Pool Corp: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2016

You should read the following discussion in conjunction with Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

For a discussion of our base business calculations, see the RESULTS OF OPERATIONS section below.

Cautionary Statement for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

Our disclosure and analysis in this report contains forward-looking information that involves risks and uncertainties. Our forward‑looking statements express our current expectations or forecasts of possible future results or events, including projections of earnings and other financial performance measures, statements of management’s expectations regarding our plans and objectives and industry, general economic and other forecasts of trends and other matters. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this filing, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise such statements to reflect new circumstances or unanticipated events as they occur. You can identify these statements by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historic or current facts and often use words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “expect,” “believe,” “will likely result,” “outlook,” “project,” “should” and other words and expressions of similar meaning.

No assurance can be given that the results in any forward-looking statements will be achieved and actual results may differ materially due to one or more factors, including the sensitivity of our business to weather conditions, changes in the economy and the housing market, our ability to maintain favorable relationships with suppliers and manufacturers, competition from other leisure product alternatives and mass merchants and other risks detailed in our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. For these statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act.

OVERVIEW

Financial Results

Warmer weather across most seasonal markets resulted in an earlier than normal start to the pool season. Accelerated customer early buy deliveries, an additional selling day compared to the same period last year, and continued exceptional execution by our team all contributed to our strong start in 2016.

Net sales for the first quarter of 2016 increased 14% to $515.3 million compared to $450.4 million in the first quarter of 2015, with base business sales up 13% for the period. Our sales growth is primarily attributable to continued strength in consumer discretionary spending and seasonably favorable weather. The increase also included a 3% impact from accelerated customer early buy purchases, an almost 2% impact from one additional selling day in the quarter, and market share gains.

Gross profit for the first quarter of 2016 increased 15% compared to the same period last year. Base business gross profit improved 14% over the first quarter of last year. Gross profit as a percentage of net sales (gross margin) increased 10 basis points to 27.8% compared to the first quarter of 2015.

Selling and administrative expenses (operating expenses) increased 4% compared to the first quarter of 2015, with base business operating expenses up 3% over the comparable 2015 period. These increases were due primarily to labor-related costs and marketing and volume-driven freight expenses.

Operating income for the quarter increased 89% compared to the same period in 2015. Operating income as a percentage of net sales (operating margin) was 5.7% for the first quarter of 2016 compared to 3.5% in the first quarter of 2015.

Net income attributable to Pool Corporation increased 94% compared to the first quarter of 2015. Earnings per share doubled to a record $0.38 per diluted share for the three months ended March 31, 2016 versus $0.19 per diluted share for the comparable period in 2015.

Financial Position and Liquidity

Total net receivables, including pledged receivables, increased 19% from March 31, 2015, reflective of our sales growth in the first quarter of 2016 including an additional billing day in March. Our allowance for doubtful accounts balance was $4.3 million at March 31, 2016 compared to $4.1 million at March 31, 2015. In recent periods we have noted lower write-offs as a percentage of net sales and a smaller percentage of total receivables being greater than 60 days past due. The decline in the reserve balance as a percentage of the asset balance reflects these trends.

Net inventory levels grew 6% compared to levels at March 31, 2015. The inventory reserve was $8.3 million at March 31, 2016 and $7.2 million at March 31, 2015. Our inventory turns, as calculated on a trailing twelve month basis, were 3.5 times at March 31, 2016 and 3.4 times at March 31, 2015.

Total debt outstanding at March 31, 2016 was $450.5 million, a $57.7 million, or 15% increase over total debt at March 31, 2015. This increase is primarily related to the funding of greater share repurchases in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the first quarter of 2015.

Current Trends and Outlook

For a detailed discussion of trends through 2015, see the Current Trends and Outlook section of Management’s Discussion and Analysis included in Item 7 of our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Given our first quarter results and assuming normal weather patterns for our seasonally critical second and third quarters, as well as the remainder of the year, we now anticipate base business sales growth of 6% to 8% for the full year 2016. We believe approximately half of the sales growth experienced in the first quarter of 2016 reflects a shift of sales into the first quarter from future quarters, with the greatest impact from this shift expected in the second quarter of 2016. This includes the acceleration of customer early buy deliveries, the earlier swimming pool openings and the additional billing day in the first quarter. We estimate that favorable weather in the first quarter of 2016 was the next largest contributor to our sales growth rate, with organic growth and acquisitions rounding out the list.

Compared to 2015, we have neutral selling days for the full year for 2016, as well as for our second and third quarters, but we have one less selling day in the fourth quarter. We still expect the full year 2016 gross margin to be in line with the 2015 gross margin. For the year, we expect operating expenses to grow at approximately half the rate of our gross profit growth, reflecting inflationary increases and incremental costs to support our sales growth expectations.

We expect our effective tax rate will be consistent with last year. Our effective tax rate is dependent upon our results of operations and may change if actual results are different from our current expectations, particularly any significant changes in our geographic mix. As a result of these factors, our total income tax provision may also fluctuate on a quarterly basis.

Based on 2016 results to date and our expectations for the balance of the year, we have raised our annual earnings guidance range to $3.25 to $3.40 per diluted share, compared to our previously reported range of $3.20 to $3.35 per diluted share. We expect cash provided by operations will be in line with net income for the 2016 fiscal year. We anticipate that we may use approximately $100.0 million to $150.0 million in cash to fund share repurchases during the year. Through March 31, 2016, we have spent $63.2 million to purchase shares of our common shares on the open market.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

As of March 31, 2016, we conducted operations through 338 sales centers in North America, Europe, South America and Australia.

The following table presents information derived from the Consolidated Statements of Income expressed as a percentage of net sales:

Note: Due to rounding, percentages may not add to Operating income or Income before income taxes and equity earnings.

We have included the results of operations from acquisitions in 2015 in our consolidated results since the respective acquisition dates.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 Compared to Three Months Ended March 31, 2015

The following table breaks out our consolidated results into the base business component and the excluded component (sales centers excluded from base business):

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

In our calculation of base business results, we have excluded the following acquisitions for the periods identified:

(1) We acquired certain distribution assets of each of these companies.

When calculating our base business results, we exclude sales centers that are acquired, closed, or opened in new markets, for a period of 15 months. We also exclude consolidated sales centers when we do not expect to maintain the majority of the existing business and existing sales centers that are consolidated with acquired sales centers.

We generally allocate corporate overhead expenses to excluded sales centers on the basis of their net sales as a percentage of total net sales. After 15 months of operations, we include acquired, consolidated and new market sales centers in the base business calculation including the comparative prior year period.

The table below summarizes the changes in our sales center count during the first three months of 2016:

14

Net Sales

(in millions)

Net sales for the first quarter of 2016 increased 14% compared to the first quarter of 2015, with base business sales up 13% for the period. Warmer than normal weather across our seasonal markets largely contributed to our first quarter sales growth. As discussed further in our Seasonality, Quarterly Fluctuations and Weather section, warmer weather early in the season accelerates pool openings and allows for increased purchases of chemicals and supplies for existing pools, which are often necessary for priming a pool after the winter season. The favorable weather also increased the ability for customers to perform remodel, replacement and new construction activity. Further, many of the construction projects that began in the fourth quarter of 2015 continued into the first quarter of 2016. At the end of 2015 we benefited from an extended pool season in certain markets, with above average temperatures through much of the fourth quarter.

The following factors contributed to our sales growth (listed in order of estimated magnitude):

• warmer than normal weather in most of our seasonal markets (see discussion above), evidenced by chemical sales growth of 10% and double digit sales growth in our filter and automatic pool cleaner parts and accessories product categories compared to the first quarter of 2015;
• continued improvement in consumer discretionary expenditures, including some market recovery in remodeling and replacement activity (see discussion below);
• market share growth, particularly in building materials and commercial product categories;
• an increase in customer early buy deliveries (approximately 3%);
• an additional selling day in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the first quarter of 2015 (close to 2%); and
• inflationary (estimated at approximately 1%) product cost increases.

Sales of building materials and tile grew by 15% compared to the first quarter of 2015. Sales of equipment, which includes heaters, pumps and filters, also increased by 15% compared to the first quarter of 2015. Commercial product sales increased 19% compared to first quarter of 2015.

Gross Profit

(in millions)

Gross margin for the first quarter of 2016 increased 10 basis points compared to the first quarter of 2015, largely benefiting from the favorable product mix from earlier pool openings as well as internal pricing initiatives. This impact was partially offset by an increase in customer early buy deliveries, as these sales are primarily comprised of lower margin discretionary products and include applicable discounts.

Operating Expenses

(in millions)

Operating expenses increased 4% in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the first quarter of 2015, with base business operating expenses up 3% compared to the same period last year. These increases were due primarily to labor-related costs and marketing and volume-driven freight expenses.

Interest and Other Non-operating Expenses, Net

Interest and other non-operating expenses, net increased 49% compared to the first quarter of 2015. The primary component is interest expense on debt, which increased 16% over last year. Our weighted average effective interest rate remained consistent at 2.0% for the first quarters of 2016 and 2015 on higher average outstanding debt of $390.1 million versus $344.9 million for the respective periods.

Income Taxes

Our effective income tax rate was 38.5% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 compared to 38.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2015. The decline in our effective income tax rate is primarily the result of improved performance by our international entities and a lower impact from permanent items on the estimated higher pre-tax income base for 2016.

Net Income and Earnings Per Share

Net income attributable to Pool Corporation for the first quarter of 2016 increased 94% to $16.4 million compared to the first quarter of 2015. Earnings per diluted share doubled to $0.38 for the first quarter of 2016 versus $0.19 per diluted share for the comparable period in 2015.

Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations

Our business is highly seasonal. In general, sales and operating income are highest during the second and third quarters, which represent the peak months of both swimming pool use and installation and landscape maintenance and installation. Sales are substantially lower during the first and fourth quarters, when we may incur net losses. In 2015, we generated approximately 63% of our net sales and 90% of our operating income in the second and third quarters of the year.

We typically experience a build-up of product inventories and accounts payable during the winter months in anticipation of the peak selling season. Excluding borrowings to finance acquisitions and share repurchases, our peak borrowing usually occurs during the second quarter, primarily because extended payment terms offered by our suppliers typically are payable in April, May and June, while our peak accounts receivable collections typically occur in June, July and August.

The following table presents certain unaudited quarterly data for the first quarter of 2016, the four quarters of 2015, and the second, third and fourth quarters of 2014. We have included income statement and balance sheet data for the most recent eight quarters to allow for a meaningful comparison of the seasonal fluctuations in these amounts. In our opinion, this information reflects all normal and recurring adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation of this data. Due to the seasonal nature of our industry, the results of any one or more quarters are not necessarily a good indication of results for an entire fiscal year or of continuing trends.

(Unaudited)

(in thousands)

(1) For all periods presented, total debt balances have been adjusted to reflect our adoption of ASU 2015-03. For additional information, see Note 1 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 1 of this Form 10-Q.

We expect that our quarterly results of operations will continue to fluctuate depending on the timing and amount of revenue contributed by new and acquired sales centers. Based on our peak summer selling season, we generally open new sales centers and close or consolidate sales centers, when warranted, either in the first quarter before the peak selling season begins or in the fourth quarter after the peak selling season ends.

Weather is one of the principal external factors affecting our business. The table below presents some of the possible effects resulting from various weather conditions.

Weather Impacts on 2016 to 2015 Comparisons

Warmer than normal weather across nearly all markets in the United States benefited our first quarter of 2016 sales growth. Warmer weather early in the season accelerates pool openings and allows for increased purchases of chemicals and maintenance supplies for existing pools. By comparison, our year-round markets experienced similar favorable weather conditions in the first quarter of last year, while our seasonal markets, particularly in the northeast United States and eastern Canada, experienced cooler than normal temperatures in 2015. The unusually early warm weather in 2016 in our seasonal markets benefited our first quarter sales. Growth in our California markets was impacted by unfavorable 2016 weather comparisons to 2015 due to higher winter precipitation and average temperatures in 2016 versus record warm temperatures in 2015.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Liquidity is defined as the ability to generate adequate amounts of cash to meet short-term and long-term cash needs. We assess our liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund our operating activities, taking into consideration the seasonal nature of our business. Significant factors which could affect our liquidity include the following:

• cash flows generated from operating activities;
• the adequacy of available bank lines of credit;
• acquisitions;
• scheduled debt payments;
• dividend payments;
• capital expenditures;
• the timing and extent of share repurchases; and
• the ability to attract long-term capital with satisfactory terms.

Our primary capital needs are seasonal working capital requirements and other general corporate purposes, including acquisitions, dividend payments and share repurchases. Our primary sources of working capital are cash from operations supplemented by borrowings, which have historically been sufficient to support our growth and finance acquisitions. The same principle applies to funds used for capital expenditures and share repurchases.

We prioritize our use of cash based on investing in our business, maintaining a prudent debt structure and returning money to our shareholders. Our specific priorities for the use of cash are as follows:

• maintenance and new sales center capital expenditures;
• strategic acquisitions executed opportunistically;
• payment of cash dividends as and when declared by our Board of Directors (Board);
• repayment of debt to maintain an average total leverage ratio (as defined below) between 1.5 and 2.0 times; and
• repurchases of our common stock under our Board authorized share repurchase program.

Over the last five years, capital expenditures have averaged roughly 1.0% of net sales. Capital expenditures were 1.0% of net sales in 2015, 0.8% of net sales in 2014 and 0.9% of sales in 2013. Going forward, we project capital expenditures will be 1.0% to 1.5% of net sales as we expand facilities and purchase delivery vehicles to address growth opportunities.

Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table summarizes our cash flows (in thousands):

Cash used in operating activities of $39.8 million improved during the first three months of 2016 compared to the first three months of 2015 primarily due to our net income growth.

Cash used in investing activities for the first three months of 2016 increased compared to the first three months of 2015 largely due to higher capital expenditures for vehicle additions that were pulled forward to the first quarter of this year.

Cash provided by financing activities decreased between periods, which reflects an additional $57.5 million used for share repurchases compared to the first three months of 2015, partially offset by a $48.5 million increase in funding provided by net borrowings.

Future Sources and Uses of Cash

Our Credit Facility provides for $465.0 million in borrowing capacity under a five-year unsecured revolving credit facility and includes sublimits for the issuance of swingline loans and standby letters of credit. Pursuant to an accordion feature, the aggregate maximum principal amount of the commitments under the Credit Facility may be increased at our request and with agreement by the lenders by up to $75.0 million, to a total of $540.0 million. The Credit Facility matures on November 20, 2020. We intend to use the Credit Facility for general corporate purposes, for future share repurchases and to fund future growth initiatives.

At March 31, 2016, there was $325.9 million outstanding and $135.1 million available for borrowing under the Credit Facility. We currently have five interest rate swap contracts in place that reduce our exposure to fluctuations in variable interest rates for future interest payments on the Credit Facility. These swap contracts convert the Credit Facility’s variable interest rate to fixed rates of 1.185% on notional amounts totaling $50.0 million, 1.100% on a notional amount of $50.0 million, 1.050% on a notional amount of $25.0 million and 0.990% on a notional amount of $25.0 million. Interest expense related to the notional amounts under these swap contracts is based on the fixed rates plus the applicable margin on the Credit Facility. All five swap contracts will terminate on October 19, 2016.

In May 2014, we entered into forward-starting interest rate swap contracts to reduce our exposure to future fluctuations in interest rates on our Credit Facility. In an effort to bring the fixed rates per our forward-starting contracts in line with current market rates and extend the hedged period for future interest payments on our Credit Facility, we amended the terms of the swap contracts in the fourth quarter of 2015. As amended, these new swap contracts will convert the Credit Facility’s variable interest rate to fixed rates of 2.273% on a notional amount of $75.0 million and 2.111% on notional amounts totaling $75.0 million. Each of these forward-starting interest rate swap contracts becomes effective on October 19, 2016 and terminates on November 20, 2019.

The weighted average effective interest rate for the Credit Facility as of March 31, 2016 was approximately 2.0%, excluding commitment fees.

Financial covenants on the Credit Facility include maintenance of a maximum average total leverage ratio and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio, which are our most restrictive financial covenants. As of March 31, 2016, the calculations of these two covenants are detailed below:

• Maximum Average Total Leverage Ratio. On the last day of each fiscal quarter, our average total leverage ratio must be less than 3.25 to 1.00. Average Total Leverage Ratio is the ratio of the trailing twelve months (TTM) Average Total Funded Indebtedness plus the TTM Average Accounts Securitization Proceeds divided by the TTM EBITDA (as those terms are defined in the Credit Facility). As of March 31, 2016, our average total leverage ratio equaled 1.58 (compared to 1.61 as of December 31, 2015) and the TTM average total debt amount used in this calculation was $405.1 million.
• Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. On the last day of each fiscal quarter, our fixed charge ratio must be greater than or equal to 2.25 to 1.00. Fixed Charge Ratio is the ratio of the TTM EBITDAR divided by TTM Interest Expense paid or payable in cash plus TTM Rental Expense (as those terms are defined in the Credit Facility). As of March 31, 2016, our fixed charge ratio equaled 5.34 (compared to 5.18 as of December 31, 2015) and TTM Rental Expense was $49.7 million.

The Credit Facility also limits the declaration and payment of dividends on our common stock to no more than 50% of the preceding year’s Net Income (as defined in the Credit Facility), provided no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, or would result from the payment of dividends. Additionally, we may declare and pay quarterly dividends notwithstanding that the aggregate amount of dividends paid would be in excess of the 50% limit described above so long as (i) the amount per share of such dividends does not exceed the amount per share paid during the most recent fiscal year in which we were in compliance with the 50% limit and (ii) our Average Total Leverage Ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.00 both immediately before and after giving pro forma effect to such dividends. Further, dividends must be declared and paid in a manner consistent with our past practice.

Under the Credit Facility, we may repurchase shares of our common stock provided no default or event of default has occurred and is continuing, or would result from the repurchase of shares, and our maximum average total leverage ratio (determined on a pro forma basis) is less than 2.50 to 1.00. Other covenants include restrictions on our ability to grant liens, incur indebtedness, make investments, merge or consolidate, and sell or transfer assets. Failure to comply with any of our financial covenants or any other terms of the Credit Facility could result in penalty payments, higher interest rates on our borrowings or the acceleration of the maturities of our outstanding debt.

Our two-year Receivables Facility offers us a lower cost form of financing, with a peak funding capacity of up to $200.0 million between May 1 and June 30, which includes an additional seasonal funding capacity that is available between March 1 and July 31. Other funding capacities range from $55.0 million to $135.0 million throughout the remaining months of the year.

The Receivables Facility provides for the sale of certain of our receivables to a wholly owned subsidiary (the Securitization Subsidiary). The Securitization Subsidiary transfers variable undivided percentage interests in the receivables and related rights to certain third party financial institutions in exchange for cash proceeds, limited to the applicable funding capacities. Upon payment of the receivables by customers, rather than remitting to the financial institutions the amounts collected, we retain such collections as proceeds for the sale of new receivables until payments become due.

The Receivables Facility contains terms and conditions (including representations, covenants and conditions precedent) customary for transactions of this type. Additionally, an amortization event will occur if we fail to maintain a maximum average total leverage ratio (average total funded debt/EBITDA) of 3.25 to 1.00 and a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio (EBITDAR/cash interest expense plus rental expense) of 2.25 to 1.00.

At March 31, 2016, there was $120.0 million outstanding under the Receivables Facility at a weighted average effective interest rate of 1.2%, excluding commitment fees.

As of March 31, 2016, we were in compliance with all covenants and financial ratio requirements. We believe we will remain in compliance with all covenants and financial ratio requirements throughout the next twelve months. For additional information regarding our debt arrangements, see Note 5 of “Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements,” included in Item 8 of our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We believe we have adequate availability of capital to fund present operations and the current capacity to finance any working capital needs that may arise. We continually evaluate potential acquisitions and hold discussions with acquisition candidates. If suitable acquisition opportunities arise that would require financing, we believe that we have the ability to finance any such transactions.

As of April 25, 2016, $159.0 million of the current Board authorized amount under our share repurchase program remained available. We expect to repurchase additional shares on the open market from time to time depending on market conditions. We plan to fund these repurchases with cash provided by operations and borrowings under the credit and receivables facilities.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

We prepare our Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. Management identifies critical accounting estimates as:

• those that require the use of assumptions about matters that are inherently and highly uncertain at the time the estimates are made; and
• those for which changes in the estimate or assumptions, or the use of different estimates and assumptions, could have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial condition.

Management has discussed the development, selection and disclosure of our critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board. For a description of our critical accounting estimates that require us to make the most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, please see our 2015 Annual Report on Form 10-K. We have not changed these policies from those previously disclosed.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (ASU 2014-09), which requires entities to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The new standard also requires enhanced disclosures regarding the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from an entity’s contracts with customers. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. The guidance may be applied using either a retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on our financial position, results of operations and related disclosures.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory, which requires entities to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value rather than at the lower of cost or market. Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation. ASU 2015-11 will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. We have not elected to early adopt this guidance. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-11 will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and related disclosures.

In September 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-16, Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments, which eliminates the requirement that an acquirer in a business combination account for measurement-period adjustments retrospectively. Instead, an acquirer will recognize a measurement-period adjustment during the period in which it determines the amount of the adjustment. ASU 2015-16 will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. We have not elected to early adopt this guidance. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-16 will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and related disclosures.

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes, which requires companies to classify all deferred tax assets and liabilities as noncurrent on the balance sheet rather than separately presenting net deferred tax assets or liabilities as current or noncurrent. Also, companies will no longer allocate valuation allowances between current and noncurrent deferred tax assets because those allowances also will be classified as noncurrent. ASU 2015-17 will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and early adoption is permitted. We have not elected to early adopt this guidance. We do not expect the adoption of ASU 2015-17 will have an impact on our results of operations, but it will change the presentation of our financial position and disclosures related to deferred tax assets and liabilities.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases, which requires lessees to record most leases on their balance sheets but recognize expenses in a manner similar to current guidance. ASU 2016-02 will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The guidance is required to be applied using a modified retrospective approach. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-02 will have on our financial position, results of operations and related disclosures.

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting, which amends several aspects of 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. This guidance requires all excess tax benefits or deficiencies to be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement, and all excess tax benefits to be classified with other income tax cash flows as operating activities. This portion of the amendment should be applied prospectively. The guidance also changes the timing of when excess tax benefits are recognized and the methods available to an entity to estimate the impact of forfeitures related to share-based awards. These two amendment topics should be applied using a modified retrospective transition method, and would require recognition of cumulative-effect adjustments to equity as of the beginning of the period in which the guidance is adopted. The guidance also classifies cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax-withholding purposes as a financing activity on the statement of cash flows. This portion of the amendment should be applied retrospectively. ASU 2016-09 will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted in any interim or annual period, but we are not early adopting this guidance. We are currently evaluating the effect that ASU 2016-09 will have on our financial position, results of operations and related disclosures.

Interest Rate Risk

There have been no material changes from what we reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 that affect fiscal 2016.

Currency Risk

There have been no material changes from what we reported in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 that affect fiscal 2016.

The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the Act). The rules refer to the controls and other procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports that we file or submit under the Act is (1) recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of March 31, 2016, management, including the CEO and CFO, performed an evaluation of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures. Based on that evaluation, management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that as of March 31, 2016, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.

We maintain a system of internal control over financial reporting that is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Based on the most recent evaluation, we have concluded that no change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

There have been no material changes from the risk factors disclosed in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015.