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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 6 Months Ended
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Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Earnings Per Common Share | 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 attributable to UGI Corporation include the effects of dilutive stock options and common stock awards.
Derivative Instruments | Derivative Instruments. Derivative instruments are reported on the Condensed 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 and from time to time we also enter into net investment hedges. For cash flow hedges, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“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 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 that 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 UGI Utilities (for which NPNS has not been elected) are included in regulatory assets or liabilities because it is probable such gains or losses will be recoverable from, or refundable to, customers. Beginning October 1, 2016, in order to reduce the volatility in net income associated with our foreign operations, principally as a result of changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate between the euro and British pound sterling, we enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts. Because these contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are recorded in “(Losses) gains on foreign currency contracts, net” on the Condensed 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 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash flows from net investment hedges, if any, are included in cash flows from investing activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash flows from the interest portion of our cross-currency hedges, if any, are included in cash flow from operating activities while cash flows from the currency portion of such hedges, if any, are included in cash flow from financing activities.
Impairment of Cost Basis Investments | Impairment of Cost Basis Investments. We reduce the carrying values of our cost basis investments when we determine that a decline in fair value is other than temporary.
Deferred Debt Issuance Costs | Deferred Debt Issuance Costs. During the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2016, we adopted new accounting guidance regarding the classification of deferred debt issuance costs. Deferred debt issuance costs associated with long-term debt are reflected as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of such debt. Deferred debt issuance costs associated with line of credit facilities continue to be classified as “Other assets” on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Income Taxes | Income Taxes. UGI’s consolidated effective income tax rate, defined as total income taxes as a percentage of income (loss) before income taxes, includes amounts associated with noncontrolling interests in the Partnership, which principally comprises AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP. AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP are not directly subject to federal income taxes. As a result, UGI’s consolidated effective income tax rate is affected by the amount of income (loss) before income taxes attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Partnership not subject to income taxes.
Use of Estimates | Use of Estimates. 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.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards and Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted | Adoption of New Accounting Standard — Employee Share-based Payments. Effective October 1, 2016, the Company adopted new accounting guidance issued to simplify several aspects of accounting for employee share-based payment transactions, including the accounting for income taxes, forfeitures, and statutory tax withholding requirements, as well as classification in the statement of cash flows. Among other things, excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies associated with employee share-based awards that vest or are exercised are recognized as income tax benefit or expense and treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur. In addition, assumed proceeds under the treasury stock method used for computing diluted shares outstanding do not include windfall tax benefits in the diluted shares calculation. Adoption of New Accounting Standards Employee Share-based Payments. Effective October 1, 2016, the Company adopted new accounting guidance regarding share-based payments. See Note 2 for a detailed description of the impact of the new guidance. Equity Method Accounting. Effective October 1, 2016, the Company adopted new accounting guidance regarding the accounting for an investment that qualifies for use of the equity method as a result of an increase in an investor’s level of ownership or influence. The guidance requires that the equity method investor add the cost of acquiring an additional interest to the current basis of the investor’s previously held interest and adopt the equity method of accounting as of the date such investment qualifies for equity method accounting. The new guidance eliminates the previous requirement in such circumstances to apply the effects of the equity method of accounting retrospectively. The guidance is required to be applied prospectively. The adoption of the new guidance did not impact our consolidated financial statements. Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs. In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") No. 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” This ASU requires entities to disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net periodic benefit costs and present it with compensation costs for related employees in the income statement. The other components are required to be presented elsewhere in the income statement and outside of operating income. The amendments in this ASU permit only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization when applicable. The amendments in this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (Fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in the ASU should generally be adopted on a retrospective basis. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact on its financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance and determining the period in which the new guidance will be adopted. Goodwill Impairment. In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-04, “Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment.” Under the new accounting guidance, an entity will no longer determine goodwill impairment by calculating the implied fair value of goodwill by assigning the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if that reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination. Instead, an entity will perform its goodwill impairment tests by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amount. An entity will recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value but not to exceed the total amount of the goodwill of the reporting unit. In addition, an entity should consider income tax effects from any tax deductible goodwill on the carrying amount of the reporting unit when measuring the goodwill impairment, if applicable. The provisions of the new accounting guidance are required to be applied prospectively. The new accounting guidance is effective for the Company for goodwill impairment tests performed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 (Fiscal 2021). Early adoption is permitted for goodwill impairment tests performed after January 1, 2017. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact on its financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance and determining the period in which the new guidance will be adopted. Cash Flow Classification. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-15, “Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” This ASU provides guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (Fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in the ASU should generally be adopted on a retrospective basis. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact on its financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance and determining the period in which the new guidance will be adopted. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash.” This ASU provides guidance on the classification of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (Fiscal 2019). Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in the ASU should be adopted on a retrospective basis. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact on its financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance and determining the period in which the new guidance will be adopted. Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases." This ASU amends existing guidance to require entities that lease assets to recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases on the balance sheet. The new guidance also requires additional disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows from leases. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018 (Fiscal 2020). Early adoption is permitted. Lessees must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact on its financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance and determining the period in which the new guidance will be adopted but anticipates an increase in the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Revenue Recognition. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” The guidance provided under this ASU, as amended, supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 605, “Revenue Recognition,” and most industry-specific guidance included in the ASC. The standard requires that an entity 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 or services. The new guidance is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (Fiscal 2019) and allows for either full retrospective adoption or modified retrospective adoption. The Company has not yet selected a transition method and is in the process of assessing the impact on its financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance.
Reclassifications | Reclassifications. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-period presentation.

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