NOW
Annual Report 2019

Plain-text annual report

UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K (Mark one)ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019OR ☐☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Commission file number 001-36325 NOW INC.(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 46-4191184(State of Incorporation) (IRS Identification No.) 7402 North Eldridge Parkway, Houston, Texas 77041(Address of principal executive offices)(281) 823-4700(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered Common Stock, par value $0.01 DNOW New York Stock Exchange Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☒ No ☐Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 (d) of the Act. Yes ☐ No ☒Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90days. Yes ☒ No ☐Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T duringthe preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growthcompany. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.☒Large accelerated filer ☐ Accelerated filer☐Non-accelerated filer ☐Smaller reporting company ☐Emerging growth company If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financialaccounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒The aggregate market value of common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant as of June 28, 2019 was $1.6 billion. As of February 12, 2020, there were 109,207,678shares of the Company’s common stock (excluding 907,528 unvested restricted shares) outstanding.Documents Incorporated by ReferencePortions of the Proxy Statement in connection with the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated in Part III of this report.  NOW INC.TABLE OF CONTENTS PagePART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS 3 ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS 9 ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 24 ITEM 2. PROPERTIES 24 ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 24 ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES 24 PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OFEQUITY SECURITIES 25 ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 27 ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 27 ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 41 ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 42 ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 42 ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 42 ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION 42 PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 43 ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 43 ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERMATTERS 43 ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE 43 ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES 43 PART IV ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 44 2 FORM 10-KNote About Forward-Looking StatementsThis report includes estimates, projections, statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results that are “forward-lookingstatements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements may appear throughout this report, including the following sections: “Business,” “Risk Factors” and“Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” These forward-looking statements generally are identified by thewords “may,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “plan,” “predict,” “estimate,” “will be” or other similar words and phrases. Forward-looking statements are basedon current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. We describe risks anduncertainties that could cause actual results and events to differ materially in “Risk Factors” (Part I, Item 1A of this Form 10-K), “Management’s Discussion andAnalysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (Part II, Item 7) and “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” (Part II, Item 7A).We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except tothe extent required by applicable law.PART IITEM 1.BUSINESSCorporate StructureNOW Inc. (“NOW” or the “Company”), headquartered in Houston, Texas, was incorporated in Delaware on November 22, 2013. On May 30, 2014, the spin-offfrom National Oilwell Varco, Inc. (“NOV”) was completed and NOW became an independent, publicly traded company (the “Spin-Off” or “Separation”). Inaccordance with a separation and distribution agreement between NOV and NOW, the two companies were separated by NOV distributing to its stockholders107,053,031 shares of common stock of NOW Inc. with each NOV stockholder receiving one share of NOW common stock for every four shares of NOVcommon stock held at the close of business on the record date of May 22, 2014 and not sold prior to close of business on May 30, 2014. We filed a registrationstatement on Form 10, as amended through the time of its effectiveness, describing the Spin-Off, which was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and ExchangeCommission (“SEC”) on May 13, 2014. On June 2, 2014, NOW stock began trading “regular-way” on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol“DNOW”.OverviewWe are a global distributor to the oil and gas and industrial markets with a legacy of over 150 years. We operate primarily under the DistributionNOW and DNOWbrands. Through our network of approximately 245 locations and approximately 4,400 employees worldwide, we stock and sell a comprehensive offering ofenergy products as well as a selection of products for industrial applications. Our energy product offering is consumed throughout all sectors of the oil and gasindustry – from upstream drilling and completion, exploration and production (“E&P”), midstream infrastructure development to downstream petrochemical andpetroleum refining – as well as in other industries, such as chemical processing, mining, utilities and industrial manufacturing operations. The industrialdistribution end markets include manufacturing, municipal water and wastewater and engineering and construction firms. We also provide supply chain andmaterials management solutions to the same markets where we sell products.Our global product offering includes consumable maintenance, repair and operating (“MRO”) supplies, pipe, valves, fittings, flanges, gaskets, fasteners, electrical,instrumentation, artificial lift, pumping solutions, valve actuation and modular process, measurement and control equipment. We also offer procurement,warehouse and inventory management solutions as part of our supply chain and materials management offering. We have developed expertise in providingapplication systems, work processes, parts integration, optimization solutions and after-sales support.Our solutions include outsourcing portions or entire functions of our customers’ procurement, inventory and warehouse management, logistics, point of issuetechnology, project management, business process and performance metrics reporting. These solutions allow us to leverage the infrastructure of our SAP™Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system and other technologies to streamline our customers’ purchasing process, from requisition to procurement topayment, by digitally managing workflow, improving approval routing and providing robust reporting functionality.3 We support land and offshore operations for the major oil and gas producing regions around the world through our network of locations. Our key markets, beyondNorth America, include Latin America, the North Sea, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Former Soviet Union (“FSU”). Products sold through our locationssupport greenfield expansion upstream capital projects, midstream infrastructure and transmission and MRO consumables used in day-to-day production. Weprovide downstream energy and industrial products for petroleum refining, chemical processing, LNG terminals, power generation utilities and industrialmanufacturing operations and customer on-site locations.We stock or sell more than 300,000 stock keeping units (“SKUs”) through our branch network. Our supplier network consists of thousands of vendors inapproximately 40 countries. From our operations in over 20 countries, we sell to customers operating in approximately 80 countries. The supplies and equipmentstocked by each of our branches are customized to meet varied and changing local customer demands. The breadth and scale of our offering enhances our valueproposition to our customers, suppliers and shareholders.We employ advanced information technologies, including a common ERP platform across most of our business, to provide complete procurement, materialsmanagement and logistics coordination to our customers around the globe. Having a common ERP platform allows immediate visibility into our inventory assets,operations and financials worldwide, enhancing decision making and efficiency.Global Operations Demand for our products is driven primarily by the level of oil and gas drilling, completions, servicing, production, transmission, refining and petrochemical andindustrial manufacturing activities. It is also influenced by the global supply and demand for energy, the economy in general and by geopolitics. Several factorsdrive spending, such as investment in energy infrastructure, the North American conventional and shale plays, market expectations of future developments in theoil, natural gas, liquids, refined products, petrochemical, plant maintenance and other industrial, manufacturing and energy sectors.We have expanded globally, through acquisitions and organic investments, into Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, England, India,Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates (“UAE”) and theUnited States.4 Summary of Reportable SegmentsWe operate through three reportable segments: United States (“U.S.”), Canada and International. The segment data included in our Management’s Discussion andAnalysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) are presented on a basis consistent with our internal management reporting. Segmentinformation appearing in Note 15 “Business Segments” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K) is also presentedon this basis.United StatesWe have approximately 165 locations in the U.S., which are geographically positioned to best serve the upstream, midstream and downstream energy andindustrial markets.We offer higher value solutions in key product lines in the U.S. which broaden and deepen our customer relationships and related product line value. Examples ofthese include artificial lift, pumps, valves and valve actuation, process equipment, fluid transfer products, measurement and controls, spoolable pipe, along withmany other products required by our customers, which enable them to focus on their core business while we manage their supply chain. We also provide additionalvalue to our customers through the design, assembly, fabrication and optimization of products and equipment essential to the safe and efficient production,transportation and processing of oil and gas and industrial manufacturing.CanadaWe have a network of approximately 50 locations in the Canadian oilfield, predominantly in the oil rich provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan in WesternCanada. Our Canada segment primarily serves the energy exploration, production, mining and drilling business, offering customers many of the same products andvalue-added solutions that we perform in the U.S. In Canada, we also provide training for, and supervise the installation of, jointed and spoolable composite pipe.This product line is supported by inventory and product and installation expertise to serve our customers.InternationalWe operate in approximately 20 countries and serve the needs of our international customers from approximately 30 locations outside the U.S. and Canada, whichare strategically located in major oil and gas development areas. Our approach in these markets is similar to our approach in North America, as our customers turnto us to provide inventory and support closer to their drilling and exploration activities. Our long legacy of operating in many international regions, combined withsignificant expansion into several key markets, provides a competitive advantage as few of our competitors have a presence in most of the global energyproducing regions.5 Distribution Industry OverviewThe distribution industry is highly fragmented, comprised of large companies with global reach and numerous small, local and regional competitors. Distributioncompanies act both as supply stores and supply chain management providers for their customers. Distributors deliver value to their customers by serving as asupply chain partner by managing vendor networks and aggregating, carrying and distributing a wide range of product inventory from numerous vendors inlocations close to the end user. As a distributor of energy and industrial markets, we offer a wide array of products and supply chain services.We offer our products, services and supply chain solutions across the entire energy value chain, from onshore and offshore drilling of oil and gas, to theexploration and production of oil and gas, the separation, transfer, and disposal of produced water, to the midstream gathering, processing and transmission of oil,gas, water, NGLs, LNG, and refined petroleum products, to the downstream refining of oil, and the manufacturing of petrochemicals and specialty chemicals. Inaddition, we provide our products, services and supply chain solutions to other end markets including mining and minerals, municipal water and wastewater andindustrial manufacturing.We provide drilling products, MRO consumables, safety and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) equipment for land drilling rigs, workover rigs and initialoffshore drilling rig load outs. Once rigs are contracted, commissioned and deployed, we seek to replace material and inventory consumed during drillingoperations. We couple the sale of products with supply chain services in the form of inventory planning, inventory management and warehouse management. Weprovide a full suite of process and production equipment, pumps and compressor packages, artificial lift, steel, fiberglass and composite pipe, valves and fittings(PVF), instrumentation and measurement, and safety and personal protective equipment (PPE) in the exploration, production, separation, storage and gathering ofoil and gas, as well as the separation, removal, storage and transfer of produced water.To minimize air emissions, we provide vapor recovery systems to capture and transfer gas and volatile organic compounds during the separation and storage of oil,gas and water from operating reservoirs. For produced water, we provide fluid movement products that help our customers environmentally dispose of water. Foroil streams, we provide products that measure the quality and quantity of oil and gas through the separation process and prior to distribution to the midstreamsector. We offer a variety of fluid movement solutions ranging from standard to engineered pump packages and a wide variety of ASME fabricated process andproduction equipment to remove water and contaminants prior to the midstream transfer of oil, natural gas liquids (NGLs) and other refined products within themidstream sector. For gas processing and gas conditioning, we offer a full suite of PVF and ASME coded fabricated process equipment to efficiently andeconomically process and condition gas for transfer to end markets. Many of the terminals and tank farms used in the midstream space to facilitate the storage anddistribution of oil, gas, NGLs, LNG, and other hydrocarbon-based fluids utilize our products. We provide PVF, pumps, safety, PPE, supply chain and safetyservices to the refining, petrochemical, chemical and industrial industries. Our products are consumed from industrial customer’s daily MRO expenditures,customer capital projects in the form of existing plant expansions, new plant facilities, as well as planned and unplanned maintenance of processing units.Our Distribution ChannelsWe offer a diverse range of products across the energy and industrial markets in the U.S., Canada and internationally. There are thousands of manufacturers of theproducts used in the markets in which we operate and customers demand a high level of service, responsiveness and availability across a broad set of products andvendors. These market dynamics make the distributor an essential element in the value chain. Our product offering is aligned to meet the needs of our customerbase.EnergyEnergy branches are brick and mortar supply store operations that provide products to multiple upstream, midstream and downstream customers from a singlelocation. These branches serve repeat account and walk-in retail customers. Products are inventoried in branch warehouses based on local market needs and aredelivered or available for pick-up as needed. The branches serve a geographical radius and provide delivery of products and solutions.This distribution channel includes sales and operations professionals trained in the products, applications and customer service required to support customers asthey drill, explore, produce, transport and refine oil and gas and other products. Products include line pipe, valves, actuated valves, fabrication, valve actuation,fittings and flanges, pumps, OEM equipment, electrical products, mill supplies, tools, safety supplies, personal protective equipment, applied products andapplications, such as artificial lift systems, coatings and miscellaneous expendable items.6 Supply ChainSupply Chain locations serve the upstream, midstream and downstream energy, industrial and manufacturing end markets through a network of facilities staffed byskilled personnel. The primary product offering includes various grades of pipe, valves, fittings, mill supplies, machine and cutting tools, power and hand tools andsafety supplies. Additionally, locations offer safety equipment, including repair and maintenance, and also provide planning, sourcing and expediting of ordersthroughout the lifecycle of large capital projects.Supply Chain customers can also outsource supply chain functions to the Company, where we provide a significant vendor network that enables the customer tobenefit from on-site management of their procurement, warehouses, inventory, materials, projects and logistics. We partner with customers to evaluate their currentoperations and make informed recommendations regarding inventory levels and mix. Supply Chain solutions can be customized to a customer’s requirements andguided by a strategic framework to reduce direct material expenditures and direct supply chain costs, improve maintenance productivity, reduce inventory-relatedworking capital, streamline time to revenue and manage the risk of material availability affecting business continuity.Process SolutionsProcess Solutions has a team of distribution experts, technical professionals and licensed engineers who provide expertise related to pumps and fluid movementsolutions, liquid and gas measurement systems, fabrication and valve actuation. Process Solutions distributes OEM equipment including pumps, generator sets, airand gas compressors, dryers, blowers and valves. After-market services include rental, machining and repair service from a team of field mechanics locatedthroughout the central U.S. The team also fabricates customer lease automatic custody transfer (LACT) units, vapor recovery units, gas meter runs, ASME codevessels in the form of separators, heater treaters, gas conditioning systems, towers, reactors, condensate stabilizers, slug catchers and pressurized bullet tanks, piglaunchers and receivers and water transfer and disposal units.Process Solutions serves the upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas markets as well as the municipal industrial, mining, power generation and generalindustries. Process Solutions also provides modular oil and gas tank battery solutions that positively impact our operator customers by enabling them to expediterevenue generation by reducing the time to complete a tank battery and getting oil and gas into the pipeline earlier. This solution saves our customers time andexpense related to well hookup and tank battery commissioning and reduces field incident exposures due to a reduced labor requirement for battery construction.CustomersOur primary customers are companies active in the upstream, midstream and downstream sectors of the energy industry, including drilling contractors, wellservicing companies, independent and national oil and gas companies, midstream operators, refineries, petrochemical, chemical, utilities and other downstreamenergy processors. We also serve a diverse range of industrial and manufacturing companies across a broad spectrum of industries and end markets. We partnerwith our customers to continually meet or exceed their expectations and add value as a supply chain partner in the locations where they operate. Our products aretypically critical to our customers’ operations, yet represent only a small fraction of their total project or facility cost. As a result, our customers seek suppliers withestablished qualifications and an operational history to deliver high quality and reliable products that meet their requirements in a timely manner.As customers increasingly aggregate purchases to improve efficiency and reduce costs, they partner with large distributors who can meet their needs for products inmultiple locations around the world. We believe we could benefit from consolidation among the companies we serve, as the larger resulting companies look toglobal distributors as their source for products and related solutions.No single customer represents more than 10% of our revenue.CompetitionThe distribution companies serving the energy and industrial end markets are both numerous and competitive. This industry is highly fragmented, comprised oflarge distributors, each with many locations, who aggregate and distribute several product lines, and includes numerous smaller regional and local companies,many of which operate from a single location and either aggregate and distribute several product lines or focus on a single product line. While some largedistributors compete in both markets, most companies focus on either the energy or industrial end market. In the energy market, some of the larger companiesagainst whom we compete include Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., MRC Global, Inc., Russel Metals, Inc., DXP Enterprises, Inc. and FloWorks. In the industrialmarket, some of the larger companies against whom we compete include Ferguson Enterprises, Inc., W.W. Grainger Inc., HD Supply, Inc., Wesco InternationalInc., MSC Industrial Direct Co., Inc., Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc., DXP Enterprises, Inc. and Fastenal Company.7 Seasonal Nature of the Company’s BusinessA portion of our business has experienced seasonal trends, to some degree, which have varied by geographic region. In the U.S., activity has historically beenhigher during the summer and fall months. In Canada, certain E&P activities have declined in the spring due to seasonal thaws and regulatory restrictions limitingthe ability of drilling rigs and transportation to operate effectively and safely during these periods.EmployeesAt December 31, 2019, we had approximately 4,400 employees, of which approximately 200 were temporary employees. Some of our employees in variousforeign locations are subject to collective bargaining agreements. Less than one percent of our employees in the U.S. are subject to collective bargainingagreements. We offer market-competitive benefits for employees and opportunities for growth and advancement. We believe our relationship with our employeesis good.SustainabilityWe can assist in reducing emissions of greenhouse gases in our operations by creating a more efficient supply chain. An efficient supply chain can help reduce thecarbon footprint of deliveries to our distribution centers and branches and, ultimately to our customers. Use of our large centralized and regional distributioncenters allow us to aggregate product across multiple suppliers and customers, which, in turn, prevents each customer from separately creating duplicative supplychains that require fuel for deliveries and resources to manage.As a distributor, we perform minimal manufacturing operations. We do not utilize large amounts of water. Our energy inputs are primarily electricity for lighting,heating and office and warehouse equipment, natural gas for heating and gasoline for company sales and delivery vehicles. We strive to make our operations moreefficient, and in turn try to work to reduce use of these resources and resulting emissions. We have recycling programs to try and reduce waste from usedcardboard, office paper and other recyclables. However, recycling programs are sometimes limited by the unavailability of users, haulers or purchasers forrecyclable materials at reasonable costs.We are a distributor of products that contain and control the movement of gases and fluids in an efficient and sustainable manner. The products we sell aredesigned by the manufacturers of those products to prevent and minimize accidental leaks of hydrocarbons. Additionally, we offer product lines that further aid inthe mitigation of environmental impact. Examples of such products include: domestically produced goods; low emission rated valves; steel piping productsproduced from recycled scrap; and pipe produced using wind power, recycled water, and wood pellet inputs.Environmental MattersWe are subject to a variety of federal, state, local, foreign and provincial environmental, health and safety laws, regulations and permitting requirements, includingthose governing the discharge of pollutants or hazardous substances into the air, soil or water, the generation, handling, use, management, storage and disposal of,or exposure to, hazardous substances and wastes, the responsibility to investigate, remediate, monitor and clean up contamination and occupational health andsafety. Fines and penalties may be imposed for non-compliance with applicable environmental, health and safety requirements and the failure to have or to complywith the terms and conditions of required permits. Historically, the costs to comply with environmental and health and safety requirements have not been materialto our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. We are not aware of any pending environmental compliance or remediation matters that, in the opinionof management, are reasonably likely to have a material effect on our business, financial position or results of operations or cash flows.Available InformationOur website address is www.distributionnow.com. The information found on our website is not part of this or any other report we file with, or furnish to, the SECand is expressly not incorporated by reference into this document. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form8-K, proxy statements and any amendments to these reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 areavailable on our website, free of charge, as soon as reasonably practicable after such reports are filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Alternatively, you may accessthese reports at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.8 ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORSYou should carefully consider each of the following risks in addition to all other information contained or incorporated herein. Some of these risks relateprincipally to the Spin-Off, while others relate principally to our business and the industry in which we operate or to the securities markets generally andownership of our common stock. Our business, prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be materially and adversely affected by anyof these risks, and, as a result, the trading price of our common stock could decline. This information should be read in conjunction with Item 7, Management’sDiscussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk and theconsolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Form 10-K.Risks Relating to Our BusinessDecreased capital and other expenditures in the energy industry, which can result from decreased oil and natural gas prices, among other things, can adverselyimpact our customers’ demand for our products and our revenue.A large portion of our revenue depends upon the level of capital and operating expenditures in the oil and natural gas industry, including capital and otherexpenditures in connection with exploration, drilling, production, gathering, transportation, refining and processing operations. Demand for the products wedistribute is particularly sensitive to the level of exploration, development and production activity of, and the corresponding capital and other expenditures by, oiland natural gas companies. In addition, after a well is drilled, there can be a lag between when the well is drilled and when it is completed, which causes a delay inthe demand for some of our products. Oil and natural gas prices have been extremely volatile since 2014. Continued volatility and weakness in oil or natural gasprices could depress levels of exploration, development and production activity and, therefore, could lead to a decrease in our customers’ capital and otherexpenditures.The willingness of oil and gas operators to make capital and operating expenditures to explore for and produce oil and natural gas and the willingness of oilfieldservice companies to invest in capital and operating equipment will continue to be influenced by numerous factors over which we have no control, including: •the ability of the members of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (“OPEC”) and certain non-OPEC countries, such as Russia, tomaintain price stability through voluntary production limits, the level of production by other non-OPEC countries, such as the United States, andworldwide demand for oil and gas; •the level of production from known reserves; •the cost of exploring for and producing oil and gas; •limits on access to capital and investor demands for capital discipline; •the level of drilling activity and drilling rig day rates; •worldwide economic activity; •national government political requirements; •the development of alternate energy sources; and •environmental regulations.If there is a significant reduction in demand for drilling services, in cash flows of drilling contractors, well servicing companies or production companies, or indrilling or well servicing rig utilization rates, then demand for our products will decline.Volatile oil and gas prices affect demand for our products.Demand for our products is largely determined by current and anticipated oil and natural gas prices, and the related spending and level of activity by ourcustomers, including spending on production and the level of drilling activities. Volatility or weakness in oil or natural gas prices (or the perception that oil ornatural gas prices will decrease) affects the spending pattern of our customers, and may result in the drilling of fewer new wells or lower production spending onexisting wells. This, in turn, could result in lower demand for our products. Any sustained decrease in capital expenditures in the oil and natural gas industry couldhave a material adverse effect on us.Prices for oil and natural gas are subject to large fluctuations in response to relatively minor changes in the supply of and demand for oil and natural gas, marketuncertainty and a variety of other factors that are beyond our control. Any such reduction in operating budgets, reduction in activity and/or pricing pressures, wouldadversely affect our revenue and operating performance.9 Many factors affect the supply of and demand for energy and, therefore, influence oil and natural gas prices, including: •the level of domestic and worldwide oil and natural gas production and inventories; •the level of drilling activity and the availability of attractive oil and natural gas field prospects, which governmental actions may affect, such asregulatory actions or legislation, or other restrictions on drilling, including those related to environmental concerns (e.g., a temporary moratorium ondeepwater drilling in the Gulf of Mexico following a rig accident or oil spill); •the discovery rate of new oil and natural gas reserves and the expected cost of developing new reserves; •the actual cost of finding and producing oil and natural gas; •depletion rates; •domestic and worldwide refinery over capacity or under capacity and utilization rates; •the availability of transportation infrastructure and refining capacity; •increases in the cost of products that the oil and gas industry uses, such as those that we provide, which may result from increases in the cost of rawmaterials such as steel; •shifts in end-customer preferences toward fuel efficiency and the use of natural gas; •the economic or political attractiveness of alternative fuels, such as coal, hydrocarbon, battery power, wind, solar energy and biomass-based fuels; •increases in oil and natural gas prices or historically high oil and natural gas prices, which could lower demand for oil and natural gas products; •worldwide economic activity including growth in non-Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, including China andIndia; •interest rates and the cost of capital; •national government policies, including government policies that could nationalize or expropriate oil and natural gas, E&P, refining or transportationassets; •the ability of OPEC and non-OPEC countries, such as Russia, to set and maintain production levels and prices for oil; •the level of production by non-OPEC countries; •the impact of armed hostilities, or the threat or perception of armed hostilities; •public health crises, such as the coronavirus outbreak at the beginning of 2020 •environmental regulation; •import duties and tariffs; •technological advances; •global weather conditions and natural disasters; •currency fluctuations; and •tax policies.Oil and natural gas prices have been and are expected to remain volatile. U.S. rig count decreased from 1,075 rigs on January 4, 2019 to 805 rigs on December 27,2019. U.S. rig count averaged 944 rigs in 2019. U.S. rig count at January 31, 2020 was 790 rigs. The price for WTI crude was $61.17 per barrel at January 2, 2020.The price for WTI crude was $46.31 per barrel on January 2, 2019 and $60.37 per barrel on January 2, 2018. This type of volatility has historically caused oil andnatural gas companies to change their strategies and expenditure levels from year to year. We have experienced in the past, and we will likely experience in thefuture, significant fluctuations in operating results based on these changes.10 General economic conditions may adversely affect our business.U.S. and global general economic conditions affect many aspects of our business, including demand for the products we distribute and the pricing and availabilityof supplies. General economic conditions and predictions regarding future economic conditions also affect our forecasts. A decrease in demand for the products wedistribute or other adverse effects resulting from an economic downturn may cause us to fail to achieve our anticipated financial results. General economic factorsbeyond our control that affect our business and customers include interest rates, recession, inflation, deflation, customer credit availability, consumer creditavailability, consumer debt levels, performance of housing markets, energy costs, tariffs, tax rates and policy, unemployment rates, commencement or escalationof war or hostilities, the threat or possibility of war, terrorism or other global or national unrest, political or financial instability, and other matters that influenceour customers’ spending. Increasing volatility in financial markets may cause these factors to change with a greater degree of frequency or increase in magnitude.In addition, worldwide economic conditions could have an adverse effect on our business, prospects, operating results, financial condition and cash flows.We may be unable to compete successfully with other companies in our industry.We sell products in very competitive markets. In some cases, we compete with large companies with substantial resources. In other cases, we compete with smallerregional companies that may increasingly be willing to provide similar products at lower prices. Certain of these competitors may have greater financial, technicaland marketing resources than us, and may be in a better competitive position. The following competitive actions can each adversely affect our revenues andearnings: •price changes; •vendors with better terms; •consolidation in the industry; •investments in technology and fulfillment; and •improvements in availability and delivery.We could experience a material adverse effect to the extent that our competitors are successful in reducing our customers’ purchases of products from us.Competition could also cause us to lower our prices, which could reduce our margins and profitability. Furthermore, consolidation in our industry could heightenthe impacts of the competition on our business and results of operations discussed above, particularly if consolidation results in competitors with stronger financialand strategic resources, and could also result in increases to the prices we are required to pay for acquisitions we may make in the future. In addition, certainforeign jurisdictions and government-owned petroleum companies located in some of the countries in which we operate have adopted policies or regulations whichmay give local nationals in these countries competitive advantages. Competition in our industry could lead to lower revenues and earnings.Demand for the products we distribute could decrease if the manufacturers of those products were to sell a substantial amount of goods directly to end users in thesectors we serve.Historically, users of pipes, valves and fittings and related products have purchased certain amounts of these products through distributors and not directly frommanufacturers. If customers were to purchase the products that we sell directly from manufacturers, or if manufacturers sought to increase their efforts to selldirectly to end users, we could experience a significant decrease in profitability. These or other developments that remove us from, or limit our role in, thedistribution chain, may harm our competitive position in the marketplace and reduce our sales and earnings and adversely affect our business.11 We may need additional capital in the future, and it may not be available on acceptable terms, or at all.We may require more capital in the future to: •fund our operations (including, but not limited to, working capital requirements such as inventory); •finance investments in equipment and infrastructure needed to maintain and expand our distribution capabilities; •enhance and expand the range of products we offer; and •respond to potential strategic opportunities, such as investments, acquisitions and international expansion.We can give no assurance that additional financing will be available on terms favorable to us, or at all. The terms of available financing may place limits on ourfinancial and operating flexibility. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be forced to reduce our operations or delay, limit or abandonexpansion opportunities. Moreover, even if we are able to continue our operations, the failure to obtain additional financing could reduce our competitiveness.We may experience unexpected supply shortages.We distribute products from a wide variety of manufacturers and suppliers. Nevertheless, in the future we may have difficulty obtaining the products we need fromsuppliers and manufacturers as a result of unexpected demand or production difficulties that might extend lead times. Also, products may not be available to us inquantities sufficient to meet our customer demand. Our inability to obtain products from suppliers and manufacturers in sufficient quantities, or at all, couldadversely affect our product offerings and our business.We may experience cost increases from suppliers, which we may be unable to pass on to our customers.In the future, we may face supply cost increases due to, among other things, unexpected increases in demand for supplies, decreases in production of supplies orincreases in the cost of raw materials or transportation, or trade wars. Any inability to pass supply price increases on to our customers could have a materialadverse effect on us. In addition, if supply costs increase, our customers may elect to purchase smaller amounts of products or may purchase products from otherdistributors. While we may be able to work with our customers to reduce the effects of unforeseen price increases because of our relationships with them, we maynot be able to reduce the effects of the cost increases. In addition, to the extent that competition leads to reduced purchases of products from us or a reduction ofour prices, and these reductions occur concurrently with increases in the prices for selected commodities which we use in our operations, the adverse effectsdescribed above would likely be exacerbated and could result in a prolonged downturn in profitability.We do not have contracts with most of our suppliers. The loss of a significant supplier would require us to rely more heavily on our other existing suppliers or todevelop relationships with new suppliers. Such a loss may have an adverse effect on our product offerings and our business.Given the nature of our business, and consistent with industry practice, we do not have contracts with most of our suppliers. We generally make our purchasesthrough purchase orders. Therefore, most of our suppliers have the ability to terminate their relationships with us at any time. Although we believe there arenumerous manufacturers with the capacity to supply the products we distribute, the loss of one or more of our major suppliers could have an adverse effect on ourproduct offerings and our business. Such a loss would require us to rely more heavily on our other existing suppliers or develop relationships with new suppliers,which may cause us to pay higher prices for products due to, among other things, a loss of volume discount benefits currently obtained from our major suppliers.Price reductions by suppliers of products that we sell could cause the value of our inventory to decline. Also, these price reductions could cause our customers todemand lower sales prices for these products, possibly decreasing our margins and profitability on sales to the extent that we purchased our inventory of theseproducts at the higher prices prior to supplier price reductions.The value of our inventory could decline as a result of manufacturer price reductions with respect to products that we sell. There is no assurance that a substantialdecline in product prices would not result in a write-down of our inventory value. Such a write-down could have an adverse effect on our financial condition. Also,decreases in the market prices of products that we sell could cause customers to demand lower sales prices from us. These price reductions could reduce ourmargins and profitability on sales with respect to the lower-priced products. Reductions in our margins and profitability on sales could have a material adverseeffect on us.12 A substantial decrease in the price of steel could significantly lower our product margin or cash flow.We distribute many products manufactured from steel. As a result, the price and supply of steel can affect our business and, in particular, our pipe productcategory. When steel prices are lower, the prices that we charge customers for products may decline, which affects our product margin and cash flow. At timespricing and availability of steel can be volatile due to numerous factors beyond our control, including general domestic and international economic conditions,labor costs, sales levels, competition, consolidation of steel producers, fluctuations in and the costs of raw materials necessary to produce steel, steelmanufacturers’ plant utilization levels and capacities, import duties and tariffs and currency exchange rates. Increases in manufacturing capacity for steel-relatedproducts could put pressure on the prices we receive for such products. When steel prices decline, customer demands for lower prices and our competitors’responses to those demands could result in lower sales prices and, consequently, lower product margin and cash flow.If steel prices rise, we may be unable to pass along the cost increases to our customers.We maintain inventories of steel products to accommodate the lead time requirements of our customers. Accordingly, we purchase steel products in an effort tomaintain our inventory at levels that we believe to be appropriate to satisfy the anticipated needs of our customers based upon historic buying practices, contractswith customers and market conditions. Our commitments to purchase steel products are generally at prevailing market prices in effect at the time we place ourorders. If steel prices increase between the time we order steel products and the time of delivery of the products to us, our suppliers may impose surcharges thatrequire us to pay for increases in steel prices during the period. Demand for the products we distribute, the actions of our competitors and other factors willinfluence whether we will be able to pass on steel cost increases and surcharges to our customers, and we may be unsuccessful in doing so.If tariffs and duties on imports into the U.S. of line pipe or certain of the other products that we sell are lifted, we could have too many of these products ininventory competing against less expensive imports.U.S. law currently imposes tariffs and duties on imports from certain foreign countries of pipe and on other imports of certain steel products that we sell. If thesetariffs and duties are lifted or reduced, and our U.S. customers accept these imported products, we could be materially and adversely affected to the extent that wewould then have higher-cost products in our inventory or there would be increased supplies of these products which would drive down prices and affect ourmargins on our domestic or other alternate products that compete with the new imports that have tariffs or duties removed. If prices of these products were todecrease significantly, we might not be able to profitably sell these products we have in our inventory and the value would decline. In addition, significant pricedecreases could result in a significantly longer holding period for some of our inventory.Changes in trade policies, including the imposition of additional tariffs, could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.The current United States administration has signaled support for implementing, and in some instances, has already proposed or taken action with respect to, majorchanges to certain trade policies, such as the imposition of additional tariffs on imported products and the withdrawal from or renegotiation of certain tradeagreements, including the North American Free Trade Agreement. On March 8, 2018, the President of the United States signed an order to impose a tariff of 25%on steel imported from certain countries under the Section 232 rule. The tariff did result in an increase in our cost of sales, and if removed could trigger a decreasein our cost of sales and inventory value. The U.S. has also imposed tariffs on China under section 301 that has affected the cost of certain products. These tariffsare subject to change as trade negotiations continue. If these tariffs were removed, it could drive down the costs of certain products and affect our inventory valuewhich could affect our margin negatively. There can be no assurance that we will be able to pass any of the increases in raw material costs directly resulting fromthe tariffs to our customers.In addition, there could be additional tariffs imposed by the United States and these could also result in additional retaliatory actions by the United States’ tradepartners. Given that we procure many of the raw materials that we use to create our products directly or indirectly from outside of the United States, the impositionof tariffs and other potential changes in U.S. trade policy could increase the cost or limit the availability of such raw materials, which could hurt our competitiveposition and adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, we sell a significant proportion of our products to customersoutside of the United States. Retaliatory actions by other countries could result in increases in the price of our products, which could limit demand for suchproducts, hurt our global competitive position and have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.13 We do not have long-term contracts or agreements with many of our customers. The contracts and agreements that we do have generally do not commit ourcustomers to any minimum purchase volume. The loss of a significant customer may have a material adverse effect on us.Given the nature of our business, and consistent with industry practice, we do not have long-term contracts with many of our customers. In addition, our contractsgenerally do not commit our customers to any minimum purchase volume. Therefore, a significant number of our customers may terminate their relationships withus or reduce their purchasing volume at any time. Furthermore, the long-term customer contracts that we do have are generally terminable without cause on shortnotice. The products that we may sell to any particular customer depend in large part on the size of that customer’s capital expenditure budget in a particular yearand on the results of competitive bids for major projects. Consequently, a customer that accounts for a significant portion of our sales in one fiscal year mayrepresent an immaterial portion of our sales in subsequent fiscal years. The loss of a significant customer, or a substantial decrease in a significant customer’sorders, may have an adverse effect on our sales and revenue.In addition, we are subject to customer audit clauses in many of our multi-year contracts. If we are not able to provide the proper documentation or support forinvoices per the contract terms, we may be subject to negotiated settlements with our major customers.Changes in our customer and product mix could cause our product margin to fluctuate.From time to time, we may experience changes in our customer mix or in our product mix. Changes in our customer mix may result from geographic expansion,daily selling activities within current geographic markets and targeted selling activities to new customer segments. Changes in our product mix may result frommarketing activities to existing customers and needs communicated to us from existing and prospective customers. If customers begin to require more lower-margin products from us and fewer higher-margin products, our business, results of operations and financial condition may suffer.Customer credit risks could result in losses.The concentration of our customers in the energy industry may impact our overall exposure to credit risk as customers may be similarly affected by prolongedchanges in economic and industry conditions. Further, laws in some jurisdictions in which we operate could make collection difficult or time consuming. Weperform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers and do not generally require collateral in support of our trade receivables. While we maintain reserves forexpected credit losses, we cannot assure these reserves will be sufficient to meet write-offs of uncollectible receivables or that our losses from such receivableswill be consistent with our expectations.14 We may be unable to successfully execute or effectively integrate acquisitions.One of our key operating strategies is to selectively pursue acquisitions, including large scale acquisitions, to continue to grow and increase profitability. However,acquisitions, particularly of a significant scale, involve numerous risks and uncertainties, including intense competition for suitable acquisition targets, the potentialunavailability of financial resources necessary to consummate acquisitions in the future, increased leverage due to additional debt financing that may be required tocomplete an acquisition, dilution of our stockholders’ net current book value per share if we issue additional equity securities to finance an acquisition, difficultiesin identifying suitable acquisition targets or in completing any transactions identified on sufficiently favorable terms, assumption of undisclosed or unknownliabilities and the need to obtain regulatory or other governmental approvals that may be necessary to complete acquisitions. In addition, any future acquisitionsmay entail significant transaction costs and risks associated with entry into new markets.Even when acquisitions are completed, integration of acquired entities can involve significant difficulties, such as: •failure to achieve cost savings or other financial or operating objectives with respect to an acquisition; •complications and issues resulting from the integration/conversion of ERP systems; •strain on the operational and managerial controls and procedures of our business, and the need to modify systems or to add management resources; •difficulties in the integration and retention of customers or personnel and the integration and effective deployment of operations or technologies; •amortization of acquired assets, which would reduce future reported earnings; •possible adverse short-term effects on our cash flows or operating results; •diversion of management’s attention from the ongoing operations of our business; •integrating personnel with diverse backgrounds and organizational cultures; •coordinating sales and marketing functions; •failure to obtain and retain key personnel of an acquired business; and •assumption of known or unknown material liabilities or regulatory non-compliance issues.Failure to manage these acquisition risks could have an adverse effect on us.We are a holding company and depend upon our subsidiaries for our cash flow.We are a holding company. Our subsidiaries conduct all of our operations and own substantially all of our assets. Consequently, our cash flow and our ability tomeet our obligations or to make other distributions in the future will depend upon the cash flow of our subsidiaries and our subsidiaries’ payment of funds to us inthe form of dividends, tax sharing payments or otherwise.The ability of our subsidiaries to make any payments to us will depend on their earnings, the terms of their current and future indebtedness, tax considerations andlegal and contractual restrictions on the ability to make distributions.Our subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities. Any right that we have to receive any assets of or distributions from any of our subsidiaries upon thebankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization, or to realize proceeds from the sale of their assets, will be junior to the claims of that subsidiary’s creditors,including trade creditors and holders of debt that the subsidiary issued.Changes in our credit profile may affect our relationship with our suppliers, which could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity.Changes in our credit profile may affect the way our suppliers view our ability to make payments and may induce them to shorten the payment terms of theirinvoices. Given the large dollar amounts and volume of our purchases from suppliers, a change in payment terms may have a material adverse effect on ourliquidity and our ability to make payments to our suppliers and, consequently, may have a material adverse effect on us.15 We are subject to strict environmental, health and safety laws and regulations that may lead to significant liabilities and negatively impact the demand for ourproducts.We are subject to a variety of federal, state, local, foreign and provincial environmental, health and safety laws; regulations and permitting requirements, includingthose governing the discharge of pollutants or hazardous substances into the air, soil or water, the generation, handling, use, management, storage and disposal of,or exposure to, hazardous substances and wastes, the responsibility to investigate and clean up contamination and occupational health and safety. Regulations andcourts may impose fines and penalties for non-compliance with applicable environmental, health and safety requirements and the failure to have or to comply withthe terms and conditions of required permits. Our failure to comply with applicable environmental, health and safety requirements could result in fines, penalties,enforcement actions, third-party claims for property damage and personal injury, requirements to clean up property or to pay for the costs of cleanup or regulatoryor judicial orders requiring corrective measures, including the installation of pollution control equipment or remedial actions.Certain laws and regulations, such as the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (“CERCLA” or the “U.S. federal Superfundlaw”) or its state and foreign equivalents, may impose the obligation to investigate and remediate contamination at a facility on current and former owners oroperators or on persons who may have sent waste to that facility for disposal. These laws and regulations may impose liability without regard to fault or to thelegality of the activities giving rise to the contamination.Moreover, we may incur liabilities in connection with environmental conditions currently unknown to us relating to our existing, prior or future owned or leasedsites or operations or those of predecessor companies whose liabilities we may have assumed or acquired. We believe that indemnities contained in certain of ouracquisition agreements may cover certain environmental conditions existing at the time of the acquisition, subject to certain terms, limitations and conditions.However, if these indemnification provisions terminate or if the indemnifying parties do not fulfill their indemnification obligations, we may be subject to liabilitywith respect to the environmental matters that those indemnification provisions address. In addition, environmental, health and safety laws and regulationsapplicable to our business and the business of our customers, including laws regulating the energy industry, and the interpretation or enforcement of these laws andregulations, are constantly evolving. It is impossible to predict accurately the effect that changes in these laws and regulations, or their interpretation orenforcement, may have on us.Should environmental laws and regulations, or their interpretation or enforcement, become more stringent, our costs, or the costs of our customers, could increase,which may have a material adverse effect on us.We may not have adequate insurance for potential liabilities, including liabilities arising from litigation.In the ordinary course of business, we have and in the future may become the subject of various claims, lawsuits and administrative proceedings seeking damagesor other remedies concerning our commercial operations, the products we distribute, employees and other matters, including potential claims by individualsalleging exposure to hazardous materials as a result of the products we distribute or our operations. Some of these claims may relate to the activities of businessesthat we have acquired, even though these activities may have occurred prior to our acquisition of the businesses. The products we distribute are sold primarily foruse in the energy industry, which is subject to inherent risks that could result in death, personal injury, property damage, pollution, release of hazardous substancesor loss of production. In addition, defects in the products we distribute could result in death, personal injury, property damage, pollution, release of hazardoussubstances or damage to equipment and facilities. Actual or claimed defects in the products we distribute may give rise to claims against us for losses and exposeus to claims for damages.16 We maintain insurance to cover certain of our potential losses, and we are subject to various self-retentions, deductibles and caps under our insurance. We face thefollowing risks with respect to our insurance coverage: •we may not be able to continue to obtain insurance on commercially reasonable terms; •we may incur losses from interruption of our business that exceed our insurance coverage; •we may be faced with types of liabilities that will not be covered by our insurance; •our insurance carriers may not be able to meet their obligations under the policies; or •the dollar amount of any liabilities may exceed our policy limits.Even a partially uninsured claim, if successful and of significant size, could have a material adverse effect on us. Finally, even in cases where we maintaininsurance coverage, our insurers may raise various objections and exceptions to coverage that could make uncertain the timing and amount of any possibleinsurance recovery.Due to our position as a distributor, we are subject to personal injury, product liability and environmental claims involving allegedly defective products.Our customers use certain products we distribute in potentially hazardous applications that can result in personal injury, product liability and environmental claims.A catastrophic occurrence at a location where end users use the products we distribute may result in us being named as a defendant in lawsuits asserting potentiallylarge claims, even though we did not manufacture the products. Applicable law may render us liable for damages without regard to negligence or fault. Inparticular, certain environmental laws provide for joint and several and strict liability for remediation of spills and releases of hazardous substances. Certain ofthese risks are reduced by the fact that we are a distributor of products that third-party manufacturers produce, and, thus, in certain circumstances, we may havethird-party warranty or other claims against the manufacturer of products alleged to have been defective. However, there is no assurance that these claims couldfully protect us or that the manufacturer would be able financially to provide protection. There is no assurance that our insurance coverage will be adequate tocover the underlying claims. Our insurance does not provide coverage for all liabilities (including liability for certain events involving pollution or otherenvironmental claims).If we lose any of our key personnel, we may be unable to effectively manage our business or continue our growth.Our future performance depends to a significant degree upon the continued contributions of our management team and our ability to attract, hire, train and retainqualified managerial, sales and marketing personnel. In particular, we rely on our sales and marketing teams to create innovative ways to generate demand for theproducts we distribute. The loss or unavailability to us of any member of our management team or a key sales or marketing employee could have a materialadverse effect on us to the extent we are unable to timely find adequate replacements. We face competition for these professionals from our competitors, ourcustomers and other companies operating in our industry. We may be unsuccessful in attracting, hiring, training and retaining qualified personnel.17 Interruptions in the proper functioning of our information systems could disrupt operations and cause increases in costs or decreases in revenues.The proper functioning of our information systems is critical to the successful operation of our business. We depend on our information management systems toprocess orders, track credit risk, manage inventory and monitor accounts receivable collections. Our information systems also allow us to efficiently purchaseproducts from our vendors and ship products to our customers on a timely basis, maintain cost-effective operations and provide superior service to our customers.However, our information systems could be vulnerable to natural disasters, power losses, telecommunication failures, security breaches and other problems. Ifcritical information systems fail or are otherwise unavailable, our ability to procure products to sell, process and ship customer orders, identify businessopportunities, maintain proper levels of inventories, collect accounts receivable and pay accounts payable and expenses could be adversely affected. Our ability tointegrate our systems with our customers’ systems would also be significantly affected. If our information systems are damaged or fail to function properly, wemay incur substantial costs to repair or replace them, and may experience loss of critical data and interruptions or delays in our ability to manage inventories orprocess transactions, which could result in lost sales, inability to process purchase orders and/or a potential loss of customer loyalty, which could adversely affectour results of operations. We maintain information systems controls designed to protect against, among other things, unauthorized program changes andunauthorized access to data on our information systems. If our information systems controls do not function properly, we face increased risks of unexpected errorsand unreliable financial data or theft of proprietary Company information.The loss of third-party transportation providers upon whom we depend, or conditions negatively affecting the transportation industry, could increase our costs orcause a disruption in our operations.We depend upon third-party transportation providers for delivery of products to our customers. Strikes, slowdowns, transportation disruptions or other conditionsin the transportation industry, including, but not limited to, shortages of truck drivers, disruptions in rail service, increases in fuel prices and adverse weatherconditions, could increase our costs and disrupt our operations and our ability to service our customers on a timely basis. We cannot predict whether or to whatextent increases or anticipated increases in fuel prices may impact our costs or cause a disruption in our operations going forward.Adverse weather events or natural disasters could negatively affect local economies and disrupt operations.Certain areas in which we operate are susceptible to adverse weather conditions or natural disasters, such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods and earthquakes. Theseevents can disrupt our operations, result in damage to our properties and negatively affect the local economies in which we operate. Additionally, we mayexperience communication disruptions with our customers, vendors and employees. These events can cause physical damage to our locations and require us toclose locations. Additionally, our sales orders and shipments can experience a temporary decline immediately following these events.We cannot predict whether or to what extent damage caused by these events will affect our operations or the economies in regions where we operate. Theseadverse events could result in disruption of our purchasing or distribution capabilities, interruption of our business that exceeds our insurance coverage, ourinability to collect from customers and increased operating costs. Our business or results of operations may be adversely affected by these and other negativeeffects of these events.We have a substantial amount of goodwill and other intangible assets recorded on our balance sheets. The amortization of acquired intangible assets may reduceour future reported earnings. Furthermore, if our goodwill or other intangible assets become impaired, we may be required to recognize charges that wouldreduce our income.As of December 31, 2019, we had $245 million of goodwill and $90 million in intangibles, net recorded on our balance sheet. Under generally acceptedaccounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”), goodwill is not amortized, but must be reviewed for possible impairment annually, or more often in certaincircumstances where events indicate that the asset values are not recoverable. These reviews could result in an earnings charge for impairment, which would reduceour net income even though there would be no impact on our underlying cash flow.18 We face risks associated with conducting business in markets outside of the U.S. and Canada.We currently conduct business in countries outside of the U.S. and Canada. We could be materially and adversely affected by economic, legal, political andregulatory developments in the countries in which we do business in the future or in which we expand our business, particularly those countries which havehistorically experienced a high degree of political or economic instability. Examples of risks inherent in conducting business in markets outside of the U.S. andCanada include: •changes in the political and economic conditions in the countries in which we operate, including civil uprisings and terrorist acts; •unexpected changes in regulatory requirements; •changes in tariffs; •the adoption of foreign or domestic laws limiting exports to or imports from certain foreign countries; •fluctuations in currency exchange rates and the value of the U.S. dollar; •restrictions on repatriation of earnings; •expropriation of property without fair compensation; •governmental actions that result in the deprivation of contract or proprietary rights; and •the acceptance of business practices which are not consistent with or are antithetical to prevailing business practices we are accustomed to in NorthAmerica including export compliance and anti-bribery practices and governmental sanctions.If we begin doing business in a foreign country in which we do not presently operate, we may also face difficulties in operations and diversion of management timein connection with establishing our business there.We are subject to U.S. and other anti-corruption laws, trade controls, economic sanctions, and similar laws and regulations, including those in the jurisdictionswhere we operate. Our failure to comply with these laws and regulations could subject us to civil, criminal and administrative penalties and harm our reputation.Doing business on a worldwide basis requires us to comply with the laws and regulations of the U.S. government and various foreign jurisdictions. These laws andregulations place restrictions on our operations, trade practices, partners and investment decisions. In particular, our operations are subject to U.S. and foreign anti-corruption and trade control laws and regulations, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”), export controls and economic sanctions programs,including those administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”). As a result of doing business in foreign countries andwith foreign partners, we are exposed to a heightened risk of violating anti-corruption and trade control laws and sanctions regulations.The FCPA prohibits us from providing anything of value to foreign officials for the purposes of obtaining or retaining business or securing any improper businessadvantage. It also requires us to keep books and records that accurately and fairly reflect the Company’s transactions. As part of our business, we may deal withstate-owned business enterprises, the employees of which are considered foreign officials for purposes of the FCPA. In addition, the United Kingdom Bribery Act(the “Bribery Act”) has been enacted and came into effect on July 1, 2011. The provisions of the Bribery Act extend beyond bribery of foreign public officials andalso apply to transactions with individuals that a government does not employ. The provisions of the Bribery Act are also more onerous than the FCPA in a numberof other respects, including jurisdiction, non-exemption of facilitation payments and penalties. Some of the international locations in which we operate lack adeveloped legal system and have higher than normal levels of corruption. Our continued expansion outside the U.S., including in developing countries, and ourdevelopment of new partnerships and joint venture relationships worldwide, could increase the risk of FCPA, OFAC or Bribery Act violations in the future.Economic sanctions programs restrict our business dealings with certain sanctioned countries, persons and entities. In addition, because we act as a distributor, weface the risk that our customers might further distribute our products to a sanctioned person or entity, or an ultimate end-user in a sanctioned country, which mightsubject us to an investigation concerning compliance with the OFAC or other sanctions regulations.19 Violations of anti-corruption and trade control laws and sanctions regulations are punishable by civil penalties, including fines, denial of export privileges,injunctions, asset seizures, debarment from government contracts and revocations or restrictions of licenses, as well as criminal fines and imprisonment. We haveestablished policies and procedures designed to assist our compliance with applicable U.S. and international anti-corruption and trade control laws and regulations,including the FCPA, the Bribery Act and trade controls and sanctions programs administered by the OFAC, and have trained our employees to comply with theselaws and regulations. However, there can be no assurance that all of our employees, consultants, agents or other associated persons will not take actions inviolation of our policies and these laws and regulations, and that our policies and procedures will effectively prevent us from violating these regulations in everytransaction in which we may engage or provide a defense to any alleged violation. In particular, we may be held liable for the actions that our local, strategic orjoint venture partners take inside or outside of the United States, even though our partners may not be subject to these laws. Such a violation, even if our policiesprohibit it, could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, various state and municipalgovernments, universities and other investors maintain prohibitions or restrictions on investments in companies that do business with sanctioned countries, personsand entities, which could adversely affect the market for our common stock and other securities.The occurrence of cyber incidents, or a deficiency in our cybersecurity, could negatively impact our business by causing a disruption to our operations, acompromise or corruption of our confidential information or damage to our Company’s image, all of which could negatively impact our financial results.A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources. More specifically, acyber incident is an intentional attack or an unintentional event that can include gaining unauthorized access to systems to disrupt operations, corrupt data or stealconfidential information. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our systems, both internal and those we have outsourced. Ourfour primary risks that could directly result from the occurrence of a cyber incident include operational interruption, damage to our Company’s image, financialloss and private data exposure.We have implemented solutions, processes, and procedures to help mitigate this risk, but these measures, as well as our organization’s increased awareness of ourrisk of a cyber incident, do not guarantee that our financial results will not be negatively impacted by such an incident. Our security measures may be undermineddue to the actions of outside parties, employee error, malfeasance, or otherwise, and, as a result, an unauthorized party may obtain access to our data systems andmisappropriate business and personal information. Our systems are subject to repeated attempts by third parties to access information or to disrupt our systems.Such disruptions or misappropriations and the resulting repercussions, including reputational damage and legal claims or proceedings, may adversely affect ourresults of operations, cash flows and financial condition, and the trading price of our common stock.Privacy concerns relating to our personal and business information being potentially breached could damage our reputation and deter current and potential usersor customers from using our products and services.We have security measures and controls to protect personal and business information and continue to make investments to secure access to our informationtechnology network. These measures may be undermined, however, due to the actions of outside parties, employee error, internal or external malfeasance, orotherwise, and, as a result an unauthorized party may obtain access to our data systems and misappropriate business and personal information. Because thetechniques used to obtain unauthorized access, disable or degrade service, or sabotage systems change frequently and may not immediately produce signs ofintrusion, we may be unable to anticipate these techniques, timely discover or counter them, or implement adequate preventative measures. Any such breach orunauthorized access could result in significant legal and financial exposure, damage to our reputation, and potentially have an adverse effect on our business andresults of operations.Compliance with and changes in laws and regulations in the countries in which we operate could have a significant financial impact and effect how and where weconduct our operations.We have operations in the U.S. and in other countries that can be impacted by expected and unexpected changes in the business and legal environments in thecountries in which we operate. Compliance with and changes in laws, regulations, and other legal and business issues could impact our ability to manage our costsand to meet our earnings goals. Compliance related matters could also limit our ability to do business in certain countries. Changes that could have a significantcost to us include new legislation, new regulations, or a differing interpretation of existing laws and regulations, changes in tax law or tax rates, the unfavorableresolution of tax assessments or audits by various taxing authorities, the expansion of currency exchange controls, export controls or additional restrictions ondoing business in countries subject to sanctions in which we operate or intend to operate.20 Certain of our borrowings based on the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) may be adversely impacted by the scheduled phase out of LIBOR. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), which regulates LIBOR, has announced that it will not compel panel banks to contribute to LIBOR after 2021. It is likelythat banks will not continue to provide submissions for the calculation of LIBOR after 2021 and possibly prior to then. Similarly, it is not possible to know whetherLIBOR will continue to be viewed as an acceptable market benchmark, what rate or rates may become accepted alternatives to LIBOR, or what the effect of anysuch changes in views or alternatives may have on the financial markets for LIBOR-linked financial instruments. Borrowings under our revolving credit facility bear an interest rate at the Company’s option, which includes LIBOR. There may be alternatives to this benchmark,but there are no assurances they will be available to the Company. The usage of interest rates other than LIBOR could result in increased borrowing costs to theCompany.Changes in the United Kingdom's economic and other relationships with the European Union could adversely affect us.In June 2016, a majority of voters in the United Kingdom elected to withdraw from the European Union in a national referendum ("Brexit"). In March 2017, theUnited Kingdom formally notified the European Union of its intention to withdraw. The United Kingdom left the European Union on January 31, 2020. Thisbegan a transition period that ends December 31, 2020, during which the United Kingdom and the European Union will negotiate their future relationship. Wehave operations in both the United Kingdom and the European Union. The ongoing uncertainty and potential re-imposition of border controls and customs dutieson trade between the United Kingdom and European Union nations could negatively impact our competitive position, supplier and customer relationships, productand labor availability, currency fluctuations, and financial performance. In addition, Brexit could lead to legal uncertainty and potentially divergent national lawsand regulations as the United Kingdom determines which European Laws to replace or replicate. The ultimate effects of Brexit on us will depend on the specificterms of any agreement the United Kingdom and the European Union reach to provide access to each other’s respective markets.Risks Relating to the Spin-OffWe are subject to continuing contingent liabilities of NOV following the Spin-Off.There are several significant areas where the liabilities of NOV may become our obligations. For example, under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code and the relatedrules and regulations, each corporation that was a member of the NOV combined U.S. federal income tax reporting group during any taxable period or portion ofany taxable period ending on or before the effective time of the Spin-Off is jointly and severally liable for the U.S. federal income tax liability of the entire NOVcombined tax reporting group for that taxable period. In connection with the Spin-Off, we entered into a tax matters agreement with NOV that allocates theresponsibility for prior period taxes of the NOV combined tax reporting group between us and NOV. However, if NOV is unable to pay any prior period taxes forwhich it is responsible, we could be required to pay the entire amount of such taxes.If the Spin-Off, together with certain related transactions, does not qualify as a transaction that is generally tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes, NOVand its stockholders could be subject to significant tax liability and, in certain circumstances, we could be required to indemnify NOV for material taxes pursuantto indemnification obligations under the tax matters agreement.If the Spin-Off or certain internal restructuring transactions that were undertaken in anticipation of the Spin-Off are determined to be taxable for U.S. federalincome tax purposes, then we, NOV and/or our stockholders could be subject to significant tax liability. To the extent that we are required to indemnify NOV (orits subsidiaries or other affiliates) or otherwise bear tax liabilities attributable to the Spin-Off under the tax matters agreement, we may be subject to substantialliabilities that could have a material adverse effect on our company.21 Risks Relating to Our Common StockThe market price of our shares may fluctuate widely.The market price of our common stock may fluctuate widely, depending upon many factors, some of which may be beyond our control, including: •our competitors’ significant acquisitions or dispositions; •the failure of our operating results to meet the estimates of securities analysts or the expectations of our stockholders; •changes in earnings estimates by securities analysts or our ability to meet our earnings guidance; •the operating and stock price performance of other comparable companies; •overall market fluctuations and general economic conditions; and •the other factors described in these “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Form 10-K.Stock markets in general have also experienced volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of a particular company. These broad marketfluctuations could negatively affect the trading price of our common stock.Your percentage ownership in us may be diluted in the future.As with any publicly traded company, your percentage ownership in us may be diluted in the future because of equity issuances for acquisitions, capital markettransactions or otherwise, including, without limitation, equity awards that we expect will be granted to our directors, officers and employees.We cannot assure you that we will pay dividends on our common stock.We do not currently pay dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to retain our future earnings to support the growth and development of our business.The payment of future cash dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon, among other things, our financial condition,results of operations, capital requirements and development expenditures, future business prospects and any restrictions imposed by future debt instruments.22 Certain provisions in our corporate documents and Delaware law may prevent or delay an acquisition of our company, even if that change may be consideredbeneficial by some of our stockholders.The existence of some provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law could discourage, delay or prevent a change in control of us thata stockholder may consider favorable. These include provisions: •providing our Board of Directors with the right to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval; •prohibiting stockholders from taking action by written consent; •restricting the ability of our stockholders to call a special meeting; •providing for a classified Board of Directors; •providing that the number of directors will be filled by the Board of Directors and vacancies on the Board of Directors, including those resultingfrom an enlargement of the Board of Directors, will be filled by the Board of Directors; •requiring cause and an affirmative vote of at least 80 percent of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock to remove directors; •requiring the affirmative vote of at least 80 percent of the voting power of the then-outstanding voting stock to amend certain provisions of ourcertificate of incorporation and bylaws; and •establishing advance notice requirements for nominations of candidates for election to our Board of Directors or for stockholder proposals.In addition, we are subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”) which may have an anti-takeover effect with respect totransactions not approved in advance by our Board of Directors, including discouraging takeover attempts that could have resulted in a premium over the marketprice for shares of our common stock.We believe these provisions protect our stockholders from coercive or otherwise unfair takeover tactics by requiring potential acquirers to negotiate with our Boardof Directors and by providing our Board of Directors with more time to assess any acquisition proposal. These provisions are not intended to make our companyimmune from takeovers. However, these provisions apply even if the offer may be considered beneficial by some stockholders and could delay or prevent anacquisition that our Board of Directors determines is not in the best interests of our company and our stockholders.23 ITEM 1B.UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTSNone.ITEM 2.PROPERTIESAs of December 31, 2019, our three reporting segments, the United States, Canada and International, had approximately 165, 50 and 30 locations, respectively.International countries include: Australia, Azerbaijan, Brazil, China, Colombia, Egypt, England, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Mexico, Netherlands,Norway, Oman, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore and United Arab Emirates. Our properties are comprised of offices, distribution centers and branches,approximately 85% of which are leased. One owned facility is pledged as collateral under our senior secured revolving credit facility discussed in Note 10 “Debt”of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K); all other owned facilities are not subject to any mortgages.ITEM 3.LEGAL PROCEEDINGSWe have various claims, lawsuits and administrative proceedings that are pending or threatened, all arising in the ordinary course of business, with respect tocommercial, product liability and employee matters. Although no assurance can be given with respect to the outcome of these or any other pending legal andadministrative proceedings and the effect such outcomes may have, we believe any ultimate liability resulting from the outcome of such claims, lawsuits oradministrative proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. See Note 12“Commitments and Contingencies” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K) for additional information.ITEM 4.MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURESNot Applicable.24 PART IIITEM 5.MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OFEQUITY SECURITIESQuarterly Common Stock Prices and Cash Dividends Per ShareNOW Inc. common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “DNOW”.Our board of directors has not declared any dividends during 2017, 2018 or 2019 and currently has no intention to declare dividends.As of January 31, 2020, there were 1,893 holders of record of our common stock. Many stockholders choose to own shares through brokerage accounts and otherintermediaries rather than as holders of record (excluding individual participants in securities positions listing) so the actual number of stockholders is unknownbut likely significantly higher.The information relating to our equity compensation plans required by Item 5. “Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and IssuerPurchases of Equity Securities” is incorporated by reference to such information as set forth in Item 12. “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners andManagement and Related Stockholder Matters” contained herein.The following table presents a summary of share repurchases made during the three months ended December 31, 2019:PeriodTotal number of shares(or units) purchased(a) Average price paid pershare (or unit) Total number of shares (orunits) purchased as part ofpublicly announced plansor programs Maximum number (orapproximate dollar value) ofshares (or units) that may yetbe purchased under the plansor programs October 1 - 31 — $— — $— November 1 - 30 151,215 11.40 — — December 1 - 31 2,306 11.48 — — 153,521 $11.40 — $— (a)During the three months ended December 31, 2019, 153,521 shares of the Company’s common stock were withheld and retired from the vestingof shares to employees in connection with the settlement of tax withholding obligations arising from vesting in restricted stock grants.25 Performance GraphThe graph below compares the cumulative five year total return provided shareholders on NOW Inc.'s common stock relative to the cumulative total returns of theS&P Midcap 400 index, the PHLX Oil Service Sector index and a customized peer group of five companies that includes: DXP Enterprises Inc., Fastenal Co,MRC Global Inc., W.W. Grainger Inc. and Wesco International Inc. As of the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company elected to replace its customized peergroup with the PHLX Oil Service Sector index to better reflect the requirements of the business and market environment. After 2019, the customized peer groupwill no longer be shown. An investment of $100 (with reinvestment of all dividends) is assumed to have been made in our common stock, in each index and in thepeer group on 12/31/2014 and its relative performance is tracked through 12/31/2019. *$100 invested on 12/31/14 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.Fiscal year ending December 31.Copyright© 2020 Standard & Poor's, a division of S&P Global. All rights reserved. 12/14 12/15 12/16 12/17 12/18 12/19 NOW Inc. $100 $61 $80 $43 $45 $44 S&P Midcap 400 $100 $98 $118 $137 $122 $154 PHLX Oil Service Sector $100 $77 $91 $75 $41 $41 Peer Group $100 $81 $99 $108 $112 $148 The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.This information shall not be deemed to be ‘‘soliciting material’’ or to be ‘‘filed’’ with the Commission or subject to Regulation 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-1-240.14a-104), other than as provided in Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K, or to the liabilities of section 18 of the Exchange Act (15 U.S.C. 78r).26 ITEM 6.SELECTED FINANCIAL DATASelected Financial DataThe following selected financial data reflect the consolidated operations of NOW Inc. We derived the selected consolidated income statement data and the selectedconsolidated balance sheet data for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, from the audited consolidated financial statements of NOWInc. This data should be read in conjunction with “Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and theconsolidated financial statements, related notes and other financial information included elsewhere in this report. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC842 using the modified retrospective method allowed under ASU 2018-11. Prior year amounts reflected in the table below have not been adjusted and continue tobe reflected in accordance with the Company’s historical accounting. As of and For the Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 (In millions, except per share amounts) Operating data: Revenue $2,951 $3,127 $2,648 $2,107 $3,010 Impairment charges $128 $— $— $— $393 Operating profit (loss) $(83) $73 $(41) $(222) $(510)Net income (loss) $(97) $52 $(52) $(234) $(502)Earnings (loss) per share amounts: Basic $(0.89) $0.47 $(0.48) $(2.18) $(4.68)Diluted $(0.89) $0.47 $(0.48) $(2.18) $(4.68)Balance sheet data: Working capital $671 $778 $735 $612 $985 Total assets $1,591 $1,795 $1,749 $1,603 $1,832 Long-term debt $— $132 $162 $65 $108 Long-term operating lease liabilities $34 $— $— $— $— Total stockholders' equity $1,144 $1,214 $1,185 $1,183 $1,403ITEM 7.MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONSOverview of the SeparationOn May 1, 2014, the National Oilwell Varco, Inc. Board of Directors approved the Spin-Off of its distribution business into an independent, publicly tradedcompany named NOW Inc. In accordance with a separation and distribution agreement, the two companies were separated by NOV distributing to its stockholders107,053,031 shares of common stock of the Company after the market closed on May 30, 2014 (the “Spin-Off Date”). Each NOV stockholder received one shareof NOW common stock for every four shares of NOV common stock held at the close of business on the record date of May 22, 2014 and not sold prior to close ofbusiness on May 30, 2014. Fractional shares of NOW common stock were not distributed and any fractional shares of NOW common stock otherwise issuable to aNOV stockholder were sold in the open market on such stockholder’s behalf, and such stockholder received a cash payment with respect to that fractional share. Inconjunction with the Spin-Off, NOV received an opinion from its legal counsel to the effect that, based on certain facts, assumptions, representations andundertakings, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the distribution of NOW common stock and certain related transactions generally was not taxable to NOV orU.S. holders of NOV common stock, except in respect to cash received in lieu of fractional shares, which generally will be taxable to such holders as a capital gain.Following the Spin-Off, NOW became an independent, publicly traded company as NOV had no ownership interest in NOW. Each company has separate publicownership, boards of directors and management. A Registration Statement on Form 10, as amended, relating to the Spin-Off was filed by the Company with theU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and was declared effective on May 13, 2014. On June 2, 2014, NOW stock began trading the “regular-way” on the NewYork Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “DNOW”.Basis of PresentationThe accompanying consolidated financial information include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompanytransactions and accounts have been eliminated.27 General OverviewWe are a global distributor to the oil and gas and industrial markets with a legacy of over 150 years. We operate primarily under the DistributionNOW and DNOWbrands. Through our network of approximately 245 locations and approximately 4,400 employees worldwide, we stock and sell a comprehensive offering ofenergy products as well as a selection of products for industrial applications. Our energy product offering is consumed throughout all sectors of the oil and gasindustry – from upstream drilling and completion, exploration and production (“E&P”), midstream infrastructure development to downstream petrochemical andpetroleum refining – as well as in other industries, such as chemical processing, mining, utilities and industrial manufacturing operations. The industrialdistribution end markets include manufacturing, refineries and engineering and construction firms. We also provide supply chain and materials managementsolutions to the same markets where we sell products.Our global product offering includes consumable maintenance, repair and operating (“MRO”) supplies, pipe, valves, fittings, flanges, gaskets, fasteners, electrical,instrumentation, artificial lift, pumping solutions, valve actuation and modular process, measurement and control equipment. We also offer warehouse andinventory management solutions as part of our supply chain and materials management offering. We have developed expertise in providing application systems,work processes, parts integration, optimization solutions and after-sales support.Our solutions include outsourcing portions or entire functions of our customers’ procurement, inventory and warehouse management, logistics, point of issuetechnology, project management, business process and performance metrics reporting. These solutions allow us to leverage the infrastructure of our SAP™Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) system and other technologies to streamline our customers’ purchasing process, from requisition to procurement topayment, by digitally managing workflow, improving approval routing and providing robust reporting functionality.We support land and offshore operations for all the major oil and gas producing regions around the world through our network of locations. Our key markets,beyond North America, include Latin America, the North Sea, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Former Soviet Union (“FSU”). Products sold through ourlocations support greenfield expansion upstream capital projects, midstream infrastructure and transmission and MRO consumables used in day-to-day production.We provide downstream energy and industrial products for petroleum refining, chemical processing, LNG terminals, power generation utilities and industrialmanufacturing operations and customer on-site locations.We stock or sell more than 300,000 SKUs through our branch network. Our supplier network consists of thousands of vendors in approximately 40 countries. Fromour operations in over 20 countries, we sell to customers operating in approximately 80 countries. The supplies and equipment stocked by each of our branches iscustomized to meet varied and changing local customer demands. The breadth and scale of our offering enhances our value proposition to our customers, suppliersand shareholders.We employ advanced information technologies, including a common ERP platform across most of our business, to provide complete procurement, materialsmanagement and logistics coordination to our customers around the globe. Having a common ERP platform allows immediate visibility into our inventory assets,operations and financials worldwide, enhancing decision making and efficiency.Our revenue and operating results are related to the level of worldwide oil and gas drilling and production activities and the profitability and cash flow of oil andgas companies and drilling contractors, which in turn are affected by current and anticipated prices of oil and gas. Oil and gas prices have been and are likely tocontinue to be volatile. See Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” We conduct our operations through three business segments: United States, Canada and International. See“Business—Summary of Reportable Segments” for a discussion of each of these business segments.28 Unless indicated otherwise, results of operations data are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). Inan effort to provide investors with additional information regarding our results as determined by GAAP, we may disclose non-GAAP financial measures. Theprimary non-GAAP financial measure we focus on is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, excluding other costs (“EBITDA excludingother costs”). This financial measure excludes the impact of certain amounts and is not calculated in accordance with GAAP. See “Non-GAAP Financial Measuresand Reconciliations” in Results of Operations for an explanation of our use of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to the corresponding measurescalculated in accordance with GAAP.Operating Environment OverviewOur results are dependent on, among other things, the level of worldwide oil and gas drilling and completions, well remediation activity, crude and natural gasprices, capital spending by oilfield service companies and drilling contractors, and the worldwide oil and gas inventory levels. Key industry indicators for the pastthree years include the following: % % 2019 v 2019 v 2019* 2018* 2018 2017* 2017 Active Drilling Rigs: U.S. 944 1,032 (8.5%) 875 7.9%Canada 135 191 (29.3%) 207 (34.8%)International 1,098 988 11.1% 948 15.8%Worldwide 2,177 2,211 (1.5%) 2,030 7.2%West Texas Intermediate Crude Prices (per barrel) $56.98 $64.94 (12.3%) $50.88 12.0%Natural Gas Prices ($/MMBtu) $2.57 $3.17 (18.9%) $2.99 (14.0%)Hot-Rolled Coil Prices (steel) ($/short ton) $620.53 $827.25 (25.0%) $620.10 0.1% *Averages for the years indicated. See sources on following page.29 The following table details the U.S., Canadian, and international rig activity and West Texas Intermediate (“WTI”) oil prices for the past nine quarters endedDecember 31, 2019: Sources: Rig count: Baker Hughes, Inc. (www.bakerhughes.com); Effective June 2019, the Baker Hughes International Rig Count now includes the number ofactive drilling rigs in the country of Ukraine and the historical periods will not be updated; West Texas Intermediate Crude and Natural Gas Prices: Department ofEnergy, Energy Information Administration (www.eia.doe.gov); Hot-Rolled Coil Prices: SteelBenchmarker™ Hot Roll Coil USA (www.steelbenchmarker.com).The worldwide average rig count declined 1.5% (from 2,211 to 2,177) and the U.S. declined 8.5% (from 1,032 to 944) in 2019 compared to 2018. The averageprice of WTI crude declined 12.3% (from $64.94 per barrel to $56.98 per barrel) and natural gas prices declined 18.9% (from $3.17 per MMBtu to $2.57 perMMBtu) in 2019 compared to 2018. The average price of Hot-Rolled Coil declined 25.0% (from $827.25 per short ton to $620.53 per short ton) in 2019 comparedto 2018.U.S. rig count at January 31, 2020 was 790 rigs, down 16.3% compared to the 2019 average of 944 rigs. The price for WTI crude was $53.09 per barrel at January27, 2020, down 6.8% from the 2019 average. The price for natural gas was $1.91 per MMBtu at January 24, 2020, down 25.7% from the 2019 average. The pricefor Hot-Rolled Coil was $598.00 per short ton at January 27, 2020, down 3.6% from the 2019 average.30 Executive SummaryFor the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company generated a net loss of $97 million, or $(0.89) per fully diluted share on $2,951 million in revenue. Netincome declined for the year ended December 31, 2019 by $149 million when compared to the corresponding period of 2018. Revenue decreased for the yearended December 31, 2019 by $176 million, or 5.6%, when compared to the corresponding period of 2018. For the year ended December 31, 2019, operating losswas $83 million, or negative 2.8% of revenue, compared to operating profit of $73 million or 2.3% of revenue for the corresponding period of 2018.For the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019, the Company generated a net loss of $139 million, or $(1.27) per fully diluted share on $639 million in revenue.Net income declined for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019 by $155 million when compared to the corresponding period of 2018. Revenue decreased forthe fourth quarter ended December 31, 2019 by $125 million, or 16.4%, when compared to the corresponding period of 2018. For the fourth quarter endedDecember 31, 2019, operating loss was $137 million or negative 21.4% of revenue, compared to operating profit of $22 million or 2.9% of revenue for thecorresponding period of 2018.OutlookOur outlook for the Company remains tied to global oil and gas drilling and completions activity and oil and gas spending, particularly in North America. Oilprices and U.S. oil storage levels are the primary catalysts determining U.S. rig activity. Although we are seeing production per rig efficiencies achieved, takeawaycapacity and midstream infrastructure constraints partially offset those efforts and continue to impact the market.Looking into 2020, we expect lower levels of activity in North America as drilling and completion activity declines. Recent oil price volatility has createduncertainty around global exploration and production activity, with many customers continually reassessing their budgets as market dynamics warrant.Our approach continues to be to advance our strategic goals and manage the Company based on market conditions. We will continue to optimize our operations,scaling to the market activity as appropriate. We believe that our management history, paired with our resources and low capital expenditure requirements, enableus to maximize new opportunities.Results of OperationsConsolidated ResultsYears Ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018A summary of the Company’s revenue and operating profit (loss) by segment in 2019 and 2018 follows (in millions): Year Ended December 31, Variance 2019 2018 $ Revenue: United States $2,240 $2,371 $(131)Canada 319 358 (39)International 392 398 (6)Total revenue $2,951 $3,127 $(176) Operating profit (loss): United States $(6) $57 $(63)Canada (19) 14 (33)International (58) 2 (60)Total operating profit (loss) $(83) $73 $(156) Operating profit (loss) % of revenue: United States (0.3%) 2.4% Canada (6.0%) 3.9% International (14.8%) 0.5% Total operating profit (loss) % (2.8%) 2.3% 31 United StatesRevenue was $2,240 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decline of $131 million or 5.5% compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. Thedecrease in the period was primarily driven by the decline in U.S. drilling and completions activity.Operating loss was $6 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decline of $63 million compared to operating profit of $57 million for the year endedDecember 31, 2018. Operating loss percentage of revenue was negative 0.3% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to operating profit percentage ofrevenue of 2.4% for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decline in U.S. operating profit in 2019 was primarily driven by impairment charges of $34 millionand $9 million, related to abandonment of certain acquired trade names and assets held-for-sale, respectively, coupled with the decline in revenue discussed above,partially offset by a reduction in operating expenses.CanadaRevenue was $319 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decline of $39 million or 10.9% compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. The decreasein the period was primarily driven by a decline in Canadian rig count, coupled with unfavorable foreign exchange rate impacts.Our Canadian revenue remained at approximately 11% of total revenue in 2019, consistent with 2018. We are subject to fluctuations in foreign currency exchangerates relative to the U.S. dollar. Our Canadian revenue is favorably impacted as the U.S. dollar weakens relative to the Canadian dollar, and unfavorably impactedas the U.S. dollar strengthens relative to the Canadian dollar. In 2019, our revenue from Canada was unfavorably impacted by $8 million due to changes in foreigncurrency exchange rates over the prior year.Operating loss was $19 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decline of $33 million compared to operating profit of $14 million for the year endedDecember 31, 2018. Operating loss percentage of revenue was negative 6.0% in 2019 compared to operating profit percentage of revenue of 3.9% in 2018.Operating profit declined in 2019 primarily due to a $27 million goodwill impairment charge in the fourth quarter of the year, coupled with the decline in revenuediscussed above, partially offset by a reduction in operating expenses.InternationalRevenue was $392 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decline of $6 million or 1.5% compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. The decreasewas driven by an unfavorable foreign exchange rate impact.Our international revenue remained at approximately 13% of total revenue in 2019, consistent with 2018. We are subject to fluctuations in foreign currencyexchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar. Our international revenue is favorably impacted as the U.S. dollar weakens relative to other foreign currencies, andunfavorably impacted as the U.S dollar strengthens relative to other foreign currencies. Our international segment revenue was unfavorably impacted byapproximately $12 million due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates over the prior year.Operating loss was $58 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, a decline of $60 million compared to operating profit of $2 million for the year endedDecember 31, 2018. Operating loss percentage of revenue was negative 14.8% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to operating profit percentage ofrevenue of 0.5% for the year ended December 31, 2018. The decline in International operating profit in 2019 was primarily driven by impairment charges of $54million and $4 million, related to goodwill and abandonment of certain acquired trade names, respectively, in the fourth quarter of the year.Cost of productsCost of products was $2,365 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $2,497 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $132million. The decrease was primarily due to lower revenue in the period. Cost of products includes the cost of inventory sold and related items, such as vendorconsideration, inventory allowances, amortization of intangibles and inbound and outbound freight.Warehousing, selling and administrative expensesWarehousing, selling and administrative expenses were $541 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $557 million for the year endedDecember 31, 2018. The decrease of $16 million was primarily due to reduced bad debt charges and improved operating efficiencies. Warehousing, selling andadministrative expenses include branch location, distribution center and regional expenses (including costs such as compensation, benefits and rent) as well ascorporate general selling and administrative expenses.32 Impairment chargesImpairment charges were $128 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to nil for the year ended December 31, 2018. The Company recognized$81 million of goodwill impairment, $38 million related to abandonment of certain acquired trade names and $9 million related to the impairment of assets held-for-sale.Other expenseOther expense was $10 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 compared to $15 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. These charges were mainlyattributable to interest and bank charges associated with utilizing the credit facility and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.Provision for income taxesThe effective tax rate for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was (4.4)% and 10.7%, respectively. The effective tax rate is affected byrecurring items, such as differing tax rates on income earned in foreign jurisdictions, nondeductible expenses and state income taxes. In addition, the effective taxrate for both years was impacted by changes in the valuation allowance in the U.S., Canada and other foreign jurisdictions. For the year ended December 31, 2019,the effective tax rate was impacted by nondeductible goodwill impairment and recognition of deferred taxes related to outside basis differences in subsidiariesclassified as held-for-sale. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the effective tax rate was impacted by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (“TCJA”).Consolidated ResultsYears Ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017For discussion related to the results of operations and changes in financial condition for the year ended December 31, 2018 compared to year end December 31,2017 refer to Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 2018 Form 10-K, which was filedwith the United States Securities and Exchange Commission on February 14, 2019.33 Non-GAAP Financial Measures and ReconciliationsIn an effort to provide investors with additional information regarding our results of operations as determined by GAAP, we disclose non-GAAP financialmeasures. The primary non-GAAP financial measure we disclose is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, excluding other costs (“EBITDAexcluding other costs”). This financial measure excludes the impact of certain amounts and is not calculated in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of thisnon-GAAP financial measure, to its most comparable GAAP financial measure, is included below.We use EBITDA excluding other costs internally to evaluate and manage the Company’s operations because we believe it provides useful supplementalinformation regarding the Company’s ongoing economic performance. We have chosen to provide this information to investors to enable them to perform moremeaningful comparisons of operating results.The following table sets forth the reconciliations of EBITDA excluding other costs to the most comparable GAAP financial measures (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 GAAP net income (loss) (1) $(97) $52 $(52)Interest, net 4 8 6 Income tax provision (benefit) 4 6 — Depreciation and amortization 41 41 50 Other costs (2) 135 2 3 EBITDA excluding other costs $87 $109 $7 EBITDA % excluding other costs (3) 2.9% 3.5% 0.3% (1)We believe that net income (loss) is the financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP that is most directlycomparable to EBITDA excluding other costs. EBITDA excluding other costs measures the Company’s operating performance withoutregard to certain expenses. EBITDA excluding other costs is not a presentation made in accordance with GAAP and the Company’scomputation of EBITDA excluding other costs may vary from others in the industry. EBITDA excluding other costs has importantlimitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s results as reportedunder GAAP. (2)Other costs for 2019 included $128 million of impairment charges and $7 million in severance expenses and transaction costs, approximatelyhalf of which are related to the CEO departure, which are included in operating loss. (3)EBITDA % excluding other costs is defined as EBITDA excluding other costs divided by Revenue.34 Liquidity and Capital ResourcesWe assess liquidity in terms of our ability to generate cash to fund operating, investing and financing activities. We expect resources to be available to reinvest inexisting businesses, strategic acquisitions and capital expenditures to meet short and long-term objectives. We believe that cash on hand, cash generated fromexpected results of operations and amounts available under our revolving credit facility will be sufficient to fund operations, anticipated working capital needs andother cash requirements, including capital expenditures.At December 31, 2019 and 2018, we had cash and cash equivalents of $183 million and $116 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2019, $85 million of ourcash and cash equivalents was maintained in the accounts of our various foreign subsidiaries. With the exception of the Company’s pre-2018 earnings in Canadaand the United Kingdom, the Company’s foreign earnings continue to be indefinitely reinvested. The Company makes a determination each period concerning itsintent and ability to indefinitely reinvest the cash held by its foreign subsidiaries. Future changes to our indefinite reinvestment assertion could result in additionalU.S. federal and state taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable in various foreign jurisdictions, where applicable.As of December 31, 2019, we had no borrowings against our revolving credit facility, and had $413 million in availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement)resulting in the excess availability (as defined in the Credit Agreement) of 98%, subject to certain restrictions. Borrowings that result in the excess availabilitydropping below the greater of 12.5% of the borrowing base or $60 million are conditioned upon compliance with or waiver of a minimum fixed charge ratio (asdefined in the Credit Agreement). The credit facility contains usual and customary affirmative and negative covenants for credit facilities of this type includingfinancial covenants. As of December 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all covenants. We continuously monitor compliance with debt covenants. A default, ifnot waived or amended, may prevent us from taking certain actions, such as incurring additional debt.The following table summarizes our net cash provided by (used in) operating activities, net cash provided by (used in) investing activities and net cash provided by(used in) financing activities for the periods presented (in millions): Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $224 $73 $(115)Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (22) (9) 8 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (138) (37) 94 Fiscal year 2019 compared to fiscal year 2018Net cash flows provided by operating activities in 2019 were $224 million, up from $73 million in 2018. Net loss was $97 million in 2019 compared to net incomeof $52 million in 2018. Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities was $223 million in 2019 compared to $67 millionin 2018. The increase in reconciling adjustments was driven by $128 million in impairment charges in 2019 that did not occur in 2018. Net changes in operatingassets and liabilities, net of acquisitions, generated cash of $98 million in 2019, driven by reductions in receivables and inventories of $98 million and $109million, respectively, offset by a decline in accounts payable and accrued liabilities of $110 million, compared to a use of cash of $46 million in 2018.Net cash used in investing activities in 2019 was $22 million compared to $9 million in 2018. The increase in cash used in 2019 versus 2018 was primarily drivenby $8 million in business acquisitions and a $1 million increase in purchases of property, plant and equipment compared to 2018.Net cash used in financing activities for 2019 was $138 million compared to $37 million in 2018, driven by net repayments under the revolving credit facility.Effect of the change in exchange ratesThe effect of the change in exchange rates on cash flows was an increase of $3 million and a decrease of $9 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and2018, respectively.35 Capital SpendingWe intend to pursue additional acquisition candidates, but the timing, size or success of any acquisition effort and the related potential capital commitments cannotbe predicted. We continue to expect to fund future cash acquisitions primarily with cash flow from operations and the usage of the available portion of therevolving credit facility. We expect capital expenditures for fiscal year 2020 to be approximately $10 million, primarily related to purchases of property, plant andequipment.Off-Balance Sheet ArrangementsWe are often party to certain transactions that require off-balance sheet arrangements such as standby letters of credit and performance bonds and guarantees thatare not reflected in our consolidated balance sheets. These arrangements are made in our normal course of business and they are not reasonably likely to have acurrent or future material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or cash flows.Contractual ObligationsThe following table summarizes our aggregate contractual fixed and variable obligations as of December 31, 2019 (in millions): Payment Due by Period Total LessThan 1Year 1-3 Years 3-5 Years After 5Years Contractual obligations: Operating leases $60 $24 $27 $8 $1 Financing leases 19 7 9 1 2 Total contractual obligations $79 $31 $36 $9 $336 Critical Accounting Policies and EstimatesIn preparing the financial statements, the Company makes assumptions, estimates and judgments that affect the amounts reported. The Company periodicallyevaluates its estimates and judgments that are most critical in nature, which are related to allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory reserves, goodwill, purchaseprice allocation of acquisitions, vendor consideration, stock-based compensation and income taxes. Its estimates are based on historical experience and on itsfuture expectations that the Company believes are reasonable. The combination of these factors forms the basis for making judgments about the carrying values ofassets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results are likely to differ from our current estimates and those differences may bematerial.Allowance for Doubtful AccountsThe Company grants credit to its customers, which operate primarily in the energy, industrial and manufacturing markets. Concentrations of credit risk are limitedbecause the Company has a large number of geographically diverse customers, thus spreading trade credit risk. The Company controls credit risk through creditevaluations, credit limits and monitoring procedures. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and generally do notrequire collateral, but may require letters of credit for certain international sales. Credit losses are provided for in the financial statements and changes in estimatescan be material. Allowances for doubtful accounts are determined based on a continuous process of assessing the Company’s portfolio on an individual customerbasis taking into account current market conditions and trends. This process consists of a thorough review of historical collection experience, current aging statusof the customer accounts and financial condition of the Company’s customers. Based on a review of these factors, the Company will establish or adjust allowancesfor specific customers. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, allowance for doubtful accounts totaled $16 million and $27 million, or 4.1% and 5.3% of gross accountsreceivable, respectively.Inventory ReservesInventories consist primarily of oilfield and industrial finished goods. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and using average costmethods. Allowances for excess and obsolete inventories are determined based on the Company’s historical usage of inventory on hand as well as its futureexpectations. The Company’s estimated carrying value of inventory therefore depends upon demand driven by oil and gas spending activity, which depends in turnupon oil, gas and steel prices, the general outlook for economic growth worldwide, available financing for the Company’s customers, political stability in major oiland gas producing areas and the potential obsolescence of various inventory items the Company stocks, among other factors. At December 31, 2019 and 2018,inventory reserves totaled $26 million and $28 million, or 5.3% and 4.4% of gross inventory, respectively. Changes in our estimates can be material underdifferent market conditions.GoodwillThe Company has $245 million of goodwill as of December 31, 2019. Generally accepted accounting principles require the Company to test goodwill forimpairment at least annually or more frequently whenever events or circumstances occur indicating that it might be impaired. The Company conducts goodwillimpairment testing annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, and more frequently on an interim basis, when an event occurs or changes in circumstancesindicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may have declined below its carrying value. Events or circumstances which could indicate a probable impairmentinclude, but are not limited to, a significant reduction in worldwide oil and gas prices or drilling; a significant reduction in profitability or cash flow of oil and gascompanies or drilling contractors; a significant reduction in worldwide well completion and remediation activity; a significant reduction in capital investment byother oilfield service companies; or a significant increase in worldwide inventories of oil or gas. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level bycomparing the reporting unit's carrying amount, including goodwill, to the estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of the reporting unitexceeds its fair value, goodwill impairment is recorded based on that difference up to the total amount of goodwill for that reporting unit.For purposes of testing goodwill, the Company has five reporting units; U.S. Energy, U.S. Supply Chain, U.S. Process Solutions, Canada and International. Whenperforming goodwill impairment testing, the fair values of reporting units are determined based on valuation techniques using the best available information,primarily discounted cash flow projections and market valuation multiples, where applicable. The discounted cash flow is based on management’s short-term andlong-term forecast of operating performance for each reporting unit. The two main assumptions used in measuring goodwill impairment, which bear the risk ofchange and could impact the Company’s goodwill impairment analysis, include the cash flow from operations from each of the Company’s individual businessunits and the discount rate. The starting point for the reporting unit’s projected cash flow from operations is the detailed annual plan or updated forecast. Thedetailed planning and forecasting process takes into consideration a multitude of factors including worldwide rig activity, inflationary forces, pricing strategies,customer analysis, operational issues, competitor analysis, capital spending requirements, working capital requirements and customer needs among other itemswhich impact the individual37 reporting unit projections. Cash flows beyond the specific operating plans were estimated using a terminal value calculation, which incorporated historical andforecasted financial cyclical trends for each reporting unit and also consider long-term earnings growth rates. The financial and credit market volatility impacts thefair value measurement by adjusting the discount rate. During times of volatility, significant judgment must be applied to determine whether credit changes are ashort-term or long-term trend. The Company makes significant assumptions and estimates, which utilize level 3 measures, about the extent and timing of futurecash flows, growth rates and discount rates that represent unobservable inputs into valuation methodologies. In evaluating the reasonableness of the Company’sfair value estimates, the Company considers, among other factors, the relationship between the market capitalization of the Company and the estimated fair valueof its reporting units.The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2019 and determined the fair values of the Canada and Internationalreporting units were below their carrying values. As a result, the Company recognized $54 million and $27 million of goodwill impairment for the Internationaland Canada reporting units, respectively, which was included in impairment charges in the consolidated statements of operations. The impairment charges wereprimarily the result of actual declines in customer and rig activity and downward revisions to forecasted rig and customer spend activity occurring in the fourthquarter of 2019, which we incorporated into our outlook and forecasted results of operations. The impact of the prolonged activity curtailment in Canada and othermarket condition deteriorations have reduced our near-term outlook and timing of an expected recovery. Further continued adverse market conditions could resultin the recognition of additional impairment if the Company determines that the fair values of its reporting units have fallen below their carrying values. No taxbenefit was reported on the Company’s goodwill impairment for the year-ended December 31, 2019, as the goodwill impairment was either nondeductible for taxpurposes or was subject to a valuation allowance. A hypothetical 100 basis point increase in the discount rate would increase the impairment charges of theInternational and Canada reporting units by approximately $15 million and $17 million, respectively. A hypothetical 100 basis point decrease in the discount ratewould decrease the impairment charges in the International and Canada reporting units by approximately $20 million and $23 million, respectively. The U.S.Process Solutions reporting unit passed with no impairment indicators and the excess of the estimated fair value over carrying value (expressed as a percentage ofcarrying value) was more than 15%.Purchase Price Allocation of AcquisitionsThe Company allocates the fair value of the purchase price consideration of an acquired business to its identifiable assets and liabilities based on estimated fairvalues. The excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities, if any, is recorded as goodwill. The Company uses all availableinformation to estimate fair values including quoted market prices, the carrying value of acquired assets, and widely accepted valuation techniques such asdiscounted cash flows. The Company engages third-party appraisal firms to assist in fair value determination of inventories, identifiable intangible assets and anyother significant assets or liabilities when appropriate. The judgments made in determining the estimated fair value assigned to each class of assets acquired andliabilities assumed, as well as asset lives, could materially impact the Company’s results of operations.Vendor ConsiderationThe Company receives funds from vendors in the normal course of business, principally as a result of purchase volumes. Generally, these vendor funds do notrepresent the reimbursement of specific, incremental and identifiable costs incurred by the Company to sell the vendor’s product. Therefore, the Company treatsthese funds as a reduction of inventory when purchased and once these goods are sold to third parties the associated amount is credited to cost of sales. TheCompany develops accrual rates for vendor consideration based on the provisions of the arrangements in place, historical trends, purchases and future expectations.Due to the complexity and diversity of the individual vendor agreements, the Company performs analyses and reviews historical trends throughout the year andconfirms actual amounts with select vendors to ensure the amounts earned are appropriately recorded. Amounts accrued throughout the year could be impacted ifactual purchase volumes differ from projected annual purchase volumes, especially in the case of programs that provide for increased funding when graduatedpurchase volumes are met.Stock-Based CompensationCompensation expense for the Company’s stock-based compensation plans is measured using the fair value method required by ASC Topic 718 “Compensation—Stock Compensation”. Under this guidance the fair value of the award is measured on the grant date and amortized to expense using the straight-line method overthe shorter of the vesting period or the remaining requisite service period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.38 Income TaxesThe Company is a U.S. registered company and is subject to income taxes in the U.S. The Company operates through various subsidiaries in a number of countriesthroughout the world. Income taxes are based upon the tax laws and rates of the countries in which the Company operates and income is earned.The Company’s annual tax provision is based on taxable income, statutory rates, and the interpretation of the tax laws in the various jurisdictions in which theCompany operates. It requires significant judgment and the use of estimates and assumptions regarding significant future events such as the amount, timing andcharacter of income, deductions and tax credits. Changes in tax laws, regulations and treaties, foreign currency exchange restrictions or the Company’s level ofoperations or profitability in each jurisdiction could impact the tax liability in any given year. The Company also operates in many jurisdictions where the tax lawsrelating to the pricing of transactions between related parties are open to interpretation, which could potentially result in aggressive tax authorities assertingadditional tax liabilities with no offsetting tax recovery in other countries.The Company determined the provision for income taxes under the asset and liability approach, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilitiesfor the expected future tax consequences of events that have been included in the financial statements. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities aredetermined on the basis of the differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year inwhich the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in income in the period thatincludes the enactment date.Deferred income taxes arise from temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, whichwill result in taxable or deductible amounts in the future. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that the Company believes these assets aremore-likely-than-not to be realized. If the Company determines that it would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recordedamount, the Company would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. In evaluatingthe Company’s ability to recover deferred tax assets within the jurisdiction from which they arise, the Company considers all available positive and negativeevidence, including scheduled reversals of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies and results of operations. In projectingfuture taxable income, the Company begins with historical results adjusted for the results of discontinued operations and incorporates assumptions about theamount of future state, federal and foreign pretax operating income adjusted for items that do not have tax consequences. The assumptions about future taxableincome require significant judgment and are consistent with the plans and estimates the Company is using to manage the underlying businesses.The Company remains in a three-year cumulative loss position at the end of 2019. As a result, management believes that it is not more-likely-than-not that theCompany would be able to realize the benefits of its deferred tax assets in the U.S., Canada and other foreign jurisdictions and accordingly recognized a valuationallowance for the year ended December 31, 2019. The change during the year in the valuation allowance was $5 million in the U.S., $1 million in Canada, and $3million in other foreign jurisdictions.The Company records unrecognized tax benefits as liabilities in accordance with ASC 740 and adjusts these liabilities when judgment changes as a result of theevaluation of new information not previously available in jurisdictions of operation. The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 onthe basis of a two-step process whereby (1) the Company determines whether it is more-likely-than-not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of thetechnical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amountof tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The annual tax provision includes the impactof income tax provisions and benefits for changes to liabilities that the Company considers appropriate, as well as related interest.The Company is subject to audits by federal, state and foreign jurisdictions which may result in proposed assessments. Because of the complexity of some of theseuncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from the current estimate of the unrecognized tax benefit liabilities. TheCompany reviews these liabilities quarterly and to the extent audits or other events result in an adjustment to the liability accrued for a prior year, the effect will berecognized in the period of the event.As of December 31, 2019, the amount of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries was approximately $81 million. With the exception of the Company’s pre-2018 earnings in Canada and the United Kingdom, the Company’s foreign earnings continue to be indefinitely reinvested. The Company makes a determinationeach period whether to permanently reinvest these earnings. If, as a result of these reassessments, the Company distributes these earnings in the future, additionaltax liabilities would result, offset by any available foreign tax credits.39 Recently Issued Accounting StandardsIn June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses onFinancial Instruments (Topic 326), which replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected creditlosses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to determine credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 requires entities tomeasure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting date based on historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportableforecasts. Entities will now use forward-looking information to better form their credit loss estimates. The Company will adopt ASC Topic 326 on January 1,2020. The predominant account subject to the scope of this standard is trade receivables, which are recorded and carried at the original invoice amount less anallowance for doubtful accounts (“AFDA”). Upon adoption, the Company will begin recognizing AFDA based on the estimated lifetime expected credit lossrelated to trade receivables; based on its current assessment, which is subject to change, the Company estimates an increase of less than $10 million to its AFDAand the opening accumulated deficit in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company does not expect the adoption of this standard to have material impact in itsconsolidated statements of operations and cash flows.In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), whichmodified the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning afterDecember 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for removed or modified disclosures. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2018-13 in itsconsolidated financial statements.Recently Adopted Accounting StandardsIn February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset for allleases, including operating leases, with a term greater than twelve months in its balance sheets. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, TargetedImprovements, which provided entities with an additional (and optional) transition method, allowing an entity to apply the new lease standard at the adoption dateand to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. On January 1, 2019, the Company adoptedASC 842 using the modified retrospective method allowed under ASU 2018-11. The Company has utilized the package of practical expedients permitted under thetransition guidance within ASC 842 which, among other things, allows an entity to carry forward its historical lease classifications. The adoption of ASC 842resulted in the recognition of $66 million of ROU assets, net of $1 million deferred rent, and $67 million of lease liabilities related to leases that were previouslynot required to be presented in the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 11 “Leases” of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part IV, Item 15 of thisForm 10-K) for additional information.40 ITEM 7A.QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISKWe are exposed to certain market risks that are inherent in our financial instruments and arise from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.We may enter into derivative financial instrument transactions to manage or reduce market risk but do not enter into derivative financial instrument transactions forspeculative purposes. We do not currently have any material outstanding derivative instruments. See Note 13 “Derivative Financial Instruments” of the Notes toConsolidated Financial Statements (Part IV, Item 15 of this Form 10-K) for additional information.A discussion of our primary market risk exposure in financial instruments is presented below.Foreign Currency Exchange Rate RiskWe have operations in foreign countries and transact business globally in multiple currencies. Our net assets as well as our revenues and costs and expensesdenominated in foreign currencies, expose us to the risk of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar. Because we operate globally andapproximately one-fourth of our 2019 net sales were outside the United States, foreign currency exchange rates can impact our financial position, results ofoperations and competitive position. We are a net receiver of foreign currencies and therefore benefit from a weakening of the U.S. dollar and are adverselyaffected by a strengthening of the U.S. dollar relative to the foreign currency. As of December 31, 2019, our most significant foreign currency exposure was to theCanadian dollar, followed by the British pound, with less significant foreign currency exposures to the Australian dollar and Mexican peso.The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated into their U.S. dollar equivalents at end-of-period exchange rates for assets and liabilities, whilerevenue, costs and expenses are translated at average monthly exchange rates. Translation gains and losses are components of other comprehensive income(loss) as reported in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss). During 2019, we experienced a net foreign currency translation gain totaling $15million, which was included in other comprehensive income (loss).Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations generally do not materially affect our earnings since the functional currency is typically the local currency; however,our operations also have net assets not denominated in their functional currency, which exposes us to changes in foreign currency exchange rates that impact ournet income as foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses, arising from fluctuations in currency exchange rates ontransactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency, are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations as a component of otherexpense. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, we reported net foreign currency transaction losses of $1 million, $2 million and $2 million,respectively. Gains and losses are primarily due to exchange rate fluctuations related to monetary asset balances denominated in currencies other than thefunctional currency and fair value adjustments to economically hedged positions as a result of changes in foreign currency exchange rates.Some of our revenues for our foreign operations are denominated in U.S. dollars, and therefore, changes in foreign currency exchange rates impact earnings to theextent that costs associated with those U.S. dollar revenues are denominated in the local currency. Similarly, some of our revenues for our foreign operations aredenominated in foreign currencies, but have associated U.S. dollar costs, which also give rise to foreign currency exchange rate exposure. In order to mitigatethose risks, we may utilize foreign currency forward contracts to better match the currency of the revenues and the associated costs. Although we may utilizeforeign currency forward contracts to economically hedge certain foreign currency denominated balances or transactions, we do not currently hedge the netinvestments in our foreign operations. The counterparties to our forward contracts are major financial institutions. The credit ratings and concentration of risk ofthese financial institutions are monitored by us on a continuing basis. In the event that the counterparties fail to meet the terms of a foreign currency contract, ourexposure is limited to the foreign currency rate differential.The average foreign exchange rate for 2019 compared to the average for 2018 for the aggregate of our foreign operations compared to the U.S. dollar decreased byapproximately 3%. The average foreign exchange rate for 2019 compared to the average for 2018 of the Australian dollar, British pound, Canadian dollar andMexican peso compared to the U.S. dollar decreased by approximately 7%, 4%, 2% and less than 1%, respectively.We utilized a sensitivity analysis to measure the potential impact on earnings based on a hypothetical 10% change in foreign currency rates. A 10% change fromthe levels experienced during 2019 of the U.S. dollar relative to foreign currencies that affected the Company would have resulted in less than $1 million change innet income for 2019.41 Commodity Steel PricingOur business is sensitive to steel prices, which can impact our product pricing, with steel tubular prices generally having the highest degree of sensitivity. Whilewe cannot predict steel prices, we manage this risk by managing our inventory levels, including maintaining sufficient quantity on hand to meet demand, whilereducing the risk of overstocking.ITEM 8.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATAAttached hereto and a part of this report are financial statements and supplementary data listed in Item 15. “Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.”ITEM 9.CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURENone.ITEM 9A.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURESWe maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports we file or submit under the SecuritiesExchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act of 1934), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rulesand forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive and principal financial officers, asappropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. As of December 31, 2019, with the participation of management, our Interim Chief ExecutiveOfficer and our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation, pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act of 1934, of theeffectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Exchange Act of 1934). Based upon that evaluation, our Interim ChiefExecutive Officer and our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were operating effectively asof December 31, 2019.Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial ReportingPursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act, management is required toprovide the following report on our internal control over financial reporting: •Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. •Management has evaluated the system of internal control using the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission 2013framework (“COSO 2013 framework”). Management has selected the COSO 2013 framework for its evaluation as it is a control frameworkrecognized by the SEC and the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board that is free from bias, permits reasonably consistent qualitative andquantitative measurement of our internal controls, is sufficiently complete so that relevant controls are not omitted and is relevant to an evaluation ofinternal controls over financial reporting. •Based on management’s evaluation under this framework, management has concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting wereeffective as of December 31, 2019. There are no material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting that have been identified bymanagement.There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Act, in the quarterly period ended December 31,2019, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.Pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, our Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have provided certain certifications tothe Securities and Exchange Commission. These certifications are included herein as Exhibits 31.1 and 31.2.The report from Ernst & Young LLP on its audit of the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 isincluded in this annual report and is incorporated herein by reference.ITEM 9B.OTHER INFORMATIONNone.42 PART IIIITEM 10.DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCEIncorporated by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.ITEM 11.EXECUTIVE COMPENSATIONIncorporated by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.ITEM 12.SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERMATTERSIncorporated by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans.The following table sets forth information as of our fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, with respect to compensation plans under which our common stock maybe issued: Plan Category Number of securities to beissued upon exercise ofoutstanding options, warrantsand rights (1) Weighted-averageexercise price ofoutstandingoptions, warrantsand rights Number of securities remainingavailable for future issuance underequity compensation plans (2) Equity compensation plansapproved by security holders 5,702,978 $20.11 6,399,486 Equity compensation plansnot approved by security holders − $− − Total 5,702,978 $20.11 6,399,486 (1)Includes 212,794 shares of issuable performance-based awards if specific targets are met, and 364,226 shares of Restricted Stock Units andPhantom Shares (collectively, “RSUs”) which have no exercise price. Therefore, these shares are excluded for purposes of determining theweighted-average exercise prices of outstanding options, warrants and rights. (2)Includes 6,399,486 shares issuable pursuant to the 2014 Plan in the form of stock options, restricted awards, RSUs, performance stock awards, orany combination of the foregoing.ITEM 13.CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCEIncorporated by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.ITEM 14.PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICESIncorporated by reference to the definitive Proxy Statement for the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. 43 PART IVITEM 15.EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES(1) Financial Statements and ExhibitsThe following financial statements are presented in response to Part II, Item 8: PageREPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM47CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 50CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 51CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) 52CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 53CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 54NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 55 (2) Financial Statement ScheduleAll schedules are omitted because they are not applicable, not required or the information is included in the financial statements or notes thereto.44 (3) Exhibits 2.1 Separation and Distribution Agreement between National Oilwell Varco, Inc. and NOW Inc. dated as of May 29, 2014 (1) 3.1 NOW Inc. Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (1) 3.2 NOW Inc. Amended and Restated Bylaws (1) 4.1 Description of the Registrant’s Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 10.1 Tax Matters Agreement between National Oilwell Varco, Inc. and NOW Inc. dated as of May 29, 2014 (1) 10.2 Employee Matters Agreement between National Oilwell Varco, Inc. and NOW Inc. dated as of May 29, 2014 (1) 10.3 Master Distributor Agreement between National Oilwell Varco, L.P. and DNOW L.P. dated as of May 29, 2014 (1) 10.4 Master Services Agreement between National Oilwell Varco, L.P. and DNOW L.P. dated as of May 29, 2014 (1) 10.5 Form of Employment Agreement for Executive Officers (1) 10.6 NOW Inc. 2014 Incentive Compensation Plan (2) 10.7 Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (6 year cliff vest) (3) 10.8 Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (4) 10.9 Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement (3 year cliff vest) (4) 10.10 Form of Performance Award Agreement (4) 10.11 Form of Amendment to Employment Agreement for Executive Officers (5) 10.12 Credit Agreement dated as of April 30, 2018, among the Borrowers, the lenders that are parties thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association asadministrative agent, an issuing lender and swing lender (6) 10.13 Employment Agreement between NOW Inc. and Interim Chief Executive Officer Richard Alario (7) 10.14 Phantom Share Agreement between NOW Inc. and Interim Chief Executive Officer Richard Alario (7) 21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant 23.1 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 24.1 Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereto) 31.1 Certification of Interim Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14a and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act, as amended 31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14a and Rule 15d-14(a) of the Securities and Exchange Act, as amended 32.1 Certification of Interim Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 101.INS Inline XBRL Instance Document – The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within theInline XBRL document 101.SCH Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 101.DEF Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 101.LAB Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document 104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) (1)Filed as an Exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 30, 2014(2)Filed as an Exhibit to our Amendment No. 1 to Form 10, as amended, Registration Statement filed on April 8, 2014(3)Filed as an Exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 19, 2014(4)Filed as an Exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 7, 2015(5)Filed as an Exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 2, 2016(6)Filed as an Exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 1, 2018(7)Filed as an Exhibit to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 21, 2019(8)As provided in Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, this information is filed for purposes of Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 18 of theSecurities Exchange Act of 1934We hereby undertake, pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b), paragraph (4) (iii), to furnish to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, upon request, allconstituent instruments defining the rights of holders of our long-term debt not filed herewith.45 SIGNATURESPursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf bythe undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.NOW Inc.Date: February 19, 2020 By: /s/ Richard J. AlarioRichard J. AlarioInterim Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and inthe capacities and on the dates indicated.Each person whose signature appears below in so signing, constitutes and appoints Richard J. Alario and David A. Cherechinsky, and each of them acting alone,his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to execute andcause to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission any and all amendments to this report, and in each case to file the same, with all exhibits theretoand other documents in connection therewith, and hereby ratifies and confirms all that said attorney-in-fact or his substitute or substitutes may do or cause to bedone by virtue hereof. Signature Title Date /s/ Richard J. Alario Interim Chief Executive Officer and Director February 19, 2020Richard J. Alario /s/ David A. Cherechinsky Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer February 19, 2020David A. Cherechinsky /s/ Mark B. Johnson Vice President, Corporate Controller andChief Accounting Officer February 19, 2020Mark B. Johnson /s/ J. Wayne Richards Chairman of the Board February 19, 2020J. Wayne Richards /s/ Terry Bonno Director February 19, 2020Terry Bonno /s/ Galen Cobb Director February 19, 2020Galen Cobb /s/ Paul Coppinger Director February 19, 2020Paul Coppinger /s/ James Crandell Director February 19, 2020James Crandell /s/ Rodney Eads Director February 19, 2020Rodney Eads 46 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmTo the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of NOW Inc.Opinion on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of NOW Inc. (the Company) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidatedstatements of operations, comprehensive income (loss), stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2019, andthe related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in allmaterial respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the threeyears in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internalcontrol over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee ofSponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 19, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.Basis for OpinionThese financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statementsbased on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordancewith 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 audit to obtain reasonableassurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures toassess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Suchprocedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating theaccounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believethat our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.Critical Audit MatterThe critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that was communicated or required to becommunicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especiallychallenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of the critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financialstatements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on theaccount or disclosure to which it relates. Valuation of Goodwill (International and Canada Reporting Units)Description of theMatter At December 31, 2019, the Company's goodwill was $245 million. As discussed in Note 2 and 7 to the consolidated financialstatements, goodwill is tested for impairment annually at the reporting unit level or more frequently if indicators of impairment exist.The Company evaluates the recoverability of goodwill by comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value. Fairvalue is determined using a combination of the market approach based on the guideline public company method and a discounted cashflow analysis based upon projected financial information. During 2019, the Company recorded goodwill impairment charges of $54million to the International reporting unit and $27 million to the Canada reporting unit.Auditing management's annual goodwill impairment tests for the International and Canada reporting units involved especiallychallenging judgment due to the significant estimation required to determine the fair value of the reporting units. In particular, the fairvalue estimates of the International and Canada reporting units were sensitive to assumptions such as changes in projected cash flowsand the discount rate, which are affected by expectations about future market or economic conditions, and industry and company-specific qualitative factors.47 How We Addressed theMatter in Our Audit We obtained an understanding, evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of controls over the Company’s goodwillimpairment review process, including controls over management’s review of the significant assumptions described above. Thisincluded evaluating controls over the Company’s forecasting process used to develop the estimated future cash flows, management’sreview of the discount rate and the selection of market multiples used. To test the estimated fair value of the Company’s International and Canada reporting units, we performed audit procedures thatincluded, among others, assessing valuation methodologies and testing the significant assumptions discussed above and theunderlying data used by the Company in its analysis. We compared the projected cash flows to the Company’s historical cash flowsand available industry data including forecasted rig count information. We involved our valuation specialists in reviewing thevaluation methodology, evaluating the discount rate and assessing the market multiples by comparison to the selected publicly tradedcompanies. We assessed the historical accuracy of management’s estimates and performed sensitivity analyses of significantassumptions to evaluate the changes in the fair value of the International and Canada reporting units that would result from changes inthe assumptions.In addition, we tested management’s reconciliation of the fair value of the reporting units to the market capitalization of the Company./s/ Ernst & Young LLPWe have served as the Company’s auditor since 2013.Houston, TexasFebruary 19, 202048 Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmTo the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of NOW Inc.Opinion on Internal Control over Financial ReportingWe have audited NOW Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control—IntegratedFramework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, NOW Inc.(the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on the COSO criteria.We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the 2019 consolidatedfinancial statements of the Company and our report dated February 19, 2020 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.Basis for OpinionThe Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internalcontrol over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is toexpress an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB andare 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 theSecurities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonableassurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluatingthe design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in thecircumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial ReportingA company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and thepreparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financialreporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect thetransactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation offinancial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only inaccordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection ofunauthorized 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, projections of any evaluation ofeffectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance withthe policies or procedures may deteriorate./s/ Ernst & Young LLPHouston, TexasFebruary 19, 2020 49 NOW INC.CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS(In millions, except share data) December 31, 2019 2018 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $183 $116 Receivables, net 370 482 Inventories, net 465 602 Assets held-for-sale 34 — Prepaid and other current assets 15 19 Total current assets 1,067 1,219 Property, plant and equipment, net 120 106 Deferred income taxes 2 2 Goodwill 245 314 Intangibles, net 90 144 Other assets 67 10 Total assets $1,591 $1,795 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable $255 $329 Accrued liabilities 127 110 Liabilities held-for-sale 6 — Other current liabilities 8 2 Total current liabilities 396 441 Long-term debt — 132 Long-term operating lease liabilities 34 — Deferred income taxes 4 6 Other long-term liabilities 13 2 Total liabilities 447 581 Commitments and contingencies Stockholders' equity: Preferred stock—par value $0.01; 20 million shares authorized; no shares issued and outstanding — — Common stock - par value $0.01; 330 million shares authorized; 109,207,678 and 108,426,962 sharesissued and outstanding at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively 1 1 Additional paid-in capital 2,046 2,034 Accumulated deficit (775) (678)Accumulated other comprehensive loss (128) (143)Total stockholders' equity 1,144 1,214 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $1,591 $1,795 See notes to consolidated financial statements. 50 NOW INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS(In millions, except per share data) Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Revenue $2,951 $3,127 $2,648 Operating expenses: Cost of products 2,365 2,497 2,147 Warehousing, selling and administrative 541 557 542 Impairment charges 128 — — Operating profit (loss) (83) 73 (41)Other expense (10) (15) (11)Income (loss) before income taxes (93) 58 (52)Income tax provision (benefit) 4 6 — Net income (loss) $(97) $52 $(52)Earnings (loss) per share: Basic earnings (loss) per common share $(0.89) $0.47 $(0.48)Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $(0.89) $0.47 $(0.48)Weighted-average common shares outstanding, basic 109 108 108 Weighted-average common shares outstanding, diluted 109 109 108 See notes to consolidated financial statements.51 NOW INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)(In millions) Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Net income (loss) $(97) $52 $(52)Other comprehensive income (loss): Foreign currency translation adjustments 15 (38) 37 Comprehensive income (loss) $(82) $14 $(15) See notes to consolidated financial statements.52 NOW INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS(In millions) Year Ended December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) $(97) $52 $(52)Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operatingactivities: Depreciation and amortization 41 41 50 Deferred income taxes (2) (1) (1)Stock-based compensation 13 16 20 Provision for inventory 13 8 11 Impairment charges 128 — — Other, net 30 3 (8)Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Receivables 98 (69) (64)Inventories 109 (30) (110)Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (110) 54 43 Other, net 1 (1) (4)Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 224 73 (115)Cash flows from investing activities: Purchases of property, plant and equipment (12) (11) (4)Business acquisitions, net of cash acquired (8) — (4)Other, net (2) 2 16 Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities (22) (9) 8 Cash flows from financing activities: Borrowings under the revolving credit facility 268 503 359 Repayments under the revolving credit facility (400) (533) (262)Other, net (6) (7) (3)Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (138) (37) 94 Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents 3 (9) 5 Net change in cash and cash equivalents 67 18 (8)Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 116 98 106 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $183 $116 $98 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information: Income taxes paid, net $7 $6 $2 Interest paid $5 $9 $6 Non-cash investing and financing activities: Accrued purchases of property, plant and equipment $3 $— $— See notes to consolidated financial statements.53 NOW INC.CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY(In millions) Common Stock Additional Accum. Retained Accum. Other Total Shares Par Paid-In Earnings Comprehensive Stockholders’ Outstanding Value Capital (Deficit) Income (Loss) Equity January 1, 2017 107 $1 $2,002 $(678) $(142) $1,183 Net loss — — — (52) — (52)Stock-based compensation — — 20 — — 20 Exercise of stock options — — 1 — — 1 Vesting of restricted stock 1 — — — — — Shares withheld for taxes — — (4) — — (4)Other comprehensive income — — — — 37 37 December 31, 2017 108 $1 $2,019 $(730) $(105) $1,185 Net income — — — 52 — 52 Stock-based compensation — — 16 — — 16 Exercise of stock options — — 1 — — 1 Shares withheld for taxes — — (2) — — (2)Other comprehensive loss — — — — (38) (38)December 31, 2018 108 $1 $2,034 $(678) $(143) $1,214 Net loss — — — (97) — (97)Stock-based compensation — — 13 — — 13 Exercise of stock options — — 2 — — 2 Vesting of restricted stock 1 — — — — — Shares withheld for taxes — — (3) — — (3)Other comprehensive income — — — — 15 15 December 31, 2019 109 $1 $2,046 $(775) $(128) $1,144 See notes to consolidated financial statements.54 NOW INC.Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements1. Organization and Basis of PresentationNature of OperationsNOW Inc. (“NOW” or the “Company”) is a holding company headquartered in Houston, Texas that was incorporated in Delaware on November 22, 2013. NOWoperates primarily under the DistributionNOW and DNOW brands. NOW is a global distributor of energy products as well as products for industrial applicationsthrough its locations in the U.S., Canada and internationally which are geographically positioned to serve the energy and industrial markets in approximately 80countries. NOW’s energy product offerings are used in the oil and gas industry including upstream drilling and completion, exploration and production, midstreaminfrastructure development and downstream petroleum refining – as well as in other industries, such as chemical processing, power generation and industrialmanufacturing operations. The industrial distribution portion of NOW’s business targets a diverse range of manufacturing and facilities across numerous industriesand end markets. NOW also provides supply chain management to drilling contractors, E&P operators, midstream operators, downstream energy and industrialmanufacturing companies. NOW’s supplier network consists of thousands of vendors in approximately 40 countries.Basis of PresentationThe accompanying consolidated financial information include the accounts of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. All significant intercompanytransactions and accounts have been eliminated.ReclassificationCertain amounts in the prior periods presented have been reclassified to conform to the current period financial statement presentation. These reclassifications haveno effect on previously reported results of operations.Recently Issued Accounting StandardsIn June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), which replaces the incurred loss impairmentmethodology in current GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportableinformation to determine credit loss estimates. ASU 2016-13 requires entities to measure all expected credit losses for financial assets held at the reporting datebased on historical experience, current conditions, and reasonable and supportable forecasts. Entities will now use forward-looking information to better formtheir credit loss estimates. The Company will adopt ASC Topic 326 on January 1, 2020. The predominant account subject to the scope of this standard is tradereceivables, which are recorded and carried at the original invoice amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts (“AFDA”). Upon adoption, the Company willbegin recognizing AFDA based on the estimated lifetime expected credit loss related to trade receivables; based on its current assessment, which is subject tochange, the Company estimates an increase of less than $10 million to its AFDA and the opening accumulated deficit in the consolidated balance sheets. TheCompany does not expect the adoption of this standard to have material impact in its consolidated statement of operations and cash flows.In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820), whichmodified the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements. ASU 2018-13 is effective for annual and interim periods in fiscal years beginning afterDecember 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for removed or modified disclosures. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2018-13 in itsconsolidated financial statements. Recently Adopted Accounting StandardsIn February 2016, FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires lessees to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use (“ROU”) asset for allleases, including operating leases, with a term greater than twelve months in its balance sheets. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-11, TargetedImprovements, which provided entities with an additional (and optional) transition method, allowing an entity to apply the new lease standard at the adoption dateand to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. On January 1, 2019, the Company adoptedASC 842 using the modified retrospective method allowed under ASU 2018-11. The Company has utilized the package of practical expedients permitted under thetransition guidance within ASC 842 which, among other things, allows an entity to carry forward its historical lease classifications. The adoption of ASC 842resulted in the recognition of $66 million of ROU assets, net of $1 million deferred rent, and $67 million of lease liabilities related to leases that were previouslynot required to be presented in the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 11 “Leases” for additional information.55 2. Summary of Significant Accounting PoliciesCash and Cash EquivalentsCash and Cash Equivalents consist of all highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.Fair Value of Financial InstrumentsThe carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables and payables approximated fair value because of the relatively short maturity of these instruments.See Note 13 “Derivative Financial Instruments” for the fair value of derivative financial instruments.InventoriesInventories consist primarily of oilfield and industrial finished goods. Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and using average costmethods. Allowances for excess and obsolete inventories are determined based on the Company’s historical usage of inventory on hand as well as its futureexpectations. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company reported inventory of $465 million and $602 million, respectively (net of inventory reserves of$26 million and $28 million, respectively).Property, Plant and EquipmentProperty, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for major improvements that extend the lives of property and equipment are capitalized while minorreplacements, maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. Disposals are removed at cost less accumulated depreciation with any resulting gain orloss reflected in the results of operations for the respective period. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives ofindividual items.Long-Lived Assets, Including Goodwill and Other Acquired Intangible AssetsThe Company evaluates the recoverability of property, plant and equipment and amortizable intangible assets for possible impairment whenever events orcircumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by a comparison of the carryingamounts to the future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If such review indicates that the carrying amount of property and equipment andintangible assets is not recoverable, the carrying amount of such assets is reduced to fair value.In addition to the recoverability assessment, the Company routinely reviews the remaining estimated useful lives of property, plant and equipment and amortizableintangible assets. If the Company changes the estimated useful life assumption for any asset, the remaining unamortized balance is amortized or depreciated overthe revised estimated useful life.The Company conducts goodwill impairment testing annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, and more frequently on an interim basis, when an eventoccurs or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit may have declined below its carrying value. Events or circumstances which couldindicate a probable impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant reduction in worldwide oil and gas prices or drilling; a significant reduction inprofitability or cash flow of oil and gas companies or drilling contractors; a significant reduction in worldwide well completion and remediation activity; asignificant reduction in capital investment by other oilfield service companies; or a significant increase in worldwide inventories of oil or gas.The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below that constitutes a businessfor which financial information is available and is regularly reviewed by management. The Company determined that it has five reporting units for this purpose—United States Energy, United States Supply Chain, United States Process Solutions, Canada and International.The Company tests goodwill for impairment by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit to its carrying value. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of areporting unit, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to that excess, but not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.When performing goodwill impairment testing, the fair values of reporting units are determined based on valuation techniques using the best available information,including the discounted cash flow method, and the market approach where applicable. The market approach is based on metrics derived from comparablepublicly-traded companies. The discounted cash flow is based on management’s short-term and long-term forecast of operating performance for each reportingunit. The two main assumptions used in measuring goodwill impairment, which bear the risk of change and could impact the Company’s goodwill impairmentanalysis, include the cash flow from operations from each of the Company’s reporting units and the discount rate. The starting point for each reporting unit’sprojected cash flow from operations is the detailed annual plan or updated forecast. The detailed planning and forecasting process takes into consideration amultitude of factors including worldwide rig activity, inflationary forces, pricing strategies, customer analysis, operational issues, competitor analysis, capitalspending requirements, working capital requirements and customer needs among other items which impact the individual reporting unit projections. Cash flowsbeyond the specific operating plans were estimated using a terminal value calculation, which incorporated historical and forecasted financial cyclical trends foreach reporting unit and also considered long-term earnings growth rates. The financial and credit market volatility impacts the fair value56 measurement by adjusting the discount rate. During times of volatility, significant judgment must be applied to determine whether credit changes are a short-termor long-term trend. The Company makes significant assumptions and estimates about the extent and timing of future cash flows, growth rates, and discount rates allof which represent unobservable inputs into valuation methodologies and are classified as level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy. In evaluating thereasonableness of the Company’s fair value estimates, the Company considers, among other factors, the relationship between the market capitalization of theCompany and the total estimated fair value of its reporting units less debt.Foreign CurrencyThe functional currency for most of the Company’s foreign operations is the local currency. Certain foreign operations use the U.S. dollar as the functionalcurrency. For those that have local currency as functional the cumulative effects of translating the balance sheet accounts from the functional currency into theU.S. dollar at current exchange rates are included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Revenues and expenses are translated at average exchangerates in effect during the period.Accordingly, financial statements of these foreign subsidiaries are remeasured to U.S. dollars for consolidation purposes using current rates of exchange formonetary assets and liabilities and historical rates of exchange for nonmonetary assets and related elements of expense. Revenue and expense elements areremeasured at rates that approximate the rates in effect on the transaction dates. For all operations, gains or losses from remeasuring foreign currency transactionsinto the reporting currency are included in other expense. Net foreign currency transaction losses were $1 million, $2 million and $2 million for the years endingDecember 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and were included in other expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.Revenue RecognitionThe Company’s primary source of revenue is the sale of energy products and an extensive selection of products for industrial applications based upon purchaseorders or contracts with customers. The majority of revenue is recognized at a point in time once the Company has determined that the customer has obtainedcontrol over the product. Control is typically deemed to have been transferred to the customer when the product is shipped, delivered or picked up by the customer.The Company does not grant extended payment terms. Revenue is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers, which are subsequently remitted to propergovernment authorities. Shipping and handling costs for product shipments occur prior to the customer obtaining control of the goods and are recorded in cost ofproducts.The amount of revenue recognized reflects the consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled to receive in exchange for products sold. Revenue isrecorded at the transaction price net of estimates of variable consideration, which may include product returns, trade discounts and allowances. The Companyaccrues for variable consideration using the expected value method. Estimates of variable consideration are included in revenue to the extent that it is probable thata significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur.Cost of ProductsCost of products includes the cost of inventory sold and related items, such as vendor consideration, inventory allowances, amortization of intangibles and inboundand outbound freight.Warehousing, Selling and Administrative ExpensesWarehousing, selling and administrative expenses include branch location, distribution center and regional expenses (including costs such as compensation,benefits and rent) as well as corporate general selling and administrative expenses.Vendor ConsiderationThe Company receives funds from vendors in the normal course of business, principally as a result of purchase volumes. Generally, these vendor funds do notrepresent the reimbursement of specific, incremental and identifiable costs incurred by the Company to sell the vendor’s product. Therefore, the Company treatsthese funds as a reduction of inventory when purchased and once these goods are sold to third parties the associated amount is credited to cost of products. TheCompany develops accrual rates for vendor consideration based on the provisions of the arrangements in place, historical trends, purchases and future expectations.Due to the complexity and diversity of the individual vendor agreements, the Company performs analyses and reviews historical trends throughout the year andconfirms actual amounts with select vendors to ensure the amounts earned are appropriately recorded. Amounts accrued throughout the year could be impacted ifactual purchase volumes differ from projected annual purchase volumes, especially in the case of programs that provide for increased funding when graduatedpurchase volumes are met.57 Income TaxesThe liability method is used to account for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting andtax basis of assets and liabilities and are measured using the enacted tax rates that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. Valuationallowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to amounts which are more-likely-than-not to be realized.Concentration of Credit RiskThe Company grants credit to its customers, which operate primarily in the energy, industrial and manufacturing markets. Concentrations of credit risk are limitedbecause the Company has a large number of geographically diverse customers, thus spreading trade credit risk. The Company controls credit risk through creditevaluations, credit limits and monitoring procedures. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and, generally, doesnot require collateral but may require letters of credit or prepayments for certain sales. Credit losses are provided for in the financial statements. Allowances fordoubtful accounts are determined based on a continuous process of assessing the Company’s portfolio on an individual customer basis taking into account currentmarket conditions and trends. This process consists of a thorough review of historical collection experience, current aging status of the customer accounts andfinancial condition of the Company’s customers. Based on a review of these factors, the Company will establish or adjust allowances for specific customers.Balances that remain outstanding after the Company has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the allowance and a credit toreceivables. No single customer represents more than 10% of the Company’s revenue. Stock-Based CompensationCompensation expense for the Company’s stock-based compensation plans is measured using the fair value method required by ASC Topic 718 “Compensation—Stock Compensation”. Under this guidance the fair value of the award is measured on the grant date and amortized to expense using the straight-line method overthe shorter of the vesting period or the remaining requisite service period. Forfeitures are recognized as they occur.Use of EstimatesThe preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported and contingentamounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actualresults could differ from those estimates. The Company periodically evaluates its estimates and judgments that are most critical in nature, which are related toallowance for doubtful accounts, inventory reserves, goodwill, purchase price allocation of acquisitions, vendor consideration, stock-based compensation andincome taxes. On an ongoing basis, the Company evaluates such estimates by comparing to historical experience and trends, which form the basis for makingjudgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities.ContingenciesThe Company accrues for costs relating to litigation claims and other contingent matters, when such liabilities become probable and reasonably estimable. Suchestimates may be based on advice from third parties or on management’s judgment, as appropriate. Revisions to contingent liabilities are reflected in income in theperiod in which different facts or information become known or circumstances change that affect the Company’s previous judgments with respect to the likelihoodor amount of loss. Amounts paid upon the ultimate resolution of contingent liabilities may be materially different from previous estimates and could requireadjustments to the estimated reserves to be recognized in the period such new information becomes known.In circumstances where the most likely outcome of a contingency can be reasonably estimated, the Company accrues a liability for that amount. Where the mostlikely outcome cannot be estimated, a range of potential losses is established, and, if no one amount in that range is more likely than others, the low end of therange is accrued.3. RevenueRemaining Performance ObligationsRemaining performance obligations represent the transaction price of firm orders for which work has not been performed on contracts with an original expectedduration of more than one year. The Company’s contracts are predominantly short-term in nature with a contract term of one year or less. For those contracts, theCompany has utilized the practical expedient in ASC Topic 606 exempting the Company from disclosure of the transaction price allocated to remainingperformance obligations when the performance obligation is part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less.ReceivablesReceivables are recorded when the Company has an unconditional right to consideration.58 Contract Assets and Liabilities Contract assets primarily consist of retainage amounts held as a form of security by customers until the Company satisfies its remaining performance obligations.As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, contracts assets were $3 million and $2 million, respectively, and were included in receivables, net in the consolidated balancesheets. The Company generally accounts for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract as an expense when incurred if the amortization period of the asset thatthe entity otherwise would have been recognized is one year or less. These expenses were not material for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. Contract liabilities primarily consist of deferred revenues recorded when customer payments are received or due in advance of satisfying performance obligations,including amounts which are refundable, and other accrued customer liabilities. Revenue recognition is deferred to a future period until the Company completes itsobligations contractually agreed with customers. The increase in contract liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2019 was primarily related to net customerdeposits of approximately $18 million, partially offset by approximately $15 million of revenue that was deferred at December 31, 2018.See Note 15 “Business Segments” for the disaggregation of revenue by reporting segments. The Company believes this disaggregation best depicts how the nature,amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows are affected by economic factors.4. Receivables, netReceivables are recorded and carried at the original invoiced amount less an allowance for doubtful accounts.The allowance for doubtful accounts reflects the Company’s best estimate of probable losses inherent in the accounts receivable balance. Activity in the allowancefor doubtful accounts was as follows (in millions): December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Allowance for doubtful accounts Beginning balance $27 $29 $34 Additions (deductions) charged to expenses (2) 2 3 Charge-offs and other (9) (4) (8)Ending balance $16 $27 $295. Property, Plant and Equipment, netProperty, plant and equipment consist of (in millions): Estimated December 31, Useful Lives 2019 2018 Information technology assets 1-7 Years $46 $45 Operating equipment (1) 2-15 Years 109 92 Buildings and land (2) 5-35 Years 100 99 Construction in progress 10 — Total property, plant and equipment 265 236 Less: accumulated depreciation (145) (130)Property, plant and equipment, net $120 $106 (1)Includes finance right-of-use assets. (2)Land has an indefinite lifeDepreciation expense was $22 million, $21 million and $28 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. 59 6. Accrued LiabilitiesAccrued liabilities consist of (in millions): December 31, 2019 2018 Compensation and other related expenses $31 $38 Contract liabilities 34 29 Taxes (non-income) 12 14 Current portion of operating lease liabilities 21 — Other 29 29 Total $127 $110 7. GoodwillGoodwill is identified by segment as follows (in millions): United States Canada International Total Balance at December 31, 2017 (1) $119 $98 $111 $328 Foreign currency translation adjustments — (8) (6) (14)Balance at December 31, 2018 $119 $90 $105 $314 Additions 6 — — 6 Impairment — (27) (54) (81)Foreign currency translation adjustments — 4 2 6 Balance at December 31, 2019 $125 $67 $53 $245 (1)In the United States segment, net of prior years accumulated impairment of $393 million.The Company performed its annual goodwill impairment test during the fourth quarter of 2019 and determined the fair value of the Canada and Internationalreporting units was below their carrying value. As a result, the Company recognized $81 million of goodwill impairment which was included in impairmentcharges in the consolidated statements of operations. The impairment charges were primarily the result of actual declines in customer and rig activity anddownward revisions to forecasted rig and customer spend activity occurring in the fourth quarter of 2019, which we incorporated into our outlook and forecastedresults of operations. The impact of the prolonged activity curtailment in Canada and other market condition deteriorations have reduced our near-term outlook andtiming of an expected recovery. Further continued adverse market conditions could result in the recognition of additional impairment if the Company determinesthat the fair values of its reporting units have fallen below their carrying values. No tax benefit was reported on the Company’s goodwill impairment for the year-ended December 31, 2019, as the goodwill impairment was either nondeductible for tax purposes or was subject to a valuation allowance. See Note 9 “IncomeTaxes” for additional information.For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 no goodwill impairments were recognized as the fair value of each reporting unit exceeded its carrying value.60 8. Intangibles, netIdentified intangible assets with determinable lives consist primarily of customer relationships, trade names, trademarks and patents, and non-compete agreementsacquired in acquisitions, and are being amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of 3 to 20 years. Intangible assets that are fully amortizedare removed from the disclosures.Identified intangible assets by major classification, affected by the fluctuation of foreign currency rates, consist of the following (in millions): Accumulated Net Book Gross Amortization Value December 31, 2019: Trademarks and patents $38 $(9) $29 Customer relationships 116 (57) 59 Other 2 — 2 Total identified intangibles $156 $(66) $90 December 31, 2018: Trademarks and patents $103 $(31) $72 Customer relationships 118 (46) 72 Other 11 (11) — Total identified intangibles $232 $(88) $144During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company made strategic decisions to discontinue the use of certain acquired trade names in order to eliminate brandingdilution in the market and align the Company’s marketing around its DNOW brands. As of December 31, 2019, the Company completed the disposals of thesetrade names by abandonment and recognized impairment charges of $34 million in the U.S. reporting segment and $4 million in the International reportingsegment. Such impairment was included in impairment charges in the consolidated statements of operations, representing the remaining carrying values of thesespecifically acquired intangible assets. The Company did not record impairment for intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017.Amortization expense was $19 million, $20 million and $22 million for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. The following tablerepresents the total estimated amortization of intangible assets for the five succeeding years, excluding assets held-for-sale (in millions): For the Year Ending December 31, Estimated Amortization Expense 2020 $15 2021 15 2022 14 2023 10 2024 8 9. Income Taxes The domestic and foreign components of income (loss) before income taxes were as follows (in millions): December 31, 2019 2018 2017 United States$(12)$39 $(64)Foreign (81) 19 12 Income (loss) before income taxes$(93)$58 $(52)61 The provision (benefit) for income taxes for 2019, 2018 and 2017 consisted of the following (in millions): 2019 2018 2017 U.S. Federal: Current — — — Deferred — — — — — — U.S. State: Current 1 1 — Deferred — — — 1 1 — Foreign Current 5 6 1 Deferred (2) (1) (1) 3 5 — Income tax provision (benefit)$4 $6 $—The reconciliation between the Company’s effective tax rate on income (loss) from continuing operations and the statutory tax rate is as follows (in millions): December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Income tax provision (benefit) at federal statutory rate$(19)$12 $(18)Foreign tax rate differential 2 2 (2)State income tax provision (benefit), net of federal benefit — 3 (5)Nondeductible expenses 3 9 2 Foreign tax credits 1 21 (31)Benefit of net operating loss — (14) — One-time transition tax — 1 33 U.S. tax rate change — — 69 Investment in subsidiaries (9) — — Nondeductible goodwill impairment 16 — — Change in valuation allowance 9 (28) (45)Change in contingency reserve and other 1 — (3)Income tax provision (benefit)$4 $6 $— Effective tax rate (4.4)% 10.7% 0.0%For the year ended December 31, 2019, the effective tax rate was impacted by a valuation allowance recorded against the Company’s deferred tax assets in theU.S., Canada and other foreign jurisdictions, nondeductible goodwill impairment and recognition of deferred taxes related to outside basis differences insubsidiaries classified as held-for-sale. For the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the effective tax rate was impacted by a valuation in the U.S., Canadaand other foreign jurisdictions, and the TCJA which includes the one-time transition tax, the U.S. tax rate change and foreign tax credits related to earnings offoreign subsidiaries that were previously tax deferred.The TCJA subjects a U.S. shareholder to current tax on Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) earned by certain foreign subsidiaries. The FASB StaffQ&A, Topic 740, No. 5 Accounting for Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income, states that an entity can make an accounting policy election to either recognizedeferred taxes for temporary basis differences expected to reverse as GILTI in future years or provide for the tax expense related to GILTI in the year the tax isincurred as a period expense only. The Company adopted an accounting policy to recognize the tax effects of GILTI in the year tax is incurred. Due to theCompany’s net operating losses in certain foreign jurisdictions, the Company recognized no income tax related to GILTI in 2019 and 2018.62 Significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows (in millions): December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Deferred tax assets: Allowances and operating liabilities$5 $8 $8 Net operating loss carryforwards 56 56 52 Foreign tax credit carryforwards 7 8 29 Allowance for doubtful accounts 2 6 6 Inventory reserve 9 10 12 Stock-based compensation 8 8 15 Intangible assets 28 24 27 Assets held-for-sale 4 — — Investment in subsidiaries 9 — — Book over tax depreciation 4 2 — Other 4 3 3 Total deferred tax assets$136 $125 $152 Deferred tax liabilities: Total deferred tax liabilities$— $— $— Net deferred tax assets before valuation allowance 136 125 152 Valuation allowance (138) (129) (157)Net deferred tax liabilities$(2)$(4)$(5) The Company records a valuation allowance when it is more-likely-than-not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimaterealization of the deferred tax assets depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character in the future and in the appropriatetaxing jurisdictions. If the Company was to determine that it would be able to realize the deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, theCompany would make an adjustment to the valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes.The Company remains in a three year cumulative loss position at the end of 2019. As a result, management believes that it is not more-likely-than-not that theCompany would be able to realize the benefits of its deferred tax assets in the U.S., Canada and other foreign jurisdictions and accordingly recognized a valuationallowance for the year ended December 31, 2019. The change during the year in the valuation allowance was $5 million in the U.S., $1 million in Canada, and $3million in other foreign jurisdictions.A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in millions): 2019 2018 2017 Unrecognized tax benefit at January 1$— $— $1 Gross increases - tax positions in prior period — — — Gross decreases - tax positions in prior period — — — Gross increases - tax positions in current period — — — Settlement — — (1)Lapse of statute of limitations — — — Unrecognized tax benefit at December 31$— $— $—To the extent penalties and interest would be assessed on any underpayment of income tax, such accrued amounts are classified as a component of income taxprovision (benefit) in the financial statements consistent with the Company’s policy. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company did not record anyincome tax expense for interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions.The Company is subject to taxation in the U.S., various states and foreign jurisdictions. The Company has significant operations in the U.S. and Canada and to alesser extent in various other international jurisdictions. Tax years that remain subject to examination vary by legal entity, but are generally open in the U.S. for thetax years ending after 2015 and outside the U.S. for the tax years ending after 2013.63 In the U.S., the Company has $218 million of federal net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2019, which will expire between 2036 through 2037.The potential tax benefit of $46 million has been reduced by a $46 million valuation allowance. In addition to a reduction in future income tax expense, futureincome tax payments will also be reduced in the event the Company ultimately realizes the benefit of these net operating losses. The Company has $126 million ofstate net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2019, which will expire between 2020 through 2038, with the majority expiring after 2034. The potentialbenefit of $7 million has been reduced by a $7 million valuation allowance. Outside the U.S., the Company has $15 million of net operating loss carryforwards asof December 31, 2019, of which $12 million have no expiration and $3 million will expire between 2021 and 2039. The potential tax benefit of $3 million hasbeen reduced by a $3 million valuation allowance. As of December 31, 2019, the Company has $7 million of excess foreign tax credits in the U.S. The foreign taxcredits will expire between 2024 and 2027. The potential benefit of $7 million has been reduced by a $7 million valuation allowance. In addition to future incometax expense, future income tax payments will also be reduced in the event the Company ultimately realizes the benefit of these foreign tax credits.As of December 31, 2019, the amount of undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries was approximately $81 million. With the exception of the Company’s pre-2018 earnings in Canada and the United Kingdom, the Company’s foreign earnings continue to be indefinitely reinvested. The Company makes a determinationeach period whether to permanently reinvest these earnings. If, as a result of these reassessments, the Company distributes these earnings in the future, additionaltax liabilities would result, offset by any available foreign tax credits. The Company has provided for taxes on outside basis differences in subsidiaries classified asheld-for-sale. No additional income taxes have been provided for any additional outside basis differences inherent in the Company’s foreign subsidiaries, as theseamounts continue to be indefinitely reinvested. Determining the amount of unrecognized deferred tax liability related to any additional outside basis differences inthese entities is not practicable.Because of the number of tax jurisdictions in which the Company operates, its effective tax rate can fluctuate as operations and the local country tax rates fluctuate.The Company is also subject to audits by federal, state and foreign jurisdictions which may result in proposed assessments. The Company’s future tax provisionwill reflect any favorable or unfavorable adjustments to its estimated tax liabilities when resolved. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of these matters.However, the Company believes that none of these matters will have a material adverse effect on the results of operations or financial position of the Company.10. DebtOn April 30, 2018, the Company replaced its existing senior secured revolving credit facility and entered into a senior secured revolving credit facility (the “CreditFacility”) with a syndicate of lenders with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, serving as the administrative agent. The five-year Credit Facility provides fora $750 million global revolving credit facility (with a letter of credit sub-facility of $60 million, and a swing line sub-facility of 10% of the facility amount), ofwhich up to $100 million is available for the Company’s Canadian subsidiaries and $40 million is available for the Company’s UK subsidiaries. The Company hasthe right, subject to certain conditions, to increase the aggregate principal amount of commitments under the credit facility by $250 million. The obligations underthe Credit Facility are secured by substantially all the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries. The Credit Facility contains customary covenants, representationsand warranties and events of default. The Company will be required to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.00:1.00 as of the end of each fiscalquarter if excess availability under the Credit Facility falls below the greater of 12.5% of the borrowing base or $60 million. Borrowings under the Credit Facility will bear an interest rate at the Company’s option, at (i) the base rate plus an applicable margin based on the Company’sfixed charge coverage ratio (and if applicable, the Company’s leverage ratio); or (ii) the greater of LIBOR for the applicable interest period and zero, plus anapplicable margin based on the Company’s fixed charge coverage ratio (and if applicable, the Company’s leverage ratio). The Credit Facility includes acommitment fee on the unused portion of commitments that ranges from 25 to 37.5 basis points. Commitment fees incurred during the period were included inother expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Availability under the Credit Facility is determined by a borrowing base comprised of eligible receivables and eligible inventory in the U.S and Canada. As ofDecember 31, 2019, the Company had no borrowings against the Credit Facility and had approximately $413 million in availability (as defined in the CreditFacility) resulting in the excess availability (as defined in the Credit Facility) of 98% subject to certain limitations. The Company is not obligated to pay backborrowings against the Credit Facility until the expiration date and as such, any outstanding borrowing is classified as long-term debt in the consolidated balancesheets.The Company issued $7 million in letters of credit under the Credit Facility primarily for casualty insurance expiring in July 2020.64 11. LeasesThe Company leases certain facilities, vehicles and equipment. The Company determines if an arrangement contains a lease at contract inception and recognizesROU assets and lease liabilities for leases with terms greater than twelve months. Leases with an initial term of twelve months or less are accounted for as short-term leases and are not recognized in the balance sheet. Operating fixed lease expenses and finance lease depreciation expense are recognized on a straight-linebasis over the lease term. Variable lease payments which cannot be determined at the lease commencement date, such as reimbursement of lessor expenses, are notincluded in the ROU assets or lease liabilities.Many leases include both lease and non-lease components which are primarily related to management services provided by lessors for the underlying assets. TheCompany elected the practical expedient to account for lease and non-lease components as a single lease component for all leases as well as the practical expedientthat allows the Company to carry forward the historical lease classifications. For all new and modified leases entered into after the adoption of ASC 842, theCompany reassesses the lease classification and lease term on the effective date of modification. Lease term includes renewal periods if the Company isreasonably certain to exercise any renewal options per the lease contract. The Company’s leases do not contain any material residual value guarantees or restrictivecovenants. The Company subleases certain real estate to third parties; however, this activity is not material.As most leases do not have readily determinable implicit rates, the Company estimates the incremental borrowing rates based on prevailing financial marketconditions, comparable companies and credit analysis and management judgments to determine the present values of its lease payments. The Company also appliesthe portfolio approach to account for leases with similar terms. As of December 31, 2019, the weighted-average remaining lease terms were approximately 3 yearsfor operating leases and 5 years for finance leases, and the weighted-average discount rates were 6.1% for operating leases and 5.6% for finance leases.Supplemental balance sheet information (in millions): ClassificationDecember 31, 2019 Assets OperatingOther assets$56 FinanceProperty, plant and equipment, net 16 Total ROU assets $72 Liabilities Current OperatingAccrued liabilities$21 FinanceOther current liabilities 7 Long-term OperatingLong-term operating lease liabilities 34 FinanceOther long-term liabilities 10 Total lease liabilities $72Components of lease expense (in millions): ClassificationDecember 31, 2019 Operating lease cost (1)Warehousing, selling and administrative$31 Finance lease ROU asset depreciation (2)Warehousing, selling and administrative$5 Short-term lease costWarehousing, selling and administrative$7 Variable lease costWarehousing, selling and administrative$3(1) Included in other, net adjustment to reconcile net income to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities in the consolidatedstatement of cash flows.(2) Included in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Interest on finance lease liabilities is less than $1million.Rental expense related to operating leases approximated $48 million and $50 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.65 Supplemental cash flow information (in millions): December 31, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities Operating cash flows from operating leases$31 Financing cash flows from finance leases (1)$5 ROU assets obtained in exchange for new lease liabilities Operating$17 Finance$20(1) Interest payments from finance lease liabilities is less than $1 million.Maturity of lease liabilities as of December 31, 2019 were as follows (in millions): Operating Lease Finance Lease 2020$24 $7 2021 17 6 2022 10 3 2023 6 1 2024 2 — Thereafter 1 2 Total future lease payments 60 19 Less: interest (5) (2)Present value of lease liabilities$55 $17The Company assumed leases with certain former owners of acquired entities for premises utilized by the acquired entities in the performance of their operations.Most of these leases are renewable at the Company’s option and contain clauses for payment of real estate taxes, maintenance, insurance and certain otheroperating expenses of the properties. The aggregated rental expense was approximately $2 million, $3 million and $3 million for the years ended December 31,2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively. Total future commitments related to these operating leases is approximately $1 million through 2020.12. Commitments and ContingenciesThe Company is involved in various claims, regulatory agency audits and pending or threatened legal actions involving a variety of matters. The Company has alsoassessed the potential for additional losses above the amounts accrued as well as potential losses for matters that are not probable but are reasonably possible. Thetotal potential loss on these matters cannot be determined; however, in the Company’s opinion, any ultimate liability, to the extent not otherwise recorded oraccrued for, will not materially affect the Company’s financial position, cash flow or results of operations. These estimated liabilities are based on the Company’sassessment of the nature of these matters, their progress toward resolution, the advice of legal counsel and outside experts as well as management’s intention andexperience.The Company’s business is affected both directly and indirectly by governmental laws and regulations relating to the oilfield service industry in general, as well asby environmental and safety regulations that specifically apply to the Company’s business. Although the Company has not incurred material costs in connectionwith its compliance with such laws, there can be no assurance that other developments, such as new environmental laws, regulations and enforcement policieshereunder may not result in additional, presently unquantifiable, costs or liabilities to the Company. The Company does not accrue for contingent losses that, in itsjudgment, are considered to be reasonably possible, but not probable. Estimating reasonably possible losses also requires the analysis of multiple possibleoutcomes that often depend on judgments about potential actions by third parties.The Company maintains credit arrangements with several banks providing for standby letters of credit, including bid and performance bonds, and other bondingrequirements. As of December 31, 2019, the Company was contingently liable for approximately $11 million of outstanding standby letters of credit and suretybonds. The Company does not believe, based on historical experience and information currently available, that it is probable that any amounts will be required tobe paid.66 13. Derivative Financial InstrumentsThe Company is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. The primary risk managed by using derivative instruments is foreign currencyexchange rate risk. The Company has entered into certain financial derivative instruments to manage this risk.The derivative financial instruments the Company has entered into are forward exchange contracts which have terms of less than one year to economically hedgeforeign currency exchange rate risk on recognized nonfunctional currency monetary accounts. The purpose of the Company’s foreign currency economic hedgingactivities is to economically hedge the Company’s risk from changes in the fair value of nonfunctional currency denominated monetary accounts.The Company records all derivative financial instruments at their fair value in its consolidated balance sheets. None of the derivative financial instruments that theCompany holds are designated as either a fair value hedge or cash flow hedge and the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is recorded in earnings. TheCompany has determined that the fair value of its derivative financial instruments are computed using level 2 inputs (inputs other than quoted prices in activemarkets for identical assets and liabilities that are observable either directly or indirectly for substantially the full term of the asset or liability) in the fair valuehierarchy as the fair value is based on publicly available foreign exchange rates at each financial reporting date. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the fair valueof the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts totaled an asset of less than $1 million and a liability of less than $1 million. The Company’s foreigncurrency forward contract assets are included in prepaid and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets and the Company’s foreign currency forwardcontract liabilities are included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, the Company recorded a loss of $1 million, a loss of $1 million and a gain of $1 million, respectively,related to changes in fair value. All gains and losses were included in other expense in the consolidated statements of operations. The notional principal associatedwith those contracts was $15 million, $20 million and $37 million as of December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.As of December 31, 2019, the Company’s financial instruments do not contain any credit-risk-related or other contingent features that could cause acceleratedpayments when the Company’s financial instruments are in net liability positions. The Company does not use derivative financial instruments for trading orspeculative purposes.14. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are as follows (in millions): Foreign Currency Translation Adjustments Balance at December 31, 2018 $(143)Other comprehensive income 15 Balance at December 31, 2019 $(128) The Company’s reporting currency is the U.S. dollar. A majority of the Company’s international entities in which there is a substantial investment have the localcurrency as their functional currency. As a result, foreign currency translation adjustments resulting from the process of translating the entities’ financialstatements into the reporting currency are reported in other comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with ASC Topic 830 “Foreign Currency Matters”.15. Business SegmentsThe Company has five operating segments, which are (1) U.S. Energy, (2) U.S. Supply Chain, (3) U.S. Process Solutions, (4) Canada and (5) International. Theseoperating segments were determined based primarily on the geographical markets and secondarily on the distribution channel of the products and services offered.Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise about which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the chiefoperating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s chief executive officer has been identified as thechief operating decision maker. The Company’s chief operating decision maker directs the allocation of resources to operating segments based on various metricsof each respective operating segment. The allocation of resources across the operating segments is dependent upon, among other factors, the operating segment’shistorical or future expected operating margins; the operating segment’s historical or future expected return on capital; outlook within a specific market;opportunities to grow profitability; new products or new customer accounts; confidence in management; and competitive landscape and intensity.67 The Company has determined that there are three reportable segments: (1) United States, (2) Canada and (3) International. The U.S. Energy, U.S. Supply Chainand U.S. Process Solutions operating segments were not separately reported as they exhibit similar long term economic characteristics, the nature of the productsoffered are similar, purchase many identical products from outside vendors, have similar customers, sell products directly to end-users and operate in similarregulatory environments. They have been aggregated into the United States reportable segment. Total assets for each reportable segment are those owned orallocated to each segment by the Company's internal management reporting systems and include inter-segment assets that were eliminated for the presentation oftotal assets in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.United StatesThe Company has approximately 165 locations in the U.S., which are geographically positioned to serve the upstream, midstream and downstream energy andindustrial markets.CanadaThe Company has a network of approximately 50 locations in the Canadian oilfield, predominantly in the oil rich provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan inWestern Canada. The Company’s Canadian segment primarily serves the energy exploration, production, drilling and midstream business.InternationalThe Company operates in approximately 20 countries and serves the needs of its international customers from approximately 30 locations outside of the U.S. andCanada, all of which are strategically located in major oil and gas development areas. The Company’s International segment primarily serves the energyexploration, production and drilling business.The following table presents financial information for each of the Company’s reportable segments as of and for the year ended December 31 (in millions): United States Canada International Total 2019 Revenue $2,240 $319 $392 $2,951 Operating loss (6) (19) (58) (83)Impairment charges (43) (27) (58) (128)Depreciation and amortization 30 2 9 41 Property, plant and equipment, net 84 14 22 120 Total assets 948 402 241 1,591 2018 Revenue $2,371 $358 $398 $3,127 Operating profit 57 14 2 73 Depreciation and amortization 30 2 9 41 Property, plant and equipment, net 73 12 21 106 Total assets 1,272 399 124 1,795 2017 Revenue $1,914 $356 $378 $2,648 Operating profit (loss) (53) 13 (1) (41)Depreciation and amortization 37 3 10 50 Property, plant and equipment, net 81 14 24 119 Total assets 1,207 401 141 1,749 68 The following table presents a comparison of the approximate sales mix in the principal product categories (in millions): December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Product Category Drilling and production $711 $691 $625 Pipe 473 587 418 Valves 608 664 541 Fittings and flanges 524 523 419 Mill tool, MRO, safety and other 635 662 645 Total $2,951 $3,127 $2,64816. Earnings Per Share (“EPS”)Basic earnings (loss) per share is based on net income (loss) attributable to the Company’s earnings and is calculated based upon the daily weighted-averagenumber of common shares outstanding during the periods presented. Also, this calculation includes fully vested stock and unit awards that have not yet beenissued as common stock. Diluted EPS includes the above, plus unvested stock, unit or option awards granted and vested unexercised stock options, but only to theextent these instruments dilute earnings (loss) per share.For the year ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, a total of approximately 8 million, 5 million and 8 million, respectively, of potentially dilutive shares wereexcluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share due to their antidilutive effect or due to the Company recognizing a net loss for the period. Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share follows (in millions, except share data): December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Numerator: Net income (loss) attributable to the Company $(97) $52 $(52) Less: net income attributable to participating securities — (1) — Net income (loss) attributable to the Company's stockholders $(97) $51 $(52)Denominator: Weighted-average basic common shares outstanding 108,779,891 108,296,155 107,745,229 Effect of dilutive securities — 341,489 — Weighted-average diluted common shares outstanding 108,779,891 108,637,644 107,745,229 Earnings (loss) per share attributable to the Company's stockholders: Basic $(0.89) $0.47 $(0.48)Diluted $(0.89) $0.47 $(0.48) ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share,” requires companies with unvested participating securities to utilize a two-class method for the computation of net incomeattributable to the Company per share. The two-class method requires a portion of net income attributable to the Company to be allocated to participatingsecurities, which are unvested awards of share-based payments with non-forfeitable rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, if declared. Net losses arenot allocated to nonvested shares in periods that the Company determines that those shares are not obligated to participate in losses. For the periods that theCompany recognized net income, net income attributable to the Company allocated to these participating securities was excluded from net income attributable tothe Company’s stockholders in the numerator of the earnings per share computation.17. Stock-based Compensation and Outstanding AwardsUnder the terms of the NOW Inc. Long Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), 16 million shares of the Company’s common stock were authorized for grant toemployees, non-employee directors and other persons. The Plan provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, phantomshares and performance stock awards.69 Stock-based compensation expense recognized for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 totaled $13 million, $16 million and $20 million,respectively. The tax effected benefit for share-based compensation arrangements was $3 million, $3 million, and $7 million for the years ended December 31,2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively.Each of the stock-based compensation arrangements are discussed below.Stock OptionsStock option awards are generally granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of the Company’s stock at the date of grant. Stock option awardsgenerally have either a 7-year or a 10-year contractual term and vest over a 3-year period from the grant date on a straight-line basis over the requisite serviceperiod for each separately vesting portion of the award as if the award was, in-substance, multiple awards. The grant-date fair value of stock options is determinedusing the Black-Scholes framework. Additionally, the Company’s stock options provide for full vesting of unvested outstanding options, in the event of a changeof control of the Company and a change in the holder’s responsibilities following a change in control of the Company.For the stock options granted in 2019, 2018 and 2017, the fair value of each option award was estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes frameworkthat uses the assumptions noted in the table below. The expected volatility was based on the implied volatility on the Company’s stock, historical volatility of theCompany’s stock and the historical volatility of other, similar companies. The risk-free rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grantfor the period consistent with the expected term. The expected dividends were based on the Company’s history and expectation of dividend payouts. The expectedterm was based on the average of the vesting period and contractual term. December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Valuation Assumptions: Expected volatility 43.7% 44.2% 37.9%Risk-free interest rate 2.5% 2.7% 1.9%Expected dividends (per share) $— $— $— Expected term (in years) 4.5 4.5 4.5The following table summarizes award activity for stock options:Stock Options Shares(in thousands) Weighted-AverageExercisePrice Weighted-AverageRemainingContractualTerm(in years) AggregateIntrinsic Value(in millions) Outstanding as of December 31, 2018 5,483 $19.43 Granted 521 15.30 Forfeited and expired (613) 14.19 Exercised (265) 10.30 Outstanding as of December 31, 2019 5,126 $20.11 3.3 $2 Exercisable at December 31, 2019 3,701 $22.88 2.6 $— The weighted average grant-date fair value of options granted for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $6.02, $3.95 and $7.07, respectively.The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was less than $1 million. As of December 31, 2019,unrecognized compensation cost related to stock option awards was approximately $4 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average periodof 1.3 years. Cash received from exercises of stock options was $2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Phantom Shares (“RSAs and RSUs”)Restricted stock generally cliff vests after 1, 3 or 6 years. The grant-date fair value of RSA and RSU grants is determined using the closing quoted market price onthe grant date. Additionally, the Company’s RSA and RSU agreements provide for full vesting of RSAs and RSUs in the event of a change of control of theCompany and a change in the holder’s responsibilities following a change in control of the Company.70 The following table summarizes award activity for RSAs and RSUs:RSAs / RSUs Shares(in thousands) Weighted-AverageGrant-DateFair Value Nonvested as of December 31, 2018 1,515 $21.78 Granted 465 13.42 Vested (1) (665) 18.92 Forfeited (43) 23.55 Nonvested as of December 31, 2019 1,272 $19.38 (1)216 thousand shares were withheld and retired from the vesting of shares to employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding.The weighted average grant-date fair value was $13.42, $10.82 and $15.87 for RSAs and RSUs granted for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017,respectively. As of December 31, 2019, unrecognized compensation cost related to RSAs and RSUs was $7 million, which is expected to be recognized over aweighted average period of 1 year. The total vest-date fair value of shares vested for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $12 million, $7million, and $12 million, respectively.Performance Stock Awards (“PSAs”)PSAs generally have a 3-year vesting period from the grant date and vest at the end of the vesting period with potential payouts varying from zero for performancebelow the threshold performance metric to 200% of the target award PSAs for performance above the maximum performance metric. The grant-date fair value ofmarket-condition PSA grants is determined using a Monte Carlo simulation probabilistic model. The grant-date fair value of performance-condition PSA grants isdetermined using the closing quoted market price on the grant date. Additionally, the Company’s performance award agreements provide for full vesting of PSAsat the target level in the event of a change of control of the Company and a change in the holder’s responsibilities following a change in control of the Company.The Company granted PSAs to senior management employees whereby the PSAs can be earned based on performance against established metrics over a three-yearperformance period. The PSAs are divided into three independent parts that are subject to separate performance metrics: (i) one-half of the PSAs have a TotalShareholder Return (“TSR”) metric, (ii) one-quarter of the PSAs have an EBITDA metric, and (iii) one-quarter of the PSAs have a Return on Capital Employed(“ROCE”) metric.Performance against the TSR metric is determined by comparing the performance of the Company’s TSR with the TSR performance of designated peer companiesfor the three-year performance period. Performance against the EBITDA metric is determined by comparing the performance of the Company’s actual EBITDAaverage for each of the three-years of the performance period against the EBITDA metrics set by the Company’s Compensation Committee of the Board ofDirectors. Performance against the ROCE metric is determined by comparing the performance of the Company’s actual ROCE average for each of the three-yearsof the performance period against the ROCE metrics set by the Company’s Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.The following table summarizes award activity for performance stock awards:PSAs Shares(in thousands) Weighted-AverageGrant-DateFair Value Nonvested as of December 31, 2018 413 $15.13 Granted 217 17.69 Vested (1) (102) 14.34 Forfeited (315) 16.78 Nonvested as of December 31, 2019 213 $15.67 (1) 32 thousand shares were withheld and retired from the vesting of shares to employees to satisfy minimum tax withholding.The weighted average grant-date fair value of PSAs granted for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 was $17.69, $11.81 and $22.75 respectively.As of December 31, 2019, unrecognized compensation cost related to PSAs was $2 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of1.3 years. The total vest-date fair value of PSAs vested during the year ended December 31, 2019 was $2 million.71 18. Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)Summarized quarterly results were as follows (in millions, except per share data): FirstQuarter SecondQuarter ThirdQuarter FourthQuarter Year ended December 31, 2019 Revenue $785 $776 $751 $639 Operating expenses Cost of products 627 623 601 514 Warehousing, selling and administrative 135 136 136 134 Impairment charges — — — 128 Operating profit (loss) $23 $17 $14 $(137)Net income (loss) $18 $14 $10 $(139)Earnings (loss) per share: Basic earnings (loss) per common share $0.17 $0.12 $0.09 $(1.27)Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $0.16 $0.12 $0.09 $(1.27) Year ended December 31, 2018 Revenue $764 $777 $822 $764 Operating expenses Cost of products 616 620 654 607 Warehousing, selling and administrative 141 139 142 135 Operating profit $7 $18 $26 $22 Net income $2 $14 $20 $16 Earnings per share: Basic earnings per common share $0.02 $0.12 $0.18 $0.14 Diluted earnings per common share $0.02 $0.12 $0.18 $0.1419. Employee Bargaining Agreements and Benefit PlansCollective bargaining agreementsAt December 31, 2019, the Company had approximately 4,400 employees, of which approximately 200 were temporary employees. Some of the Company’semployees in various foreign locations are subject to collective bargaining agreements. Less than one percent of the Company’s employees in the U.S. are subjectto collective bargaining agreements.Benefit plansThe Company has benefit plans covering substantially all of its employees. Defined contribution benefit plans cover most of the U.S. and Canadian employees,and benefits are based on years of service, a percentage of current earnings and matching of employee contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018and 2017, employer contributions for defined contribution plans were $13 million, $13 million and $12 million, respectively, and all funding is current.The Company has a non-qualified deferred compensation plan (the “NQDC Plan”) for certain members of senior management. NQDC Plan assets are invested inmutual funds held in a “rabbi trust,” which is restricted for payment to participants of the NQDC Plan. Such equity securities held in a rabbi trust are measuredusing quoted market prices at the reporting date (Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy) and are included in other assets, with the corresponding liability includedin other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. Defined Benefit Pension PlansThe Company sponsors two defined benefit plans in the United Kingdom under which accrual of pension benefits have ceased. Plan member benefits that havepreviously been accrued are indexed in line with inflation during the period up to retirement in order to protect their purchasing power. The second defined benefitplan was acquired from the John MacLean & Sons Electrical acquisition in March 2015. Net periodic benefit cost for the Company’s defined benefit plansaggregated less than $1 million each year for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017 are included in warehousing, selling and administrative in theconsolidated statement of operations. 72 The change in benefit obligation, plan assets and the funded status of the defined benefit pension plans in the United Kingdom using a measurement date ofDecember 31, 2019 and 2018, are as follows (in millions): Pension Benefits At year end 2019 2018 Benefit obligation at beginning of year $11 $13 Service cost — — Interest cost — — Actuarial loss (gain) — 1 Benefits paid — — Participants contributions — — Plan settlements — (3)Foreign currency exchange rate changes — — Acquisitions (disposals) — — Benefit obligation at end of year $11 $11 Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $15 $18 Actual return 1 — Benefits paid — — Company contributions — — Participants contributions — — Plan settlements — (3)Foreign currency exchange rate changes — — Acquisitions (disposals) — — Fair value of plan assets at end of year $16 $15 Funded status 5 4 Accumulated benefit obligation at end of year $11 $11 The net asset is presented within other assets in the consolidated balance sheets.Assumed long-term rates of return on plan assets and discount rates vary for the different plans according to the local economic conditions. The assumption ratesused for benefit obligations are as follows: December 31, 2019 2018Discount rate: 2.00% - 2.10% 2.65% - 2.90% The assumption rates used for net periodic benefit costs are as follows: December 31, 2019 2018 2017 Discount rate: 2.65% - 2.90% 2.50% 2.70% Expected return on assets: 3.02% - 3.62% 3.10% - 4.17% 3.27% - 4.27% In determining the overall expected long-term rate of return for plan assets, the Company takes into consideration the historical experience as well as futureexpectations of the asset mix involved. As different investments yield different returns, each asset category is reviewed individually and then weighted forsignificance in relation to the total portfolio.Both plans have plan assets in excess of projected benefit obligations. The Company expects to pay future benefit amounts on its defined benefit plans of $1million or less for each of the next five years and in the aggregate $2 million for the five years thereafter. The Company expects to contribute less than $1 millionto its defined benefit pension plans in 2020. The Company and its investment advisers collaboratively reviewed market opportunities using historic and statistical data, as well as the actuarial valuation reportsfor the plans, to ensure that the levels of acceptable return and risk are well-defined and monitored. Currently, the Company’s management believes that there areno significant concentrations of risk associated with plan assets.The following table sets forth by level, within the fair value hierarchy, the plan’s assets carried at fair value (in millions):73 Fair Value Measurements Total Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 December 31, 2019: Equity securities $6 $6 $— $— Fixed income securities 5 5 — — Other 5 1 4 — Total fair value measurements $16 $12 $4 $— December 31, 2018: Equity securities $5 $5 $— $— Fixed income securities 5 5 — — Other 5 — 5 — Total fair value measurements $15 $10 $5 $— 20. TransactionsDuring the three months ended June 30, 2019, the Company completed two acquisitions for a net purchase price consideration of approximately $8 million cash.These acquisitions expand NOW’s market in the U.S. The Company completed its preliminary valuations as of the acquisition date of the acquired net assets andrecognized goodwill of $6 million and intangible assets of $2 million in the United States segment, which are subject to change. The full amount of goodwillrecognized is expected to be deductible for income tax purposes. If additional information is obtained about these assets and liabilities within the measurementperiod (not to exceed one year from the date of acquisition), the Company will refine its estimate of fair value to allocate the purchase price more accurately; anysuch revisions are not expected to be significant. Acquisition-related costs were less than $1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company has notpresented supplemental pro forma information because the acquired operations did not materially impact the Company’s consolidated operating results.During the three months ended December 31, 2019, as a result of strategic review of its assets, the Company decided to commit to a plan to divest a business thatis primarily in the United States segment selling cutting tools to the aerospace and automotive markets. Since this business did not qualify to be a discontinuedoperation as it did not represent a strategic shift that would have a major effect on the Company’s operations and financial results, the Company classified thebusiness’s assets and liabilities as held-for-sale. At December 31, 2019, the carrying value of the net assets held-for-sale was compared to the estimated fair valueresulting in a $9 million impairment charge which was included in impairment charges in the consolidated statements of operations and the remaining $34 millionof assets and $6 million of liabilities were classified as held-for-sale in the consolidated balance sheets. Subsequent to year end, on January 31, 2020, the Companyentered into a definitive agreement and sold the business for $28 million, subject to customary post-closing working capital and other transaction price adjustmentsas defined in the transaction agreement. 74 EXHIBIT 4.1 DESCRIPTION OF THE REGISTRANT'S SECURITIESREGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12 OF THESECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 The following description sets forth certain material terms and provisions of the securities of NOW Inc. (the “Company”)that are registered under Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This description also summarizes relevantprovisions of Delaware law. The following summary does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in its entiretyby reference to, the applicable provisions of Delaware law and our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and ouramended and restated bylaws, copies of which are incorporated by reference as an exhibit to the Annual Report on Form 10-K ofwhich this Exhibit 4.1 is a part. We encourage you to read our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and the applicable provisionsof Delaware law for additional information. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes us to issue up to 330,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 pershare, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, in one or more series. Holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the stockholders.Subject to the preferences that may be applicable to any outstanding shares of preferred stock, common stockholders are entitled toreceive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared from time to time by our board of directors out of funds legally availablefor that purpose. In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the common stockholders are entitled to share ratably inall assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior distribution rights of any shares of preferred stock then outstanding.Common stockholders have no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no redemption or sinking fundprovisions applicable to the common stock. The common stock currently outstanding is fully paid and non-assessable. The transfer agent and registrar for the common stock is American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC. Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “DNOW”. Our board of directors is authorized, without any action by the stockholders, subject to any limitations prescribed by law,to designate and issue preferred stock in one or more series and to designate the powers, preferences and rights of each series, whichmay be greater than the rights of the common stock. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the issuance of any shares ofpreferred stock upon the rights of holders of the common stock until our board of directors determines the specific rights of theholders of such preferred stock. However, the effects might include, among other things: • impairing the dividend rights of the common stock;  • diluting the voting power of the common stock;• impairing the liquidation rights of the common stock; and• delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control. Anti-Takeover Provisions Certain provisions of Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could make the following moredifficult: • our acquisition by means of a tender offer;• acquisition of control by means of a proxy contest or otherwise; and• removal of our incumbent officers and directors. These provisions, summarized below, are expected to discourage certain types of coercive takeover practices andinadequate takeover bids, and are designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of the Company to negotiate with theboard of directors. The Company believes that the benefits of increased protection against an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal toacquire or restructure the Company outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging such proposals. Among other things, negotiation ofsuch proposals could result in an improvement of their terms. Delaware Anti-Takeover Law. Delaware corporations may elect not to be governed by Section 203 of the DelawareGeneral Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), i.e., Delaware’s anti-takeover law. The Company has not made this election. Delaware’santi-takeover law provides that an “interested stockholder,” defined as a person who owns 15% or more of the outstanding votingstock of a corporation or a person who is an associate or affiliate of the corporation and, within the preceding three-year period,owned 15% or more of the outstanding voting stock, may not engage in specified business combinations with the corporation for aperiod of three years after the date on which the person became an interested stockholder. The law defines the term “businesscombination” to encompass a wide variety of transactions with or caused by an interested stockholder, including mergers, asset salesand transactions in which the interested stockholder receives or could receive a benefit on other than a pro rata basis with otherstockholders. With the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of our capitalstock entitled to vote in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, we may amend the certificate of incorporation inthe future to no longer be governed by the anti-takeover law. This amendment would have the effect of allowing any person whoowns at least 15% of our outstanding voting stock to pursue a takeover transaction that was not approved by our board of directors.However, because the Company has not elected to opt-out of this provision, for transactions not approved in advance by our board ofdirectors, the provision might discourage takeover attempts that might result in a premium over the market price for shares of ourcommon stock. Limitations of Director Liability and Indemnification. Our certificate of incorporation provides that directors shall not bepersonally liable to the corporation or to its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except tothe extent such exemption  from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL. Delaware law currently provides that this waiver may not applyto liability: • for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;• for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;• under Section 174 of the DGCL (governing distributions to stockholders); or• for any transaction from which the director derived any improper personal benefit. In the event the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability ofdirectors, then the liability of our directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.Our bylaws further provide that we will indemnify each of our directors and officers, trustees, fiduciaries, employees and agents tothe fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Board of Directors. The board is currently divided into three classes such that each director shall serve for a term endingon the third annual meeting following the annual meeting at which such director was elected. In addition, a director may beremoved before expiration of such director’s term only for cause by an affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 80% of theoutstanding shares. Special Stockholder Meetings. Under our certificate of incorporation, only our chief executive officer or board ofdirectors may call a special meeting of stockholders pursuant to a resolution adopted by at least a majority of the members of theboard of directors. Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals. Our bylaws contain advance-noticeand other procedural requirements that apply to stockholder proposals and stockholder nominations of candidates for the election ofdirectors. Proper notice must be both timely and must include certain information about the stockholder making the proposal ornomination, as applicable, and about the proposal or candidate being nominated, as applicable. These advance-notice provisionsmay have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of our directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if theproper procedures are not followed, and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to electits own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal, without regard to whether consideration of those nominees or proposalsmight be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders. Elimination of Stockholder Action by Written Consent. Our certificate of incorporation eliminates the right ofstockholders to act by written consent without a meeting. This provision will make it more difficult for stockholders to take actionopposed by the board of directors. No Cumulative Voting. Our certificate of incorporation does not provide for cumulative voting in the election of directors,which, under Delaware law, precludes stockholders from cumulating their votes in the election of directors, frustrating the ability ofminority stockholders to obtain representation on the board of directors.  Undesignated Preferred Stock. The authorization of undesignated preferred stock makes it possible for the board ofdirectors, without stockholder approval, to issue preferred stock with voting or other rights or preferences that could impede thesuccess of any attempt to obtain control of the Company. These and other provisions may have the effect of deferring hostiletakeovers or delaying changes in the control or management of the Company. Amendment of Provisions in the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. Our certificate of incorporation provides thatthe affirmative vote of the holders of at least 80 percent of our voting stock then outstanding is required to amend certain provisionsof the certificate of incorporation, including those relating to the number and classification of the board of directors, term andremoval of directors, the calling of special meetings of stockholders and exclusive venue for specified disputes. Our certificate ofincorporation also provides that the affirmative vote of holders of at least 80 percent of the voting power of the voting stock thenoutstanding is required to amend certain provisions of the bylaws, including those relating to the calling of special meetings ofstockholders, stockholder action by written consent, composition and classification of the board of directors, vacancies on the boardof directors, term and removal of directors and director and officer indemnification. Our certificate of incorporation also confersupon our board of directors the right to amend our bylaws. Exclusive Forum. Our bylaws provide that, unless our board of directors consents in writing to an alternative forum, theCourt of Chancery of the State of Delaware will be the sole and exclusive forum for any derivative action or proceeding brought onour behalf, any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors or officers to us or ourstockholders, creditors or other constituents, any action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers arisingpursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our certificate of incorporation or bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time) orany action asserting a claim against us or any of our directors or officers governed by the internal affairs doctrine. Exhibit 21.1SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT NameCountryCapital Valves Holdings LimitedUnited KingdomCapital Valves LimitedUnited KingdomDNOW Australia Pty. Ltd.AustraliaDNOW Brasil Distribuicao de Produtos IndustriaisLtdaBrazilDNOW Canada ULCCanadaDNOW de Mexico S de RL de CVMexicoDNOW L.P.United StatesDNOW Singapore Pte. Ltd.SingaporeDNOW UK LimitedUnited KingdomGROUP KZ LLPKazakhstanIstok Business Services LLCRussian FederationNOW Brazil Holding LLCUnited StatesNOW Canada Holding B.V.NetherlandsNOW Canada Holding ULCCanadaNOW Cooperatief I U.A.NetherlandsNOW Cooperatief II U.A.NetherlandsNOW Distribution (Shanghai) Co., Ltd.ChinaNOW Distribution Eurasia, LLCRussian FederationNOW Distribution India Private LimitedIndiaNOW Holding Cooperatief U.A.NetherlandsNOW Holding LLCUnited StatesNOW I LLCUnited StatesNOW Indonesia Holding B.V.NetherlandsNOW Indonesia Holding LLCUnited StatesNOW Management, LLCUnited StatesNOW Mexico Holding I B.V.NetherlandsNOW Mexico Holding II B.V.NetherlandsNow Muscat LLCOmanNOW Netherlands B.V.NetherlandsNOW Norway ASNorwayNOW Russia Holding B.V.NetherlandsNOW Singapore Holding LLCUnited StatesPT. NOW IndonesiaIndonesiaWilson Distribution Holdings BVNetherlandsWilson International, Inc.United StatesWilson Libya Holdings, LLCUnited StatesDistribution NOW FZEUnited Arab EmiratesWilson Supply Chain Services LimitedBritish Virgin IslandsWilson United Kingdom LimitedUnited KingdomWILSONCOS, L.L.C.United StatesOdessa Pumps and Equipment, Inc.United StatesPower Service, Inc.United StatesPower Transportation, LLCUnited StatesOaasis Group LimitedUnited KingdomAtlas Industrial and Marine Supply LimitedUnited KingdomAnnasbrook Supply Company LimitedUnited KingdomOutland Safety and Industrial Products LimitedUnited KingdomMacLean Electrical Group LimitedUnited KingdomJ.T. Day Pty LtdAustraliaMacLean Marine LimitedUnited KingdomNorth Sea Cables LimitedUnited KingdomMacLean Electrical (Australia) Pty LtdAustraliaLight & Energy Design Ltd.United KingdomR.A. Hall LimitedUnited KingdomNoskab LimitedUnited KingdomLight & Energy Distribution LimitedUnited KingdomNOW Saudi Arabia Limited CompanySaudi ArabiaDNOW Wilson USVI, LLCVirgin Islands, U.S.DNOW Egypt-Free ZoneEgypt Exhibit 23.1Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmWe consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-196529) pertaining to the NOW Inc. Long-Term Incentive Plan andthe NOW Inc. 401(k) and Retirement Savings Plan of our reports dated February 19, 2020, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of NOW Inc. andthe effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of NOW Inc. included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2019./s/ Ernst & Young LLPHouston, TexasFebruary 19, 2020Exhibit 31.1CERTIFICATIONI, Richard J. Alario, certify that:1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of NOW Inc.;2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statementsmade, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financialcondition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange ActRules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure thatmaterial information relating to the registrant, including its combined subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during theperiod in which this report is being prepared;b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to providereasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generallyaccepted accounting principles;c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of thedisclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; andd) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (theregistrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internalcontrol over financial reporting; and5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’sauditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely toadversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; andb) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financialreporting. Date: February 19, 2020 By: /s/ Richard J. Alario Richard J. Alario Interim Chief Executive Officer Exhibit 31.2CERTIFICATIONI, David A. Cherechinsky, certify that:1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of NOW Inc.;2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statementsmade, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financialcondition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange ActRules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure thatmaterial information relating to the registrant, including its combined subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during theperiod in which this report is being prepared;b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to providereasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generallyaccepted accounting principles;c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of thedisclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; andd) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (theregistrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internalcontrol over financial reporting; and5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’sauditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent function):a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely toadversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; andb) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financialreporting. Date: February 19, 2020 By: /s/ David A. Cherechinsky David A. Cherechinsky Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Exhibit 32.1CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002In connection with the Annual Report of NOW Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities andExchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, Richard J. Alario, Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company, hereby certifies,pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:(i) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and(ii) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.The certification is given to the knowledge of the undersigned. Date: February 19, 2020 By: /s/ Richard J. Alario Richard J. Alario Interim Chief Executive Officer Exhibit 32.2CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002In connection with the Annual Report of NOW Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the period ending December 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities andExchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, David A. Cherechinsky, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of theCompany, hereby certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:(i) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and(ii) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.The certification is given to the knowledge of the undersigned. Date: February 19, 2020 By: /s/ David A. Cherechinsky David A. Cherechinsky Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer 

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