(2) | Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of GeoEye and all of our wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Certain amounts in the prior period have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Company's consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
Our principal sources of revenue are from imaging services, the sale of satellite imagery directly to end users or value-added resellers, the provision of direct access to our satellites, associated ground processing technology upgrades and operations and maintenance services. We also derive significant revenue from value-added production services where we combine our images with data and imagery from our own and other sources to create sophisticated information products. Additionally, new sources of revenue include the dissemination and hosting of imagery and the provision of consultation, integration, data analysis and other professional services related to geospatial information systems.
We record revenues from the sale of satellite imagery directly to end users or value-added resellers based on the delivery of the imagery. This revenue is recognized when the products are delivered to the customer, and, generally, these arrangements are contracted for separately on a stand-alone basis.
Sales of direct access to our satellites ordinarily require us to provide access over the term of multi-year sales contracts under subscription-based arrangements. Accordingly, we recognize revenues on such imagery contracts on a straight-line basis over the delivery term of the contract. However, certain multi-year sales contracts are based on minimum levels of access time with adjustments based on usage. In addition to the sale of direct satellite access, we may separately sell ground processing technology upgrades and operations and maintenance services to a customer in a bundled arrangement. Prior to 2011, to determine revenue recognition for multiple element arrangements, we considered whether individual customer arrangement elements had value to the customer on a standalone basis, whether there was objective and reliable evidence of fair value of undelivered item(s) and whether the arrangement included a general right of return relative to the delivered item(s), and delivery performance of the undelivered item(s) was considered probable and substantially in the Company's control. If the satellite access service is combined with the sale of ground processing technology upgrades and operations and maintenance services, and the requirements for separate revenue recognition are not met, we recognize revenues on a straight-line basis over the combined delivery term of the services. In other arrangements when the separation criteria are met, total arrangement consideration is allocated to each separate unit of accounting using relative fair value. Revenues are recognized over the appropriate service period: access and operations and maintenance are recognized over the contract term; and ground processing technology upgrades are recognized when delivery and acceptance is complete. We consider a deliverable to have standalone value if the product or service provides value to the customer independent from other elements in the arrangement or if the product or service is sold separately by us or if it could be resold by the customer. Our revenue arrangements generally do not include a general right of return relative to the delivered products.
Beginning on January 1, 2011, we adopted, on a prospective basis, the guidance on revenue from multiple deliverable arrangements from the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB. With the adoption of this guidance, the inability to determine the fair value of undelivered item(s) will no longer preclude our ability to separate deliverables in multiple element arrangements. Instead, management's estimated selling price will be used to allocate the contract value among the deliverables, assuming all other separation criteria are met. We determine estimated selling price by considering several external and internal factors including, but not limited to: pricing practices, margin objectives, estimated costs to deliver the offering(s), competition and customer type. As these factors evolve, we may modify our estimated selling prices in the future for purposes of allocating arrangement consideration to agreements with multiple elements. Estimated selling prices are analyzed on an annual basis or more frequently if we experience significant changes in our estimated selling prices and the factors that affect or determine the estimated selling prices. The introduction of this accounting guidance has not materially impacted our consolidated financial statements.
Revenue is recognized on contracts to provide value-added production services using the percentage-of-completion method. Revenue is recognized under different acceptable alternatives of the percentage-of-completion method depending on the terms of the underlying contract, which include input measures based on costs and efforts expended or output measures based on units of delivery or completion of contractual milestones. Costs associated with products not yet delivered at year-end are recorded as work in progress. Costs of $0.1 million were recorded in work in progress at both December 31, 2011 and 2010. Revenues recognized in advance of becoming billable are recorded as unbilled receivables. Such amounts generally do not become billable until after the products have been completed and delivered. Total unbilled accounts receivable were $6.6 million and $3.4 million at December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Generally these arrangements are sold on a standalone basis and are not bundled with other product offerings. To the extent that estimated costs of completion are adjusted, revenue and profit recognized from a particular contract will be affected in the period of the adjustment. Anticipated contract losses are recognized as they become known. Losses recognized during 2011 and 2010 were immaterial.
We record revenues generated from the information services base offerings, including dissemination and hosting of imagery, on a straight-line basis over the subscription period.
Revenues for consultation and professional services are recognized as the services are performed. Revenues from time and materials contracts are recognized based on man-hours utilized, plus other reimbursable contract costs incurred during the period. Revenues from firm-fixed price contracts are recognized on a percentage of completion basis, utilizing the relationship of contract costs incurred and management's estimate of total contract costs. Revenues from cost-reimbursable contracts are recognized based on costs incurred, with applied estimated or contractually specified indirect cost rates and our contractually specified fee or profit margin.
Deferred revenue represents receipts in advance of the delivery of imagery or services. Revenue for other services is recognized as services are performed. In addition, cost-share amounts received from the U.S. government are recorded as deferred revenue when received and recognized on a straight-line basis over the useful life of the satellite.
Accounts receivable are stated at amounts due from customers and primarily include international customers, U.S. government customers and commercial customers. Allowances for doubtful accounts receivable balances are recorded when circumstances indicate that collection is doubtful for particular accounts receivable or for all probable losses of accounts receivable not specifically identified. Management estimates such allowances based on historical evidence, such as amounts that are subject to risk. Accounts receivable are written off if reasonable collection efforts are not successful.
The changes in our allowance for doubtful accounts are as follows (in thousands):
Allowances for Doubtful Accounts | | Balance at Beginning of Period | | | Charged to Operations | | | Write-offs | | | Balance at End of Period | |
Year ended December 31, 2009 | | $ | 738 | | | | 194 | | | | (9 | ) | | $ | 923 | |
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Year ended December 31, 2010 | | $ | 923 | | | | 366 | | | | (332 | ) | | $ | 957 | |
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Year ended December 31, 2011 | | $ | 957 | | | | 37 | | | | (276 | ) | | $ | 718 | |
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation to employees and directors based on the estimated fair value of the award at the grant date. The associated expense, net of estimated forfeitures, is recognized ratably over the requisite service period, which is generally the maximum vesting period of the award. Further information regarding stock-based compensation can be found in Note 19, “Stock Incentive Plans.”
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. These investments generally consist of money market investments.
Restricted Cash
The Company is party to irrevocable standby letters of credit, in connection with contracts between GeoEye and third parties, in the ordinary course of business to serve as performance obligation guarantees. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $11.1 million classified as restricted cash as a result of the irrevocable standby letters of credit. Approximately $4.2 million is available within one year and is classified as current, and the remaining $6.9 million is available through 2022.
Investments
We record our investments in debt securities at amortized cost or fair value, and classify these securities as short-term investments on the consolidated balance sheet when the original maturities at purchase are greater than ninety days but less than one year.
The Company's short-term investments consist of debt securities that include commercial paper, corporate bonds, agency notes, variable rate demand notes and certificates of deposit. Investments in debt securities that the Company has the positive intent and ability to hold to maturity are recorded at amortized cost and classified as held-to-maturity. Investments in debt securities that are not classified as held-to-maturity are carried at fair value and classified as available-for-sale. As of December 31, 2011, short-term investments consisted of variable rate demand notes.
We evaluate our investments for other-than-temporary impairment on a quarterly basis. Other-than-temporary impairment occurs when the fair value of an investment is below our carrying value, and we determine that difference is not recoverable in the near future. Factors we consider to make such determination include the duration and severity of the impairment, the reason for the decline in value and the potential recovery period, and our intent to sell, or whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the investment before recovery of the amortized cost basis.
As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, we categorized our investments as either available-for-sale or held-to-maturity, and all of these outstanding short-term investments mature within one year. Although the variable-rate demand notes have long-term contractual maturity dates of 20 to 30 years, the interest rates reset weekly. Despite the long-term nature of the underlying securities, they are classified as short-term due to our ability to quickly liquidate or put back these securities.
Concentrations of Credit Risk
The Company's cash and cash equivalents are placed in or with various financial institutions. We have not experienced losses on such accounts and do not believe we have any significant risk in this area.
Much of the Company's revenues are generated through contracts with the U.S. government. U.S. government agencies may terminate or suspend their contracts at any time, with or without cause, or may change their policies, priorities or funding levels by reducing agency or program budgets or by imposing budgetary constraints. If a U.S. government agency terminates or suspends any of its contracts with the Company, or changes its policies, priorities or funding levels, these actions could have a material adverse effect on the business, financial condition and results of operations. Imagery contracts with international customers generally are not cancelable pursuant to the terms of such contracts.
Satellites and Related Ground Systems and Property, Plant and Equipment
Satellites and related ground systems and property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. The cost of our satellites includes capitalized interest cost incurred during the construction and development period. In addition, capitalized costs of our satellites and related ground systems include internal direct labor and project management costs incurred in the construction and development of our satellite and related ground systems. We also capitalize certain internal and external software development costs incurred to develop software for internal use. Costs of major enhancements to internal use software are capitalized while routine maintenance of existing software is charged to expense as incurred.
While under construction, the costs of our satellites are capitalized during the construction phase, assuming the eventual successful launch and in-orbit operation of the satellite. Ground systems are placed into service when they are ready for their intended use. If a satellite were to fail during launch or while in-orbit, the resulting loss would be charged to expense in the period in which the loss occurs. The amount of any such loss would be reduced to the extent of insurance proceeds received as a result of the launch or in-orbit failure.
Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method as follows:
Asset | | Estimated Useful Life |
Buildings | | 15 to 40 years |
Furniture, computers, equipment and software | | 3 to 7 years |
Leasehold improvements | | Shorter of estimated useful life or lease term, generally 3 to 12 years |
Vehicles | | 5 years |
Airplanes | | 15 years |
Ground systems | | 9 years |
Satellites | | 9 years |
Satellite Insurance
We maintain in-orbit insurance policies covering our GeoEye-1 and IKONOS satellites. We capitalize the portion of the premiums associated with the insurance coverage of the launch and in-orbit commissioning period of our commercial satellites. Accordingly, prior to the start of GeoEye-1's commercial operations, we capitalized a portion of insurance premiums in the cost of the satellite that will be amortized over the estimated life of GeoEye-1, which is nine years. Following launch and in-orbit commissioning, insurance premium amounts related to in-orbit operations are charged to expense ratably over the related policy periods.
The Company maintains insurance policies for GeoEye-1 with both full coverage and total-loss-only coverage in compliance with our indenture. As of December 31, 2011, we carried $260.3 million in-orbit insurance for GeoEye-1, comprised in part by $195.8 million of full coverage to be paid if GeoEye-1's capabilities become impaired as measured against a set of specifications, which expires on December 1, 2012. We also carry $64.5 million of insurance in the event of a total loss of the satellite, which expires December 1, 2012.
Our IKONOS satellite was fully depreciated in June 2008. The IKONOS satellite is insured for $4.3 million of in-orbit coverage, which expires on December 1, 2012.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill represents the purchase price paid in excess of the fair value of net tangible and intangible assets acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment annually or whenever an event occurs or circumstances change that could reduce the fair value of a reporting unit below its carrying amount. As a result of the acquisition of SPADAC in December 2010, we determined that a new reporting unit was created. As of December 31, 2011, GeoEye's reporting units include GeoEye, Inc. and GeoEye Analytics.
In assessing the recoverability of goodwill, we calculate the fair market value at the reporting unit level, based upon discounted cash flows that utilize estimates in annual revenues, gross margins and other relevant factors for determining the fair value. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds the fair value of the reporting unit, the Company compares the implied value of goodwill with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of the goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss would be recognized for the difference between the carrying amount and the implied fair value of goodwill.
Effective October 1, 2011, the Company elected to change the annual impairment test date for goodwill from December 31 to October 1. The Company's management believes this change in testing date is preferable under the circumstances because it provides the Company with additional time for the completion of its annual impairment testing in conjunction with its December 31 year-end closing activities and is better aligned with the timing of its annual budget process. The Company does not believe that this change in annual impairment testing dates will accelerate or delay an impairment charge or otherwise avoid an impairment charge. The Company applied the new annual impairment testing effective October 1, 2011.
Intangible assets arising from business combinations are initially recorded at fair value. We amortize intangible assets with definitive lives on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, which are generally two to ten years. We review for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be fully recoverable or that the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate. Impairment losses are recognized in operating results when the sum of expected discounted net future cash flows is less than the carrying value of the assets. The amount of the impairment is measured as the difference between the asset's estimated fair value and its carrying value. Fair market value is determined primarily using the projected future cash flows.
Research and Development Costs
We record as research and development expense all internal and external services and supplies costs incurred in the development of the information services business. The Company incurred $2.7 million, $1.6 million and $1.4 million in research and development costs for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Any research and development expenses incurred are included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statement of operations.
Preferred Stock
In September 2010, the Company issued Series A Convertible Preferred Stock, or the Series A Preferred Stock, par value of $.01 per share. Cumulative dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock are payable at a rate of 5 percent per annum of the $1,000 liquidation preference per share. At the Company's option, dividends may be declared and paid in cash out of funds legally available therefore, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of the Company. If not paid in cash, an amount equal to the cash dividends due is added to the liquidation preference. Dividends payable in cash are recorded in current liabilities. All dividends payable, whether in cash or as an addition to the liquidation preference, are recorded as a reduction to our retained earnings.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Net income available to common stockholders is equal to net income less preferred stock dividends and income allocated to participating securities. The Company's preferred shares are participating securities and require the two-class method of computing earnings per share. Diluted earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders as adjusted for the effect of dilutive common equivalent shares by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. Common equivalent shares consist of the common shares issuable upon the conversion of the convertible preferred shares and those issuable related to stock options, deferred stock units, employee stock purchase plan shares and nonvested stock (using the treasury stock method). For purposes of computing diluted earnings per share, the if-converted method will be used to the extent that the result is more dilutive than the application of the two-class method.
Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes is computed using the asset and liability method under which deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to be applied to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. The deferred tax assets are reviewed periodically for recoverability and valuation allowances are provided as necessary.
Interest and penalty expenses related to uncertain tax positions are recorded as part of the provision for income taxes.
Recent and Pending Accounting Pronouncements
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued an update to the guidance related to disclosures about offsetting assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. The updated guidance requires an entity to disclose information about offsetting and related arrangements to enable users of financial statements to understand the effect of those arrangements prepared under U.S. GAAP with financial statements prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards, or IFRS. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning January 1, 2013, and retrospective application is required. We are currently evaluating the impact of this accounting guidance and do not expect any significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In September 2011, the FASB issued an update to the guidance related to goodwill impairment testing. The updated guidance gives companies the option to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is necessary to perform the two-step goodwill impairment test. If a company concludes that this is the case, it must perform the two-step test. Otherwise, the two-step goodwill impairment test is not required. The guidance is effective for annual and interim goodwill impairment tests performed for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this accounting guidance at the beginning of its fourth quarter of 2011 on a prospective basis for goodwill impairment tests.
In May 2011, the FASB issued new guidance for fair value measurements intended to achieve common fair value measurement and disclosure requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRS. The guidance modifies the existing standard to include disclosure of all transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 asset and liability fair value categories. In addition, it provides guidance on measuring the fair value of financial instruments managed within a portfolio and the application of premiums and discounts on fair value measurements. The guidance requires additional disclosure for Level 3 measurements regarding the sensitivity of fair value to changes in unobservable inputs and any interrelationships between those inputs. The guidance is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2011, with early adoption prohibited. We are currently evaluating the impact of this accounting guidance and do not expect any significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.