NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND
2018, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019
(Thousands of dollars)
The following description of the Ericsson US 401(k) Plan (the Plan) provides only general information. Participants should refer to the Plan agreement for a more complete description of the
Plans provision. The Plan was created by action of the board of directors of Ericsson Inc. (the Company or Ericsson or the Employer) on May 27, 1983, effective July 1, 1983. The Plan is a defined
contribution plan and is administered by an administrative committee (the Committee) which monitors the investment objectives and performance of the Plans individual investment options.
The Plan is a single employer plan.
Effective August 24, 2009, a Master Trust was created to permit the commingling of trust assets of both the Plan and the Ericsson Services 401(k) Plan. On December 28, 2012 the Ericsson Services
401(k) Plan was merged into the Ericsson US 401(k) Plan formerly called the Ericsson Capital Accumulation and Savings Plan. Total assets transferred into the Plan due to the merger were approximately $140,800. Effective July 18, 2016 Great-West
Trust (Trustee) was made trustee of the Plan and the Master Trust was dissolved. JPMorgan Chase Bank Investor Services was the former trustee (former Trustee). Currently, Empower Retirement, the retirement services business
of Great-West Financial, is the recordkeeper of the Plan.
Each pay period participant contributions are made to the Trustee
for investment. There is currently one stable value fund, six mutual funds, six commingled funds, ten common collective trusts and two separate accounts. In addition, there is a self directed brokerage account (SDA) to which
participants may direct their investments. The SDA allows access to a wide variety of mutual funds, stocks and bonds. Brokerage services are provided through the Trustee. Employees interested in SDA can contact Empower or by visiting
empower-retirement.com/participant to request an enrollment kit which includes application information or can contact the call center and request an application. Participants can choose these options for their contributions as well as the Company
contributions.
Effective January 31, 2019 the CENX, Inc. 401(k) Plan was merged into the Plan. This allowed the CENX
employees who satisfied the eligibility requirements of the Plan participation in the Plan. Total assets transferred into the Plan due to the merger were approximately $1,272.
2.
|
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
|
Basis of Accounting
The Plans financial statements are presented
using the accrual method of accounting in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities and changes therein. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
7
ERICSSON US 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2019
(Thousands of dollars)
Risks and Uncertainties
The Plan provides for various investment options of specified registered investment companies. The underlying investments held by the
registered investment companies may include stocks, bonds, fixed income securities, mutual funds and other investment securities. Such investments are exposed to various risks, such as interest rate, market and credit risk. Due to the level of risk
associated with certain investment securities and the level of uncertainty related to changes in the value of investment securities, it is at least reasonably possible that changes in the values of investment securities in the near term could
materially affect participants account balances and the amounts reported in the statement of net assets available for benefits.
Contributions and Contribution Receivables
Contributions are recorded on
the accrual method of accounting. Contributions receivable are obligations arising from amounts owed to the Plan from participants or the Employer that have not been included in the Plans investments at year end. Contributions receivable are
recorded at cost, which approximates their fair value. Total contributions receivable were $1,430 and $1,690 at December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Valuation of Investments
The Plans investments are reported at fair
value, with the exception of the Stable Value Funds which are reported at contract value. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction
between market participants at the measurement date (the exit price). See Note 4 for further discussion of fair value and fair value measurements. See Note 8 for further discussion of investment carried at contract value.
Investment Income
Purchases and sales of the investments within the Plan are reflected on a trade-date basis. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date. Interest
income is recorded on the accrual basis.
Security Transactions
The Plan presents in the Statement of Changes in Net Assets Available for Benefits the net appreciation or depreciation in the fair value
of its investments which consists of the realized gains and losses and the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on those investments. Realized gains and losses on security transactions are determined on the trade date (the date the order to buy or
sell is executed) as the difference between proceeds received and historical cost. Unrealized gains and losses represent the net change in market value of investments held during the year which are presented at fair value, with adjustments for
investments sold.
Upon withdrawal from the Plan, participants invested in Company stock may elect to receive cash or Company
stock. Whenever a participant receives stock, the difference between the cost of such stock and the market value on the applicable valuation date is reflected as a realized gain or loss of the Plan. Gains or losses are also realized whenever stocks
are sold in satisfaction of the participants election to take cash upon withdrawal.
8
ERICSSON US 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2019
(Thousands of dollars)
Vesting and Forfeitures
Company and active participants capital accumulation contributions, and participants savings contributions, and the earnings
thereon, are fully and immediately vested, with the exception of non-active participants transferred in from other plans, which continue to be subject to the former plans vesting requirements.
Accordingly, the forfeiture balance as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 was$2,328 and $1,889, respectively. During 2019, $99 of forfeitures were used to pay Plan administrative expenses.
Expenses of the Plan
All net costs and expenses of the Plan and its administration, including all fees and expenses of the Trustee, are paid by the Company. All taxes, commissions and other charges on purchases, sales and
transfers of Company stock and other securities are paid by the Trustee out of the fund or account involved in such purchase or sale. Participants are responsible for their own managed account fees, brokerage fees, and loan fees. A quarterly
administrative fee is charged to each participants account.
Administration
The Committee is responsible for the general administration of the Plan and for carrying out its provisions. Members of the Committee
serve without compensation from the Plan.
Notes Receivable from Participants
Notes receivables from participants may be granted to participants in an amount not to exceed 50% of the participants contribution
account. The maximum loan amount is fifty thousand dollars minus the participants highest loan balance (if any) during the previous 12 months; the minimum loan amount is one thousand dollars. Loans may be repaid through payroll deductions over
a selected period between 12 months and 60 months. An employee is allowed only one loan at a time. If an employee misses payments, he/she will be required to make up the payments and accrued interest immediately. Failure to keep the loan current
could result in the loan being classified as a deemed distribution, which is taxable income to the employee. Interest on the loan is set at the time of issuance, and the rate is the prime rate plus 1%. At December 31, 2019, interest
rates range from 4.25% to 7.00%.
Termination Priorities
The Company reserves the right, by action of the board, to amend, suspend or terminate the Plan. In the event that the Plan is terminated
or the Company discontinues its contributions, all amounts allocated to the participants accounts and all assets held under the Plan will be held for distribution to the participants.
The Company currently has no plans to terminate the Plan.
Benefit Payments
At December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no benefit
claims which had been processed and approved for payment but not yet paid. At Empower Retirement, the recordkeeper of the Plan, benefit payments are determined, paid and taxed to participants based upon the date the check is first processed. For
financial statement purposes, benefit payments are recorded when paid.
9
ERICSSON US 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2019
(Thousands of dollars)
The Company offers the Plan for eligible U.S. employees to which qualified employees may elect to contribute stated percentages of eligible pay. Participation by eligible employees is voluntary and is
defined as any regular salaried or hourly employee who is employed by a participating employer and receives regular compensation in the form of a weekly, biweekly semi-monthly or monthly salary from an Ericsson U.S. payroll. All eligible employees
may immediately participate in the Plan. At December 31, 2019 and 2018, the number of active participants were roughly 6,500, respectively.
Eligible participants may contribute on a pre-tax and/or Roth basis any whole percentage from 1% to 50% of their eligible earnings up to current IRS limits into the
Capital Accumulation 401(k) portion of the Plan; participants may also contribute any whole percentage from 1% to 5% of their eligible earnings to the Savings portion on an after-tax basis. The Company
contributes 3% of a participants eligible pay for employees who are not actively participating in the Companys Defined Benefit Plan, whether or not the employee contributes. The Company also matches 100% of the first 3% and an additional
50% on the 4th % and 5th % contributed. All employee and Employer contributions are 100%
vested immediately.
Participants may change their percentage payroll deduction elections at anytime during the year using the web-based Empower Retirement Retireonline system. Participants may change investment percentages between funds at any time during the year. Participants may transfer existing fund balances to other
available investment options at any time during the year. There are no restrictions on the transfer of investment balances from L M Ericsson Telephone Co. shares of Common Stock to other investment funds.
Each participants account is credited with the participants contributions, Company contributions and Plan earnings. The
benefit to which a participant is entitled is the benefit that can be provided from the participants vested account. Participants may direct the investment of their account balances into various investment options offered by the Plan.
Participants may, at any time, request certain in-service withdrawals in the form of a
normal or hardship withdrawal. Normal withdrawals may be requested from the Employee Savings account and Company Savings account for money that has been in the Plan for at least 24 full calendar months. Hardship withdrawals must meet certain
requirements including approval by the Committee.
4.
|
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
|
The accounting standards establish a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as
quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists,
therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.
10
ERICSSON US 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2019
(Thousands of dollars)
Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are based on one or more of the following
three valuation techniques noted in Accounting Standards Codification ASC Topic 820; A) Market approach: Prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets and liabilities. B)
Cost approach: Amount that would be required to replace the service capacity of an asset (replacement cost). C) Income approach: Techniques to convert future amounts to a single present amount based upon market expectation (including present value
techniques, option-pricing and excess earnings models).
The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for
the investments measured at fair value, including the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.
Mutual Funds
Mutual funds represent investments with various
registered investment managers. The fair values of these investments are determined by reference to the funds underlying assets, which are principally marketable equity and fixed income securities. Shares held in mutual funds traded on
national securities exchanges are valued at the quoted market price as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 and classified as Level 1 assets.
Self-Directed Brokerage Accounts (SDA)
A majority of the SDA
accounts include investments in cash and cash equivalents, common stock, and registered investment companies and are classified as Level 2 investments. Cash and cash equivalent investments include cash and short-term interest-bearing
investments with initial maturities of three months or less. Such amounts are recorded at cost, plus accrued interest. Common stock traded in active markets on national securities exchanges are valued at closing prices on the last business day
of each period presented. Securities traded in markets that are not considered active are valued based on quoted market prices, broker or dealer quotations, or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. Securities that
trade infrequently and therefore have little or no price transparency are valued using the Plans investment managers best estimates. Mutual funds in registered investment companies are valued as mentioned above.
Commingled Funds and Common Collective Trusts
Valued using the Net Asset Value (NAV) provided by the administrator of the fund. The NAV is based on the value of the underlying assets owned by the fund minus applicable costs and
liabilities and then divided by the number of shares outstanding. As these assets are measured at net asset value, they are therefore excluded from the fair value hierarchy and included in other.
Common Stocks
Ericsson Inc. common stock and common stocks held in participant-directed brokerage accounts are stated at fair value as quoted on a recognized securities exchange and are valued at the last reported
sales price on the last business day of the Plan year and are classified as Level 1 investments.
11
ERICSSON US 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2019
(Thousands of dollars)
Separately Managed Accounts
Self-managed fund consisting of a portfolio of assets under the management of a professional investment firm and primarily valued using
prices obtained from independent pricing services and are classified as Level 2 investments.
The following tables provide
information about the financial assets carried at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 2018.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2019
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Other (a)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Mutual funds
|
|
$
|
615,890
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
615,890
|
|
Separate accounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
259,587
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
259,587
|
|
Ericsson stock fund
|
|
|
40,943
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,943
|
|
Commingled funds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,320,513
|
|
|
|
1,320,513
|
|
NAV
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
535,125
|
|
|
|
535,125
|
|
Self-directed accounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81,163
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
81,163
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments at fair value
|
|
$
|
656,833
|
|
|
$
|
340,750
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,855,638
|
|
|
$
|
2,853,221
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
December 31, 2018
|
|
Level 1
|
|
|
Level 2
|
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
Other (a)
|
|
|
Total
|
|
Mutual funds
|
|
$
|
547,102
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
547,102
|
|
Separate accounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
212,585
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
212,585
|
|
Ericsson stock fund
|
|
|
40,240
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
40,240
|
|
Commingled funds
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1,122,574
|
|
|
|
1,122,574
|
|
NAV
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
462,355
|
|
|
|
462,355
|
|
Self-directed accounts
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67,406
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
67,406
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total investments at fair value
|
|
$
|
587,342
|
|
|
$
|
279,991
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
$
|
1,584,929
|
|
|
$
|
2,452,262
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(a)
|
- As these assets are measured at net asset value they are therefore excluded from the fair value hierarchy and included in other.
|
12
ERICSSON US 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2019
(Thousands of dollars)
5.
|
NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
|
The following table for December 31, 2019 and 2018, sets forth a summary of the Plans investments with a reported NAV.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fair Value Estimated Using NAV per Share
|
Investment
|
|
December 31
2019 Fair
Value
(a)
|
|
|
December 31
2018 Fair Value
(a)
|
|
|
Unfunded
Commitment
|
|
|
Redemption
Frequency
|
|
Other
Redemption
Restrictions
|
|
Redemption Notice Period
|
Asset allocation fund (b)
|
|
$
|
535,125
|
|
|
$
|
462,355
|
|
|
$
|
|
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
Intermediate-Term Bond (c)
|
|
|
107,287
|
|
|
|
98,757
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
Multiple Investment Trust (d)
|
|
|
338,606
|
|
|
|
291,320
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
Mid-Cap Value Equity Trust (e)
|
|
|
698,012
|
|
|
|
597,968
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
International Large Blend Trust (f)
|
|
|
176,608
|
|
|
|
134,529
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Daily
|
|
None
|
|
Daily
|
(a)
|
The fair values of the investments have been estimated using the NAV of the investment.
|
(b)
|
The asset allocation fund uses a strategy designed for investors expecting to retire around the year indicated in each funds name, with the
allocation changing on an annual basis, becoming more conservative as the Fund nears the target retirement date. The funds invest in a combination of equity, fixed income and short-term JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A Commingled Pension Trust Funds and/or
funds maintained by unaffiliated banks and trust companies, which includes vehicles with lower levels of active risk.
|
(c)
|
Intermediate-term bond funds aim to generate excess return from top-down sector allocation and bottom-up subsector/security selection. Duration and yield curve are tactically managed.
|
(d)
|
Multiple investment trust is a combination of funds including large cap growth equity trust, mid cap value equity trust, small cap value equity trust,
value yield equity trust, global growth equity trust and real estate securities trust.
|
(e)
|
Mid-cap value equity trust invests its assets in a majority of equity securities of medium-sized companies.
|
(f)
|
International Large Blend Trust measures the investment return of stocks issued by companies located in developed and emerging markets, excluding the
United States.
|
13
ERICSSON US 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2019
(Thousands of dollars)
6.
|
PARTY-IN-INTEREST TRANSACTIONS
|
Certain Plan investments are Common Stock shares of LM Ericsson Telephone Company, a related party of
Ericsson Inc. Ericsson Inc. sponsors the plan; therefore, these investments qualify as a party-in-interest transaction. The Plan recorded purchases of $17,772 and sales
of $16,906 of the Companys stock during the year ended December 31, 2019.
7.
|
TAX STATUS OF THE PLAN
|
Management believes that the Plan is qualified under section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) and therefore, the trust is exempt from taxation under section 501(a). The Internal
Revenue Service granted a favorable letter of determination to the Plan covering its most recent amendments on April 6, 2017. Generally, contributions to a qualified plan are deductible by the Company when made, earnings of the trust are tax
exempt and participants are not taxed on their benefits until withdrawn from the Plan.
Management believes the Plan remains
qualified under the applicable sections of the IRC and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
GAAP requires plan
management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Plan and recognize a tax liability (or asset) if the organization has taken an uncertain position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
The Plan Administrator has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Plan, and has concluded that as of December 31, 2019, there are no uncertain positions taken or expected to be taken that would require recognition of the liability (or asset)
or disclosure in the financial statements. The Plan is subject to routine audits by taxing jurisdictions; however, there are currently no audits for any tax periods in progress.
8.
|
FINANCIAL ASSETS CARRIED AT CONTRACT VALUE
|
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 about the financial assets carried at contract value:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As of December 31,
|
|
2019
|
|
|
2018
|
|
Financial assets at contract value:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Stable Value Funds
|
|
$
|
308,858
|
|
|
$
|
321,547
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Plan holds investments in synthetic guaranteed investment contracts (synthetic GICs) as
part of the stable value fund. The investments in synthetic GICs are presented at fair value on the table of the investments held in the Plan. The fair value of the synthetic GICs equals the total of the fair value of the underlying assets plus the
total wrap rebid value, which is calculated by discounting the annual rebid fee, due to rebid, over the duration of the contract assets.
In determining the net assets available for benefits, the synthetic GICs are recorded at their contract values, which are equal to principal balance plus accrued interest. As provided in ASC 962, an
investment contract is generally valued at contract value, rather than fair value, to the extent it is fully benefit-responsive.
14
ERICSSON US 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2019
(Thousands of dollars)
The Stable Value Funds are credited with earnings on the underlying investments and
charged for participant withdrawals and administrative expenses. The synthetic GICs issuers are contractually obligated to repay the principal and a specified interest rate that is guaranteed to the Plan.
The GICs are included in the financial statements at contract value as reported to the Plan by the Trustee, the investment manager.
Contract value represents contributions made under the contract, plus earnings, less participant withdrawals and administrative expenses. Participants may ordinarily direct the withdrawal or transfer of all or a portion of their investment at
contract value. There are currently no reserves against contract values for credit risk of the contract issuers or otherwise.
9.
|
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS WITH OFF-BALANCE-SHEET RISK IN THE PLAN
|
In accordance with the investment strategy of the managed accounts, the Plans investment managers may execute transactions in
various financial instruments that may give rise to varying degrees of off-balance-sheet market and credit risk. These instruments can be executed on an exchange or negotiated in the OTC market. These
financial instruments include futures, forward settlement contracts, swap and option contracts.
Swap contracts include equity,
credit default and interest rate swap contracts. Equity swaps involve an agreement to exchange cash flows based on the total return of underlying securities.
Credit default swaps involve the exchange of cash flows based on the creditworthiness of the underlying issuer of securities. Interest rate swaps involve an agreement to exchange periodic interest payment
streams (typically fixed vs. variable) calculated on an agreed upon periodic interest rate multiplied by a predetermined notional principal amount.
Market risk arises from the potential for changes in value of financial instruments resulting from fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange rates and in prices of debt and equity securities. The
gross notional (or contractual) amounts used to express the volume of these transactions do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to market risk. In many cases, these financial instruments serve to reduce, rather than increase,
the Plans exposure to losses from market or other risks. In addition, the measurement of market risk is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are identified. The Plans investment managers generally limit the
Plans market risk by holding or purchasing offsetting positions.
As a writer of option contracts, the Plan receives a
premium to become obligated to buy or sell financial instruments for a period of time at the holders option. During this period, the Plan bears the risk of an unfavorable change in the market value of the financial instrument underlying the
option, but has no credit risk, as the counterparty has no performance obligation to the Plan once it has paid its cash premium. The Plan is subject to credit risk of counterparty nonperformance on derivative contracts in a gain position, except for
written options, which obligate the Plan to perform and do not give rise to any counterparty credit risk.
Investments sold,
but not yet purchased by the Plan as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 involve obligations to deliver specified securities at contracted prices and thereby create a liability to purchase the securities at prevailing future market prices.
15
ERICSSON US 401(k) PLAN
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2018, AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2019
(Thousands of dollars)
Accordingly, these transactions result in
off-balance sheet risk as the Plans ultimate obligation to satisfy the sale of financial instruments sold, but not yet purchased, may exceed the amount recognized in the financial statements. The
Plans investment managers typically monitor risk exposure related to financial instruments through the use of financial, credit and legal reporting systems.
As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Plan did not hold any such investments.
On January 30, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a global health emergency because of a new strain of coronavirus originating in Wuhan, China (the COVID-19 outbreak) and the risks to the international community as the virus spreads globally beyond its point of origin. In March 2020, the WHO classified the
COVID-19 outbreak as a pandemic, based on the rapid increase in exposure globally. The full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to evolve as of the date of this
report. This pandemic has adversely affected global economic activity and greatly contributed to significant deterioration and instability in financial markets. As a result, the Plans investment portfolio has incurred a significant decline in
fair value since December 31, 2019. Because the values of the Plans individual investments have and will fluctuate in response to changing market conditions, the amount of losses that will be recognized in subsequent periods, if any, and
related impact on the Plans liquidity cannot be determined at this time.
On March 27, 2020, President Trump signed
into law the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. The CARES Act, among other things, includes several relief provisions available to tax-qualified retirement plans and their
participants. Plan management is in the process of amending the Plan for any resulting changes due to the CARES Act.
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