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CORNING INC /NY - Quarter Report: 2019 September (Form 10-Q)

glw-20190930x10q

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

x   QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2019

OR

¨   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from  

  To  

Commission file number: 1-3247

CORNING INCORPORATED

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

`

New York

16-0393470

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

One Riverfront PlazaCorningNew York

14831

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

607-974-9000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 12 months (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 90 days.

Yes

x

No

¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes

x

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 growth company. 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

x

Accelerated Filer

¨

Non-Accelerated Filer

¨

Smaller Reporting Company

¨

Emerging Growth Company

¨

If an emerging growth company, indicated by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Yes

¨

No

¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes

¨

No

x

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

GLW

New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class

Outstanding as of October 16, 2019

Corning’s Common Stock, $0.50 par value per share

769,109,777 shares

 


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

1


INDEX

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Page

Item 1. Financial Statements

Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

3

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

4

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018

5

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

6

Consolidated Statements of Changes to Shareholders’ Equity (Unaudited) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018

7

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

9

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

23

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

43

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

43

PART II – OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

44

Item 1A. Risk Factors

44

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

44

Item 6. Exhibits

45

Signatures

46

 


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

2


CORNING INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

(Unaudited; in millions, except per share amounts)

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

 

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net sales

$

2,934

$

3,008

$

8,686

$

8,255

Cost of sales

1,917

1,776

5,505

4,996

Gross margin

1,017

1,232

3,181

3,259

Operating expenses:

Selling, general and administrative expenses

369

439

1,184

1,352

Research, development and engineering expenses

255

244

753

728

Amortization of purchased intangibles

28

27

85

68

Operating income

365

522

1,159

1,111

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies

23

32

81

102

Interest income

4

7

16

29

Interest expense

(55)

(45)

(161)

(140)

Translated earnings contract gain, net (Note 11)

86

230

163

66

Other (expense) income, net

(15)

12

(59)

(11)

Income before income taxes

408

758

1,199

1,157

Provision for income taxes (Note 5)

(71)

(133)

(271)

(383)

Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated

$

337

$

625

$

928

$

774

Earnings per common share attributable to
  Corning Incorporated:

Basic (Note 6)

$

0.40

$

0.75

$

1.10

$

0.85

Diluted (Note 6)

$

0.38

$

0.67

$

1.03

$

0.82

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

3


CORNING INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited; in millions)

 

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

 

September 30,

September 30,

 

2019

2018

2019

2018

 

Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated

$

337

$

625

$

928

$

774

Foreign currency translation adjustments and other

(238)

(128)

(310)

(292)

Net unrealized (losses) gains on investments

(1)

1

Unamortized losses and prior service credits
  for postretirement benefit plans

4

(48)

(6)

Net unrealized (losses) gains on designated hedges

(22)

27

(20)

4

Other comprehensive loss, net of tax (Note 13)

(257)

(101)

(377)

(294)

Comprehensive income attributable to
  Corning Incorporated

$

80

$

524

$

551

$

480

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

4


CORNING INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited; in millions, except share and per share amounts)

 

September 30,

December 31,

2019

2018

Assets

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents

$

971

$

2,355

Trade accounts receivable, net of doubtful accounts and allowances - $80 and $64

2,024

1,940

Inventories, net of inventory reserves - $198 and $182 (Note 7)

2,337

2,037

Other current assets

824

702

Total current assets

6,156

7,034

Investments

339

376

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation - $12,731 and $11,932

15,083

14,895

Goodwill, net

1,924

1,936

Other intangible assets, net

1,206

1,292

Deferred income taxes (Note 5)

1,109

951

Other assets

1,512

1,021

Total Assets

$

27,329

$

27,505

 

Liabilities and Equity

Current liabilities:

Current portion of long-term debt and short-term borrowings

$

305

$

4

Accounts payable

1,447

1,456

Other accrued liabilities (Note 3 and Note 10)

1,848

1,851

Total current liabilities

3,600

3,311

Long-term debt

6,225

5,994

Postretirement benefits other than pensions (Note 9)

646

662

Other liabilities (Note 3 and Note 10)

3,724

3,652

Total liabilities

14,195

13,619

Commitments, contingencies and guarantees (Note 3)

 

 

Shareholders’ equity (Note 13):

Convertible preferred stock, Series A – Par value $100 per share;
  Shares authorized 3,100; Shares issued: 2,300

2,300

2,300

Common stock – Par value $0.50 per share; Shares authorized 3.8 billion;
  Shares issued: 1,717 million and 1,713 million

859

857

Additional paid-in capital – common stock

14,295

14,212

Retained earnings

16,555

16,303

Treasury stock, at cost; Shares held: 949 million and 925 million

(19,588)

(18,870)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(1,387)

(1,010)

Total Corning Incorporated shareholders’ equity

13,034

13,792

Noncontrolling interests

100

94

Total equity

13,134

13,886

Total Liabilities and Equity

$

27,329

$

27,505

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

5


CORNING INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited; in millions)

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

2019

2018

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

Net income

$

928 

$

774 

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

Depreciation

1,026 

895 

Amortization of purchased intangibles

85 

68 

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies

(81)

(102)

Dividends received from affiliated companies

106 

Deferred tax (benefit) provision

(85)

53 

Incentives and customer deposits

2 

691 

Translated earnings contract gain

(163)

(66)

Unrealized translation losses on transactions

87 

52 

Changes in certain working capital items:

Trade accounts receivable

(169)

(197)

Inventories

(338)

(235)

Other current assets

(220)

(36)

Accounts payable and other current liabilities

(71)

94 

Other, net

12 

(119)

Net cash provided by operating activities

1,013 

1,978 

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

Capital expenditures

(1,602)

(1,629)

Purchase of equipment for related party

(9)

(63)

Sale of equipment to related party

62 

Acquisition of businesses, net of cash received

(804)

Proceeds from settlement of initial contingent consideration asset

196 

Realized gains on translated earnings contracts

50 

62 

Other, net

(35)

(28)

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,534)

(2,266)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

Net repayments of short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt

(375)

Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net

349 

596 

Proceeds from the exercise of stock options

43 

74 

Repurchases of common stock for treasury

(708)

(1,880)

Dividends paid

(554)

(517)

Other, net

37 

(14)

Net cash used in financing activities

(833)

(2,116)

Effect of exchange rates on cash

(30)

(10)

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

(1,384)

(2,414)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

2,355 

4,317 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$

971 

$

1,903 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

6


CORNING INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited; in millions)

(In millions)

Convertible preferred stock

Common Stock

Additional paid-in capital common

Retained Earnings

Treasury Stock

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Total Corning Incorporated shareholders' equity

Non-controlling interests

Total

Balance, December 31, 2018

$

2,300

$

857

$

14,212

$

16,303

$

(18,870)

$

(1,010)

$

13,792

$

94

$

13,886

Net income

499

499

6

505

Other comprehensive loss

(156)

(156)

(156)

Purchase of common stock
  for treasury

(244)

(244)

(244)

Shares issued to benefit plans
  and for option exercises

31

31

31

Common Dividends
  ($0.20 per share)

(158)

(158)

(158)

Preferred Dividends
  ($10,625 per share)

(24)

(24)

(24)

Other, net (1)

(131)

(2)

(133)

(1)

(134)

Balance, March 31, 2019

$

2,300

$

857

$

14,243

$

16,489

$

(19,116)

$

(1,166)

$

13,607

$

99

$

13,706

Net income

92

92

13

105

Other comprehensive income

36

36

36

Purchase of common stock
  for treasury

(151)

(151)

(151)

Shares issued to benefit plans
  and for option exercises

1

34

35

35

Common Dividends
  ($0.20 per share)

(157)

(157)

(157)

Preferred Dividends
  ($10,625 per share)

(25)

(25)

(25)

Other, net

(12)

(12)

(16)

(28)

Balance, June 30, 2019

$

2,300

$

858

$

14,277

$

16,399

$

(19,279)

$

(1,130)

$

13,425

$

96

$

13,521

Net income

337

337

4

341

Other comprehensive loss

(257)

(257)

(257)

Purchase of common stock
  for treasury

(308)

(308)

(308)

Shares issued to benefit plans
  and for option exercises

1

18

19

19

Common Dividends
  ($0.20 per share)

(156)

(156)

(156)

Preferred Dividends
  ($10,625 per share)

(24)

(24)

(24)

Other, net

(1)

(1)

(2)

(2)

Balance, September 30, 2019

$

2,300

$

859

$

14,295

$

16,555

$

(19,588)

$

(1,387)

$

13,034

$

100

$

13,134

(1)Adjustments to retained earnings include the effect of Adjustments to retained earnings include the effect of the accounting change we recorded upon adoption of the new standard for reclassification of stranded tax effects in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) in the amount of $53 million, and a $(186) million, net of tax, effect from an equity affiliate’s adoption of the new revenue standard.


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

7


CORNING INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(Unaudited; in millions)

(In millions)

Convertible preferred stock

Common Stock

Additional paid-in capital common

Retained Earnings

Treasury Stock

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

Total Corning Incorporated shareholders' equity

Non-controlling interests

Total

Balance, December 31, 2017

$

2,300

$

854

$

14,089

$

15,930

$

(16,633)

$

(842)

$

15,698

$

72

$

15,770

Net (loss) income

(589)

(589)

3

(586)

Other comprehensive income

265

265

265

Purchase of common stock
  for treasury

(814)

(814)

(814)

Shares issued to benefit plans
  and for option exercises

30

30

30

Common Dividends
  ($0.18 per share)

(153)

(153)

(153)

Preferred Dividends
  ($10,625 per share)

(24)

(24)

(24)

Other, net

2

(2)

Balance, March 31, 2018

$

2,300

$

854

$

14,119

$

15,166

$

(17,449)

$

(577)

$

14,413

$

75

$

14,488

Net income

738

738

6

744

Other comprehensive loss

(458)

(458)

(1)

(459)

Purchase of common stock
  for treasury

(674)

(674)

(674)

Shares issued to benefit plans
  and for option exercises

1

39

40

40

Common Dividends
  ($0.18 per share)

(146)

(146)

(146)

Preferred Dividends
  ($10,625 per share)

(25)

(25)

(25)

Other, net

(2)

(9)

(11)

(6)

(17)

Balance, June 30, 2018

$

2,300

$

855

$

14,158

$

15,731

$

(18,132)

$

(1,035)

$

13,877

$

74

$

13,951

Net income

625

625

8

633

Other comprehensive loss

(101)

(101)

(101)

Purchase of common stock
  for treasury

(384)

(384)

(384)

Shares issued to benefit plans
  and for option exercises

1

43

44

44

Common Dividends
  ($0.18 per share)

(146)

(146)

(146)

Preferred Dividends
  ($10,625 per share)

(24)

(24)

(24)

Other, net

(1)

(1)

6

5

Balance, September 30, 2018

$

2,300

$

856

$

14,201

$

16,186

$

(18,517)

$

(1,136)

$

13,890

$

88

$

13,978

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. 


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

8


CORNING INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

1. Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

In these notes, the terms “Corning,” “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Corning Incorporated and its subsidiary companies.

The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and in accordance with U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”) for interim financial information. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted or condensed. These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with Corning’s consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018 (“2018 Form 10-K”).

The unaudited consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments which, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair statement of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. The results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the full year.

Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-year presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on our results of operations, financial position, or changes in shareholders’ equity.

Leases

Corning leases certain real estate, vehicles, and equipment from third parties. On January 1, 2019 we adopted the new leasing standard. Corning classifies leases as either financing or operating. Operating leases are included in other assets with the corresponding liability in other accrued liabilities and other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. Finance leases are included in property, plant and equipment with the corresponding liability in the current portion and long-term debt line items on our consolidated balance sheets. Leases where we are the lessor are not significant.

Lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term for operating leases. Financing leases are recognized on the effective interest method for interest expense and straight-line method for asset amortization. Renewals and terminations are included in the calculation of the Right of Use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities when considered to be reasonably certain to be exercised. When the implicit rate is unknown, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments.

Our leases do not include residual value guarantees. We are not the primary beneficiary in or have other forms of variable interests with the lessor of the leased assets. The impact to the balance sheet for operating leases is a gross-up for the addition of ROU assets and liabilities relating to the operating leases in the amount of $449 million at adoption. The impact to the balance sheet for financing leases was not material.

Corning has elected the following practical expedients and accounting policy elections to apply the new lease accounting standard at its effective date as of January 1, 2019:

Leases of less than 12 months in duration to be recorded as expense only;

Account for lease and non-lease components of a contract as a single lease component; and

Comparative reporting of prior periods under ASC 840 not restated due to modified retrospective implementation.

At adoption, Corning recorded a nominal cumulative-effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings.

Refer to Note 4 (Leases) to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Revenue

One of Corning’s equity affiliates adopted the new revenue standard on January 1, 2019.  The impact of adopting the new standard to Corning’s financial statements was a net reduction of $186 million to 2019 beginning retained earnings. Timing of revenue recognition for certain open performance obligations as measured at January 1, 2019 under the new standard was approximately $239 million with offsetting deferred tax impacts of $53 million.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

9


Income Taxes

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income, which allows for reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. We have adopted this new standard effective January 1, 2019. The impact of the new standard resulted in a reclassification of $53 million from accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) to beginning retained earnings.

Other Accounting Standards

No other accounting standards newly issued or adopted as of September 30, 2019, had a material impact on Corning’s financial statements or disclosures.

2. Revenue

Revenue Disaggregation Table

The following table shows revenues by major product categories, similar to our reportable segment disclosure. Within each product category, contract terms, conditions and economic factors affecting the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty around revenue recognition and cash flows are substantially similar. The commercial markets and selling channels are also similar. Except for an inconsequential amount of revenue for Telecommunications products, our product category revenues are recognized at point in time when control transfers to the customer.

Revenues by product category are as follows (in millions):

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Display products

$

780

$

815

$

2,395

$

2,315

Telecommunication products

1,008

1,117

3,162

3,026

Specialty glass products

463

459

1,141

1,080

Environmental substrate and filter products

380

331

1,084

970

Life science products

250

231

744

708

All Other

53

55

160

156

Total Revenue

$

2,934

$

3,008

$

8,686

$

8,255

Contract Assets and Liabilities

Contract assets, such as costs to obtain or fulfill contracts, are an insignificant component of Corning’s revenue recognition process. Most of Corning’s cost of fulfillment as a manufacturer of products is classified as inventory, fixed assets and intangible assets, which are accounted for under the respective guidance for those asset types. Other costs of contract fulfillment are immaterial due to the nature of our products and their respective manufacturing processes.

Contract liabilities include deferred revenues, other advanced payments and customer deposits. Deferred revenue and other advanced payments are not significant to our operations and are classified as part of other current liabilities in our financial statements. Customer deposits are predominately related to Display products and are classified as part of other current liabilities and other long-term liabilities as appropriate and are disclosed below.

We treat shipping and handling fees as a fulfillment cost and not as a separate performance obligation under the terms of our revenue contracts due to the perfunctory nature of the shipping and handling obligations.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

10


Customer Deposits

As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, Corning had customer deposits of approximately $900 million and $1.0 billion, respectively. The majority of these were non-refundable cash deposits for customers to secure rights to an amount of glass produced by Corning under long-term supply agreements. The duration of these long-term supply agreements ranges up to 10 years. As glass is shipped to customers, Corning will recognize revenue and issue credit memoranda to reduce the amount of the customer deposit liability, which are applied against customer receivables resulting from the sale of glass. In the nine months ended September 30, 2019, a credit memorandum of $37 million was issued; no such memorandums were issued in 2018. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, $851 million and $922 million were recorded as other long-term liabilities, respectively. The remaining $42 million and $54 million, respectively, were classified as other current liabilities.

3. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees

Corning is a defendant in various lawsuits and is subject to various claims that arise in the normal course of business, the most significant of which are summarized below. In the opinion of management, the likelihood that the ultimate disposition of these matters will have a material adverse effect on Corning’s consolidated financial position, liquidity, or results of operations, is remote.

Asbestos Claims

Corning and PPG Industries, Inc. each owned 50% of the capital stock of Pittsburgh Corning Corporation (“PCC”). PCC filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in 2000, and the Modified Third Amended Plan of Reorganization for PCC (the “Plan”) became effective in April 2016. At December 31, 2016, the Company’s liability under the Plan was $290 million, which is required to be paid through a series of fixed payments that began in the second quarter of 2017. Payments of $50 million and $35 million were made in June 2019 and June 2018, respectively. The total amount of remaining payments due in years 2020 through 2023 is $135 million, of which $35 million will be paid in the second quarter of 2020 and is classified as a current liability. The remaining $100 million is classified as a non-current liability.

Non-PCC Asbestos Claims

Corning is a defendant in certain cases alleging injuries from asbestos unrelated to PCC (the “non-PCC asbestos claims”) which had been stayed pending the confirmation of the Plan. The stay was lifted on August 25, 2016. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the amount of the reserve for these non-PCC asbestos claims was estimated to be $99 million and $146 million, respectively. The change in reserve reflects post-stay claim experience and a reduction in expected defense costs. The reserve balance as of September 30, 2019 represents the undiscounted projection of claims and related legal fees for the estimated life of the litigation.

Dow Corning Chapter 11 Related Matters

Until June 1, 2016, Corning and The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) each owned 50% of the common stock of Dow Corning Corporation (“Dow Corning”). On May 31, 2016, Corning and Dow realigned their ownership interest in Dow Corning. Corning retained its indirect ownership interest in the Hemlock Semiconductor Group (“HSG”) and formed a new entity which had been capitalized by Dow Corning with $4.8 billion. Following the realignment, Corning no longer owned any interest in Dow Corning. With the realignment, Corning agreed to indemnify Dow Corning for 50% of Dow Corning’s non-ordinary course, pre-closing liabilities to the extent such liabilities exceed the amounts reserved for them by Dow Corning as of May 31, 2016, subject to certain conditions and limits.

Dow Corning Breast Implant Litigation

In May 1995, Dow Corning filed for bankruptcy protection to address pending and claimed liabilities arising from many thousands of breast implant product lawsuits. On June 1, 2004, Dow Corning emerged from Chapter 11 with a Plan of Reorganization (the “Plan”) which provided for the settlement or other resolution of implant claims. The Plan also includes releases for Corning and Dow as shareholders in exchange for contributions to the Plan.

Under the terms of the Plan, Dow Corning has established and funded a Settlement Trust and a Litigation Facility, referred to above, to provide a means for tort claimants to settle or litigate their claims. Inclusive of insurance, Dow Corning has paid approximately $1.8 billion to the Settlement Trust. As of May 31, 2016, Dow Corning had recorded a reserve for breast implant litigation of $290 million. In the event Dow Corning’s total liability for these claims exceeds such amount, Corning may be required to indemnify Dow Corning for up to 50% of the excess liability, subject to certain conditions and limits. As of September 30, 2019, Dow Corning had recorded a reserve for breast implant litigation of $165 million. As a result, Corning does not believe its indemnity obligation for Dow Corning’s breast implant litigation liability, if any, will be material.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

11


Dow Corning Bankruptcy Pendency Interest Claims

As a separate matter arising from the bankruptcy proceedings, Dow Corning has been defending claims asserted by commercial creditors who claimed additional compounded interest at default and state statutory judgment rates as well as attorneys’ fees and other enforcement costs, during the period from May 1995 through June 2004. As of May 31, 2016, Dow Corning had recorded a reserve for these claims of $107 million. Dow Corning settled those claims as of September 30, 2019 and received approval of the settlement from the bankruptcy court. Corning had agreed to indemnify Dow Corning for up to 50% of Dow Corning’s liability in excess of its reserve if certain conditions were met. Corning does not believe its indemnity obligation, if any, for Dow Corning’s liability to be material.

Dow Corning Environmental Claims

In September 2019, Dow Corning formally notified Corning of certain environmental matters for which Dow Corning asserts that it has or will experience losses arising from remediation and response at a number of sites. In the event Dow Corning incurs liability for these claims, Corning may be required to indemnify Dow Corning for up to 50% of that liability, subject to certain conditions and limits. As of September 30, 2019, the Company cannot estimate the fair value of the indemnification owed to Dow Corning if any.

Environmental Litigation

Corning has been named by the Environmental Protection Agency (“the Agency”) under the Superfund Act, or by state governments under similar state laws, as a potentially responsible party for 15 active hazardous waste sites. Under the Superfund Act, all parties who may have contributed any waste to a hazardous waste site, identified by the Agency, are jointly and severally liable for the cost of cleanup unless the Agency agrees otherwise. It is Corning’s policy to accrue for its estimated liability related to Superfund sites and other environmental liabilities related to property owned by Corning based on expert analysis and continual monitoring by both internal and external consultants. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, Corning had accrued approximately $39 million and $30 million, respectively, for the undiscounted estimated liability for environmental cleanup and related litigation. Based upon the information developed to date, management believes that the accrued reserve is a reasonable estimate of the Company’s liability and that the risk of an additional loss in an amount materially higher than that accrued is remote.

4. Leases

We have operating and finance leases for real estate, vehicles, and equipment.

We incurred lease expense in the amount of $44 million and $124 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. Operating lease costs were $37 million and $108 million, and Financing lease costs were $7 million and $16 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. Short-term rental expense, for agreements less than one year in duration, is immaterial. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, financing lease cost was comprised of expenses for depreciation of right-of-use assets and interest on lease liabilities, and these expenses were not material.

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities totaled $30 million and $85 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. Operating cash outflows from operating leases were $26 million and $74 million, respectively. Financing cash outflows from finance leases were not material.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

12


Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases was as follows (in millions, except lease term and discount rate):

September 30,

2019

Operating Leases

Operating lease right-of-use assets, net (1)

$

502

Other current liabilities

$

61

Operating lease liabilities (2)

447

Total operating lease liabilities

$

508

Finance Leases

Property and equipment, at cost

$

288

Accumulated depreciation

(49)

Property and equipment, net

$

239

Current portion of long-term debt

$

8

Long-term debt

264

Total finance lease liabilities

$

272

(1)Included in other assets.

(2)Included in other liabilities.

The weighted average remaining lease terms for operating and financing leases are 12.6 years and 11.1 years, respectively. The weighted average discount rates for operating and financing leases are 4.1% and 5.5%, respectively.

As of September 30, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities under the new lease standard are as follows (in millions):

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

After 2023

Gross Total

Imputed Discount

Total

Operating Leases

$

50

$

93

$

77

$

65

$

58

$

398

$

741

$

(233)

$

508

Financing Leases

4

20

20

22

148

217

431

(159)

272

As of December 31, 2018, maturities of lease liabilities under the previous lease standard were as follows (in millions):

Total

Less than
1 year

1 to 3
years

3 to 5
years

5 years and
thereafter

Capital leases and financing
  obligations 

$

393

$

4

$

11

$

132

$

246

Imputed interest on capital leases and
  financing obligations

205

20

38

37

110

Minimum rental commitments 

581

82

133

111

255

As of September 30, 2019, we have additional operating leases, primarily for new production facilities and equipment, that have not yet commenced of approximately $284 million on an undiscounted basis. These operating leases will commence between fiscal year 2019 and fiscal year 2020 with lease terms of 10 years to 20 years.

5. Income Taxes

Our provision for income taxes and the related effective income tax rates are as follows (in millions):

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Provision for income taxes

$

(71)

$

(133)

$

(271)

$

(383)

Effective tax rate

17.4%

17.5%

22.6%

33.1%

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

13


For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the effective income tax rate differed from the United States (“U.S.”) statutory rate of 21% primarily due to an increase in the estimated impact of base erosion and anti-deferral tax (“BEAT”) offset by the return to provision true-up of the U.S. Federal 2018 tax return filed in October 2019, primarily due to tax reform.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the effective income tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to an increase in the estimated impact of BEAT offset by return to provision true-up of the U.S. Federal 2018 tax return filed in October 2019, primarily due to tax reform, additional net tax expense of $86 million driven by changes to our tax reserves and the release of foreign valuation allowances on deferred tax assets.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the effective income tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to additional tax amounts related to the estimated annual impact of Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (“GILTI”) and BEAT offset by benefits related to Foreign Derived Intangible Tax (“FDII”) and a $48 million benefit related to an adjustment to the provisional estimate of the one-time Toll Charge recorded in 2017.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the effective income tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to additional tax expense of $172 million related to a preliminary agreement with the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) to settle the income tax audits for the years 2013 and 2014, additional tax amounts related to the estimated annual impact of GILTI and BEAT, offset by benefits related to FDII, $28 million from the release of a foreign valuation allowance on deferred tax assets that are now considered realizable and a $48 million benefit related to an adjustment to the provisional estimate of the one-time Toll Charge recorded in 2017.

The company will use tax attributes to cover most of the expense related to the 2013-2014 IRS audit settlements. We expect to make a payment during the first quarter of 2020 of approximately $40 million to finalize those settlements with the IRS. As of September 30, 2019, the company is not expecting any significant movements in uncertain tax benefits in the next twelve months.

6. Earnings per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (in millions, except per share amounts):

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated

$

337

$

625

$

928

$

774

Less: Series A convertible preferred stock dividend

24

24

73

73

Net income available to common stockholders – basic

313

601

855

701

Plus: Series A convertible preferred stock dividend 

24

24

73

73

Net income available to common stockholders – diluted

$

337

$

625

$

928

$

774

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic

775

805

780

824

Effect of dilutive securities:

Employee stock options and other dilutive securities

7

10

8

9

Series A convertible preferred stock 

115

115

115

115

Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted

897

930

903

948

Basic earnings per common share

$

0.40

$

0.75

$

1.10

$

0.85

Diluted earnings per common share

$

0.38

$

0.67

$

1.03

$

0.82

Antidilutive potential shares excluded from
  diluted earnings per common share:

Employee stock options and awards

2

1

2

2

Total

2

1

2

2

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

14


7. Inventories, Net of Inventory Reserves

Inventories, net of inventory reserves comprise the following (in millions):

September 30,

December 31,

2019

2018

Finished goods

$

964

$

854

Work in process

431

386

Raw materials and accessories

500

409

Supplies and packing materials

442

388

Total inventories, net of inventory reserves

$

2,337

$

2,037

8. Debt

Based on borrowing rates currently available to us for loans with similar terms and maturities, the fair value of long-term debt was $6.9 billion and $6.0 billion at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, compared to recorded book values of $6.2 billion and $6.0 billion at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The Company measures the fair value of its long-term debt using Level 2 inputs based primarily on current market yields for its existing debt traded in the secondary market.

Corning had no outstanding commercial paper at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Debt Issuances

2019

In the third quarter of 2019, Corning issued two Japanese yen-denominated debt securities (the “Notes”), as follows:

¥31.3 billion 1.153% senior unsecured notes with a maturity of 12 years; and

¥5.9 billion 1.513% senior unsecured notes with a maturity of 20 years.

The proceeds from the Notes were received in Japanese yen and converted to U.S. dollars on the date of issuance. The net proceeds received in U.S. dollars, after deducting offering expenses, were approximately $349 million and will be used for general corporate purposes. Payments of principal and interest on the Notes will be in Japanese yen, or should yen be unavailable due to circumstances beyond Corning’s control, a U.S. dollar equivalent.

On a quarterly basis, Corning will recognize the transaction gains and losses resulting from changes in the USD/JPY exchange rate in the Other expense, net line of the Consolidated Statements of Income. Cash proceeds from the offerings and payments for debt issuance costs are disclosed as financing activities, and cash payments to bondholders for interest will be disclosed as operating activities, in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

15


9. Employee Retirement Plans

We have defined benefit pension plans covering certain domestic and international employees. Our funding policy is to contribute, over time, an amount exceeding the minimum requirements to achieve the Company’s long-term funding targets. During 2019, we do not expect to make cash contributions to our U.S. qualified pension plan but do expect to contribute $31 million to our international pension plans.

The following table summarizes the components of net periodic benefit cost for Corning’s defined benefit pension and postretirement health care and life insurance plans (in millions):

Pension benefits

Postretirement benefits

Three months ended

Nine months ended

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Service cost

$

25

$

26

$

76

$

77

$

3

$

3

$

7

$

9

Interest cost

37

32

111

97

7

6

21

18

Expected return on plan assets 

(42)

(47)

(128)

(142)

Amortization of actuarial net gain

(1)

(1)

Amortization of prior service
   cost (credit)

2

2

5

6

(2)

(2)

(6)

(5)

Recognition of actuarial loss

23

1

Total pension and postretirement
   benefit expense

$

22

$

13

$

87

$

39

$

7

$

7

$

21

$

22

The components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in the line item “Other (expense) income, net” in the consolidated statements of income.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

16


10. Other Liabilities

Other liabilities follow (in millions):

September 30,

December 31,

2019

2018

Current liabilities:

Wages and employee benefits

$

511

$

642

Income taxes

183

169

Derivative instruments

129

56

Asbestos and other litigation (Note 3)

59

113

Short-term operating leases (Note 4)

61

Other current liabilities

905

871

Other accrued liabilities

$

1,848

$

1,851

Non-current liabilities:

Defined benefit pension plan liabilities

$

902

$

831

Derivative instruments

271

386

Asbestos and other litigation (Note 3)

196

279

Investment in Hemlock Semiconductor Group (1)

114

Customer deposits (Note 2)

851

922

Deferred tax liabilities

289

347

Long-term operating leases (Note 4)

448

Other non-current liabilities

653

887

Other liabilities

$

3,724

$

3,652

(1)The negative carrying value resulted from a one-time charge of $239 million to this entity in 2019 due to the adoption of the new revenue standard. This charge was offset by deferred tax impacts of $53 million. The charge relates to timing of revenue recognition for open performance obligations as measured at January 1, 2019. Most of these performance obligations are expected to be recognized within the next twelve months and the negative carrying value has been reduced by current period income.

 

11. Hedging Activities

Cash Flow Hedges

Our cash flow hedging activities utilize over-the-counter (“OTC”) foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce the risk that movements in exchange rates will adversely affect the net cash flows resulting from the sale of products to customers and purchases from suppliers. The total gross notional values for foreign currency cash flow hedges are $2.0 billion and $0.4 billion at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The majority of our foreign exchange forward contracts hedge a portion of the Company’s exposure to the Japanese yen denominated sales with maturities spanning the years 2020-2023 and with gross notional values of $1.5 billion at September 30, 2019. Corning defers gains and losses related to the cash flow hedges into accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheets until the hedged item impacts earnings. At September 30, 2019, the amount expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months is not material.

The effect of cash flow hedges on Corning’s consolidated statements of income and other comprehensive income is not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018.

Undesignated Hedges

Corning also uses OTC foreign exchange forward and option contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes. The undesignated hedges limit exposures to foreign functional currency fluctuations related to certain subsidiaries’ monetary assets, monetary liabilities and net earnings in foreign currencies.


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

17


The table below includes a total gross notional value for translated earnings contracts of $13.2 billion and $13.6 billion at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. These include gross notional value for average rate forwards of $10.7 billion and $11.0 billion, zero-cost collars and purchased put or call options of $2.5 billion and $2.6 billion at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The majority of our average rate forward contracts hedge a significant portion of the Company’s exposure to the Japanese yen with maturities spanning the years 2019-2023 and with gross notional values of $8.0 billion and $9.1 billion at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. The average rate forward contracts also partially hedge the impacts of the South Korean won, Chinese yuan, euro, New Taiwan dollar and British pound translation on the Company’s projected net income. With respect to the zero-cost collars, the gross notional amount includes the value of both the put and call options. However, due to the nature of the zero-cost collars, only the put or the call option can be exercised at maturity.

The following table summarizes the notional amounts and respective fair values of Corning’s derivative financial instruments on a gross basis for September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 (in millions):

Asset derivatives

Liability derivatives

Gross notional amount

Balance

Fair value

Balance

Fair value

Sept. 30,

Dec. 31,

sheet

Sept. 30,

Dec. 31,

sheet

Sept. 30,

Dec. 31,

2019

2018

location

2019

2018

location

2019

2018

Derivatives
  designated as
  hedging
  instruments

Foreign exchange
  contracts

$

2,039 

$

391 

Other current
assets

$

10 

$

4 

Other accrued liabilities

$

(14)

$

(2)

Other assets

9 

2 

Other liabilities

(28)

Derivatives not
  designated as
  hedging
  instruments

Foreign exchange
  and other contracts

1,745 

900 

Other current
assets

7 

5 

Other accrued
liabilities

(6)

(7)

Other assets

21 

Translated earnings
  contracts

13,232 

13,620 

Other current
assets

124 

94 

Other accrued
liabilities

(109)

(47)

Other assets

66 

43 

Other liabilities

(243)

(386)

Total derivatives

$

17,016 

$

14,911 

$

237 

$

148 

$

(400)

$

(442)

The following table summarizes the effect on the consolidated financial statements relating to Corning’s undesignated derivative financial instruments (in millions):

Gains recognized in income

Three months ended

Nine months ended

Location of gains

September 30,

September 30,

Undesignated derivatives

recognized in income

2019

2018

2019

2018

Foreign exchange and other contracts
  – balance sheet, loans and other

Other income, net

$

19

$

10

$

38

$

19

Foreign currency hedges
  related to translated earnings (1)

Translated earnings
  contract gains, net

86

230

163

66

Total undesignated

$

105

$

240

$

201

$

85

 

(1)The impact to income was primarily driven by yen-denominated hedges of translated earnings.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

18


12. Fair Value Measurements

Fair value standards under GAAP define fair value, establish a framework for measuring fair value in applying generally accepted accounting principles, and require disclosures about fair value measurements. The standards also identify two kinds of inputs that are used to determine the fair value of assets and liabilities: observable and unobservable. Observable inputs are based on market data or independent sources while unobservable inputs are based on the Company’s own market assumptions. Once inputs have been characterized, the inputs are prioritized into one of three broad levels (provided in the table below) used to measure fair value. Fair value standards apply whenever an entity is measuring fair value under other accounting pronouncements that require or permit fair value measurement and require the use of observable market data when available.

The following tables provide fair value measurement information for the Company’s major categories of financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis (in millions):

Fair value measurements at reporting date using

Quoted prices in

Significant other

Significant

active markets for

observable

unobservable

September 30,

identical assets

inputs

inputs

2019

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Current assets:

Other current assets (1)

$

141

$

141

Non-current assets:

Other assets (1)(2)

$

96

$

75

$

21

Current liabilities:

Other accrued liabilities (1)

$

129

$

129

Non-current liabilities:

Other liabilities (1)

$

271

$

271

(1)Derivative assets and liabilities include foreign exchange contracts which are measured using observable inputs for similar assets and liabilities.

(2)Other assets include one of the Company’s renewable energy derivative contracts that was measured using unobservable (Level 3) inputs, in the amount of $21 million.

Fair value measurements at reporting date using

Quoted prices in

Significant other

Significant

active markets for

observable

unobservable

December 31,

identical assets

inputs

inputs

2018

(Level 1)

(Level 2)

(Level 3)

Current assets:

Other current assets (1)

$

103

$

103

Non-current assets:

Investments (2)

$

16

$

16

Other assets (1)

$

45

$

45

Current liabilities:

Other accrued liabilities (1)

$

56

$

56

Non-current liabilities:

Other liabilities (1)(3)

$

406

$

386

$

20

(1)Derivative assets and liabilities include foreign exchange contracts which are measured using observable inputs for similar assets and liabilities.

(2)One of the Company’s equity securities was measured using unobservable (Level 3) inputs, in the amount of $16 million.

(3)Other liabilities include contingent consideration that was measured using unobservable (Level 3) inputs, in the amount of $20 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, assets and liabilities that were measured using unobservable (Level 3) inputs resulted in unrealized gains recognized in earnings of $21 million for a renewable energy derivative contract and the reversal of a liability for contingent consideration of $20 million.

There were no significant financial assets and liabilities measured on a nonrecurring basis as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

19


13. Shareholders’ Equity

Fixed Rate Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A

Corning has 2,300 outstanding shares of Fixed Rate Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A. The Preferred Stock is convertible at the option of the holder and the Company upon certain events, at a conversion rate of 50,000 shares of Corning’s common stock per one share of Preferred Stock, subject to certain anti-dilution provisions. As of September 30, 2019, the Preferred Stock has not been converted, and none of the anti-dilution provisions have been triggered.

Share Repurchases

In December 2016, Corning’s Board of Directors approved a $4 billion share repurchase program with no expiration date (the “2016 Repurchase Program”). On April 26, 2018, Corning’s Board of Directors approved a $2 billion share repurchase program with no expiration date (the “2018 Repurchase Program”). On July 17, 2019, Corning’s Board of Directors authorized $5 billion in share repurchases with no expiration date (the “2019 Repurchase Authorization”).

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company repurchased 10.8 and 23.4 million shares of common stock on the open market for approximately $308 million and $703 million, respectively, as part of its 2018 Repurchase Program.

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 11.8 million and 63.4 million shares of common stock on the open market for approximately $384 million and $1.9 billion, respectively, as part of its 2016 and 2018 Repurchase Programs.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, the change in accumulated other comprehensive loss was primarily related to the foreign currency translation adjustment.

A summary of changes in the foreign currency translation adjustment component of accumulated other comprehensive loss is as follows (in millions) (1):

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30,

September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Beginning balance

$

(786)

$

(693)

$

(714)

$

(529)

Other comprehensive loss (2)

(235)

(128)

(293)

(281)

Equity method affiliates (3)

(3)

(17)

(11)

Net current-period other comprehensive loss

(238)

(128)

(310)

(292)

Ending balance

$

(1,024)

$

(821)

$

(1,024)

$

(821)

(1) All amounts are after tax. Amounts in parentheses indicate debits to accumulated other comprehensive loss.

(2) For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, amounts are net of tax benefit of $16 million and $39 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, tax amount is not significant. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, amount is net of tax benefit of $28 million.

(3) Tax effects are not significant.

14. Reportable Segments

Our reportable segments are as follows:

Display Technologies – manufactures glass substrates for flat panel liquid crystal displays and other high-performance display panels.

Optical Communications – manufactures carrier and enterprise network components for the telecommunications industry.

Specialty Materials – manufactures products that provide more than 150 material formulations for glass, glass ceramics and fluoride crystals to meet demand for unique customer needs.

Environmental Technologies – manufactures ceramic substrates and filters for automotive and diesel applications.

Life Sciences – manufactures glass and plastic labware, equipment, media and reagents enabling workflow solutions for scientific applications.

All other segments that do not meet the quantitative threshold for separate reporting have been grouped as “All Other.” This group is primarily comprised of the results of the pharmaceutical technologies business, auto glass, new product lines and development projects, as well as certain corporate investments such as Eurokera and Keraglass equity affiliates.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

20


We prepared the financial results for our reportable segments on a basis consistent with our internal disaggregation of financial information to assist our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in making internal operating decisions. The impact of changes in the Japanese yen, Korean won, Chinese yuan and new Taiwan dollar are excluded from segment sales and segment net income for the Display Technologies and Specialty Materials segments. The impact of changes in the euro, Chinese yuan and Japanese yen are excluded from segment sales and segment net income for our Environmental Technologies and Life Sciences segments. In January 2019, we began presenting results of the Environmental Technologies and Life Sciences segments on a constant-currency basis to mitigate the translation impact on these segments’ sales and net income. We have not recast prior periods as the impact of fluctuations in these currencies were not material as compared to prior periods. Certain income and expenses are included in the unallocated amounts in the reconciliation of reportable segment net income to consolidated net income. These include items that are not used by our CODM in evaluating the results of or in allocating resources to our segments and include the following items: the impact of our translated earnings contracts; acquisition-related costs; discrete tax items and other tax-related adjustments; certain litigation, regulatory and other legal matters; restructuring, impairment and other charges and credits; adjustments relating to acquisitions; and other non-recurring non-operational items. Although we exclude these amounts from segment results, they are included in reported consolidated results.

We included the earnings of equity affiliates that are closely associated with our reportable segments in the respective segment’s net income. We have allocated certain common expenses among reportable segments differently than we would for stand-alone financial information. Segment net income may not be consistent with measures used by other companies.

Reportable Segments (in millions)

Display

Optical

Specialty

Environmental

Life

All

Technologies

Communications

Materials

Technologies

Sciences

Other

Total

Three months ended

September 30, 2019

Segment net sales

$

793 

$

1,007 

$

463 

$

397 

$

256 

$

53 

$

2,969 

Depreciation (1)

$

144 

$

59 

$

35 

$

32 

$

12 

$

13 

$

295 

Research, development and
   engineering expenses (2)

$

30 

$

53 

$

37 

$

29 

$

5 

$

52 

$

206 

Income tax (provision)
   benefit (3)

$

(49)

$

(35)

$

(25)

$

(21)

$

(11)

$

19 

$

(122)

Segment net income (loss) (4)

$

185 

$

127 

$

92 

$

79 

$

41 

$

(70)

$

454 

Display

Optical

Specialty

Environmental

Life

All

Technologies

Communications

Materials

Technologies

Sciences

Other

Total

Three months ended

September 30, 2018

Segment net sales

$

852 

$

1,117 

$

459 

$

331 

$

231 

$

55 

$

3,045 

Depreciation (1)

$

146 

$

55 

$

34 

$

30 

$

12 

$

10 

$

287 

Research, development and
   engineering expenses (2)

$

26 

$

53 

$

43 

$

28 

$

5 

$

58 

$

213 

Income tax (provision)
   benefit (3)

$

(57)

$

(46)

$

(31)

$

(16)

$

(8)

$

19 

$

(139)

Segment net income (loss) (4)

$

218 

$

168 

$

116 

$

60 

$

30 

$

(72)

$

520 

Display

Optical

Specialty

Environmental

Life

All

Technologies

Communications

Materials

Technologies

Sciences

Other

Total

Nine months ended

September 30, 2019

Segment net sales

$

2,459 

$

3,161 

$

1,141 

$

1,125 

$

759 

$

160 

$

8,805 

Depreciation (1)

$

445 

$

178 

$

107 

$

95 

$

37 

$

36 

$

898 

Research, development and
   engineering expenses (2)

$

85 

$

163 

$

119 

$

87 

$

15 

$

164 

$

633 

Income tax (provision)
   benefit (3)

$

(159)

$

(117)

$

(56)

$

(53)

$

(30)

$

56 

$

(359)

Segment net income (loss) (4)

$

606 

$

427 

$

208 

$

199 

$

112 

$

(210)

$

1,342 

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

21


Display

Optical

Specialty

Environmental

Life

All

Technologies

Communications

Materials

Technologies

Sciences

Other

Total

Nine months ended

September 30, 2018

Segment net sales

$

2,377 

$

3,026 

$

1,080 

$

970 

$

708 

$

156 

$

8,317 

Depreciation (1)

$

436 

$

160 

$

102 

$

89 

$

39 

$

31 

$

857 

Research, development and
   engineering expenses (2)

$

76 

$

153 

$

123 

$

86 

$

15 

$

174 

$

627 

Income tax (provision)
   benefit (3)

$

(157)

$

(117)

$

(60)

$

(44)

$

(23)

$

60 

$

(341)

Segment net income (loss) (4)

$

595 

$

427 

$

226 

$

166 

$

88 

$

(224)

$

1,278 

(1)Depreciation expense for Corning’s reportable segments includes an allocation of depreciation of corporate property not specifically identifiable to a segment.

(2)Research, development and engineering expenses include direct project spending that is identifiable to a segment.

(3)Income tax (provision) benefit reflects a tax rate of 21%.

(4)Many of Corning’s administrative and staff functions are performed on a centralized basis. Where practicable, Corning charges these expenses to segments based upon the extent to which each business uses a centralized function. Other staff functions, such as corporate finance, human resources and legal, are allocated to segments, primarily as a percentage of sales. Expenses that are not allocated to the segments are included in the reconciliation of reportable segment net income to consolidated net income below.

A reconciliation of reportable segment and All Other net sales to consolidated net sales follows (in millions):

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30,

September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net sales of reportable segments and All Other

$

2,969

$

3,045

$

8,805

$

8,317

Impact of foreign currency movements (1)

(35)

(37)

(119)

(62)

Net sales

$

2,934

$

3,008

$

8,686

$

8,255

(1)This amount primarily represents the impact of foreign currency adjustments in the Display Technologies and Environmental Technologies segments.

A reconciliation of reportable segment net income to consolidated net income follows (in millions):

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30,

September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net income of reportable segments

$

524

$

592

$

1,552

$

1,502

Net loss of All Other

(70)

(72)

(210)

(224)

Unallocated amounts:

Impact of foreign currency movements

(20)

(42)

(93)

(110)

Gain on foreign currency hedges
    related to translated earnings

84

230

161

66

Translation gain (loss) on Japanese yen-denominated debt

11

30

(10)

28

Litigation, regulatory and other legal matters

24

(11)

24

(143)

Research, development, and engineering expenses

(33)

(31)

(104)

(99)

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies (1)

20

31

74

100

Amortization of intangibles

(28)

(27)

(85)

(68)

Interest expense, net

(51)

(38)

(145)

(111)

Income tax benefit (provision)

51

6

88

(42)

Other corporate items 

(175)

(43)

(324)

(125)

Net income

$

337

$

625

$

928

$

774

(1)Primarily represents the equity earnings of HSG.


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

22


ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

ORGANIZATION OF INFORMATION

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) provides a historical and prospective narrative on the Company’s financial condition and results of operations. This interim MD&A should be read in conjunction with the MD&A in our 2018 Form 10-K. The various sections of this MD&A contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “goals,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial performance, our anticipated growth and trends in our businesses, uncertain events or assumptions, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on our current expectations and could be affected by the uncertainties and risk factors described throughout this filing and particularly in “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our 2018 Form 10-K, and as may be updated in our Forms 10-Q. Our actual results may differ materially, and these forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any divestitures, mergers, acquisitions, or other business combinations that had not been completed as of September 30, 2019.

Our MD&A includes the following sections:

Overview

Results of Operations

Core Performance Measures

Reportable Segments

Capital Resources and Liquidity

Critical Accounting Estimates

Environment

Forward-Looking Statements

OVERVIEW

Strategy and Capital Allocation Framework and recently introduced Strategy and Growth Framework

In October 2015, Corning announced a strategy and capital allocation framework (the “Framework”) that reflects the Company’s financial and operational strengths, as well as its ongoing commitment to increasing shareholder value.  The Framework outlined our leadership priorities and articulated the opportunities we saw across our businesses.  We designed the Framework to create significant value for shareholders by focusing our portfolio and leveraging our financial strength.  Under the Framework, we targeted generating $26 billion to $30 billion of cash through 2019, returning more than $12.5 billion to shareholders and investing $10 billion to extend our leadership positions and deliver growth.  As of June 30, 2019, Corning met its goal of returning more than $12.5 billion to shareholders and is on track to invest $11 billion for growth and extended leadership.

On June 14, 2019, Corning introduced its 2020-2023 Strategy and Growth Framework.  From 2020 to 2023, the company plans to invest $10 billion to $12 billion for growth and to return $8 billion to $10 billion to shareholders.

Corning’s Frameworks outline the company’s leadership priorities.  With both the nearly completed Strategy & Capital Allocation Framework and the new Strategy & Growth Framework, Corning plans to focus its portfolio and utilize its financial strength.  Our probability of success increases as we invest in our world-class capabilities.  Corning is concentrating approximately 80% of its research, development and engineering investment and capital spending on a cohesive set of three core technologies, four manufacturing and engineering platforms, and five market-access platforms.  This strategy allows us to quickly apply our talents and repurpose our assets across the company as needed.


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

23


Summary of results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019

In the third quarter of 2019, net sales were $2.9 billion, compared to $3.0 billion during the same period in 2018. Net sales changes by segment were as follows:

Net sales in the Display Technologies segment decreased by $59 million, with volume decreases and display glass price declines in the low single-digits;

Optical Communications net sales declined $110 million. Net sales of carrier products were $105 million lower due to general market weakness and capital spending reductions by several major carriers;

Specialty Materials segment net sales increased by $4 million;

Net sales for Environmental Technologies increased $66 million, primarily driven by sales growth of gasoline particulate filters; and

Life Sciences net sales increased by $25 million, as volume grew faster than the underlying market.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net sales were $8.7 billion, compared to $8.3 billion during the same period in 2018. Net sales changes by segment were as follows:

Net sales in the Display Technologies segment increased by $82 million, with volume increases in the high single-digits more than offsetting moderate display glass price declines;

Optical Communications net sales increased $135 million, primarily due to higher sales of enterprise network products, up $152 million, including the impact of sales from the acquisition of CMD, offset by lower carrier sales of $17 million;

Specialty Materials segment net sales increased by $61 million primarily driven by sales of Gorilla Glass and Advanced Optics products;

Net sales for Environmental Technologies increased $155 million, primarily driven by sales growth of gasoline particulate filters and strong demand for heavy-duty diesel products; and

Life Sciences net sales increased by $51 million, as volume grew faster than the underlying market.

In the third quarter of 2019, we generated net income of $337 million, or $0.38 per share, compared to net income of $625 million, or $0.67 per share, for the same period in 2018. The decrease in net income of $288 million, was primarily driven by the following items (amounts presented after-tax):

Translated earnings contract gains in the current period were $106 million lower than prior year gains;

Higher costs of $116 million, primarily driven by accelerated depreciation in our Display Technologies segment and asset write-offs for our Display Technologies and Optical Communications segments; and

Lower segment net income of $33 million, $41 million and $24 million for the Display Technologies, Optical Communications and Specialty Materials segments, respectively.

The decreases in net income outlined above were slightly offset by higher net income for the Environmental Technologies and Life Sciences segments of $19 million and $11 million, respectively.

Diluted earnings per share decreased by $0.29 per share when compared to the third quarter of 2018, driven by the decrease in net income described above, offset by the repurchase of 34.7 million shares of common stock over the last twelve months.

In the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we generated net income of $928 million, or $1.03 per share, compared to a net income of $774 million, or $0.82 per share, for the same period in 2018. The increase in net income of $154 million, was primarily driven by the following items (amounts presented after-tax):

Translated earnings contract gains in the current period were $75 million higher than prior year gains;

Higher segment net income of $64 million driven by increased sales;

The positive impact of discrete tax and other tax-related items in the amount of $109 million, largely driven by the absence of a $172 million IRS audit settlement, or approximately $40 million tax payable after utilization of tax attributes, recorded in the first quarter of 2018 offset by changes to our tax reserves and a release of foreign valuation allowances on deferred tax assets; and

Costs related to litigation, regulatory and other legal matters were $130 million lower, primarily driven by the absence of a $103 million charge related to legal matters recorded in 2018, including a ruling in an intellectual property lawsuit and developments in civil litigation.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

24


The favorable impacts to net income outlined above were offset by the following:

Higher costs of $136 million, primarily driven by accelerated depreciation in our Display Technologies segment and asset write-offs for our Display Technologies and Optical Communications segments; and

Higher translation losses on Japanese yen-denominated debt of $30 million.

Diluted earnings per share increased by $0.21 per share when compared to the same period in 2018, driven by the increase in net income described above, coupled with the repurchase of 34.7 million shares of common stock over the last twelve months.

The translation impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, including the impact of hedges realized in the current quarter, did not materially impact Corning’s consolidated net income in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 when compared to the same periods in 2018.

2019 Corporate Outlook

In our Display Technologies segment, we now expect full year 2019 price declines to improve further to a low-single digit percentage compared to our previous guidance of low-to-mid single digit declines. We anticipate Corning’s display glass volume will increase slightly, outperforming the market. In the Optical Communications segment, we expect sales to decrease three to five percent year-over-year. We expect growth in the Specialty Materials segment, despite a maturing phone market. We expect sales growth in our Environmental Technologies and Life Sciences segments in the mid-teens and mid-single-digit percentages, respectively.


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

25


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Selected highlights for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 follow (in millions):

Three months ended

%

Nine months ended

%

September 30,

change

September 30,

change

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

Net sales

$

2,934

$

3,008

(2%)

$

8,686

$

8,255

5%

Gross margin

$

1,017

$

1,232

(17%)

$

3,181

$

3,259

(2%)

(gross margin %)

35%

41%

37%

39%

Selling, general and
  administrative expenses

$

369

$

439

(16%)

$

1,184

$

1,352

(12%)

(as a % of net sales)

13%

15%

14%

16%

Research, development and
  engineering expenses

$

255

$

244

5%

$

753

$

728

3%

(as a % of net sales)

9%

8%

9%

9%

Translated earnings contract
  gain (loss), net

$

86

$

230

(63%)

$

163

$

66

147%

(as a % of net sales)

3%

8%

2%

1%

Income before income taxes

$

408

$

758

(46%)

$

1,199

$

1,157

4%

(as a % of net sales)

14%

25%

14%

14%

Provision for income taxes

$

(71)

$

(133)

47%

$

(271)

$

(383)

29%

(as a % of net sales)

(2%)

(4%)

(3%)

(5%)

Net income attributable to
  Corning Incorporated

$

337

$

625

(46%)

$

928

$

774

20%

(as a % of net sales)

11%

21%

11%

9%

Segment Net Sales

The following table presents segment net sales by reportable segment and All Other (in millions):

Three months ended

%

Nine months ended

%

September 30,

change

September 30,

change

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

Display Technologies

$

793

$

852

(7)%

$

2,459

$

2,377

3%

Optical Communications

1,007

1,117

(10)%

3,161

3,026

4%

Specialty Materials

463

459

1%

1,141

1,080

6%

Environmental Technologies

397

331

20%

1,125

970

16%

Life Sciences

256

231

11%

759

708

7%

All Other

53

55

(4)%

160

156

3%

Total segment net sales

$

2,969

$

3,045

(2)%

$

8,805

$

8,317

6%

Constant-currency adjustment

(35)

(37)

5%

(119)

(62)

(92)%

Consolidated net sales

2,934

$

3,008

(2)%

8,686

$

8,255

5%

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

26


For the three months ended September 30, 2019, net sales of operating segments decreased by $76 million, or 2%, when compared to the same period in 2018. The primary sales drivers by segment were as follows:

Net sales in the Display Technologies segment decreased by $59 million, with volume decreases and display glass price declines in the low single-digits;

Optical Communications net sales declined $110 million. Net sales of carrier products were $105 million lower due to general market weakness and capital spending reductions by several major carriers;

Specialty Materials segment net sales increased by $4 million;

Net sales for Environmental Technologies increased $66 million, primarily driven by sales growth of gasoline particulate filters; and

Life Sciences net sales increased by $25 million, as volume grew faster than the underlying market.

Movements in foreign exchange rates did not materially impact Corning’s consolidated net sales in the three months ended September 30, 2019, when compared to the prior year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net sales of operating segments increased by $488 million, or 6%, when compared to the same period in 2018. The primary sales drivers by segment were as follows:

Net sales in the Display Technologies segment increased by $82 million, with volume increases in the high single-digits more than offsetting moderate display glass price declines;

Optical Communications net sales increased $135 million, primarily due to higher sales of enterprise network products, up $152 million, including the impact of sales from the acquisition of CMD, offset by lower carrier sales of $17 million;

Specialty Materials segment net sales increased by $61 million primarily driven by sales of Gorilla Glass and Advanced Optics products;

Net sales for Environmental Technologies increased $155 million, primarily driven by sales growth of gasoline particulate filters and strong demand for heavy-duty diesel products; and

Life Sciences net sales increased by $51 million, as volume grew faster than the underlying market.

Movements in foreign exchange rates did not materially impact Corning’s consolidated net sales in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, when compared to the prior year.

Cost of Sales

The types of expenses included in the cost of sales line item are: raw materials consumption, including direct and indirect materials; salaries, wages and benefits; depreciation and amortization; production utilities; production-related purchasing; warehousing (including receiving and inspection); repairs and maintenance; inter-location inventory transfer costs; production and warehousing facility property insurance; rent for production facilities; and other production overhead.

Gross Margin

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, gross margin decreased by $215 million, or 17%, and $78 million, or 2%, respectively. Gross margin as a percentage of sales declined by 6% and 2%, respectively. Negative impacts to gross margin were primarily driven by accelerated depreciation for the Display Technologies segment and asset write-offs in our Display Technologies and Optical Communications segments.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

When compared to the third quarter of 2018, selling, general and administrative expenses declined by $70 million, or 16%, in the three months ended September 30, 2019, driven by lower variable compensation expense and reduced operating expenses in Display Technologies and Optical Communications to align with near-term sales projections.

When compared to the first nine months of 2018, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $168 million, or 12%, in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The decrease was due to the absence of a $132 million charge related to legal matters in 2018, including a ruling in an intellectual property lawsuit and developments in civil litigation matters and a reduction of variable compensation expense of $37 million and reduced operating expenses in Display Technologies and Optical Communications to align with near-term sales projections; partially offset by an increase of $39 million in the Optical Communications segment, driven largely by the acquisition of CMD in June 2018.

Selling, general and administrative expenses declined as a percentage of sales by 2% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019.

The types of expenses included in the selling, general and administrative expenses line item are: salaries, wages and benefits; stock-based compensation expense; travel; sales commissions; professional fees; and depreciation and amortization, utilities and rent for administrative facilities.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

27


Research, Development and Engineering Expenses

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, research, development and engineering expenses increased by $11 million, or 5%, and $25 million, or 3%, respectively, when compared to the same periods last year, driven by higher costs associated with new product launches and our emerging businesses. As a percentage of sales, these expenses were similar when compared to the same periods last year.

Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies

The following provides a summary of equity in earnings of affiliated companies (in millions):

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30,

September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Hemlock Semiconductor Group 

$

21

$

28

$

81

$

97

All other

2

4

5

Total equity earnings

$

23

$

32

$

81

$

102

In the third quarter ending September 30, 2019, equity in earnings of affiliated companies declined by $9 million primarily driven by lower sales volumes for some of our affiliates.

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 decreased by $21 million, primarily driven by the absence of a gain recorded in the first quarter of 2018 resulting from a legal settlement.

Translated earnings contract gain, net

Included in the line item Translated earnings contract gain, net, is the impact of foreign currency hedges which hedge our translation exposure arising from movements in the Japanese yen, South Korean won, new Taiwan dollar, euro, Chinese yuan and British pound and its impact on our net earnings. The following table provides detailed information on the impact of our translated earnings contract gains and losses:

Three Months Ended

Three Months Ended

Change

September 30, 2019

September 30, 2018

2019 vs. 2018

Income

Income

Income

before

before

before

income

Net

income

Net

income

Net

(in millions)

taxes

income

taxes

income

taxes

income

Hedges related to translated
  earnings:

Realized (loss) gain, net

$

(7)

$

(6)

$

24

$

19

$

(31)

$

(25)

Unrealized gain, net (1)

93

72

206

151

(113)

(79)

Total translated earnings contract
  gain, net

$

86

$

66

$

230

$

170

$

(144)

$

(104)

Nine Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

Change

September 30, 2019

September 30, 2018

2019 vs. 2018

Income

Income

Income

before

before

before

income

Net

income

Net

income

Net

(in millions)

taxes

income

taxes

income

taxes

income

Hedges related to translated
  earnings:

Realized gain, net

$

8

$

7

$

57

$

45

$

(49)

$

(38)

Unrealized gain (loss), net (1)

155

120

9

(9)

146

129

Total translated earnings contract
  gain, net

$

163

$

127

$

66

$

36

$

97

$

91

(1)The impact to income was primarily driven by yen-denominated hedges of translated earnings.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

28


The gross notional value outstanding on our translated earnings contracts at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 were as follows (in billions):

September 30,

December 31,

2019

2018

Japanese yen-denominated hedges

$

10.5

$

11.6

South Korean won-denominated hedges

0.5

0.1

Euro-denominated hedges

1.7

1.2

Other hedges

0.5

0.7

Total gross notional value
  outstanding

$

13.2

$

13.6

Income Before Income Taxes

The translation impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, including the impact of hedges realized in the current quarter, did not materially impact Corning’s consolidated income before income taxes in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 when compared to the same periods in 2018.

Provision for Income Taxes

Our provision for income taxes and the related effective income tax rates are as follows (in millions):

Three Months Ended

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Provision for income taxes

$

(71)

$

(133)

$

(271)

$

(383)

Effective tax rate

17.4%

17.5%

22.6%

33.1%

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, the effective income tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to an increase in the estimated impact of BEAT offset by the return to provision true-up of the U.S. Federal 2018 tax return filed in October 2019, primarily due to tax reform.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the effective income tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to an increase in the estimated impact of BEAT offset by return to provision true-up of the U.S. Federal 2018 tax return filed in October 2019, primarily due to tax reform, additional net tax expense of $86 million driven by changes to our tax reserves and the release of foreign valuation allowances on deferred tax assets.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the effective income tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to additional tax amounts related to the estimated annual impact of GILTI and BEAT offset by benefits related to FDII and a $48 million benefit related to an adjustment to the provisional estimate of the one-time Toll Charge recorded in 2017.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the effective income tax rate differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 21% primarily due to additional tax expense of $172 million related to a preliminary agreement with the IRS to settle the income tax audits for the years 2013 and 2014, additional tax amounts related to the estimated annual impact of GILTI and BEAT, offset by benefits related to FDII, $28 million from the release of a foreign valuation allowance on deferred tax assets that are now considered realizable and a $48 million benefit related to an adjustment to the provisional estimate of the one-time Toll Charge recorded in 2017.

Refer to Note 5 (Income Taxes) to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

29


Net Income Attributable to Corning Incorporated

Our net income and per share data is as follows (in millions, except per share amounts):

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30,

September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated

$

337

$

625

$

928

$

774

Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated used in
  basic earnings per common share calculation (1)

$

313

$

601

$

855

$

701

Net income attributable to Corning Incorporated used in
  diluted earnings per common share calculation (1)

$

337

$

625

$

928

$

774

Basic earnings per common share

$

0.40

$

0.75

$

1.10

$

0.85

Diluted earnings per common share

$

0.38

$

0.67

$

1.03

$

0.82

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic

775

805

780

824

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted

897

930

903

948

(1)Refer to Note 6 (Earnings per Common Share) to the consolidated financial statements for additional information. 

Comprehensive Income

For the three months ended September 30, 2019 comprehensive income decreased by $444 million when compared to the same period in 2018, due to lower net income of $288 million and $110 million of negative impacts from the change in foreign currency translation losses, driven primarily by the Korean won.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019 comprehensive income increased by $71 million when compared to the same period in 2018, primarily due to an increase in net income of $154 million offset by $53 million related to the adoption of the new standard for reclassification of stranded tax effects in AOCI.

Refer to Note 13 (Shareholders’ Equity) to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

30


CORE PERFORMANCE MEASURES

In managing the Company and assessing our financial performance, we adjust certain measures provided by our consolidated financial statements to exclude specific items to report core performance measures. These items include gains and losses on our translated earnings contracts, acquisition-related costs, certain discrete tax items, restructuring and restructuring-related charges, certain litigation-related expenses, pension mark-to-market adjustments and other items which do not reflect on-going operating results of the Company or our equity affiliates. Corning utilizes constant-currency reporting for our Display Technologies and Specialty Materials segments for the Japanese yen, South Korean won, Chinese yuan and new Taiwan dollar currencies. Effective January 1, 2019, Corning also began using constant-currency reporting for our Environmental Technologies and Life Sciences segments for the euro, Japanese yen and Chinese yuan. The Company believes that the use of constant-currency reporting allows investors to understand our results without the volatility of currency fluctuations, and reflects the underlying economics of the translated earnings contracts used to mitigate the impact of changes in currency exchange rates on our earnings and cash flows. Corning also believes that reporting core performance measures provides investors greater transparency to the information used by our management team to make financial and operational decisions.

Core performance measures are not prepared in accordance with GAAP.  We believe investors should consider these non-GAAP measures in evaluating our results as they are more indicative of our core operating performance and how management evaluates our operational results and trends.  These measures are not, and should not be viewed as a substitute for GAAP reporting measures.  With respect to the Company’s outlooks for future periods, it is not possible to provide reconciliations for these non-GAAP measures because the Company does not forecast foreign currency exchange rates or other items that do not reflect ongoing operations, nor does it forecast items that have not yet occurred or are out of the Company’s control.  As a result, the Company is unable to provide outlook information on a GAAP basis.

Effective July 1, 2019, we have replaced the term “Core Earnings” with “Core Net Income”. The terms are interchangeable and the underlying calculations remain the same.

For a reconciliation of non-GAAP performance measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, please see “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures”.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – CORE PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Selected highlights from our continuing operations, excluding certain items, follow (in millions):

Three months ended

%

Nine months ended

%

September 30,

change

September 30,

change

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

Core net sales

$

2,969

$

3,045

(2)%

$

8,805

$

8,317

6%

Core equity in earnings of affiliated companies

$

23

$

32

(28)%

$

77

$

89

(13)%

Core net income*

$

397

$

476

(17)%

$

1,172

$

1,134

3%

* Effective July 1, 2019, we have replaced the term “Core Earnings” with “Core Net Income”.

Core Net Sales

Core net sales are consistent with net sales by operating segment. Net sales by operating segment are presented below (in millions):

Three months ended

%

Nine months ended

%

September 30,

change

September 30,

change

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

Display Technologies

$

793

$

852

(7%)

$

2,459

$

2,377

3%

Optical Communications

1,007

1,117

(10%)

3,161

3,026

4%

Specialty Materials

463

459

1%

1,141

1,080

6%

Environmental Technologies

397

331

20%

1,125

970

16%

Life Sciences

256

231

11%

759

708

7%

All Other

53

55

(4%)

160

156

3%

Total net sales of operating segments

$

2,969

$

3,045

(2%)

$

8,805

$

8,317

6%

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

31


Core Equity in Earnings of Affiliated Companies

The following provides a summary of core equity in earnings of affiliated companies (in millions):

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30,

September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Hemlock Semiconductor Group

$

21

$

28

$

71

$

82

All other

2

4

6

7

Total core equity earnings

$

23

$

32

$

77

$

89

Core Net Income

For the three months ended September 30, 2019, we generated core net income of $397 million, or $0.44 per share, compared to core net income generated in the three months ended September 30, 2018 of $476 million, or $0.51 per share. The decrease of $79 million was due to lower net income across the Display Technologies, Optical Communications and Specialty Materials segments, partially offset by higher net income for the Environmental Technologies and Life Sciences segments.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we generated core net income of $1,172 million, or $1.30 per share, compared to core net income generated in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 of $1,134 million, or $1.20 per share. The increase of $38 million was due to increased core net income across most reportable segments.

Included in core net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 is net periodic pension expense in the amounts of $22 million and $64 million, respectively, and $13 million and $38 million respectively.

Refer to Note 9 (Employee Retirement Plans) to the consolidated financial statements.

Core Earnings per Common Share

The following table sets forth the computation of core basic and core diluted earnings per common share (in millions, except per share amounts):

Three months ended

Nine months ended

September 30,

September 30,

2019

2018

2019

2018

Core net income attributable to Corning Incorporated

$

397

$

476

$

1,172

$

1,134

Less: Series A convertible preferred stock dividend

24

24

73

73

Core net income available to common stockholders - basic

373

452

1,099

1,061

Add: Series A convertible preferred stock dividend

24

24

73

73

Core net income available to common stockholders - diluted

$

397

$

476

$

1,172

$

1,134

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic

775

805

780

824

Effect of dilutive securities:

Stock options and other dilutive securities

7

10

8

9

Series A convertible preferred stock

115

115

115

115

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted

897

930

903

948

Core basic earnings per common share

$

0.48

$

0.56

$

1.41

$

1.29

Core diluted earnings per common share

$

0.44

$

0.51

$

1.30

$

1.20

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures

We utilize certain financial measures and key performance indicators that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP to assess our financial and operating performance. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of income or statement of cash flows, or (ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the comparable measure as calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of income or statement of cash flows.

Core net sales, core equity in earnings of affiliated companies and core net income are non-GAAP financial measures utilized by our management to analyze financial performance without the impact of items that are driven by general economic conditions and events that do not reflect the underlying fundamentals and trends in the Company’s operations.


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

32


The following tables reconcile our non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measure (amounts in millions except percentages and per share amounts):

Three Months Ended September 30, 2019

Income before

Effective

Net

Equity

income

Net

tax

Per

sales

earnings

taxes

income

rate (a)

share

As reported - GAAP

$

2,934

$

23

$

408

$

337

17.4%

$

0.38

Constant-currency adjustment (1)

35

20

63

0.07

Translation gain on Japanese
  yen-denominated debt (2)

(11)

(8)

(0.01)

Translated earnings contract gain (3)

(84)

(65)

(0.07)

Acquisition-related costs (4)

31

22

0.02

Discrete tax items and other tax-related
  adjustments (5)(b)

(51)

(0.06)

Litigation, regulatory and other legal matters (6)

(24)

(19)

(0.02)

Restructuring, impairment and other
  charges and credits (7)

148

118

0.13

Core performance measures

$

2,969

$

23

$

488

$

397

18.6%

$

0.44

Three Months Ended September 30, 2018

Income before

Effective

Net

Equity

income

Net

tax

Per

sales

earnings

taxes

income

rate (a)

share

As reported - GAAP

$

3,008

$

32

$

758

$

625

17.5%

$

0.67

Constant-currency adjustment (1)

37

42

46

0.05

Translation gain on Japanese
  yen-denominated debt (2)

(30)

(23)

(0.02)

Translated earnings contract gain (3)

(232)

(171)

(0.18)

Acquisition-related costs (4)

37

29

0.03

Discrete tax items and other tax-related
  adjustments (5)

(40)

(0.04)

Litigation, regulatory and other legal
  matters (6)

11

8

0.01

Restructuring, impairment and other
  charges and credits (7)

9

2

Core performance measures

$

3,045

$

32

$

595

$

476

20.0%

$

0.51

(a)Based upon statutory tax rates in the specific jurisdiction for each event.

(b)The amount includes $20 million that was reflected in GAAP earnings in earlier periods to conform to the Company’s current presentation.

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

33


Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019

Income

before

Effective

Net

Equity

income

Net

tax

Per

sales

earnings

taxes

income

rate (a)

share

As reported – GAAP

$

8,686

$

81

$

1,199

$

928

22.6%

$

1.03

Constant-currency adjustment (1)

119

1

93

137

0.15

Translation loss on Japanese
  yen-denominated debt (2)

10

9

0.01

Translated earnings contract gain (3)

(161)

(125)

(0.14)

Acquisition-related costs (4)

102

76

0.08

Discrete tax items and other tax-related
  adjustments (5)

(20)

(0.02)

Litigation, regulatory and other legal matters (6)

(24)

(19)

(0.02)

Restructuring, impairment and other
  charges and credits (7)

6

222

176

0.19

Equity in earnings of affiliated
  companies (8)

(11)

(11)

(9)

(0.01)

Adjustments related to acquisitions

Pension mark-to-market adjustment (9)

24

19

0.02

Core performance measures

$

8,805

$

77

$

1,454

$

1,172

19.4%

$

1.30

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018

Income

before

Effective

Net

Equity

income

Net

tax

Per

sales

earnings

taxes

income

rate (a)

share

As reported - GAAP

$

8,255

$

102

$

1,157

$

774

33.1%

$

0.82

Constant-currency adjustment (1)

62

1

110

114

0.12

Translation gain on Japanese
  yen-denominated debt (2)

(28)

(21)

(0.02)

Translated earnings contract gain (3)

(85)

(50)

(0.05)

Acquisition-related costs (4)

95

74

0.08

Discrete tax items and other tax-related
  adjustments (5)

103

0.11

Litigation, regulatory and other legal
  matters (6)

143

111

0.12

Restructuring, impairment and other
  charges and credits (7)

58

40

0.04

Equity in earnings of affiliated
  companies (8)

(14)

(14)

(12)

(0.01)

Pension mark-to-market adjustment (9)

1

1

Core performance measures

$

8,317

$

89

$

1,437

$

1,134

21.1%

$

1.20

(a)Based upon statutory tax rates in the specific jurisdiction for each event.

See Part 1, Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, Results of Operations – Core Performance Measures, Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures, “Items which we exclude from GAAP measures to report core performance measures” for the descriptions of the footnoted reconciling items.


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

34


Items which we exclude from GAAP measures to report core performance measures are as follows:

(1)

Constant-currency adjustment:  Because a significant portion of segment revenues and expenses are denominated in currencies other than the US dollar, management believes it is important to understand the impact on core net income of translating these currencies into U.S. dollars.  Our Display Technologies segment sales and net income are primarily denominated in Japanese yen, but also impacted by the Korean won, Chinese yuan, and new Taiwan dollar.  Beginning January 1, 2019, as our Environmental Technologies and Life Science segments sales and net income are impacted by the euro, Chinese yuan and Japanese yen, these segments will also be presented on a constant-currency basis.  We have not recast the prior periods for these two segments as the impact of fluctuations in these currencies are not material for prior periods.  Presenting results on a constant-currency basis mitigates the translation impact and allows management to evaluate performance period over period, analyze underlying trends in our businesses, and establish operational goals and forecasts.  We establish constant-currency rates based on internally derived management estimates which are closely aligned with the currencies we have hedged.

Constant-currency rates are as follows:

Currency

Japanese yen

Korean won

Chinese yuan

New Taiwan dollar

Euro

Rate

¥107

₩1,175

¥6.7

NT$31

€.81

(2)

Translation (gain) loss on Japanese yen-denominated debt: We have excluded the gain or loss on the translation of our yen-denominated debt to U.S. dollars.

(3)

Translated earnings contract (gain) loss: We have excluded the impact of the realized and unrealized gains and losses of our Japanese yen, euro, South Korean won, new Taiwan dollar and Chinese yuan-denominated foreign currency hedges related to translated earnings, as well as the unrealized gains and losses of our British pound-denominated foreign currency hedges related to translated earnings.

(4)

Acquisition-related costs: These expenses include intangible amortization, inventory valuation adjustments and external acquisition-related deal costs.

(5)

Discrete tax items and other tax-related adjustments: These include discrete period tax items such as changes in tax law, the impact of tax audits, changes in judgement about the realizability of certain deferred tax assets and other tax-related adjustments.

(6)

Litigation, regulatory and other legal matters: Includes amounts that reflect developments in commercial litigation, intellectual property disputes, adjustments to our estimated liability for environmental-related items and other legal matters.

(7)

Restructuring, impairment and other charges and credits: This amount includes restructuring, impairment and other charges and credits, as well as other expenses, primarily accelerated depreciation and asset write-offs, which are not related to continuing operations and are not classified as restructuring expense.

(8)

Equity in earnings of affiliated companies: These adjustments relate to costs not related to continuing operations of our affiliated companies, such as restructuring, impairment, other charges and credits and settlements under “take-or-pay” contracts.

(9)

Pension mark-to-market adjustment: Defined benefit pension mark-to-market gains and losses, which arise from changes in actuarial assumptions and the difference between actual and expected returns on plan assets and discount rates.


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

35


REPORTABLE SEGMENTS

Our reportable segments are as follows:

Display Technologies – manufactures glass substrates primarily for flat panel displays.

Optical Communications – manufactures carrier and enterprise network components for the telecommunications industry.

Specialty Materials – manufactures products that provide more than 150 material formulations for glass, glass ceramics and fluoride crystals to meet demand for unique customer needs.

Environmental Technologies – manufactures ceramic substrates and filters for automotive and diesel emission control applications.

Life Sciences – manufactures glass and plastic labware, equipment, media and reagents enabling workflow solutions for scientific applications.

All other segments that do not meet the quantitative threshold for separate reporting have been grouped as “All Other.” This group is primarily comprised of the results of the pharmaceutical technologies business, auto glass, new product lines and development projects, as well as certain corporate investments such as Eurokera and Keraglass equity affiliates.

We prepared the financial results for our reportable segments on a basis consistent with our internal disaggregation of financial information to assist in making internal operating decisions. We use a segment tax rate of 21% when presenting segment information. The impact of changes in the Japanese yen, euro, Korean won, Chinese yuan and new Taiwan dollar are excluded from segment sales and segment net income for the Display Technologies, Specialty Materials, Environmental Technologies and Life Science segments. Certain corporate income and expenses are included in the unallocated amounts in the reconciliation of reportable segment net income to consolidated net income. These include items that are not used by our CODM in evaluating the results of, or in allocating resources to, our segments and include the following items: the impact of our translated earnings contracts; acquisition-related costs; discrete tax items and other tax-related adjustments; certain litigation, regulatory and other legal matters; restructuring, impairment and other charges and credits; adjustments relating to acquisitions; and other non-recurring non-operational items. Although we exclude these amounts from segment results, they are included in reported consolidated results.

We included the earnings of equity affiliates that are closely associated with our reportable segments in the respective segment’s net income. We have allocated certain common expenses among reportable segments differently than we would for stand-alone financial information. Segment net income may not be consistent with measures used by other companies.

Display Technologies

The following table provides net sales and net income for the Display Technologies segment (in millions):

Three months ended

%

Nine months ended

%

September 30,

change

September 30,

change

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

Segment net sales

$

793

$

852

(7%)

$

2,459

$

2,377

3%

Segment net income

$

185

$

218

(15%)

$

606

$

595

2%

Net sales in the Display Technologies segment decreased by $59 million in the three months ended September 30, 2019, driven by volume decreases and display glass price declines in the low single-digits. Net sales in the Display Technologies segment increased by $82 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, with the increase in glass volume in the high-single digits in percentage terms more than offsetting moderate price declines.

Net income in the Display Technologies segment decreased by $33 million and increased by $11 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, driven by the changes in sales outlined above.

Outlook:

For the fourth quarter of 2019, we expect our volume to be down mid-single digits sequentially. Fourth-quarter display glass prices are expected to decline slightly from the third quarter. We expect full-year pricing to be down low-single digits year-over-year.


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

36


Optical Communications

The following table provides net sales and net income for the Optical Communications segment (in millions):

Three months ended

%

Nine months ended

%

September 30,

change

September 30,

change

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

Segment net sales

$

1,007

$

1,117

(10%)

$

3,161

$

3,026

4%

Segment net income

$

127

$

168

(24%)

$

427

$

427

0%

Optical Communications net sales declined $110 million, or 10%, in the three months ended September 30, 2019. Net sales of carrier products were $105 million lower due to general market weakness and capital spending reductions by several major carriers. Net sales of enterprise products were $5 million lower.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, net sales increased $135 million, or 4%, primarily due to increased sales of enterprise network products of $152 million offset by lower sales of $17 million for carrier products. The acquisition of CMD, which took place during June of 2018, contributed to year-over-year sales growth.

Net income decreased by $41 million, or 24%, and remained flat, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, primarily driven by the changes in sales, outlined above.

Outlook:

In the fourth quarter, Optical Communications sales are expected to decrease approximately 25 percent year-over-year. We expect full-year sales to decline 3 to 5 percent.

Specialty Materials

The following table provides net sales and net income for the Specialty Materials segment (in millions):

Three months ended

%

Nine months ended

%

September 30,

change

September 30,

change

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

Segment net sales

$

463

$

459

1%

$

1,141

$

1,080

6%

Segment net income

$

92

$

116

(21%)

$

208

$

226

(8%)

Net sales in the Specialty Materials segment increased by $4 million, or 1%, and $61 million, or 6%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. Increased sales of Gorilla Glass and Advanced Optics products drove the increase for the first half of 2019. However, third quarter shipments of Gorilla Glass in China were lower due to the current trade environment and sales of Advanced Optics products were down due to semiconductor market weakness.

Net income decreased by $24 million, or 21%, and $18 million, or 8% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, impacted by the sales drivers outlined above.

Outlook:

The company expects full-year sales growth, despite a maturing smartphone market. For the fourth-quarter, sales are expected to be consistent year over year.


© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

37


Environmental Technologies

The following table provides net sales and net income for the Environmental Technologies segment (in millions):

Three months ended

%

Nine months ended

%

September 30,

change

September 30,

change

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

Segment net sales

$

397

$

331

20%

$

1,125

$

970

16%

Segment net income

$

79

$

60

32%

$

199

$

166

20%

Net sales in the Environmental Technologies segment increased $66 million, or 20%, and $155 million, or 16%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. Automotive product sales increased $70 million and $125 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, due to continued sales growth of gasoline particulate filters. Diesel product sales decreased $4 million and increased $30 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

Net income increased by $19 million, or 32%, and $33 million, or 20%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, primarily driven by increases in sales outlined above.

Outlook:

This strong performance is expected to continue in the fourth quarter, with sales growth up by a low-teen percentage year over year, leading to full-year sales growth expectations of a mid-teen percentage.

Life Sciences

The following table provides net sales and net income for the Life Sciences segment (in millions):

Three months ended

%

Nine months ended

%

September 30,

change

September 30,

change

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

Segment net sales

$

256

$

231

11%

$

759

$

708

7%

Segment net income

$

41

$

30

37%

$

112

$

88

27%

Net sales in the Life Sciences segment increased by $25 million, or 11%, and $51 million, or 7%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, as volume grew faster than the underlying market.

Net income increased by $11 million, or 37%, and $24 million, or 27%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. The increase was driven by the sales increase outlined above and improved manufacturing efficiencies.

Outlook:

Fourth-quarter and full-year sales are expected to grow mid-single digits year over year.

All Other

All other segments that do not meet the quantitative threshold for separate reporting have been grouped as “All Other.” This group is primarily comprised of the results of the pharmaceutical technologies business and new product lines and development projects, as well as certain corporate investments such as Eurokera and Keraglass equity affiliates.

The following table provides net sales and net income for All Other (in millions):

Three months ended

%

Nine months ended

%

September 30,

change

September 30,

change

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

2019

2018

19 vs. 18

Segment net sales

$

53

$

55

(4%)

$

160

$

156

3%

Segment net loss

$

(70)

$

(72)

3%

$

(210)

$

(224)

6%

© 2019 Corning Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.

38


Net sales of this segment decreased by $2 million, or 4%, and increased by $4 million, or 3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 when compared to the same periods in 2018, driven primarily by sales changes in our emerging businesses. Net loss decreased by $2 million, or 3%, and $14 million, or 6%, primarily driven by lower spending on development projects when compared to the same periods in 2018.

CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Financing and Capital Resources

The following items impacted Corning’s financing and capital structure in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018:

Debt Issuances

2019

In the third quarter of 2019, Corning issued two Japanese yen-denominated debt securities (the “Notes”), as follows:

¥31.3 billion 1.153% senior unsecured notes with a maturity of 12 years; and

¥5.9 billion 1.513% senior unsecured notes with a maturity of 20 years.

The proceeds from the Notes were received in Japanese yen and converted to U.S. dollars on the date of issuance. The net proceeds received in U.S. dollars, after deducting offering expenses, were approximately $349 million and will be used for general corporate purposes. Payments of principal and interest on the Notes will be in Japanese yen, or should yen be unavailable due to circumstances beyond Corning’s control, a U.S. dollar equivalent.

2018

In the second quarter of 2018, Corning issued ¥65.5 billion Japanese yen-denominated debt securities in tranches of 7, 10 and 12 years. The proceeds from these notes were received in Japanese yen and immediately converted to U.S. dollars on the date of issuance. The net proceeds received in U.S. dollars, after deducting offering expenses, was $596 million. Payments of principal and interest on the notes will be in Japanese yen, or should yen be unavailable due to circumstances beyond Corning’s control, a U.S. dollar equivalent.

In the third quarter of 2018, Corning amended and restated its revolving credit agreement (the “Revolving Credit Agreement”). The Revolving Credit Agreement provides a $1.5 billion unsecured multi-currency line of credit and expires August 15, 2023. The Revolving Credit Agreement includes affirmative and negative covenants with which Corning must comply, including a leverage (debt to capital ratio) financial covenant. The required leverage ratio is a maximum of 60%.

Share Repurchase Program

In December 2016, Corning’s Board of Directors approved a $4 billion share repurchase program with no expiration date (the “2016 Repurchase Program”). On April 26, 2018, Corning’s Board of Directors approved a $2 billion share repurchase program with no expiration date (the “2018 Repurchase Program”). On July 17, 2019, Corning’s Board of Directors authorized $5 billion in share repurchases with no expiration date (the “2019 Repurchase Authorization”).

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company repurchased 10.8 and 23.4 million shares of common stock on the open market for approximately $308 million and $703 million, respectively, as part of its 2018 Repurchase Program.

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased 11.8 million and 63.4 million shares of common stock on the open market for approximately $384 million and $1.9 billion, respectively, as part of its 2016 and 2018 Repurchase Programs.

Capital Spending

Capital spending totaled $1.6 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. We expect our 2019 capital expenditures to be approximately $2.0 billion.


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Cash Flow

Summary of cash flow data (in millions):

Nine months ended

September 30,

2019

2018

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

1,013

$

1,978

Net cash used in investing activities

$

(1,534)

$

(2,266)

Net cash used in financing activities

$

(833)

$

(2,116)

Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $965 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, when compared to the same period in the prior year. The change was primarily driven by fewer customer deposits and incentives received of $689 million, and a larger increase in working capital as compared to the same period in 2018.

Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $732 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 when compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by last year’s acquisition of substantially all of CMD for approximately $800 million.

Net cash used in financing activities in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 decreased by $1.3 billion when compared to the same period last year, driven primarily by a decrease of $1.2 billion in share repurchases.

Defined Benefit Pension Plans

We have defined benefit pension plans covering certain domestic and international employees. Our funding policy is to contribute, over time, an amount exceeding the minimum requirements to achieve the Company’s long-term funding targets. During 2019, we do not expect to make cash contributions to our U.S. qualified pension plan but do expect to contribute $31 million to our international pension plans.

Key Balance Sheet Data

Balance sheet and working capital measures are provided in the following table (in millions):

September 30,

December 31,

2019

2018

Working capital

$

2,556

$

3,723

Current ratio

1.7:1

2.1:1

Trade accounts receivable, net of allowances

$

2,024

$

1,940

Days sales outstanding

62

58

Inventories

$

2,337

$

2,037

Inventory turns

3.3

3.6

Days payable outstanding (1)

47

55

Long-term debt

$

6,225

$

5,994

Total debt to total capital

33%

30%

(1)Includes trade payables only.

Management Assessment of Liquidity

We ended the third quarter of 2019 with approximately $1.0 billion of cash and cash equivalents. Our cash and cash equivalents are held in various locations throughout the world, with approximately 73% held outside of the United States, and are generally unrestricted. We utilize a variety of strategies to ensure that our worldwide cash is available in the locations in which it is needed.

Corning also has a commercial paper program pursuant to which we may issue short-term, unsecured commercial paper up to a maximum aggregate principal amount outstanding at any one time of $1.5 billion. Under this program, the Company may issue the paper from time to time and will use the proceeds for general corporate purposes. The Company’s Revolving Credit Agreement is available to support obligations under the commercial paper program, if needed. Corning had no outstanding commercial paper at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Other

We complete comprehensive reviews of our significant customers and their creditworthiness by analyzing their financial strength at least annually or more frequently for customers where we have identified a measure of increased risk. We closely monitor payments

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and developments which may signal possible customer credit issues. We currently have not identified any potential material impact on our liquidity resulting from customer credit issues.

Our major sources of funding for 2019 and beyond will be our operating cash flow and proceeds from any issuances of debt. We believe we have sufficient liquidity to fund operations, acquisitions, capital expenditures, scheduled debt repayments, dividend payments and share repurchase programs.

Our Revolving Credit Agreement includes affirmative and negative covenants with which we must comply, including a leverage (debt to capital ratio) financial covenant. The required leverage ratio is a maximum of 60%. At September 30, 2019, our leverage using this measure was approximately 33%. As of September 30, 2019, we were in compliance and no amounts were outstanding.

Our debt instruments contain customary event of default provisions, which allow the lenders the option of accelerating all obligations upon the occurrence of certain events. In addition, some of our debt instruments contain a cross default provision, whereby an uncured default of a specified amount on one debt obligation of the Company, also would be considered a default under the terms of another debt instrument. As of September 30, 2019, we were in compliance with all such provisions.

Management is not aware of any known trends or any known demands, commitments, events or uncertainties that will result in or that are reasonably likely to result in a material decrease in our liquidity. In addition, other than items discussed, there are no known material trends, favorable or unfavorable, in our capital resources and no expected material changes in the mix and relative cost of such resources.

Off Balance Sheet Arrangements

There have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business in our off-balance sheet arrangements as disclosed in our 2018 Form 10-K under the caption “Off Balance Sheet Arrangements.”

Contractual Obligations

There have been no material changes outside the ordinary course of business in the contractual obligations disclosed in our 2018 Form 10-K under the caption “Contractual Obligations.”


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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts reported therein. The estimates that require management’s most difficult, subjective or complex judgments are described in our 2018 Form 10-K and remain unchanged through the first nine months of 2019. For certain items, additional details are provided below.

Impairment of Assets Held for Use

We are required to assess the recoverability of the carrying value of long-lived assets when an indicator of impairment has been identified. We review our long-lived assets in each quarter in which impairment indicators are present. We must exercise judgment in assessing whether an event of impairment has occurred.

Manufacturing equipment includes certain components of production equipment that are constructed of precious metals, primarily platinum and rhodium. These metals are not depreciated because they have very low physical losses and are repeatedly reclaimed and reused in our manufacturing process and have a very long useful life. Precious metals are reviewed for impairment as part of our assessment of long-lived assets. This review considers all the Company’s precious metals that are either in place in the production process; in reclamation, fabrication, or refinement in anticipation of re-use; or awaiting use to support increased capacity. Precious metals are only acquired to support our manufacturing operations and are not held for trading or other purposes.

At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the carrying value of precious metals was lower than the fair market value by $578 million and higher than the fair market value by $719 million, respectively. These precious metals are utilized by the Display Technologies and Specialty Materials segments. Corning believes these precious metal assets to be recoverable due to the significant positive cash flow in both segments. The potential for impairment exists in the future if negative events significantly decrease the cash flow of these segments. Such events include, but are not limited to, a significant decrease in demand for products or a significant decrease in profitability in our Display Technologies or Specialty Materials segments.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

Refer to Note 1 (Significant Accounting Policies) to the consolidated financial statements.

ENVIRONMENT

Corning has been named by the Environmental Protection Agency (“the Agency”) under the Superfund Act, or by state governments under similar state laws, as a potentially responsible party for 15 active hazardous waste sites. Under the Superfund Act, all parties who may have contributed any waste to a hazardous waste site, identified by the Agency, are jointly and severally liable for the cost of cleanup unless the Agency agrees otherwise. It is Corning’s policy to accrue for its estimated liability related to Superfund sites and other environmental liabilities related to property owned by Corning based on expert analysis and continual monitoring by both internal and external consultants. At September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, Corning had accrued approximately $39 million and $30 million, respectively, for the undiscounted estimated liability for environmental cleanup and related litigation. Based upon the information developed to date, management believes that the accrued reserve is a reasonable estimate of the Company’s liability and that the risk of an additional loss in an amount materially higher than that accrued is remote.

 

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, in reports subsequently filed by Corning with the SEC on Forms 8-K, and related comments by management that are not historical facts or information and contain words such as “will,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “seek,” “see,” “would,” and “target” and similar expressions are forward-looking statements. Such statements relate to future events that by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the company’s future operating performance, the company's share of new and existing markets, the company's revenue and earnings growth rates, the company’s ability to innovate and commercialize new products, and the company’s implementation of cost-reduction initiatives and measures to improve pricing, including the optimization of the company’s manufacturing capacity.


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Although the company believes that these forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions regarding, among other things, current estimates and forecasts, general economic conditions, its knowledge of its business, and key performance indicators that impact the company, actual results could differ materially. The company does not undertake to update forward-looking statements. Some of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to:

the effects of acquisitions, dispositions and other similar transactions;

global business, financial, economic and political conditions;

tariffs and import duties;

currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and other currencies, primarily the Japanese yen, new Taiwan dollar, euro, Chinese yuan and South Korean won;

product demand and industry capacity;

competitive products and pricing;

availability and costs of critical components and materials;

new product development and commercialization;

order activity and demand from major customers;

the amount and timing of our cash flows and earnings and other conditions, which may affect our ability to pay our quarterly dividend at the planned level or to repurchase shares at planned levels; 

possible disruption in commercial activities due to terrorist activity, cyber-attack, armed conflict, political or financial instability, natural disasters, or major health concerns;

loss of intellectual property due to theft, cyber-attack, or disruption to our information technology infrastructure;

unanticipated disruption to equipment, facilities, IT systems or operations;

effect of regulatory and legal developments;

ability to pace capital spending to anticipated levels of customer demand;

rate of technology change;

ability to enforce patents and protect intellectual property and trade secrets;

adverse litigation;

product and components performance issues;

retention of key personnel;

customer ability, most notably in the Display Technologies segment, to maintain profitable operations and obtain financing to fund ongoing operations and manufacturing expansions and pay receivables when due;

loss of significant customers;

changes in tax laws and regulations including the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act;

the impacts of audits by taxing authorities;

the potential impact of legislation, government regulations, and other government action and investigations; and

other risks detailed in Corning’s SEC filings. 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Market Risk Disclosures

As noted in our 2018 Form 10-K, we operate and conduct business in many foreign countries and as a result are exposed to fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and other currencies. Volatility in the global financial markets could increase the volatility of foreign currency exchange rates which would, in turn, impact our sales and net income. For a discussion of our exposure to market risk and how we mitigate that risk, refer to Part II, Item 1A, Risk Factors in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Part II, Item 7A, Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risks, contained in our 2018 Form 10-K.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Under the supervision of and with the participation of Corning’s management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, we evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), as of September 30, 2019, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, we have concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of that date. Corning’s disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by Corning in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to Corning’s management, including Corning’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or other persons performing similar functions, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

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An evaluation of our internal controls over financial reporting was also performed to determine whether any changes have occurred during the period covered by this Report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. The chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that there was no change in Corning’s internal control over financial reporting that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, internal control over financial reporting.  

Part II – Other Information

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

Environmental Litigation. See our 2018 Form 10-K, Part I, Item 3. For additional information and updates to estimated liabilities as of September 30, 2019, see Part I, Item 1, Financial Statements, Note 3 (Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees) of the Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 1 of this quarterly report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

In addition to other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2018 Form 10-K, which could materially impact our business, financial condition or future results. Risks disclosed in our 2018 Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may materially adversely impact our business, financial condition or operating results. There have been no material changes to Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2018 Form 10-K

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

This table provides information about our purchases of our common stock during the third quarter of 2019:

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Number of

Approximate dollar

shares purchased as

value of shares that

Total number

Average

part of publicly

may yet be purchased

of shares

price paid

announced plan

under the plans

Period

purchased (1)

per share 

or program 

or programs 

July 1 - 31, 2019

1,323,905

$

32.61

1,279,950

August 1 - 31, 2019

5,533,439

27.92

5,533,439

September 1 - 30, 2019

3,958,043

28.33

3,951,800

$

5,645,119,899

Total

10,815,387

$

28.64

10,765,189

$

5,645,119,899

(1)This column reflects the following transactions during the third quarter of 2019: (i) the deemed surrender to us of 14,895 shares of common stock to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of employee restricted stock units; (ii) the surrender to us of 35,303 shares of common stock to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the vesting of restricted stock issued to employees; and (iii) the purchase of 10,765,189 shares of common stock under the 2018 Repurchase Program.


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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

(a)

Exhibits

Exhibit Number

Exhibit Name

31.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act

31.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Exchange Act

32

Certification Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350

101.INS

XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document

101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document

101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Definition Document


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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Corning Incorporated

(Registrant)

October 30, 2019

/s/ Edward A. Schlesinger

Date

Edward A. Schlesinger

Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller

 

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