FutureFuel Corp. - Quarter Report: 2016 March (Form 10-Q)

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		March 31, 2016				December 31, 2015
Assets		(Unaudited)
Cash and cash equivalents		$	148,312			$	154,049
Accounts receivable, inclusive of the blenders’ tax credit (BTC) of $38,096 and $30,895 and net of allowances for bad debt of $0 and $0, at March 31, 2016 and  December 31, 2015, respectively			54,472				46,319
Accounts receivable – related parties			2,303				10
Inventory			69,907				64,957
Income tax receivable			12,886				14,114
Prepaid expenses			1,536				1,642
Prepaid expenses – related parties			35				35
Marketable securities			76,203				74,667
Deferred financing costs			144				144
Other current assets			1,868				3,887
Total current assets			367,666				359,824
Property, plant and equipment, net			122,490				124,330
Intangible assets			1,408				1,408
Deferred financing costs			433				469
Other assets			3,205				3,078
Total noncurrent assets			127,536				129,285
Total Assets		$	495,202			$	489,109
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Accounts payable		$	31,225			$	34,442
Accounts payable – related parties			293				244
Current deferred income tax liability			4,368				7,060
Deferred revenue – short-term			3,275				2,680
Contingent liability – short-term			1,151				1,151
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			4,412				2,976
Total current liabilities			44,724				48,553
Deferred revenue – long-term			18,033				15,908
Other noncurrent liabilities			1,234				1,219
Noncurrent deferred income tax liability			28,225				29,117
Total noncurrent liabilities			47,492				46,244
Total liabilities			92,216				94,797
Commitments and contingencies:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value, 5,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding			-				-
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 75,000,000 shares authorized, 43,721,376 and 43,715,832, issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively			4				4
Accumulated other comprehensive income			2,495				2,055
Additional paid in capital			279,519				279,231
Retained earnings			120,968				113,022
Total stockholders’ equity			402,986				394,312
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity		$	495,202			$	489,109

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		Three months ended March 31:
		2016				2015
Revenue		$	43,204			$	49,815
Revenue – related parties			3,431				4,272
Cost of goods sold			33,158				38,310
Cost of goods sold – related parties			1,521				1,744
Distribution			797				648
Distribution – related parties			106				71
Gross profit			11,053				13,314
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Compensation expense			1,166				1,153
Other expense			623				609
Related party expense			48				60
Research and development expenses			687				715
			2,524				2,537
Income from operations			8,529				10,777
Interest and dividend income			1,345				1,267
Interest expense			(43	)			(6	)
(Loss)/gain on marketable securities			(1,018	)			1,020
Other expense			(116	)			(44	)
			168				2,237
Income before income taxes			8,697				13,014
(Benefit)/provision for income taxes			(1,872	)			4,883
Net income		$	10,569			$	8,131
Earnings per common share
Basic		$	0.24			$	0.19
Diluted		$	0.24			$	0.19
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic			43,475,630				43,372,388
Diluted			43,486,548				43,382,283
Comprehensive Income
Net income		$	10,569			$	8,131
Other comprehensive income/(loss) from unrealized net gains/(losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $238 in 2016 and of $(375) in 2015			440				(601	)
Comprehensive income		$	11,009			$	7,530

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		Three months ended March 31:
		2016				2015
Cash flows provided by operating activities
Net income		$	10,569			$	8,131
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation			2,622				2,301
Amortization of deferred financing costs			36				-
Benefit for deferred income taxes			(3,822	)			(5,831	)
Change in fair value of derivative instruments			3,398				4,653
Other than temporary impairment of marketable securities			1,240				186
Gain on the sale of investments			(222	)			(1,207	)
Stock based compensation			477				477
Losses on disposals of fixed assets			115				44
Noncash interest expense			7				6
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable			(8,153	)			33,709
Accounts receivable – related parties			(2,293	)			1,104
Inventory			(4,950	)			(19,087	)
Income tax receivable			1,228				9,872
Prepaid expenses			106				350
Prepaid expenses – related party			-				(23	)
Accrued interest on marketable securities			(30	)			(56	)
Other assets			(127	)			(330	)
Accounts payable			(3,217	)			3,757
Accounts payable – related parties			49				(2,907	)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities			1,436				2,700
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities – related parties			-				369
Deferred revenue			2,720				2,868
Other noncurrent liabilities			8				16
Net cash provided by operating activities			1,197				41,102
Cash flows from investing activities
Collateralization of derivative instruments			(1,349	)			(4,937	)
Purchase of marketable securities			(11,000	)			(13,324	)
Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities			9,124				18,708
Capital expenditures			(897	)			(2,539	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(4,122	)			(2,092	)
Cash flows from financing activities
Minimum tax withholding on stock options exercised and awards vested			(53	)			(22	)
Excess tax benefits associated with stock options and awards			(136	)			-
Payment of dividends			(2,623	)			(2,623	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(2,812	)			(2,645	)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents			(5,737	)			36,365
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period			154,049				124,079
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$	148,312			$	160,444
Cash paid for interest			-				-
Cash paid for income taxes		$	906			$	827

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1)	NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND BASIS OF PRESENTATION

 

Organization

 

FutureFuel Corp. (“FutureFuel”), through its wholly-owned subsidiary, FutureFuel Chemical Company (“FutureFuel Chemical”), owns and operates a chemical production facility located on approximately 2,200 acres of land six miles southeast of Batesville in north central Arkansas fronting the White River (the “Batesville Plant”). FutureFuel Chemical manufactures diversified chemical products, biobased products comprised of biofuels, and biobased specialty chemical products. FutureFuel Chemical’s operations are reported in two segments: chemicals and biofuels.

 

The chemicals segment manufactures a diversified listing of chemical products that are sold to third party customers. The majority of the revenues from the chemicals segment are derived from the custom manufacturing of specialty chemicals for specific customers.

 

The biofuels business segment primarily produces and sells biodiesel. FutureFuel Chemical also sells petrodiesel in blends with the company’s biodiesel and, from time to time, with no biodiesel added. Finally, FutureFuel is a shipper of refined petroleum products on common carrier pipelines and buys and sells petroleum products to maintain an active shipper status on these pipelines.

 

Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared by FutureFuel in accordance and consistent with the accounting policies stated in FutureFuel’s 2015 audited consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the 2015 audited consolidated financial statements of FutureFuel.

 

In the opinion of FutureFuel, all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation have been included in the unaudited consolidated financial statements. The unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in compliance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with instructions to Form 10-Q adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, the financial statements do not include all the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements, and do include amounts that are based upon management estimates and judgments. Future actual results could differ from such current estimates. The unaudited consolidated financial statements include assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses of FutureFuel and its wholly owned subsidiaries; namely, FutureFuel Chemical Company, FFC Grain, L.L.C., FutureFuel Warehouse Company, L.L.C., and Legacy Regional Transport, L.L.C. Intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

2)

INVENTORY

 

The carrying values of inventory were as follows as of:

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited) 

 

In determining the LIFO cost of its inventory, FutureFuel relies on certain pricing indices. In the three months ended March 31, 2016, these index values changed in such a way as to increase FutureFuel’s LIFO cost relative to weighted average cost. As such, FutureFuel recorded a reduction in its LIFO reserve of $5,576, the offset of which was recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold of $4,038 in the biofuels segment and a reduction of $1,538 in the chemicals segment. Additionally, as a result of this LIFO adjustment, FutureFuel recorded a lower of cost or market adjustment of $3,544 in the three months ended March 31, 2016. This lower of cost or market adjustment was recorded as a decrease in inventory values and an increase in cost of goods sold. In the three months ended March 31, 2015, the index values increased FutureFuel’s LIFO cost relative to weighted average cost $3,669, the offset of which was recorded as a reduction to cost of goods sold of $1,190 in the biofuels segment and a reduction of $2,479 in the chemicals segment. As a result of this LIFO adjustment, FutureFuel recorded a lower of cost or market adjustment of $704 in the three months ended March 31, 2015.

 

3)	DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

 

FutureFuel is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations. Commodity price risk is the primary risk managed by using derivative instruments. Regulated fixed price futures and option contracts are utilized to manage the price risk associated with future purchases of feedstock used in FutureFuel’s biodiesel production along with physical feedstock and finished product inventories attributed to this process.

 

FutureFuel recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in its consolidated balance sheet. FutureFuel’s derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting under the specific guidelines of ASC 815-20-25, Derivatives and Hedging, Hedging-General, Recognition. None of the derivative instruments are designated and accounted for as hedges primarily as a result of the extensive record keeping requirements.

 

The fair value of FutureFuel’s derivative instruments is determined based on the closing prices of the derivative instruments on relevant commodity exchanges at the end of an accounting period. Realized gains and losses on derivative instruments and changes in fair value of the derivative instruments are recorded in the statement of operations as a component of cost of goods sold, and amounted to a loss of $1,039 in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and a gain of $719 for the three months ended March 31, 2015.  

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

The volumes and carrying values of FutureFuel’s derivative instruments were as follows at:

 

 

 

The margin account maintained with a broker to collateralize these derivative instruments carried an account balance of $1,573 and $225 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively, and is classified as other current assets in the consolidated balance sheet. The carrying values of the margin account and of the derivative instruments are included net, in other current assets.

 

4)	MARKETABLE SECURITIES

 

At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, FutureFuel had investments in certain preferred stock, trust preferred securities, exchange traded debt instruments, and other equity instruments. These investments are classified as current assets in the consolidated balance sheet. FutureFuel has designated these securities as being available-for-sale. Accordingly, they are recorded at fair value, with the unrealized gains and losses, net of taxes, reported as a component of stockholders’ equity.

 

FutureFuel’s marketable securities were comprised of the following at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015:

 

 

 

 

The aggregate fair value of instruments with unrealized losses totaled $4,880 and $15,571 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively. As of March 31, 2016, FutureFuel had $985 invested in marketable securities that were in an unrealized loss position for a greater than 12-month period. As of December 31, 2015, FutureFuel had no investments in marketable securities that were in an unrealized loss position for a greater than 12-month period.

 

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5)	ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities, including those associated with related parties, consisted of the following at:

 

 

6)	BORROWINGS

 

On April 16, 2015, FutureFuel, with FutureFuel Chemical as borrowers, and certain of FutureFuel’s other subsidiaries, as guarantors, entered into a $150,000 secured and committed credit facility with the lenders party thereto, Regions Bank as administrative agent and collateral agent, and PNC Bank, N.A., as syndication agent. The credit facility consists of a five-year revolving credit facility in a dollar amount of up to $150,000, which includes a sublimit of $30,000 for letters of credit and $15,000 for swingline loans (collectively, the “Credit Facility”).

 

The interest rate floats at the following margins over LIBOR or base rate based upon the leverage ratio from time to time:

 

 

 

The terms of the Credit Facility contain certain covenants and conditions including a maximum consolidated leverage ratio, a minimum consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio, and a minimum liquidity requirement. FutureFuel was in compliance with such covenants as of March 31, 2016.

 

There were no borrowings under this credit agreement at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

7)	PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

 

The following table summarizes the provision for income taxes.

  

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited) 

 

The effective tax rates for the three months ended March 31, 2016 and March 31, 2015 reflect our expected tax rate on reported operating earnings before income tax. Our effective tax rate in the three months ended March 31, 2016, as compared to the effective tax rate in the three months ended March 31, 2015 reflects the positive effect of the reinstatement of the blenders’ tax credit (BTC) for 2016. 

 

Unrecognized tax benefits totaled $5,021 and $4,588 at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively.

 

FutureFuel records interest and penalties, net, as a component of income tax expense. At March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, FutureFuel recorded $69 and $61, respectively, in accruals for interest or tax penalties.

 

In the second quarter of 2015, the IRS completed its audit of FutureFuel’s 2010 through 2012 amended federal income tax returns. FutureFuel was successful in recovering the benefits previously unrecorded in its financial statements. Also during the second quarter of 2015, FutureFuel received notice of rejection from an administrative law judge in The Arkansas Office of Hearings and Appeals regarding FutureFuel’s 2010 through 2012 amended state income tax returns.

 

8)	EARNINGS PER SHARE

 

We compute earnings per share using the two-class method in accordance with ASC Topic No. 260, “Earnings per Share.” The two-class method is an allocation of earnings between the holders of common stock and a company’s participating security holders. Our outstanding non-vested shares of restricted stock contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends and, therefore, are considered participating securities for purposes of computing earnings per share pursuant to the two-class method. We had no other participating securities at March 31, 2016 or 2015.

 

Contingently issuable shares associated with outstanding service-based restricted stock units were not included in the earnings per share calculations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2016 or 2015 as the vesting conditions had not been satisfied.

 

Basic and diluted earnings per common share were computed as follows:

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

Certain options to purchase FutureFuel’s common stock were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three-months ended March 31, 2016 because they were anti-dilutive in the period. The weighted average number of options excluded on this basis was 90,000 and 100,000 for the three-months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

 

 

9)	SEGMENT INFORMATION

 

FutureFuel has two reportable segments organized along similar product groups – chemicals and biofuels.

 

Chemicals

 

FutureFuel’s chemicals segment manufactures diversified chemical products that are sold externally to third party customers. This segment is comprised of two components: “custom manufacturing” (manufacturing chemicals for specific customers) and “performance chemicals” (multi-customer specialty chemicals).

 

Biofuels

 

FutureFuel’s biofuels business segment primarily manufactures and markets biodiesel. Biodiesel revenues are generated through the sale of biodiesel to customers through FutureFuel’s distribution network at the Batesville Plant, through distribution facilities available at leased oil storage facilities, and through a network of remotely located tanks. Biofuels revenues also include the sale of biodiesel blends with petrodiesel, petrodiesel with no biodiesel added, RINs, biodiesel production byproducts, and the purchase and sale of other petroleum products on common carrier pipelines.

 

Summary of long-lived assets and revenues by geographic area

 

All of FutureFuel’s long-lived assets are located in the U.S.

 

Most of FutureFuel’s sales are transacted with title passing at the time of shipment from the Batesville Plant, although some sales are transacted with title passing at the delivery point. While many of FutureFuel’s chemicals are utilized to manufacture products that are shipped, further processed, and/or consumed throughout the world, the chemical products, with limited exceptions, generally leave the United States only after ownership has transferred from FutureFuel to the customer. FutureFuel is rarely the exporter of record, never the importer of record into foreign countries, and is not always aware of the exact quantities of its products that are moved into foreign markets by its customers. FutureFuel does track the addresses of its customers for invoicing purposes and uses this address to determine whether a particular sale is within or outside the United States. FutureFuel’s revenues attributable to the United States and foreign countries (based upon the billing addresses of its customers) were as follows:

 

 

 

Revenues from a single foreign country during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 did not exceed 1% of total revenues.  

 

 

Summary of business by segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation is allocated to segment costs of goods sold based on plant usage. The total assets and capital expenditures of FutureFuel have not been allocated to individual segments as large portions of these assets are shared to varying degrees by each segment, causing such an allocation to be of little value.

 

10)	FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

 

Fair value is defined as the exit price, or the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. Fair value accounting pronouncements also include a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of FutureFuel. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect FutureFuel’s assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based upon the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

The following tables provide information by level for assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value, on a recurring basis, at March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015.

 

 

 

 

11)	RECLASSIFICATIONS FROM ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME:

 

The following tables summarize changes in accumulated other comprehensive income from unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale securities in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015.

 

 

 

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gains and

Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities

For the three months ended March 31, 2016

(net of tax)

 

 

Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gains and

Losses on Available-for-Sale Securities

For the three months ended March 31, 2015

(net of tax)

 

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements of FutureFuel Corp.

(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

The following tables summarize amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income in the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015:

 

 

 

 

12)	LEGAL MATTERS

 

From time to time, FutureFuel and its operations are parties to, or targets of, lawsuits, claims, investigations, regulatory matters, and proceedings, which are being handled and defended in the ordinary course of business. While FutureFuel is unable to predict the outcomes of these matters, it does not believe, based upon currently available facts, that the ultimate resolution of any such pending matters will have a material adverse effect on its overall financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows.

 

13)	RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

FutureFuel enters into transactions with companies affiliated with or controlled by a director and significant shareholder. Revenues, expenses, prepaid amounts, and unpaid amounts related to these transactions are captured in the accompanying consolidated financial statements as related party line items.

 

Related party revenues are the result of sales of biodiesel, petrodiesel, blends, other petroleum products, and other similar or related products to these related parties.

 

Related party cost of goods sold and distribution are the result of sales of biodiesel, petrodiesel, blends, and other petroleum products to these related parties along with the associated expense from the purchase of natural gas, storage and terminalling services, and income tax and consulting services by FutureFuel from these related parties.

 

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14)	INTANGIBLE ASSET

 

In April of 2015, FutureFuel acquired additional historical line space on a pipeline for $1,408. The acquired line space was recorded as an intangible asset with an indefinite life as there was no foreseeable limit on the time period over which it is expected to contribute to cash flows. The carrying value of the asset was $1,408 as of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015. FutureFuel will test the intangible asset for impairment in accordance with codification ASC 350-30-35-18 through 35-20.

 

15)	RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STATEMENTS

 

In May 2014, the FASB and International Accounting Standards Board jointly issued new principles-based accounting guidance for revenue recognition that will supersede virtually all existing revenue guidance. The core principle of this guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. To achieve the core principle, the guidance establishes the following five steps: 1) identify the contract(s) with a customer, 2) identify the performance obligation in the contract, 3) determine the transaction price, 4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract, and 5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation. The guidance also details the accounting treatment for costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. Lastly, disclosure requirements have been enhanced to provide sufficient information to enable users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. However, in a July 2015 meeting, the FASB affirmed its proposal to defer the effective date by one year. The provisions of the Accounting Standards Update (ASU) are to be applied retrospectively; early adoption prior to the original effective date is not permitted. FutureFuel is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its financial position, results of operations, and related disclosures.

 

In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued new guidance that requires inventory not measured using either the last in, first out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable cost of completion, disposal, and transportation. The new standard will be effective for periods beginning on or after December 15, 2016 and will be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. FutureFuel is currently evaluating the impact of this guidance on its financial position, results of operations, and related disclosures.

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued guidance under the simplification and productivity initiative for presentation of deferred income tax liabilities and assets. This guidance simplifies the presentation of deferred income taxes such that deferred tax liabilities and assets are to be classified as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The update does not amend the current requirement that deferred tax liabilities and assets of a tax-paying component of an entity be offset and presented as a single amount. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period and may be applied either prospectively to all deferred tax liabilities and assets or retrospectively to all periods presented. The Company has elected not to early adopt the new guidance as of the balance sheet date due to the insignificance of the change. As of March 31, 2016 and December 31, 2015, the impact to the company would be a reclassification of $4,368 and $7,060, respectively, from current deferred tax liability to long-term deferred tax liability.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance on lease accounting. The new guidance establishes two types of leases for lessees: finance or operating. The guidance for lessors is largely unchanged. Under the guidance, a lessee is to recognize a right-of-use asset and lease liability that arises from a lease. A lessee can make a policy election, by asset class, to not recognize lease assets or liabilities for leases with a term of 12 months or less. Both finance and operating leases will have associated right-of-use assets and liabilities initially measured at the present value of the lease payments. Current and noncurrent balance sheet classification will apply. Finance leases will have another reported element for interest associated with the principal lease liability. The component concept from the 2014 revenue recognition standard has been included in the new lease standard which will guide identification of individual assets and non-lease components. As with current GAAP, the guidance does not apply to the following leases: intangible assets to explore for or use minerals, oil, natural gas, and similar nonregenerative resources, biological assets (includes timber), inventory, or assets under construction. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within that reporting period and early adoption is permitted. The new guidance is to be applied under a modified retrospective approach wherein practical expedients have been allowed that will not require reassessment of current leases at the effective date. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations and related disclosures.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance in regards to stock compensation as a part of the simplification initiative that covers related tax accounting, cash flow presentation, and forfeitures. The two tax accounting related amendments are as follows: all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies (including tax benefits of dividends on share-based payment awards) should be recognized as income tax expense or benefit in the income statement, the tax effects of exercised or vested awards should be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur, an entity also should recognize excess tax benefits regardless of whether the benefit reduces taxes payable in the current period; and the threshold to qualify for equity classification permits withholding up to the maximum statutory tax rates in the applicable jurisdictions. The cash flow presentation items sets forth that excess tax benefits should be classified along with other income tax cash flows as an operating activity and cash paid by an employer when directly withholding shares for tax withholding purposes should be classified as a financing activity. For forfeitures, an entity can make an entity-wide accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest (current GAAP) or account for forfeitures when they occur. This guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period and early adoption is permitted, including adoption in an interim period. The new guidance application is mixed among the various elements that include, retrospective, prospective, and modified retrospective transition methods. The Company is currently evaluating the impact on the Company's financial position and results of operations and related disclosures.

 

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