UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-Q

 

Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

Commission File No.: 001-12933

 

AUTOLIV, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

+46 8 587 20 600

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes:  ☒    No:  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).    Yes:  ☒    No:  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes:  ☐    No:  ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: As of October 19, 2018, there were 87,142,872 shares of common stock of Autoliv, Inc., par value $1.00 per share, outstanding.  

 

 

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FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains statements that are not historical facts but rather forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include those that address activities, events or developments that Autoliv, Inc. (“Autoliv,” the “Company” or “we”) or its management believes or anticipates may occur in the future. All forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations, various assumptions and/or data available from third parties. Our expectations and assumptions are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking statements will materialize or prove to be correct as forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual future results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements.

In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “estimates,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “projects,” “plans,” “intends,” “believes,” “may,” “likely,” “might,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain such words.

Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, the outcome could differ materially from those set out in the forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including without limitation: changes in light vehicle production; fluctuation in vehicle production schedules for which the Company is a supplier; changes in general industry and market conditions or regional growth or decline; changes in and the successful execution of our capacity alignment, restructuring and cost reduction initiatives and the market reaction thereto; loss of business from increased competition; higher raw material, fuel and energy costs; changes in consumer and customer preferences for end products; customer losses; changes in regulatory conditions; customer bankruptcies; consolidations, restructuring or divestiture of customer brands; unfavorable fluctuations in currencies or interest rates among the various jurisdictions in which we operate; component shortages; market acceptance of our new products; costs or difficulties related to the integration of any new or acquired businesses and technologies; continued uncertainty in pricing negotiations with customers; successful integration of acquisitions and operations of joint ventures; successful implementation of strategic partnerships and collaborations; our ability to be awarded new business; product liability, warranty and recall claims and investigations and other litigation and customer reactions thereto (including the resolution of the Toyota Recall); higher expenses for our pension and other postretirement benefits including higher funding needs for our pension plans; work stoppages or other labor issues; possible adverse results of pending or future litigation or infringement claims; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; negative impacts of antitrust investigations or other governmental investigations and associated litigation relating to the conduct of our business; tax assessments by governmental authorities and changes in our effective tax rate; dependence on key personnel; legislative or regulatory changes impacting or limiting our business; political conditions; dependence on and relationships with customers and suppliers; and other risks and uncertainties identified in Item 1A “Risk Factors” of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Item 1A “Risk Factors” and Item 7 “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on February 22, 2018.

For any forward-looking statements contained in this or any other document, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and we assume no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events, except as required by law.

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PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

 

 

See “Notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.”

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CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

See “Notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.”

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

See “Notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.”

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CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

See “Notes to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.”

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NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are presented in millions of dollars, except for per share amounts)

September 30, 2018

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the prior year audited financial statements and all adjustments considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the financial statements. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results for the interim period are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period or for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2018.

The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited financial statements at that date, but does not include all the information and footnotes required by U.S. GAAP for complete financial statements.

On June 29, 2018 (the “Distribution Date”), Autoliv completed the spin-off of its former Electronics segment (the “spin-off”) through the distribution of all of the issued and outstanding stock of Veoneer, Inc. (“Veoneer”). To effect the spin-off, Autoliv distributed to each Autoliv stockholder one share of Veoneer common stock, par value $1.00 per share, for every one share of Autoliv common stock, par value $1.00 per share, held by such person on the common stock record date, and each Autoliv Swedish Depository Receipt (SDR) holder received one Veoneer SDR for each Autoliv SDR held by such person on the applicable SDR record date. On July 2, 2018, Veoneer’s common stock began regular-way trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VNE” and its SDRs began trading on Nasdaq Stockholm under the symbol “VNE SDB.” The Company did not retain any equity interest in Veoneer.

In accordance with U.S. GAAP, the financial position and results of operations of the Electronics business are presented as discontinued operations and, as such, have been excluded from continuing operations for all periods presented. The restated historical financial statements reflecting the spin-off are unaudited, but have been derived from Autoliv’s historical audited annual reports. The sum of the individual earnings per share amounts from continuing operations and discontinued operations may not equal the total company earnings per share amounts due to rounding. The cash flows and comprehensive income related to the Electronics business have not been segregated and are included in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and Comprehensive Income, respectively, for all periods presented. With the exception of Note 3, the Notes to the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect the continuing operations of Autoliv. See Note 3 - Discontinued Operations below for additional information regarding discontinued operations.

On April 1, 2018, in preparation for the spin-off, pursuant to the terms of a master transfer agreement entered into between Autoliv and Veoneer, assets related to the Electronics business were transferred to, and liabilities related to the Electronics business were retained or assumed by Veoneer, however, responsibility for certain product, warranty and recall liabilities for Electronics products manufactured prior to April 1, 2018 was retained by Autoliv as provided in the Distribution Agreement between Autoliv and Veoneer.

Certain amounts in the prior year’s condensed consolidated financial statements and related footnotes thereto have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation as a result of the spin-off of Veoneer.

Upon completion of the spin-off, Autoliv has concluded at June 30, 2018 that it has one reportable segment, based on the way the Company evaluates its financial performance and manages its operations. Prior to the completion of the spin-off, the Company had two reportable segments, Electronics and Passive Safety. The Company’s Passive Safety reportable segment includes the Company’s airbag and seatbelt products and components.  

Statements in this report that are not of historical fact are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could affect the actual results of the Company. A description of the important factors that could cause Autoliv’s actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this report may be found in this report and Autoliv’s other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements, footnotes and definitions thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, filed with the SEC on February 22, 2018.

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2. NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

In February 2018, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2018-02, Income Statement – Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220) – Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI), which allows a reclassification from AOCI to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”). Consequently, the amendments in ASU 2018-02 eliminate the stranded tax effects resulting from the Act. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 are effective for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period for which financial statements (interim or annual) have not been issued or made available for issuance. The amendments in ASU 2018-02 should be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period (or periods) in which the effect of the change in the U.S. federal corporate income tax rate in the Act is recognized. The Company early adopted ASU 2018-02 as of January 1, 2018 and made a reclassification from AOCI to Retained earnings of approximately $10 million.

In January 2018, the FASB released guidance on the accounting for tax on the global intangible low-taxed income (“GILTI”) provisions of the Act. The GILTI provisions impose a tax on foreign income in excess of a deemed return on tangible assets of foreign corporations. In the first quarter of 2018, the Company elected to treat any potential GILTI inclusions as a period cost.

In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-07, Compensation-Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) - Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost, which requires the service cost component to be reported in the same line item or items as other compensation costs arising from services rendered by the pertinent employees during the period. The other components of net benefit cost are required to be presented in the consolidated statements of income separately from the service cost component and outside operating income. The amendments in ASU 2017-07 are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual period for which financial statements (interim or annual) have not been issued or made available for issuance. The amendments in ASU 2017-07 should be applied retrospectively for the presentation of the service cost component and the other components of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost in the consolidated statements of income. The Company adopted ASU 2017-07 in the first quarter of 2018. Prior comparative periods have not been adjusted since the impact of ASU 2017-07 is not material for any consolidated financial statements periods presented (see Note 10. Retirement Plans).

In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740) – Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory, which requires an entity to recognize the income tax consequences of an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Current GAAP prohibits the recognition of current and deferred income taxes for an intra-entity asset transfer until the asset has been sold to an outside party. Consequently, the amendments in this ASU 2016-16 eliminate the exception for an intra-entity transfer of an asset other than inventory. Two common examples of assets included in the scope of ASU 2016-16 are intellectual property and property, plant, and equipment. The amendments in ASU 2016-16 are effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an annual reporting period for which financial statements (interim or annual) have not been issued or made available for issuance. The amendments in ASU 2016-16 should be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings as of the beginning of the period of adoption. The adoption of ASU 2016-16 effective January 1, 2018 did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements for any periods presented.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which outlines a single, comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance issued by the FASB, including industry specific guidance. In 2016, the FASB issued accounting standard updates to address implementation issues and to clarify guidance in certain areas. The core principle of the guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. In addition, ASU 2014-09 requires certain additional disclosure around the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 effective January 1, 2018 and utilized the modified retrospective (cumulative effect) transition method to all contracts not completed at the date of initial application. The Company applied the modified retrospective transition method through a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. The adoption of the new revenue standard did not have a material impact on net sales, net income, or balance sheet.

 

 

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Accounting Standards Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General (Subtopic 715-20), Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans, which modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. The amendments in ASU 2018-14 remove disclosures that no longer are considered cost beneficial, clarify the specific requirements of disclosures, and add disclosure requirements identified as relevant. The amendments in ASU 2018-14 are effective for public business entities for annual periods ending after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. An entity should apply the amendments in ASU 2018-14 on a retrospective basis to all periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of its pending adoption of ASU 2018-14 on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement, which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in Topic 820. The amendments in ASU 2018-13 are effective for all entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within these annual periods. The amendments on changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used to develop Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty should be applied prospectively for only the most recent interim or annual period presented in the initial annual year of adoption. All other amendments should be applied retrospectively to all periods presented upon their effective date. An entity is permitted to early adopt either the entire standard or only the provisions that eliminate or modify disclosures upon issuance of ASU 2018-13. The Company believes that the pending adoption of ASU 2018-13 will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivative and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted improvements to accounting for hedging activities. The amendments in ASU 2017-12 better align an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships through changes to both the designation and measurement guidance for qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. The amendments in ASU 2017-12 also include certain targeted improvements to ease the application of current guidance related to the assessment of hedge effectiveness. The amendments in ASU 2017-12 modify disclosures required in current GAAP. Those modifications include a tabular disclosure related to the effect on the income statement of fair value and cash flow hedges and eliminate the requirement to disclose the ineffective portion of the change in fair value of hedging instruments. The amendments also require new tabular disclosures related to cumulative basis adjustments for fair value hedges. The amendments in ASU 2017-12 are effective for public business entities for annual period beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. For cash flow and net investment hedges existing at the date of adoption, an entity should apply a cumulative-effect adjustment related to eliminating the separate measurement of ineffectiveness to accumulated other comprehensive income with a corresponding adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings as of the beginning of the annual period that an entity adopts the amendments in ASU 2017-12. The Company believes that the pending adoption of ASU 2017-12 will not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements since the Company terminated its existing cash flow hedges in the first quarter of 2018.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held and requires enhanced disclosures regarding significant estimates and judgments used in estimating credit losses. ASU 2016-13 is effective for public business entities for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2019, and early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of its pending adoption of ASU 2016-13 on the consolidated financial statements.

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In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), to increase transparency and comparability among organizations by recognizing lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 affects any entity that enters into a lease, with some specified scope exceptions. For public business entities, the amendments in ASU 2016-02 are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those annual periods. Early adoption is permitted. The Company intends to adopt ASU 2016-02 in the annual period beginning January 1, 2019. The Company intends to apply the modified retrospective transition method and elect the transition option to use the effective date January 1, 2019, as the date of initial application. The Company will not adjust its comparative period financial statements for effects of the ASU 2016-02, or make the new required lease disclosures for periods before the effective date. The Company will recognize its cumulative effect transition adjustment as of the effective date. In addition, we intend to elect the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, will allow us to carry forward the historical lease classification. During the third quarter, the Company continued its process to identify leasing arrangements and to compare its accounting policies and practices to the requirements of the new standard. Further, the Company is assessing if there are any “embedded leases” in arrangements with its suppliers and customers that may result in right to use assets. In addition, the Company has continued its implementation of a new system to assist with lease accounting. The Company regularly enters into operating leases, for which current GAAP does not require recognition on the balance sheet. The Company anticipates that the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will primarily result in the recognition of most operating leases on its balance sheet resulting in an increase in reported right-of-use assets and leasing liabilities. The Company will continue to assess the impact from the new standard, including consideration of control and process changes to capture lease data necessary to apply ASU 2016-02.

 

3. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

As discussed in Note 1. Basis of Presentation above, on June 29, 2018, the Company completed the spin-off of Veoneer and the requirements for the presentation of Veoneer as a discontinued operation were met on that date. Accordingly, Veoneer’s historical financial results are reflected in the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements as discontinued operations. The Company did not allocate any general corporate overhead or interest expense to discontinued operations.

The financial results of Veoneer are presented as loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes in the unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income. The following table presents the financial results of Veoneer (dollars in millions).

 

 

The Company has incurred $79.4 million in separation costs related to the spin-off of Veoneer, of which $70.9 million has been incurred 2018 year to date and is reported in Other income (expense), net. These costs are primarily related to professional fees associated with planning the spin-off, as well as spin-off activities within finance, tax, legal and information system functions and certain investment banking fees incurred upon the completion of the spin-off.

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The following table summarizes the carrying value of major classes of assets and liabilities of Veoneer, reclassified as assets and liabilities of discontinued operations at December 31, 2017 (dollars in millions).

 

 

In connection with the spin-off, Autoliv entered into definitive agreements with Veoneer that, among other matters, set forth the terms and conditions of the spin-off and provide a framework for Autoliv’s relationship with Veoneer after the spin-off, including the following (collectively, the “Spin-off Agreements”):

Distribution Agreement

The Distribution Agreement sets forth the principal transactions taken by Veoneer and by Autoliv in connection with the spin-off and the terms to govern certain aspects of the parties’ relationship following the spin-off. The Distribution Agreement also provides for cross-indemnities that, except as otherwise provided in the Distribution Agreement, are principally designed to place financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of Veoneer’s business with Veoneer and financial responsibility for the obligations and liabilities of Autoliv’s business with Autoliv. However, Autoliv has agreed to indemnify Veoneer for certain warranty, recall and product liabilities for Electronics products manufactured prior to April 1, 2018, and has retained an indemnification liability.

Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement

Pursuant to the Amended and Restated Transition Services Agreement, Autoliv or one of its subsidiaries will provide various services to Veoneer and its subsidiaries and Veoneer or one of its subsidiaries agreed to provide various services to Autoliv and subsidiaries of Autoliv for a limited time to help ensure an orderly transition following the spin-off. The services will terminate no later than March 31, 2020.

Employee Matters Agreement

The Employee Matters Agreement governs Autoliv’s and Veoneer’s compensation and employee benefit obligations with respect to the employees and non-employee directors of each company.

Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company transferred to Veoneer pension benefits and postretirement benefits other than pension related to Veoneer employees. The transfer of assets and obligations to Veoneer resulted in a net decrease in the underfunded status of the sponsored pension and postretirement benefits other than pension of $22.8 million and the transfer of unrecognized losses in accumulated other comprehensive income of $6.3 million on the Distribution Date.  

Tax Matters Agreement

Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, Autoliv and Veoneer allocated the liability for taxes and certain tax assets between the two companies.  The Tax Matters Agreement also governs the parties’ respective rights, responsibilities, and obligations with respect to U.S. federal, state, local and foreign taxes (including taxes arising in the ordinary course of business and taxes, if any,

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incurred as a result of any failure of the spin-off and certain related transactions to qualify as tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes), tax attributes, the preparation and filing of tax returns, the control of audits and other tax proceedings, and assistance and cooperation in respect of tax matters.

Pursuant to the Tax Matters Agreement, Autoliv is the primary obligor on all taxes which relate to any period prior to April 1, 2018. Consequently, the Company is liable for any transition taxes under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Reseller Agreements

Reseller agreements are primarily comprised of arrangements between Veoneer and Autoliv business units in Japan, the U. S., India and Sweden to address situations in which customers have not yet been able to update their systems to reflect Veoneer as the supplier. Under the terms of these agreements and based on the substance of the relationships with the customers, Veoneer has the responsibility to provide the products to the customers although orders may be placed with Autoliv and Autoliv may collect the cash for the associated invoices which is then remitted to Veoneer.

Veoneer Capital Contribution

In connection with the spin-off, Autoliv capitalized Veoneer with approximately $1 billion of cash. Net assets of $2,129 million, including approximately $1 billion of cash, were transferred to Veoneer on or prior to the Distribution Date, including $13 million of accumulated other comprehensive loss (primarily related to pension and cumulative translation adjustment) and the non-controlling interest of $112 million. This resulted in a $2,030 million reduction to retained earnings. In the third quarter an adjustment to the cash contribution amount of $8 million was made reducing the net assets contributed to Veoneer to $2,121 million.

The following table presents depreciation, amortization, capital expenditures, acquisition of businesses and significant non-cash items of the discontinued operations related to Veoneer (dollars in millions).

 

 

 

4. REVENUE

In accordance with ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, revenue is measured based on consideration specified in a contract with a customer, adjusted for any variable consideration (i.e. price concessions or annual price adjustments) and estimated at contract inception. The Company recognizes revenue when it satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control over a product to a customer.

In addition, from time to time, Autoliv may make payments to customers in connection with ongoing and future business. These payments to customers are generally recognized as a reduction to revenue at the time of the commitment to make these payments unless certain criteria are met warranting capitalization. The Company considers qualitative factors such as the maturity of the product and technology involved in a potential transaction as well as how current the customer relationship is, when evaluating if a payment(s) warrant capitalization. If the payments are capitalized, the amounts are amortized to revenue as the related goods are transferred.

Taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction, that are collected by the Company from a customer, are excluded from revenue.

Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control of a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are included in cost of sales.

 

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Nature of goods and services

The following is a description of principal activities from which the Company generates its revenue. The Company has after the spin-off of its Electronics business one operating segment, Passive Safety, which includes airbag and seatbelt products and components. The Company generates revenue from the sale of production parts to original equipment manufacturers (“OEMs”).

The Company accounts for individual products separately if they are distinct (i.e., if a product is separately identifiable from other items and if a customer can benefit from it on its own or with other resources that are readily available to the customer). The consideration, including any price concessions or annual price adjustments, is based on their stand-alone selling prices for each of the products. The stand-alone selling prices are determined based on the cost-plus margin approach.

The Company recognizes revenue for production parts primarily at a point in time.

For production parts with revenue recognized at a point in time, the Company recognizes revenue upon shipment to the customers and transfer of title and risk of loss under standard commercial terms (typically FOB shipping point). There are certain contracts where the criteria to recognize revenue over time have been met (e.g., there is no alternative use to the Company and the Company has an enforceable right to payment). In such cases, at period end, the Company recognizes revenue and a related asset and associated cost of goods sold and inventory. However, the financial impact of these contracts is immaterial considering the very short production cycles and limited inventory days on hand, which is typical for the automotive industry.

The amount of revenue recognized is based on the purchase order price and adjusted for variable consideration (i.e. price concessions or annual price adjustments). Customers typically pay for the production parts based on customary business practices with stated payment terms averaging 30 days.

 

Disaggregation of revenue

In the following tables, revenue from the Company’s continuing operations is disaggregated by primary region and products.

 

 

 

Contract balances

The contract assets relate to the Company's rights to consideration for work completed but not billed (generally in conjunction with contracts for which revenue is recognized over time) at the reporting date on production parts. The contract assets are reclassified into the receivables balance when the rights to receive payments become unconditional. There have been no impairment losses recognized related to contract assets arising from the Company’s contracts with customers. Certain contracts have resulted in consideration in advance of fulfilling the performance obligations and the amounts received have been classified as contract liabilities.

 

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The following tables provides information about receivables, contract assets, and contract liabilities from contracts with customers.

 

 

 

Changes in the contract assets and the contract liabilities balances during the period are as follows:

 

 

The increases/(decreases) in the table above related to contracts assets reflect the total adjustments needed to align revenue recognition for work completed but not billed at each quarter period end.

Contract costs

Shipping and handling costs associated with outbound freight after control over a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are included in cost of sales. The amount of fulfillment costs was not material for any period presented.

 

5. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other current liabilities and short-term debt approximate their fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments.

The Company uses derivative financial instruments, “derivatives”, as part of its debt management to mitigate the market risk that occurs from its exposure to changes in interest and foreign exchange rates. The Company does not enter into derivatives for trading or other speculative purposes. The Company’s use of derivatives is in accordance with the strategies contained in the Company’s overall financial policy. All derivatives are recognized in the consolidated financial statements at fair value. Certain derivatives are from time to time designated either as fair value hedges or cash flow hedges in line with the hedge accounting criteria. For certain other derivatives hedge accounting is not applied either because non-hedge accounting treatment creates the same accounting result or the hedge does not meet the hedge accounting requirements, although entered into applying the same rationale concerning mitigating market risk that occurs from changes in interest and foreign exchange rates.

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The Company’s derivatives are all classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and there were no transfers between the levels during this or comparable periods (for further information about the hierarchy levels, see the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K).

The tables below present information about the Company’s derivative financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the continuing operations. The carrying value is the same as the fair value as these instruments are recognized in the consolidated financial statements at fair value. Although the Company is party to close-out netting agreements (ISDA agreements) with all derivative counterparties, the fair values in the tables below, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, have been presented on a gross basis. According to the close-out netting agreements, transaction amounts payable to a counterparty on the same date and in the same currency can be netted. The amounts subject to netting agreements that the Company chose not to offset are presented below.

 

 

 

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

There were no derivatives designated as hedging instruments as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 related to the continuing operations.

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments relate to economic hedges and are marked to market with all amounts recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The derivatives not designated as hedging instruments outstanding at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 related to the continuing operations were foreign exchange swaps.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, the gains and losses recognized in other non-operating items, net were a gain of $1.0 million and a loss of $0.9 million, respectively, for derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, the gains and losses recognized in other non-operating items, net were a loss of $4.3 million and a loss of $0.5 million, respectively.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, the gains and losses recognized as interest expense were immaterial.

Fair Value of Debt

The fair value of long-term debt is determined either from quoted market prices as provided by participants in the secondary market or for long-term debt without quoted market prices, estimated using a discounted cash flow method based on the

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Company’s current borrowing rates for similar types of financing. The Company has determined that each of these fair value measurements of debt reside within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

On June 18, 2018, Autoliv announced that it priced a 5-year bond offering of EUR 500 million in the Eurobond market (the “Notes”). The Notes were issued on June 26, 2018, at an issue price of 99.527%, and carry a coupon of 0.75% (paid annually in arrears), which implies a per annum yield of 0.847%.

The fair value and carrying value of debt for the continuing operations is summarized in the table below (dollars in millions).

 

 

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis

In addition to assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the Company also has assets and liabilities in its balance sheet that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis including certain long-lived assets, including equity method investments, goodwill and other intangible assets, typically as it relates to impairment.

The Company has determined that the fair value measurements included in each of these assets and liabilities rely primarily on Company-specific inputs and the Company’s assumptions about the use of the assets and settlements of liabilities, as observable inputs are not available. The Company has determined that each of these fair value measurements reside within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. To determine the fair value of long-lived assets, the Company utilizes the projected cash flows expected to be generated by the long-lived assets, then discounts the future cash flows over the expected life of the long-lived assets.

 

6. INCOME TAXES

The effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2018 was 31.1% compared to 29.5% in the same quarter of 2017. Discrete tax items, net in the third quarter of 2018 had a unfavorable impact of 0.2%. In the third quarter of 2017, discrete tax items, net had an unfavorable impact of 2.8%.

The effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2018 was 23.0% compared to 29.2% for the first nine months of 2017. The effective tax rate in the first nine months of 2018 was favorably impacted by 5.3%, due to discrete tax items, principally the reversal of valuation allowances against deferred tax assets recorded in the second quarter. In the first nine months of 2017, the net impact of discrete tax items caused a 3.4% increase to the effective tax rate.

In December 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “Act”) was signed into law making significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Changes include, but are not limited to, a corporate tax rate decrease from 35% to 21% effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017, the transition of U.S. international taxation from a worldwide tax system to a territorial system, and a one-time transition tax on the mandatory deemed repatriation of cumulative foreign earnings as of December 31, 2017.

On December 22, 2017, Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118 (“SAB 118”) was issued to address the application of U.S. GAAP in situations when a registrant does not have the necessary information available, prepared, or analyzed (including computations) in reasonable detail to complete the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company did not have the necessary information analyzed to revise the provisional amount initially recorded for the transition tax for the year ended December 31, 2017. As a result, the Company did not make any adjustment to the provisional transition tax recorded in December 2017. Additional work is still necessary for a more detailed analysis of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities and its historical foreign earnings as well as potential correlative adjustments. Any subsequent adjustment to these amounts will be recorded to current tax expense in the fourth quarter of 2018 when the analysis is complete.

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The Company files income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction, and various states and non-U.S. jurisdictions. At any given time, the Company is undergoing tax audits in several tax jurisdictions covering multiple years. The Company is no longer subject to income tax examination by the U.S. federal income tax authorities for years prior to 2014. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to income tax examination by U.S. state or local tax authorities or by non-U.S. tax authorities for years before 2009.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company is not aware of any proposed income tax adjustments resulting from tax examinations that would have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. The conclusion of such audits could result in additional increases or decreases to unrecognized tax benefits in some future period or periods.

During the third quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a net decrease of $0.2 million to income tax reserves for unrecognized tax benefits based on tax positions related to the current year, including accruing additional interest related to unrecognized tax benefits of prior years. In addition, during the third quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a decrease of $2.2 million to income tax reserves for unrecognized tax benefits of prior years due to settlements with tax authorities. Of the total unrecognized tax benefits of $29.8 million recorded at September 30, 2018, $4.1 million is classified as current tax payable and $25.7 million is classified as non-current tax payable on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.

7. INVENTORIES

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (principally FIFO) and net realizable value. The components of inventories for the continuing operations were as follows (dollars in millions):

 

 

8. RESTRUCTURING

Restructuring provisions are made on a case-by-case basis and primarily include severance costs incurred in connection with headcount reductions and plant consolidations. The Company expects to finance restructuring programs over the next several years through cash generated from its ongoing operations or through cash available under existing credit facilities. The Company does not expect that the execution of these activities will have a material adverse impact on its liquidity position. The changes in the employee-related reserves have been charged against Other income (expense), net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The majority of the reserve balance as of September 30, 2018 pertains to restructuring activities initiated in Western Europe over the past few years. The Company anticipates that its restructuring initiatives in Western Europe for a number of plants, none of which are individually or in the aggregate material as of September 30, 2018, will continue through dates ranging from 2018 through 2021. The total amount of costs expected to be incurred in connection with these restructuring activities ranges from approximately $10 million to $28 million for each individual activity. In the aggregate, the cost for these Western European restructuring initiatives is approximately $101 million and the remaining restructuring liability as of September 30, 2018 is approximately $29 million out of the $32.5 million total reserve balance.

The table below summarizes the change in the balance sheet position of the restructuring reserves related to the continuing operations (dollars in millions).

 

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9. PRODUCT-RELATED LIABILITIES

The Company has reserves for product risks. Such reserves are related to product performance issues including recalls, product liability and warranty issues. For further explanation, see Note 12. Contingent Liabilities below.

For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, provisions and cash paid primarily relate to recall and warranty related issues. The decrease in the reserve balance as of September 30, 2018 compared to the prior year was mainly due to cash payments. 

Pursuant to the Spin-Off Agreements, Autoliv is also required to indemnify Veoneer for recalls related to certain qualified Electronics products. At September 30, 2018, the indemnification liabilities are approximately $23 million within accrued expenses on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and such amounts are not included in the table below. Insurance receivables are included within Other current assets in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The table below summarizes the change in the balance sheet position of the product-related liabilities related to the continuing operations (dollars in millions).

 

 

10. RETIREMENT PLANS

The Company’s most significant retirement plan is the U.S. plan for which the benefits are based on an average of the employee’s earnings in the years preceding retirement and on credited service. In a prior year, the Company closed participation in the Autoliv ASP, Inc. Pension Plan to exclude those employees hired after December 31, 2003. Within the U.S. there is also a non-qualified restoration plan that provides benefits to employees whose benefits in the primary U.S. plan are restricted by limitations on the compensation that can be considered in calculating their benefits. In December 2017 the Company decided to amend the U.S. defined pension plan, communicating a benefits freeze that will begin on December 31, 2021.

For the Company’s non-U.S. defined benefit plans the most significant individual plan resides in the U.K. The Company has closed participation in the U.K. defined benefit plan to exclude all employees hired after April 30, 2003 with few members accruing benefits.

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The Net Periodic Benefit Costs from continuing operations related to Other Post-retirement Benefits were not significant to the condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 and are not included in the table below.

The components of total Net Periodic Benefit Cost from continuing operations associated with the Company’s defined benefit retirement plans are as follows (dollars in millions):

 

 

The Service cost and Amortization of prior service cost components from continuing operations are reported among other employee compensation costs in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The remaining components Interest cost, Expected return on plan assets and Amortization of actuarial loss are reported as Other non-operating items, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

11. EQUITY

The changes in the equity components for the nine month period ended  September 30, 2018 were as follows (dollars in millions).

 

 

 

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The following tables present details about components of accumulated comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively (dollars in millions).

 

 

 

 

Stock Repurchase Program

The Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock in the third quarter of 2018 or in the third quarter of 2017. The Company is authorized to repurchase an additional 2,986,288 shares under the stock repurchase program at September 30, 2018.

 

12. CONTINGENT LIABILITIES

Legal Proceedings

Various claims, lawsuits and proceedings are pending or threatened against the Company or its subsidiaries, covering a range of matters that arise in the ordinary course of its business activities with respect to commercial, product liability and other matters. Litigation is subject to many uncertainties, and the outcome of any litigation cannot be assured. After discussions with counsel, and with the exception of losses resulting from the antitrust proceedings described below, it is the opinion of management that the various legal proceedings and investigations to which the Company currently is a party will not have a material adverse impact on the consolidated financial position of Autoliv, but the Company cannot provide assurance that Autoliv will not experience material litigation, product liability or other losses in the future.

In October 2014, one of the Company’s Brazilian subsidiaries received a notice of deficiency from the state tax authorities from the state of São Paulo, Brazil which, primarily, alleged violations of ICMS (VAT) payments and improper warehousing documentation. The aggregate assessment for all alleged violations was R$81 million (approximately $21 million), inclusive of fines, penalties and interest. The Company believed that a loss was probable with respect to at least a portion of the assessed amount and accrued an amount in 2015 that was not material to the Company’s results of operations. During the first quarter of 2018, the Brazilian authorities offered an amnesty period which would allow taxpayers to reduce the penalties associated with

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eligible tax matters by up to 85%. During the second quarter of 2018, the Company applied to participate in such tax amnesty program which was accepted by the Brazilian authorities. The Company paid an immaterial amount during the period ended June 30, 2018 to resolve this matter.

ANTITRUST MATTERS

Authorities in several jurisdictions are currently conducting or have conducted broad, and in some cases, long-running investigations of suspected anti-competitive behavior among parts suppliers in the global automotive vehicle industry. These investigations include, but are not limited to, the products that the Company sells. In addition to concluded and pending matters, authorities of other countries with significant light vehicle manufacturing or sales may initiate similar investigations. It is the Company’s policy to cooperate with governmental investigations.

European Commission (“EC”) Investigations:

On June 7-9, 2011, representatives of the European Commission (“EC”), the European antitrust authority, visited two facilities of a Company subsidiary in Germany to gather information for an investigation of anti-competitive behavior among suppliers of occupant safety systems.  

On November 22, 2017, the EC concluded a discrete portion of its investigation and imposed a fine on the Company of EUR 8.1 million (approximately $9.7 million) with respect to this portion of the EC’s overall investigation while it continues the more significant portion of its investigation. The Company paid this amount during the first quarter of 2018, and had previously accrued EUR 8.3 million (approximately $9.9 million) in 2017 with respect to this discrete portion of the investigation.

Management does not believe the outcome of this discrete portion of the EC’s investigation provides an indication of the total probable loss associated with the EC investigation as a whole. The Company remains unable to estimate the financial impact of what the Company believes to be the substantially more significant, continuing portion of the investigation or predict the reporting periods in which such financial impact may be recorded. Consequently, the Company has not recorded a provision for loss as of September 30, 2018 other than as noted above for the discrete portion of the investigation. However, management believes it is probable that the Company’s operating results and cash flows will be materially adversely impacted for the reporting periods in which the continuing portion of the investigation is resolved or becomes estimable.

South Africa Investigation: In August 2014, the Competition Commission of South Africa (the “CCSA”) contacted the Company regarding an investigation into the Company’s sales of occupant safety systems in South Africa. In September 2017, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the CCSA in which the Company agreed to pay an administrative penalty of R150 million (approximately $11 million), which the Competition Tribunal in South Africa confirmed on November 22, 2017. The Company had previously accrued a total of approximately $6 million in 2016 for this matter, and accrued an additional amount of approximately $5 million in 2017 with respect to the proposed settlement, and final payment of the settlement amount was made in February 2018.

Brazil Investigation: In November 2016, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the General Superintendence of the Administrative Council for Economic Defense in Brazil with respect to an investigation of an alleged cartel involving sales in Brazil of seatbelts, airbags and steering wheels by the Company’s Brazilian subsidiary and the Brazilian subsidiary of a competitor for an amount that is immaterial to the Company’s results of operations. Settlement amounts were accrued for this matter during the periods ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2016, and final payment of the accrued amounts was made in 2017.

Civil Litigation: The Company is subject to civil litigation alleging anti-competitive conduct in the U.S. and Canada. Specifically, the Company, several of its subsidiaries and its competitors were named as defendants in a total of nineteen purported antitrust class action lawsuits filed between June 2012 and June 2015. Fifteen of these lawsuits were filed in the U.S. and were consolidated in the Occupant Safety Systems (OSS) segment of the Automobile Parts Antitrust Litigation, a Multi-District Litigation (MDL) proceeding in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Plaintiffs in the U.S. cases sought to represent four purported classes - direct purchasers, auto dealers, end-payors, and truck and equipment dealers who purchased in the U.S. occupant safety systems or components directly from a defendant, indirectly through purchases or leases of new vehicles containing such systems, or through purchases of replacement parts.

In May 2014, the Company, without admitting any liability, entered into separate settlement agreements with the direct purchasers, auto dealers, end-payors plaintiff classes, which were granted final approval by the MDL court in 2015 and 2016. The total settlement amount of $65 million (later reduced to approximately $60.5 million as a result of opt-outs from the direct purchaser settlement) was expensed in 2014. In April 2016, the Company entered into a settlement agreement with the truck and equipment dealers’ class, which was granted final approval by the MDL court in 2016, for an amount that is immaterial to the Company’s results of operations. The class settlements do not resolve any claims of settlement class members who opt-out of the settlements or the unasserted claims of any purchasers of occupant safety systems who are not otherwise included in a settlement class, such as states and municipalities. Two direct purchasers opted out of the Company’s direct purchaser class settlement and

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several individuals and one insurer (and its affiliated entities) opted-out of the end-payor class settlements, including the Company’s settlement.

In September 2016, the insurer (and its affiliated entities) that opted out of the end-payor class settlement filed an antitrust lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, the venue for the MDL, against the Company and the other settling defendants in the end-payor class settlements. The defendants’ motion to dismiss the complaint on various grounds was granted in part and denied in part in August 2018. The Company understands that the insurer may attempt to correct the pleading deficiencies identified in the Court’s decision. The Company cannot predict or estimate the duration or ultimate outcome of this matter.

In March 2015, the Company, without admitting any liability, reached agreements regarding additional settlements to resolve certain direct purchasers’ global (including U.S.) or non-U.S. antitrust claims that were not covered by the direct purchaser class settlement. The total amount of these additional settlements was $81 million. Autoliv expensed during the first quarter of 2015 approximately $77 million as a result of these additional settlements, net of existing amounts that had been accrued in 2014.

The remaining four antitrust class action lawsuits were filed in Canada (Sheridan Chevrolet Cadillac Ltd. et al. v. Autoliv, Inc. et al., filed in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice on January 18, 2013; M. Serge Asselin v. Autoliv, Inc. et al., filed in the Superior Court of Quebec on March 14, 2013; Ewert v. Autoliv, Inc. et al., filed in the Supreme Court of British Columbia on July 18, 2013; and Cindy Retallick and Jagjeet Singh Rajput v. Autoliv ASP, Inc. et al., filed in the Queen’s Bench of the Judicial Center of Regina in the province of Saskatchewan on May 14, 2014) asserting claims on behalf of putative classes of both direct and indirect purchasers of occupant safety systems. In February 2017, the Company entered into, and the courts subsequently approved, a settlement agreement with plaintiffs in three of the four class actions to settle on a nationwide class basis for an amount that is not material to the Company’s results of operations. Settlement amounts were accrued for this matter during the period ended December 31, 2016 and final payment of the accrued amounts was made in 2017. This national settlement includes the claims of the putative members of the fourth class action.

PRODUCT WARRANTY, RECALLS AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Autoliv is exposed to various claims for damages and compensation if its products fail to perform as expected. Such claims can be made, and result in costs and other losses to the Company, even where the product is eventually found to have functioned properly. Where a product (actually or allegedly) fails to perform as expected, the Company may face warranty and recall claims. Where such (actual or alleged) failure results, or is alleged to result, in bodily injury and/or property damage, the Company may also face product liability and other claims. There can be no assurance that the Company will not experience material warranty, recall or product (or other) liability claims or losses in the future, or that the Company will not incur significant costs to defend against such claims. The Company may be required to participate in a recall involving its products. Each vehicle manufacturer has its own practices regarding product recalls and other product liability actions relating to its suppliers. As suppliers become more integrally involved in the vehicle design process and assume more of the vehicle assembly functions, vehicle manufacturers are increasingly looking to their suppliers for contribution when faced with recalls and product liability claims. Government safety regulators may also play a role in warranty and recall practices. A warranty, recall or product-liability claim brought against the Company in excess of its insurance may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business. Vehicle manufacturers are also increasingly requiring their outside suppliers to guarantee or warrant their products and bear the costs of repair and replacement of such products under new vehicle warranties. A vehicle manufacturer may attempt to hold the Company responsible for some, or all, of the repair or replacement costs of products when the product supplied did not perform as represented by us or expected by the customer. Accordingly, the future costs of warranty claims by the customers may be material. However, the Company believes its established reserves are adequate. Autoliv’s warranty reserves are based upon the Company’s best estimates of amounts necessary to settle future and existing claims. The Company regularly evaluates the adequacy of these reserves, and adjusts them when appropriate. However, the final amounts actually due related to these matters could differ materially from the Company’s recorded estimates.

In addition, as vehicle manufacturers increasingly use global platforms and procedures, quality performance evaluations are also conducted on a global basis. Any one or more quality, warranty or other recall issue(s) (including those affecting few units and/or having a small financial impact) may cause a vehicle manufacturer to implement measures such as a temporary or prolonged suspension of new orders, which may have a material impact on the Company’s results of operations.

The Company carries insurance for potential recall and product liability claims at coverage levels based on our prior claims experience. In addition, a number of the agreements entered into by the Company, including the Spin-off Agreements, require Autoliv to indemnify the other parties for certain claims. Autoliv cannot assure that the level of coverage will be sufficient to cover every possible claim that can arise in our businesses or with respect to other obligations, now or in the future, or that such coverage always will be available should we, now or in the future, wish to extend, increase or otherwise adjust our insurance.

Toyota Recall: On June 29, 2016, the Company announced that it is cooperating with Toyota Motor Corp. in its recall of approximately 1.4 million vehicles equipped with a certain model of the Company’s side curtain airbag (the “Toyota Recall”). Toyota has informed the Company that there have been eight reported incidents where a side curtain airbag has partially inflated without a deployment signal from the airbag control unit. The incidents have all occurred in parked, unoccupied vehicles and no

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personal injuries have been reported. The root cause analysis of the issue is ongoing. However, at this point in time the Company believes that a compromised manufacturing process at a sub-supplier may be a contributing factor and, as no incidents have been confirmed in vehicles produced by other OEMs with the same inflator produced during the same period as those recalled by Toyota, that vehicle-specific characteristics may also contribute to the issue. The sub-supplier’s manufacturing process was changed in January 2012, and the vehicles now recalled by Toyota represent more than half of all inflators of the relevant type manufactured before the sub-supplier process was changed.

As previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company determined pursuant to ASC 450 that a loss with respect to this issue is reasonably possible. If the Company is obligated to indemnify Toyota for the costs associated with the Toyota Recall, the Company expects that its insurance will generally cover such costs and liabilities and estimates that the Company’s loss, net of expected insurance recoveries, would be less than $20 million.  However, the ultimate costs of the Toyota Recall could be materially different. The main variables affecting the ultimate cost for the Company are: the determination of proportionate responsibility (if any) among Toyota, the Company, and any relevant sub-suppliers; the ultimate number of vehicles repaired; the cost of repair per vehicle; and the actual recoveries from sub-suppliers and insurers. The Company’s insurance policies generally include coverage of the costs of a recall, although costs related to replacement parts are generally not covered.

In its products, the Company utilizes technologies which may be subject to intellectual property rights of third parties. While the Company does seek to procure the necessary rights to utilize intellectual property rights associated with its products, it may fail to do so. Where the Company so fails, the Company may be exposed to material claims from the owners of such rights. Where the Company has sold products which infringe upon such rights, its customers may be entitled to be indemnified by the Company for the claims they suffer as a result thereof. Such claims could be material.

The table in Note 9. Product-Related Liabilities above summarizes the change in the balance sheet position of the product related liabilities.

13. STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

Eligible employees of Autoliv participate in Autoliv, Inc.1997 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan) and received Autoliv stock-based awards which include stock options, restricted stock units and performance shares. In connection with the Veoneer spin-off, each outstanding Autoliv stock-based award as of June 29, 2018 was converted to stock awards that have underlying shares of both Autoliv and Veoneer common shares.

 

The conversion that occurred on the Distribution Date was based on the following:

 

 

 

 

 

In each case above, the conversion was intended to generally preserve the intrinsic value of the original award determined as of the distribution date of Veoneer. The number of converted RSUs and SOs for Autoliv and Veoneer was based on the average of Autoliv closing stock prices for the last 5 days prior to the spin-off and the average of closing stock prices of Autoliv and Veoneer, respectively, for the first 5 days after the spin-off.

As a result of the spin-off and the related conversion, it was determined that the stock based awards were modified in accordance with ASC 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation. The fair value of the RSUs and SOs immediately before and after the modification was assessed in order to determine if the modification resulted in any incremental compensation cost related to the

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awards, including consideration of the impact of conversion using the 5 day average. Based on the valuation performed, it was determined that the conversion did not result in any incremental compensation cost for any of the outstanding awards. The post spin-off stock-based compensation expense will be based on the original grant date fair value related to only Autoliv employees.  

 

With certain limited exceptions, including the freezing of the Performance Measurement Date to December 31, 2017 as noted above, the SOs and RSUs post spin-off are subject to the same terms and conditions (including with respect to vesting and expiration) that were applicable to such Autoliv stock-based awards immediately prior to the conversion and as described in the Audited Combined Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2017 and corresponding notes.

 

The Company recorded approximately $2.3 million and $6.9 million stock-based compensation expense in continuing operations related to RSUs and PSs for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018, respectively. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017, the Company recorded $2.6 million and $7.4 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation expense in continuing operations related to RSUs and PSs.

14. EARNINGS PER SHARE

The Company calculates basic earnings per share (EPS) by dividing net income attributable to controlling interest by the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period (net of treasury shares). The Company’s unvested RSUs, of which some include the right to receive non-forfeitable dividend equivalents, are considered participating securities. The diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that could occur if common stock were issued for awards under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan and is calculated using the more dilutive method of either the two-class method or the treasury stock method. The treasury stock method assumes that the Company uses the proceeds from the exercise of stock option awards to repurchase ordinary shares at the average market price during the period.  For unvested restricted stock, assumed proceeds under the treasury stock method will include unamortized compensation cost and windfall tax benefits or shortfalls. Post spin-off assumed proceeds under the treasury stock method related to RSUs will only include unamortized compensation cost related to Autoliv employees holding Autoliv RSUs. Calculations of EPS under the two-class method exclude from the numerator any dividends paid or owed on participating securities and any undistributed earnings considered to be attributable to participating securities. The related participating securities are similarly excluded from the denominator.

For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018, no shares were excluded from the computation of the diluted EPS. For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017, approximately 0.1 million shares and 0.1 million shares of common stock, respectively, were not included in the computation of the diluted EPS, which could potentially dilute basic EPS in the future.  

During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018, approximately 9 thousand and 0.2 million shares of common stock, respectively, from the treasury stock have been utilized by the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2017, approximately 30 thousand and 0.1 million shares of common stock, respectively, from the treasury stock were utilized by the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan.

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The computation of basic and diluted EPS under the two-class method were as follows:

 

 

15. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Throughout the periods covered by the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, Autoliv purchased finished goods from Veoneer. Related party purchases from Veoneer amounted to approximately $30 million and $19 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017 respectively, and to approximately $73 million and $54 million for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2018 and September 30, 2017, respectively.

 

Related party balances

Amounts due to and due from related parties as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 are summarized in the below table:

 

Related party receivables primarily relate to an agreement between Autoliv and Veoneer.

The related party payables are mainly driven by Reseller Agreements put in place in connection with the spin-off. The Reseller Agreements are between Autoliv and Veoneer to facilitate the temporary arrangement of the sale of Veoneer products in the interim period post spin-off. For further information, see Note 3. Discontinued Operations above.

 

16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

There were no reportable events subsequent to September 30, 2018.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying Notes thereto included elsewhere herein and with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 22, 2018. Unless otherwise noted, all dollar amounts are in millions.

Autoliv, Inc. (“Autoliv” or the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation with its principal executive offices in Stockholm, Sweden. It was created in 1997 from the merger of Autoliv AB (“AAB”) and the automotive safety products business of Morton International, Inc. The Company functions as a holding corporation and owns two principal operating subsidiaries, AAB and Autoliv ASP, Inc.

On June 29, 2018, Autoliv completed the spin-off of its former Electronics business into Veoneer, Inc. (“Veoneer”) through the distribution of all of the outstanding shares of common stock of Veoneer to its stockholders as of the close of business on June 12, 2018, the common stock record date for the distribution, in a tax-free, pro rata distribution. Each Autoliv stockholder received one share of Veoneer common stock for every one share of Autoliv common stock held by such person on the common stock record date, and each Autoliv Swedish Depository Receipt (SDR) holder received one Veoneer SDR for each Autoliv SDR held by such person on the applicable SDR record date. Autoliv distributed a total of approximately 87 million shares of Veoneer common stock to the Autoliv stockholders as of the close of business on the record date. On July 2, 2018, Veoneer’s common stock began regular-way trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “VNE” and its SDRs began trading on Nasdaq Stockholm under the symbol “VNE SDB.” On April 1, 2018, pursuant to the terms of a master transfer agreement entered into between Autoliv and Veoneer, assets related to the Electronics business were transferred to, and liabilities related to the Electronics business were retained or assumed by Veoneer subject to certain exceptions. See Note 3. Discontinued Operations to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for additional information.

Autoliv is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier of automotive safety systems to the automotive industry with a broad range of automotive safety product offerings. Upon completion of the spin-off of its Electronics business, Autoliv now operates as a single segment consisting of passive safety products. Passive safety products are primarily meant to improve vehicle safety. Passive safety products include modules and components for passenger and driver-side airbags, side-impact airbag protection systems, seatbelts, steering wheels, whiplash protection systems and child seats, and components for such systems.

Autoliv’s filings with the SEC, including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, annual reports on Form 10-K, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements and all of our other reports and statements, and amendments thereto, are available free of charge on our corporate website at www.autoliv.com as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC (generally the same day as the filing).

Shares of Autoliv common stock trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ALV”. Swedish Depository Receipts representing shares of Autoliv common stock (“SDRs”) trade on Nasdaq Stockholm under the symbol “ALIV SDB”, and options in SDRs trade on the same exchange under the name “Autoliv SDB”. Options in Autoliv shares trade on NASDAQ OMX PHLX and NYSE Amex Options under the symbol “ALV”. Our fiscal year ends on December 31.

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Autoliv’s growth momentum continued in the third quarter. Driven mainly by a large number of product launches in North America, the Company’s sales grew organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by more than 6% despite the decrease in light vehicle production of about 2% according to IHS. The Company was able to grow faster than light vehicle production in all regions except Rest of Asia, with North America as the main driver with 22% organic (non-U.S. GAAP measure) sales growth. The launches are on schedule, with good delivery precision albeit with continued elevated launch related costs, temporarily impacting our profitability progression negatively.

Autoliv’s order intake continued on a high level in the quarter, supporting the Company’s growth opportunities for the longer term. The Company’s operating cash flow was solid in the quarter, supporting the Company’s full year indication of an operating cash flow for Continuing Operations to on a similar level as last year.

In the third quarter our industry experienced significant changes in light vehicle production, especially in Europe impacted by WLTP, and in China due to lower consumer demand. As a result, the Company’s supply chain, production and logistic systems had to manage significant and late changes to OEM production plans with corresponding uneven utilization of our supply chain, production and logistics assets while at the same time focusing on the many launches and high growth in North America. The Company sees a similar environment for the rest of the year, with continued uncertainty for light vehicle production, especially in China and Europe, with continued uneven asset utilization. The Company is implementing actions to manage these challenges and looks forward to a gradual improvement in operating leverage over time.

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With a never-ending focus on quality and operational excellence, Autoliv continues to execute on its growing business volumes and its new opportunities, with extra attention to any changes in light vehicle demand.

Non-U.S. GAAP financial measures

Some of the following discussions refer to non-U.S. GAAP financial measures: see reconciliations for "Organic sales", "Operating working capital", "Net debt" and “Leverage ratio” provided below. Management believes that these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures provide supplemental information to investors regarding the performance of the Company’s business and assist investors in analyzing trends in the Company's business. Additional descriptions regarding management’s use of these financial measures are included below. Investors should consider these non-U.S. GAAP financial measures in addition to, rather than as substitutes for, financial reporting measures prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. These historical non-U.S. GAAP financial measures have been identified as applicable in each section of this report with a tabular presentation reconciling them to the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures. It should be noted that these measures, as defined, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview

The following table shows some of the key ratios management uses internally to analyze the Company's current and future financial performance and core operations as well as to identify trends in the Company’s financial conditions and results of operations. We have provided this information to investors to assist in meaningful comparisons of past and present operating results and to assist in highlighting the results of ongoing core operations. These ratios are more fully explained below and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

The results herein present the performance of Autoliv giving effect to the spin-off of Veoneer, Autoliv’s former Electronics segment, on June 29, 2018. Historical financial results of Veoneer are reflected as discontinued operations, with the exception of cash flows, which are presented on a consolidated basis of both continuing and discontinued operations and net income attributable to a controlling interest (Consolidated Autoliv). The focus of management’s discussion and analysis below is on continuing operations. Certain key ratios, as indicated, only reflect continuing operations. The restated historical financial information reflecting the spin-off are unaudited, but have been derived from Autoliv’s historical audited annual reports.

KEY RATIOS

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)

 

 

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THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 COMPARED WITH THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

Market overview

Light Vehicle Production Development

Change vs. same quarter last year

 

 

Consolidated Sales

The Company has substantial operations outside the U.S. and at the present time approximately 75% of its sales are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. This makes the Company and its performance in regions outside the U.S. sensitive to changes in U.S. dollar exchange rates when translated. The measure “Organic sales” presents the increase or decrease in the Company’s overall U.S. dollar net sales on a comparative basis, allowing separate discussion of the impacts of acquisitions/divestitures and exchange rate fluctuations and our ongoing core operations and results. The tabular reconciliations below present the change in “Organic sales” reconciled to the change in the total net sales as can be derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated net sales increased by 4.1% compared to the same quarter of 2017 with an organic growth (non-U.S. GAAP measure) of 6.4% and negative currency translation effects of 2.3%. By growing organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by about 22%, North America contributed to almost all of the $125 million in organic growth (non-U.S. GAAP measure) in the quarter although China and India also contributed to the organic growth while Europe and South Korea declined organically. Organic sales growth outperformed LVP growth (according to IHS) in all regions excluding Rest of Asia.

Sales by Product

The tables below reconcile the reported change by product to organic change for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period last year:

 

 

Reconciliation of the change in “Organic sales” to U.S. GAAP financial measure

Components of net sales increase (decrease)

Three months ended September 30, 2018

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

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Airbag sales had solid organic growth (non-U.S. GAAP measure) of 8.4%. Steering wheels were the main organic growth contributor, especially in North America, Europe and China and from inflatable curtains in North America. Passenger airbags also showed strong growth, especially in North America. The main organic sales decline was for inflatable curtains in Europe.

Seatbelt sales grew organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by 2.6% in the quarter, mainly driven by strong growth in North America partially offset by declines in Europe.

Sales by Region

The tables below reconcile the reported change by geographic region to organic change for the three months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period last year:

 

 

Reconciliation of the change in “Organic sales” to U.S. GAAP financial measure

Components of net sales increase (decrease)

Three months ended September 30, 2018

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

Sales grew organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by 6.4% in the third quarter 2018 compared to the third quarter 2017, which is more than 8 percentage points above the change in light vehicle production (according to IHS). The largest contributors to growth were North America, China and India partly offset by effects from South Korea and Europe.

The organic sales increase (non-U.S. GAAP measure) of 4.5% from Autoliv’s companies in China was driven by both the domestic and the global OEMs. Sales to domestic OEMs are primarily driven by a continued tailwind from new models with Geely, including Lynk & Co. The organic growth in sales to the global OEMs was mainly driven by sales to VW, Nissan and Honda.

The organic sales growth (non-U.S. GAAP measure) of 2.1% from Autoliv’s companies in Japan was driven by sales to Subaru, Mitsubishi and Honda.

The organic sales growth of 1.5% from Autoliv’s companies in the Rest of Asia was driven by strong sales development in India, mainly to Suzuki and Honda, largely offset by organic sales decline in South Korea, mainly with Hyundai/Kia.

Sales from Autoliv’s companies in Americas increased organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by 21.8%, driven by strong performance in both North and South America. North America grew by more than 22% organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure), driven primarily by launches at FCA, Nissan, Tesla and Honda. This was partly offset by lower sales to Ford and Daimler. Growth was driven by all main product groups. South America grew organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by close to 16%, driven by a strong performance with VW and Toyota.

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Sales from Autoliv’s companies in Europe declined organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by 3.6%. The organic sales decline was driven largely by VW, Renault and Nissan, partly offset by increased sales to Daimler.

Earnings

 

 

The gross profit for the third quarter of 2018 was $9 million lower than in the same quarter of 2017. The gross margin decreased by 1.2pp to 19.0%, from 20.2% in the same quarter of 2017, mainly due to adverse impact from launch related costs, raw material pricing and currency changes that more than offset the positive effects from the strong organic sales growth (non-U.S. GAAP measure).

Selling, General and Administrative (S,G&A) expenses decreased by $7 million compared to the same quarter the prior year, while Research, Development & Engineering (R,D&E) expenses net, increased to 5.0% of sales compared to 4.8% a year earlier, driven by the high number of product launches.

Operating income increased by $25 million to $193 million, corresponding to a reported operating margin of 9.5% of sales, compared to 8.6% of sales in the same quarter of 2017. The increase was due to lower costs for capacity alignments and antitrust related matters compared to the same period 2017, reported as Other income (expense), net. Income before taxes increased by $21 million compared to the same quarter the previous year.

Income attributable to controlling interest from Continuing Operations increased by $12 million.

The effective tax rate in the third quarter of 2018 was 31.1% compared to 29.5% in the same quarter of 2017. Discrete tax items, net in the third quarter of 2018 had an unfavorable impact of 0.2pp. In the third quarter of 2017, discrete tax items, net had an unfavorable impact of 2.8pp.

Earnings per share (EPS) from Continuing Operations assuming dilution increased by 11% to $1.34 compared to $1.21 for the same period one year ago. The main positive item affecting EPS were 42 cents from lower costs relating to capacity alignments, antitrust related matters and the separation of our business segments, with the main offsetting items being 14 cents from tax items and 3 cents from higher interest expense.

The weighted average number of shares outstanding assuming dilution was 87.4 million compared to 87.2 million in the third quarter of 2017.

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NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2018 COMPARED WITH NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2017

Market overview

Light Vehicle Production Development

Change vs. same period last year

 

 

Consolidated Sales

The Company has substantial operations outside the U.S. and at the present time approximately 75% of its sales are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. This makes the Company and its performance in regions outside the U.S. sensitive to changes in U.S. dollar exchange rates when translated. The measure “Organic sales” presents the increase or decrease in the Company’s overall U.S. dollar net sales on a comparative basis, allowing separate discussion of the impacts of acquisitions/divestitures and exchange rate fluctuations and our ongoing core operations and results. The tabular reconciliations below present the change in “Organic sales” reconciled to the change in the total net sales as can be derived from our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

Consolidated net sales increased by 8.5% compared to the same period of 2017 with an organic growth (non-U.S. GAAP measure) of 5.0% and positive currency translation effects of 3.5%. All regions except Europe grew organically. Key organic growth areas were North America, China and India.

Sales by product

The tables below reconcile the reported change by product to organic change for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period last year:

 

 

Reconciliation of the change in “Organic sales” to U.S. GAAP financial measure

Components of net sales increase (decrease)

Nine months ended September 30, 2018

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

Airbag sales grew organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by 4.1%, mainly driven by steering wheels in China, North America and Europe, and from inflatable curtains in North America, partly offset by organic sales decline of inflatable curtains in Europe.

Seatbelt sales grew organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by 6.8%, mainly driven by growth in North America and China.

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Sales by Region

The tables below reconcile the reported change by geographic region to organic change for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same period last year:

 

 

Reconciliation of the change in “Organic sales” to U.S. GAAP financial measure

Components of net sales increase (decrease)

Nine months ended September 30, 2018

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

In the first nine months of 2018, Autoliv’ sales grew organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by 5.0% against the prior corresponding period, about 4pp more than LVP growth according to IHS. The largest contributors to the organic growth were North America and China partly offset by South Korea and Europe.

The organic sales increase (non-U.S. GAAP measure) from Autoliv’s companies in China of around 9% was driven by both domestic and global OEMs. Sales growth to domestic OEMs were mainly with Geely, including Lynk & Co, and Great Wall while growth with the global OEMs was mainly with VW, Nissan and Honda.

Organic sales growth (non-U.S. GAAP measure) of 2.6% from Autoliv’s companies in Japan was mainly derived from sales of frontal airbags to Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan and Subaru and seatbelts to Honda, Mitsubishi and Subaru as well as inflator replacement sales.

Organic sales growth from Autoliv’s companies in the Rest of Asia of 3.0% was driven by strong sales development in India which grew organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by around 33%, mainly from sales to Suzuki, Honda, Tata and Hyundai/Kia. Sales in South Korea decreased, driven mainly by lower sales to Hyundai/Kia.

The organic growth (non-U.S. GAAP measure) from Autoliv’s companies in Americas was 11.5%. North America grew organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by 10.7% mainly due to new model launches with FCA, Honda, Tesla and Nissan, partly offset by lower sales to GM and Ford. Overall growth was driven by all main product groups. Sales in South America grew organically (non-U.S. GAAP measure) by about 28%, mainly due to increased sales of steering wheels and frontal airbags to FCA.

The 1.5% organic sales decline (non-U.S. GAAP measure) in the period from Autoliv’s companies in Europe was mainly driven by PSA, FCA, JLR, Nissan and Renault.

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Earnings

 

 

The gross profit for the first nine months of 2018 increased by $47 million, primarily as a result of higher sales. The gross margin decreased by 0.9pp compared to the same period in 2017, mainly as a result of adverse impacts from launch related costs, raw material pricing and currency changes which were only partly offset the positive effect from the strong organic sales growth.

Selling, General and Administrative (S,G&A) expenses decreased slightly while Research, Development & Engineering (R,D&E) expenses, net, as percent of sales was 5.1% compared to 4.9% in the same period the prior year.

Operating income increased by $56 million to $665 million. The reported operating margin was 10.3% for the first nine months of the year, an increase of 0.1pp compared to the same period in the prior year. In 2017, the operating margin was negatively affected by costs related to ongoing capacity alignments and antitrust related matters, reported as Other income (expense), net.

Income before taxes increased by $59 million compared to the same period the previous year. Income attributable to controlling interest from Continuing Operations increased by $80 million compared to the same period in 2017, partly due to the decline in the effective tax rate to 23.0% from 29.2% in the prior year. Discrete tax items, net in the first nine months of 2018 had a favorable impact of 5.3pp, principally as a result of the reversal of valuation allowances against deferred tax assets recorded in the second quarter. In the first nine months of 2017, the net impact of discrete tax items caused a 3.4pp increase to the effective tax rate.

Earnings per share (EPS) from Continuing Operations assuming dilution increased by 21% to $5.37 compared to $4.43 for the same period one year ago. The main items affecting EPS positively were 41 cents from lower tax, 37 cents from lower costs relating to capacity alignments, antitrust related matters and separation of our business segments.

The weighted average number of shares outstanding assuming dilution was 87.3 million compared to 87.9 million in the first nine months 2017.

LIQUIDITY AND SOURCES OF CAPITAL

Cash flow items prior to the third quarter 2018 are presented on a consolidated basis including both Continuing and Discontinued Operations.

Mainly due to higher net income and changes in operating assets and liabilities, operating cash flow increased during the third quarter to $238 million compared to $218 million for Consolidated Autoliv, including both Continuing and Discontinued Operations, in the same quarter of 2017. Cash flow from operations for the first nine months in 2018 amounted to $301 million compared to $547 million in the first nine months of 2017. The decrease was primarily related to costs for separation of our business segments including the higher net loss from Discontinued Operations and the increase in operating working capital due to increased sales and unfavorable geographic and timing effects.

Cash flow from operations less used for investing activities for the third quarter was $121 million compared to $74 million in the same quarter of 2017, primarily due to higher operating cash flow and lower capital expenditures. Capital expenditures, net, of $117

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million were $32 million more than depreciation and amortization expense during the quarter and $25 million lower than capital expenditures, net during the third quarter of 2017. Of the total $142 million in capital expenditures, net, in the third quarter of 2017, $122 million was attributable to Continuing Operations. Cash flow from operations less used for investing activities for the first nine months was negative $193 million compared to $32 million during the same period in 2017, mainly due to the lower operating cash flow. Capital expenditures, net, of $421 million were $113 million more than depreciation and amortization expense during the first nine months of 2018 and $20 million more than capital expenditures, net, during the first nine months of 2017.

Net cash used in financing activities amounted to $172 million compared to $354 million for the nine months ended September30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.  During the first nine months of 2018 the Company obtained new funds of approximately $1 billion in the form of short term debt and the offering of EUR 500 million notes in the Eurobond market, which primarily were used to fund the capitalization of Veoneer prior to the distribution. The notes offering is described in See Note, Fair Value Measurements, to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements herein.

In addition, the Company paid dividends amounting to $161 million for the nine months ending September 30, 2018, compared to $156 million during the same period last year.  Last year, the Company repurchased shares in the second quarter amounting to $157 million.

The Company uses the non-U.S. GAAP measure “Operating working capital,” as defined in the table below, in its communications with investors and for management’s review of the development of the working capital cash generation from operations. The reconciling items used to derive this measure are, by contrast, managed as part of the Company’s overall cash and debt management, but they are not part of the responsibilities of day-to-day operations’ management. The historical periods in the table have been restated to only reflect continuing operations.

Reconciliation of “Operating working capital” to U.S. GAAP financial measure

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

Working capital was 7.7% of sales and operating working capital (non-U.S. GAAP measure) was 8.8% of sales. The Company targets that operating working capital in relation to the last 12-month sales should not exceed 10%.

Accounts receivable in relation to sales was 80 days outstanding, compared to 72 days outstanding on December 31, 2017 and 77 days outstanding on September 30, 2017. Days inventory outstanding was 38 days, compared to 32 days on December 31, 2017 and 35 days on September 30, 2017.

As part of efficiently managing the Company's overall cost of funds, the Company routinely enters into "debt-related derivatives" (DRD) as part of its debt management. Creditors and credit rating agencies use net debt adjusted for DRD in their analyses of the Company's debt. DRD are fair value adjustments to the carrying value of the underlying debt. Included in the DRD is also the unamortized fair value adjustment related to a discontinued fair value hedge which will be amortized over the remaining life of the debt. By adjusting for DRD, the total financial liability of net debt is disclosed without grossing debt up with currency or interest fair values.

Reconciliation of “Net debt” to U.S. GAAP financial measure

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

The Company’s net debt position (non-U.S. GAAP measure) decreased by $60 million during the third quarter to $1,724 million. Gross interest-bearing debt decreased during the third quarter by $33 million to $2,251 million. During the first nine months in

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2018, the Company’s net debt position (non-U.S. GAAP measure) increased by $1,356 million to $1,724 million compared to December 31, 2017, mainly due to the capitalization of Veoneer prior to the spin-off. Gross interest-bearing debt increased by $920 million to $2,251 million compared to December 31, 2017, mainly due to the capitalization of Veoneer prior to the spin-off.

The non-U.S. GAAP measure net debt is also used in the non-U.S. GAAP measure “Leverage ratio”. Management uses this measure to analyze the amount of debt the Company can incur under its debt policy. Management believes that this policy also provides guidance to credit and equity investors regarding the extent to which the Company would be prepared to leverage its operations. For details on leverage ratio refer to the table.

Calculation of “Leverage ratio”

(Dollars in millions)

 

 

Autoliv’s policy is to maintain a leverage ratio (non-U.S. GAAP measure) commensurate with a strong investment grade credit rating. The Company measures its leverage ratio as net debt (non-U.S. GAAP measure) adjusted for pension liabilities in relation to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization). The long-term target is to maintain a leverage ratio of around 1x within a range of 0.5x to 1.5x. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had a leverage ratio (non-U.S. GAAP measure) of 1.6x.

During the third quarter, total equity increased by $46 million to $2,053 million, mainly due to $118 million from net income, partly offset by $54 million in dividends and $30 million related to currency translation effects. Total parent shareholders’ equity was $2,040 million corresponding to $23.42 per share. For the first nine months, total equity decreased by $2,116 million to $2,053 million, mainly due to $2,121 million related to the spin-off, $162 million in dividends and $135 million from currency translation effects. The decrease was partly offset by $274 million from net income.

Headcount

 

 

Compared to June 30, 2018, total headcount (permanent employees and temporary personnel) increased by 286. Compared to a year ago, headcount increased by 3,213, reflecting the organic sales growth.

Outlook

Mainly based on our customer call-offs and light vehicle production outlook according to IHS, the indication for organic sales growth for Autoliv Continuing Operations for the full year is around 6%. Currency translations are expected to have a combined positive effect of around 2%, resulting in a consolidated sales increase of around 8%. The indication for adjusted operating margin for Autoliv Continuing Operations for the full year 2018 is around 10.5%. This replaces our previous full year 2018 guidance of organic growth of around 8% and an adjusted operating margin of more than 11%.

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The projected tax rate, excluding discrete items, for Continuing Operations for the full year 2018, is expected to be around 28%, and is subject to change due to any discrete or nonrecurring events that may occur.

The projected operating cash flow for Continuing Operations for the financial year 2018, excluding any discrete items, is expected to be on a similar level as in financial year 2017.

The projected capital expenditures, net, for Continuing Operations, for the full year 2018 is expected to be in the range of 5-6% of sales.

The forward looking non-U.S. GAAP financial measures above are provided on a non-U.S. GAAP basis. Autoliv has not provided a U.S. GAAP reconciliation of these measures because items that impact these measures, such as costs related to capacity alignments, antitrust matters and separation of our business segments, cannot be reasonably predicted or determined. As a result, such reconciliation is not available without unreasonable efforts and Autoliv is unable to determine the probable significance of the unavailable information.

New Revenue Recognition Standard

The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers, effective January 1, 2018. The adoption of the new revenue standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s net sales, net income, or balance sheet. For further information see Note 2, New Accounting Standards and Note 4, Revenue to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are reasonably likely to have, a material current or future effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND COMMITMENTS

Except as noted below, as of September 30, 2018, the Company’s future contractual obligations have not changed materially from the amounts reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on February 22, 2018.

On June 26, 2018, Autoliv issued EUR 500 million of 5-year notes in the Eurobond market (the “Notes”). The Notes carry a coupon of 0.75%, paid annually in arrears.  

OTHER RECENT EVENTS

Launches in the Third Quarter of 2018

Honda Crider: Driver airbag with steering wheel, passenger airbag, side airbag and seatbelt with pretensioner.

Subaru Forester: Passenger airbag, side airbag and inflatable curtain.

Nissan Altima: Knee airbag, side airbag, inflatable curtain and seatbelt with pretensioner.

Audi Q3: Driver airbag with steering wheel, passenger airbag and active seatbelt.

VW Tharu: Driver airbag with steering wheel, passenger airbag and seatbelt with pretensioner.

Audi A1: Driver airbag with steering wheel and seatbelt with pretensioner.

Chevrolet Silverado: Driver airbag with steering wheel.

Great Wall Haval F7: Driver airbag with steering wheel, passenger airbag, side airbag, inflatable curtain and seatbelt with pretensioner.

BMW X5: Driver airbag with steering wheel, side airbag, inflatable curtain and pyro safety switch.

Other Events

On September 20, 2018, Autoliv announced that its Board of Directors elected President and CEO Mikael Bratt as a new member of the Board. The size of the Board was expanded from eight to nine members. Mikael Bratt has been President and CEO of Autoliv since the completion of the spin-off on June 29, 2018.

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Dividend

On August 15, 2018, the Company declared a quarterly dividend to shareholders of 62 cents per share for the fourth quarter of 2018, with the following payment schedule:

 

 

Next Report

Autoliv intends to publish the quarterly earnings report for the fourth quarter of 2018 on Tuesday, January 29, 2019.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

As of September 30, 2018, except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the information related to quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk that was provided in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on February 22, 2018. On June 26, 2018, Autoliv issued notes due 2023 in a principal amount of EUR 500 million in the Eurobond market (the “Notes”). The Notes were issued at an issue price of 99.527%, and carry a coupon of 0.75% (paid annually in arrears), which implies a per annum yield of 0.847%. See Note 5, Fair Value Measurements to our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information.

The capital structure of the Company changed significantly during the second quarter of 2018 in connection with the Notes offering and capitalization of Veoneer prior to the spin-off. The Company has recalculated what the impact would be given a one percentage point interest rate increase and concluded it would have an immaterial net interest expense impact during 2018 and 2019, respectively. This is due to our floating rate debt balance being in line with our variable rate cash and cash equivalents.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

An evaluation has been carried out, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act")) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on such evaluation, the Company's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of such period, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

There have not been any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter to which this report relates that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the ordinary course of our business, we are subject to legal proceedings brought by or against us and our subsidiaries. 

See Part I, Item 1, "Financial Statements, Note 12" of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a summary of certain ongoing legal proceedings. Such information is incorporated into this Part II, Item 1—"Legal Proceedings" by reference.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Except as described below, as of September 30, 2018, there have been no material changes to the risk factors that were previously disclosed in Item 1A in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 filed with the SEC on February 22, 2018.

Potential indemnification obligations to Veoneer or a refusal of Veoneer to indemnify us pursuant to the agreements executed in connection with the internal reorganization and spin-off could materially adversely affect us.

The transaction agreements we entered into with Veoneer in connection with the internal reorganization and the spin-off provide for cross-indemnities that require Autoliv and Veoneer to bear financial responsibility for each company’s business prior to the internal reorganization or spin-off, as applicable, and to indemnify the other party in connection with a breach of such party of the transaction agreements; provided, however, certain warranty, recall and product liabilities for Electronics products manufactured prior to the completion of the internal reorganization have been retained by us and we will indemnify Veoneer for any losses associated with such warranty, recall or product liabilities pursuant to the distribution agreement entered into as part of the spin-off. Any indemnities that we are required to provide to Veoneer may be significant and could negatively affect our business. In addition, there can be no assurance that the indemnities from Veoneer will be sufficient to protect us against the full amount of any potential liabilities. Even if we do succeed in recovering from Veoneer any amounts for which we are held liable, we may be temporarily required to bear these losses ourselves. In addition, each of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Stock repurchase program

During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company made no stock repurchases. The Company is authorized to purchase up to 47.5 million shares of common stock under its stock repurchase program, which was first approved by the board of directors of the Company on May 9, 2000. Under the existing authorization, 2,986,288 shares may be repurchased. The stock repurchase program does not have an expiration date.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Not applicable.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

Not applicable.

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

 

 

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: October 26, 2018

AUTOLIV, INC.

(Registrant)

 

 

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