TE Connectivity plc Revenue Disclosure
Revenue Recognition
Our revenues are generated principally from the sale of our products. Revenue from the sale of products is recognized at the time title and the risks and rewards of ownership pass to the customer. This generally occurs when the products reach the shipping point, the sales price is fixed and determinable, and collection is reasonably assured.
We generally warrant that our products will conform to our, or mutually agreed to, specifications and that our products will be free from material defects in materials and workmanship for a limited time. We limit our warranty to the replacement or repair of defective parts, or a refund or credit of the price of the defective product. We accept returned goods only when the customer makes a verified claim and we have authorized the return. Generally, a reserve for estimated returns is established at the time of sale based on historical return experience and is recorded as a reduction of sales.
We provide certain distributors with an inventory allowance for returns or scrap equal to a percentage of qualified purchases. A reserve for estimated returns and scrap allowances is established at the time of the sale based on an agreed-upon, fixed percentage of sales to distributors and is recorded as a reduction of sales.
Other allowances include customer quantity and price discrepancies. A reserve for other allowances is generally established at the time of sale based on historical experience and is recorded as a reduction of sales. We believe we can reasonably and reliably estimate the amounts of future allowances.
See "Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements" below for information regarding our adoption of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, in fiscal 2019.
Historical Timeline
| Fiscal Year | Filed | |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Nov 13, 2018 | Showing above |
| 2017 | Nov 14, 2017 | |
| 2016 | Nov 15, 2016 | |
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.