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ADTRAN Holdings, Inc.

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FY2017 Annual Report · ADTRAN Holdings, Inc.
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LETTER TO  
SHAREHOLDERS

2017 ANNUAL REPORT

Exploring  
New Horizons

The access you  
need to make your  
fantasies a reality

Today, we can’t imagine life without the Internet 
or not having Internet access anywhere, anytime 
we want it. What once seemed like a fantasy has 
changed life as we know it and there’s no turn-
ing back. Internet users’ bandwidth availability 
increased by 50 percent per year from 1983 to 2018 
and shows no signs of stopping. In fact, it will likely 
grow faster. The mainstreaming of content-rich 
technologies like 4K TV and virtual and augmented  
reality will increase the demand for bandwidth 
even further. Over-the-top TV streaming services 
require a minimum download speed of 1.5Mbps 
for standard definition (SD) programs. That jumps 
to 13Mbps for 4K Ultra HD TV. Add virtual or 
augmented reality and the requirement spikes to a 
range from 600Mbps to several gigabits per second 
for a fully immersive experience.

ADTRAN remains focused on being the world’s 
most extensive access solution provider with clear 
industry-leading solutions for fiber, copper and 5G 
wireless access. With the industry’s most compre-
hensive access virtualization products, we believe we 
are well positioned to capitalize on the broadband 
expansion underway as carriers, including cable 
operators, around the world upgrade their infra-
structure to meet never-ending customer demand. 
We continue to explore new horizons, enabling 
operators of all types and sizes to provide the access 
you need to make your fantasies a reality.

Letter to Shareholders  3

2017

The Year  
 in Review

After two solid years coming out of recession, we  
entered 2017 with continued optimism as commu-
nication service providers (CSPs) of all types con-
tinued their quest to deliver increased broadband 
speeds to their customer base. ADTRAN posted 
three record quarters in 2017. Unfortunately, merger 
and acquisition activity at one of our Tier 1 North 
American CSPs resulted in our fourth quarter and 
full year falling short of expectations. Despite this, 
we achieved the second highest revenue in company 
history at $667 million, up approximately five 
percent over 2016. We are proud of the company’s 
performance and the progress we made in both 
product and market development activities during 
the past year.

We made great progress in software development, 
achieved significant technical milestones with  
both copper and fiber solutions, and saw promising 
expansion in adjacent markets, specifically cable  
and wireless. We experienced solid growth in our 
Tier 1 CSP business in the United States (U.S.)  
and grew our regional CSP accounts nine percent 
over the previous year. 

Great progress in  
software development

Globally, we accelerated our growth in both Tier 1 
and regional CSP accounts outside the U.S. resulting 
in a 17 percent year-over-year increase in inter-
national revenue. The insistence for high-speed 
broadband services around the world continues to 
strengthen the demand for our solutions. 

We continue to see tremendous enthusiasm  
for our Mosaic Cloud Platform, the industry’s first, 
most open and complete SD-Access solution.  
With deployments in over 15 global accounts with  
a variety of use cases and 13 global awards, the 
Mosaic Cloud Platform extended its position as the 
world’s most awarded solution for providing modu-
lar, component-based network architectures that  
are open, disaggregated, programmable and scalable. 
We also announced the Mosaic Open Network 
Alliance to foster the widespread development and 
industry adoption of Software Defined Networking 
(SDN) and Network Functions Virtualization  
(NFV) solutions based on open standards. Within 
the first six months, eight companies representing a 
variety of leading technologies joined the alliance. 
We look forward to welcoming additional members 
moving forward. 

We reached several solutions milestones in 2017. 
Our Fiber-to-the-Premises (FTTP) solutions  
had a record revenue year resulting from broadband 
deployments by regional CSPs. We celebrated the  
shipment of our 10 millionth vectoring port in  
January 2017 and added 4.5 million more ports by 
 the end of the year, due in part to our success  
with North America’s largest vectoring deployment 
that has now provided services to over 1.7  
million households. 

4  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

2018 & Beyond

Focusing on 
the Future

We announced several innovative products and 
technologies in 2017 that enable our customers  
to expand the range and reach of gigabit services. 
Our Gfast Gigabit-to-the-Basement solutions, 
selected for deployment by a Tier 1 CSP, offer a  
key competitive advantage by delivering gigabit 
services 10 times farther and up to five times faster 
than competitive offerings. Our SDX solutions, 
including 100G Aggregation/Top of Rack switch-
es, 10G Carrier Ethernet Access Switches, virtual 
Optical Line Terminals (OLTs), and multiple Optical 
Network Terminals (ONTs), take SDN functionality 
to product implementation in broadband access 
networks. These solutions leverage the Mosaic ar-
chitecture and enable CSPs to accelerate their paths 
to open, programmable, and scalable networks. By 
deploying the SDX portfolio in concert with a cloud 
platform, such as Mosaic, CSPs can achieve data-
center economy and agility in their broadband and 
business services access networks. These solutions 
complement our widely deployed, field-proven Total 
Access® 5000 and hi-X platforms which offer the 
technology, performance, and scale required for ul-
tra-high speed broadband deployments and support 
for new, innovative technologies like SD-Access.

innovative products 
and technologies

From a company perspective, our main areas  
of focus are broadband, our Mosaic SD-Access  
solutions, subscriber solutions and experience,  
and services integration. We will continue to  
expand the horizons in these areas as we explore 
new markets and expand into new opportunities.

Broadband
The knowledge, collaboration, and technologies  
that have resulted from high-speed connectivity  
are seemingly limitless. For most of us, it is a  
challenge to remember life before cell phones, 
streaming services, and social media – all made 
possible by broadband.

The primary means for CSPs to address the  
need for bandwidth is technology innovation.  
Over the last decade, wireline carriers have had a  
difficult time keeping up with cable and wireless  
operators. New technologies like Gfast, vectoring, 
10G PON, and SD-Access provide a window of  
opportunity, enabling them to get the most band-
width from existing infrastructure while exploring 
the new horizons of SDN and NFV that will soon 
make disaggregated networks a reality. 

Letter to Shareholders  5

We experienced  
significant traction 
with Mosaic in 2017

Government programs to support broadband  
expansion, especially to the tens of millions of  
unserved and underserved Americans, continue  
to emerge, and there is growing support for  
increased spending in infrastructure, including  
broadband. In 2017, some 207 Tier 3 carriers 
accepted almost $5.3 billion in Alternative Connect 
America Cost Model (A-CAM) funding to be 
used over a 10-year period to deliver higher-speed 
broadband services to citizens in rural America. 
In conjunction with this opportunity, ADTRAN 
announced its Gigabit Accelerator Program, offering 
key infrastructure elements and service offerings 
along with marketing assistance to service providers 
who received funding as a means to kick-start  
these programs. 

The insistence for greater bandwidth is igniting  
the need for more fiber infrastructure. We saw in-
creased demand for a variety of fiber-based services 
(FTTx) in 2017. Many Tier 1 CSPs and cable MSOs, 
continued or expanded their fiber-based service  
roll-outs. However, as network convergence contin-
ues and bandwidth demand spreads to business ser-
vices and infrastructure backhaul, CSPs are turning 
to the promises of higher-speed services like 10G. 

10G broadband enables CSPs to leverage their  
existing fiber infrastructure to expand residential 
services while entering the premium business 
services market. Our 10G PON solutions are ideal 
for CSPs who have found other PON upgrade paths 
to be too costly or insufficient to meet the needs of 
business customers requiring symmetric services. 

10G services will be crucial as 5G networks  
become a reality. Support for low-latency applica-
tions and network timing synchronization make 
10G technologies ideal to support mobile x-haul  

services and 5G densification initiatives. As the 
number of mobile and fixed-wireless cellular and 
radio sites expands exponentially due to the range 
limitations of 5G networks, 10G access will play  
a critical role in providing access and termination. 
ADTRAN will be at the forefront helping our  
customers explore these and other new horizons 
made possible by broadband.

Mosaic – The Key to SD-Access
SD-Access fueled by SDN and NFV is a new area for 
CSPs that holds great promise. They understand the 
need to develop open, programmable and scalable 
networks to compete with over-the-top Web-scale 
operators. Gartner recently noted that the initial fo-
cus of SDN/NFV is shifting toward the business case 
and the opportunity to create new revenue. Services 
such as virtual CPE (vCPE) represent high revenue 
potential and can be leveraged quickly. However, the 
more immediate benefit will be found in solutions 
that help improve business agility, operational effi-
ciency, and service modeling.

The Mosaic Cloud Platform and associated solutions 
address the key needs of CSPs, enabling them to 
expedite return on investment by speeding time to 
market, and automating back-office processes and 
subscriber turn-up. ADTRAN remains in the center 
of the developing SD-Access market and will continue 
to aid CSPs as we explore the wealth of benefits 
these new technologies offer.

Our continued software development enabled us  
to announce a number of exciting enhancements  
to the Mosaic Cloud Platform, including the launch 
of the Mosaic Broadband Subscriber Management 
Suite, the SD-Access Accelerator program, the 
Mosaic Subscriber Solutions and Experience suite 

6  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

represents both hardware and software solutions 
including residential and business CPE and Blue-
socket Wi-Fi solutions. Business CPE continued to 
perform well spurred by roll-outs of 500Mbps and 
1Gbps services and growth in business voice and 
data services by U.S. CSPs. We more than tripled 
our number of MSP partners and brought many 
new managed services opportunities to market. 

These solutions leverage the Mosaic Cloud Platform 
to take user experience to the next level and put the 
customer in charge. With the click of a button, cus-
tomers can select new services or features, typically 
without a phone call or the assistance of a service 
technician. This provides greater freedom for the 
customer resulting in greater customer satisfaction. 
It also brings added benefits to the service provider 
through the elimination of truck rolls and the  
automation of back-office and billing processes.

put the customer  
in charge

of software tools and the Mosaic Open Network 
Alliance. These programs will play a critical  
role in expanding and supporting the growing 
ecosystem of products, services, and companies 
committed to building an open, scalable and  
flexible broadband network. 

Customers and industry leaders enthusiastically 
embraced Mosaic in 2017. We celebrated the first 
Tier 1 deployments of our XGS-PON solution, 
using the industry’s first deployed virtual OLT and 
our Mosaic SD-Access platform. We also made 
significant progress with Gfast and Mosaic Cloud 
Platform deployments. These solutions have moved 
to full production with leading Tier 1 service 
providers in the U.S., Europe, and Asia Pacific and 
are ramping up in commercial deployments. Our 
10G PON solutions are currently in trials as part 
of a Tier 1 U.S. CSP’s launch of services featuring 
virtualized NG-PON2 products and XGS-PON 
solutions. Additionally, we trialed the world’s 
first 212 MHz Gfast solution at a Tier 1 European 
carrier. This solution provides over 1Gbps with 
enhanced upstream performance over a single pair 
of copper using Mosaic for management.

The Mosaic Cloud Platform is the centerpiece of 
the Mosaic Open Network Alliance, where member 
companies collaborate on SDN and NFV solutions 
that will underpin a new approach to access. Our 
developments are enabling ADTRAN to better 
serve our growing customer base in the U.S. and 
abroad as the industry moves toward a fully  
realized SD-Access infrastructure. 

Subscriber Solutions and Experience
Subscriber Solutions and Experience remain  
an important part of our business. This segment 

Letter to Shareholders  7

variable-cost solutions 
to fixed-cost problems

Services and Solutions Integration 
Services and Support continued to be a bright spot 
for the company with record performance in 2017, 
growing 13.7 percent over the previous year and 
contributing over $126 million to company revenue. 
We added over 40 customers and expanded our 
geographic footprint with customer wins in Europe 
and Australia.

Our services center on four key areas—System  
Integration, Network Implementation, Consulting, 
and Maintenance. Operators of all types and sizes 
realize the benefit of having ADTRAN drive their  
installation and implementation of new services. 
These programs highlight our engineering expertise 
and understanding of how access networks are 
designed, deployed and maintained. We also alleviate  
the burden of scale by providing variable-cost  
solutions to fixed-cost problems. We partner  
with our customer to tailor a program specifically  
meeting its needs and those of its customers,  
resulting in expedited time to market and a  
faster return on investment.

8  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

New Markets… 
New Opportunities

ADTRAN is  
perfectly positioned  
to help cable/MSOs

awards and lab trials underway with Tier 1 MSOs 
in the U.S. and growing opportunities in other 
countries. Moving forward, we will continue to 
have a strong focus on the North American cable 
market, augmented by opportunities in both Europe 
and South America. We believe the cable market 
represents a major growth area for our company in 
years to come.

We have identified a wealth of opportunities in 
adjacent markets like cable/MSO solutions, 5G, and 
fixed wireless solutions. These new horizons offer 
the potential for great reward moving forward and 
align well with our expertise in broadband access.

Cable/MSO
The cable industry is experiencing unprecedented 
growth in broadband subscribers. According to 
Broadbandtrends, as of year-end 2017, cable  
represented 61 percent of broadband subscribers  
in North America compared to CSPs with 37 percent. 
Like their CSP counterparts, cable operators are 
finding themselves at a crossroads. They are at the 
beginning of an upgrade cycle that only happens 
every 10 to 15 years and lasts for only five to seven 
years. They too need a more agile network. A wealth 
of technologies exist to help these operators reach 
more customers with higher speeds, including  
fiber (PON) solutions, distributed access, and  
disaggregated networks.

ADTRAN is perfectly positioned to help with 
this transition. We have been providing end-user 
solutions to this market for almost two decades. 
In 2016, our solution portfolio was strengthened 
with the acquisition of CommScope’s active fiber 
access product line, helping us to more than double 
revenue in this market. This year, we completed 
lab testing and began the first deployment of our 
10G EPON solution with a major U.S. cable MSO, 
marking a significant milestone for our company. 
We experienced good market penetration with 

Letter to Shareholders  9

The Wireless Revolution  
Many visionaries believe we are in the early stages 
of the next technological revolution that will result 
in the development of a ubiquitous wireless network 
marrying data collection and computation with 
billions of devices. Mobile data consumption is 
expected to grow seven-fold between 2016 and 2021, 
and account for 20 percent of total Internet traffic 
according to Cisco. Experts predict that during this 
period mobile video data, fueled by new technologies 
such as augmented and virtual reality, will be the 
fastest growing segment of mobile traffic with an 
870 percent increase. This will bring forth yet  
another new opportunity for ADTRAN—wireless 
access/backhaul with 5G

Several CSPs began fixed wireless tests in 2017 and 
those are expected to continue throughout 2018. 
ADTRAN has a portfolio of field-proven solutions 
ideal for wireless applications that will be a critical 
piece of the puzzle for CSPs looking to wireless to 
meet bandwidth demands.

5G represents a technological paradigm shift that 
Technology Review states will become the underlying 
fabric of an entire ecosystem of fully connected 
intelligent sensors and devices. Likewise, research 
firm IHS Markit recently noted that 5G has the 
potential to unlock up to $12.3 trillion of revenue 
across a broad range of industries including a long 
list of infrastructure and x-haul requirements. 

The demands of 5G are faster speeds, greater 
bandwidth, and lower latency – the same issues 
wireline providers face today, just on a larger scale. 
ADTRAN advanced broadband solutions can 
address each of these needs. 

Earlier this year, we announced the upgrade of  
our NG-PON2 solutions to include non-service 
impacting wavelength agility and ultralow latency  
as a means to support 5G and other mission-critical  
services. We also introduced developmental 
breakthroughs with our millimeter wave wireless 
backhaul and broadband access solutions. We have 
seen significant interest in these solutions for both 
CAF and traditional applications, with several  
deployments in 2017 and additional trials and 
deployments underway. 5G is a new horizon for 
ADTRAN that builds on our core competency—access.

ADTRAN can play a 
significant role in 5G

10  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

 
A Look Ahead

the innovation our 
customers need

Tom Stanton, Chairman & CEO
ADTRAN, Inc.

ADTRAN continues to have a broad range of  
opportunities ahead of us, demonstrated by 
announced wins and deployments by leading Tier 1 
carriers and dozens of new infrastructure customers.

We expect continued demand from both domestic 
and international carrier and cable customers  
wanting to deliver more services farther and at higher 
speeds. We also anticipate additional developments 
in the areas of SD-Access, fixed wireless, and 5G as 
open, programmable and scalable networks unleash 
the capacity and capability of all the network has 
to offer.

To this end, we continue our unwavering commitment 
to research and development which enables us to 
deliver the products, services, and support that 
our customers require as they move forward with 
gigabit and other ultra-broadband services. 

ADTRAN boasts a growing portfolio of active 
patents that is almost 600 strong. We focus on 
enabling CSPs and cable operators to reach every 
customer over any network and any device simply 
and cost-effectively. 

Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank 
our employees. We have a global workforce over 
2,000 strong. These men and women continually 
explore new horizons through product development, 
patent awards, service on industry boards and 
standards organizations, and much more. Their 
work exceeds our expectations and those of our 
customers. They strive daily to achieve our vision to 
enable a fully connected world where the power to 
communicate is available to everyone, everywhere.

Letter to Shareholders  11

 
Financial Results

14  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases  

of Equity Securities

15 Stock Performance Graph

16 Selected Financial Data

17 Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Overview

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Results of Operations

2017 Compared to 2016

2016 Compared to 2015

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Subsequent Events

31 Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

32 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

34 Financial Statements

39 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Note 1

– Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Note 2

– Business Combinations

Note 3

– Stock-Based Compensation

Note 4

– Investments

Note 5

– Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Note 6

– Inventory

Note 7

– Property, Plant and Equipment

Note 8

– Lease Arrangements

Note 9

– Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Note 10 – Alabama State Industrial Development Authority Financing and Economic Incentives

Note 11 – Income Taxes

Note 12 – Employee Benefit Plans

Note 13 – Segment Information and Major Customers

Note 14 – Commitments and Contingencies

Note 15 – Earnings Per Share

Note 16 – Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Note 17 – Subsequent Events

This annual report contains forward-looking statements which reflect management’s best judgment based on factors 
currently known. However, these statements involve risks and uncertainties, including the successful development 
and market acceptance of new products, the degree of competition in the market for such products, the product and 
channel mix, component costs, manufacturing efficiencies, and other risks detailed in our annual report on Form 10-K 
for the year ended December 31, 2017. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results to differ materially 
from those in the forward-looking statements included in this annual report.

Financial Results  13

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity,  
Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer  
Purchases of Equity Securities 

ADTRAN’s  common  stock  is  traded  on  the  NASDAQ  Global  Select  Market  under  the  symbol  ADTN.  As  of  January  31, 
2018, ADTRAN had 176 stockholders of record and approximately 7,202 beneficial owners of shares held in street name. The  
following table shows the high and low closing prices per share for our common stock as reported by NASDAQ for the periods 
indicated. 

Common Stock Prices

2017

High

Low

2016

High

Low

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$23.20

$20.75

$20.65

$19.10

$24.00

$20.05

$24.50

$19.35

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$20.47

$16.60

$20.43

$17.14

$19.74

$17.81

$23.15

$17.90

The following table shows the shareholder dividends paid in each quarter of 2017 and 2016. The Board of Directors presently 
anticipates that it will declare a regular quarterly dividend so long as the present tax treatment of dividends exists and adequate 
levels of liquidity are maintained.

Dividends per Common Share

2017

2016

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

Stock Repurchases

The following table sets forth repurchases of our common stock for the months indicated.

Total
Number of
Shares 
Purchased

Average
Price Paid
Per Share

Total Number of Shares
Purchased as Part of
Publicly Announced
Plans or Programs (1)

Maximum Number of
Shares That May Yet Be
Purchased Under the 
Plans or Programs

Period

October 1, 2017 – October 31, 2017

November 1, 2017 – November 30, 2017

December 1, 2017 – December 31, 2017

Total

$—

$—

$—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

3,559,068

3,559,068

3,559,068

(1)  Since 1997, our Board of Directors has approved multiple share repurchase programs that have authorized open market repurchase 
transactions of up to 50.0 million shares of our common stock, which will be implemented through open market or private purchases 
from time to time as conditions warrant.

14  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Stock Performance Graph

Our  common  stock  began  trading  on  the  NASDAQ  National  Market  on  August  9,  1994.  The  price  information  reflected  
for  our  common  stock  in  the  following  performance  graph  and  accompanying  table  represents  the  closing  sales  prices  of  
the  common  stock  for  the  period  from  December  31,  2012  through  December  31,  2017,  on  an  annual  basis.  The  graph  
and  the  accompanying  table  compare  the  cumulative  total  stockholders’  return  on  our  common  stock  with  the  NASDAQ 
Telecommunications  Index  and  the  NASDAQ  Composite  Index. The  calculations  in  the  following  graph  and  table  assume  
that  $100  was  invested  on  December  31,  2012  in  each  of  our  common  stock,  the  NASDAQ  Telecommunications  Index  
and the NASDAQ Composite Index and also assume dividend reinvestment.

$300.00

$250.00

$200.00

$150.00

$100.00

$50.00

$0.00

12/31/2012

12/31/2013

12/31/2014

12/31/2015

12/31/2016

12/31/2017

ADTRAN, Inc.

NASDAQ Composite

NASDAQ Telecommunications 

ADTRAN, Inc.

NASDAQ Composite

NASDAQ Telecommunications

12/31/12

12/31/13

12/31/14

12/31/15

12/31/16

12/31/17

$100.00

$100.00

$100.00

$140.41

$141.63

$141.28

$115.16

$162.09

$145.43

$92.93

$173.33

$140.97

$122.99

$187.19

$150.94

$108.26

$242.29

$184.81

Financial Results  15

Selected Financial Data

Income Statement Data

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Year Ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

Sales

Cost of sales

Gross profit

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

Operating income

Interest and dividend income

Interest expense

Net realized investment gain

Other income (expense), net

Gain on bargain purchase of a business

Income before provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes (1)

Net income

Weighted average shares outstanding – basic

Weighted average shares outstanding –  
assuming dilution (2)

Earnings per common share – basic

Earnings per common share – assuming dilution (2)

Dividends declared and paid per common share

$666,900

$636,781

$600,064

$630,007

$641,744

363,240

303,660

135,489

130,434

37,737

4,380

(556)

4,685

(1,559)

—

44,687

(20,847)

$23,840

48,153

48,699

$0.50

$0.49

$0.36

345,437

291,344

131,805

124,804

34,735

3,918

(572)

5,923

(651)

3,542

46,895

(11,666)

$35,229

48,724

48,949

$0.72

$0.72

$0.36

333,167

266,897

123,542

129,876

13,479

3,953

(596)

10,337

(1,465)

—

25,708

(7,062)

$18,646

51,145

51,267

$0.36

$0.36

$0.36

318,680

311,327

131,958

132,258

47,111

5,019

(677)

7,278

1,175

—

59,906

(15,286)

$44,620

55,120

55,482

$0.81

$0.80

$0.36

332,858

308,886

129,366

131,055

48,465

7,012

(2,325)

8,614

(911)

—

60,855

(15,061)

$45,794

59,001

59,424

$0.78

$0.77

$0.36

Balance Sheet Data

(In thousands)

At December 31,

Working capital (3)

Total assets

Total debt

Stockholders’ equity

2017

$306,296

$669,094

$26,700

2016

$226,367

$667,235

$27,800

2015

$219,219

$632,904

$28,900

2014

$214,985

$738,694

$30,000

2013

$260,252

$789,898

$46,500

$497,911

$479,517

$480,160

$549,013

$604,606

(1)  Provision for income taxes in 2017 reflects an estimated expense of $11.9 million related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was 
signed into law on December 22, 2017. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
(2)  Assumes  exercise  of  dilutive  stock  options  calculated  under  the  treasury  method.  See  Notes  1  and  15  of  Notes  to  Consolidated 

Financial Statements.

(3)  Working capital consists of current assets less current liabilities. Amounts prior to 2016 have been recast to conform to the current 
period’s presentation as a result of our adoption of Accounting Standards Update 2015-17, Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred 
Taxes. See Note 1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

16  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial  
Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
ADTRAN, Inc. (ADTRAN) is a leading global provider of networking and communications equipment. Our solutions enable 
voice, data, video and Internet communications across a variety of network infrastructures. These solutions are deployed by 
many of the United States’ and the world’s largest communications service providers (CSPs), distributed enterprises and small 
and medium-sized businesses, public and private enterprises, and millions of individual users worldwide.

Our success depends upon our ability to increase unit volume and market share through the introduction of new products 
and succeeding generations of products having lower selling prices and increased functionality as compared to both the prior 
generation of a product and to the products of competitors. An important part of our strategy is to reduce the cost of each suc-
ceeding product generation and then lower the product’s selling price based on the cost savings achieved in order to gain market 
share and/or improve gross margins. As a part of this strategy, we seek in most instances to be a high-quality, low-cost provider 
of products in our markets. Our success to date is attributable in large measure to our ability to design our products initially with 
a view to their subsequent redesign, allowing both increased functionality and reduced manufacturing costs in each succeeding 
product generation. This strategy enables us to sell succeeding generations of products to existing customers, while increasing 
our market share by selling these enhanced products to new customers.

In addition to reporting our Network Solutions and Services & Support segments, we report revenue across three categories—
Access & Aggregation, Customer Devices, and Traditional & Other Products.

Access & Aggregation solutions are used by CSPs to connect their network infrastructure to their subscribers. This category 
includes software and hardware-based products and services that aggregate and/or originate access technologies. The portfolio 
of ADTRAN solutions within this category includes a wide array of modular or fixed physical form factors designed to deliver 
the best technology and economic fit based on the target subscriber density and environmental conditions.

The Access & Aggregation category includes product and service families such as

n  Mosaic branded network management and subscriber services control and orchestration software within a SD-Access 

architecture 

n  SDX series of SDN-controlled programmable network elements that form the hardware components within a SD-Access 

architecture

n  Total Access® 5000 Series Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) and Fiber to the Node (FTTN) Multi-Service Access Nodes 

(MSAN) 

n  hiX 5600 Series fiber aggregation and FTTN MSAN 

n  Fiber to the Distribution Point (FTTdp) Gfast Optical Network Units (ONU) 

n  GPON, EPON and 10G PON Optical Line Terminals (OLT) 

n  Optical Networking Edge (ONE) aggregation 

n  IP-based Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexers (DSLAMs) 

n  Cabinet and Outside-Plant (OSP) enclosures and services 

n  Pluggable optical transceivers (i.e., SFP, SFP+, XFP, QSFP), cables and other miscellaneous materials

n  Planning, engineering, program management, maintenance, installation and commissioning services to implement 

customer network solutions 

n  Other products and services that are generally applicable to Access & Aggregation

Financial Results  17

Customer Devices includes our products and services that provide end users access to CSP networks. Our Customer Devices 
portfolio includes a comprehensive array of service provider and enterprise hardware and software products and services.

The Customer Devices category includes products and services such as:

n  Broadband customer premises solutions, including Passive Optical Network (PON) and point-to-point Ethernet Optical 

Network Terminals (ONTs)

n  Radio Frequency over Glass (RFoG) MicroNodes

n  Residential and business gateways

n  Wi-Fi access points and associated powering and switching infrastructure

n  Enterprise Session Border Controllers (eSBC)

n  Branch office and access routers

n  Carrier Ethernet services termination devices

n  Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) media gateways

n  ProServices pre-sale and post-sale technical support

n  Planning, engineering, program management, maintenance, installation and commissioning services to implement 

customer devices solutions into consumer, small business and enterprise locations

n  Other products and services that are generally applicable to customer devices 

Traditional & Other Products generally includes a mix of prior generation technologies’ products and services, as well as other 
products and services that do not fit within the Access & Aggregation or Customer Devices categories. 

The Traditional & Other Products category includes products and services such as:

n  Time Division Multiplexed (TDM) and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)-based aggregation systems and customer 

devices

n  HDSL, ADSL and other mature technologies used to deliver business and residential services over the CSP access and 

customer networks

n  Other products and services that do not fit within the Access & Aggregation and Customer Devices categories 

Sales were $666.9 million in 2017, compared to $636.8 million in 2016 and $600.1 million in 2015. Our gross profit margin was 
45.5% in 2017, compared to 45.8% in 2016 and 44.5% in 2015. Net income was $23.8 million in 2017, compared to $35.2 million 
in 2016 and $18.6 million in 2015. Earnings per share, assuming dilution, were $0.49 in 2017, compared to $0.72 in 2016 and 
$0.36 in 2015. Earnings per share in 2017, 2016 and 2015 include the effect of the repurchase of 0.9 million, 1.4 million and 4.0 
million shares of our stock in those years, respectively.

Our operating results have fluctuated on a quarterly basis in the past, and may vary significantly in future periods due to a 
number of factors, including customer order activity and backlog. Backlog levels vary because of seasonal trends, the timing of 
customer projects and other factors that affect customer order lead times. Many of our customers require prompt delivery of 
products. This requires us to maintain sufficient inventory levels to satisfy anticipated customer demand. If near-term demand 
for our products declines, or if potential sales in any quarter do not occur as anticipated, our financial results could be adversely 
affected. Operating expenses are relatively fixed in the short term; therefore, a shortfall in quarterly revenues could significantly 
impact our financial results in a given quarter.

Our operating results may also fluctuate as a result of a number of other factors, including a decline in general economic and 
market conditions, foreign currency exchange rate movements, increased competition, customer order patterns, changes in 
product and services mix, timing differences between price decreases and product cost reductions, product warranty returns, 
expediting costs and announcements of new products by us or our competitors. Additionally, maintaining sufficient inventory 
levels to assure prompt delivery of our products increases the amount of inventory that may become obsolete and increases the 
risk that the obsolescence of this inventory may have an adverse effect on our business and operating results. Also, not maintain-
ing sufficient inventory levels to assure prompt delivery of our products may cause us to incur expediting costs to meet customer 
delivery requirements, which may negatively impact our operating results in a given quarter.

18  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Accordingly, our historical financial performance is not necessarily a meaningful indicator of future results, and, in general, 
management expects that our financial results may vary from period to period. See Note 16 of Notes to Consolidated Financial 
Statements for additional information. For a discussion of risks associated with our operating results, see Item 1A of this report.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
An accounting policy is deemed to be critical if it requires an accounting estimate to be made based on assumptions about 
matters that are highly uncertain at the time the estimate is made, if different estimates reasonably could have been used, or if 
changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur could materially impact the results of financial operations. 
We believe the following critical accounting policies affect our more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation 
of our consolidated financial statements. These policies have been consistently applied across our two reportable segments: (1) 
Network Solutions and (2) Services & Support.

n  Revenue is generally recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the prod-
uct price is fixed or determinable, collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured, and product returns are 
reasonably estimable. For product sales, revenue is generally recognized upon shipment of the product to our customer in 
accordance with the title transfer terms of the sales agreement, generally Ex Works, per International Commercial Terms. 
In the case of consigned inventory, revenue is recognized when the end customer assumes ownership of the product. 
Contracts that contain multiple deliverables are evaluated to determine the units of accounting, and the consideration 
from the arrangement is allocated to each unit of accounting based on the relative selling price and corresponding terms 
of the contract. When this is not available, we are generally not able to determine third-party evidence of selling price 
because of the extent of customization among competing products or services from other companies. In these instances, 
we use best estimates to allocate consideration to each respective unit of accounting. These estimates include analysis of 
respective bills of material and review and analysis of similar product and service offerings. We record revenue associated 
with installation services when respective contractual obligations are complete. In instances where customer acceptance 
is required, revenue is deferred until respective acceptance criteria have been met. Contracts that include both installation 
services and product sales are evaluated for revenue recognition in accordance with contract terms. As a result, installa-
tion services may be considered a separate deliverable or may be considered a combined single unit of accounting with 
the delivered product. Generally, either the purchaser, ADTRAN, or a third party can perform the installation of our 
products. Sales taxes invoiced to customers are included in revenue, and represent less than one percent of total revenues. 
The corresponding sales taxes paid are included in cost of goods sold. Value added taxes collected from customers in in-
ternational jurisdictions are recorded in accrued expenses as a liability. Revenue is recorded net of discounts. Sales returns 
are recorded as a reduction of revenue and accrued based on historical sales return experience, which we believe provides 
a reasonable estimate of future returns.

A significant portion of our products are sold in the U.S. through a non-exclusive distribution network of major technol-
ogy distributors. These organizations then distribute or provide fulfillment services to an extensive network of VARs 
and SIs. VARs and SIs may be affiliated with us as a channel partner, or they may purchase from the distributor on an 
unaffiliated basis. Additionally, with certain limitations, our distributors may return unused and unopened product for 
stock-balancing purposes when these returns are accompanied by offsetting orders for products of equal or greater value.

n  We carry our inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with cost being determined using the first-in, first-out 
method. We use standard costs for material, labor, and manufacturing overhead to value our inventory. Our standard 
costs are updated on at least a quarterly basis and any variances are expensed in the current period; therefore, our inven-
tory costs approximate actual costs at the end of each reporting period. We write down our inventory for estimated 
obsolescence or unmarketable inventory by an amount equal to the difference between the cost of inventory and the esti-
mated fair value based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. If actual future demand or market 
conditions are less favorable than those projected by management, we may be required to make additional inventory 
write-downs. Our reserve for excess and obsolete inventory was $23.4 million and $25.2 million at December 31, 2017 
and 2016, respectively. Inventory disposals charged against the reserve were $8.3 million, $4.7 million and $0.2 million for 
the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

n  For purposes of determining the estimated fair value of our stock option awards on the date of grant, we use the Black-
Scholes Model. This model requires the input of certain assumptions that require subjective judgment. These assump-
tions include, but are not limited to, expected stock price volatility over the term of the awards and actual and projected 
employee stock option exercise behaviors. Because our stock option awards have characteristics significantly different 
from those of traded options, and because changes in the input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, 

Financial Results  19

the existing model may not provide a reliable, single measure of the fair value of our stock option awards. For purposes 
of determining the estimated fair value of our market-based performance stock unit (PSU) awards on the date of grant, 
we use a Monte Carlo Simulation valuation method. The PSUs are subject to a market condition based on the relative 
total shareholder return of ADTRAN against all of the companies in the NASDAQ Telecommunications Index and vest 
at the end of a three-year performance period. The fair value of performance-based PSUs, restricted stock units (RSUs) 
and restricted stock is equal to the closing price of our stock on the business day immediately preceding the grant date. 
Compensation expense related to unvested performance-based PSUs will be recognized over the requisite service period 
of three years as achievement of the performance obligation becomes probable. Management will continue to assess the 
assumptions and methodologies used to calculate the estimated fair value of stock-based compensation. Circumstances 
may change and additional data may become available over time, which could result in changes to these assumptions 
and methodologies and thereby materially impact our fair value determination. If factors change in future periods, the 
compensation expense that we record may differ significantly from what we have recorded in the current period.

n  We estimate our income tax provision or benefit in each of the jurisdictions in which we operate, including estimating 

exposures related to examinations by taxing authorities. We also make judgments regarding the realization of deferred tax 
assets, and establish valuation allowances where we believe it is more likely than not that future taxable income in certain 
jurisdictions will be insufficient to realize these deferred tax assets. Our estimates regarding future taxable income and 
income tax provision or benefit may vary due to changes in market conditions, changes in tax laws, or other factors. If our 
assumptions, and consequently our estimates, change in the future, the valuation allowances we have established may be 
increased or decreased, impacting future income tax expense. At December 31, 2017 and 2016 respectively, the valuation 
allowance was $6.0 million and $6.1 million. As of December 31, 2017, we have state research tax credit carry-forwards 
of $3.8 million, which will expire between 2018 and 2030. These carry-forwards were caused by tax credits in excess of 
our annual tax liabilities to an individual state where we no longer generate sufficient state income. In addition, as of 
December 31, 2017, we have a deferred tax asset of $5.2 million relating to net operating loss carry-forwards which will 
expire between 2018 and 2030. These carry-forwards are the result of acquisitions in 2009 and in 2011. The acquired net 
operating losses are in excess of the amount of estimated earnings. We believe it is more likely than not that we will not 
realize the full benefits of our deferred tax asset arising from these credits and net operating losses, and accordingly, have 
provided a valuation allowance against that piece.

We establish reserves to remove some or all of the tax benefit of any of our tax positions at the time we determine that the 
positions become uncertain. We adjust these reserves, including any impact on the related interest and penalties, as facts 
and circumstances change.

n  Our products generally include warranties of 90 days to five years for product defects. We accrue for warranty returns at 
the time revenue is recognized based on our historical return rate and estimate of the cost to repair or replace the defec-
tive products. We engage in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluat-
ing the quality of our component suppliers. Our products continue to become more complex in both size and functional-
ity as many of our product offerings migrate from line card applications to total systems. The increasing complexity of 
our products will cause warranty incidences, when they arise, to be more costly. Our estimates regarding future warranty 
obligations may change due to product failure rates, material usage, and other rework costs incurred in correcting a 
product failure. In addition, from time to time, specific warranty accruals may be recorded if unforeseen problems arise. 
Should our actual experience relative to these factors be worse than our estimates, we will be required to record addi-
tional warranty expense. Alternatively, if we provide for more reserves than we require, we will reverse a portion of such 
provisions in future periods. The liability for warranty obligations totaled $9.7 million and $8.5 million at December 31, 
2017 and 2016, respectively. These liabilities are included in accrued expenses in the accompanying Consolidated Balance 
Sheets.

n  Pension benefit plan obligations are based on various assumptions used by our actuaries in calculating these amounts. 

These assumptions include discount rates, compensation rate increases, expected return on plan assets, retirement rates, 
and mortality rates. Actual results that differ from the assumptions and changes in assumptions could affect future 
expenses and obligations. Our net pension liability totaled $8.3 million and $10.0 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, 
respectively. This liability is included in other non-current liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets.

20  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Results of Operations
The following table presents selected financial information derived from our consolidated statements of income expressed as a 
percentage of sales for the years indicated. Amounts may not foot due to rounding.

Year Ended December 31,

2017

2016

2015

Sales

Products

Services

Total sales

Cost of sales

Products

Services

Gross profit

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

Operating income

Interest and dividend income

Interest expense

Net realized investment gain

Other income (expense), net

Gain on bargain purchase of a business

Income before provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Net income

2017 Compared to 2016

81.0%

19.0

100.0

41.9

12.6

45.5

20.3

19.6

5.7

0.7

(0.1)

0.7

(0.2)

—

6.7

(3.1)

3.6%

82.5%

17.5

100.0

42.5

11.7

45.8

20.7

19.6

5.5

0.6

(0.1)

0.9

(0.1)

0.6

7.4

(1.8)

5.5%

87.9%

12.1

100.0

49.0

6.6

44.5

20.6

21.6

2.2

0.7

(0.1)

1.7

(0.2)

—

4.3

(1.2)

3.1%

Sales
Our sales increased 4.7% from $636.8 million in 2016 to $666.9 million in 2017. The increase in sales is attributable to a $14.9 
million increase in Network Solutions sales and a $15.2 million increase in Services & Support sales.

Network Solutions sales increased 2.8% from $525.5 million in 2016 to $540.4 million in 2017. The increase in sales in 2017 is 
primarily attributable to an increase in sales of our Access & Aggregation products, partially offset by a decrease in sales of our 
Traditional & Other products. The increase in sales of our Access & Aggregation products is primarily attributable to increased 
VDSL2 vectoring product sales in the U.S. and European carrier markets. While we expect that revenues from Traditional & 
Other products will continue to decline over time, these revenues may fluctuate and continue for years because of the time re-
quired for our customers to transition to newer technologies.

Services & Support sales increased 13.7% from $111.3 million in 2016 to $126.5 million in 2017. The increase in sales in 2017 is 
primarily attributable to an increase in network installation services for Access & Aggregation products.

International sales, which are included in the Network Solutions and Services & Support amounts discussed above, increased 
17.2% from $135.4 million in 2016 to $158.7 million in 2017. International sales, as a percentage of total sales, increased from 
21.3% in 2016 to 23.8% in 2017. The increase in international sales in 2017 is primarily attributable to an increase in sales in 
EMEA, partially offset by a decrease in sales in Latin America and the APAC region.

Our international revenues are largely focused on broadband infrastructure and are impacted by the decisions of our custom-
ers as to timing for installation of new technologies, expansion of their networks and/or network upgrades. Our international 
customers must make these decisions in the regulatory and political environment in which they operate – both nationally and 
in some instances, regionally – whether of a multi-country region or a more local region within a country. For example, the Eu-
ropean Commission launched a Gigabit Society initiative, and before that, the Digital Agenda, which has provided a favorable 
market environment for the deployment of ultra-broadband and Gigabit network solutions. Although the overall environment 
and market demand for broadband service deployment in the European Union has improved, some new broadband technolo-

Financial Results  21

 
 
 
gies are still being reviewed for regulatory and standards completion, which may affect the timing of those technologies. In 
Mexico, regulatory changes have created uncertainty for customers, which have resulted in slowdowns in network buying pat-
terns. The competitive landscape in certain international markets is also impacted by the increased presence of Asian manufac-
turers that seek to compete aggressively on price. A strengthening U.S. dollar can also negatively impact our revenues in regions 
such as Latin America, where our products are traditionally priced in U.S. dollars, while in regions where our products are sold 
in local currency, such as Europe, a stronger U.S. dollar can negatively impact operating income. Consequently, while we expect 
the global trend towards deployment of more robust broadband speeds and access to continue to create expanded market op-
portunities for us, the factors described above may result in pressure on revenues and operating income. However, we do not 
presently foresee a significant negative impact to our financial condition based on our strong liquidity and the generally positive 
environment described above.

We recognized a positive impact to our revenues in the first half of 2017 due to our being awarded a network expansion program 
by a large European tier-1 customer. We anticipate that as our European and Latin American customers resume their network 
upgrade projects, we may experience further enhancement to our revenues. We have recently announced receipt of a new na-
tionwide award in the Pacific region, as well as additional awards based on new ADTRAN technologies in the EMEA region that 
we believe will likely result in a positive impact to our revenues. Further, we expect that a resolution of the regulatory changes in 
Mexico may result in business with our major customer in that region returning to a more normal level.

Cost of Sales
As a percentage of sales, cost of sales increased from 54.2% in 2016 to 54.5% in 2017. The increase is primarily attributable to a 
regional revenue shift, customer and product mix and services and support mix.

Network Solutions cost of sales, as a percent of that segment’s sales, increased from 51.5% of sales in 2016 to 51.7% of sales in 
2017. The increase in Network Solutions cost of sales as a percentage of that segment’s sales is primarily attributable to customer 
and product mix.

An important part of our strategy is to reduce the product cost of each succeeding product generation and then to lower the 
product’s price based on the cost savings achieved. This may cause variations in our gross profit percentage due to timing differ-
ences between the recognition of cost reductions and the lowering of product selling prices.

Services & Support cost of sales, as a percent of that segment’s sales, decreased from 67.2% of sales in 2016 to 66.2% of sales in 
2017. The decrease in Services & Support cost of sales as a percentage of that segment’s sales is primarily attributable to the mix 
of network installation programs and support. 

Our Services business has experienced significant growth since 2015 as competitive pressures to expand broadband access and 
speeds have strained carriers’ ability to respond to customer demand. Our Services & Support revenues are comprised of net-
work planning and implementation, maintenance, support and cloud-based management services, with network planning and 
implementation being the largest and fastest growing component. Compared to our other services such as maintenance, support 
and cloud-based management services, our network planning and implementation services typically utilize a higher percent-
age of internal and subcontracted engineers, professionals and contractors to perform the work for customers. The additional 
costs incurred to perform these infrastructure and labor intensive services inherently result in lower average gross margins as 
compared to maintenance and support services.

As our network planning and implementation revenues have grown and are now the largest component of our Services & Sup-
port business, our Services & Support segment gross margins have decreased versus those reported when maintenance and sup-
port comprised the majority of the business. Further, because the growth in our network planning and implementation services 
has resulted in our Services & Support revenues comprising a larger percentage of our overall revenues, and because our Services 
& Support gross margins are below those of the Network Solutions segment, our overall corporate gross margins have declined 
as that business has continued to grow. Within the Services & Support segment, we do expect variability in gross margins from 
quarter-to-quarter based on the mix of the services recognized.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 2.8% from $131.8 million in 2016 to $135.5 million in 2017. Selling, gen-
eral and administrative expenses include personnel costs for administration, finance, information technology, human resources, 
sales and marketing, and general management, as well as rent, utilities, legal and accounting expenses, bad debt expense, adver-
tising, promotional material, trade show expenses, and related travel costs. The increase in selling, general and administrative 

22  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

expenses is primarily attributable to increases in ERP implementation expense, deferred compensation expense, travel expense, 
and equity-based compensation expense, partially offset by a decrease in performance-based compensation expense.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased from 20.7% for the year ended December 31, 
2016 to 20.3% for the year ended December 31, 2017. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales will 
generally fluctuate whenever there is a significant fluctuation in revenues for the periods being compared.

Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses increased 4.5% from $124.8 million in 2016 to $130.4 million in 2017. The increase in re-
search and development expenses is primarily attributable to an increase in labor and engineering materials related to customer 
specific projects, contract services and amortization of intangibles acquired in the third quarter of 2016.

Research and development expenses as a percentage of sales remained constant at 19.6% for the years ended December 31, 2016 
and 2017. Research and development expenses as a percentage of sales will fluctuate whenever there are incremental product 
development activities or a significant fluctuation in revenues for the periods being compared.

We expect to continue to incur research and development expenses in connection with our new and existing products and our 
expansion into international markets. We continually evaluate new product opportunities and engage in intensive research and 
product development efforts which provide for new product development, enhancement of existing products and product cost 
reductions. We may incur significant research and development expenses prior to the receipt of revenues from a major new 
product group.

Interest and Dividend Income
Interest and dividend income increased from $11.8% from $3.9 million in 2016 to $4.4 million in 2017. The increase in interest 
and dividend income is primarily attributable to an increase in the rate of return on investments.

Interest Expense
Interest expense, which is primarily related to our taxable revenue bond, remained consistent at $0.6 million in 2016 and 2017, as 
we had no substantial change in our fixed-rate borrowing. See “Financing Activities” in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below 
for additional information on our taxable revenue bond.

Net Realized Investment Gain
Net realized investment gain decreased 20.9% from $5.9 million in 2016 to $4.7 million in 2017. The decrease in realized invest-
ment gains is primarily attributable to decreased gains from the sale of equity securities. See “Investing Activities” in “Liquidity 
and Capital Resources” below for additional information.

Other Income (Expense), net
Other income (expense), net, comprised primarily of miscellaneous income and expense, gains and losses on foreign currency 
transactions, gains and losses on foreign exchange forward contracts, investment account management fees, and scrap raw ma-
terial sales, increased 139.5% from $0.7 million of expense in 2016 to $1.6 million of expense in 2017. The change is primarily 
attributable to increased losses on our foreign exchange contracts.

Gain on Bargain Purchase of a Business
Gain on bargain purchase of a business in 2016 is related to our acquisition of key fiber access products, technologies and service 
relationships from a third party on September 13, 2016. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional 
information.

Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate increased from 24.9% in 2016 to 46.7% in 2017. The increase in the effective tax rate between the two 
periods is primarily attributable to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which was signed into law on December 22, 2017. As a result of 
the new law, we recognized an estimated expense of $11.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, of which $9.2 million related to 
the write-down of deferred tax assets and $2.7 million related to tax on unrepatriated foreign earnings. See Note 11 of Notes to 
Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

Net Income
As a result of the above factors, net income decreased from $35.2 million in 2016 to $23.8 million in 2017. As a percentage of 
sales, net income decreased from 5.5% in 2016 to 3.6% in 2017.

Financial Results  23

2016 Compared to 2015

Sales
Our sales increased 6.1% from $600.1 million in 2015 to $636.8 million in 2016. The increase in sales is primarily attributable 
to a $38.6 million increase in Services & Support sales, partially offset by a $1.9 million decrease in Network Solutions sales.

Network Solutions sales decreased 0.4% from $527.4 million in 2015 to $525.5 million in 2016. The decrease in sales in 2016 is 
primarily attributable to a decrease in sales of our Access & Aggregation products and Traditional & Other products, partially 
offset by an increase in sales of our Customer Devices products. The decrease in sales of our Access & Aggregation products 
is primarily attributable to a decrease in international hiX product sales, partially offset by an increase in OSP DSLAM sales. 
The increase in sales of our Customer Devices products is primarily attributable to increased sales of our FTTP ONT products. 
While we expect that revenues from Traditional & Other products will continue to decline over time, these revenues may fluctu-
ate and continue for years because of the time required for our customers to transition to newer technologies.

Services & Support sales increased 53.2% from $72.6 million in 2015 to $111.3 million in 2016. The increase in sales in 2016 is 
primarily attributable to an increase in network installation services for Access & Aggregation products.

International sales, which are included in the Network Solutions and Services & Support amounts discussed above, decreased 
25.0% from $180.7 million in 2015 to $135.4 million in 2016. International sales, as a percentage of total sales, decreased from 
30.1% in 2015 to 21.3% in 2016. Our international revenues are affected to a great extent by the timing of network upgrade proj-
ects at our larger European and Latin American customers and by changes in foreign exchange rates in territories in which we 
sell our products and services. Throughout 2016, our largest European customer focused on completing network upgrade activi-
ties in regions outside of our footprint with them. However, we expect that once current projects are completed, future network 
upgrades will resume in the second half of 2017 within our geographic footprint with this customer. Additionally, after reaching 
a cyclical high in the second quarter of 2014, the value of the Euro currency relative to the U.S. dollar declined significantly 
throughout the second half of 2014 and in 2015. Though the Euro-USD exchange rate appears to have stabilized since reaching 
a low in the fourth quarter of 2015, it remains approximately 20% below the highs of 2014. This decline in the value of the Euro 
throughout 2015 and into 2016 significantly reduced the U.S. dollar value of revenue from our European sales.

Cost of Sales
As a percentage of sales, cost of sales decreased from 55.5% in 2015 to 54.2% in 2016. The decrease is primarily attributable to a 
regional revenue shift and customer and product mix, partially offset by a change in services mix, restructuring expenses and an 
increase in warranty expense related to a product recall caused by a defect in a part provided by a third party supplier.

Network Solutions cost of sales, as a percent of that segment’s sales, decreased from 55.7% of sales in 2015 to 51.5% of sales in 
2016. The decrease in Network Solutions cost of sales as a percentage of that segment’s sales is primarily attributable to a regional 
revenue shift and customer and product mix, partially offset by restructuring expenses and an increase in warranty expense 
related to a product recall caused by a defect in a part provided by a third party supplier.

Services & Support cost of sales, as a percent of that segment’s sales, increased from 54.1% of sales in 2015 to 67.2% of sales 
in 2016. The increase in Services & Support cost of sales as a percentage of that segment’s sales is primarily attributable to an 
increase in network installation services, which have higher costs than maintenance and support services, and in restructuring 
expenses. 

An important part of our strategy is to reduce the product cost of each succeeding product generation and then to lower the 
product’s price based on the cost savings achieved. This may cause variations in our gross profit percentage due to timing differ-
ences between the recognition of cost reductions and the lowering of product selling prices.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased 6.7% from $123.5 million in 2015 to $131.8 million in 2016. Selling, gen-
eral and administrative expenses include personnel costs for administration, finance, information systems, human resources, 
sales and marketing, and general management, as well as rent, utilities, legal and accounting expenses, bad debt expense, adver-
tising, promotional material, trade show expenses, and related travel costs. The increase in selling, general and administrative 
expenses is primarily attributable to an increase in variable incentive compensation expense and use tax expense, partially offset 
by a decrease in professional services.

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales increased from 20.6% for the year ended December 31, 2015 
to 20.7% for the year ended December 31, 2016. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales will gener-
ally fluctuate whenever there is a significant fluctuation in revenues for the periods being compared.

24  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Research and Development Expenses
Research and development expenses decreased 3.9% from $129.9 million in 2015 to $124.8 million in 2016. The decrease in 
research and development expenses is primarily attributable to a decrease in compensation expense, lease expense and testing 
expense, partially offset by an increase in contract services. The decrease in compensation expense and lease expense in 2016 was 
primarily attributable to the consolidation of engineering resources that occurred during the second quarter of 2015.

Research and development expenses as a percentage of sales decreased from 21.6% for the year ended December 31, 2015 to 
19.6% for the year ended December 31, 2016. Research and development expenses as a percentage of sales will fluctuate whenev-
er there are incremental product development activities or a significant fluctuation in revenues for the periods being compared.

We expect to continue to incur research and development expenses in connection with our new and existing products and our 
expansion into international markets. We continually evaluate new product opportunities and engage in intensive research and 
product development efforts which provide for new product development, enhancement of existing products and product cost 
reductions. We may incur significant research and development expenses prior to the receipt of revenues from a major new 
product group.

Interest and Dividend Income
Interest and dividend income remained constant at $3.95 million in 2015 and $3.92 million in 2016.

Interest Expense
Interest expense, which is primarily related to our taxable revenue bond, remained consistent at $0.6 million in 2015 and 2016, as 
we had no substantial change in our fixed-rate borrowing. See “Financing Activities” in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” below 
for additional information on our taxable revenue bond.

Net Realized Investment Gain
Net realized investment gain decreased from $10.3 million in 2015 to $5.9 million in 2016. The decrease in realized investment 
gains is primarily attributable to fewer gains from the sale of equity securities in 2016. See “Investing Activities” in “Liquidity and 
Capital Resources” below for additional information.

Other Income (Expense), net
Other income (expense), net, comprised primarily of miscellaneous income, gains and losses resulting from foreign currency 
exchange rate movements, and investment account management fees, decreased from $1.5 million of expense in 2015 to $0.7 
million of expense in 2016. The change is primarily attributable to gains on forward currency contracts during the fourth quarter 
of 2016.

Gain on Bargain Purchase of a Business
Gain on bargain purchase of a business is related to our acquisition of key fiber access products, technologies and service re-
lationships from a third party on September 13, 2016. See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional 
information.

Income Taxes
Our effective tax rate decreased from 27.5% in 2015 to 24.9% in 2016. The decrease in the effective tax rate between the two 
periods is primarily attributable to the benefit associated with the bargain purchase gain.

Net Income
As a result of the above factors, net income increased from $18.6 million in 2015 to $35.2 million in 2016. As a percentage of 
sales, net income increased from 3.1% in 2015 to 5.5% in 2016.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity
We intend to finance our operations with cash flow from operations. We have used, and expect to continue to use, the cash 
generated from operations for working capital, purchases of treasury stock, shareholder dividends, and other general corporate 
purposes, including (i) product development activities to enhance our existing products and develop new products and (ii) 
expansion of sales and marketing activities. We believe our cash and cash equivalents, investments and cash generated from 
operations to be adequate to meet our operating and capital needs for at least the next 12 months.

Financial Results  25

At December 31, 2017, cash on hand was $86.4 million and short-term investments were $16.1 million, which resulted in avail-
able short-term liquidity of $102.6 million, of which $56.8 million was held by our foreign subsidiaries. At December 31, 2016, 
cash on hand was $79.9 million and short-term investments were $43.2 million, which resulted in available short-term liquidity 
of $123.1 million, of which $42.1 million was held by our foreign subsidiaries. The decrease in short-term liquidity from De-
cember 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017 is primarily attributable to shifts among available investment option tenures to provide 
funds for our short-term cash needs.

Operating Activities
Our working capital, which consists of current assets less current liabilities, increased 35.3% from $226.4 million as of December 
31, 2016 to $306.3 million as of December 31, 2017. The current ratio, defined as current assets divided by current liabilities, 
increased from 2.79 as of December 31, 2016 to 3.87 as of December 31, 2017. The increase in our working capital and current 
ratio is primarily attributable to an increase in accounts receivable, inventory, and other receivables, and a decrease in accounts 
payable and accrued wages and benefits. The quick ratio, defined as cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and net 
accounts receivable, divided by current liabilities, increased from 1.70 as of December 31, 2016 to 2.31 as of December 31, 2017. 
The increase in the quick ratio is primarily attributable to an increase in accounts receivable and a decrease in accounts payable 
and accrued wages and benefits. The decrease in accrued wages and benefits was primarily attributable to a decrease in accrued 
variable incentive compensation.

Net accounts receivable increased 56.1% from $92.3 million at December 31, 2016 to $144.2 million at December 31, 2017. We 
did not have an allowance for doubtful accounts at December 31, 2016 or 2017. Quarterly accounts receivable DSO increased 
from 52 days as of December 31, 2016 to 105 days as of December 31, 2017. The increase in net accounts receivable and DSO 
is attributable to customer specific payment terms that will become due early in the first quarter of 2018 and the timing of sales 
and collections during the quarter. Additionally, certain international customers can have longer payment terms than U.S. cus-
tomers. 

Other receivables increased 67.2% from $15.9 million at December 31, 2016 to $26.6 million at December 31, 2017. The increase 
in other receivables is primarily attributable to an increase in lease receivables and income tax receivables.

Annual inventory turnover decreased from 3.51 turns as of December 31, 2016 to 3.19 turns as of December 31, 2017. Inventory 
increased 16.6% from $105.1 million at December 31, 2016 to $122.5 million at December 31, 2017. We expect inventory levels 
to fluctuate as we attempt to maintain sufficient inventory in response to seasonal cycles of our business ensuring competitive 
lead times while managing the risk of inventory obsolescence that may occur due to rapidly changing technology and customer 
demand.

Accounts payable decreased 21.6% from $77.3 million at December 31, 2016 to $60.6 million at December 31, 2017. Accounts 
payable will fluctuate due to variations in the timing of the receipt of supplies, inventory and services and our subsequent pay-
ments for these purchases.

Investing Activities
Capital expenditures totaled approximately $14.7 million, $21.4 million and $11.8 million for the years ended December 31, 
2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. These expenditures were primarily used to purchase computer hardware, software, manufac-
turing and test equipment, and building improvements.

Our combined short-term and long-term investments decreased $72.9 million from $219.3 million at December 31, 2016 to 
$146.4 million at December 31, 2017. This decrease reflects the impact of our cash used by our operating activities, cash needs for 
share repurchases, shareholder dividends, equipment acquisitions, as well as net realized and unrealized losses, and amortization 
of net premiums on our combined investments, partially offset by funds provided by stock option exercises by our employees.

We invest all available cash not required for immediate use in operations primarily in securities that we believe bear minimal risk 
of loss. At December 31, 2017, these investments included corporate bonds of $32.5 million, municipal fixed-rate bonds of $2.9 
million, asset-backed bonds of $6.5 million, mortgage/agency-backed bonds of $5.5 million, U.S. government bonds of $14.3 
million, and foreign government bonds of $0.7 million. At December 31, 2016, these investments included corporate bonds of 
$66.4 million, municipal fixed-rate bonds of $11.8 million, asset-backed bonds of $10.2 million, mortgage/agency-backed bonds 
of $13.0 million, U.S. government bonds of $29.8 million, foreign government bonds of $3.7 million, and variable rate demand 
notes of $11.9 million. As of December 31, 2017, our corporate bonds, municipal fixed-rate bonds, asset-backed bonds, mort-
gage/agency-backed bonds, U.S. government bonds, and foreign government bonds were classified as available-for-sale and had 
a combined duration of 1.15 years with an average credit rating of A+. Because our bond portfolio has a high quality rating and 
contractual maturities of a short duration, we are able to obtain prices for these bonds derived from observable market inputs, 
or for similar securities traded in an active market, on a daily basis.

26  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Our long-term investments decreased 26.0% from $176.1 million at December 31, 2016 to $130.3 million at December 31, 2017. 
Long-term investments at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 included an investment in a certificate of deposit of $27.8 
million, which serves as collateral for our revenue bond, as discussed below. We have investments in various marketable equity 
securities classified as long-term investments at a cost of $33.5 million and $30.6 million, and with a fair value of $35.7 million 
and $29.4 million, at December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

Long-term investments at December 31, 2017 and 2016 also included $19.9 million and $14.6 million, respectively, related to 
our deferred compensation plan, and $0.5 million and $0.8 million, respectively, of other investments, consisting of interests in 
two private equity funds and an investment in a privately held telecommunications equipment manufacturer.

We review our investment portfolio for potential “other-than-temporary” declines in value on an individual investment basis. 
We assess, on a quarterly basis, significant declines in value which may be considered other-than-temporary and, if necessary, 
recognize and record the appropriate charge to write-down the carrying value of such investments. In making this assessment, 
we take into consideration qualitative and quantitative information, including but not limited to the following: the magnitude 
and duration of historical declines in market prices, credit rating activity, assessments of liquidity, public filings, and statements 
made by the issuer. We generally begin our identification of potential other-than-temporary impairments by reviewing any 
security with a fair value that has declined from its original or adjusted cost basis by 25% or more for six or more consecutive 
months. We then evaluate the individual security based on the previously identified factors to determine the amount of the 
write-down, if any. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, we recorded charges of $0.2 million, $0.8 million 
and $0.2 million, respectively, related to the other-than-temporary impairment of certain publicly traded equity securities, our 
deferred compensation plan assets, and our investments in two private equity funds.

Financing Activities
In conjunction with an expansion of our Huntsville, Alabama, facility, we were approved for participation in an incentive pro-
gram offered by the State of Alabama Industrial Development Authority (the “Authority”). Pursuant to the program, on January 
13, 1995, the Authority issued $20.0 million of its taxable revenue bonds and loaned the proceeds from the sale of the bonds to 
ADTRAN. The bonds were originally purchased by AmSouth Bank of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama (the “Bank”). Wachovia 
Bank, N.A., Nashville, Tennessee (formerly First Union National Bank of Tennessee) (the “Bondholder”), which was acquired 
by Wells Fargo & Company on December 31, 2008, purchased the original bonds from the Bank and made further advances 
to the Authority, bringing the total amount outstanding to $50.0 million. An Amended and Restated Taxable Revenue Bond 
(“Amended and Restated Bond”) was issued and the original financing agreement was amended. The Amended and Restated 
Bond bears interest, payable monthly. The interest rate is 2% per annum. The Amended and Restated Bond matures on January 
1, 2020, and is currently outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $26.7 million. The estimated fair value of the bond 
using a level 2 valuation technique at December 31, 2017 was approximately $26.7 million, based on a debt security with a 
comparable interest rate and maturity and a Standard & Poor’s credit rating of AAA. We are required to make payments to the 
Authority in amounts necessary to pay the interest on the Amended and Restated Bond. Included in long-term investments at 
December 31, 2017 is $27.8 million which is invested in a restricted certificate of deposit. These funds serve as a collateral deposit 
against the principal of this bond, and we have the right to set-off the balance of the Bond with the collateral deposit in order to 
reduce the balance of the indebtedness.

In conjunction with this program, we are eligible to receive certain economic incentives from the state of Alabama that reduce 
the amount of payroll withholdings that we are required to remit to the state for those employment positions that qualify under 
the program. We realized economic incentives related to payroll withholdings totaling $1.5 million for the year ended December 
31, 2017 and $1.3 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

We made principal payments of $1.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and we anticipate making 
a principal payment in 2018. At December 31, 2017, $1.1 million of the bond debt was classified as a current liability in accounts 
payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Financial Results  27

Dividends
During 2017, 2016 and 2015, we paid shareholder dividends totaling $17.4 million, $17.6 million and $18.4 million, respectively. 
The Board of Directors presently anticipates that it will declare a regular quarterly dividend so long as the present tax treatment 
of dividends exists and adequate levels of liquidity are maintained. The following table shows dividends per common share paid 
to our shareholders in each quarter of 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Dividends per Common Share

2017

2016

2015

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

Stock Repurchase Program
Since 1997, our Board of Directors has approved multiple share repurchase programs that have authorized open market repur-
chase transactions of up to 50.0 million shares of our common stock, which will be implemented through open market or private 
purchases from time to time as conditions warrant. For the years 2017, 2016 and 2015, we repurchased 0.9 million shares, 1.4 
million shares and 4.0 million shares, respectively, for a cost of $17.3 million, $25.8 million and $66.2 million, respectively, at an 
average price of $20.27, $18.29 and $16.68 per share, respectively. We currently have the authority to purchase an additional 3.6 
million shares of our common stock under the current plans approved by the Board of Directors.

Stock Option Exercises
To accommodate employee stock option exercises, we issued 0.7 million shares of treasury stock for $13.4 million during the 
year ended December 31, 2017, 0.3 million shares of treasury stock for $4.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, 
and 0.1 million shares of treasury stock for $1.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2015.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
We do not have off-balance sheet financing arrangements and have not engaged in any related party transactions or arrange-
ments with unconsolidated entities or other persons that are reasonably likely to materially affect liquidity or the availability of 
or requirements for capital resources.

We have various contractual obligations and commercial commitments. The following table sets forth, in millions, the annual 
payments we are required to make under contractual cash obligations and other commercial commitments at December 31, 
2017.

Contractual Obligations

(In millions)

Long-term debt

Interest on long-term debt

Purchase obligations

Operating lease obligations

Tax Cuts and Jobs Act toll charge

Total

$26.7

1.0

140.0

8.5

2.7

2018

$1.1

0.5

139.1

3.1

0.5

Totals 

$178.9

$144.3

2019

$—

0.5

0.8

0.9

0.2

$2.4

2020

$25.6

—

0.1

0.8

0.2

$26.7

2021

$—

—

—

0.8

0.2

$1.0

After 2021

$—

—

—

2.9

1.6

$4.5

We are required to make payments necessary to pay the interest on the Amended and Restated Bond, currently outstanding 
in the aggregate principal amount of $26.7 million. The bond matures on January 1, 2020, and bears interest at the rate of 2% 
per annum. Included in long-term investments are $27.8 million of restricted funds, which is a collateral deposit against the 
principal amount of this bond. We made principal payments of $1.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 
2016. We anticipate making a principal payment in 2018. At December 31, 2017, $1.1 million of the bond debt was classified as 
a current liability in accounts payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial State-
ments for additional information.

Purchase obligations primarily relate to open purchase orders to our contract manufacturers, component suppliers, service 
partners, and other vendors.

28  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

We have committed to invest up to an aggregate of $7.9 million in two private equity funds, and we have contributed $8.4 million 
as of December 31, 2017, of which $7.7 million has been applied to these commitments. The additional $0.2 million commit-
ment has been excluded from the table above due to uncertainty of when it will be applied.

We also have obligations related to uncertain income tax positions that have been excluded from the table above due to the 
uncertainty of when the related expense will be recognized. See Note 11 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for ad-
ditional information.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue 
from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU 2014-09), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 
605, Revenue Recognition, including most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance throughout the Industry Topics of 
the Codification. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred 
to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. In August 
2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to fiscal years beginning after December 
31, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for reporting periods beginning after De-
cember 15, 2016. Subsequently, the FASB issued ASUs in 2016 containing implementation guidance related to ASU 2014-09, in-
cluding: ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting 
Revenue Gross versus Net), which is intended to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance 
on principal versus agent considerations; ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Per-
formance Obligations and Licensing, which is intended to clarify two aspects of Topic 606: identifying performance obligations 
and the licensing implementation guidance; ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope 
Improvements and Practical Expedients, which contains certain provisions and practical expedients in response to identified 
implementation issues; and ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers, which is intended to clarify the Codification or to correct unintended application of guidance. ASU 2014-09 allows 
for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. We adopted ASU 2014-09 and the related ASUs on January 1, 
2018 using the modified retrospective method. 

The two areas of impact of these ASUs are network installation service revenue performance obligations and contract costs. 
The output method will be used to measure network installation services progress. The primary impact will be the timing of 
revenue recognition for certain performance obligations related to service revenue arrangements that are currently deferred 
until customer acceptance.  

In connection with the adoption of the new revenue standard, effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 340-40, Other Assets 
and Deferred Costs - Contracts with Customers, with respect to capitalization and amortization of incremental costs of obtain-
ing a contract. As a result, certain costs of obtaining a contract will need to be capitalized, including sales commissions, as the 
guidance requires the capitalization of all incremental costs incurred to obtain a contract with a customer that it would not have 
incurred if the contract had not been obtained, provided the costs are recoverable. The primary impact will be capitalization of 
certain sales commissions for our extended maintenance and support contracts in excess of one year and costs associated with 
our capital lease arrangements that are billed monthly, and amortization of those costs over the period that the related revenue 
is recognized.

We will recognize the cumulative adjustment for network installation service revenue performance obligations and contract 
costs to retained earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2018. We do not believe the cumulative adjustment will 
have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements during 2018.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 
requires an entity to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and to disclose key information about the 
entity’s leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods 
within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective approach is required. We anticipate the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have 
a material impact on our financial position; however, we do not believe adoption will have a material impact on our results of 
operations. We believe the most significant impact relates to our accounting for operating leases for office space and equipment.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): 
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (ASU 2017-04). ASU 2017-04 simplifies the measurement of goodwill by elimi-
nating step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Under ASU 2017-04, entities will be required to compare the fair value of a report-
ing unit to its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the 
reporting unit’s fair value. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual or interim impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning 
after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual or interim impairment tests performed on testing dates after 
January 1, 2017. The amendments should be applied prospectively. We are currently evaluating whether to early adopt ASU 

Financial Results  29

2017-04, but we do not expect it will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): 
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (ASU 2017-07). ASU 
2017-07 amends ASC 715, Compensation — Retirement Benefits, to require employers that present a measure of operating 
income in their statements of earnings to include only the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic 
postretirement benefit cost in operating expenses (together with other employee compensation costs). The other components 
of net benefit cost, including amortization of prior service cost/credit, and settlement and curtailment effects, are to be included 
in non-operating expenses. ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning 
after December 15, 2017. We adopted ASU 2017-07 on January 1, 2018 and we do not expect ASU 2017-07 will have a material 
impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Im-
provements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (ASU 2017-12). ASU 2017-12 expands and refines hedge accounting for both 
financial and non-financial risk components, aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments and 
hedge items in the financial statements, and includes certain targeted improvements to ease the application of current guidance 
related to the assessment of hedge effectiveness. ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal 
years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact ASU 2017-12 
will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

During 2017, we adopted the following accounting standards, which had no material effect on our financial position, results of 
operations or cash flows:

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement 
of Inventory (ASU 2015-11). Currently, Topic 330, Inventory, requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost or mar-
ket. Market could be replacement cost, net realizable value, or net realizable value less an approximately normal profit margin. 
ASU 2015-11 does not apply to inventory that is measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. The 
amendments apply to all other inventory, which includes inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average 
cost. ASU 2015-11 requires an entity to measure in scope inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable 
value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, 
and transportation. ASU 2015-11 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim 
periods within that reporting period. The amendments should be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of 
the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. We adopted ASU 2015-11 in the first quarter of 2017, and there was no 
material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In January 2017, we adopted ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee 
Share-Based Payment Accounting. As a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2017, we began recognizing all excess tax benefits 
and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit as a discrete event. The treatment of forfeitures has changed as we have 
elected to discontinue our past practice of estimating forfeitures and now account for forfeitures as they occur. As a result, we 
recorded an increase in additional paid in capital of $0.1 million, a charge to beginning retained earnings of $0.1 million, and 
an increase in the deferred tax assets related to non-qualified stock options and RSUs of $10 thousand. In addition, cash flows 
related to excess tax benefits will no longer be separately classified as a financing activity apart from other income tax cash flows 
within operating activities. We elected to retrospectively apply the changes in presentation to the statements of cash flows and no 
longer classify excess tax benefits as a financing activity, which had an immaterial impact on our cash flows for the years ended 
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. There was no material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows 
as a result of these changes. 

Subsequent Events
On January 16, 2018, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per common share to be paid to shareholders of 
record at the close of business on January 31, 2018. The quarterly dividend payment was $4.4 million and was paid on February 
14, 2018. In July 2003, our Board of Directors elected to begin declaring quarterly dividends on our common stock considering 
the tax treatment of dividends and adequate levels of Company liquidity.

During the first quarter and as of February 23, 2018, we have repurchased 0.6 million shares of our common stock through open 
market purchases at an average cost of $16.18 per share. We currently have the authority to purchase an additional 2.9 million 
shares of our common stock under the current plan approved by the Board of Directors.

In January 2018, we announced an early retirement incentive program for employees that met certain requirements. The esti-
mated liability associated with this program ranges from $3.6 to $14.3 million.

30  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures  
About Market Risk

We are exposed to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates, foreign currency rates and prices of marketable eq-
uity and fixed-income securities. The primary objective of the large majority of our investment activities is to preserve principal 
while at the same time achieving appropriate yields without significantly increasing risk. To achieve this objective, a majority 
of our marketable securities are investment grade, fixed-rate bonds and municipal money market instruments denominated 
in U.S. dollars. Our investment policy provides limitations for issuer concentration, which limits, at the time of purchase, the 
concentration in any one issuer to 5% of the market value of our total investment portfolio.

We maintain depository investments with certain financial institutions. Although these depository investments may exceed 
government insured depository limits, we have evaluated the credit worthiness of these financial institutions, and determined 
the risk of material financial loss due to exposure of such credit risk to be minimal. As of December 31, 2017, $83.7 million of 
our cash and cash equivalents, primarily certain domestic money market funds and foreign depository accounts, were in excess 
of government provided insured depository limits.

As of December 31, 2017, approximately $83.5 million of our cash and investments may be directly affected by changes in inter-
est rates. We have performed a hypothetical sensitivity analysis assuming market interest rates increase or decrease by 50 basis 
points (bps) for an entire year, while all other variables remain constant. At December 31, 2017, we held $34.2 million of cash and 
variable-rate investments where a change in interest rates would impact our interest income. A hypothetical 50 bps decline in 
interest rates as of December 31, 2017 would reduce annualized interest income on our cash and investments by approximately 
$0.2 million. In addition, we held $49.2 million of fixed-rate bonds whose fair values may be directly affected by a change in 
interest rates. A hypothetical 50 bps increase in interest rates as of December 31, 2017 would reduce the fair value of our fixed-
rate bonds by approximately $0.3 million.

As of December 31, 2016, interest income on approximately $166.7 million of our cash and investments was subject to being 
directly affected by changes in interest rates. We performed a hypothetical sensitivity analysis assuming market interest rates in-
crease or decrease by 50 bps for an entire year, while all other variables remain constant. A hypothetical 50 bps decline in interest 
rates as of December 31, 2016 would have reduced annualized interest income on our cash, money market instruments, floating 
rate corporate bonds and municipal variable rate demand notes by approximately $0.3 million. In addition, a hypothetical 50 
bps increase in interest rates as of December 31, 2016 would have reduced the fair value of our municipal and corporate bonds 
by approximately $0.6 million.

We are exposed to changes in foreign currency exchange rates to the extent that such changes affect our revenue and gross mar-
gin on revenue derived from some international customers, expenses, and assets and liabilities held in non-functional currencies 
related to our foreign subsidiaries. Our primary exposures to foreign currency exchange rate movements are with our German 
subsidiary, whose functional currency is the Euro, our Australian subsidiary, whose functional currency is the Australian dol-
lar, and our Mexican subsidiary, whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar. We are exposed to changes in foreign currency 
exchange rates to the extent of our German subsidiary’s use of contract manufacturers and raw material suppliers whom we 
predominantly pay in U.S. dollars. As a result, changes in currency exchange rates could cause variations in gross margin in the 
products that we sell in the EMEA region.

We have certain international customers who are invoiced or pay in a non-functional currency. Changes in the monetary ex-
change rates used to invoice such customers versus the functional currency of the entity billing such customers may adversely 
affect our results of operations and financial condition. To manage the volatility relating to these typical business exposures, we 
may enter into various derivative transactions, when appropriate. We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading or 
other speculative purposes. All non-functional currencies billed would result in a combined hypothetical gain or loss of $0.1 
million if the U.S. dollar weakened or strengthened 10% against the billing currencies. Any gain or loss would be partially miti-
gated by these derivative instruments.

As of December 31, 2017, we had no material contracts subject to currency revaluation, other than accounts receivable and ac-
counts payable denominated in foreign currencies. As of December 31, 2017, we had no forward contracts outstanding.

For further information about the fair value of our available-for-sale investments and our derivative and hedging activities as of 
December 31, 2017, see Notes 4 and 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financial Results  31

Report of Independent Registered Public  
Accounting Firm

To Board of Directors and Stockholders of ADTRAN, Inc.: 

Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of ADTRAN, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2017 
and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash 
flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, including the related notes listed in the accompanying 
index (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control 
over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) 
issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial posi-
tion of the Company as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three 
years in the period ended December 31, 2017 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States 
of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by 
the COSO.

Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control 
over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the 
accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions 
on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on 
our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
(“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws 
and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform 
the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, 
whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material 
respects. 

Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstate-
ment of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those 
risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated 
financial  statements.  Our  audits  also  included  evaluating  the  accounting  principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by 
management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control 
over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that 
a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the 
assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We 
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

32  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reli-
ability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally ac-
cepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that 
(i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions 
of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation 
of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the 
company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide 
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s 
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, pro-
jections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Birmingham, Alabama
February 23, 2018

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1986.

Financial Results  33

 
Financial Statements
ADTRAN, INC.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
December 31, 2017 and 2016
(In thousands, except per share amounts)

Assets

Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Short-term investments

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $—  
  at December 31, 2017 and 2016

Other receivables

Inventory, net

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

Total Current Assets

Property, plant and equipment, net

Deferred tax assets, net

Goodwill

Other assets

Long-term investments

Total Assets

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity 

Current Liabilities

Accounts payable

Unearned revenue

Accrued expenses

Accrued wages and benefits

Income tax payable

Total Current Liabilities

Non-current unearned revenue

Other non-current liabilities

Bonds payable

Total Liabilities

2017

2016

$86,433

16,129

144,150

26,578

122,542

17,282

413,114

85,079

23,428

3,492

13,725

130,256

$669,094

$60,632

13,070

13,232

15,948

3,936

106,818

4,556

34,209

25,600

171,183

$79,895

43,188

92,346

15,897

105,117

16,459

352,902

84,469

38,036

3,492

12,234

176,102

$667,235

$77,342

16,326

12,434

20,433

—

126,535

6,333

28,050

26,800

187,718

Commitments and contingencies (see Note 14)

Stockholders' Equity

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 200,000 shares authorized;
  79,652 shares issued and 48,485 shares outstanding at December 31, 2017  
  and 79,652 shares issued and 48,472 shares outstanding at December 31, 2016

Additional paid-in capital

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Retained earnings

Less treasury stock at cost: 31,167 and 31,180 shares at December 31, 2017 and     
  2016, respectively

Total Stockholders' Equity

Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

797

260,515

(3,295)

922,178

797

252,957

(12,188)

921,942

(682,284)

(683,991)

497,911

$669,094

479,517

$667,235

34  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
   
   
   
   
ADTRAN, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Income 
Years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

2017

2016

2015

Sales

Products

Services

Total Sales

Cost of Sales

Products

Services

Total Cost of Sales

Gross Profit

Selling, general and administrative expenses

Research and development expenses

Operating Income

Interest and dividend income

Interest expense

Net realized investment gain

Other expense, net

Gain on bargain purchase of a business

Income before provision for income taxes

Provision for income taxes

Net Income

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic

Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted

Earnings per common share—basic

Earnings per common share—diluted

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

$540,396

126,504

666,900

$525,502

111,279

636,781

$527,422

72,642

600,064

279,541

83,699

363,240

303,660

135,489

130,434

37,737

4,380

(556)

4,685

(1,559)

—

44,687

(20,847)

$23,840

48,153

48,699

$0.50

$0.49

270,695

74,742

345,437

291,344

131,805

124,804

34,735

3,918

(572)

5,923

(651)

3,542

46,895

(11,666)

$35,229

48,724

48,949

$0.72

$0.72

293,843

39,324

333,167

266,897

123,542

129,876

13,479

3,953

(596)

10,337

(1,465)

—

25,708

(7,062)

$18,646

51,145

51,267

$0.36

$0.36

Financial Results  35

 
 
 
ADTRAN, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income 
Years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

(In thousands)

Net Income

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax:

Net unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

Defined benefit plan adjustments

Foreign currency translation

Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax

Comprehensive Income, net of tax

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

2017

$23,840

2,163

731

5,999

8,893

2016

$35,229

(1,528)

(1,122)

(569)

(3,219)

$32,733

$32,010

2015

$18,646

(7,032)

1,862

(3,724)

(8,894)

$9,752

36  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

 
 
 
ADTRAN, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity 
Years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

Common
Shares

Common
Stock

Additional
Paid-In
Capital

Retained 
Earnings

Treasury
Stock

Accumulated 
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Total
Stockholders’
Equity

79,652

$797

$241,829

$907,751

$(601,289)

$(75)

$549,013

 (In thousands)
Balance, December 31, 2014

Net income

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Dividend payments

Dividends accrued for unvested  
  restricted stock units

Stock options exercised: 60 shares

PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock 
vested: 34 shares

Purchase of treasury stock:  
  3,967  shares

Income tax effect of stock  
  compensation arrangements

Stock-based compensation expense

(8,894)

18,646

(18,449)

(7)

(402)

(767)

1,363

767

(66,160)

(69)

(1,593)

6,712

Balance, December 31, 2015

79,652

797

246,879

906,772

(665,319)

(8,969)

Net income

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax

Dividend payments

Dividends accrued for unvested  
  restricted stock units

Stock options exercised: 283 shares

PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock 
vested: 42 shares

Purchase of treasury stock:  
  1,411 shares

Income tax effect of stock  
  compensation arrangements

Stock-based compensation expense

(3,219)

35,229

(17,583)

(48)

(1,499)

6,216

(142)

(929)

929

(25,817)

(475)

6,695

Balance, December 31, 2016

79,652

797

252,957

921,942

(683,991)

(12,188)

Net income

Other comprehensive income, net of tax 

Dividend payments

Dividends accrued for unvested  
  restricted stock units

Stock options exercised: 742 shares

PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock 
vested: 154 shares

Purchase of treasury stock:  
  856 shares

Stock-based compensation expense

ASU 2016-09 adoption (see Note 1)

8,893

23,840

(17,368)

(37)

(2,827)

16,239

(3,257)

2,816

(17,348)

7,433

125

(115)

18,646

(8,894)

(18,449)

(7)

961

(69)

(66,160)

(1,593)

6,712

480,160

35,229

(3,219)

(17,583)

(48)

4,717

(142)

(25,817)

(475)

6,695

479,517

23,840

8,893

(17,368)

(37)

13,412

(441)

(17,348)

7,433

10

Balance, December 31, 2017

79,652

$797

$260,515

$922,178

$(682,284)

$(3,295)

$497,911

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

Financial Results  37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ADTRAN, INC.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows 
Years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015

 (In thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

Depreciation and amortization

Amortization of net premium on available-for-sale investments

Net realized gain on long-term investments

Net (gain) loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment

Gain on bargain purchase of a business

Stock-based compensation expense

Deferred income taxes

Tax impact of stock option exercises

Change in operating assets and liabilities:

Accounts receivable, net

Other receivables

Inventory

Prepaid expenses and other assets

Accounts payable

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

Income taxes payable

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchases of property, plant and equipment

Proceeds from disposals of property, plant and equipment

2017

2016

2015

$23,840

$35,229

$18,646

15,692

425

(4,685)

(145)

—

7,433

14,073

—

(49,103)

(10,222)

(15,518)

(4,830)

(17,742)

(5,455)

3,858

(42,379)

14,407

643

(5,923)

22

(3,542)

6,695

(2,685)

—

(21,302)

4,101

(10,887)

(7,108)

26,722

8,792

(3,162)

42,002

14,245

2,402

(10,337)

644

—

6,712

(692)

(40)

14,918

11,704

(6,877)

(5,070)

(5,826)

(10,289)

(11,590)

18,550

(14,720)

(21,441)

(11,753)

151

—

183

Proceeds from sales and maturities of available-for-sale investments

173,752

225,075

280,435

Purchases of available-for-sale investments

(93,141)

(209,172)

(188,921)

Acquisition of business

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

Cash flows from financing activities

Proceeds from stock option exercises

Purchases of treasury stock

Dividend payments

Payments on long-term debt

Net cash used in financing activities

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

Effect of exchange rate changes

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information

Cash paid during the year for interest

Cash paid during the year for income taxes

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities

—

66,042

13,412

(17,348)

(17,368)

(1,100)

(22,404)

1,259

5,279

79,895

$86,433

(943)

(6,481)

—

79,944

4,717

(25,817)

(17,583)

(1,100)

(39,783)

(4,262)

(393)

84,550

$79,895

961

(66,160)

(18,449)

(1,100)

(84,748)

13,746

(2,635)

73,439

$84,550

$555

$2,988

$575

$598

$18,689

$20,139

Purchases of property, plant and equipment included in accounts payable

$408

$2,103

$598

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

38  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
1  Nature of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
ADTRAN, Inc. (ADTRAN) is a leading global provider of networking and communications equipment. Our solutions enable 
voice, data, video and Internet communications across a variety of network infrastructures. These solutions are deployed by 
many of the United States’ and the world’s largest communications service providers (CSPs), distributed enterprises and small 
and medium-sized businesses, public and private enterprises, and millions of individual users worldwide.

Principles of Consolidation
Our consolidated financial statements include ADTRAN and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company accounts and 
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of 
America 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 revenue and ex-
pense during the reporting period. Our more significant estimates include the obsolete and excess inventory reserves, warranty 
reserves, customer rebates, determination of the deferred revenue components of multiple element sales agreements, estimated 
costs to complete obligations associated with deferred revenues and network installations, estimated income tax provision and 
income tax contingencies, the fair value of stock-based compensation, impairment of goodwill, valuation and estimated lives of 
intangible assets, estimated pension liability, fair value of investments, and the evaluation of other-than-temporary declines in 
the value of investments. Actual amounts could differ significantly from these estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents represent demand deposits, money market funds, and short-term investments classified as available-
for-sale with original maturities of three months or less. We maintain depository investments with certain financial institutions. 
Although these depository investments may exceed government insured depository limits, we have evaluated the credit worthi-
ness of these applicable financial institutions, and determined the risk of material financial loss due to the exposure of such credit 
risk to be minimal. As of December 31, 2017, $83.7 million of our cash and cash equivalents, primarily certain domestic money 
market funds and foreign depository accounts, were in excess of government provided insured depository limits.

Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated balance sheets for cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and ac-
counts payable approximate fair value due to the immediate or short-term maturity of these financial instruments. The carrying 
amount reported for bonds payable was $26.7 million, compared to an estimated fair value of $26.7 million, based on a debt 
security with a comparable interest rate and maturity and a Standard & Poor’s credit rating of AAA.

Investments with contractual maturities beyond one year, such as our variable rate demand notes, may be classified as short-
term based on their highly liquid nature and because such marketable securities represent the investment of cash that is avail-
able for current operations. Despite the long-term nature of their stated contractual maturities, we routinely buy and sell these 
securities and we believe we have the ability to quickly sell them to the remarketing agent, tender agent, or issuer at par value 
plus accrued interest in the event we decide to liquidate our investment in a particular variable rate demand note. All income 
generated from these investments was recorded as interest income. We have not been required to record any losses relating to 
variable rate demand notes.

Financial Results  39

Long-term investments represent a restricted certificate of deposit held at cost, deferred compensation plan assets, corporate 
bonds, municipal fixed-rate bonds, asset-backed bonds, mortgage/agency backed bonds, U.S. and foreign government bonds, 
variable rate demand notes, marketable equity securities, and other equity investments. Marketable equity securities are report-
ed at fair value as determined by the most recently traded price of the securities at the balance sheet date, although the securities 
may not be readily marketable due to the size of the available market. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are reported as a 
separate component of stockholders’ equity. Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are computed under the specific iden-
tification method and are included in current income. We review our investment portfolio quarterly for investments considered 
to have sustained an other-than-temporary decline in value. Impairment charges for other-than-temporary declines in value are 
recorded as realized losses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. All of our investments at December 31, 2017 
and 2016 are classified as available-for-sale securities. See Note 4 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional 
information.

Accounts Receivable
We record accounts receivable at net realizable value. Prior to establishing payment terms for a new customer, we evaluate the 
credit risk of the customer. Credit limits and payment terms established for new customers are re-evaluated periodically based 
on customer collection experience and other financial factors. At December 31, 2017, single customers comprising more than 
10% of our total accounts receivable balance included two customers, which accounted for 63.8% of our total accounts receiv-
able. At December 31, 2016, single customers comprising more than 10% of our total accounts receivable balance included three 
customers, which accounted for 63.3% of our total accounts receivable.

We regularly review the need to maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts and consider factors such as the age of accounts 
receivable balances, the current economic conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay, significant one-time events and 
our historical experience. If the financial condition of a customer deteriorates, resulting in an impairment of their ability to make 
payments, we may be required to record an allowance for doubtful accounts. If circumstances change with regard to individual 
receivable balances that have previously been determined to be uncollectible (and for which a specific reserve has been estab-
lished), a reduction in our allowance for doubtful accounts may be required. We did not have an allowance for doubtful accounts 
at December 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016.

Other Receivables
Other receivables are comprised primarily of lease receivables, amounts due from subcontract manufacturers for product com-
ponent transfers, unbilled receivables, amounts due from various jurisdictions for value-added tax, income tax receivable, ac-
crued interest on investments and on a restricted certificate of deposit, and amounts due from employee stock option exercises.

Inventory
Inventory is carried at the lower of cost and net realizable value, with cost being determined using the first-in, first-out method. 
Standard costs for material, labor and manufacturing overhead are used to value inventory. Standard costs are updated at least 
quarterly; therefore, inventory costs approximate actual costs at the end of each reporting period. We establish reserves for es-
timated excess, obsolete or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of the inventory and the estimated 
fair value of the inventory based upon assumptions about future demand, market conditions and age. When we dispose of excess 
and obsolete inventories, the related disposals are charged against the inventory reserve. See Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated 
Financial Statements for additional information.

Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment, which is stated at cost, is depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful 
lives of the assets. We depreciate building and land improvements from five to 39 years, office machinery and equipment from 
three to seven years, engineering machinery and equipment from three to seven years, and computer software from three to five 
years. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Betterments that materially prolong the 
lives of the assets are capitalized. Gains and losses on the disposal of property, plant and equipment are recorded in operating 
income. See Note 7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.

40  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Liability for Warranty
Our products generally include warranties of 90 days to five years for product defects. We accrue for warranty returns at the time 
revenue is recognized based on our historical return rate and estimate of the cost to repair or replace the defective products. We 
engage in extensive product quality programs and processes, including actively monitoring and evaluating the quality of our 
component suppliers. Our products continue to become more complex in both size and functionality as many of our product 
offerings migrate from line card applications to total systems. The increasing complexity of our products will cause warranty 
incidences, when they arise, to be more costly. Our estimates regarding future warranty obligations may change due to product 
failure rates, material usage, and other rework costs incurred in correcting a product failure. In addition, from time to time, 
specific warranty accruals may be recorded if unforeseen problems arise. Should our actual experience relative to these factors 
be worse than our estimates, we will be required to record additional warranty expense. Alternatively, if we provide for more 
reserves than we require, we will reverse a portion of such provisions in future periods. During 2017, we recorded a reduction in 
warranty expense related to a settlement with a third party supplier for a defective component, the impact of which is reflected 
in the following table. The liability for warranty obligations totaled $9.7 million and $8.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, 
respectively. These liabilities are included in accrued expenses in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

A summary of warranty expense and write-off activity for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

(In thousands)

Year Ended December 31,

Balance at beginning of period

Plus: Amounts charged to cost and expenses

Less: Deductions

Balance at end of period

2017

$8,548

6,951

(5,775)

$9,724

2016

$8,739

8,561

(8,752)

$8,548

2015

$8,415

2,998

(2,674)

$8,739

Pension Benefit Plan Obligations
We maintain a defined benefit pension plan covering employees in certain foreign countries. Pension benefit plan obligations 
are based on various assumptions used by our actuaries in calculating these amounts. These assumptions include discount rates, 
compensation rate increases, expected return on plan assets, retirement rates and mortality rates. Actual results that differ from 
the assumptions and changes in assumptions could affect future expenses and obligations.

Stock-Based Compensation
We have two Board and stockholder approved stock incentive plans from which stock options, performance stock units (PSUs), 
restricted stock units (RSUs) and restricted stock are available for grant to employees and directors. All employee and director 
stock options granted under our stock option plans have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the award, as defined 
in the plan, of the underlying common stock on the grant date. All of our outstanding stock option awards are classified as equity 
awards.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized in 2017, 2016 and 2015 was approximately $7.4 million, $6.7 million and $6.7 
million, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, total compensation cost related to non-vested stock options, market-based PSUs, 
RSUs and restricted stock not yet recognized was approximately $17.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over an 
average remaining recognition period of 2.9 years. In addition, there was $11.4 million of unrecognized compensation ex-
pense related to unvested performance-based PSUs, which will be recognized over the requisite service period of three years as 
achievement of the performance obligation becomes probable. See Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for 
additional information.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
We review long-lived assets used in operations for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the 
carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable and the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by the asset are 
less than the asset’s carrying value. An impairment loss would be recognized in the amount by which the recorded value of the 
asset exceeds the fair value of the asset, measured by the quoted market price of an asset or an estimate based on the best infor-
mation available in the circumstances. There were no impairment losses recognized during 2017, 2016 or 2015.

Financial Results  41

Goodwill and Purchased Intangible Assets
We evaluate the carrying value of goodwill during the fourth quarter of each year and between annual evaluations if events 
occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying 
amount. We have elected to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value 
of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is 
necessary to perform the two-step impairment test. If we determine that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than 
its carrying amount, then the two-step impairment test will be performed. Based on the results of our qualitative assessment in 
2017, we concluded that it was not necessary to perform the two-step impairment test. There have been no impairment losses 
recognized since the goodwill was acquired in an acquisition in 2011. Purchased intangible assets with finite lives are carried at 
cost, less accumulated amortization. Amortization is recorded over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets, which is 9 
months to 14 years.

Research and Development Costs
Research and development costs include compensation for engineers and support personnel, outside contracted services, de-
preciation and material costs associated with new product development, the enhancement of current products, and product 
cost reductions. We continually evaluate new product opportunities and engage in intensive research and product development 
efforts. Research and development costs totaled $130.4 million, $124.8 million and $129.9 million for the years ended December 
31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Other Comprehensive Income
Other comprehensive income consists of unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities; unrealized gains (losses) on 
cash flow hedges; reclassification adjustments for amounts included in net income related to impairments of available-for-sale 
securities, realized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, realized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, and amortization 
of actuarial gains (losses) related to our defined benefit plan; defined benefit plan adjustments; and foreign currency translation 
adjustments.

The following table presents changes in accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax, by component for the years ended 
December 31, 2015, 2016 and 2017:

Unrealized Gains
(Losses) on
Available-for-Sale
Securities

Unrealized 
Gains (Losses) 
on Cash Flow 
Hedges

Defined
Benefit Plan
Adjustments 

Foreign
Currency
Adjustments

$8,964

(844)

(6,188)

1,932

1,515

(3,043)

404

5,020

(2,857)

$2,567

Total

$(75)

$—

$(5,757)

$(3,282)

—

—

—

—

—

—

(619)

619

$—

1,589

273

(3,895)

(1,229)

(3,724)

(2,979)

—

(5,915)

(7,006)

(8,969)

(569)

(283)

107

—

(2,936)

(5,017)

(7,575)

(12,188)

451

280

5,999

10,851

—

(1,958)

$(4,286)

$(1,576)

$(3,295)

(In thousands)
Balance at December 31, 2014

Other comprehensive income (loss)  
  before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from accumulated 
  other comprehensive income

Balance at December 31, 2015

Other comprehensive income (loss)  
  before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from accumulated  
  other comprehensive income

Balance at December 31, 2016

Other comprehensive income (loss)  
  before reclassifications

Amounts reclassified from accumulated  
  other comprehensive income

Balance at December 31, 2017

42  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

The following tables present the details of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income for the years ended 
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

(In thousands)

2017

Details about Accumulated Other  
Comprehensive Income Components

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:

Net realized gain on sales of securities

Impairment expense

Net losses on derivatives designated as  
  hedging instruments

Defined benefit plan adjustments – actuarial losses

Total reclassifications for the period, before tax

Tax (expense) benefit

Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax

Amount Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income

Affected Line Item in the
Statement Where Net Income
Is Presented

$4,864 Net realized investment gain

(180) Net realized investment gain

(897) Cost of sales

(406)

(1)

3,381

(1,423)

$1,958

(1)  Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(In thousands)

2016

Details about Accumulated Other  
Comprehensive Income Components

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:

Net realized gain on sales of securities

Impairment expense

Defined benefit plan adjustments – actuarial losses

Total reclassifications for the period, before tax

Tax (expense) benefit

Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax

Amount Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income

Affected Line Item in the
Statement Where Net Income
Is Presented

$5,408 Net realized investment gain

(419) Net realized investment gain

(156)

(1)

4,833

(1,897)

$2,936

(1)  Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

(In thousands)

2015

Details about Accumulated Other  
Comprehensive Income Components

Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities:

Net realized gain on sales of securities

Impairment expense

Defined benefit plan adjustments – actuarial losses

Total reclassifications for the period, before tax

Tax (expense) benefit

Total reclassifications for the period, net of tax

Amount Reclassified from
Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income

Affected Line Item in the
Statement Where Net Income
Is Presented

$10,348 Net realized investment gain

(203) Net realized investment gain

(396)

(1)

9,749

(3,834)

$5,915

(1)  Included in the computation of net periodic pension cost. See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Financial Results  43

The following tables present the tax effects related to the change in each component of other comprehensive income for the years 
ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

(In thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

Reclassification adjustment for amounts related to  
  available-for-sale investments included in net income

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges

Reclassification adjustment for amounts related to cash  
  flow hedges included in net income

Defined benefit plan adjustments

Reclassification adjustment for amounts related to  
  defined benefit plan adjustments included in net income

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(In thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

Reclassification adjustment for amounts related to   
  available-for-sale investments included in net income

Defined benefit plan adjustments

Reclassification adjustment for amounts related to  
  defined benefit plan adjustments included in net income

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(In thousands)
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities

Reclassification adjustment for amounts related to   
  available-for-sale investments included in net income

Defined benefit plan adjustments

Reclassification adjustment for amounts related to  
  defined benefit plan adjustments included in net income

Foreign currency translation adjustment

Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Before-Tax 
Amount

$8,230

(4,684)

(897)

897

654

406

5,999

$10,605

2017

Tax (Expense) 
Benefit 

$(3,210)

1,827

278

(278)

(203)

(126)

—

$(1,712)

Before-Tax 
Amount

2016

Tax (Expense) 
Benefit 

$2,484

(4,989)

(1,782)

156

(569)

$(4,700)

Before-Tax 
Amount

$(1,384)

(10,145)

2,303

396

(3,724)

$(12,554)

$(969)

1,946

553

(49)

—

$1,481

2015

Tax (Expense) 
Benefit 

$540

3,957

(714)

(123)

—

$3,660

Net-of-Tax 
Amount

$5,020

(2,857)

(619)

619

451

280

5,999

$8,893

Net-of-Tax 
Amount

$1,515

(3,043)

(1,229)

107

(569)

$(3,219)

Net-of-Tax 
Amount

$(844)

(6,188)

1,589

273

(3,724)

$(8,894)

44  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes has been determined using the asset and liability approach of accounting for income taxes. Un-
der this approach, deferred taxes represent the future tax consequences expected to occur when the reported amounts of assets 
and liabilities are recovered or paid. The provision for income taxes represents income taxes paid or payable for the current year 
plus the change in deferred taxes during the year. Deferred taxes result from the difference between financial and tax bases of our 
assets and liabilities and are adjusted for changes in tax rates and tax laws when such changes are enacted. Valuation allowances 
are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized.

We establish reserves to remove some or all of the tax benefit of any of our tax positions at the time we determine that the 
positions become uncertain. We adjust these reserves, including any impact on the related interest and penalties, as facts and 
circumstances change.

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Act) was signed into law. As a result of the Act, we have recognized an 
estimated expense of $11.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, of which $9.2 million related to the write-down of deferred tax 
assets and $2.7 million related to tax on unrepatriated foreign earnings. We have calculated our best estimate of the impact of the 
Act in our year-end income tax provision, in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which 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 
to finalize the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. Additional work is necessary to do a more detailed analysis 
of historical foreign earnings, as well as the full impact relating to the write-down of deferred tax assets. Any subsequent adjust-
ments to these amounts will be recorded as income tax expense in the quarter the analysis is complete.

Foreign Currency
We record transactions denominated in foreign currencies on a monthly basis using exchange rates from throughout the year. 
Assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are remeasured at the balance sheet dates using the closing rates of 
exchange between those foreign currencies and the functional currency with any transaction gains or losses reported in other 
income  (expense).  Our  primary  exposures  to  foreign  currency  exchange  rate  movements  are  with  our  German  subsidiary, 
whose functional currency is the Euro, our Australian subsidiary, whose functional currency is the Australian dollar, and our 
Mexican subsidiary, whose functional currency is the U.S. dollar. Adjustments resulting from translating financial statements of 
international subsidiaries are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Revenue Recognition
Revenue is generally recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the product price 
is fixed or determinable, collection of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured, and product returns are reasonably esti-
mable. For product sales, revenue is generally recognized upon shipment of the product to our customer in accordance with the 
title transfer terms of the sales agreement, generally Ex Works, per International Commercial Terms. In the case of consigned 
inventory, revenue is recognized when the end customer assumes ownership of the product. Contracts that contain multiple 
deliverables are evaluated to determine the units of accounting, and the consideration from the arrangement is allocated to each 
unit of accounting based on the relative selling price and corresponding terms of the contract. When this is not available, we are 
generally not able to determine third-party evidence of selling price because of the extent of customization among competing 
products or services from other companies. In these instances, we use best estimates to allocate consideration to each respective 
unit of accounting. These estimates include analysis of respective bills of material and review and analysis of similar product and 
service offerings. We record revenue associated with installation services when respective contractual obligations are complete. 
In instances where customer acceptance is required, revenue is deferred until respective acceptance criteria have been met. Con-
tracts that include both installation services and product sales are evaluated for revenue recognition in accordance with contract 
terms. As a result, installation services may be considered a separate deliverable or may be considered a combined single unit of 
accounting with the delivered product. Generally, either the purchaser, ADTRAN, or a third party can perform the installation 
of our products. Shipping fees are recorded as revenue and the related cost is included in cost of sales. Sales taxes invoiced to 
customers are included in revenues, and represent less than one percent of total revenues. The corresponding sales taxes paid are 
included in cost of goods sold. Value added taxes collected from customers in international jurisdictions are recorded in accrued 
expenses as a liability. Revenue is recorded net of discounts. Sales returns are recorded as a reduction of revenue and accrued 
based on historical sales return experience, which we believe provides a reasonable estimate of future returns.

Financial Results  45

A portion of our products are sold to a non-exclusive distribution network of major technology distributors in the United States. 
These large organizations then distribute or provide fulfillment services to an extensive network of VARs and SIs. VARs and SIs 
may be affiliated with us as a channel partner, or they may purchase from the distributor in an unaffiliated fashion. Additionally, 
with certain limitations our distributors may return unused and unopened product for stock-balancing purposes when such 
returns are accompanied by offsetting orders for products of equal or greater value.

We participate in cooperative advertising and market development programs with certain customers. We use these programs to 
reimburse customers for certain forms of advertising, and in general, to allow our customers credits up to a specified percent-
age of their net purchases. Our costs associated with these programs are estimated and included in marketing expenses in our 
consolidated statements of income. We also participate in rebate programs to provide sales incentives for certain products. Our 
costs associated with these programs are estimated and accrued at the time of sale, and are recorded as a reduction of sales in 
our consolidated statements of income.

Unearned Revenue
Unearned revenue primarily represents customer billings on our maintenance service programs and leases and unearned rev-
enues relating to multiple element contracts where we still have contractual obligations to our customers. We currently offer 
maintenance contracts ranging from one to five years. Revenue attributable to maintenance contracts is recognized on a straight-
line basis over the related contract term. In addition, we provide software maintenance and a variety of hardware maintenance 
services to customers under contracts with terms up to ten years. When we defer revenue related to multiple-element contracts 
where we still have contractual obligations, we also defer the related costs. Current deferred costs are included in prepaid ex-
penses and other assets and totaled $11.4 million and $10.7 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Non-current 
deferred costs are included in other assets and totaled $2.8 million and $0.9 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Other Income (Expense), Net
Other income (expense), net, is comprised primarily of miscellaneous income and expense, gains and losses on foreign cur-
rency transactions, gains and losses on foreign exchange forward contracts, investment account management fees, and scrap 
raw material sales. 

Earnings per Share
Earnings per common share, and earnings per common share assuming dilution, are based on the weighted average number of 
common shares and, when dilutive, common equivalent shares outstanding during the year. See Note 15 of Notes to Consoli-
dated Financial Statements for additional information.

46  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Dividends
During 2017, 2016 and 2015, we paid shareholder dividends totaling $17.4 million, $17.6 million and $18.4 million, respectively. 
The Board of Directors presently anticipates that it will declare a regular quarterly dividend so long as the present tax treatment 
of dividends exists and adequate levels of liquidity are maintained. The following table shows dividends paid to our shareholders 
in each quarter of 2017, 2016 and 2015.

Dividends per Common Share
2017

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

2016

2015

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

First Quarter

Second Quarter

Third Quarter

Fourth Quarter

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

$0.09

On January 16, 2018, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per common share to be paid to share-
holders of record at the close of business on January 31, 2018. The ex-dividend date was January 30, 2018 and the payment date 
was February 14, 2018. The quarterly dividend payment was $4.4 million.

Business Combinations
We use the acquisition method to account for business combinations. Under the acquisition method of accounting, we recog-
nize the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their fair value on the acquisition date. Goodwill is measured as the excess of 
the consideration transferred over the net assets acquired. Costs incurred to complete the business combination, such as legal, 
accounting or other professional fees, are charged to general and administrative expenses as they are incurred.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue 
from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) (ASU 2014-09), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Topic 
605, Revenue Recognition, including most industry-specific revenue recognition guidance throughout the Industry Topics of 
the Codification. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is to recognize revenues when promised goods or services are transferred 
to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration that is expected to be received for those goods or services. In August 
2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, which deferred the effective date of ASU 2014-09 to fiscal years beginning after December 
31, 2017, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted for reporting periods beginning after De-
cember 15, 2016. Subsequently, the FASB issued ASUs in 2016 containing implementation guidance related to ASU 2014-09, in-
cluding: ASU 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting 
Revenue Gross versus Net), which is intended to improve the operability and understandability of the implementation guidance 
on principal versus agent considerations; ASU 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Per-
formance Obligations and Licensing, which is intended to clarify two aspects of Topic 606: identifying performance obligations 
and the licensing implementation guidance; ASU 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope 
Improvements and Practical Expedients, which contains certain provisions and practical expedients in response to identified 
implementation issues; and ASU 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with 
Customers, which is intended to clarify the Codification or to correct unintended application of guidance. ASU 2014-09 allows 
for either full retrospective or modified retrospective adoption. We adopted ASU 2014-09 and the related ASUs on January 1, 
2018 using the modified retrospective method. 

The two areas of impact of these ASUs are network installation service revenue performance obligations and contract costs. 
The output method will be used to measure network installation services progress. The primary impact will be the timing of 
revenue recognition for certain performance obligations related to service revenue arrangements that are currently deferred 
until customer acceptance. 

In connection with the adoption of the new revenue standard, effective January 1, 2018, we adopted ASC 340-40, Other Assets 
and Deferred Costs - Contracts with Customers, with respect to capitalization and amortization of incremental costs of obtain-
ing a contract. As a result, certain costs of obtaining a contract will need to be capitalized, including sales commissions, as the 
guidance requires the capitalization of all incremental costs incurred to obtain a contract with a customer that it would not have 

Financial Results  47

incurred if the contract had not been obtained, provided the costs are recoverable. The primary impact will be capitalization of 
certain sales commissions for our extended maintenance and support contracts in excess of one year and costs associated with 
our capital lease arrangements that are billed monthly, and amortization of those costs over the period that the related revenue 
is recognized.

We will recognize the cumulative adjustment for network installation service revenue performance obligations and contract 
costs to retained earnings during the three months ended March 31, 2018. We do not believe the cumulative adjustment will 
have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements during 2018.

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02). ASU 2016-02 
requires an entity to recognize lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and to disclose key information about the 
entity’s leasing arrangements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods 
within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective approach is required. We anticipate the adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have 
a material impact on our financial position; however, we do not believe adoption will have a material impact on our results of 
operations. We believe the most significant impact relates to our accounting for operating leases for office space and equipment.

In January 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other (Topic 350): 
Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment (ASU 2017-04). ASU 2017-04 simplifies the measurement of goodwill by elimi-
nating step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. Under ASU 2017-04, entities will be required to compare the fair value of a report-
ing unit to its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the 
reporting unit’s fair value. ASU 2017-04 is effective for annual or interim impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning 
after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual or interim impairment tests performed on testing dates after 
January 1, 2017. The amendments should be applied prospectively. We are currently evaluating whether to early adopt ASU 
2017-04, but we do not expect it will have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In March 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): 
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost (ASU 2017-07). ASU 
2017-07 amends ASC 715, Compensation — Retirement Benefits, to require employers that present a measure of operating 
income in their statements of earnings to include only the service cost component of net periodic pension cost and net periodic 
postretirement benefit cost in operating expenses (together with other employee compensation costs). The other components of 
net benefit cost, including amortization of prior service cost/credit, and settlement and curtailment effects, are to be included in 
non-operating expenses. ASU 2017-07 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after 
December 15, 2017. We adopted ASU 2017-07 on January 1, 2018 and we do not expect it will have a material impact on our 
financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Im-
provements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (ASU 2017-12). ASU 2017-12 expands and refines hedge accounting for both 
financial and non-financial risk components, aligns the recognition and presentation of the effects of hedging instruments and 
hedge items in the financial statements, and includes certain targeted improvements to ease the application of current guidance 
related to the assessment of hedge effectiveness. ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal 
years, beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact ASU 2017-12 
will have on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

During 2017, we adopted the following accounting standards, which had no material effect on our financial position, results of 
operations or cash flows:

In July 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2015-11, Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement 
of Inventory (ASU 2015-11). Currently, Topic 330, Inventory, requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost or mar-
ket. Market could be replacement cost, net realizable value, or net realizable value less an approximately normal profit margin. 
ASU 2015-11 does not apply to inventory that is measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. The 
amendments apply to all other inventory, which includes inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average 
cost. ASU 2015-11 requires an entity to measure in scope inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable 
value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, 
and transportation. ASU 2015-11 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim 
periods within that reporting period. The amendments should be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of 
the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. We adopted ASU 2015-11 in the first quarter of 2017, and there was no 
material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

48  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

In January 2017, we adopted ASU 2016-09, Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee 
Share-Based Payment Accounting. As a result, beginning in the first quarter of 2017, we began recognizing all excess tax benefits 
and tax deficiencies as income tax expense or benefit as a discrete event. The treatment of forfeitures has changed as we have 
elected to discontinue our past practice of estimating forfeitures and now account for forfeitures as they occur. As a result, we 
recorded an increase in additional paid in capital of $0.1 million, a charge to beginning retained earnings of $0.1 million, and 
an increase in the deferred tax assets related to non-qualified stock options and RSUs of $10 thousand. In addition, cash flows 
related to excess tax benefits will no longer be separately classified as a financing activity apart from other income tax cash flows 
within operating activities. We elected to retrospectively apply the changes in presentation to the statements of cash flows and no 
longer classify excess tax benefits as a financing activity, which had an immaterial impact on our cash flows for the years ended 
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. There was no material impact on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows 
as a result of these changes.  

2  Business Combinations
On September 13, 2016, we acquired key fiber access products, technologies and service relationships from subsidiaries of Com-
mScope, Inc. for $0.9 million in cash. This acquisition enhanced our solutions for the cable MSO industry and provided cable 
operators with the scalable solutions, services and support they required to compete in the multi-gigabit service delivery market. 
This transaction was accounted for as a business combination. We have included the financial results of this acquisition in our 
consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition. These revenues are included in the Network Solutions reportable 
segment, and in the Access & Aggregation and Customer Devices categories.

We recorded a bargain purchase gain of $3.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2016, net of income taxes, which was 
subject to customary working capital adjustments between the parties. The bargain purchase gain of $3.5 million represents the 
excess fair value of the net assets acquired over the consideration exchanged. We have assessed the recognition and measure-
ment of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on historical and pro forma data for future periods and have concluded 
that our valuation procedures and resulting measures were appropriate. The gain is included in the line item “Gain on bargain 
purchase of a business” in the 2016 Consolidated Statements of Income.

Working capital adjustments were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2016 and resulted in an immaterial reduction in the inven-
tory acquired, accounts payable assumed, deferred income taxes and bargain purchase gain. If these adjustments had been 
recorded on the date of acquisition, the bargain purchase gain would have been reduced by $8 thousand for the three months 
ended September 30, 2016. The final allocation of the purchase price to the estimated fair value of the assets acquired and li-
abilities assumed at the acquisition date is as follows:

(In thousands)

Assets

Inventory

Property, plant and equipment

Intangible assets

Total assets acquired

Liabilities

Accounts payable

Warranty payable

Accrued wages and benefits

Deferred income taxes

Total liabilities assumed

Total net assets

Gain on bargain purchase of a business, net of tax

Total purchase price

$3,131

352

4,700

8,183

(1,250)

(61)

(122)

(2,265)

(3,698)

4,485

(3,542)

$943

Financial Results  49

 
 
The details of the acquired intangible assets are as follows:

(In thousands)

Supply agreement

Customer relationships

Developed technology

License

Patent

Non-compete

Trade name

Total

Life (years)

0.8

6.0

10.0

1.3

7.3

2.3

2.0

Value

$1,400

1,200

800

500

500

200

100

$4,700

The following unaudited supplemental pro forma information presents the financial results as if the acquisition had occurred 
on January 1, 2015. This unaudited supplemental pro forma information does not purport to be indicative of what would have 
occurred had the acquisition been completed on January 1, 2015, nor is it indicative of any future results. Aside from revising the 
2015 net income for the effect of the bargain purchase gain, there were no material, non-recurring adjustments to this unaudited 
pro forma information. 

(In thousands) 

Pro forma revenue

Pro forma net income 

Pro forma earnings per share–basic

Pro forma  earnings per share–diluted

2016

$641,170

$31,212

$0.64

$0.64

2015

$603,923

$22,945

$0.45

$0.45

For the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we incurred acquisition and integration related expenses and amortization of 
acquired intangibles of $1.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively, related to this acquisition.

3  Stock-Based Compensation

Stock Incentive Program Descriptions
On January 23, 2006, the Board of Directors adopted the ADTRAN, Inc. 2006 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (2006 Plan), 
which authorized 13.0 million shares of common stock for issuance to certain employees and officers through incentive stock 
options and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, RSUs and restricted stock. The 2006 Plan was adopted by 
stockholder approval at our annual meeting of stockholders held on May 9, 2006. Options granted under the 2006 Plan typi-
cally become exercisable beginning after one year of continued employment, normally pursuant to a four-year vesting schedule 
beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, and have a ten-year contractual term. The 2006 Plan was replaced on May 
13, 2015 by the ADTRAN, Inc. 2015 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (2015 Plan). Expiration dates of options outstanding at 
December 31, 2017 under the 2006 Plan range from 2018 to 2024.

Our stockholders approved the 2010 Directors Stock Plan (2010 Directors Plan) on May 5, 2010, under which 0.5 million shares 
of common stock have been reserved. This plan replaces the 2005 Directors Stock Option Plan. Under the 2010 Directors Plan, 
the Company may issue stock options, restricted stock and RSUs to our non-employee directors. Stock awards issued under the 
2010 Directors Plan normally become vested in full on the first anniversary of the grant date. Options issued under the 2010 
Directors Plan have a ten-year contractual term. Expiration dates of options outstanding at December 31, 2017 under the 2010 
Directors Plan range from 2018 to 2019.

On January 20, 2015, the Board of Directors adopted the ADTRAN, Inc. 2015 Employee Stock Incentive Plan (2015 Plan), 
which authorizes 7.7 million shares of common stock for issuance to certain employees and officers through incentive stock 
options and non-qualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock. The 2015 Plan was adopted 
by stockholder approval at our annual meeting of stockholders held on May 13, 2015. PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock granted 
under the 2015 Plan reduce the shares authorized for issuance under the 2015 Plan by 2.5 shares of common stock for each share 
underlying the award. Options granted under the 2015 Plan typically become exercisable beginning after one year of continued 
employment, normally pursuant to a four-year vesting schedule beginning on the first anniversary of the grant date, and have a 
ten-year contractual term. Expiration dates of options outstanding at December 31, 2017 under the 2015 Plan range from 2025 
to 2026.

50  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

The following table summarizes stock-based compensation expense related to stock options, PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock for 
the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, which was recognized as follows: 

(In thousands)

Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of sales

Selling, general and administrative expense

Research and development expense

Stock-based compensation expense included in operating expenses

Total stock-based compensation expense

Tax benefit for expense associated with non-qualified options,  
  PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock

Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax

2017

$379

4,063

2,991

7,054

7,433

2016

$389

3,341

2,965

6,306

6,695

2015

$280

3,261

3,171

6,432

6,712

(1,699)

$5,734

(963)

$5,732

(862)

$5,850

With our adoption of ASU 2016-09 Compensation – Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based 
Payment Accounting in January 2017, we elected to discontinue our past practice of estimating forfeitures and now account for 
forfeitures as they occur.

Stock Options
The following table is a summary of our stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and the changes that oc-
curred during 2017:

Number of 
Options

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise Price

Weighted Average 
Remaining Contractual 
Life in Years

Aggregate 
Intrinsic 
Value

(In thousands, except per share amounts)
Stock Options outstanding, December 31, 2016

Stock options granted

Stock options exercised

Stock options forfeited

Stock options expired

Stock options outstanding, December 31, 2017

Stock options vested and expected to vest,  
  December 31, 2017

6,338

—

(742)

(70)

(378)

5,148

5,148

Stock options exercisable, December 31, 2017

4,351

$22.14

$—

$18.08

$17.29

$24.14

$22.65

$22.65

$23.78

5.63

$16,972

4.87

4.87

4.37

$6,109

$6,109

$3,810

At December 31, 2017, total compensation cost related to non-vested stock options not yet recognized was approximately $3.2 
million, which is expected to be recognized over an average remaining recognition period of 1.5 years.

All of the options above were issued at exercise prices that approximated fair market value at the date of grant. At December 31, 
2017, 3.5 million options were available for grant under the shareholder approved plans.

The aggregate intrinsic values in the table above represent the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between ADTRAN’s 
closing stock price on the last trading day of 2017 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) 
that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on December 31, 2017. The 
amount of aggregate intrinsic value will change based on the fair market value of ADTRAN’s stock.

The total pre-tax intrinsic value of options exercised during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $3.4 million, $1.1 million and $0.1 million, 
respectively. The fair value of options fully vesting during 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $4.3 million, $5.7 million and $6.6 million, 
respectively.

Financial Results  51

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table further describes our stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2017:

Range of 
Exercise Prices

$14.88 – 18.96

$18.97 – 23.45

$23.46 – 30.35

$30.36 – 41.92

Options Outstanding

Options 
Outstanding 
at 12/31/17
(in thousands)

Weighted Avg. 
Remaining 
Contractual Life 
in Years

1,623

801

1,400

1,324

5,148

6.02

6.68

4.16

3.29

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
Price

$15.77

$19.11

$23.85

$31.94

Options Exercisable

Options 
Exercisable 
at 12/31/17
(in thousands)

Weighted 
Average 
Exercise 
Price

1,063

565

1,399

1,324

4,351

$15.96

$19.17

$23.85

$31.94

PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock
Under the 2015 Plan, awards other than stock options, including PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock, may be granted to certain 
employees and officers. 

Under our market-based PSU program, the number of shares of common stock earned by a recipient pursuant to the PSUs 
is subject to a market condition based on ADTRAN’s relative total shareholder return against all companies in the NASDAQ 
Telecommunications Index at the end of a three-year performance period. Depending on the relative total shareholder return 
over the performance period, the recipient may earn from 0% to 150% of the shares underlying the PSUs, with the shares earned 
distributed upon the vesting of the PSUs at the end of the three-year performance period. The fair value of the award is based 
on the market price of our common stock on the date of grant, adjusted for the expected outcome of the impact of market con-
ditions using a Monte Carlo Simulation valuation method. A portion of the granted PSUs also vest and the underlying shares 
become deliverable upon the death or disability of the recipient or upon a change of control of ADTRAN, as defined by the 
2015 Plan. The recipients of the PSUs receive dividend credits based on the shares of common stock underlying the PSUs. The 
dividend credits are vested and earned in the same manner as the PSUs and are paid in cash upon the issuance of common stock 
for the PSUs. 

During the first quarter of 2017, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved a PSU grant of 0.5 million 
shares that contain performance conditions. The fair value of these performance-based PSU awards was equal to the closing 
price of our stock on the date of grant.

The fair value of RSUs and restricted stock is equal to the closing price of our stock on the business day immediately preceding 
the grant date. RSUs and restricted stock vest ratably over four year and one year periods, respectively. 

52  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

The following table is a summary of our PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock outstanding as of December 31, 2016 and 2017 and the 
changes that occurred during 2017. The unvested awards outstanding as of December 31, 2016 have been adjusted for the actual 
shares vested in 2017 for our market-based PSUs.

(In thousands except per share amounts)
Unvested PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock outstanding, December 31, 2016

PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock granted

PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock vested

PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock forfeited

Unvested RSUs and restricted stock outstanding, December 31, 2017

Number
of Shares

Weighted 
Average Grant 
Date Fair Value

527

950

(154)

(31)

1,292

$20.53

$21.69

$20.84

$20.99

$21.33

At December 31, 2017, total compensation cost related to the non-vested portion of market-based PSUs, RSUs and restricted 
stock not yet recognized was approximately $13.9 million, which is expected to be recognized over an average remaining rec-
ognition period of 3.2 years. In addition, there was $11.4 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested 
performance-based PSUs, which will be recognized over the requisite service period of three years as achievement of the per-
formance obligation becomes probable. For the year ended 2017, no compensation expense was recognized related to these 
performance-based PSUs.

Valuation and Expense Information
We use the Black-Scholes option pricing model (Black-Scholes Model) for the purpose of determining the estimated fair value of 
stock option awards on the date of grant. The Black-Scholes Model requires the input of certain assumptions that involve judg-
ment. Because our stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes 
in the input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, existing models may not provide reliable measures of 
fair value of our stock options. We use a Monte Carlo Simulation valuation method to value our market-based PSUs. The fair 
value of our performance-based PSUs, RSUs and restricted stock issued is equal to the closing price of our stock on the date of 
grant. We will continue to assess the assumptions and methodologies used to calculate the estimated fair value of stock-based 
compensation. If circumstances change, and additional data becomes available over time, we may change our assumptions and 
methodologies, which may materially impact our fair value determination.

The stock option pricing model requires the use of several assumptions that impact the fair value estimate. These variables in-
clude, but are not limited to, the volatility of our stock price and employee exercise behaviors. 

There were no stock option grants in 2017. The weighted-average estimated fair value of stock options granted to employees 
during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 was $5.22 per share and $4.28 per share, respectively, with the following 
weighted-average assumptions:

Expected volatility

Risk-free interest rate

Expected dividend yield

Expected life (in years)

2016

34.79%

1.36%

1.98%

6.25

2015

34.57%

1.81%

2.35%

6.23

We based our estimate of expected volatility for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 on the sequential historical daily 
trading data of our common stock for a period equal to the expected life of the options granted. The selection of the historical 
volatility method was based on available data indicating our historical volatility is as equally representative of our future stock 
price trends as is our implied volatility. We have no reason to believe the future volatility of our stock price is likely to differ from 
its past volatility. The risk-free interest rate assumption is based upon implied yields of U.S. Treasury zero-coupon bonds on 
the date of grant having a remaining term equal to the expected life of the options granted. The dividend yield is based on our 
historical and expected dividend payouts. The expected life of our stock options is based upon historical exercise and forfeiture 
activity of our previous stock-based grants with a ten-year contractual term.

Financial Results  53

The PSU pricing model also requires the use of several significant assumptions that impact the fair value estimate. The estimated 
fair value of the PSUs granted to employees during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 was $24.17 per share, 
$23.50 per share and $17.64 per share, respectively, with the following assumptions:

Expected volatility

Risk-free interest rate

Expected dividend yield

2017

27.03%

1.78%

1.74%

2016

29.79%

1.17%

1.80%

2015

31.34%

1.20%

2.35%

Investments

4 
At December 31, 2017, we held the following securities and investments, recorded at either fair value or cost:

(In thousands)
Deferred compensation plan assets

Corporate bonds

Municipal fixed-rate bonds

Asset-backed bonds

Mortgage/Agency-backed bonds

U.S. government bonds

Foreign government bonds

Marketable equity securities

Amortized
Cost

$17,804

32,654

2,902

6,545

5,554

14,477

725

33,478

Available-for-sale securities held at fair value

$114,139

Restricted investment held at cost

Other investments

Total carrying value of available-for-sale investments

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

$2,175

44

2

1

1

—

5

3,034

$5,262

Gross
Unrealized 
Losses

Fair Value/
Carrying
Value

$(96)

(155)

(22)

(20)

(46)

(174)

—

(850)

$19,883

32,543

2,882

6,526

5,509

14,303

730

35,662

$(1,363)

$118,038

At December 31, 2016, we held the following securities and investments, recorded at either fair value or cost:

27,800

547

$146,385

Fair Value/
Carrying
Value

$14,596

66,412

11,774

10,206

13,004

29,767

3,730

11,855

29,379

$190,723

27,800

767

$219,290

(In thousands)
Deferred compensation plan assets

Corporate bonds

Municipal fixed-rate bonds

Asset-backed bonds

Mortgage/Agency-backed bonds

U.S. government bonds

Foreign government bonds

Variable rate demand notes

Marketable equity securities

Amortized
Cost

$12,367

Gross
Unrealized
Gains

$2,271

66,522

11,799

10,201

13,080

30,022

3,729

11,855

30,571

64

12

19

15

15

2

—

311

$2,709

Gross
Unrealized 
Losses

$(42)

(174)

(37)

(14)

(91)

(270)

(1)

—

(1,503)

$(2,132)

Available-for-sale securities held at fair value

$190,146

Restricted investment held at cost

Other investments held at cost

Total carrying value of available-for-sale investments

54  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

As of December 31, 2017, corporate bonds, municipal fixed-rate bonds, asset-backed bonds, mortgage/agency-backed bonds, 
U.S. government bonds, and foreign government bonds had the following contractual maturities:

(In thousands)
Less than one year

One to two years

Two to three years

Three to five years

Five to ten years

More than ten years

Total

Corporate 
bonds

$12,021

9,145

7,345

4,032

—

—

Municipal  
fixed-rate 
bonds

Asset-
backed 
bonds

Mortgage/
Agency-
backed 
bonds

U.S. 
government 
bonds

Foreign 
government 
bonds

$891

826

212

953

—

—

$143

2,367

2,245

810

158

803

$—

—

—

356

1,144

4,009

$5,509

$3,073

5,960

3,568

1,702

—

—

$14,303

$—

—

730

—

—

—

$730

$32,543

$2,882

$6,526

Our investment policy provides limitations for issuer concentration, which limits, at the time of purchase, the concentration in 
any one issuer to 5% of the market value of our total investment portfolio.

We review our investment portfolio for potential “other-than-temporary” declines in value on an individual investment basis. 
We assess, on a quarterly basis, significant declines in value which may be considered other-than-temporary and, if necessary, 
recognize and record the appropriate charge to write-down the carrying value of such investments. In making this assessment, 
we take into consideration qualitative and quantitative information, including but not limited to the following: the magnitude 
and duration of historical declines in market prices, credit rating activity, assessments of liquidity, public filings, and statements 
made by the issuer. We generally begin our identification of potential other-than-temporary impairments by reviewing any 
security with a fair value that has declined from its original or adjusted cost basis by 25% or more for six or more consecutive 
months. We then evaluate the individual security based on the previously identified factors to determine the amount of the 
write-down, if any. For each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recorded a charge of $0.2 million, $0.8 
million and $0.2 million, respectively, related to the other-than-temporary impairment of certain marketable equity securities 
and our deferred compensation plan assets.

Realized gains and losses on sales of securities are computed under the specific identification method. The following table pres-
ents gross realized gains and losses related to our investments for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

(In thousands)
Year Ended December 31,

Gross realized gains

Gross realized losses

2017

$5,258

2016

$7,530

2015

$10,906

$(573)

$(1,607)

$(569)

The following table presents the breakdown of investments with unrealized losses at December 31, 2017:

(In thousands)

Continuous Unrealized 
Loss Position for Less 
than 12 Months

Continuous Unrealized 
Loss Position for 12 
Months or Greater

Total

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Deferred compensation plan assets

Corporate bonds

Municipal fixed-rate bonds

Asset-backed bonds

Mortgage/Agency-backed bonds

U.S. government bonds

Marketable equity securities

Total

$1,922

16,015

230

4,941

3,062

2,754

10,169

$39,093

$(81)

(58)

—

(17)

(8)

(26)

(712)

$(902)

$262

6,112

1,165

179

1,673

11,549

544

$21,484

$(15)

(97)

(22)

(3)

(38)

(148)

(138)

$(461)

$2,184

22,127

1,395

5,120

4,735

14,303

10,713

$60,577

$(96)

(155)

(22)

(20)

(46)

(174)

(850)

$(1,363)

Financial Results  55

The following table presents the breakdown of investments with unrealized losses at December 31, 2016:

(In thousands)

Continuous Unrealized 
Loss Position for Less 
than 12 Months

Continuous Unrealized 
Loss Position for 12 
Months or Greater

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair Value

Deferred compensation plan assets

Corporate bonds

Municipal fixed-rate bonds

Asset-backed bonds

Mortgage/Agency-backed bonds

U.S. government bonds

Mortgage/Agency-backed bonds

Marketable equity securities

Total

$294

32,562

8,936

2,986

7,842

26,449

924

21,607

$101,600

$(12)

(166)

(37)

(14)

(81)

(270)

(1)

(1,200)

$(1,781)

$245

2,722

—

—

1,239

—

—

1,495

$5,701

Unrealized
Losses

$(30)

(8)

—

—

(10)

—

—

(303)

$(351)

Total

Fair Value

Unrealized
Losses

$539

35,284

8,936

2,986

9,081

26,449

924

23,102

$107,301

$(42)

(174)

(37)

(14)

(91)

(270)

(1)

(1,503)

$(2,132)

The decrease in unrealized losses during 2017, as reflected in the table above, results from changes in market positions associated 
with our fixed income and equity investment portfolio. At December 31, 2017, a total of 274 of our marketable equity securities 
were in an unrealized loss position.

We have categorized our cash equivalents and our investments held at fair value into a three-level fair value hierarchy based on 
the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique for the cash equivalents and investments as follows: Level 1 - Values based on 
unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market; Level 2 - Values based on quoted prices in markets 
that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly; Level 3 - Values based on prices or valuation 
techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs 
could include information supplied by investees.

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017 Using

Quoted Prices
 in Active 
Markets for Identical 
Assets (Level 1)

Significant Other 
Observable 
Inputs 
(Level 2)

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 3)

Fair Value

(In thousands) 
Cash equivalents

Money market funds

Commercial paper

Cash equivalents

Available-for-sale securities

Deferred compensation plan assets

Available-for-sale debt securities

Corporate bonds

Municipal fixed-rate bonds

Asset-backed bonds

Mortgage/Agency-backed bonds

U.S. government bonds

Foreign government bonds

Available-for-sale marketable equity securities

Marketable equity securities—
  various industries

Available-for-sale securities

Total 

56  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

$5,851

3,999

9,850

19,883

32,543

2,882

6,526

5,509

14,303

730

35,662

118,038

$127,888

$5,851

—

5,851

19,883

—

—

—

—

14,303

—

35,662

69,848

$75,699

$—

3,999

3,999

—

32,543

2,882

6,526

5,509

—

730

—

48,190

$52,189

$—

—

—

 — 

—

 —

—

 —

—

—

—

 —

$—

 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016 Using

Quoted Prices
 in Active 
Markets for Identical 
Assets (Level 1)

Significant Other 
Observable 
Inputs 
(Level 2)

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 3)

Fair Value

(In thousands) 
Cash equivalents

Money market funds

Commercial paper

Cash equivalents

Available-for-sale securities

Deferred compensation plan assets

Available-for-sale debt securities

Corporate bonds

Municipal fixed-rate bonds

Asset-backed bonds

Mortgage/Agency-backed bonds

U.S. government bonds

Foreign government bonds

Variable rate demand notes

Marketable equity securities—
  various industries

Available-for-sale securities

Total 

Available-for-sale marketable equity securities

$6,878

17,222

24,100

14,596

66,412

11,774

10,206

13,004

29,767

3,730

11,855

29,379

190,723

$214,823

$6,878

—

6,878

14,596

—

—

—

—

29,767

—

—

29,379

73,742

$80,620

$—

17,222

17,222

 — 

66,412

11,774

10,206

13,004

—

3,730

11,855

—

116,981

$134,203

$—

—

—

 — 

—

 —

—

 —

—

 —

—

—

 —

$—

The fair value of our Level 2 securities is calculated using a weighted average market price for each security. Market prices are 
obtained from a variety of industry standard data providers, security master files from large financial institutions, and other 
third-party sources. These multiple market prices are used as inputs into a distribution-curve-based algorithm to determine the 
daily market value of each security.

Our municipal variable rate demand notes have a structure that implies a standard expected market price. The frequent interest 
rate resets make it reasonable to expect the price to stay at par. These securities are priced at the expected market price.

5  Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
We participate in foreign exchange forward contracts in connection with the management of exposure to fluctuations in foreign 
exchange rates.

Cash Flow Hedges
Our cash flow hedging activities utilize foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce the risk that movements in exchange rates 
will adversely affect the net cash flows resulting from the planned purchase of products from foreign suppliers. Purchases of U.S. 
denominated inventory by our European subsidiary represent our primary exposure. Changes in the fair value of derivatives 
designated as cash flow hedges are not recognized in current operating results, but are recorded in accumulated other compre-
hensive income. Amounts related to cash flow hedges are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income when the 
underlying hedged item impacts earnings. This reclassification is recorded in the same line item of the consolidated statements 
of income as where the effects of the hedged item are recorded, which is cost of sales.

Undesignated Hedges
We have certain customers and suppliers who are invoiced or pay in a non-functional currency. Changes in the monetary ex-
change rates may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition, as outstanding non-functional balances are 
revalued to the functional currency through profit and loss. When appropriate, we utilize foreign exchange forward contracts to 
help manage the volatility relating to these valuation exposures. All changes in the fair value of our derivative instruments that 
do not qualify for or are not designated for hedged accounting transactions are recognized as other income (expense) in the 
Consolidated Statements of Income.

Financial Results  57

We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes. Our derivative instruments are record-
ed in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair values. Our derivative instruments are not subject to master netting agree-
ments and are not offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2017, we had no forward contracts outstanding.    

The fair values of our derivative instruments recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 
were as follows:

(In thousands)

Balance Sheet Location

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments (Level 2):

Foreign exchange contracts – derivative assets

Other receivables

2017

$—

2016

$159

The change in the fair values of our derivative instruments recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Income during the years 
ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

(In thousands)

 Income Statement Location

2017

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:

Foreign exchange contracts

Other income (expense)

$(754)

2016

$724

2015

$511

The change in our derivatives designated as hedging instruments recorded in other comprehensive income (OCI) and reclassi-
fied to income, net of tax, during the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:

(In thousands)

Amount of Gains 
(Losses) Recognized in 
OCI on Derivatives

2017

2016

2015

Location of Gains 
(Losses)  
Reclassified
from AOCI 
 into Income

Amount of Gains (Losses) 
Reclassified
from AOCI into Income

2017

2016

2015

Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:

Foreign exchange contracts

$— $— $—

Cost of Sales

$(897)

$— $—

Inventory

6 
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, inventory was comprised of the following:

(In thousands) 

Raw materials

Work in process

Finished goods

Total Inventory, net

2017

$44,185

1,939

76,418

2016

$40,461

4,003

60,653

$122,542

$105,117

We establish reserves for estimated excess, obsolete, or unmarketable inventory equal to the difference between the cost of the 
inventory and the estimated fair value of the inventory based upon assumptions about future demand and market conditions. 
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, raw materials reserves totaled $15.0 million and $14.6 million, respectively, and finished goods 
inventory reserves totaled $8.3 million and $10.6 million, respectively.

7  Property, Plant and Equipment
At December 31, 2017 and 2016, property, plant and equipment were comprised of the following:

(In thousands) 

Land

Building and land improvements

Building

Furniture and fixtures

Computer hardware and software

Engineering and other equipment

Total Property, Plant and Equipment

Less accumulated depreciation

Total Property, Plant and Equipment, net

2017

$4,575

32,470

68,301

19,489

90,726

123,363

338,924

(253,845)

$85,079

2016

$4,575

29,229

68,301

18,477

87,655

118,746

326,983

(242,514)

$84,469

Depreciation expense was $12.8 million, $12.0 million and $12.3 million in 2017, 2016, and 2015, respectively.

58  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Lease Arrangements

8 
We are the lessor in sales-type lease arrangements for network equipment, which have terms of 18 months to five years. The net 
investment in sales-type leases consists of lease receivables less unearned income. Collectability of sales-type leases is evaluated 
periodically on an individual customer level. At December 31, 2017, we had no allowance for credit losses for our net invest-
ment in sales-type leases. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the components of the net investment in sales-type leases were as 
follows: 

(In thousands) 

Current minimum lease payments receivable (included in other receivables)

Non-current minimum lease payments receivable (included in other assets)

Total minimum lease payments receivable

Less: Current unearned revenue

Less: Non-current unearned revenue

Net investment in sales-type leases

2017

$11,325

2,913

14,238

707

787

$12,744

Future minimum lease payments to be received from sales-type leases at December 31, 2017 are as follows:

(In thousands) 

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Total

2016

$2,141

2,912

5,053

841

1,153

$3,059

Amount

$11,211

2,172

592

205

58

$14,238

9  Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Goodwill, all of which relates to our acquisition of Bluesocket, Inc., was $3.5 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016,  of which 
$3.1 million and $0.4 million is allocated to our Network Solutions and Services & Support reportable segments, respectively.

We evaluate the carrying value of goodwill during the fourth quarter of each year and between annual evaluations if events 
occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying 
amount. We have elected to first assess the qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value 
of the reporting unit to which the goodwill is assigned is less than its carrying amount as a basis for determining whether it is 
necessary to perform the two-step impairment test. If we determine that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than 
its carrying amount, then the two-step impairment test will be performed. Based on the results of our qualitative assessment in 
2017, we concluded that it was not necessary to perform the two-step impairment test. There have been no impairment losses 
recognized since the acquisition in 2011.

Intangible assets are included in other assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. The following table presents our 
intangible assets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016:

(In thousands)
Customer relationships

Developed technology

Intellectual property

Supply agreement

License

Patent

Trade names

Non-compete

Total

2017

Accumulated
Amortization

Gross Value

$7,474

5,524

2,340

1,400

500

500

370

200

$(4,283)

(4,663)

(2,262)

(1,400)

(500)

(89)

(335)

(115)

2016

Accumulated
Amortization

Gross Value

$6,899

5,184

2,340

1,400

500

500

370

200

$(3,208)

(3,801)

(2,129)

(544)

(113)

(20)

(285)

(26)

Net
Value

$3,191

861

78

—

—

411

35

85

Net
Value

$3,691

1,383

211

856

387

480

85

174

$18,308

$(13,647)

$4,661

$17,393

$(10,126)

$7,267

Amortization expense was $2.9 million, $2.5 million and $1.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 
respectively.

Financial Results  59

As of December 31, 2017, the estimated future amortization expense of intangible assets is as follows:

(In thousands) 

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

Thereafter

Total

Amount

$1,212

697

659

603

567

923

$4,661

10  Alabama State Industrial Development Authority Financing and Economic Incentives
In conjunction with an expansion of our Huntsville, Alabama, facility, we were approved for participation in an incentive pro-
gram offered by the State of Alabama Industrial Development Authority (the “Authority”). Pursuant to the program, on January 
13, 1995, the Authority issued $20.0 million of its taxable revenue bonds and loaned the proceeds from the sale of the bonds to 
ADTRAN. The bonds were originally purchased by AmSouth Bank of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama (the “Bank”). Wachovia 
Bank, N.A., Nashville, Tennessee (formerly First Union National Bank of Tennessee) (the “Bondholder”), which was acquired 
by Wells Fargo & Company on December 31, 2008, purchased the original bonds from the Bank and made further advances 
to the Authority, bringing the total amount outstanding to $50.0 million. An Amended and Restated Taxable Revenue Bond 
(“Amended and Restated Bond”) was issued and the original financing agreement was amended. The Amended and Restated 
Bond bears interest, payable monthly. The interest rate is 2% per annum. The Amended and Restated Bond matures on January 
1, 2020, and is currently outstanding in the aggregate principal amount of $26.7 million. The estimated fair value of the bond 
using a level 2 valuation technique at December 31, 2017 was approximately $26.7 million, based on a debt security with a 
comparable interest rate and maturity and a Standard & Poor’s credit rating of AAA. We are required to make payments to the 
Authority in amounts necessary to pay the interest on the Amended and Restated Bond. Included in long-term investments at 
December 31, 2017 is $27.8 million which is invested in a restricted certificate of deposit. These funds serve as a collateral deposit 
against the principal of this bond, and we have the right to set-off the balance of the Bond with the collateral deposit in order to 
reduce the balance of the indebtedness.

In conjunction with this program, we are eligible to receive certain economic incentives from the state of Alabama that reduce 
the amount of payroll withholdings that we are required to remit to the state for those employment positions that qualify under 
the program. We realized economic incentives related to payroll withholdings totaling $1.5 million for the year ended December 
31, 2017 and $1.3 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015.

We made principal payments of $1.1 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, and anticipate making a 
principal payment in 2018. At December 31, 2017, $1.1 million of the bond debt was classified as a current liability in accounts 
payable in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

11  Income Taxes
A summary of the components of the provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is as 
follows:

(In thousands) 

Current

Federal

State

International

Total Current

Deferred

Federal

State

International

Total Deferred

Total Provision for Income Taxes

60  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

2017

2016

2015

$466

(150)

6,458

6,774

8,024

1,882

4,167

14,073

$20,847

$12,733

1,141

477

14,351

647

73

(3,405)

(2,685)

$11,666

$7,504

279

(29)

7,754

(585)

(66)

(41)

(692)

$7,062

Our effective income tax rate differs from the federal statutory rate due to the following:

Tax provision computed at the federal statutory rate

State income tax provision, net of federal benefit

Federal research credits

Foreign taxes

Tax-exempt income

State tax incentives

Stock-based compensation

Domestic production activity deduction

Bargain purchase

Impact of U.S. tax reform

Other, net

Effective Tax Rate

2017

35.00%

2.17

(11.88)

(2.27)

(0.75)

(2.71)

1.43

(1.13)

—

26.70

0.09

2016

35.00%

3.93

(8.15)

(0.34)

(0.53)

(2.77)

2.53

(2.23)

(2.64)

—

0.08

2015

35.00%

4.86

(12.55)

2.10

(1.94)

(5.04)

6.91

(3.17)

—

—

1.30

46.65%

24.88%

27.47%

Income before provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is as follows:

(In thousands) 

U.S. entities

International entities

Total

2017

$26,552

18,135

$44,687

2016

$54,077

(7,182)

$46,895

2015

$27,400

(1,692)

$25,708

Income before provision for income taxes for international entities reflects income based on statutory transfer pricing agree-
ments. This amount does not correlate to consolidated international revenues, many of which occur from our U.S. entity.

Deferred income taxes on the balance sheet result from temporary differences between the amount of assets and liabilities rec-
ognized for financial reporting and tax purposes. The principal components of our current and non-current deferred taxes are 
as follows:

(In thousands) 

Deferred tax assets

Inventory

Accrued expenses

Investments

Deferred compensation

Stock-based compensation

Uncertain tax positions related to state taxes and related interest

Pensions

Foreign losses

State losses and credit carry-forwards

Federal loss and research carry-forwards

Valuation allowance

Total Deferred Tax Assets

Deferred tax liabilities

Property, plant and equipment

Intellectual property

Investments

Total Deferred Tax Liabilities

Net Deferred Tax Assets 

2017

2016

$7,545

3,103

—

5,204

2,988

370

4,727

3,091

3,854

3,058

(6,006)

27,934

(3,553)

(663)

(290)

(4,506)

$23,428

$12,020

5,551

1,062

5,751

4,724

762

4,273

6,486

4,021

5,886

(6,149)

44,387

(4,433)

(1,918)

—

(6,351)

$38,036

Financial Results  61

On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the Act) was signed into law. As a result of the Act, we have recognized an 
estimated expense of $11.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, of which $9.2 million related to the write-down of deferred tax 
assets and $2.7 million related to tax on unrepatriated foreign earnings. We have calculated our best estimate of the impact of the 
Act in our year-end income tax provision, in accordance with Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 118, which 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 
to finalize the accounting for certain income tax effects of the Act. Additional work is necessary to do a more detailed analysis 
of historical foreign earnings, as well as the full impact relating to the write-down of deferred tax assets. Any subsequent adjust-
ments to these amounts will be recorded as income tax expense in the quarter the analysis is complete.

At December 31, 2017 and 2016, non-current deferred taxes related to our investments and our defined benefit pension plan 
reflect deferred taxes on the net unrealized gains on available-for-sale investments and deferred taxes on unrealized losses in our 
pension plan. The net change in non-current deferred taxes associated with these items, a deferred tax benefit of $1.7 million 
and $1.5 million in 2017 and 2016, respectively, is recorded as an adjustment to other comprehensive income, presented in the 
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Based upon our results of operations in 2017 and expected profitability in future years in a certain international jurisdiction, 
we concluded that it is more likely than not certain foreign deferred tax assets will be realized. As of December 31, 2017, the 
remaining valuation allowance primarily relates to deferred tax assets related to state credit carry-forwards from tax credits in 
excess of our annual tax liability to an individual state where we do not generate sufficient state income to offset the credit and 
net operating losses in foreign jurisdictions. We believe it is more likely than not that we will not realize the full benefits of the 
deferred tax assets arising from these losses and credits, and accordingly, we have provided a valuation allowance against these 
deferred tax assets. The deferred tax assets for foreign and domestic carry-forwards, unamortized research and development 
costs, and state credit carry-forwards of $10.0 million will expire between 2018 and 2030. The loss carry-forwards were acquired 
through acquisitions in 2009 and 2011. We will continue to assess the realization of our deferred tax assets and related valua-
tion allowances. The net change in our valuation allowance from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017 was $(0.1) million. 

As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, our cash and cash equivalents were $86.4 million and $79.9 million and short-
term investments were $16.1 million and $43.2 million, which provided an available short-term liquidity of $102.6 million and 
$123.1 million. Of these amounts, our foreign subsidiaries held cash of $56.8 million and $42.1 million, respectively, represent-
ing approximately 55.4% and 34.2% of available short-term liquidity, which is used to fund on-going liquidity needs of these 
subsidiaries. We intend to permanently reinvest these funds outside the U.S. and our current business plans do not indicate a 
need to repatriate to fund domestic operations. However, if these funds were repatriated to the U.S. or used for U.S. operations, 
certain amounts could be subject to tax. Due to the timing and circumstances of repatriation of such earnings, if any, it is not 
practical to determine the amount of funds subject to unrecognized deferred tax liability.

During 2017 and 2016, we recorded no income tax benefit or expense for stock options exercised as an adjustment to equity. 
In 2015, we recorded an income tax expense of  $(40) thousand as an adjustment to equity. This is calculated on the difference 
between the exercise price of stock option exercises and the market price of the underlying common stock upon exercise.

The change in the unrecognized income tax benefits for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 is reconciled below:

(In thousands)

Balance at beginning of period

Increases for tax position related to:

Prior years

Current year

Decreases for tax positions related to:

Prior years

Settlements with taxing authorities

Expiration of applicable statute of limitations

Balance at end of period

2017

$2,226

465

285

(14)

—

(596)

$2,366

2016

$2,537

95

428

—

—

(834)

$2,226

2015

$3,334

—

280

(29)

(103)

(945)

$2,537

62  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

 
 
As of December 31, 2017, 2016, and 2015, our total liability for unrecognized tax benefits was $2.4 million, $2.2 million, and 
$2.5 million, respectively, of which $2.2 million, $1.7 million, and $1.8 million, respectively, would reduce our effective tax rate 
if we were successful in upholding all of the uncertain positions and recognized the amounts recorded. We classify interest and 
penalties recognized on the liability for unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense. As of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 
2015, the balances of accrued interest and penalties were $0.8 million, $0.8 million and $0.9 million, respectively.

We do not anticipate a single tax position generating a significant increase or decrease in our liability for unrecognized tax ben-
efits within 12 months of this reporting date. We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal and various state jurisdictions and 
several foreign jurisdictions. We are not currently under audit by the Internal Revenue Service. Generally, we are not subject to 
changes in income taxes by any taxing jurisdiction for the years prior to 2013.

12  Employee Benefit Plans

Pension Benefit Plan
We maintain a defined benefit pension plan covering employees in certain foreign countries.

The pension benefit plan obligations and funded status at December 31, 2017 and 2016, are as follows:

(In thousands)

Change in projected benefit obligation:

Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period

Service cost

Interest cost

Actuarial gain (loss) - experience

Actuarial gain (loss) - assumptions

Benefit payments

Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes

Projected benefit obligation at end of period

Change in plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period

Actual return on plan assets

Contributions

Effects of foreign currency exchange rate changes

Fair value of plan assets at end of period

Funded (unfunded) status at end of period

2017

2016

$30,011

1,260

607

47

(1,294)

(80)

4,342

34,893

20,045

709

3,001

2,869

26,624

$(8,269)

$26,851

1,211

720

(431)

2,628

(52)

(916)

30,011

19,213

1,494

—

(662)

20,045

$(9,966)

The accumulated benefit obligation was $32.9 million and $28.7 million at December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The in-
crease in the accumulated benefit obligation is primarily attributable to the weakening U.S. dollar to Euro exchange rate during 
2017. The change in actuarial gain (loss) is primarily attributable to an increase in the discount rate used in 2017.

The net amounts recognized in the balance sheet for the unfunded pension liability as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as 
follows:

(In thousands) 

Current liability

Non-current liability

Total

2017

$—

8,269

$8,269

2016

$—

9,966

$9,966

Financial Results  63

 
 
The components of net periodic pension cost and amounts recognized in other comprehensive income for the years ended 
December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

(In thousands)
Net periodic benefit cost:

Service cost

Interest cost

Expected return on plan assets

Amortization of actuarial losses

Net periodic benefit cost

Other changes in plan assets and benefit obligations  
  recognized in other comprehensive income:

Net actuarial (gain) loss

Amortization of actuarial losses

Amount recognized in other comprehensive income

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and  
  other comprehensive income

2017

$1,260

607

(1,267)

309

909

(654)

(406)

(1,060)

$(151)

2016

$1,211

720

(1,057)

175

1,049

1,782

(156)

1,626

$2,675

2015

$1,314

615

(1,011)

407

1,325

(2,303)

(396)

(2,699)

$(1,374)

The amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

(In thousands) 

Net actuarial loss

2017

$(5,812)

2016

$(6,871)

The defined benefit pension plan is accounted for on an actuarial basis, which requires the selection of various assumptions, 
including an expected rate of return on plan assets and a discount rate. The expected return on our German plan assets that 
is utilized in determining the benefit obligation and net periodic benefit cost is derived from periodic studies, which include a 
review of asset allocation strategies, anticipated future long-term performance of individual asset classes, risks using standard 
deviations and correlations of returns among the asset classes that comprise the plans’ asset mix. While the studies give appro-
priate consideration to recent plan performance and historical returns, the assumptions are primarily long-term, prospective 
rates of return.

Another key assumption in determining net pension expense is the assumed discount rate to be used to discount plan obliga-
tions. The discount rate has been derived from the returns of high-quality, corporate bonds denominated in Euro currency with 
durations close to the duration of our pension obligations.

The weighted-average assumptions that were used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the years ended December 31, 
2017, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:

Discount rates

Rate of compensation increase

Expected long-term rates of return

2017

1.90%

2.00%

5.90%

2016

2.64%

2.00%

5.40%

The weighted-average assumptions that were used to determine the benefit obligation at December 31, 2017 and 2016:

Discount rates

Rate of compensation increase

2017

2.13%

2.00%

2015

2.20%

2.25%

5.40%

2016

1.90%

2.00%

64  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

 
Actuarial gains and losses are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income. To the extent unamortized gains and 
losses exceed 10% of the higher of the market-related value of assets or the projected benefit obligation, the excess is amortized 
as a component of net periodic pension cost over the remaining service period of active participants. We estimate that $0.2 
million will be amortized from accumulated other comprehensive income into net periodic pension cost in 2018 for the net 
actuarial loss.

We do not anticipate making a contribution to this pension plan in 2018. The following pension benefit payments, which reflect 
expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid to participants:

(In thousands) 

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023 – 2027

Total

$549

772

1,090

1,225

1,315

6,301

$11,252

We have categorized our cash equivalents and our investments held at fair value into a three-level fair value hierarchy based on 
the priority of the inputs to the valuation technique for the cash equivalents and investments as follows: Level 1 - Values based on 
unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in an active market; Level 2 - Values based on quoted prices in markets 
that are not active or model inputs that are observable either directly or indirectly; Level 3 - Values based on prices or valuation 
techniques that require inputs that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. These inputs 
include information supplied by investees.

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2017 Using

 (In thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents

Available-for-sale securities

Bond funds:

Corporate bonds

Government bonds

Equity funds:

Large cap blend

Large cap value

Balanced fund

Available-for-sale securities

Total 

Quoted Prices
 in Active 
Markets for Identical 
Assets (Level 1)

Significant Other 
Observable 
Inputs 
(Level 2)

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 3)

$3,005

 $—

$—

Fair Value

$3,005

14,349

2,305

5,758

309

898

23,619

$26,624

14,349

2,305

5,758

309

898

23,619

$26,624

—

—

—

—

—

—

$—

—

 —

—

—

—

—

$—

Financial Results  65

 
 
Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016 Using

 (In thousands) 
Cash and cash equivalents

Available-for-sale securities

Bond funds:

Corporate bonds

Government bonds

Equity funds:

Large cap blend

Large cap value

Balanced fund

Available-for-sale securities

Total 

Quoted Prices
 in Active 
Markets for Identical 
Assets (Level 1)

Significant Other 
Observable 
Inputs 
(Level 2)

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 3)

$6

 $—

$—

Fair Value

$6

12,546

2,037

4,462

249

745

20,039

$20,045

12,546

2,037

4,462

249

745

20,039

$20,045

—

—

—

—

—

—

$—

—

 —

—

—

—

—

$—

Our investment policy includes various guidelines and procedures designed to ensure assets are invested in a manner neces-
sary to meet expected future benefits earned by participants, and consider a broad range of economic conditions. Central to the 
policy are target allocation ranges by asset class, which is currently 75% for bond funds and 25% for equity funds.

The objectives of the target allocations are to maintain investment portfolios that diversify risk through prudent asset allocation 
parameters, achieve asset returns that meet or exceed the plans’ actuarial assumptions, and achieve asset returns that are com-
petitive with like institutions employing similar investment strategies.

The investment policy is periodically reviewed by us and a designated third-party fiduciary for investment matters. The policy is 
established and administered in a manner that is compliant at all times with applicable government regulations.

401(k) Savings Plan
We maintain the ADTRAN, Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan (Savings Plan) for the benefit of our eligible employees. The Savings 
Plan is intended to qualify under Sections 401(a) and 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (Code), and 
is intended to be a “safe harbor” 401(k) plan under Code Section 401(k)(12). The Savings Plan allows employees to save for 
retirement by contributing part of their compensation to the plan on a tax-deferred basis. The Savings Plan also requires us to 
contribute a “safe harbor” amount each year. We match up to 4% of employee contributions (100% of an employee’s first 3% of 
contributions and 50% of their next 2% of contributions), beginning on the employee’s one year anniversary date. In calculating 
our matching contribution, we only use compensation up to the statutory maximum under the Code ($270 thousand for 2017). 
All contributions under the Savings Plan are 100% vested. Expenses recorded for employer contributions and plan administra-
tion costs for the Savings Plan amounted to approximately $4.6 million, $4.1 million and $4.7 million in 2017, 2016 and 2015, 
respectively.

Deferred Compensation Plans
We maintain four deferred compensation programs for certain executive management employees and our Board of Directors.

For our executive management employees, the ADTRAN, Inc. Deferred Compensation Program for Employees is offered as a 
supplement to our tax-qualified 401(k) plan and is available to certain executive management employees who have been desig-
nated by our Board of Directors. This deferred compensation plan allows participants to defer all or a portion of certain specified 
bonuses and up to 25% of remaining cash compensation, and permits us to make matching contributions on a discretionary 
basis, without the limitations that apply to the 401(k) plan. To date, we have not made any matching contributions under this 
plan. We also maintain the ADTRAN, Inc. Equity Deferral Program for Employees. Under this plan, participants may elect to 
defer all or a portion of their vested PSUs to the Plan. Such deferrals shall continue to be held and deemed to be invested in shares 
of ADTRAN stock unless and until the amounts are distributed or such deferrals are moved to another deemed investment 
pursuant to an election made by the Participant.

66  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

 
 
For our Board of Directors, we maintain the ADTRAN, Inc. Deferred Compensation Program for Directors. This program al-
lows our Board of Directors to defer all or a portion of monetary remuneration paid to the Director, including, but not limited 
to, meeting fees and annual retainers. We also maintain the ADTRAN, Inc. Equity Deferral Program for Directors. Under this 
plan, participants may elect to defer all or a portion of their vested restricted stock awards. Such deferrals shall continue to be 
held and deemed to be invested in shares of ADTRAN stock unless and until the amounts are distributed or such deferrals are 
moved to another deemed investment pursuant to an election made by the Director.

We have set aside the plan assets for all plans in a rabbi trust (Trust) and all contributions are credited to bookkeeping accounts 
for the participants. The Trust assets are subject to the claims of our creditors in the event of bankruptcy or insolvency. The as-
sets of the Trust are deemed to be invested in pre-approved mutual funds as directed by each participant, and the participant’s 
bookkeeping account is credited with the earnings and losses attributable to those investments. Benefits are scheduled to be 
distributed six months after termination of employment in a single lump sum payment or annual installments paid over a three 
or ten year term. Distributions will be made on a pro rata basis from each of the hypothetical investments of the Participant’s 
account in cash. Any whole shares of ADTRAN, Inc. common stock that are distributed will be distributed in-kind.

Assets of the Trust are deemed invested in mutual funds that cover an investment spectrum ranging from equities to money 
market instruments. These mutual funds are publicly quoted and reported at fair value. The fair value of the assets held by the 
Trust and the amounts payable to the plan participants at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are as follows:

(In thousands) 

Fair Value of Plan Assets

Long-term Investments

Total Fair Value of Plan Assets

Amounts Payable to Plan Participants

Non-current Liabilities

Total Amounts Payable to Plan Participants

2017

2016

$19,883

$19,883

$19,883

$19,883

$14,596

$14,596

$14,596

$14,596

Interest and dividend income of the Trust have been included in interest and dividend income in the accompanying 2017, 2016 
and 2015 Consolidated Statements of Income. Changes in the fair value of the plan assets held by the Trust have been included 
in accumulated other comprehensive income in the accompanying 2017 and 2016 Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the 
fair value of the deferred compensation liability are included as selling, general and administrative expense in the accompanying 
2017, 2016 and 2015 Consolidated Statements of Income. Based on the changes in the total fair value of the Trust’s assets, we 
recorded deferred compensation income (expense) in 2017, 2016 and 2015 of $(2.6) million, $(1.3) million and $0.3 million, 
respectively.

Retiree Medical Coverage
We provide medical, dental and prescription drug coverage to one retired former officer and his spouse, for his life, on the same 
terms as provided to our active officers, and to the spouse of a former deceased officer for up to 30 years. At December 31, 2017 
and 2016, this liability totaled $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively.

13  Segment Information and Major Customers
In 2015, we realigned our organizational structure to better match our market opportunities, technological development initia-
tives, and improve efficiencies. During the first quarter of 2016, our chief operating decision maker requested changes in the 
information that he regularly reviews for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance. As a result, beginning 
with the quarter ended March 31, 2016, we began reporting our financial performance based on two, new reportable segments 
– Network Solutions and Services & Support. Network Solutions includes hardware products and next-generation virtualized 
solutions used in service provider or business networks, as well as prior-generation products. Services & Support includes our 
suite of ProCloud managed services, network installation, engineering and maintenance services, and fee-based technical sup-
port and equipment repair/replacement plans.

Financial Results  67

 
 
We evaluate the performance of our new segments based on gross profit; therefore, selling, general and administrative expenses, 
research and development expenses, interest and dividend income, interest expense, net realized investment gain/loss, other 
income/expense and provision for taxes are reported on a company-wide, functional basis only. Historical financial information 
by reportable segment and category, as discussed below, has been recast to conform to our new reporting structure. There are 
no inter-segment revenues.

The following table presents information about the reported sales and gross profit of our reportable segments for each of the 
years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Asset information by reportable segment is not reported, since we do not pro-
duce such information internally.

(In thousands)
Sales and Gross Profit by
Market Segment

Network Solutions

Services & Support

Total

2017

2016

2015

Sales

Gross Profit

Sales

Gross Profit

Sales

Gross Profit

$540,396

126,504

$666,900

$260,855

$525,502

$254,807

$527,422

42,805

111,279

36,537

72,642

$303,660

$636,781

$291,344

$600,064

$233,579

33,318

$266,897

Sales by Category
In addition to our new reporting segments, we will also report revenue for the following three categories – Access & Aggrega-
tion, Customer Devices, and Traditional & Other Products.

The following table presents sales information by product category for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015:

(In thousands) 
Access & Aggregation

Customer Devices

Traditional & Other Products

Total

2017

$473,943

138,456

54,501

$666,900

2016

$436,372

137,608

62,801

$636,781

2015

$405,698

125,565

68,801

$600,064

The following table presents sales information by geographic area for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Inter-
national sales correlate to shipments with a non-U.S. destination.

(In thousands) 
United States

Germany

Other international

Total

2017

$508,178

119,502

39,220

$666,900

2016

$501,337

85,780

49,664

$636,781

2015

$419,366

111,666

69,032

$600,064

Customers comprising more than 10% of revenue can change from year to year. Single customers comprising more than 10% 
of our revenue in 2017 included two customers at 40% and 16%. Single customers comprising more than 10% of our revenue 
in 2016 included three customers at 24%, 19% and 12%. Single customers comprising more than 10% of our revenue in 2015 
included three customers at 20%, 17% and 14%. No other customer accounted for 10% or more of our sales in 2017, 2016 or 
2015. Our five largest customers, other than those with more than 10 percent of revenues disclosed above, can change from year 
to year. These customers represented 15%, 13%, and 14% of total revenue in 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Revenues in this 
disclosure do not include distributor agents, who predominantly provide fulfillment services to end users. In such cases where 
known, that revenue is associated with the end user.

Additional Segment Information
As of December 31, 2017, long-lived assets, net totaled $85.1 million, which includes $80.6 million held in the U.S. and $4.5 
million held outside the U.S. As of December 31, 2016, long-lived assets, net totaled $84.5 million, which includes $79.9 million 
held in the U.S. and $4.6 million held outside the U.S.

68  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

14  Commitments and Contingencies
In the ordinary course of business, we may be subject to various legal proceedings and claims, including employment disputes, 
patent claims, disputes over contract agreements and other commercial disputes. In some cases, claimants seek damages or 
other relief, such as royalty payments related to patents, which, if granted, could require significant expenditures. Although the 
outcome of any claim or litigation can never be certain, it is our opinion that the outcome of all contingencies of which we are 
currently aware will not materially affect our business, operations, financial condition or cash flows.

We have committed to invest up to an aggregate of $7.9 million in two private equity funds, and we have contributed $8.4 million 
as of December 31, 2017, of which $7.7 million has been applied to these commitments.

We lease office space and equipment under operating leases which expire at various dates through 2025. As of December 31, 
2017,  future  minimum  rental  payments  under  non-cancelable  operating  leases  with  original  maturities  of  greater  than  12 
months are as follows:

(In thousands)
2018

2019

2020

2021

Thereafter

Total

$3,073

927

805

793

2,907

$8,505

Rental expense was $4.5 million, $4.2 million and $4.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respec-
tively.

15  Earnings per Share
A summary of the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 
2015 is as follows:

(In thousands, except for per share amounts)

2017

2016

2015

Numerator

Net Income

Denominator

$23,840

$35,229

$18,646

Weighted average number of shares—basic

48,153

48,724

51,145

Effect of dilutive securities:

Stock options

Restricted stock and restricted stock units

Weighted average number of shares—diluted

Net income per share—basic

Net income per share—diluted

406

140

$48,699

$0.50

$0.49

170

55

81

41

$48,949

$51,267

$0.72

$0.72

$0.36

$0.36

For each of the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, 3.2 million, 4.6 million and 6.1 million stock options were out-
standing but were not included in the computation of that year’s diluted EPS because the options’ exercise prices were greater 
than the average market price of the common shares, therefore making them anti-dilutive under the treasury stock method.

Financial Results  69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
16  Summarized Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
The following table presents unaudited quarterly operating results for each of our last eight fiscal quarters. This information 
has been prepared on a basis consistent with our audited financial statements and includes all adjustments, consisting only of 
normal recurring adjustments, considered necessary for a fair presentation of the data.

Unaudited Quarterly Operating Results

(In thousands, except for per share amounts)
Three Months Ended

March 31, 2017

June 30, 2017 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2017

Net sales

Gross profit

Operating income

Net income

Earnings per common share

Earnings per common share 
  assuming dilution (1)

$170,279

$73,715

$7,032

$6,651

$0.14

$0.14

$184,673

$84,632

$16,448

$12,401

$0.26

$0.26

$185,112

$86,498

$18,318

$15,898

$0.33

$0.33

$126,836

$58,815

$(4,061)

$(11,110)

$(0.23)

$(0.23)

Three Months Ended

March 31, 2016

June 30, 2016 September 30, 2016 December 31, 2016

Net sales

Gross profit

Operating income

Net income

Earnings per common share

Earnings per common share  
  assuming dilution (1)

$142,204

$65,794

$5,521

$5,014

$0.10

$0.10

$162,701

$78,955

$14,812

$10,228

$0.21

$0.21

$168,890

$75,808

$10,130

$12,415

$0.26

$0.26

$162,986

$70,787

$4,272

$7,572

$0.16

$0.16

(1)  Assumes exercise of dilutive stock options calculated under the treasury stock method.

17  Subsequent Events
On January 16, 2018, the Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.09 per common share to be paid to shareholders of 
record at the close of business on January 31, 2018. The quarterly dividend payment was $4.4 million and was paid on February 
14, 2018. In July 2003, our Board of Directors elected to begin declaring quarterly dividends on our common stock considering 
the tax treatment of dividends and adequate levels of Company liquidity.

During the first quarter and as of February 23, 2018, we have repurchased 0.6 million shares of our common stock through open 
market purchases at an average cost of $16.18 per share. We currently have the authority to purchase an additional 2.9 million 
shares of our common stock under the current plan approved by the Board of Directors.

In January 2018, we announced an early retirement incentive program for employees that met certain requirements. The esti-
mated liability associated with this program ranges from $3.6 to $14.3 million.

70  ADTRAN 2017 Annual Report

Directors and Executive Officers

Roger D. Shannon
Senior Vice President of Finance,  
Chief Financial Officer,  
Corporate Secretary and Treasurer

Eduard Scheiterer
Senior Vice President 
Research and Development

James D. Wilson, Jr.
Senior Vice President
Technology and Strategy

Transfer Agent 
American Stock Transfer and Trust Company 
New York, NY

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Birmingham, Alabama

Special Counsel 
Dentons US LLP 
Atlanta, Georgia

Form 10-K 
ADTRAN’s 2017 Annual Report on Form 10-K 
(without exhibits) as filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission is available to stockholders 
without charge upon written request to: 
Investor Relations 
ADTRAN, Inc. 
901 Explorer Blvd. 
P.O. Box 140000 
Huntsville, Alabama 35814-4000 
256 963-8220 
investorrelations@adtran.com (email)

Annual Meeting 
The 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held 
at ADTRAN corporate headquarters, 901 Explorer 
Boulevard, Huntsville, Alabama, on Wednesday, 
May 9, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. Central time.

Thomas R. Stanton
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

H. Fenwick Huss
Director of the Company
Willem Kooyker Dean of the Zicklin School  
of Business at Baruch College

William L. Marks
Director of the Company
Former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer of Whitney Holding Corp. (the holding company
for Whitney National Bank of New Orleans)

Gregory McCray
Director of the Company
President of McCray Consulting

Anthony J. Melone
Director of the Company
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Technology  
Officer for Verizon Communications

Balan Nair
Director of the Company
President and Chief Executive Officer of  
Liberty Latin America

Roy J. Nichols
Director Emeritus
Founder and former President of  
Nichols Research Corporation

Jacqueline H. Rice
Director of the Company
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Risk and  
Compliance Officer for Target Corporation

Kathryn A. Walker
Director of the Company
Managing Director for OpenAir Equity Partners

Michael K. Foliano
Senior Vice President 
Operations

Kevin P. Heering 
Senior Vice President
Services and Support

Charles Marsh 
Senior Vice President
Sales

Financial Results  71