Company is indemnified for any income tax exposures related to the periods prior to the Separation under the Tax Matters Agreement with NOV.

Loss Per Share ("EPS")

Loss Per Share ("EPS")	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Loss Per Share ("EPS")	8. Loss Per Share (“EPS”) For the three and nine months ended September 30 6, 8,141,971 and 8,038,097, 7,430,510 respectively, Basic and diluted loss per share follows (in millions, except share data) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Numerator: Net loss attributable to the Company's stockholders $ (9 ) $ (56 ) $ (49 ) $ (163 ) Denominator: Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 107,752,427 107,473,952 107,695,277 107,396,681 Effect of dilutive securities — — — — Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 107,752,427 107,473,952 107,695,277 107,396,681 Loss per share attributable to the Company's stockholders: Basic $ (0.08 ) $ (0.53 ) $ (0.45 ) $ (1.52 ) Diluted $ (0.08 ) $ (0.53 ) $ (0.45 ) $ (1.52 ) ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share,” requires companies with unvested participating securities to utilize a two-class method for the computation of net income attributable to the Company per share. The two-class method requires a portion of net income attributable to the Company to be allocated to participating securities, which are unvested awards of share-based payments with non-forfeitable rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, if declared. Net losses are not allocated to nonvested shares in periods that the Company determines that those shares are not obligated to participate in losses.

Stock-based Compensation and Ou

Stock-based Compensation and Outstanding Awards	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock-based Compensation and Outstanding Awards	9. Stock-based Compensation and Outstanding Awards In connection with the Separation, the Company and NOV entered into the Employee Matters Agreement which governs the Company and NOV’s compensation and employee benefit obligations with respect to current and former employees of each company, and generally allocates liabilities and responsibilities relating to employee compensation and benefit plans and programs. Such agreement provided the adjustment mechanisms applied as a result of the Spin-Off to convert outstanding NOV equity awards held by Company employees to Company awards. The Company has a stock-based compensation plan known as the NOW Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, the Company’s employees are eligible to be granted stock options, restricted stock awards (“RSAs”), restricted stock units (“RSUs”), and performance stock awards (“PSAs”). For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, the Company granted 915,037 stock options with a weighted average fair value of $7.07 per share and 194,183 shares of RSAs and RSUs with a weighted average fair value of $19.92 per share. In addition, the Company granted PSAs to senior management employees with potential payouts varying from zero to 169,346 shares. These options vest over a three-year period from the grant date on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in-substance, multiple awards. The RSAs and RSUs vest on the first and third anniversary of the date of grant. The PSAs can be earned based on performance against established metrics over a three-year performance period. The PSAs are divided into three equal, independent parts that are subject to three separate performance metrics: (i) one-third of the PSAs have a Total Shareholder Return (TSR) metric, (ii) one-third of the PSAs have an EBITDA metric, and (iii) one-third of the PSAs have a Working Capital (WC) metric. Performance against the TSR metric is determined by comparing the performance of the Company’s TSR with the TSR performance of designated peer companies for the three-year performance period. Performance against the EBITDA metric is determined by comparing the performance of the Company’s actual EBITDA average for each of the three-years of the performance period against the EBITDA metrics set by the Company’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Performance against the WC metric is determined by comparing the performance of the Company’s actual WC average for each of the three-years of the performance period against the WC metrics set by the Company’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors. Stock-based compensation expense totaled $5 million and $16 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $5 million and $17 million for the same periods in 2016, respectively.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	10. Commitments and Contingencies In connection with the Spin-Off, the Company and NOV entered into a Separation and Distribution Agreement which contains the key provisions related to the separation from NOV and the distribution of the Company’s common stock to NOV shareholders. The Separation and Distribution Agreement separated the assets related to the Company’s business from NOV, along with liabilities related to such assets, which now reside with the Company. In general, the Company agrees to indemnify NOV from liabilities arising from the Company’s business and assets, and NOV agrees to indemnify the Company from liabilities arising from NOV’s business and assets (that remained with NOV), except as otherwise provided in such agreement. The Company is involved in various claims, regulatory agency audits and pending or threatened legal actions involving a variety of matters. The Company has also assessed the potential for additional losses above the amounts accrued as well as potential losses for matters that are not probable, but are reasonably possible. The total potential loss on these matters cannot be determined; however, in the Company’s opinion, any ultimate liability, to the extent not otherwise recorded or accrued for, will not materially affect the Company’s financial position, cash flow or results of operations. These estimated liabilities are based on the Company’s assessment of the nature of these matters, their progress toward resolution, the advice of legal counsel and outside experts as well as management’s intention and experience. The Company’s business is affected both directly and indirectly by governmental laws and regulations relating to the oilfield service industry in general, as well as by environmental and safety regulations that specifically apply to the Company’s business. Although the Company has not incurred material costs in connection with its compliance with such laws, there can be no assurance that other developments, such as new environmental laws, regulations and enforcement policies hereunder may not result in additional, presently unquantifiable, costs or liabilities to the Company. The Company does not accrue for contingent losses that, in its judgment, are considered to be reasonably possible, but not probable. Estimating reasonably possible losses also requires the analysis of multiple possible outcomes that often depend on judgments about potential actions by third parties. NOW’s management currently estimates a range of loss for reasonably possible losses for which an estimate can be made is between zero and $15 million in the international segment primarily attributable to accounts receivable with one customer. The Company has accrued its best estimate for loss as of September 30, 2017. Factors underlying this estimated range of loss may change from time to time, and actual results may vary significantly The Company maintains credit arrangements with several banks providing for short-term borrowing capacity, overdraft protection and other bonding requirements. As of September 30, 2017, these credit arrangements totaled approximately $35 million, of which the Company was contingently liable for approximately $10 million of outstanding standby letters of credit, including bid and performance related bonds and surety bonds. The Company does not believe, based on historical experience and information currently

Derivative Financial Instrument

Derivative Financial Instruments	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivative Financial Instruments	11. Derivative Financial Instruments The Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is foreign currency exchange rate risk. The Company has entered into certain financial derivative instruments to manage this risk. The derivative financial instruments the Company has entered into are forward exchange contracts which have terms of less than one year to economically hedge foreign currency exchange rate risk on recognized non-functional currency monetary accounts. The purpose of the Company’s foreign currency economic hedging activities is to economically hedge the Company’s risk from changes in the fair value of non-functional currency denominated monetary accounts. The Company records all derivative financial instruments at their fair value in its consolidated balance sheets. None of the derivative financial instruments that the Company holds are designated as either a fair value hedge or cash flow hedge and the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recorded in earnings. The Company has determined that the fair value of its derivative financial instruments are computed using level 2 inputs (inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability) in the fair value hierarchy as the fair value is based on publicly available foreign exchange rates at each financial reporting date. The table below provides data about the fair value of the derivative instruments that are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets ( in millions September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts (1) $ — $ 1 $ 1 $ — (1) Included in other current liabilities and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The total notional amount of the forward foreign exchange contracts was approximately $26 million and $76 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The table below provides the gains (losses) recognized in other income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations related to the Company’s derivative instruments ( in millions Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ — $ — $ 2 $ 10 As of September 30, 2017, the Company’s financial instruments do not contain any credit-risk-related or other contingent features that could cause accelerated payments when the Company’s financial instruments are in net liability positions. The Company does not use

Organization and Basis of Pre18

Organization and Basis of Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Nature of Operations	Nature of Operations NOW Inc. (“NOW” or the “Company”) is a holding company headquartered in Houston, Texas that was incorporated in Delaware on November 22, 2013. NOW operates primarily under the DistributionNOW and Wilson Export brands. NOW is a global distributor of energy products as well as products for industrial applications through its locations in the U.S., Canada and internationally which are geographically positioned to serve the energy and industrial markets in over 80 countries. NOW’s energy product offerings are used in the oil and gas industry including upstream drilling and completion, exploration and production, midstream infrastructure development and downstream petroleum refining – as well as in other industries, such as chemical processing, power generation and industrial manufacturing operations. The industrial distribution portion of NOW’s business targets a diverse range of manufacturing and other facilities across numerous industries and end markets. NOW also provides supply chain management to drilling contractors, E&P operators, midstream operators, downstream energy and industrial manufacturing companies. NOW’s supplier network consists of thousands of vendors in approximately 40 countries.
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation All significant intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated. The unaudited consolidated financial information included in this report has been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and Article 10 of SEC Regulation S-X. The principles for interim financial information do not require the inclusion of all the information and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements included in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, all of which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported and contingent amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassification	Reclassification Certain amounts in the prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. These reclassifications have no effect on previously reported results of operations.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximated fair value because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments. Cash equivalents include only those investments having a maturity date of three months or less at the time of purchase. See Note 11 “Derivative Financial Instruments” for the fair value of derivative financial instruments.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards	Recently Issued Accounting Standards In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers Revenue Recognition Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
Recently Adopted Accounting Standards	Recently Adopted Accounting Standards In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other than Inventory to recognize the income tax consequences of intra-entity transfers of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. ASU 2016-16 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017 with early adoption permitted in the first interim period of fiscal year 2017. Upon adoption, any deferred charge established upon the intra-company transfer would be recorded as a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings. The Company early adopted this standard in the first quarter of fiscal year 2017 and reversed a deferred charge of $1 million previously recorded in prepaid and other current assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. However, due to the Company’s full valuation allowance in the U.S., the deferred charge recorded as a cumulative-effect adjustment to accumulated deficit netted to zero. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment

Property, Plant and Equipment19

Property, Plant and Equipment, net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Property Plant And Equipment [Abstract]
Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment	Property, plant and equipment consist of (in millions): Estimated Useful Lives September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Information technology assets 1-7 Years $ 48 $ 47 Operating equipment 2-15 Years 93 93 Buildings and land (1)(2) 5-35 Years 98 95 Construction in progress 1 1 Total property, plant and equipment 240 236 Less: accumulated depreciation (114 ) (93 ) Property, plant and equipment, net $ 126 $ 143 (1) Land has an indefinite life . (2) As of September 30, 2017, the Company had classified assets from the U.S. segment related to a facility relocation as held for sale. The net carrying value of these properties was approximately $2 million. The Company expects to complete the sale of these assets within one year.

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)

Accrued Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Summary of Accrued Liabilities	Accrued liabilities consist of (in millions): September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Compensation and other related expenses $ 36 $ 25 Customer credits and prepayments 27 27 Taxes (non-income) 17 17 Other 31 31 Total $ 111 $ 100

Accumulated Other Comprehensi21

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in millions) Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Balance at December 31, 2016 $ (142 ) Other comprehensive income 38 Balance at September 30, 2017 $ (104 )

Business Segments (Tables)

Business Segments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Summary of Operating Results by Reportable Segment	Operating results by reportable segment are as follows (in millions) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Revenue: United States $ 506 $ 372 $ 1,426 $ 1,066 Canada 96 67 271 185 International 95 81 282 318 Total revenue $ 697 $ 520 $ 1,979 $ 1,569 Operating profit (loss): United States $ (10 ) $ (46 ) $ (52 ) $ (149 ) Canada 4 (2 ) 9 (16 ) International — (5 ) 2 (10 ) Total operating loss $ (6 ) $ (53 ) $ (41 ) $ (175 ) Operating profit (loss) % of revenue: United States (2.0 %) (12.4 %) (3.6 %) (14.0 %) Canada 4.2 % (3.0 %) 3.3 % (8.6 %) International 0.0 % (6.2 %) 0.7 % (3.1 %) Total operating loss % (0.9 %) (10.2 %) (2.1 %) (11.2 %)

Loss Per Share ("EPS") (Tables)

Loss Per Share ("EPS") (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share	Basic and diluted loss per share follows (in millions, except share data) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Numerator: Net loss attributable to the Company's stockholders $ (9 ) $ (56 ) $ (49 ) $ (163 ) Denominator: Weighted average basic common shares outstanding 107,752,427 107,473,952 107,695,277 107,396,681 Effect of dilutive securities — — — — Weighted average diluted common shares outstanding 107,752,427 107,473,952 107,695,277 107,396,681 Loss per share attributable to the Company's stockholders: Basic $ (0.08 ) $ (0.53 ) $ (0.45 ) $ (1.52 ) Diluted $ (0.08 ) $ (0.53 ) $ (0.45 ) $ (1.52 )

Derivative Financial Instrume24

Derivative Financial Instruments (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017
Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments	The table below provides data about the fair value of the derivative instruments that are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets ( in millions September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts (1) $ — $ 1 $ 1 $ — (1) Included in other current liabilities and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. The total notional amount of the forward foreign exchange contracts was approximately $26 million and $76 million at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
Schedule of Gains (Losses) Recognized	The table below provides the gains (losses) recognized in other income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations related to the Company’s derivative instruments ( in millions Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 2016 2017 2016 Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments: Foreign exchange forward contracts $ — $ — $ 2 $ 10

Organization and Basis of Pre25

Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)	Nov. 22, 2013GeographicMarketVendorCountry	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)Pension_Plan	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Basis Of Presentation And Organization [Line Items]
Number of geographical area covered | GeographicMarket	80
Number of vendors | Vendor	1,000
Number of countries distribution occur through vendors | Country	40
ASU 2016-16 [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Organization [Line Items]
Upon adoption of deferred charge cumulative-effect adjustment to accumulated deficit netted		$ 0
Prepaid and Other Current Assets [Member] | ASU 2016-16 [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Organization [Line Items]
Reversal of deferred charge			$ 1,000,000
UK [Member]
Basis Of Presentation And Organization [Line Items]
Number of defined benefit plan | Pension_Plan		2

Property, Plant and Equipment26

Property, Plant and Equipment, net - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 240	$ 236
Less: accumulated depreciation	(114)	(93)
Property, plant and equipment, net	126	143
Information Technology Assets [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	48	47
Operating Equipment [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	93	93
Buildings and Land [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	98	95
Construction in progress [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property, plant and equipment, gross	$ 1	$ 1
Minimum [Member] | Information Technology Assets [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment estimated useful lives	1 year
Minimum [Member] | Operating Equipment [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment estimated useful lives	2 years
Minimum [Member] | Buildings [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment estimated useful lives	5 years
Maximum [Member] | Information Technology Assets [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment estimated useful lives	7 years
Maximum [Member] | Operating Equipment [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment estimated useful lives	15 years
Maximum [Member] | Buildings [Member]
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Property plant and equipment estimated useful lives	35 years

Property, Plant and Equipment27

Property, Plant and Equipment, net - Summary of Property, Plant and Equipment (Parenthetical) (Detail) - Buildings and Land [Member] $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Property Plant And Equipment [Line Items]
Net carrying value of properties held for sale	$ 2
Assets held for sale expected sale period	1 year

Accrued Liabilities - Summary o

Accrued Liabilities - Summary of Accrued Liabilities (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Payables And Accruals [Abstract]
Compensation and other related expenses	$ 36	$ 25
Customer credits and prepayments	27	27
Taxes (non-income)	17	17
Other	31	31
Total	$ 111	$ 100

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	Jan. 20, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Agreement date		Apr. 18, 2014
Minimum asset coverage ratio	150.00%
Maximum capitalization ratio	45.00%		50.00%
Base rate	0.75%
Percentage increase in commitment fee	0.05%
Percentage of equity in customary security interest	65.00%
Senior secured revolving credit facility commitment		$ 750,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Expiration Date		Apr. 18, 2019
Minimum [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit covenant trigger percentage		25.00%
Standby Letters of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility borrowings	$ 40,000,000
Swing Line Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility borrowings	$ 25,000,000
Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility borrowings		$ 163,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Available Borrowing Capacity		$ 441,000,000
Line Of credit Unused Capacity Percentage		72.00%
Letters of credit		$ 5,000,000
Casualty insurance, expiration month and year		2018-07
Accordion Debt [member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Senior secured revolving credit facility commitment		$ 250,000,000

Accumulated Other Comprehensi30

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) - Components of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Detail) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning balance	$ (142)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending balance	(104)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member]
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Beginning balance	(142)
Other comprehensive income	38
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), Ending balance	$ (104)

Business Segments - Summary of

Business Segments - Summary of Operating Results by Reportable Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 697	$ 520	$ 1,979	$ 1,569
Operating profit (loss):
Total operating loss	$ (6)	$ (53)	$ (41)	$ (175)
Operating profit (loss) % of revenue:
Total operating loss %	(0.90%)	(10.20%)	(2.10%)	(11.20%)
United States [Member]
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 506	$ 372	$ 1,426	$ 1,066
Operating profit (loss):
Total operating loss	$ (10)	$ (46)	$ (52)	$ (149)
Operating profit (loss) % of revenue:
Total operating loss %	(2.00%)	(12.40%)	(3.60%)	(14.00%)
Canada [Member]
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 96	$ 67	$ 271	$ 185
Operating profit (loss):
Total operating loss	$ 4	$ (2)	$ 9	$ (16)
Operating profit (loss) % of revenue:
Total operating loss %	4.20%	(3.00%)	3.30%	(8.60%)
International [Member]
Revenue:
Total revenue	$ 95	$ 81	$ 282	$ 318
Operating profit (loss):
Total operating loss		$ (5)	$ 2	$ (10)
Operating profit (loss) % of revenue:
Total operating loss %	0.00%	(6.20%)	0.70%	(3.10%)

Income Taxes - Additional Infor

Income Taxes - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016
Schedule Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Effective tax rates	(1.60%)	(0.20%)	0.60%	10.30%
Power Service [Member]
Schedule Of Income Tax [Line Items]
Deferred tax liability of intangible assets					$ 19

Loss Per Share ("EPS") - Additi

Loss Per Share ("EPS") - Additional Information (Detail) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share	8,141,971	7,430,510	8,038,097	7,264,566

Loss Per Share ("EPS") - Comput

Loss Per Share ("EPS") - Computation of Basic and Diluted Loss Per Share (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Numerator:
Net loss attributable to the Company's stockholders	$ (9)	$ (56)	$ (49)	$ (163)
Denominator:
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic	107,752,427	107,473,952	107,695,277	107,396,681
Effect of dilutive securities
Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted	107,752,427	107,473,952	107,695,277	107,396,681
Basic loss per common share	$ (0.08)	$ (0.53)	$ (0.45)	$ (1.52)
Diluted loss per common share	$ (0.08)	$ (0.53)	$ (0.45)	$ (1.52)

Stock-based Compensation and 35

Stock-based Compensation and Outstanding Awards - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock option granted			915,037
Stock option granted, weighted average fair value			$ 7.07
Stock-based compensation expense	$ 5	$ 5	$ 16	$ 17
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based awards, shares granted			194,183
Stock based awards, shares granted, weighted average fair value			$ 19.92
Performance-base restricted stock [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Senior Management Employees [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based awards, shares granted			0
Performance-base restricted stock [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Senior Management Employees [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based awards, shares granted			169,346
Stock Options [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock based awards, vested, number of years			3 years
TSR metric [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance based restricted stock awards granted in percent			33.33%
Performance based restricted stock awards goals over performance period			3 years
EBITDA metric [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance based restricted stock awards granted in percent			33.33%
Performance based restricted stock awards goals over performance period			3 years
Working Capital (WC) metric [Member]
Share Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award [Line Items]
Performance based restricted stock awards granted in percent			33.33%
Performance based restricted stock awards goals over performance period			3 years

Commitments and Contingencies -

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2017USD ($)
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Credit arrangements	$ 35,000,000
Contingent liability	10,000,000
Minimum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Range of reasonably possible losses	0
Maximum [Member]
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Range of reasonably possible losses	$ 15,000,000

Derivative Financial Instrume37

Derivative Financial Instruments - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Detail) - Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts, Assets		$ 1
Foreign exchange forward contracts, Liabilities	$ 1

Derivative Financial Instrume38

Derivative Financial Instruments - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivative Instruments (Parenthetical) (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Forward Contracts [Member]
Derivatives Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount of forward foreign exchange contracts	$ 26	$ 76

Derivative Financial Instrume39

Derivative Financial Instruments - Schedule of Gains (Losses) Recognized (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2016
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member]
Derivative Instruments Gain Loss [Line Items]
Foreign exchange forward contracts	$ 2	$ 10