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Note 20 - New Authoritative Accounting Pronouncements
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]  
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Text Block]

20. New Authoritative Accounting Pronouncements


In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-01 “Financial Instruments” which requires an entity to: (i) measure equity investments at fair value through net income, with certain exceptions; (ii) present in other comprehensive income the changes in instrument-specific credit risk for financial liabilities measured using the fair value option; (iii) present financial assets and financial liabilities by measurement category and form of financial asset; (iv) calculate the fair value of financial instruments for disclosure purposes based on an exit price and; (v) assess a valuation allowance on deferred tax assets related to unrealized losses of available for sale debt securities in combination with other deferred tax assets. The ASU provides an election to subsequently measure certain nonmarketable equity investments at cost less any impairment and adjusted for certain observable price changes. The ASU also requires a qualitative impairment assessment of such equity investments and amends certain fair value disclosure requirements. The amendments are effective for public business entities for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is not permitted for the changes that affect the Company. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.


In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, “Leases”. From the lessee's perspective, the new standard establishes a right-of-use (ROU) model that requires a lessee to record a ROU asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement for a lessee. From the lessor's perspective, the new standard requires a lessor to classify leases as either sales-type, finance or operating. A lease will be treated as a sale if it transfers all of the risks and rewards, as well as control of the underlying asset, to the lessee. If risks and rewards are conveyed without the transfer of control, the lease is treated as a financing. If the lessor doesn’t convey risks and rewards or control, an operating lease results. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessees for capital and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. A modified retrospective transition approach is required for lessors for sales-type, direct financing, and operating leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements, with certain practical expedients available. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting this new guidance on our consolidated results of operations and financial condition.


In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers”. This ASU establishes a comprehensive revenue recognition standard for virtually all industries under U.S. GAAP, including those that previously followed industry-specific guidance such as real estate, construction and software industries. The revenue standard’s core principle is built on the contract between a vendor and a customer for the provision of goods and services. It attempts to depict the exchange of rights and obligations between the parties in the pattern of revenue recognition based on the consideration to which the vendor is entitled. The guidance in this ASU for public companies is effective for the annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods therein. In August 2015, the FASB approved a one-year delay of the effective date of this standard. The deferral would require public entities to apply the standard for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Public companies would be permitted to elect to early adopt for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The Company will be evaluating the provisions of ASU 2014-09 and will be closely monitoring developments and additional guidance to determine the potential impact the new standard will have on our financial position or results of operation.