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Fair Value Measurements
12 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Disclosures FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Universal measures certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value based on applicable accounting guidance. The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value include money market funds, trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans, interest rate swap agreements, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers. The application of the fair value guidance to nonfinancial assets and liabilities primarily includes the determination of fair values for goodwill and long-lived assets when indicators of potential impairment are present.
Under the accounting guidance, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The framework for measuring fair value is based on a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs require the Company to make its own assumptions about the value placed on an asset or liability by market participants because little or no market data exists. There are three levels within the fair value hierarchy.
LevelDescription
1  quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the reporting date;
2  quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and
3  unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.
As permitted under the accounting guidance, the Company uses net asset value per share ("NAV") as a practical expedient to measure the fair value of its money market funds. The fair values for those funds are presented under the heading "NAV" in the tables that follow in this disclosure. In measuring the fair value of liabilities, the Company considers the risk of non-performance in determining fair value. Universal has not elected to report at fair value any financial instruments or any other assets or liabilities that are not required to be reported at fair value under current accounting guidance.
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
At March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had certain financial assets and financial liabilities that were required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis. These assets and liabilities are listed in the tables below and are classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy or the NAV practical expedient:
March 31, 2021
Fair Value Hierarchy
NAVLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets
Money market funds$1,992 $— $— $— $1,992 
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans— 15,735 — — 15,735 
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts— — 1,572 — 1,572 
Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value$1,992 $15,735 $1,572 $— $19,299 
Liabilities
Acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations - long-term$— $— $— $2,532 $2,532 
Interest rate swap agreements— — 25,719 — 25,719 
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts— — 1,822 — 1,822 
Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value$— $— $27,541 $2,532 $30,073 
March 31, 2020
Fair Value Hierarchy
NAVLevel 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets
Money market funds
$4,011 $— $— $— $4,011 
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans
— 12,635 — — 12,635 
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
— — 314 — 314 
 Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value$4,011 $12,635 $314 $— $16,960 
Liabilities
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers
$— $— $— $103 $103 
Acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations - short-term— — — 4,173 $4,173 
Acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations - long-term— — — 2,532 $2,532 
Interest rate swap agreements
— — 37,163 — 37,163 
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
— — 15,842 — 15,842 
 Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value$— $— $53,005 $6,808 $59,813 

Money market funds
The fair value of money market funds, which are reported in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets, is based on NAV, which is the amount at which the funds are redeemable and is used as a practical expedient for fair value. These funds are not classified in the fair value hierarchy, but are disclosed as part of the fair value table above.
Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans
Trading securities represent mutual fund investments that are matched to employee deferred compensation obligations. These investments are bought and sold as employees defer compensation, receive distributions, or make changes in the funds underlying their accounts. Quoted market prices (Level 1) are used to determine the fair values of the mutual funds.
Interest rate swap agreements
The fair values of interest rate swap agreements are determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts
The fair values of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are also determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, forward foreign currency exchange contracts are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
Acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations
The Company estimates the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations by applying an income approach model that utilizes probability-weighted discounted cash flows. The Company acquired FruitSmart, Inc. in fiscal year 2020 and recognized a contingent consideration liability of $6.7 million on the date of acquisition. Each reporting period the Company evaluates the fair value of the acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations. In the quarter ended June 30, 2020, the evaluation resulted in the reduction of $4.2 million of contingent consideration of the original $6.7 million liability recorded. Significant judgment is applied to this model and therefore the acquisition-related contingent consideration obligation is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
A reconciliation of the change in the balance of the acquisition-related contingent consideration obligation (Level 3) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is provided below.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
20212020
Balance beginning of year$6,705 $— 
Additions— 6,705 
Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability(4,173)— 
Balance at end of year $2,532 $6,705 
As of March 31, 2021, $2.5 million of contingent consideration liability related to the FruitSmart acquisition is included in accounts payable and accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheet.
Guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers
The majority of crop financing utilized for fiscal year 2021 in Brazil did not require guaranteed bank loans to tobacco growers, resulting in the elimination of guarantees at March 31, 2021 . For the majority of crop financing prior to fiscal year 2021, the Company relied heavily on guaranteed bank loans to tobacco growers in Brazil for crop financing. In the event that the farmers defaulted on their payments to the banks, the Company would be required to perform under the guarantees. The Company regularly evaluated the likelihood of farmer defaults based on an expected loss analysis and records the fair value of its guarantees as an obligation in its consolidated financial statements. The fair value of the guarantees was determined using the expected loss data for all loans outstanding at each measurement date. The present value of the cash flows associated with the estimated losses was then calculated at a risk-adjusted interest rate that was aligned with the expected duration of the liability and included an adjustment for nonperformance risk. This approach is sometimes referred to as the “contingent claims valuation method.” Although historical loss data is an observable input, significant judgment was required in applying this information to the portfolio of guaranteed loans outstanding at each measurement date and in selecting a risk-adjusted interest rate. Significant increases or decreases in the risk-adjusted interest rate may result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. The guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers were therefore classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
A reconciliation of the change in the balance of the financial liability for guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers (Level 3) for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 is provided below.
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
20212020
Balance at beginning of year$103 $803 
Payments under the guarantees and transfers to allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (removal of prior crop year loans from the portfolio)
(96)(659)
Provision for loss or transfers from allowance for loss on direct loans to farmers (addition of current crop year loans)
— (5)
Change in discount rate and estimated collection period(2)(7)
Currency remeasurement(5)(29)
Balance at end of year$— $103 
Long-term Debt
The following table summarizes the fair and carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt, including the current portion at each of the balance sheet dates March 31, 2021 and 2020:
Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
(in millions of dollars)20212020
Fair market value of long term obligations$517 $370 
Carrying value of long term obligations$520 $370 
The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt using Level 2 inputs which are based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar obligations or on calculations that are based on the current interest rates available to the Company for debt of similar terms and maturities. See Note 9 for more information regarding long-term debt.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
Assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis primarily relate to long-lived assets, right-of-use operating lease assets and liabilities, goodwill and intangibles, and other current and noncurrent assets. These assets and liabilities fair values are evaluated for impairment when potential indicators of impairment exist. Accordingly, the nonrecurring measurement of the fair value of these assets and liabilities are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
Acquisition Accounting for Business Combinations
The Company accounts for acquisitions qualifying under ASC 805, "Business Combinations," which requires, among other things, that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair values of consideration transferred and net assets acquired are determined using a combination of Level 2 and Level 3 inputs as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” The Company believes that the fair values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on reasonable assumptions. The significant assumptions used in determining the fair value include the discount rate and forecasted results (e.g., revenue growth rates and operating profit margins).
Long-Lived Assets
The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events, changes in business conditions, or other circumstances provide an indication that such assets may be impaired.
CIFI
As a result of the announcement of the wind-down of the CIFI operation, an impairment of the related long-lived assets was recorded during the quarter ended December 31, 2020. The long-lived assets primarily consist of buildings, processing equipment, and other manufacturing related assets. The aggregate fair value and carrying value of those assets following the impairment adjustments was approximately $6 million. The fair values of the property, plant and equipment were principally determined using a market-based approach with consideration of the assets fair values to potential third-parties. Significant judgment was required in estimating the amount and timing of the future cash flows associated with the disposition of the assets.
TanzaniaDue to business changes that affected the leaf tobacco market in Tanzania and the Company's operations there, an impairment charge of the long-lived assets in Tanzania was recorded in fiscal year 2019 to reduce their carrying value to fair value at March 31, 2019. The long-lived assets consist principally of the Company's processing facility and equipment, storage facilities, tobacco buying and receiving stations, employee housing, and vehicles and transportation equipment. The aggregate fair value and carrying value of those assets following the impairment adjustments was approximately $17 million. The fair values of the property, plant and equipment were determined based principally on a probability-weighting of the discounted cash flows expected under multiple operating and disposition scenarios. Significant judgment was required in estimating the amount and timing of the future cash flows associated with the use and disposition of the assets, as well as the probabilities associated with the respective operating and disposition scenarios.