| SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES | SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTING POLICIES Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Flex and its majority-owned subsidiaries, after elimination of intercompany accounts and transactions. Amounts included in these consolidated financial statements are expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise designated. The Company consolidates its majority-owned subsidiaries and investments in entities in which the Company has a controlling interest. A controlling financial interest may also exist in variable interest entities (“VIEs”), through governance provisions and arrangements to provide services to VIEs. The Company is required to consolidate a VIE of which it is the primary beneficiary. To determine if the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company evaluates whether it has the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb the losses of the VIE or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The Company evaluates its relationships with its VIEs on an ongoing basis to determine whether it continues to be the primary beneficiary. The consolidated financial statements reflect the assets and liabilities of VIEs that are consolidated. For the consolidated majority-owned subsidiaries in which the Company owns less than 100%, the Company recognizes a noncontrolling interest for the ownership of the noncontrolling owners. As of March 31, 2023, we presented noncontrolling interest as permanent equity in the consolidated balance sheets, reflecting the equity held by other parties. As of March 31, 2022, noncontrolling interest that is redeemable upon the occurrence of conditions outside of the control of the Company is reported as temporary equity in the consolidated balance sheets. The amount of consolidated net income attributable to Flex Ltd. and the noncontrolling interest and redeemable noncontrolling interest are presented in the consolidated statements of operations. Refer to note 7 "Noncontrolling Interest" for additional information. Certain prior period presentations and disclosures were reclassified to ensure comparability with the current period presentation. In fiscal year 2023, equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates previously presented as part of other charges (income), net are now being separately presented on the consolidated statements of operations. The Company reclassified $61 million and $83 million of equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates from other charges (income), net for fiscal years 2022 and 2021 in order to align with current year presentation. Use of Estimates The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things: allowances for doubtful accounts; inventory write-downs; valuation allowances for deferred tax assets; uncertain tax positions; valuation and useful lives of long-lived assets including property, equipment, and intangible assets; valuation of goodwill; valuation of investments in privately held companies; asset impairments; fair values of financial instruments, notes receivable and derivative instruments; restructuring charges; contingencies; warranty provisions; incremental borrowing rates in determining the present value of lease payments; accruals for potential price adjustments arising from customer contracts; fair values of assets obtained and liabilities assumed in business combinations; and the fair values of stock options and restricted share unit awards granted under the Company's stock-based compensation plans. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts (including the Russian invasion of Ukraine), there has been and will continue to be uncertainty and disruption in the global economy and financial markets. The Company has made estimates and assumptions taking into consideration certain possible impacts due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. These estimates may change, as new events occur, and additional information is obtained. Actual results may differ from previously estimated amounts, and such differences may be material to the consolidated financial statements. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically, and the effects of revisions are reflected in the period they occur. Translation of Foreign Currencies The financial position and results of operations for certain of the Company's subsidiaries are measured using a currency other than the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. Accordingly, all assets and liabilities for these subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars at the current exchange rates as of the respective balance sheet dates. Revenue and expense items are translated at the average exchange rates prevailing during the period. Cumulative gains and losses from the translation of these subsidiaries' financial statements are reported as other comprehensive income (loss), a component of shareholders' equity. Foreign exchange gains and losses arising from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the entity involved, and re-measurement adjustments for foreign operations where the U.S. dollar is the functional currency, are included in the Company's consolidated results of operations. Non-functional currency transaction gains and losses, and re-measurement adjustments were not material to the Company's consolidated results of operations for all periods presented, and have been classified as a component of other charges (income), net in the consolidated statements of operations. Revenue Recognition In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to recognize, the Company applies the following steps: (i) identifies the contracts with the customers; (ii) identifies performance obligations in the contracts; (iii) determines the transaction price; (iv) allocates the transaction price to the performance obligations per the contracts; and (v) recognizes revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies a performance obligation. Further, the Company assesses whether control of the products or services promised under the contract is transferred to the customer at a point in time (PIT) or over time (OT). The Company is first required to evaluate whether its contracts meet the criteria for OT recognition. The Company has determined that for a portion of its contracts, the Company is manufacturing products for which there is no alternative use (due to the unique nature of the customer-specific product and intellectual property restrictions) and the Company has an enforceable right to payment including a reasonable profit for work-in-progress inventory with respect to these contracts. For certain other contracts, the Company’s performance creates and enhances an asset that the customer controls as the Company performs under the contract. As a result, revenue is recognized under these contracts OT based on the cost-to-cost method as it best depicts the transfer of control to the customer measured based on the ratio of costs incurred to date as compared to the total estimated costs at completion of the performance obligation. For all other contracts that do not meet these criteria, the Company recognizes revenue when it has transferred control of the related manufactured products which generally occurs upon delivery and passage of title to the customer. Certain of the Company’s customer agreements include potential price adjustments which may result in variable consideration. These price adjustments include, but are not limited to, sharing of cost savings, committed price reductions, material margins earned over the period that are contractually required to be paid to the customers, rebates, refunds tied to performance metrics such as on-time delivery, and other periodic pricing resets that may be refundable to customers. The Company recognizes estimates of this variable consideration that are not expected to result in a significant revenue reversal in the future, primarily based on the amount of potential refunds required by the contract, historical experience and other surrounding facts and circumstances. Refer to note 4 "Revenue" for further details. Government Incentives and Grants The Company receives incentives from federal, state and local governments in different regions of the world that primarily encourage the Company to establish, maintain, or increase investment, employment, or production in the regions. The Company accounts for government incentives as a reduction in the cost of the capital investment or a reduction of expense, based on the substance of the incentives received. Benefits are generally recorded when all conditions attached to the incentive have been met and there is reasonable assurance of receipt. The Company records capital-related incentives as a reduction to Property and equipment, net on the consolidated balance sheets and recognizes a reduction to depreciation and amortization expense over the useful life of the corresponding acquired asset. The Company records operating grants as a reduction to expense in the same line item on the consolidated statements of operations as the expenditure for which the grant is intended to compensate. Government incentives and grants transactions are not material to the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Concentration of Credit Risk Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk are primarily accounts receivable, derivative instruments, and cash and cash equivalents. Customer Credit Risk The Company has an established customer credit policy, through which it manages customer credit exposures through credit evaluations, credit limit setting, monitoring, and enforcement of credit limits for new and existing customers. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers' financial condition and makes provisions for doubtful accounts based on the outcome of those credit evaluations. The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on specific customer circumstances, current economic trends, historical experience with collections and the age of past due receivables. To the extent the Company identifies exposures as a result of credit or customer evaluations, the Company also reviews other customer related exposures, including but not limited to inventory and related contractual obligations. The following table summarizes the activity in the Company's allowance for doubtful accounts during fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021: Balance at Charges (Recoveries) to Costs and Expenses(1) Deductions/ Balance at (In millions) Allowance for doubtful accounts: Year ended March 31, 2021 $ 96 $ 5 $ (40) $ 61 Year ended March 31, 2022 61 (3) (2) 56 Year ended March 31, 2023 56 3 (51) 8 (1) Charges and recoveries incurred during fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021 are primarily for costs and expenses or bad debt recoveries related to various distressed customers. (2) Deductions and write-offs during fiscal year 2023 is primarily as a result of a settlement reached with a certain former customer. No customer accounted for greater than 10% of the Company's net sales in fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021. No customer accounted for greater than 10% of the Company's total balance of accounts receivable, net as of fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022. One customer within the Company's FAS segment accounted for approximately 11% of the Company's total balance of accounts receivable, net as of the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021. The Company's ten largest customers accounted for approximately 34%, 34% and 36%, of its net sales in fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. Derivative Instruments The amount subject to credit risk related to derivative instruments is generally limited to the amount, if any, by which a counterparty's obligations exceed the obligations of the Company with that counterparty. To manage counterparty risk, the Company limits its derivative transactions to those with recognized financial institutions. See additional discussion of derivatives in note 10. Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents with various financial institutions that management believes to be of high credit quality. These financial institutions are located in many different locations throughout the world. The Company's investment portfolio, which consists of short-term bank deposits and money market accounts, is classified as cash equivalents on the consolidated balance sheets. All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less from original dates of purchase are carried at cost, which approximates fair market value, and are considered to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash deposited in checking accounts, money market funds and time deposits. Cash and cash equivalents consisted of the following: As of March 31, 2023 2022 (In millions) Cash and bank balances $ 970 $ 679 Money market funds and time deposits 2,324 2,285 $ 3,294 $ 2,964 Inventories Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (on a first-in, first-out basis) or net realizable value. The stated cost is comprised of direct materials, labor and overhead. The components of inventories, net of applicable lower of cost or net realizable value write-downs, were as follows: As of March 31, 2023 2022 (In millions) Raw materials $ 6,140 $ 5,290 Work-in-progress 709 602 Finished goods 681 688 $ 7,530 $ 6,580 Property and Equipment, Net Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets, with the exception of building leasehold improvements, which are depreciated over the term of the lease, if shorter. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Property and equipment is comprised of the following: Depreciable As of March 31, 2023 2022 (In millions) Machinery and equipment 2 - 10 $ 3,737 $ 3,540 Buildings 30 1,162 1,123 Leasehold improvements Shorter of lease term or useful life of the improvement 590 564 Furniture, fixtures, computer equipment and software, and other 3 - 7 553 503 Land — 124 113 Construction-in-progress — 400 261 6,566 6,104 Accumulated depreciation and amortization (4,217) (3,979) Property and equipment, net $ 2,349 $ 2,125 Total depreciation expense associated with property and equipment was approximately $414 million, $409 million and $422 million in fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. The Company reviews property and equipment for impairment at least annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of property and equipment is determined by comparing its carrying amount to the lowest level of identifiable projected undiscounted cash flows the property and equipment are expected to generate. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of property and equipment exceeds its fair value. Deferred Income Taxes The Company provides for income taxes in accordance with the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amount and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities by applying the applicable statutory tax rate to such differences. Additionally, the Company assesses whether each income tax position is "more likely than not" of being sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation, if any. For each income tax position that meets the "more likely than not" recognition threshold, the Company would then assess the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon effective settlement with the tax authority. Accounting for Business and Asset Acquisitions The Company has strategically pursued business and asset acquisitions, which are accounted for using the acquisition method of accounting. The fair value of the net assets acquired and the results of the acquired businesses are included in the Company's consolidated financial statements from the acquisition dates forward. The Company is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and results of operations during the reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, the fair value of acquired net operating assets, property and equipment, intangible assets and related deferred tax liabilities, useful lives of plant and equipment and amortizable lives for acquired intangible assets. Any excess of the purchase consideration over the fair value of the identified assets and liabilities acquired is recognized as goodwill. The Company estimates the preliminary fair value of acquired assets and liabilities as of the date of acquisition based on information available at that time. Contingent consideration is recorded at fair value as of the date of the acquisition with subsequent adjustments recorded in earnings. Changes to valuation allowances on acquired deferred tax assets are recognized in the provision for, or benefit from, income taxes. The valuation of these tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities is subject to further management review and may change materially between the preliminary allocation and end of the purchase price allocation period. Any changes in these estimates may have a material effect on the Company's consolidated operating results or financial position. Goodwill The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level annually, and in certain circumstances such as a change in reporting units or whenever there are indications that goodwill might be impaired. The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment assessment on January 1, 2023 and as a result of the quantitative assessment of its goodwill, the Company determined that no impairment existed as of the date of the impairment test because the fair value of each one of its reporting units exceeded its respective carrying value. Recoverability of goodwill is measured at the reporting unit level by comparing the reporting unit's carrying amount, including goodwill, to the fair value of the reporting unit, which typically is measured based upon, among other factors, market valuations, market multiples for comparable companies as well as a discounted cash flow analysis. Certain of these approaches use significant unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs, as defined by the fair value hierarchy and require management to make various judgmental assumptions about sales, operating margins, growth rates and discount rates which consider the Company's budgets, business plans and economic projections, and are believed to reflect market participant views. Some of the inherent estimates and assumptions used in determining fair value of the reporting units are outside the control of management, including interest rates, cost of capital, tax rates, market EBITDA comparables and credit ratings. While the Company believes it has made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair value of the reporting units, it is possible a material change could occur. If the actual results are not consistent with management's estimates and assumptions used to calculate fair value, it could result in material impairments of the Company's goodwill. If the recorded value of the assets, including goodwill, and liabilities ("net book value") of any reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss may be required to be recognized. The following table summarizes the activity in the Company's goodwill during fiscal years 2023 and 2022: FAS FRS Nextracker Total (In millions) Balance at March 31, 2021 $ 371 $ 719 $ — $ 1,090 Reporting unit reallocation — (204) 204 — Acquisitions — 272 — 272 Foreign currency translation adjustments — (20) — (20) Balance at March 31, 2022 371 767 204 1,342 Acquisitions (1) — (2) — (2) Foreign currency translation adjustments — 3 — 3 Balance at March 31, 2023 $ 371 $ 768 $ 204 $ 1,343 (1) Represents purchase price adjustment for the acquisition of Anord Mardix in the fiscal year of 2023. Other Intangible Assets The Company's acquired intangible assets are subject to amortization over their estimated useful lives and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an intangible asset may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized when the carrying amount of an intangible asset exceeds its fair value. The Company reviewed the carrying value of its intangible assets as of March 31, 2023 and concluded that such amounts continued to be recoverable. Intangible assets are comprised of customer-related intangible assets that include contractual agreements and customer relationships, and licenses and other intangible assets that are primarily comprised of licenses, patents and trademarks, and developed technologies. Generally, both customer-related intangible assets and licenses and other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis, over a period of up to ten years. No residual value is estimated for any intangible assets. The fair value of the Company's intangible assets purchased through business combinations is determined based on management's estimates of cash flow and recoverability. The components of acquired intangible assets are as follows: As of March 31, 2023 As of March 31, 2022 Weighted-Average Remaining Useful life Gross Accumulated Net Gross Accumulated Net (In millions) Intangible assets: Customer-related intangibles 6.5 $ 373 $ (204) $ 169 $ 385 $ (157) $ 228 Licenses and other intangibles 6.1 299 (152) 147 319 (136) 183 Total $ 672 $ (356) $ 316 $ 704 $ (293) $ 411 Total intangible asset amortization expense recognized in operations during fiscal years 2023, 2022 and 2021 was $82 million, $68 million and $62 million, respectively. The gross carrying amounts of intangible assets are removed when fully amortized. During fiscal year 2023, the gross carrying amounts of fully amortized intangible assets totaled $14 million. The Company also recorded $15 million of foreign currency translation adjustments during fiscal year 2023, as the U.S. dollar fluctuated against foreign currencies for certain intangibles. The estimated future annual amortization expense for acquired intangible assets is as follows: Fiscal Year Ending March 31, Amount (In millions) 2024 $ 70 2025 63 2026 43 2027 36 2028 27 Thereafter 77 Total amortization expense $ 316 The Company owns or licenses various United States and foreign patents relating to a variety of technologies. For certain of the Company's proprietary processes, inventions, and works of authorship, the Company relies on trade secret or copyright protection. The Company also maintains trademark rights (including registrations) for the Company's corporate name and several other trademarks and service marks that the Company uses in the Company's business in the United States and other countries throughout the world. The Company has implemented appropriate policies and procedures (including both technological means and training programs for the Company's employees) to identify and protect the Company's intellectual property, as well as that of the Company's customers and suppliers. As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, the carrying value of the Company's intellectual property was not material. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities All derivative instruments are recognized on the consolidated balance sheets at fair value. If the derivative instrument is designated as a cash flow hedge, effectiveness is tested monthly using a regression analysis of the change in spot currency rates and the change in present value of the spot currency rates. The spot currency rates are discounted to present value using functional currency Inter-bank Offering Rates over the maximum length of the hedge period. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument (excluding time value) is recognized in shareholders' equity as a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), and recognized in the consolidated statements of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Ineffective and excluded portions of changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recognized in earnings immediately. If the derivative instrument is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument and of the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in earnings in the current period. Cash receipts and cash payments related to derivative instruments are recorded in the same category as the cash flows from the items being hedged on the consolidated statements of cash flows. Additional information is included in note 10. Investments The Company has an investment portfolio that consists of strategic investments in privately held companies, and certain venture capital funds which are included within other assets. These privately held companies range from startups to more mature companies with established revenue streams and business models. As of March 31, 2023, and March 31, 2022, the Company's investments in non-consolidated companies totaled $115 million and $131 million, respectively. The Company recognized $4 million of net equity in losses and $61 million of equity in earnings, associated with its equity method investments, in equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates on the consolidated statement of operations during fiscal years 2023 and 2022, respectively. Non-consolidated investments in entities are accounted for using the equity method when the Company has an investment in common stock or in-substance common stock, and either (a) has the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the issuer, or (b) if the Company has a voting percentage generally equal to or greater than 20% but less than 50%, and for non-majority-owned investments in partnerships when generally greater than 5%. Cost method is used for investments where the Company does not have the ability to significantly influence the operating decisions of the investee, or if the Company’s investment is in securities other than common stock or in-substance common stock. The Company monitors these investments for impairment indicators and makes appropriate reductions in carrying values as required whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets may be impaired. The factors the Company considers in its evaluation of potential impairment of its investments include, but are not limited to, a significant deterioration in the earnings performance or business prospects of the investee, or factors that raise significant concerns about the investee’s ability to continue as a going concern, such as negative cash flows from operation or working capital deficiencies. Fair values of these investments, when required, are estimated using unobservable inputs, or Level 3 inputs, as defined by the fair value hierarchy, and require management to make various judgmental assumptions primarily about comparable company multiples and discounted cash flow projections. Some of the inherent estimates and assumptions used in determining the fair value of the investments are outside the control of management. While the Company believes it has made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair value of the investments, it is possible a material change could occur. If the actual results are not consistent with management's estimates and assumptions used to calculate fair value, it could result in material impairments of investments. For investments accounted for under the cost method that do not have readily determinable fair values, the Company measures them at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus changes resulting from observable price changes in orderly transactions for the identical or a similar investment of the same issuer. Customer Working Capital Advances Customer working capital advances were $2.3 billion and $1.4 billion, as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. The customer working capital advances are not interest-bearing, do not generally have fixed repayment dates and are generally reduced as the underlying working capital is consumed in production or the customer working capital advance agreement is terminated. Other Current Liabilities Other current liabilities include customer-related accruals of $313 million and $227 million as of March 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Leases The Company is a lessee with several non-cancellable operating leases, primarily for warehouses, buildings, and other assets such as vehicles and equipment. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at contract inception. A contract is a lease or contains a lease when (1) there is an identified asset, and (2) the Company has the right to control the use of the identified asset. The Company recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset and a lease liability at the lease commencement date for the Company's operating leases. For operating leases, the lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date. The Company has elected the short-term lease recognition and measurement exemption for all classes of assets, which allows the Company to not recognize ROU assets and lease liabilities for leases with a lease term of 12 months or less and with no purchase option the Company is reasonably certain of exercising. The Company has also elected the practical expedient to account for the lease and non-lease components as a single lease component, for all classes of underlying assets. Therefore, the lease payments used to measure the lease liability include all of the fixed considerations in the contract. Lease payments included in the measurement of the lease liability comprise the following: fixed payments (including in-substance fixed payments), and variable payments that depend on an index or rate (initially measured using the index or rate at the lease commencement date). As the Company cannot determine the interest rate implicit in the lease for the Company's leases, the Company uses the Company's estimate of the incremental borrowing rate as of the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company's estimated incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest it would have to pay on a collateralized basis to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments under similar terms. The lease term for all of the Company's leases includes the non-cancellable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by either an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, or an option to extend (or not to terminate) the lease controlled by the lessor. As of March 31, 2023 and 2022, current operating lease liabilities Restructuring Charges The Company recognizes restructuring charges related to its plans to close or consolidate excess manufacturing facilities and rationalize administrative functions. In connection with these activities, the Company records restructuring charges for employee termination costs, long-lived asset impairment and other exit-related costs. The recognition of restructuring charges requires the Company to make certain judgments and estimates regarding the nature, timing and amount of costs associated with the planned exit activity. To the extent the Company's actual results differ from its estimates and assumptions, the Company may be required to revise the estimates of future liabilities, requiring the recognition of additional restructuring charges or the reduction of liabilities already recognized. Such changes to previously estimated amounts may be material to the consolidated financial statements. At the end of each reporting period, the Company evaluates the remaining accrued balances to ensure that no excess accruals are retained, and the utilization of the provisions are for t |
