1.	Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared based upon Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods. For a more complete discussion of significant accounting policies and certain other information, you should refer to the financial statements included in the Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon or the Company) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015. These financial statements reflect all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of results of operations and financial condition for the interim periods shown, including normal recurring accruals and other items. The results for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. We have reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

Earnings Per Common Share

There were a total of approximately 5 million outstanding dilutive securities, primarily consisting of restricted stock units, included in the computation of diluted earnings per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. There were no outstanding options to purchase shares that would have been anti-dilutive for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Recently Adopted Accounting Standards

During the first quarter of 2016, we adopted the accounting standard update related to the simplification of the accounting for measurement-period adjustments in business combinations. This standard update requires an acquirer to recognize measurement-period adjustments in the reporting period in which the adjustments are determined and to record the effects on earnings of any changes resulting from the change in provisional amounts, calculated as if the accounting had been completed at the acquisition date. The prospective adoption of this standard update did not have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

During the first quarter of 2016, we adopted the accounting standard update related to disclosures for investments in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share. This standard update removes the requirement to categorize within the fair value hierarchy all investments for which fair value is measured using the net asset value per share practical expedient. The standard update limits the required disclosures to investments for which the entity has elected to measure the fair value using the practical expedient. The retrospective adoption of this standard update did not have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

During the first quarter of 2016, we adopted the accounting standard update related to the simplification of the presentation of debt issuance costs. This standard update requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability. During the first quarter of 2016, we also adopted the accounting standard update related to the presentation and subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs associated with line-of-credit arrangements. This standard adds SEC paragraphs pursuant to an SEC Staff Announcement that the SEC staff would not object to an entity deferring and presenting debt issuance costs associated with a line-of-credit arrangement as an asset and subsequently amortizing the costs ratably over the term of the arrangement. We applied the amendments in these accounting standard updates retrospectively to all periods presented. The adoption of these standard updates did not have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

During the first quarter of 2016, we adopted the accounting standard update related to the accounting for share-based payments when the terms of an award provide that a performance target could be achieved after the requisite service period. The standard requires that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite service period be treated as a performance condition. The prospective adoption of this standard update did not have an impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In February 2016, the accounting standard update related to leases was issued. This standard update intends to increase transparency and improve comparability by requiring entities to recognize assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for all leases, with certain exceptions. In addition, through improved disclosure requirements, the standard update will enable users of financial statements to further understand the amount, timing, and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. This standard update is effective as of the first quarter of 2019; however, early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact that this standard update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

In May 2014, the accounting standard update related to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers was issued. This standard update clarifies the principles for recognizing revenue and develops a common revenue standard for generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (U.S. GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards. The standard update intends to provide a more robust framework for addressing revenue issues; improve comparability of revenue recognition practices across entities, industries, jurisdictions, and capital markets; and provide more useful information to users of financial statements through improved disclosure requirements. Upon adoption of this standard update, we expect that the allocation and timing of revenue recognition will be impacted. In August 2015, an accounting standard update was issued that delays the effective date of this standard until the first quarter of 2018. Companies are permitted to early adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2017.

There are two adoption methods available for implementation of the standard update related to the recognition of revenue from contracts with customers. Under one method, the guidance is applied retrospectively to contracts for each reporting period presented, subject to allowable practical expedients. Under the other method, the guidance is applied only to the most current period presented, recognizing the cumulative effect of the change as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings, and also requires additional disclosures comparing the results to the previous guidance. We are currently evaluating these adoption methods and the impact that this standard update will have on our condensed consolidated financial statements.