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1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Organization And Summary Of Significant Accounting Policies Policies  
Organization and Nature of Business

Level Brands, Inc. ("Level Brands", "we", "us", “our”, "Parent Company” or the “Company”) is a North Carolina corporation formed on March 17, 2015 as Level Beauty Group, Inc. In November 2016 we changed the name of the Company to Level Brands, Inc. We operate from our offices located in Charlotte, North Carolina. Our fiscal year end is established as September 30.

 

The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Level Brands have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto contained in the Company’s Annual Report filed with the SEC on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2017. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of consolidated financial position and the consolidated results of operations for the interim periods presented have been reflected herein. Notes to the financial statements which would substantially duplicate the disclosure contained in the audited consolidated financial statements for fiscal year 2017 as reported in the Form 10-K have been omitted.

 

In March 2015, the Company formed Beauty and Pin-Ups, LLC ("BPU"), a North Carolina limited liability company, and contributed $250,000 in exchange for our member interest. As of September 30, 2017, we own 100% interest in BPU. BPU manufactures, markets and sells an array of beauty and personal care products, including hair care and hair treatments, as well as beauty tools. The Company's products historically have been sold to the professional salon market, principally through distributors to professional salons in the North America and has expanded its focus to retailers, online segments and licensing opportunities.

 

I’M1, LLC. (“I’M1”) was formed in California in September 2016. IM1 Holdings, LLC, a California limited liability company, (“IM1 Holdings”) was the initial member of I’M1. In January 2017, we acquired all of the Class A voting membership interests in I’M1 from IM1 Holdings in exchange for 583,000 shares of our common stock, which represents 51% of the interest in I’M1. IM1 Holdings continues to own the Class B non-voting membership interest of I’M1. I’M1 – Ireland Men One is a brand inspired by Kathy Ireland that focuses on providing millennial-inspired lifestyle products under the I’M1 brand. I’M1 has entered into an exclusive wholesale license agreement with kathy ireland® Worldwide in connection with the use of the intellectual property related to this brand.

 

Encore Endeavor 1, LLC (“EE1”) was formed in California in March 2016. EE1 Holdings, LLC, a California limited liability company, (“EE1 Holdings") was the initial member of EE1. In January 2017, we acquired all of the Class A voting membership interests in EE1 from EE1 Holdings in exchange for 283,000 shares of our common stock, which represents 51% of the interest in EE1. EE1 Holdings continues to own the Class B non-voting membership interests of EE1. EE1 is a brand management company and producer and marketer of multiple entertainment distribution platforms under the EE1 brand.

 

Level H&W, LLC (“Level H&W”) was formed in North Carolina in October 2017 and began operations in fiscal 2018; we own 100% interest in Level H&W. The Company signed an agreement with kathy ireland® Worldwide to retain exclusive rights to the intellectual property and other rights in connection with kathy ireland® Health & Wellness™ and its associated trademarks and tradenames. Level H&W focuses on establishing licensing arrangements under the kathy ireland® Health & Wellness™ brand. The agreement initially was a seven year agreement with a three year option to extend by the Company. The Company agreed to pay $840,000 over the license term of seven years, of which $480,000 was paid by January 1, 2018, and $120,000 is to be paid on January 1 of subsequent years until paid in full. The Company will pay kathy ireland® Worldwide 33 1/3% of net proceeds we receive under any sublicense agreements we may enter into for this intellectual property as royalties, with credit being applied for any payments made toward the $840,000.

 

In January 2018, the Company, amended its wholesale license agreement with kathy Ireland® Worldwide. The amendment accounted for the Company exercising its option on a three year extension and amending the payment terms related to this extension as follows: to pay $400,000 within 5 days of executing the amendment (which was paid on January 31, 2018), and to pay the final amounts due under the Agreement, $320,000 on the latter of January 1, 2019 or 30 days after the receipt by the Company of $5,000,000 in net proceeds from sublicense agreements signed under the health and wellness trademarks. In addition, royalty payments to kathy ireland® Worldwide for the additional three year extension are set at 35% of net proceeds. The Company capitalized the cost into intangibles and is amortizing them over the term of the licensing agreement.

 

On November 17, 2017, the Company completed an initial public offering (the “IPO”) of 2,000,000 shares of its common stock for aggregate gross proceeds of $12.0 million. The Company received approximately $10.9 million in net proceeds after deducting expenses and commissions.

 

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority owned subsidiaries I’M1 and EE1 and wholly owned subsidiaries BPU and Level H&W. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. The third party ownership of the Company’s subsidiaries is accounted for as non-controlling interest in the consolidated financial statements. Changes in the non-controlling interest are reported in the statement of shareholders’ equity (deficit).

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“US GAAP”), and requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Estimates and assumptions are reviewed periodically and the effects of revisions are reflected in the consolidated financial statements in the period they are determined to be necessary. Significant estimates made in the accompanying consolidated financial statements include, but are not limited to, allowances for doubtful accounts, inventory valuation reserves, expected sales returns and allowances, trade support costs, certain assumptions related to the valuation of investments other securities, marketable securities, common stock, acquired intangible and long-lived assets and the recoverability of intangible and long-lived assets and income taxes, including deferred tax valuation allowances and reserves for estimated tax liabilities. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

For financial statements purposes, the Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of less than three months when purchased to be cash equivalents.

 

Accounts receivable and Accounts receivable other

Accounts receivable are stated at cost less an allowance for doubtful accounts, if applicable. Credit is extended to customers after an evaluation of customer’s financial condition, and generally collateral is not required as a condition of credit extension. Management’s determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on an evaluation of the receivables, past experience, current economic conditions, and other risks inherent in the receivables portfolio. As of September 30, 2017, management determined an accounts receivable allowance of $50,000 was appropriate due to possible uncollectability. We did not have an allowance of as of June 30, 2018.

 

In addition, the Company may, from time to time, enter into contracts where a portion of the consideration provided by the customer in exchange for the Company's services is common stock, options or warrants (an equity position).  In these situations, upon invoicing the customer for the stock or other instruments, the Company will record the receivable as accounts receivable other, and use the value of the stock or other instrument upon invoicing to determine the value. Where an accounts receivable is settled with the receipt of the common stock or other instrument, the common stock or other instrument will be classified as an asset on the balance sheet as either an investment marketable security (when the customer is a publicly traded entity) or as an investment other security (when the customer is a private entity). 

 

Accounts receivable and accounts receivable other items that involve a related party are indicated as such on the face of the financial statements.

 

Marketable Securities

At the time of acquisition, a marketable security is designated as available-for-sale as the intent is to hold for a period of time before selling. Available-for-sale securities are carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets with changes in fair value recorded in the accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component of shareholders’ equity in the period of the change in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 320-10. Upon the disposition of an available-for-sale security, the Company reclassifies the gain or loss on the security from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to non-operating income (loss) on the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. 

 

Investment Other Securities

For equity investments where the Company neither controls nor has significant influence over the investee and which are non-marketable, the investments are accounted for using the cost method of accounting in accordance with ASC 325-10. Under the cost method, dividends received from the investment are recorded as dividend income within non-operating income. 

 

Other-than-Temporary Impairment

The Company’s management periodically assesses its marketable securities and investment other securities, for any unrealized losses that may be other-than-temporary and require recognition of an impairment loss in the consolidated statement of operations. If the cost of an investment exceeds its fair value, the Company evaluates, among other factors, general market conditions, the length of time the security has been in a loss position, the extent to which the security’s market value is less than its cost, the financial condition and prospects of the security’s issuer and the Company’s ability and intent to hold the security for a length of time sufficient to allow for recovery. If the impairment is considered other-than-temporary, an impairment charge is recorded in non-operating income in the consolidated statements of operations. 

 

Inventory

Inventory is stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost being determined on a weighted average basis. The cost of inventory includes product cost, freight-in, and production fill and labor (which we outsource to third party manufacturers). Write-offs of potentially slow moving or damaged inventory are recorded based on management’s analysis of inventory levels, forecasted future sales volume and pricing and through specific identification of obsolete or damaged products. We assess inventory quarterly for slow moving products and potential impairments and perform a physical inventory count annually near fiscal year end.

 

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment items are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are charged to operating expense as incurred. Depreciation is charged to expense over the estimated useful lives of the assets using the straight-line method. Generally, the useful lives are five years for show booths and equipment, three years for manufacturer’s molds and plates, three years for computer, furniture and equipment, and three years for software. The cost and accumulated depreciation of property are eliminated from the accounts upon disposal, and any resulting gain or loss is included in the consolidated statement of operations for the applicable period. Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are reviewed for impairment whenever changes in circumstance indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.

 

Fair value accounting

The Company utilizes accounting standards for fair value, which include the definition of fair value, the framework for measuring fair value, and disclosures about fair value measurements. Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, fair value accounting standards establish a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

 

Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, observable market activity. In instances where the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

 

When the Company records an investment in marketable securities the asset is valued at fair value. For investment other securities, it will value the asset using the cost method of accounting.  Any changes in fair value for marketable securities during a given period will be recorded as a gain or loss in other comprehensive income (loss), unless a decline is determined to be other-than-temporary. For investment other securities we use the cost method and compare the fair value to cost in order to determine if there is an other-than-temporary impairment.

 

Intangible Assets

The Company's intangible assets consist of trademarks and other intellectual property, which are accounted for in accordance with ASC Topic 350, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other. The Company employs the non-amortization approach to account for purchased intangible assets having indefinite lives. Under the non-amortization approach, intangible assets having indefinite lives are not amortized into the results of operations, but instead are reviewed annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired, to assess whether their fair value exceeds their carrying value. We perform an impairment analysis at August 1 annually on the indefinite-lived intangible assets following the steps laid out in ASC 350-30-35-18. Our annual impairment analysis includes a qualitative assessment to determine if it is necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. In performing a qualitative assessment, we review events and circumstances that could affect the significant inputs used to determine if the fair value is less than the carrying value of the intangible assets. If a quantitative analysis is necessary, we would analyze various aspects including number of contracts acquired and retained as well as revenues from those contracts, associated with the intangible assets. In addition, intangible assets will be tested on an interim basis if an event or circumstance indicates that it is more likely than not that an impairment loss has been incurred.

 

Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit. In accordance with ASC 360-10-35-21, finite lived intangibles are reviewed annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired, to assess whether their fair value exceeds their carrying value.

 

In conjunction with any acquisitions, the Company refers to ASC-805 as amended by Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2017-01 in determining if the Company is acquiring any inputs, processes or outputs and the impact that such factors would have on the classification of the acquisition as a business combination or asset purchase. Additionally, the Company refers to the aforementioned guidance in reviewing all potential assets and liabilities for valuation including the determination of intangible asset values.

 

Common stock

Level Brands was a private company until November 2017 and as such there was no market for the shares of its common stock. Previously, we valued a share of common stock based on recent financing transactions that included the issuance of common stock to an unrelated party at a specified price. In the event, however, there had not been a recent and significant equity financing transaction, or the nature of the business had significantly changed subsequent to an equity financing, we used valuation techniques, which included discounted cash flow analysis, comparable company review, and consultation with third party valuation experts to assist in estimating the value of our common stock. On November 17, 2017, the Company completed its IPO, thus our stock has been valued by the market since that date.

 

Revenue Recognition

The Company's policy in relation to product sales is to recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, shipping has occurred, or service obligations have been satisfied, the sales price is fixed or determinable and collection is probable. The Company records revenue from the sale of its products when risk of loss and title to the product are transferred to the customer, which is upon shipping. Net sales are comprised of gross revenues less expected product returns, trade discounts and customer allowances, which include costs associated with off-invoice mark-downs and other price reductions, as well as trade promotions and coupons. These incentive costs are recognized at the later of the date on which the Company recognizes the related revenue or the date on which the Company offers the incentive. Although the Company does not have a formal return policy, from time to time the Company will allow customers to return certain products.  A business decision related to customer returns is made by the Company and is performed on a case-by-case basis. We record returns as a reduction in sales and based on whether we dispose of the returned product, adjust inventory and record expense as appropriate. There were no allowances for sales returns at the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018.

 

The Company also enters into various license agreements that provide revenues based on royalties as a percentage of sales and advertising/marketing fees. The contracts can also have a minimum royalty, with which this and the advertising/marketing revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of each contract year, as defined, in each license agreement. Royalties exceeding the defined minimum amounts are recognized as income during the period corresponding to the licensee’s sales, as are all royalties that do not have a minimum royalty. Payments received as consideration of the grant of a license are recognized ratably as revenue over the term of the license agreement and are reflected on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as deferred revenue at the time payment is received and recognized ratably as revenue over the term of the license agreement.  Similarly, advanced royalty payments are recognized ratably over the period indicated by the terms of the license and are reflected in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet in deferred revenue at the time the payment is received.  Revenue is not recognized unless collectability is reasonably assured. If licensing arrangements are terminated prior to the original licensing period, we will recognize revenue for any contractual termination fees, unless such amounts are deemed non-recoverable.

 

In regard to sales for services provided, the Company records revenue when persuasive evidence of any agreement exists, services have been rendered, and collectability is reasonably assured. Based on the contracted services, revenue is recognized when the Company invoices customers for completed services at agreed upon rates or revenue is recognized over a fixed period of time during which the service is performed. 

 

Cost of Sales

Our cost of sales includes costs associated with distribution, external fill and labor expense, components, and freight for our professional products divisions, and includes labor, third-party service providers, and amortization expense related to intellectual property for our licensing and entertainment divisions. In our professional products division, cost of sales also includes the cost of refurbishing products returned by customers that will be offered for resale and the cost of inventory write-downs associated with adjustments of held inventories to their net realizable value. These costs are reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations when the product is sold and net sales revenues are recognized or, in the case of inventory write-downs, when circumstances indicate that the carrying value of inventories is in excess of their net realizable value.

 

Advertising Costs

The Company expenses all costs of advertising and related marketing and promotional costs as incurred. The Company incurred approximately $443,000 and $155,000 in advertising and related marketing and promotional costs included in operating expenses during the three months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The Company incurred approximately $1,036,000 and $297,000 in advertising and related marketing and promotional costs included in operating expenses during the nine months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.

 

Shipping and Handling Fees and Costs

All fees billed to customers for shipping and handling are classified as a component of sales. All costs associated with shipping and handling are classified as a component of cost of goods sold.

 

Income Taxes

The Parent Company is a North Carolina corporation that is treated as a corporation for federal and state income tax purposes. Prior to April 2017, BPU was a multi-member limited liability company that was treated as a partnership for federal and state income tax purposes. As such, the Parent Company’s partnership share in the taxable income or loss of BPU was included in the tax return of the Parent Company. Beginning in April 2017, the Parent Company acquired the remaining interests in BPU. As a result of the acquisition, BPU became a disregarded entity for tax purposes and its entire share of taxable income or loss was included in the tax return of the Parent Company. Level H&W is a wholly owned subsidiary and is a disregarded entity for tax purposes and its entire share of taxable income or loss is included in the tax return of the Parent Company. IM1 and EE1 are multi-member limited liability companies that are treated as partnerships for federal and state income tax purposes. As such, the Parent Company’s partnership share in the taxable income or loss of IM1 and EE1 are included in the tax return of the Parent Company.

 

The Parent Company accounts for income taxes pursuant to the provisions of the Accounting for Income Taxes topic of the FASB ASC 740 which requires, among other things, an asset and liability approach to calculating deferred income taxes. The asset and liability approach requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts and the tax bases of assets and liabilities. The Parent Company uses the inside basis approach to determine deferred tax assets and liabilities associated with its investment in a consolidated pass-through entity. A valuation allowance is provided to offset any net deferred tax assets for which management believes it is more likely than not that the net deferred asset will not be realized.

 

US GAAP requires management to evaluate tax positions taken by the Company and recognize a tax liability (or asset) if the Company has taken an uncertain tax position that more likely than not would not be sustained upon examination by the Internal Revenue Service. Management has analyzed the tax positions taken by the Company, and has concluded that as of June 30, 2018 and 2017, there were no uncertain tax positions taken or expected to be taken that would require recognition of a liability (or asset) or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements.

 

Concentrations

Financial instruments that potentially expose the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, and securities.

 

The Company places its cash and cash equivalents on deposit with financial institutions in the United States. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”) covers $250,000 for substantially all depository accounts. The Company from time to time may have amounts on deposit in excess of the insured limits. The Company had a $5,055,085 uninsured balance at June 30, 2018 and a $4,728 uninsured balance at September 30, 2017.

 

Concentration of credit risk with respect to receivables is principally limited to trade receivables with corporate customers that meet specific credit policies. Management considers these customer receivables to represent normal business risk. The Company had sales to three customers that collectively represented approximately 89% and 80% of total net sales for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The aggregate accounts receivable of such customer represented approximately 83% of the Company’s total accounts receivable and a long term note receivable at June 30, 2018. The Company had two and four customers, respectively, whose revenue collectively represented approximately 80% and 81% of the Company’s net sales for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, respectively.

Debt Issuance Costs

Debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability are presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Amortization of debt issuance costs are included as a component of interest expense in accordance with ASU 2015-03. All debt obligations were satisfied in fiscal 2017 and all amortization costs had been recognized in interest expense in fiscal 2017 (see Notes 7 and 8).

 

Stock-Based Compensation

We account for our stock compensation under the ASC 718-10-30, “Compensation - Stock Compensation” using the fair value based method. Under this method, compensation cost is measured at the grant date based on the value of the award and is recognized over the service period, which is usually the vesting period. This guidance establishes standards for the accounting for transactions in which an entity exchanges its equity instruments for goods or services. It also addresses transactions in which

an entity incurs liabilities in exchange for goods or services that are based on the fair value of the entity's equity instruments or that may be settled by the issuance of those equity instruments.

 

We use the Black-Scholes model for measuring the fair value of options and warrants. The stock based fair value compensation is determined as of the date of the grant or the date at which the performance of the services is completed (measurement date) and is recognized over the vesting periods. Under ASU 2016-09 which amends ASC 718, which became effective October 1, 2017, we elected to change our accounting principle to recognize forfeitures when they occur. This change had no impact on beginning retained earnings as there had been no forfeitures estimated or incurred in prior periods.

 

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The Company uses ASC 260-10, “Earnings Per Share” for calculating the basic and diluted income (loss) per share. The Company computes basic income (loss) per share by dividing net income (loss) and net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding. Common equivalent shares are excluded from the computation of net loss per share if their effect is anti-dilutive.

 

At the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, 697,476 potential shares were excluded from the shares used to calculate diluted loss per share as their inclusion would reduce net loss per share.

 

Deferred IPO costs

In following the guidance under ASC 340-10-S99-1, IPO costs directly attributable to an offering of equity securities were deferred and charged against the gross proceeds of the offering as a reduction of additional paid-in capital during the three months ended December 31, 2017. These costs included legal fees related to the registration drafting and counsel, independent audit costs directly related to the registration and offering, SEC filing and print related costs, exchange listing costs, and IPO roadshow related costs.

 

New Accounting Standards

In May 2014, August 2015 and May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, and ASU 2015-14 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, Deferral of the Effective Date, respectively, which implement ASC Topic 606. ASC Topic 606 outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance under US GAAP, including industry-specific guidance. It also requires entities to disclose both quantitative and qualitative information that enable financial statements users to understand the nature, amount, timing, and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Subsequently, the FASB has issued the following standards related to ASU 2014-09: ASU No. 2016-08, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (“ASU 2016-08”); ASU No. 2016-10, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing (“ASU 2016-10”); ASU No. 2016-12, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients (“ASU 2016-12”); and ASU No. 2016-20, Technical Corrections and Improvements to Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASU 2016-20”). The amendments in these ASUs are effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods therein. Early adoption is permitted for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016. These ASUs may be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented, or retrospectively with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings in the year of adoption. Level Brands will adopt this standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2019 retrospectively with a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings. The Company in in process of reviewing all contracts to determine if there is any impact in implementing this guidance on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases.  The purpose of ASU 2016-02 is to establish the principles to report transparent and economically neutral information about the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. This guidance results in a more faithful representation of the rights and obligations arising from operating and capital leases by requiring lessees to recognize the lease assets and lease liabilities that arise from leases in the statement of financial position and to disclose qualitative and quantitative information about lease transactions, such as information about variable lease payments and options to renew and terminate leases. ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. The Company is assessing the impact, if any, of implementing this guidance on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

 

In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230), Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments. The amendments in this update provided guidance on eight specific cash flow issues. This update is to provide specific guidance on each of the eight issues, thereby reducing the diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-15 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is assessing the impact, if any, of implementing this guidance on its consolidated financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

 

In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business. ASU 2017-01 clarifies the definition and provides a more robust framework to use in determining when a set of assets and activities constitutes a business. ASU 2017-01 is intended to provide guidance when evaluating whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. ASU 2017-01 will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017.