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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 12 Months Ended
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Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Significant Accounting Policies | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and costs. These estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events, historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may be different from these estimates and assumptions. Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of UGI and its controlled subsidiary companies which, except for the Partnership, are majority owned. We report the public’s interests in the Partnership, and outside ownership interests in other consolidated but less than 100%-owned subsidiaries, as noncontrolling interests. We eliminate all significant intercompany accounts and transactions when we consolidate. Entities in which we do not have control but have significant influence over operating and financial policies are accounted for by the equity method. Undistributed net earnings of our equity investees included in consolidated retained earnings were not material at September 30, 2015 and 2014. Investments in business entities that are not publicly traded and in which we hold less than 20% of voting rights are accounted for using the cost method. Such investments are recorded in other assets and totaled $70.8 and $77.8 at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively (including $17.9 and $17.4, respectively, associated with our approximate 3.5% interest in a private equity partnership that invests in renewable energy companies). Undivided interests in natural gas production assets and an electricity generation facility are consolidated on a proportionate basis. Effects of Regulation UGI Utilities accounts for the financial effects of regulation in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s (“FASB’s”) guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 980 “Regulated Operations.” In accordance with this guidance, incurred costs and estimated future expenditures that would otherwise be charged to expense are capitalized and recorded as regulatory assets when it is probable that the incurred costs or estimated future expenditures will be recovered in rates in the future. Similarly, we recognize regulatory liabilities when it is probable that regulators will require customer refunds through future rates or when revenue is collected from customers for expenditures that have not yet been incurred. Regulatory assets and liabilities are classified as current if, upon initial recognition, the entire amount related to that item will be recovered or refunded within a year of the balance sheet date. Generally, regulatory assets are amortized into expense and regulatory liabilities are amortized into income over the period authorized by the regulator. For additional information regarding the effects of rate regulation on our utility operations, see Note 9. Fair Value Measurements The Company applies fair value measurements on a recurring and, as otherwise required under GAAP, also on a nonrecurring basis. Fair value measurements performed on a recurring basis principally relate to derivative instruments and investments held in supplemental executive retirement plan grantor trusts. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (level 3 measurements). A level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value measurement. We use the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:
• | Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that we have the ability to access at the measurement date.
• | Level 2 — Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including 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, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means.
• | Level 3 — Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability including situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.
Fair value is based upon assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and risks inherent in valuation techniques and inputs to valuations. This includes not only the credit standing of counterparties and credit enhancements but also the impact of our own nonperformance risk on our liabilities. We evaluate the need for credit adjustments to our derivative instrument fair values. These credit adjustments were not material to the fair values of our derivative instruments. Derivative Instruments Derivative instruments are reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair values, unless the derivative instruments qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale (“NPNS”) exception under GAAP. The accounting for changes in fair value depends upon the purpose of the derivative instrument and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting. Certain of our derivative instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges or net investment hedges. For cash flow hedges, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) or noncontrolling interests, to the extent effective at offsetting changes in the hedged item, until earnings are affected by the hedged item. We discontinue cash flow hedge accounting if the occurrence of the forecasted transaction is determined to be no longer probable. Hedge accounting is also discontinued for derivatives that cease to be highly effective. Gains and losses on net investment hedges which relate to our foreign operations are included in AOCI until such foreign net investment is sold or liquidated. Unrealized gains and losses on substantially all of the commodity derivative instruments used by Gas Utility and Electric Utility are included in regulatory assets or liabilities because it is probable such gains or losses will be recoverable from, or refundable to, customers. Effective October 1, 2014, UGI International determined on a prospective basis that it would not elect cash flow hedge accounting for its commodity derivative transactions and also de-designated its then-existing commodity derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges. Also effective October 1, 2014, AmeriGas Propane de-designated its remaining commodity derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges. Previously, AmeriGas Propane had discontinued cash flow hedge accounting for all commodity derivative instruments entered into beginning April 1, 2014. Midstream & Marketing has not applied cash flow hedge accounting for its commodity derivative instruments during any of the periods presented. Substantially all realized and unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivative instruments are recorded in cost of sales or revenues, as appropriate, on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Cash flows from derivative instruments, other than net investment hedges and certain cross-currency swaps, if any, are included in cash flows from operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash flows from net investment hedges are included in cash flows from investing activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash flows from the interest portion of our cross-currency hedges are included in cash flow from operating activities while cash flows from the currency portion of such hedges are included in the cash flow from financing activities. For a more detailed description of the derivative instruments we use, our accounting for derivatives, our objectives for using them and other information, see Note 18. Foreign Currency Translation Balance sheets of international subsidiaries are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate at the balance sheet date. Income statements and equity investee results are translated into U.S. dollars using an average exchange rate for each reporting period. Where the local currency is the functional currency, translation adjustments are recorded in other comprehensive income. Revenue Recognition Revenues from the sale of LPG are recognized principally upon delivery. Midstream & Marketing records revenues when energy products are delivered or services are provided to customers. Revenues from the sale of appliances and equipment are recognized at the later of sale or installation. Revenues from repair or maintenance services are recognized upon completion of services. UGI Utilities’ regulated revenues are recognized as natural gas and electricity are delivered and include estimated amounts for distribution service and commodities rendered but not billed at the end of each month. We reflect the impact of Gas Utility and Electric Utility rate increases or decreases at the time they become effective. We present revenue-related taxes collected on behalf of customers and remitted to taxing authorities, principally sales and use taxes, on a net basis. Electric Utility gross receipts taxes are included in utility taxes other than income taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Accounts Receivable Accounts receivable are reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at the gross outstanding amount adjusted for an allowance for doubtful accounts. Accounts receivable that are acquired are initially recorded at fair value on the date of acquisition. Provisions for uncollectible accounts are established based upon our collection experience and the assessment of the collectability of specific amounts. Accounts receivable are written off in the period in which the receivable is deemed uncollectible. LPG Delivery Expenses Expenses associated with the delivery of LPG to customers of the Partnership and our UGI International operations (including vehicle expenses, expenses of delivery personnel, vehicle repair and maintenance and general liability expenses) are classified as operating and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Depreciation expense associated with the Partnership and UGI International delivery vehicles is classified in depreciation on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Income Taxes AmeriGas Partners and the Operating Partnership are not directly subject to federal income taxes. Instead, their taxable income or loss is allocated to the individual partners. We record income taxes on (1) our share of the Partnership’s current taxable income or loss and (2) the differences between the book and tax basis of our investment in the Partnership. The Operating Partnership has subsidiaries which operate in corporate form and are directly subject to federal and state income taxes. Legislation in certain states allows for taxation of partnership income and the accompanying financial statements reflect state income taxes resulting from such legislation. Gas Utility and Electric Utility record deferred income taxes in the Consolidated Statements of Income resulting from the use of accelerated tax depreciation methods based upon amounts recognized for ratemaking purposes. They also record a deferred income tax liability for tax benefits, principally the result of accelerated tax depreciation for state income tax purposes, that are flowed through to ratepayers when temporary differences originate and record a regulatory income tax asset for the probable increase in future revenues that will result when the temporary differences reverse. We are amortizing deferred investment tax credits related to UGI Utilities’ plant additions over the service lives of the related property. UGI Utilities reduces its deferred income tax liability for the future tax benefits that will occur when investment tax credits, which are not taxable, are amortized. We also reduce the regulatory income tax asset for the probable reduction in future revenues that will result when such deferred investment tax credits amortize. Investment tax credits associated with Midstream & Marketing’s qualifying solar energy property under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 are reflected in income taxes for assets placed in service after Fiscal 2011 and are amortized over the estimated useful life of the property for assets placed in service prior to Fiscal 2012. We record interest on tax deficiencies and income tax penalties in income taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Income. For Fiscal 2015, Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2013, interest income or expense recognized in income taxes on the Consolidated Statements of Income was not material. Earnings Per Common Share Basic earnings per share attributable to UGI Corporation stockholders reflect the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share include the effects of dilutive stock options and common stock awards. In the following table, we present shares used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share for Fiscal 2015, Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2013:
(Thousands of shares) |  | 2015 |  | 2014 |  | 2013
Weighted-average common shares outstanding for basic computation |  | 173,115 |  |  | 172,733 |  |  | 170,885 |
Incremental shares issuable for stock options and common stock awards (a) |  | 2,552 |  |  | 2,498 |  |  | 2,397 |
Weighted-average common shares outstanding for diluted computation |  | 175,667 |  |  | 175,231 |  |  | 173,282 |
(a) | For Fiscal 2015, Fiscal 2014 and Fiscal 2013, there were 1,274 shares, 0 shares and 132 shares, respectively, associated with outstanding stock option awards that were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share above because their effect was antidilutive.
Cash and Cash Equivalents All highly liquid investments with maturities of three months or less when purchased are classified as cash equivalents. Restricted Cash Restricted cash principally represents those cash balances in our commodity futures brokerage accounts that are restricted from withdrawal. At September 30, 2015, restricted cash also includes $14.3 associated with a construction escrow agreement. Inventories At September 30, 2015, our inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value and, prior to September 30, 2015, the lower of cost or market. We determine cost using an average cost method for LPG, specific identification for appliances and the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) method for all other inventories. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2015, the Company adopted new accounting guidance regarding the measurement of inventory which simplified the determination of market value. The adoption of the new guidance did not impact the valuation of our inventories (see Note 3). Property, Plant and Equipment and Related Depreciation We record property, plant and equipment at original cost. The amounts assigned to property, plant and equipment of acquired businesses are based upon estimated fair value at date of acquisition. We record depreciation expense on non-utility plant and equipment on a straight-line basis over estimated economic useful lives ranging from 10 to 40 years for buildings and improvements; 6 to 40 years for storage and customer tanks and cylinders; 25 to 40 years for electricity generation facilities; 25 to 40 years for pipeline and related assets, and 3 to 12 years for vehicles, equipment and office furniture and fixtures. Costs to install Partnership and UGI France-owned tanks, net of amounts billed to customers, are capitalized and amortized over the estimated period of benefit not exceeding 10 years. We record depreciation expense for Utilities’ plant and equipment on a straight-line basis over the estimated average remaining lives of the various classes of its depreciable property. The composite annual rate for depreciable property at our Gas Utility was 2.2% in Fiscal 2015, 2.3% in Fiscal 2014 and 2.3% in Fiscal 2013. The composite annual rate for depreciable property at our Electric Utility was 2.5% in Fiscal 2015, 2.5% in Fiscal 2014 and 2.4% in Fiscal 2013. When Utilities retires depreciable utility plant and equipment, we charge the original cost to accumulated depreciation for financial accounting purposes. Costs incurred to retire utility plant and equipment, net of salvage, are recorded in regulatory assets. We include in property, plant and equipment costs associated with computer software we develop or obtain for use in our businesses. We amortize computer software costs on a straight-line basis over expected periods of benefit generally not exceeding 10 years once the installed software is ready for its intended use. No depreciation expense is included in cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income. Goodwill and Intangible Assets In accordance with GAAP relating to intangible assets, we amortize intangible assets over their estimated useful lives unless we determine their lives to be indefinite. No amortization expense of intangible assets is included in cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Income (see Note 12). Estimated useful lives of definite-lived intangible assets, primarily consisting of customer relationships, certain tradenames and noncompete agreements, do not exceed 15 years. We review definite-lived intangible assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the associated carrying amounts may not be recoverable. Determining whether an impairment loss occurred requires comparing the carrying amount to the sum of undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized but are tested annually (and more frequently if events or changes in circumstances between annual tests indicate that it is more likely than not that they are impaired) for impairment and written down to fair value, if impaired. We do not amortize goodwill, but test it at least annually for impairment at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (a component) if discrete financial information is prepared and regularly reviewed by segment management. Components are aggregated as a single reporting unit if they have similar economic characteristics. In accordance with GAAP, each of our reporting units with goodwill is required to perform impairment tests annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the value of goodwill may be impaired. For certain of our reporting units with goodwill, we assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of such reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. For our other reporting units with goodwill, we bypass the qualitative assessment and perform the first step of the two-step quantitative assessment by comparing the fair values of the reporting units with their carrying amounts, including goodwill. We determine fair values generally based on a weighting of income and market approaches. For purposes of the income approach, fair values are determined based upon the present value of the reporting unit’s estimated future cash flows, including an estimate of the reporting unit’s terminal value based upon these cash flows, discounted at appropriate risk-adjusted rates. We use our internal forecasts to estimate future cash flows which may include estimates of long-term future growth rates based upon our most recent reviews of the long-term outlook for each reporting unit. Cash flow estimates used to establish fair values under our income approach involve management judgments based on a broad range of information and historical results. In addition, external economic and competitive conditions can influence future performance. For purposes of the market approach, we use valuation multiples for companies comparable to our reporting units. The market approach requires judgment to determine the appropriate valuation multiples. If the carrying amount of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the implied fair value of goodwill is determined in the same manner as goodwill is recognized in a business combination. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of that goodwill, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to such excess. There were no accumulated impairment losses at September 30, 2015 and 2014, and no provisions for goodwill or other intangible asset impairments were recorded during Fiscal 2015, Fiscal 2014 or Fiscal 2013. Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Cost Basis Investments We evaluate the impairment of long-lived assets whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. We evaluate recoverability based upon undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by such assets. No material provisions for impairments were recorded during Fiscal 2015, Fiscal 2014 or Fiscal 2013. We reduce the carrying values of our cost basis investments when we determine that a decline in fair value is other than temporary. During Fiscal 2013, we recorded a pre-tax loss of $6.3 associated with an other-than-temporary impairment of an investment in a private equity partnership. No other-than-temporary impairment losses were recognized in Fiscal 2015 or Fiscal 2014. Deferred Debt Issuance Costs Included in other assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheets are net deferred debt issuance costs of $36.3 and $36.7 at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We are amortizing these costs over the terms of the related debt. Refundable Tank and Cylinder Deposits Included in other noncurrent liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets are customer paid deposits primarily on UGI France owned tanks and cylinders of $273.4 and $200.0 at September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. Deposits are refundable to customers when the tanks or cylinders are returned in accordance with contract terms. Environmental Matters We are subject to environmental laws and regulations intended to mitigate or remove the effects of past operations and improve or maintain the quality of the environment. These laws and regulations require the removal or remedy of the effect on the environment of the disposal or release of certain specified hazardous substances at current or former operating sites. Environmental reserves are accrued when assessments indicate that it is probable that a liability has been incurred and an amount can reasonably be estimated. Amounts recorded as environmental liabilities on the balance sheets represent our best estimate of costs expected to be incurred or, if no best estimate can be made, the minimum liability associated with a range of expected environmental investigation and remediation costs. Our estimated liability for environmental contamination is reduced to reflect anticipated participation of other responsible parties but is not reduced for possible recovery from insurance carriers. In those instances for which the amount and timing of cash payments associated with environmental investigation and cleanup are reliably determinable, we discount such liabilities to reflect the time value of money. We intend to pursue recovery of incurred costs through all appropriate means, including regulatory relief. UGI Gas is permitted to amortize as removal costs site-specific environmental investigation and remediation costs, net of related third-party payments, associated with Pennsylvania sites. UGI Gas is currently permitted to include in rates, through future base rate proceedings, a five-year average of such prudently incurred remediation costs, and CPG and PNG receive ratemaking recognition of environmental investigation and remediation costs associated with their environmental sites. This ratemaking recognition balances the accumulated difference between historical costs and rate recoveries with an estimate of future costs associated with the sites. For further information, see Note 16. Employee Retirement Plans We use a market-related value of plan assets and an expected long-term rate of return to determine the expected return on assets of our pension and other postretirement plans. The market-related value of plan assets, other than equity investments, is based upon fair values. The market-related value of equity investments is calculated by rolling forward the prior-year’s market-related value with contributions, disbursements and the expected return on plan assets. One third of the difference between the expected and the actual value is then added to or subtracted from the expected value to determine the new market-related value (see Note 8). Equity-Based Compensation All of our equity-based compensation, principally comprising UGI stock options, grants of UGI stock-based equity instruments and grants of AmeriGas Partners equity instruments (together with UGI stock-based equity instruments, “Units”), are measured at fair value on the grant date, date of modification or end of the period, as applicable. Compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period. Depending upon the settlement terms of the awards, all or a portion of the fair value of equity-based awards may be presented as a liability or as equity on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Equity-based compensation costs associated with the portion of Unit awards classified as equity are measured based upon their estimated fair value on the date of grant or modification. Equity-based compensation costs associated with the portion of Unit awards classified as liabilities are measured based upon their estimated fair value at the grant date and remeasured as of the end of each period. We have calculated a tax windfall pool using the shortcut method. We record deferred tax assets for awards that we expect will result in deductions on our income tax returns based on the amount of compensation cost recognized and the statutory tax rate in the jurisdiction in which we will receive a deduction. Differences between the deferred tax assets recognized for financial reporting purposes and the actual tax benefit received on the income tax return are recorded in Common Stock (if the tax benefit exceeds the deferred tax asset) or in the Consolidated Statements of Income (if the deferred tax asset exceeds the tax benefit and no tax windfall pool exists from previous awards). For additional information on our equity-based compensation plans and related disclosures, see Note 14. Correction of Prior Period Error in Other Comprehensive Income During Fiscal 2015, the Company recorded a $10.7 decrease to other comprehensive income related to prior periods by reducing the amount of net deferred tax assets that had been previously recognized for (1) foreign currency adjustments related to foreign subsidiaries whose undistributed earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested, and (2) foreign currency adjustments related to intercompany loans between a U.S. domiciled entity and its foreign branch that is considered disregarded for tax purposes and for which income taxes will not be payable. ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” provides an exception to recording deferred tax attributes associated with these components of comprehensive income. Previously, the Company had incorrectly recorded deferred taxes on these foreign currency adjustments. The Company has evaluated the effects of the errors, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and concluded that they did not have a material impact on any previously issued financial statements or the full year results for Fiscal 2015. The impact to other comprehensive income for the year ended September 30, 2015 resulting from the correction of these errors is as follows:
Reported other comprehensive loss |  | $ | (95.5 | )
Correction of error in deferred taxes related to prior periods |  | 10.7 |
Other comprehensive loss excluding impact of correction |  | $ | (84.8 | )

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