Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

101K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

| --- | --- |

This report includes forward-looking statements based on the Company’s current assumptions, expectations and projections about future events. When used in this report, the words “believes,” “anticipates,” “may,” “expect,” “intend,” “estimate,” “project” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words. In this report, the Company discloses important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from management’s expectations. For more information on these and other factors, see “Forward-Looking Information” herein.

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with “Item 1A. Risk Factors,” “Item 6. Selected Financial Data” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Business Overview

AMETEK’s operations are affected by global, regional and industry economic factors. However, the Company’s strategic geographic and industry diversification, and its mix of products and services, have helped to mitigate the potential adverse impact of any unfavorable developments in any one industry or the economy of any single country on its consolidated operating results. In 2017, the Company established records for orders, sales, operating income, net income, diluted earnings per share and operating cash flow. The strengthening global economic environment compared to 2016, contributions from recent acquisitions, and continued focus on and implementation of Operational Excellence initiatives, had a positive impact on 2017 results. The Company also benefited from its strategic initiatives under AMETEK’s four key strategies: Operational Excellence, Strategic Acquisitions, Global & Market Expansion and New Products.

Highlights of 2017 were:

	•		Orders for 2017 were $4,539.8 million, an increase of $691.0 million or 18.0%, compared with $3,848.8 million in 2016. As a result, the Company’s backlog of unfilled orders at December 31, 2017 was a record $1,396.1 million.

	•		Net sales for 2017 were $4,300.2 million, an increase of $460.1 million or 12.0%, compared with $3,840.1 million in 2016. The increase in net sales for 2017 was due to 6% organic sales growth, with 5% organic sales growth in the Electronic Instruments Group (“EIG”) and 8% organic sales growth in the Electromechanical Group (“EMG”), and a 6% increase from the 2017 and 2016 acquisitions.

	•		Net income for 2017 was $681.5 million, an increase of $169.3 million or 33.1%, compared with $512.2 million in 2016.

	•		Diluted earnings per share for 2017 were $2.94, an increase of $0.75 or 34.2%, compared with $2.19 per diluted share in 2016.

	•		Cash flow provided by operating activities for 2017 was $833.3 million, an increase of $76.5 million or 10.1%, compared with $756.8 million in 2016.

	•		During 2017, the Company spent $556.6 million in cash, net of cash acquired, to acquire three businesses:

	•		In February 2017, acquired Rauland-Borg Corporation (“Rauland”), a global provider of enterprise clinical and education communications solutions for hospitals, healthcare systems and educational facilities;

	•		In June 2017, acquired MOCON, Inc., a provider of laboratory and field gas analysis instrumentation to research laboratories, production facilities and quality control departments in food and beverage, pharmaceutical and industrial applications; and

	•		In December 2017, acquired Arizona Instrument LLC, a provider of differentiated, high-precision moisture and gas measurement instruments in food, pharmaceutical and environmental markets.

	•		On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”). As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a net benefit of $91.6 million in the consolidated statement of income as a component of Provision for income taxes. The Act had the effect of increasing 2017 diluted earnings per share by $0.39. See below for further discussion.

	•		During 2017, the Company recorded pre-tax realignment costs totaling $16.8 million. The realignment costs had the effect of reducing net income for 2017 by $13.0 million ($0.05 per diluted share). See below for further discussion.

	•		In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company paid in full, at maturity, $270 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.20% private placement senior notes.

	•		The Company continued its emphasis on investment in research, development and engineering, spending $221.2 million in 2017 before customer reimbursement of $5.4 million. Sales from products introduced in the past three years were $1,042.9 million or 24.3% of net sales.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth net sales and income by reportable segment and on a consolidated basis:


	Year Ended December 31,
	2017			2016			2015
	(In thousands)
Net sales(1):
Electronic Instruments	$	2,690,554		$	2,360,285		$	2,417,192
Electromechanical		1,609,616			1,479,802			1,557,103

Consolidated net sales	$	4,300,170		$	3,840,087		$	3,974,295

Operating income and income before income taxes:
Segment operating income(2):
Electronic Instruments	$	677,489		$	577,717		$	639,399
Electromechanical		310,875			277,873			318,098

Total segment operating income		988,364			855,590			957,497
Corporate administrative and other expenses		(73,270	)		(53,693	)		(49,781	)

Consolidated operating income		915,094			801,897			907,716
Interest and other expenses, net		(118,365	)		(108,794	)		(101,336	)

Consolidated income before income taxes	$	796,729		$	693,103		$	806,380

(1)	After elimination of intra- and intersegment sales, which are not significant in amount.

(2)	Segment operating income represents net sales less all direct costs and expenses (including certain administrative and other expenses) applicable to each segment, but does not include interest expense.

Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2017 compared with the year ended December 31, 2016

In 2017, the Company established records for orders, sales, operating income, net income, diluted earnings per share and operating cash flow. The continued strengthening global economic environment, contributions from the acquisitions completed in 2017 and the acquisitions of Laserage Technology Corporation (“Laserage”) in October 2016, HS Foils and Nu Instruments in July 2016, and Brookfield Engineering Laboratories (“Brookfield”) and ESP/SurgeX in January 2016, and continued focus on and implementation of Operational Excellence initiatives, including the 2017 and 2016 realignment actions (described further throughout the results of operations for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2017), are expected to have a positive impact on the Company’s 2018 results.

Net sales for 2017 were $4,300.2 million, an increase of $460.1 million or 12.0%, compared with net sales of $3,840.1 million in 2016. The increase in net sales for 2017 was due to 6% organic sales growth and a 6% increase from acquisitions. Foreign currency translation was essentially flat period over period. EIG net sales were $2,690.6 million in 2017, an increase of 14.0%, compared with $2,360.3 million in 2016. EMG net sales were $1,609.6 million in 2017, an increase of 8.8%, compared with $1,479.8 million in 2016.

Total international sales for 2017 were $2,214.0 million or 51.5% of net sales, an increase of $203.3 million or 10.1%, compared with international sales of $2,010.7 million or 52.4% of net sales in 2016. The $203.3 million increase in international sales was primarily driven by organic sales growth. Both reportable segments of the Company maintain strong international sales presences in Europe and Asia. Export shipments from the United States, which are included in total international sales, were $1,142.3 million in 2017, an increase of $104.3 million or 10.1%, compared with $1,036.0 million in 2016. Export shipments increased primarily due to organic sales growth.

Orders for 2017 were $4,539.8 million, an increase of $691.0 million or 18.0%, compared with $3,848.8 million in 2016. The increase in orders for 2017 was due to 10% organic order growth, a 6% increase from acquisitions and favorable 2% effect of foreign currency translation. As a result, the Company’s backlog of unfilled orders at December 31, 2017 was a record $1,396.1 million, an increase of $239.6 million or 20.7%, compared with $1,156.5 million at December 31, 2016.

The Company recorded 2017 realignment costs totaling $16.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2017 (the “2017 realignment costs”). The 2017 realignment costs were composed of $3.0 million in severance costs for a reduction in workforce, $7.8 million of asset write-downs and $6.0 million in costs to withdraw from a multiemployer defined benefit pension plan. The 2017 realignment costs better position the Company’s long-term cost structure and included costs associated with the continued consolidation of the Company’s floor care and specialty motors businesses into its precision motion control businesses. The Company recorded 2016 realignment costs totaling $25.6 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 (the “2016 realignment costs”). The 2016 realignment costs primarily related to $19.3 million in severance costs for a reduction in workforce and $6.2 million of asset write-downs in response to the impact of a weak global economy on certain of the Company’s businesses, as well as the effects of a continued strong U.S. dollar. See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details. Also, in the fourth quarter of 2016, the Company recorded a $13.9 million non-cash impairment charge related to certain of the Company’s trade names.

The 2017 and 2016 realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge were reported in the consolidated statement of income as follows (in millions):


	2017				2016
	Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,		Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
Realignment costs	$	16.8	$	16.8	$	24.0	$	24.0
Impairment charge		—		—		13.9		13.9

Cost of sales		16.8		16.8		37.9		37.9


Realignment costs		—		—		1.6		1.6
Impairment charge		—		—		—		—

Selling, general and administrative expenses		—		—		1.6		1.6


Realignment costs		16.8		16.8		25.6		25.6
Impairment charge		—		—		13.9		13.9

Total reported in the consolidated statement of income	$	16.8	$	16.8	$	39.5	$	39.5

The 2017 and 2016 realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge were reported in segment operating income as follows (in millions):


	2017				2016
	Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,		Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
Realignment costs	$	4.5	$	4.5	$	12.4	$	12.4
Impairment charge		—		—		9.2		9.2

EIG		4.5		4.5		21.6		21.6


Realignment costs		12.3		12.3		11.6		11.6
Impairment charge		—		—		4.7		4.7

EMG		12.3		12.3		16.3		16.3


Realignment costs		16.8		16.8		24.0		24.0
Impairment charge		—		—		13.9		13.9

Total reported in segment operating income	$	16.8	$	16.8	$	37.9	$	37.9

The 2017 and 2016 realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge negatively impacted segment operating margins as follows (in basis points):


	2017						2016
	Three Months Ended December 31,			Year Ended December 31,			Three Months Ended December 31,			Year Ended December 31,
Realignment costs		(60	)		(10	)		(200	)		(50	)
Impairment charge		—			—			(150	)		(40	)

EIG		(60	)		(10	)		(350	)		(90	)

Realignment costs		(310	)		(80	)		(330	)		(80	)
Impairment charge		—			—			(130	)		(30	)

EMG		(310	)		(80	)		(460	)		(110	)

Realignment costs		(150	)		(40	)		(250	)		(60	)
Impairment charge		—			—			(140	)		(40	)

Total impacting segment operating margins		(150	)		(40	)		(390	)		(100	)

The expected annualized cash savings from the 2017 realignment costs is expected to be approximately $5 million and is expected to be fully realized in 2019.

Segment operating income for 2017 was $988.4 million, an increase of $132.8 million or 15.5%, compared with segment operating income of $855.6 million in 2016. The increase in segment operating income for 2017 resulted primarily from the increase in net sales noted above. Segment operating income, as a percentage of net sales, increased to 23.0% in 2017, compared with 22.3% in 2016. The increase in segment operating margins for 2017 resulted primarily from the net impact of the 2017 versus the 2016 realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge noted above. Segment operating income and segment operating margins for 2017 and 2016 included the impact of the realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge detailed in the tables above.

Cost of sales for 2017 was $2,851.4 million or 66.3% of net sales, an increase of $276.2 million or 10.7%, compared with $2,575.2 million or 67.1% of net sales for 2016. The cost of sales increase for 2017 was affected by the net sales increase noted above. Cost of sales for 2017 and 2016 included the impact of the realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge detailed in the tables above.

Selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses for 2017 were $533.6 million or 12.4% of net sales, an increase of $70.6 million or 15.2%, compared with $463.0 million or 12.1% of net sales in 2016. The increase in SG&A expenses for 2017 was primarily due to the increase in net sales noted above, a fourth quarter of 2017 $5.0 million charitable donation and a second quarter of 2017 $2.5 million equity-based compensation charge related to the accelerated vesting of restricted stock grants in association with the retirement of the Company’s Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors. For 2016, SG&A expenses included $1.6 million of realignment costs noted above.

Consolidated operating income was $915.1 million or 21.3% of net sales for 2017, an increase of $113.2 million or 14.1%, compared with $801.9 million or 20.9% of net sales in 2016.

Interest expense was $98.0 million for 2017, an increase of $3.7 million or 3.9%, compared with $94.3 million in 2016. The interest expense increase for 2017 was primarily due to the impact of private placement senior notes funded in the fourth quarter of 2016, partially offset by lower average borrowings under the Company’s revolving credit facility period over period.

Other expenses, net were $20.3 million for 2017, an increase of $5.8 million, compared with $14.5 million in 2016. The other expenses, net increase for 2017 was primarily due to higher environmental-related expenses.

The effective tax rate for 2017 was 14.5%, compared with 26.1% in 2016. On December 22, 2017, the U.S. enacted the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”). The Act, which is also commonly referred to as “U.S. tax reform,” significantly changes U.S. corporate income tax laws by, among other things, reducing the U.S. corporate income tax rate to 21% starting in 2018 and creating a territorial tax system with a one-time mandatory tax on previously deferred foreign earnings of U.S. subsidiaries. As a result, in the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a net benefit of $91.6 million in the consolidated statement of income as a component of Provision for income taxes. The $91.6 million net benefit consisted of a $185.8 million benefit resulting from the remeasurement of the Company’s net deferred tax liabilities in the U.S. based on the new lower corporate income tax rate and a $94.2 million expense relating to the one-time mandatory tax on previously deferred earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries that are owned either wholly or partially by a U.S. subsidiary of the Company. Also, included in the $94.2 million, the Company recorded additional deferred tax liabilities of $13.3 million related to state income and foreign withholding taxes expected to be incurred when the cash amounts related to the mandatory tax are ultimately repatriated to the U.S., offset by $1.0 million for a remeasurement of uncertain tax positions impacted by the mandatory tax inclusion.

Although the $91.6 million net benefit represents what the Company believes is a reasonable estimate of the impact of the income tax effects of the Act on the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017, it should be considered provisional. As additional guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury is provided, the Company may need to adjust the provisional amounts after it finalizes the 2017 U.S. tax return and is able to conclude whether any further adjustments are required to its U.S. portion of net deferred tax liability of $390.4 million as of December 31, 2017, as well as to the liability associated with the one-time mandatory tax. The currently recorded amounts include a variety of estimates of taxable earnings and profits, estimated taxable foreign cash balances, differences between U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and U.S. tax principles and interpretations of many aspects of the Act that may, if changed, impact the final amounts. Any adjustments to these provisional amounts will be reported as a component of Provision for income taxes in the reporting period in which any such adjustments are determined, which will be no later than the fourth quarter of 2018, and could result in significant impacts to the effective tax rate for the period. The Company is still evaluating the potential future impact of the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) section of the Act and has not provided any provisional deferred tax liability for it. Under U.S. GAAP, the Company is permitted to make an accounting policy election to either treat taxes due on future inclusions in the U.S. taxable income related to GILTI as a current period expense when incurred or to factor such amounts into the Company’s measurement of its deferred taxes. Due to the ongoing evaluation, the Company has not yet made the accounting policy decision. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details.

The 2017 effective tax rate reflects $12.3 million of tax benefits related to share-based payment transactions in accordance with the January 1, 2017 adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”). See Notes 2 and 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details.

The effective tax rates for 2017 and 2016 reflect the impact of foreign earnings, which are taxed at lower rates, tax benefits related to international and state tax planning initiatives and the release of uncertain tax position liabilities relating to certain statute expirations.

Net income for 2017 was $681.5 million, an increase of $169.3 million or 33.1%, compared with $512.2 million in 2016. The 2017 realignment costs reduced 2017 net income by $13.0 million and the net benefit related to the Act increased 2017 net income by $91.6 million. The 2016 realignment costs and the 2016 impairment charge reduced 2016 net income by $17.0 million and $8.6 million, respectively.

Diluted earnings per share for 2017 were $2.94, an increase of $0.75 or 34.2%, compared with $2.19 per diluted share in 2016. The 2017 realignment costs had the effect of reducing 2017 diluted earnings per share by

$0.05 and the net benefit related to the Act had the effect of increasing 2017 diluted earnings per share by $0.39. The 2016 realignment costs and the 2016 impairment charge had the effect of reducing 2016 diluted earnings per share by $0.07 and $0.04, respectively.

Segment Results

EIG’s net sales totaled $2,690.6 million for 2017, an increase of $330.3 million or 14.0%, compared with $2,360.3 million in 2016. The net sales increase for 2017 was due to a 9% increase from the 2017 acquisitions of MOCON and Rauland and 2016 acquisitions of Nu Instruments, Brookfield and ESP/SurgeX, and 5% organic sales growth. Foreign currency translation was essentially flat period over period.

EIG’s operating income was $677.5 million for 2017, an increase of $99.8 million or 17.3%, compared with $577.7 million in 2016. The increase in EIG’s operating income for 2017 resulted primarily from the increase in net sales noted above. EIG’s operating margins were 25.2% of net sales for 2017, compared with 24.5% of net sales in 2016. The increase in EIG’s operating margins for 2017 resulted primarily from the net impact of the 2017 versus the 2016 realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge noted above. EIG’s operating income and operating margins for 2017 and 2016 included the impact of the realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge detailed in the tables above.

EMG’s net sales totaled $1,609.6 million for 2017, an increase of $129.8 million or 8.8%, compared with $1,479.8 million in 2016. The net sales increase for 2017 was due to 8% organic sales growth and a 1% increase from the 2016 acquisition of Laserage. Foreign currency translation was essentially flat period over period.

EMG’s operating income was $310.9 million for 2017, an increase of $33.0 million or 11.9%, compared with $277.9 million in 2016. EMG’s operating margins were 19.3% of net sales for 2017, compared with 18.8% of net sales in 2016. The increase in EMG’s operating income and operating margins for 2017 resulted primarily from the increase in net sales noted above, as well as the benefits of the Group’s Operational Excellence initiatives. EMG’s operating income and operating margins for 2017 and 2016 included the impact of the realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge detailed in the tables above.

Results of operations for the fourth quarter of 2017 compared with the fourth quarter of 2016

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $1,143.1 million, an increase of $170.1 million or 17.5%, compared with net sales of $973.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in net sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 was due to 9% organic sales growth, a 6% increase from acquisitions and favorable 2% effect of foreign currency translation.

Segment operating income for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $253.0 million, an increase of $65.2 million or 34.7%, compared with segment operating income of $187.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in segment operating income for the fourth quarter of 2017 resulted primarily from the increase in net sales noted above. Segment operating income, as a percentage of net sales, increased to 22.1% for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with 19.3% for the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in segment operating margins for the fourth quarter of 2017 resulted primarily from the net impact of the 2017 versus the 2016 realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge noted above. Segment operating income and segment operating margins for the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2016 included the impact of the realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge detailed in the tables above.

Cost of sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $767.0 million or 67.1% of net sales, an increase of $85.9 million or 12.6%, compared with $681.1 million or 70.0% of net sales for the fourth quarter of 2016. The cost of sales increase for the fourth quarter of 2017 was affected by the net sales increase noted above. Cost of sales for the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2016 included the impact of the realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge detailed in the tables above.

The effective tax rate for the fourth quarter of 2017 was (20.8)%, compared with 24.9% in the fourth quarter of 2016. In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company recorded a net benefit of $91.6 million in the consolidated statement of income as a component of Provision for income taxes related to the Act. The $91.6 million net benefit consisted of a $185.8 million benefit resulting from the remeasurement of the Company’s net deferred tax liabilities in the U.S. based on the new lower corporate income tax rate and a $94.2 million expense primarily relating mostly to the one-time mandatory tax on previously deferred earnings of certain non-U.S. subsidiaries that are owned either wholly or partially by a U.S. subsidiary of the Company. The effective tax rates for 2017 and 2016 reflect the impact of foreign earnings, which are taxed at lower rates, tax benefits related to international and state tax planning initiatives and the release of uncertain tax position liabilities relating to certain statute expirations.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2017 was $238.5 million, an increase of $129.4 million or 118.6%, compared with $109.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. The fourth quarter of 2017 realignment costs reduced the fourth quarter of 2017 net income by $13.0 million and the net benefit related to the Act increased fourth quarter of 2017 net income by $91.6 million. The fourth quarter of 2016 realignment costs and fourth quarter of 2016 impairment charge reduced the fourth quarter of 2016 net income by $17.0 million and $8.6 million, respectively.

Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2017 were $1.03, an increase of $0.56 or 119.1%, compared with $0.47 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2016. The fourth quarter of 2017 realignment costs had the effect of reducing the fourth quarter of 2017 diluted earnings per share by $0.05 and the net benefit related to the Act had the effect of increasing the fourth quarter of 2017 diluted earnings per share by $0.39. The fourth quarter of 2016 realignment costs and fourth quarter of 2016 impairment charge had the effect of reducing the fourth quarter of 2016 diluted earnings per share by $0.07 and $0.04, respectively.

Segment Results

EIG’s net sales totaled $741.5 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase of $125.5 million or 20.4%, compared with $616.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. The net sales increase for the fourth quarter of 2017 was due to a 10% increase from the 2017 acquisitions of MOCON and Rauland and 2016 acquisitions of Nu Instruments, Brookfield and ESP/SurgeX, 9% organic sales growth and favorable 2% effect of foreign currency translation.

EIG’s operating income was $191.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase of $50.0 million or 35.4%, compared with $141.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in EIG’s operating income for the fourth quarter of 2017 resulted primarily from the increase in net sales noted above. EIG’s operating margins were 25.8% of net sales for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with 22.9% of net sales for the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in EIG’s operating margins for the fourth quarter of 2017 resulted primarily from the net impact of the 2017 versus the 2016 realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge noted above, as well as the benefits of the Group’s Operational Excellence initiatives. EIG’s operating income and operating margins for the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2016 included the impact of the realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge detailed in the tables above.

EMG’s net sales totaled $401.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase of $44.7 million or 12.5%, compared with $356.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. The net sales increase for the fourth quarter of 2017 was due to 10% organic sales growth, a 1% increase from the 2016 acquisition of Laserage and favorable 2% effect of foreign currency translation.

EMG’s operating income was $61.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, an increase of $15.2 million or 32.5%, compared with $46.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. EMG’s operating margins were 15.4% of net sales for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared with 13.1% of net sales for the fourth quarter of 2016. The increase in EMG’s operating income and operating margins for the fourth quarter of 2017 resulted primarily from

the increase in net sales noted above, as well as the benefits of the Group’s Operational Excellence initiatives. EMG’s operating income and operating margins for the fourth quarter of 2017 and 2016 included the impact of the realignment costs and 2016 impairment charge detailed in the tables above.

Results of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2016 compared with the year ended December 31, 2015

In 2016, the Company was impacted by a weak global economy and the effects of a continued strong U.S. dollar. Specifically, the Company experienced lower sales in its process businesses that have exposure to oil and gas markets and in its engineered materials, interconnects and packaging businesses that have exposure to metals markets. Contributions from the acquisitions completed in 2016 and the acquisitions of Surface Vision in July 2015 and Global Tubes in May 2015, as well as the Company’s Operational Excellence initiatives had a positive impact on 2016 results.

Net sales for 2016 were $3,840.1 million, a decrease of $134.2 million or 3.4%, compared with net sales of $3,974.3 million in 2015. EIG net sales were $2,360.3 million in 2016, a decrease of 2.4%, compared with $2,417.2 million in 2015. EMG net sales were $1,479.8 million in 2016, a decrease of 5.0%, compared with $1,557.1 million in 2015. The decrease in net sales for 2016 was due to a 7% organic sales decline and an unfavorable 1% effect of foreign currency translation, partially offset by a 4% increase from acquisitions.

Total international sales for 2016 were $2,010.7 million or 52.4% of net sales, a decrease of $44.0 million or 2.1%, compared with international sales of $2,054.7 million or 51.7% of net sales in 2015. The $44.0 million decrease in international sales was primarily driven by a weak global economy, as well as the foreign currency translation headwind noted above. Both reportable segments of the Company maintain strong international sales presences in Europe and Asia. Export shipments from the United States, which are included in total international sales, were $1,036.0 million in 2016, a decrease of $54.7 million or 5.0%, compared with $1,090.7 million in 2015. Export shipments decreased primarily due to a weak global economy, as well as the competitive impacts of a strong U.S. dollar.

Orders for 2016 were $3,848.8 million, a decrease of $75.9 million or 1.9%, compared with $3,924.7 million in 2015. The decrease in orders for 2016 was due to a 5% organic order decline resulting from a weak global economy noted above, partially offset by a 3% increase from acquisitions. As a result, the Company’s backlog of unfilled orders at December 31, 2016 was $1,156.5 million, an increase of $8.7 million or 0.8%, compared with $1,147.8 million at December 31, 2015.

The Company recorded $25.6 million of 2016 realignment costs in the fourth quarter of 2016. The 2016 realignment costs primarily related to $19.3 million in severance costs for a reduction in workforce and $6.2 million of asset write-downs in response to the impact of a weak global economy on certain of the Company’s businesses, as well as the effects of a continued strong U.S. dollar. The Company recorded 2015 realignment costs totaling $36.6 million, with $15.9 million recorded in the first quarter of 2015 and $20.7 million recorded in the fourth quarter of 2015 (the “2015 realignment costs”). The 2015 realignment costs primarily related to reductions in workforce in response to the impact of a weak global economy on certain of the Company’s businesses, as well as the effects of a continued strong U.S. dollar. See Note 18 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details.

The 2016 and 2015 realignment costs were reported in the consolidated statement of income as follows (in millions):


	2016				2015
	Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,		Three Months Ended March 31,		Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
Cost of sales	$	24.0	$	24.0	$	15.8	$	20.0	$	35.8
Selling, general and administrative expenses		1.6		1.6		0.1		0.7		0.8

Total	$	25.6	$	25.6	$	15.9	$	20.7	$	36.6

The 2016 and 2015 realignment costs were reported in segment operating income as follows (in millions):


	2016				2015
	Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,		Three Months Ended March 31,		Three Months Ended December 31,		Year Ended December 31,
EIG	$	12.4	$	12.4	$	9.3	$	9.3	$	18.5
EMG		11.6		11.6		6.5		10.8		17.3

Total	$	24.0	$	24.0	$	15.8	$	20.0	$	35.8

The 2016 and 2015 realignment costs negatively impacted segment operating margins as follows (in basis points):


	2016						2015
	Three Months Ended December 31,			Year Ended December 31,			Three Months Ended December 31,			Year Ended December 31,
EIG		(200	)		(50	)		(150	)		(70	)
EMG		(330	)		(80	)		(300	)		(110	)
Total		(250	)		(60	)		(200	)		(90	)

Segment operating income for 2016 was $855.6 million, a decrease of $101.9 million or 10.6%, compared with segment operating income of $957.5 million in 2015. Segment operating income, as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 22.3% in 2016, compared with 24.1% in 2015. The decrease in segment operating income and segment operating margins for 2016 resulted primarily from the decrease in net sales noted above and a $29.7 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense, which included a $13.9 million non-cash impairment charge related to certain of the Company’s trade names ($9.2 million impacted EIG and $4.7 million impacted EMG). The 2016 impairment charge negatively impacted segment operating margins by approximately 40 basis points. Segment operating income and segment operating margins for 2016 and 2015 included the impact of the realignment costs detailed in the tables above.

Cost of sales for 2016 was $2,575.2 million or 67.1% of net sales, a decrease of $42.8 million or 1.6%, compared with $2,618.0 million or 65.9% of net sales for 2015. The cost of sales decrease was primarily due to the net sales decrease noted above, partially offset by a $29.7 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense, which included a $13.9 million impairment charge noted above. Cost of sales for 2016 and 2015 included the impact of the realignment costs detailed in the tables above.

SG&A expenses for 2016 were $463.0 million or 12.1% of net sales, an increase of $14.4 million or 3.2%, compared with $448.6 million or 11.3% of net sales in 2015. For 2016 and 2015, SG&A expenses included $1.6 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of realignment costs noted above.

Consolidated operating income was $801.9 million or 20.9% of net sales for 2016, a decrease of $105.8 million or 11.7%, compared with $907.7 million or 22.8% of net sales in 2015.

Interest expense was $94.3 million for 2016, an increase of $2.5 million or 2.7%, compared with $91.8 million in 2015. The interest expense increase for 2016 was primarily due to higher average borrowings to fund acquisitions and share repurchases.

The effective tax rate for 2016 was 26.1%, compared with 26.7% in 2015. The effective tax rates for 2016 and 2015 reflect the impact of foreign earnings, which are taxed at lower rates. The 2016 effective tax rate reflects tax benefits related to international and state tax planning initiatives and the release of uncertain tax position liabilities relating to certain statute expirations. The 2015 effective tax rate reflects the first quarter of 2015 release of uncertain tax position liabilities related to the conclusion of an advance thin capitalization agreement in the European Union, the second quarter of 2015 effective settlement of the U.S. research and development tax credit from the completion of an Internal Revenue Service examination for 2010 and 2011, and the third quarter of 2015 $7.5 million of tax benefits related to the closure of an international subsidiary. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details.

Net income for 2016 was $512.2 million, a decrease of $78.7 million or 13.3%, compared with $590.9 million in 2015. The 2016 realignment costs and the 2016 impairment charge reduced 2016 net income by $17.0 million and $8.6 million, respectively. The 2015 realignment costs reduced 2015 net income by $24.7 million.

Diluted earnings per share for 2016 were $2.19, a decrease of $0.26 or 10.6%, compared with $2.45 per diluted share in 2015. The 2016 realignment costs and the 2016 impairment charge had the effect of reducing 2016 diluted earnings per share by $0.07 and $0.04, respectively. The 2015 realignment costs had the effect of reducing 2015 diluted earnings per share by $0.10.

Segment Results

EIG’s net sales totaled $2,360.3 million for 2016, a decrease of $56.9 million or 2.4%, compared with $2,417.2 million in 2015. The net sales decrease was due to a 7% organic sales decline, driven largely by the Company’s process businesses that have exposure to oil and gas markets, partially offset by a 5% increase from the 2016 acquisitions of Nu Instruments, Brookfield and ESP/SurgeX and 2015 acquisition of Surface Vision.

EIG’s operating income was $577.7 million for 2016, a decrease of $61.7 million or 9.6%, compared with $639.4 million in 2015. EIG’s operating margins were 24.5% of net sales for 2016, compared with 26.5% of net sales in 2015. The decrease in EIG operating income and operating margins for 2016 resulted primarily from the decrease in net sales noted above and a $20.5 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense, which included a $9.2 million impairment charge. The 2016 impairment charge negatively impacted EIG’s operating margins by approximately 40 basis points. EIG’s operating income and operating margins for 2016 and 2015 included the impact of the realignment costs detailed in the tables above.

EMG’s net sales totaled $1,479.8 million for 2016, a decrease of $77.3 million or 5.0%, compared with $1,557.1 million in 2015. The net sales decrease was due to a 6% organic sales decline, driven largely by weakness in the Company’s engineered materials, interconnects and packaging businesses, and an unfavorable 1% effect of foreign currency translation, partially offset by a 2% increase from the 2016 acquisition of Laserage and 2015 acquisition of Global Tubes.

EMG’s operating income was $277.9 million for 2016, a decrease of $40.2 million or 12.6%, compared with $318.1 million in 2015. EMG’s operating margins were 18.8% of net sales for 2016, compared with 20.4% of net sales in 2015. The decrease in EMG’s operating income and operating margins for 2016 resulted primarily from

the decrease in net sales noted above and a $9.2 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense, which included a $4.7 million impairment charge. The 2016 impairment charge negatively impacted EMG’s operating margins by approximately 30 basis points. EMG’s operating income and operating margins for 2016 and 2015 included the impact of the realignment costs detailed in the tables above.

Results of operations for the fourth quarter of 2016 compared with the fourth quarter of 2015

Net sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $973.0 million, a decrease of $15.0 million or 1.5%, compared with net sales of $988.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. The decrease in net sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 was due to a 4% organic sales decline and an unfavorable 1% effect of foreign currency translation, partially offset by a 3% increase from acquisitions.

Segment operating income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $187.8 million, a decrease of $34.0 million or 15.3%, compared with segment operating income of $221.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. Segment operating income, as a percentage of net sales, decreased to 19.3% for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with 22.5% for the fourth quarter of 2015. The decrease in segment operating income and segment operating margins for the fourth quarter of 2016 resulted primarily from the decrease in net sales noted above and a $17.2 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense, which included a $13.9 million non-cash impairment charge related to certain of the Company’s trade names ($9.2 million impacted EIG and $4.7 million impacted EMG). The fourth quarter of 2016 impairment charge negatively impacted segment operating margins by approximately 140 basis points. Segment operating income and segment operating margins for the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2015 included the impact of the realignment costs detailed in the tables above.

Cost of sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $681.1 million or 70.0% of net sales, an increase of $14.8 million or 2.2%, compared with $666.3 million or 67.4% of net sales for the fourth quarter of 2015. The cost of sales increase and the corresponding increase in cost of sales as a percentage of sales were primarily due to the net sales decrease noted above and a $17.2 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense, which included the fourth quarter of 2016 impairment charge of $13.9 million noted above. Cost of sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2015 included the impact of the realignment costs detailed in the tables above.

Net income for the fourth quarter of 2016 was $109.1 million, a decrease of $27.7 million or 20.2%, compared with $136.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. The fourth quarter of 2016 realignment costs and fourth quarter of 2016 impairment charge reduced the fourth quarter of 2016 net income by $17.0 million and $8.6 million, respectively. The fourth quarter of 2015 realignment costs reduced the fourth quarter of 2015 net income by $13.9 million.

Diluted earnings per share for the fourth quarter of 2016 were $0.47, a decrease of $0.10 or 17.5%, compared with $0.57 per diluted share for the fourth quarter of 2015. The fourth quarter of 2016 realignment costs and fourth quarter of 2016 impairment charge had the effect of reducing the fourth quarter of 2016 diluted earnings per share by $0.07 and $0.04, respectively. The fourth quarter of 2015 realignment costs had the effect of reducing the fourth quarter of 2015 diluted earnings per share by $0.06.

Segment Results

EIG’s net sales totaled $616.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, a decrease of $12.4 million or 2.0%, compared with $628.4 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. The net sales decrease was due to a 6% organic sales decline, driven largely by the Company’s process businesses with exposure to oil and gas markets, and an unfavorable 1% effect of foreign currency translation, partially offset by a 5% increase from the 2016 acquisitions of Nu Instruments, Brookfield and ESP/SurgeX.

EIG’s operating income was $141.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, a decrease of $20.6 million or 12.7%, compared with $161.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. EIG’s operating margins were 22.9% of net

sales for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with 25.7% of net sales for the fourth quarter of 2015. The decrease in EIG’s operating income and operating margins for the fourth quarter of 2016 resulted primarily from the decrease in net sales noted above and an $11.0 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense, which included a $9.2 million impairment charge. The fourth quarter of 2016 impairment charge negatively impacted EIG’s operating margins by approximately 150 basis points. EIG’s operating income and operating margins for the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2015 included the impact of the realignment costs detailed in the tables above.

EMG’s net sales totaled $356.9 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, a decrease of $2.7 million or 0.8%, compared with $359.6 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. The net sales decrease was due to an unfavorable 2% effect of foreign currency translation, partially offset by a 1% increase from the 2016 acquisition of Laserage. Organic sales were flat quarter over quarter.

EMG’s operating income was $46.7 million for the fourth quarter of 2016, a decrease of $13.5 million or 22.4%, compared with $60.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2015. EMG’s operating margins were 13.1% of net sales for the fourth quarter of 2016, compared with 16.7% of net sales for the fourth quarter of 2015. The decrease in EMG’s operating income and operating margins for the fourth quarter of 2016 resulted primarily from the decrease in net sales noted above and a $6.2 million increase in depreciation and amortization expense, which included a $4.7 million impairment charge. The fourth quarter of 2016 impairment charge negatively impacted EMG’s operating margins by approximately 130 basis points. EMG’s operating income and operating margins for the fourth quarter of 2016 and 2015 included the impact of the realignment costs detailed in the tables above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash provided by operating activities totaled $833.3 million in 2017, an increase of $76.5 million or 10.1%, compared with $756.8 million in 2016. The increase in cash provided by operating activities for 2017 was primarily due to higher net income and lower overall operating working capital levels driven by the Company’s continued focus on working capital management. Offsetting the increase in cash provided by operating activities was a $48.0 million increase in defined benefit pension plan contributions driven by a discretionary $50.1 million contribution to the Company’s defined benefit pension plans in the first quarter of 2017, with $40.0 million contributed to U.S. defined benefit pension plans and $10.1 million contributed to foreign defined benefit pension plans.

Free cash flow (cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures) was $758.2 million in 2017, compared with $693.6 million in 2016. EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization) was $1,076.0 million in 2017, compared with $966.0 million in 2016. Free cash flow and EBITDA are presented because the Company is aware that they are measures used by third parties in evaluating the Company. (See the “Notes to Selected Financial Data” included in Item 6 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of U.S. GAAP measures to comparable non-GAAP measures).

Cash used for investing activities totaled $625.8 million in 2017, compared with $452.4 million in 2016. In 2017, the Company paid $556.6 million, net of cash acquired, to acquire Arizona Instrument in December 2017, MOCON in June 2017 and Rauland in February 2017. In 2016, the Company paid $391.4 million, net of cash acquired, to acquire Laserage in October 2016, HS Foils and Nu Instruments in July 2016 and Brookfield and ESP/SurgeX in January 2016. Additions to property, plant and equipment totaled $75.1 million in 2017, compared with $63.3 million in 2016.

Cash used for financing activities totaled $329.2 million in 2017, compared with $57.1 million of cash provided by financing activities in 2016. At December 31, 2017, total debt, net was $2,174.3 million, compared with $2,341.6 million at December 31, 2016. In 2017, short-term borrowings decreased $9.6 million, compared with a decrease of $315.7 million in 2016. In 2017, long-term borrowings decreased $270.0 million, compared with an increase of $772.2 million in 2016.

In the fourth quarter of 2017, the Company paid in full, at maturity, $270 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.20% private placement senior notes.

The Company along with certain of its foreign subsidiaries has an amended and restated credit agreement dated as of March 10, 2016 (the “Credit Agreement”). The Credit Agreement consists of a five-year revolving credit facility in an aggregate principal amount of $850 million with a final maturity date in March 2021. The revolving credit facility total borrowing capacity excludes an accordion feature that permits the Company to request up to an additional $300 million in revolving credit commitments at any time during the life of the Credit Agreement under certain conditions. Interest rates on outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility are at the applicable benchmark rate plus a negotiated spread or at the U.S. prime rate. The revolving credit facility provides the Company with additional financial flexibility to support its growth plans, including its acquisition strategy. At December 31, 2017, the Company had available borrowing capacity of $1,108.1 million under its revolving credit facility, including the $300 million accordion feature.

In the third quarter of 2018, $80 million of 6.35% senior notes and $160 million of 7.08% senior notes will mature and become payable. In the fourth quarter of 2018, $65 million of 7.18% senior notes will mature and become payable. The debt-to-capital ratio was 35.1% at December 31, 2017, compared with 41.8% at December 31, 2016. The net debt-to-capital ratio (total debt, net less cash and cash equivalents divided by the sum of net debt and stockholders’ equity) was 27.5% at December 31, 2017, compared with 33.3% at December 31, 2016. The net debt-to-capital ratio is presented because the Company is aware that this measure is used by third parties in evaluating the Company. (See the “Notes to Selected Financial Data” included in Item 6 in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a reconciliation of U.S. GAAP measures to comparable non-GAAP measures).

In 2017, the Company repurchased approximately 114,000 shares of its common stock for $6.9 million, compared with $336.1 million used for repurchases of approximately 7,099,000 shares in 2016. At December 31, 2017, $368.7 million was available under the Company’s Board of Directors authorization for future share repurchases.

Additional financing activities for 2017 included cash dividends paid of $82.7 million, compared with $83.3 million in 2016. Proceeds from the exercise of employee stock options were $40.0 million in 2017, compared with $17.6 million in 2016.

As a result of all of the Company’s cash flow activities in 2017, cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2017 totaled $646.3 million, compared with $717.3 million at December 31, 2016. At December 31, 2017, the Company had $569.4 million in cash outside the United States, compared with $481.6 million at December 31, 2016. The Company utilizes this cash to fund its international operations, as well as to acquire international businesses. The Company is in compliance with all covenants, including financial covenants, for all of its debt agreements. The Company believes it has sufficient cash-generating capabilities from domestic and unrestricted foreign sources, available credit facilities and access to long-term capital funds to enable it to meet its operating needs and contractual obligations in the foreseeable future.

Subsequent Events

In January 2018, the Company acquired FMH Aerospace for approximately $235 million in cash using available cash.

Effective February 1, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a 56% increase in the quarterly cash dividend on the Company’s common stock to $0.14 per common share from $0.09 per common share.

The following table summarizes AMETEK’s contractual cash obligations and the effect such obligations are expected to have on the Company’s liquidity and cash flows in future years at December 31, 2017.


	Payments Due
Contractual Obligations(1)	Total		Less Than One Year		One to Three Years		Four to Five Years		After Five Years
	(In millions)
Long-term debt borrowings(2)	$	2,174.9	$	305.0	$	208.2	$	56.5	$	1,605.2
Capital lease(3)		4.3		4.3		—		—		—
Other indebtedness		0.3		0.3		—		—		—

Total debt(4)		2,179.5		309.6		208.2		56.5		1,605.2
Interest on long-term fixed-rate debt		465.0		71.8		104.7		88.6		199.9
Noncancellable operating leases(5)		187.3		39.0		56.7		38.0		53.6
Purchase obligations(6)		390.6		365.2		24.4		0.9		0.1
Restructuring and other		30.0		27.0		3.0		—		—

Total	$	3,252.4	$	812.6	$	397.0	$	184.0	$	1,858.8

(1)	The liability for uncertain tax positions was not included in the table of contractual obligations as of December 31, 2017 because the timing of the settlements of these uncertain tax positions cannot be reasonably estimated at this time. See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details.

(2)	See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details.

(3)	Represents a capital lease for a building and land associated with the Cameca SAS acquisition. The lease has a term of 12 years, which began in July 2006, and is payable quarterly.

(4)	Excludes debt issuance costs of $5.2 million, of which $1.5 million is classified as current and $3.7 million is classified as long-term. See Note 9 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further details.

(5)	The leases expire over a range of years from 2018 to 2082 with renewal or purchase options, subject to various terms and conditions, contained in most of the leases.

(6)	Purchase obligations primarily consist of contractual commitments to purchase certain inventories at fixed prices.

Other Commitments

The Company has standby letters of credit and surety bonds of $47.3 million related to performance and payment guarantees at December 31, 2017. Based on experience with these arrangements, the Company believes that any obligations that may arise will not be material to its financial position.

Critical Accounting Policies

The Company has identified its critical accounting policies as those accounting policies that can have a significant impact on the presentation of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations and that require the use of complex and subjective estimates based on the Company’s historical experience and management’s judgment. Because of the uncertainty inherent in such estimates, actual results may differ materially from the estimates used. The consolidated financial statements and related notes contain information that is pertinent to the Company’s accounting policies and to Management’s Discussion and Analysis. The information that follows represents additional specific disclosures about the Company’s accounting policies regarding risks, estimates, subjective decisions or assessments whereby materially different financial condition

and results of operations could have been reported had different assumptions been used or different conditions existed. Primary disclosure of the Company’s significant accounting policies is in Note 1 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

	•		Revenue Recognition. The Company recognizes revenue on product sales in the period when the sales process is complete. This generally occurs when products are shipped to the customer in accordance with terms of an agreement of sale, under which title and risk of loss have been transferred, collectability is reasonably assured and pricing is fixed or determinable. For a small percentage of sales where title and risk of loss passes at point of delivery, the Company recognizes revenue upon delivery to the customer, assuming all other criteria for revenue recognition are met. The Company’s policy with respect to sales returns and allowances generally provides that the customer may not return products or be given allowances, except at the Company’s option. The Company has agreements with distributors that do not provide expanded rights of return for unsold products. The distributor purchases the product from the Company, at which time title and risk of loss transfers to the distributor. The Company does not offer substantial sales incentives and credits to its distributors other than volume discounts. The Company accounts for these sales incentives as a reduction of revenues when the sale is recognized in the consolidated statement of income. Accruals for sales returns, other allowances and estimated warranty costs are provided at the time revenue is recognized based on the Company’s historical experience. At December 31, 2017 and 2016, the accrual for future warranty obligations was $22.9 million and $22.0 million, respectively. The Company’s expense for warranty obligations was $16.0 million in both 2017 and 2016, and $14.8 million in 2015, respectively. The warranty periods for products sold vary among the Company’s operations, but generally do not exceed one year. The Company calculates its warranty expense provision based on its historical warranty experience and adjustments are made periodically to reflect actual warranty expenses. If actual future sales returns and allowances and warranty amounts are higher than the Company’s historical experience, additional accruals may be required.

	•		Accounts Receivable. The Company maintains allowances for estimated losses resulting from the inability of specific customers to meet their financial obligations to the Company. A specific allowance for doubtful accounts is recorded against the amount due from these customers. For all other customers, the Company recognizes allowance for doubtful accounts based on the length of time specific receivables are past due based on its historical experience. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, resulting in their inability to make payments, additional allowances may be required. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $10.4 million and $10.3 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

	•		Inventories. The Company uses the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method of accounting, which approximates current replacement cost, for approximately 84% of its inventories at December 31, 2017. The last-in, first-out (“LIFO”) method of accounting is used to determine cost for the remaining 16% of the Company’s inventory at December 31, 2017. For inventories where cost is determined by the LIFO method, the FIFO value would have been $22.9 million and $18.4 million higher than the LIFO value reported in the consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The Company provides estimated inventory reserves for slow-moving and obsolete inventory based on current assessments about future demand, market conditions, customers who may be experiencing financial difficulties and related management initiatives. If these factors are less favorable than those projected by management, additional inventory reserves may be required.

	•		Business Combinations. The Company allocates the purchase price of an acquired company, including when applicable, the acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration between tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed from the acquired business based on their estimated fair values, with the residual of the purchase price recorded as goodwill. Third party appraisal firms and other consultants are engaged to assist management in determining the fair values of certain assets acquired and liabilities assumed. Estimating fair values requires significant judgments, estimates and assumptions, including but not limited to: discount rates, future cash flows and the economic lives of trade names, technology, customer relationships, property, plant and equipment, as well as income taxes. These estimates are based on historical experience and information obtained from the management of the acquired companies, and are inherently uncertain.

	•		Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. Goodwill and other intangible assets with indefinite lives, primarily trademarks and trade names, are not amortized; rather, they are tested for impairment at least annually. For the purpose of the goodwill impairment test, the Company can elect to perform a qualitative analysis to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair values of its reporting units are less than the respective carrying values of those reporting units. The Company elected to bypass performing the qualitative screen and performed the first step quantitative analysis of the goodwill impairment test in the current year. The Company may elect to perform the qualitative analysis in future periods. The first step in the quantitative process is to compare the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s net assets to the fair value of the reporting unit. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, no further evaluation is required and no impairment loss is recognized. An impairment charge would be recognized to the extent the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the reporting unit fair value.

The Company identifies its reporting units at the component level, which is one level below its operating segments. Generally, goodwill arises from acquisitions of specific operating companies and is assigned to the reporting unit in which a particular operating company resides. The Company’s reporting units are divisions that are one level below its operating segments and for which discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management.

The Company principally relies on a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of each reporting unit, which considers forecasted cash flows discounted at an appropriate discount rate. The Company believes that market participants would use a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the fair value of its reporting units in a sale transaction. The annual goodwill impairment test requires the Company to make a number of assumptions and estimates concerning future levels of revenue growth, operating margins, depreciation, amortization and working capital requirements, which are based on the Company’s long-range plan and are considered level 3 inputs. The Company’s long-range plan is updated as part of its annual planning process and is reviewed and approved by management. The discount rate is an estimate of the overall after-tax rate of return required by a market participant whose weighted average cost of capital includes both equity and debt, including a risk premium. While the Company uses the best available information to prepare its cash flow and discount rate assumptions, actual future cash flows or market conditions could differ significantly resulting in future impairment charges related to recorded goodwill balances. While there are always changes in assumptions to reflect changing business and market conditions, the Company’s overall methodology and the population of assumptions used have remained unchanged. In order to evaluate the sensitivity of the goodwill impairment test to changes in the fair value calculations, the Company applied a hypothetical 10% decrease in fair values of each reporting unit. The 2017 results (expressed as a percentage of carrying value for the respective reporting unit) showed that, despite the hypothetical 10% decrease in fair value, the fair values of the Company’s reporting units still exceeded their respective carrying values by 20% to 670% for each of the Company’s reporting units.

The impairment test for indefinite-lived intangibles other than goodwill (primarily trademarks and trade names) consists of a comparison of the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset to the carrying value of the asset as of the impairment testing date. The Company can elect to perform a qualitative analysis to determine if it is more likely than not that the fair values of its indefinite-lived intangible assets are less than the respective carrying values of those assets. The Company elected to bypass performing the qualitative screen. The Company may elect to perform the qualitative analysis in future periods. The Company estimates the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangibles using the relief from royalty method using level 3 inputs. The Company believes the relief from royalty method is a widely used valuation technique for such assets. The fair value derived from the relief from royalty method is measured as the discounted cash flow savings realized from owning such trademarks and trade names and not having to pay a royalty for their use.

The Company’s acquisitions have generally included a significant goodwill component and the Company expects to continue to make acquisitions. At December 31, 2017, goodwill and other indefinite-lived

intangible assets totaled $3,724.6 million or 47.7% of the Company’s total assets. The Company completed its required annual impairment tests in the fourth quarter of 2017 and determined that the carrying values of the Company’s goodwill were not impaired.

Other intangible assets with finite lives are evaluated for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. The carrying value of other intangible assets with finite lives is considered impaired when the total projected undiscounted cash flows from those assets are separately identifiable and are less than the carrying value. In that event, a loss is recognized based on the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the fair value of those assets. Fair value is determined primarily using present value techniques based on projected cash flows from the asset group.

	•		Pensions. The Company has U.S. and foreign defined benefit and defined contribution pension plans. The most significant elements in determining the Company’s pension income or expense are the assumed pension liability discount rate and the expected return on plan assets. The pension discount rate reflects the current interest rate at which the pension liabilities could be settled at the valuation date. At the end of each year, the Company determines the assumed discount rate to be used to discount plan liabilities. In estimating this rate for 2017, the Company considered rates of return on high-quality, fixed-income investments that have maturities consistent with the anticipated funding requirements of the plan. The discount rate used in determining the 2017 pension cost was 7.50% for U.S. defined benefit pension plans and 6.79% for foreign plans. The discount rate used for determining the funded status of the plans at December 31, 2017 and determining the 2018 defined benefit pension cost was 7.50% for U.S. plans and 6.79% for foreign plans. In estimating the U.S. and foreign discount rates, the Company’s actuaries developed a customized discount rate appropriate to the plans’ projected benefit cash flow based on yields derived from a database of long-term bonds at consistent maturity dates. The Company used an expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for 2017 of 7.50% for U.S. defined benefit pension plans and 6.79% for foreign plans. In 2018, the Company will use 7.50% for the U.S. plans and 6.64% for the foreign plans. The Company determines the expected long-term rate of return based primarily on its expectation of future returns for the pension plans’ investments. Additionally, the Company considers historical returns on comparable fixed-income and equity investments, and adjusts its estimate as deemed appropriate. The rate of compensation increase used in determining the 2017 pension income for the U.S. plans was 3.75% and was 2.50% for the foreign plans. The U.S. and foreign plans’ rate of compensation increase will remain unchanged in 2018. In both 2017 and 2016, the Company recognized consolidated pre-tax pension income of $4.3 million from its U.S. and foreign defined benefit pension plans. The Company estimates its 2018 U.S. and foreign defined benefit pension pre-tax income to be approximately $15 million.

All unrecognized prior service costs, remaining transition obligations or assets and actuarial gains and losses have been recognized, net of tax effects, as a charge to accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity and will be amortized as a component of net periodic pension cost. The Company uses a measurement date of December 31 (its fiscal year end) for its U.S. and foreign defined benefit plans.

To fund the plans, the Company made cash contributions to its defined benefit pension plans in 2017, which totaled $54.8 million, compared with $6.8 million in 2016. The Company anticipates making approximately $2 million to $6 million in cash contributions to its defined benefit pension plans in 2018.

	•		Income Taxes. The process of providing for income taxes and determining the related balance sheet accounts requires management to assess uncertainties, make judgments regarding outcomes and utilize estimates. The Company conducts a broad range of operations around the world and is therefore subject to complex tax regulations in numerous international taxing jurisdictions, resulting at times in tax audits, disputes and potential litigation, the outcome of which is uncertain. Management must make judgments currently about such uncertainties and determine estimates of the Company’s tax assets and liabilities. To

	the extent the final outcome differs, future adjustments to the Company’s tax assets and liabilities may be necessary.

The Company assesses the realizability of its deferred tax assets, taking into consideration the Company’s forecast of future taxable income, available net operating loss carryforwards and available tax planning strategies that could be implemented to realize the deferred tax assets. Based on this assessment, management must evaluate the need for, and the amount of, valuation allowances against the Company’s deferred tax assets. To the extent facts and circumstances change in the future, adjustments to the valuation allowances may be required.

The Company assesses the uncertainty in its tax positions, by applying a minimum recognition threshold which a tax position is required to meet before a tax benefit is recognized in the financial statements. Once the minimum threshold is met, using a more likely than not standard, a series of probability estimates is made for each item to properly measure and record a tax benefit. The tax benefit recorded is generally equal to the highest probable outcome that is more than 50% likely to be realized after full disclosure and resolution of a tax examination. The underlying probabilities are determined based on the best available objective evidence such as recent tax audit outcomes, published guidance, external expert opinion, or by analogy to the outcome of similar issues in the past. There can be no assurance that these estimates will ultimately be realized given continuous changes in tax policy, legislation and audit practice. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2014-09”) and modified the standard thereafter. The objective of ASU 2014-09 is to establish a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and will supersede most of the existing revenue recognition guidance. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity recognizes revenue at the transfer of control of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 applies to all contracts with customers except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB Accounting Standards Codification.

ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and may be early adopted for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2018. The guidance permits adoption by retrospectively applying the guidance to each prior reporting period presented (full retrospective method) or prospectively applying the guidance and providing additional disclosures comparing results to previous guidance, with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized in beginning retained earnings at the date of initial application (modified retrospective method). The Company will use the modified retrospective method of adoption.

ASU 2014-09 will impact the Company’s revenue recognition procedures by requiring recognition of certain revenues to move from upon shipment or delivery to over-time. The recording of certain revenues over-time is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position. Also, the Company has developed the additional expanded disclosures required. The Company has implemented the appropriate changes to its business processes to support recognition and disclosure under ASU 2014-09. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2014-09 to have a material impact on its consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-11, Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory (“ASU 2015-11”), which applies to inventory that is measured using FIFO or average cost. As prescribed in this update, an entity should measure inventory that is within scope at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of

completion, disposal and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory that is measured using LIFO. The Company prospectively adopted ASU 2015-11 effective January 1, 2017 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes (“ASU 2015-17”). ASU 2015-17 simplifies the presentation of deferred taxes by requiring deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent on the consolidated balance sheet. The Company prospectively adopted ASU 2015-17 effective January 1, 2017. Therefore, prior periods have not been adjusted to reflect this adoption. The adoption of ASU 2015-17 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (“ASU 2016-02”). The new standard establishes a right-of-use model that requires a lessee to record a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than twelve months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. ASU 2016-02 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 and early adoption is permitted. ASU 2016-02 includes transitional guidance, as currently issued, that calls for a modified retrospective approach. The FASB has recently proposed adding a transition option to the current guidance and it includes optional practical expedients for ease of transition. The Company has formed a steering committee to lead the Company’s implementation project. The Company has not determined the impact ASU 2016-02 may have on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows and financial statement disclosures, which could be significant to the Company’s financial position.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting. ASU 2016-09 includes changes to the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. The Company prospectively adopted ASU 2016-09 effective January 1, 2017. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $12.3 million within Provision for income taxes related to the tax effects of share-based payment transactions. Prior to adoption, this amount would have been recorded as a component of Capital in excess of par value. The adoption of this standard could create volatility in the Company’s effective tax rate going forward. The Company elected not to change its accounting policy with respect to the estimation of forfeitures. The Company no longer reclassifies the excess tax benefits from share-based payments from operating activities to financing activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows. For the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company excluded the excess tax benefits from the assumed proceeds available to repurchase shares in the computation of its diluted earnings per share and the related increase in the Company’s diluted weighted average common shares outstanding was not significant.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-01, Clarifying the Definition of a Business (“ASU 2017-01”). ASU 2017-01 provides a more robust framework to use in determining when a set of assets and activities is a business. ASU 2017-01 requires an entity to evaluate if substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set of assets is not a business. ASU 2017-01 requires that, to be a business, the set must include, at a minimum, an input and a substantive process that together significantly contribute to the ability to create outputs. ASU 2017-01 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. ASU 2017-01 will be applied prospectively to any transactions occurring within the period of adoption. Early adoption is permitted, including for interim or annual periods in which the financial statements have not been issued or made available for issuance. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-01 to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows and financial statement disclosures.

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 eliminates the requirement to calculate the reporting unit fair value of goodwill

(second step) to measure a goodwill impairment charge. Under the guidance, an impairment charge will be measured based on the excess of the reporting unit’s carrying amount over its fair value (first step). ASU 2017-04 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The Company early adopted ASU 2017-04 effective January 1, 2017 and the adoption did not have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position, cash flows and financial statement disclosures.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (“ASU 2017-07”), which changes how employers that sponsor defined benefit pension and/or other postretirement benefit plans present the net periodic benefit cost in the income statement. ASU 2017-07 requires employers to present the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item as other employee compensation costs. All other components of the net periodic benefit cost will be presented outside of operating income. ASU 2017-07 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. The changes in presentation will be applied retrospectively when adopted. The Company expects restated 2017 Cost of sales to increase $11.5 million with an offsetting $11.5 million increase to Other operating income. The 2018 service cost included in operating income is expected to approximate 2017 service cost of $7.1 million. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-07 to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated financial position, cash flows and financial statement disclosures.

In May 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-09, Scope of Modification Accounting (“ASU 2017-09”). ASU 2017-09 clarifies which changes to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award require an entity to apply modification accounting. ASU 2017-09 is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASU 2017-09 to have a significant impact on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

Internal Reinvestment

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $75.1 million or 1.7% of net sales in 2017, compared with $63.3 million or 1.6% of net sales in 2016. In 2017, approximately 55% of capital expenditures were for improvements to existing equipment or additional equipment to increase productivity and expand capacity. Capital expenditures in 2018 are expected to approximate 2% of net sales, with a continued emphasis on spending to improve productivity.

Research, Development and Engineering

The Company is committed to, and has consistently invested in, research, development and engineering activities to design and develop new and improved products and solutions. Research, development and engineering costs before customer reimbursement were $221.2 million in 2017 and $200.8 million in both 2016 and 2015. Customer reimbursements in 2017, 2016 and 2015 were $5.4 million, $7.2 million and $6.9 million, respectively. These amounts included research and development expenses of $130.4 million, $112.0 million and $116.3 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. All such expenditures were directed toward the development of new products and solutions and the improvement of existing products and solutions.

Environmental Matters

Certain historic processes in the manufacture of products have resulted in environmentally hazardous waste by-products as defined by federal and state laws and regulations. The Company believes these waste products were handled in compliance with regulations existing at that time. At December 31, 2017, the Company is named a Potentially Responsible Party (“PRP”) at 13 non-AMETEK-owned former waste disposal or treatment sites (the “non-owned” sites). The Company is identified as a “de minimis” party in 12 of these sites based on the low

volume of waste attributed to the Company relative to the amounts attributed to other named PRPs. In eight of these sites, the Company has reached a tentative agreement on the cost of the de minimis settlement to satisfy its obligation and is awaiting executed agreements. The tentatively agreed-to settlement amounts are fully reserved. In the other four sites, the Company is continuing to investigate the accuracy of the alleged volume attributed to the Company as estimated by the parties primarily responsible for remedial activity at the sites to establish an appropriate settlement amount. At the remaining site where the Company is a non-de minimis PRP, the Company is participating in the investigation and/or related required remediation as part of a PRP Group and reserves have been established sufficient to satisfy the Company’s expected obligations. The Company historically has resolved these issues within established reserve levels and reasonably expects this result will continue. In addition to these non-owned sites, the Company has an ongoing practice of providing reserves for probable remediation activities at certain of its current or previously owned manufacturing locations (the “owned” sites). For claims and proceedings against the Company with respect to other environmental matters, reserves are established once the Company has determined that a loss is probable and estimable. This estimate is refined as the Company moves through the various stages of investigation, risk assessment, feasibility study and corrective action processes. In certain instances, the Company has developed a range of estimates for such costs and has recorded a liability based on the best estimate. It is reasonably possible that the actual cost of remediation of the individual sites could vary from the current estimates and the amounts accrued in the consolidated financial statements; however, the amounts of such variances are not expected to result in a material change to the consolidated financial statements. In estimating the Company’s liability for remediation, the Company also considers the likely proportionate share of the anticipated remediation expense and the ability of the other PRPs to fulfill their obligations.

Total environmental reserves at December 31, 2017 and 2016 were $30.1 million and $28.4 million, respectively, for both non-owned and owned sites. In 2017, the Company recorded $7.7 million in reserves and the reserve increased $0.4 million due to foreign currency translation. Additionally, the Company spent $6.4 million on environmental matters in 2017. The Company’s reserves for environmental liabilities at December 31, 2017 and 2016 included reserves of $11.6 million and $12.4 million, respectively, for an owned site acquired in connection with the 2005 acquisition of HCC Industries (“HCC”). The Company is the designated performing party for the performance of remedial activities for one of several operating units making up a Superfund site in the San Gabriel Valley of California. The Company has obtained indemnifications and other financial assurances from the former owners of HCC related to the costs of the required remedial activities. At December 31, 2017, the Company had $12.0 million in receivables related to HCC for probable recoveries from third-party escrow funds and other committed third-party funds to support the required remediation. Also, the Company is indemnified by HCC’s former owners for approximately $19 million of additional costs.

The Company has agreements with other former owners of certain of its acquired businesses, as well as new owners of previously owned businesses. Under certain of the agreements, the former or new owners retained, or assumed and agreed to indemnify the Company against, certain environmental and other liabilities under certain circumstances. The Company and some of these other parties also carry insurance coverage for some environmental matters. To date, these parties have met their obligations in all material respects.

The Company believes it has established reserves for the environmental matters described above, which are sufficient to perform all known responsibilities under existing claims and consent orders. The Company has no reason to believe that other third parties would fail to perform their obligations in the future. In the opinion of management, based on presently available information and the Company’s historical experience related to such matters, an adequate provision for probable costs has been made and the ultimate cost resulting from these actions is not expected to materially affect the consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows of the Company.

The Company has been remediating groundwater contamination for several contaminants, including trichloroethylene (“TCE”), at a formerly owned site in El Cajon, California. Several lawsuits have been filed against the Company alleging damages resulting from the groundwater contamination, including property damages and personal injury, and seeking compensatory and punitive damages. Given the state of uncertainty inherent in these litigations, the Company does not believe it is possible to develop estimates of reasonably

possible loss in regard to these matters. The Company believes that it has good and valid defenses to each of these claims and intends to defend them vigorously. The Company does not expect the outcome of these matters, either individually or in the aggregate, to materially affect the consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows of the Company.

Market Risk

The Company’s primary exposures to market risk are fluctuations in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices, which could impact its financial condition and results of operations. The Company addresses its exposure to these risks through its normal operating and financing activities. The Company’s differentiated and global business activities help to reduce the impact that any particular market risk may have on its operating income as a whole.

The Company’s short-term debt carries variable interest rates and generally its long-term debt carries fixed rates. These financial instruments are more fully described in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The foreign currencies to which the Company has the most significant exchange rate exposure are the Euro, the British pound, the Japanese yen, the Chinese renminbi, the Canadian dollar, the Mexican peso and the Swiss franc. Exposure to foreign currency rate fluctuation is modest, monitored, and when possible, mitigated through the use of local borrowings and occasional derivative financial instruments in the foreign currency affected. The effect of translating foreign subsidiaries’ balance sheets into U.S. dollars is included in other comprehensive income within stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency transactions have not had a significant effect on the operating results reported by the Company because revenues and costs associated with the revenues are generally transacted in the same foreign currencies.

The primary commodities to which the Company has market exposure are raw material purchases of nickel, aluminum, copper, steel, titanium and gold. Exposure to price changes in these commodities are generally mitigated through adjustments in selling prices of the ultimate product and purchase order pricing arrangements, although forward contracts are sometimes used to manage some of those exposures.

Based on a hypothetical ten percent adverse movement in interest rates, commodity prices or foreign currency exchange rates, the Company’s best estimate is that the potential losses in future earnings, fair value of risk-sensitive financial instruments and cash flows are not material, although the actual effects may differ materially from the hypothetical analysis.

Forward-Looking Information

Certain matters discussed in this Form 10-K are “forward-looking statements” as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (“PSLRA”), which involve risk and uncertainties that exist in the Company’s operations and business environment and can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, or by known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Many such factors will be important in determining the Company’s actual future results. The Company wishes to take advantage of the “safe harbor” provisions of the PSLRA by cautioning readers that numerous important factors, in some cases have caused, and in the future could cause, the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, the Company. Some, but not all, of the factors or uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from present expectations are set forth above and under Item 1A. Risk Factors. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, subsequent events or otherwise, unless required by the securities laws to do so.

Previous: Item 6. Selected Financial Data · Next: Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Table of Contents