Electronic Arts 2013 Annual Report Download - page 151

Annual Report
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts
reported in our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. Such estimates include sales
returns and allowances, provisions for doubtful accounts, accrued liabilities, offering periods for deferred net
revenue, income taxes, losses on royalty commitments, estimates regarding the recoverability of prepaid
royalties, inventories, long-lived assets, assets acquired and liabilities assumed in business combinations, certain
estimates related to the measurement and recognition of costs resulting from our share-based payment awards,
deferred income tax assets and associated valuation allowances as well as estimates used in our goodwill,
intangibles, short-term investments, and marketable equity securities impairment tests. These estimates generally
involve complex issues and require us to make judgments, involve analysis of historical and future trends, can
require extended periods of time to resolve, and are subject to change from period to period. In all cases, actual
results could differ materially from our estimates.
Cash, Cash Equivalents, Short-Term Investments and Marketable Equity Securities
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid investments with insignificant interest rate risk and original or
remaining maturities of three months or less at the time of purchase.
Short-term investments consist of securities with original or remaining maturities of greater than three months at
the time of purchase, are accounted for as available-for-sale securities and are recorded at fair value. Short-term
investments are available for use in current operations or other activities such as capital expenditures and
business combinations.
Marketable equity securities consist of investments in common stock of publicly-traded companies, are
accounted for as available-for-sale securities and are recorded at fair value.
Unrealized gains and losses on our short-term investments and marketable equity securities are recorded as a
component of accumulated other comprehensive income in stockholders’ equity, net of tax, until either (1) the
security is sold, (2) the security has matured, or (3) we determine that the fair value of the security has declined
below its adjusted cost basis and the decline is other-than-temporary. Realized gains and losses on our short-term
investments and marketable equity securities are calculated based on the specific identification method and are
reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to interest and other income (expense), net, and gains
on strategic investments, net, respectively. Determining whether the decline in fair value is other-than-temporary
requires management judgment based on the specific facts and circumstances of each security. The ultimate
value realized on these securities is subject to market price volatility until they are sold.
Our short-term investments and marketable equity securities are evaluated for impairment quarterly. We consider
various factors in determining whether we should recognize an impairment charge, including the credit quality of
the issuer, the duration that the fair value has been less than the adjusted cost basis, severity of the impairment,
reason for the decline in value and potential recovery period, the financial condition and near-term prospects of
the investees, our intent to sell and ability to hold the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any
anticipated recovery in market value, and any contractual terms impacting the prepayment or settlement process.
If we conclude that an investment is other-than-temporarily impaired, we recognize an impairment charge at that
time in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Inventories
Inventories consist of materials (including manufacturing royalties paid to console manufacturers), labor and
freight-in and are stated at the lower of cost (using the weighted average costing method) or market value. We
regularly review inventory quantities on-hand. We write down inventory based on excess or obsolete inventories
determined primarily by future anticipated demand for our products. Inventory write-downs are measured as the
difference between the cost of the inventory and market value, based upon assumptions about future demand that
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