2.    REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERS

 

On May 28, 2018, we adopted ASC 606 and all related amendments,  using the modified retrospective method. We recognized the cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. The comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods.

 

We recorded a net increase to opening retained earnings of $13.7 million as of May 28, 2018, due to the cumulative impact of adopting the new revenue standard, with the impact related to our customized products. The impacts of the adoption of the new revenue standard on our consolidated financial statements were as follows (in millions, except per share amounts):

 

Combined and Consolidated Statements of Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended May 26, 2019

 

 

    

Balances As Reported Under ASC 606

    

Balances Without Adoption of ASC 606

    

Impact of Adoption Increase (Decrease)

 

Net sales

 

$

3,756.5

 

$

3,743.3

 

$

13.2

 

Cost of sales

 

 

2,753.0

 

 

2,744.4

 

 

8.6

 

Income from operations

 

 

668.4

 

 

663.8

 

 

4.6

 

Income tax expense

 

 

133.6

 

 

132.5

 

 

1.1

 

Net income attributable to Lamb Weston Holdings, Inc.

 

 

478.6

 

 

475.1

 

 

3.5

 

Earnings per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

3.19

 

$

3.17

 

$

0.02

 

Diluted

 

$

3.18

 

$

3.15

 

$

0.03

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of May 26, 2019

 

 

    

Balances As Reported Under ASC 606

    

Balances Without Adoption of ASC 606

    

Impact of Adoption Increase (Decrease)

 

Receivables, less allowance for doubtful accounts

 

$

340.1

 

$

240.3

 

$

99.8

(a)

Inventories

 

 

498.3

 

 

575.7

 

 

(77.4)

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

125.7

 

 

120.5

 

 

5.2

 

Retained earnings

 

 

803.6

 

 

786.4

 

 

17.2

 


(a)

Amount represents unbilled receivables for customized products for which we have accelerated revenue recognition as a result of the new revenue standard.

 

Combined and Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended May 26, 2019

 

 

    

Balances As Reported Under ASC 606

    

Balances Without Adoption of ASC 606

    

Impact of Adoption Increase (Decrease)

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

487.2

 

$

483.7

 

$

3.5

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

37.5

 

 

36.3

 

 

1.2

 

Receivables

 

 

(25.1)

 

 

(11.8)

 

 

(13.3)

 

Inventories

 

 

(15.8)

 

 

(24.4)

 

 

8.6

 

 

Historically, we recognized revenue on a point-in-time basis in all of our segments. The trigger for point-in-time recognition is when the customer takes title to the goods and assumes the risks and rewards for the goods. The adoption of ASC 606 did not have a material impact on our revenue recognition for point-in-time product sales. However, there are certain products that we manufacture to customers’ unique recipes (customized products). Due to costs associated with reworking, transporting, and repackaging these products, we concluded that these products do not have an alternative future use at a reasonable profit margin under the new revenue standard.

 

The customized product sales are covered by purchase orders. Once the customized product is manufactured per the purchase order, we have an enforceable right to payment for the products. As such, the adoption of ASC 606 resulted in the acceleration of revenue for customized products at the time we have a legally enforceable right to payment since these products do not have an alternative use at a reasonable profit margin. Sales of customized products are generally recurring, thereby limiting the net impact of the adoption of the new revenue standard. 

 

Segment Information

 

The nature of our contracts can vary based on the business, customer type, and region; however, in all instances it is our customary business practice to receive a valid order from the customer, in which each party’s rights and related payment terms are clearly identifiable. The adoption of the new revenue standard had the following impact on segment net sales (in millions):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended May 26, 2019

 

 

    

Balances As Reported Under ASC 606

    

Balances Without Adoption of ASC 606

    

Impact of Adoption Increase (Decrease)

 

Net sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Global

 

$

1,961.5

 

$

1,948.6

 

$

12.9

 

Foodservice

 

 

1,156.1

 

 

1,157.3

 

 

(1.2)

 

Retail

 

 

498.3

 

 

497.3

 

 

1.0

 

Other

 

 

140.6

 

 

140.1

 

 

0.5

 

Total net sales

 

$

3,756.5

 

$

3,743.3

 

$

13.2

 

 

Performance Obligations and Significant Judgments

 

Our principal business is to manufacture and sell frozen potato products. We also sell frozen vegetables and appetizers. As a general rule, none of our businesses provide equipment installation or other ancillary services outside producing, packaging, and shipping products to customers.

 

Our revenue is primarily derived from fixed consideration; however, we do have contract terms that give rise to variable consideration, primarily cash discounts, coupons, and rebates, as well as other sales incentives and trade promotion allowances described in Note 1, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. We estimate sales incentives and trade promotions based on historical experience to record reductions in revenue which is consistent with methods outlined in the new revenue standard. 

 

Contracts or purchase orders with customers could include a single type of product or multiple types or grades of products. Regardless, the contracted price with the customer is agreed to at the individual product level outlined in the customer contracts or purchase orders. We do not bundle prices; however, we do negotiate with customers on pricing and rebates for the same products based on a variety of factors (e.g. level of contractual volume). We have concluded that the prices negotiated with each individual customer are representative of the stand-alone selling price of the product.

 

Generally, we recognize revenue on a point in time basis when the customer takes title to the goods and assumes the risks, rewards, or control of the goods. However, we recognize revenue over time for customized products as they are produced and we have a purchase order providing a legally enforceable right to payment for the goods.

 

Practical Expedients and Exemptions

 

As part of our adoption of the new revenue standard, we elected to account for shipping and handling activities as fulfillment activities and recognize the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset we would recognize is one year or less. The election of these practical expedients results in accounting treatments consistent with our historical accounting policies and therefore, these elections and expedients do not have a material impact on the comparability of our financial statements.

About Revenue Disclosures

Revenue disclosures under ASC 606 explain how a company identifies performance obligations, allocates transaction prices, and determines when revenue is recognized. This section is essential for understanding whether reported revenue reflects genuine economic activity or aggressive accounting choices. Analysts examine the mix of point-in-time versus over-time recognition, which directly affects revenue timing and comparability.

Key signals: rising contract liabilities (deferred revenue) suggest strong future revenue visibility, while declining contract assets may indicate slowing project milestones. Watch for variable consideration estimates — rebates, returns, and performance bonuses that require management judgment. Significant changes in disaggregated revenue by geography or product line can reveal shifting business mix before it appears in headline numbers. Compare revenue growth against contract liability growth to assess sustainability, and scrutinize any changes in the timing of recognition that coincide with earnings pressure.