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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2020
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
(a) Nature of Operations
Federated Hermes provides investment advisory, administrative, distribution and other services to the Federated Hermes Funds and Separate Accounts in both domestic and international markets. In addition, Federated Hermes markets and provides stewardship and real estate development services to various domestic and international companies. For presentation purposes in the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Federated Hermes Funds are considered to be affiliates of Federated Hermes.
The majority of Federated Hermes' revenue is derived from investment advisory services provided to the Federated Hermes Funds and Separate Accounts through various subsidiaries pursuant to investment advisory contracts. These advisory subsidiaries are registered as investment advisors under the Advisers Act or operate in similar capacities under applicable jurisdictional law.
U.S.-domiciled Federated Hermes Funds are generally distributed by a wholly-owned subsidiary registered as a broker/dealer under the 1934 Act and under applicable state laws. Non-U.S.-domiciled Federated Hermes Funds are generally distributed by subsidiaries and third-party distribution firms which are registered under applicable jurisdictional law. Federated Hermes' investment products are distributed within the U.S. financial intermediary, U.S. institutional and international markets.
(b) Basis of Presentation
The Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and such differences may be material to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(c) Reclassification of Prior Period Financial Statements
Certain items previously reported have been reclassified to conform to the current year's presentation.
(d) Revenue Recognition
All of Federated Hermes' revenue is earned from contracts with customers, which are generally terminable upon no more than 60 days' notice. Revenue is measured as the consideration to which Federated Hermes expects to be entitled in exchange for providing its services. This amount may be reduced by Fee Waivers. See Note (6) for information about current period Fee Waivers.
Revenue from providing investment advisory, administrative and the majority of other services is recognized when a performance obligation is satisfied, which occurs when control of the services is transferred to customers. For these revenue streams, control is transferred over time as the customer simultaneously consumes the benefit of the service as it is provided. Federated Hermes utilizes a time-based measure of progress for which each day is a distinct service period over the life of the contract. Investment advisory, administrative and certain other service fees are generally calculated as a percentage of average net assets of the investment portfolios managed by Federated Hermes. Based on the nature of the calculation, the revenue for these services is accounted for as variable consideration, and is subject to factors outside of Federated Hermes' control, including investor activity and market volatility, and is recognized as these uncertainties are resolved. Certain other service fees are earned on fixed-rate contracts which are recorded over the life of the contract as services are performed. See Note (4) for information about expected future revenue.
For certain revenue, primarily related to distribution and performance fees, including carried interest, Federated Hermes may recognize revenue in the current period that pertains to performance obligations satisfied in prior periods, as it represents variable consideration and is recognized as uncertainties are resolved. For the distribution performance obligation, control is transferred to the customer at the point in time of investor subscription and/or redemption. Measurement of distribution revenue is based on contractual fee rates and the fair value of AUM over the time period the investor remains in the fund. The revenue for these services is accounted for as variable consideration, and is subject to factors outside of Federated Hermes' control, including investor activity and preferences and market volatility, and is recognized as these uncertainties are resolved.
Performance fees, including carried interest, are received from certain Federated Hermes Funds and Separate Accounts and are dependent upon meeting certain performance hurdles which typically arise from investment management services that begin in prior periods. Because each fee arrangement is unique, contracts are evaluated on an individual basis for each reporting period. Performance fees are forms of variable consideration which are recognized only to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur, which involves significant judgement. Potential constraints impacting the amount of variable consideration recognized include factors outside of management's influence, such as market conditions and situations where the contract has a large number and broad range of possible amounts and, in the case of carried interest, certain clawback provisions which may require the return of previously received carried interest based on future fund performance. Federated Hermes records a contract liability for deferred carried interest to the extent it receives cash prior to meeting the revenue recognition criteria.
The fair value of AUM managed by Federated Hermes is primarily determined using quoted market prices, independent third-party pricing services and broker/dealer price quotes or the NAV Practical Expedient. In limited circumstances, a quotation or price determination is not readily available from an independent pricing source. In these cases, pricing is determined by management based on a prescribed valuation process that has been approved by the directors/trustees of the Federated Hermes Funds. For the periods presented, an immaterial amount of AUM was priced in this manner. For Separate Accounts that are not registered investment companies under the 1940 Act, the fair value of portfolio investments is primarily determined as specified in applicable customer agreements, including in agreements between the customer and the customer's third-party custodian. For Separate Accounts that are registered investment companies under the 1940 Act (e.g., sub-advised mutual funds), the fair value of portfolio investments is determined based on a prescribed valuation process approved by the board of directors/trustees of the sub-advised fund.
Federated Hermes has contractual arrangements with third parties to provide certain fund-related services. Management considers whether Federated Hermes is acting as the principal service provider or as an agent to determine whether its revenue should be recorded based on the gross amount received from the funds or net of Federated Hermes' payments to third-party service providers. Federated Hermes is considered a principal service provider if it controls the service that is transferred to the customer. Alternatively, it would be considered an agent when it does not control the service, but rather arranges for the service to be provided by another party. Generally, the less the customer is directly involved with or participates in making decisions regarding the ultimate third-party service provider, the more supportive the facts are that Federated Hermes is acting as the principal in these transactions and should therefore report revenues on a gross basis. All of Federated Hermes' revenue is recorded gross of payments made to third parties.
Management judgments are used when reviewing newly-created contracts and/or materially-modified contracts to determine whether: (1) Federated Hermes is the principal or agent; (2) a contract has multiple performance obligations when Federated Hermes is paid a single fee; and (3) two or more contracts should be combined. A change in the conclusion of whether Federated Hermes is the principal or agent would result in a change in the revenue being recorded gross or net of payments made to third parties. Different conclusions for the remaining two judgments may change the line items to which revenue is being recorded.
(e) Principles of Consolidation
Federated Hermes performs an analysis for each Federated Hermes Fund or other entity in which Federated Hermes holds a financial interest to determine if it is a VIE or VRE. Factors considered in this analysis include, but are not limited to, whether (1) it is a legal entity, (2) a scope exception applies, (3) a variable interest exists and (4) shareholders have the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance, as well as the equity ownership, and any related party or de facto agent implications of Federated Hermes' involvement with the entity. Entities that are determined to be VIEs are consolidated if Federated Hermes is deemed to be the primary beneficiary. Entities that are determined to be VREs are generally consolidated if Federated Hermes holds the majority voting interest. Federated Hermes' conclusion to consolidate a Federated Hermes Fund may vary from period to period, most commonly as a result of changes in its percentage interest in the entity. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities
Federated Hermes has a controlling financial interest in a VIE and is, therefore, deemed to be the primary beneficiary of a VIE if it has (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE.
Consolidation of Voting Rights Entities
Federated Hermes has a controlling financial interest in a VRE if it can exert control over the financial and operating policies of the VRE, which generally occurs when Federated Hermes holds the majority voting interest (i.e., greater than 50% of the voting equity interest).
(f) Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and Cash Equivalents consist of investments in money market funds and deposits with banks. Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to cash with original maturities of 90 days or less at the date of acquisition.
(g) Investments
Federated Hermes' investments are categorized as Investments—Consolidated Investment Companies or Investments—Affiliates and Other on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Investments—Consolidated Investment Companies represent securities held by Federated Hermes as a result of consolidating certain Federated Hermes Funds. Investments—Affiliates and Other represent Federated Hermes' investments in fluctuating-value Federated Hermes Funds and investments held in Separate Accounts for which Federated Hermes owns the underlying debt and equity securities. All investments are carried at fair value with unrealized gains or losses on these securities recognized in Gain (Loss) on Securities, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. Realized gains and losses on these securities are computed on a specific-identification basis and recognized in Gain (Loss) on Securities, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The fair value of Federated Hermes' investments is generally based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical instruments. If quoted market prices are not available, fair value is generally based upon quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets. In the absence of observable market data inputs and/or value drivers, internally generated valuation techniques may be utilized in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable in the market place. See Note (8) for additional information regarding the fair value of investments held as of December 31, 2020 and 2019.
(h) Derivatives and Hedging Instruments
From time to time, Federated Hermes may consolidate an investment product that holds freestanding derivative financial instruments for trading purposes. Federated Hermes reports such derivative instruments at fair value and records the changes in fair value in Gain (Loss) on Securities, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
From time to time, Federated Hermes may also enter into derivative financial instruments to hedge against the risk of movement in foreign exchange rates. Federated Hermes records all derivative financial instruments as either assets or liabilities on its Consolidated Balance Sheets and measures these instruments at fair value. Federated Hermes has not designated any derivative financial instrument as a hedging instrument for accounting purposes. In 2020, the gain or loss on these derivative instruments is recognized in Operating Expenses – Other on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(i) Asset Acquisitions and Business Combinations
Federated Hermes performs an analysis to determine whether a transaction should be accounted for as an asset acquisition or a business combination.
A transaction that does not meet the definition of a business under U.S. GAAP is accounted for as an asset acquisition. Asset acquisitions are accounted for using a cost accumulation and allocation method where the cost of the transaction is allocated on a relative fair value basis to the qualifying assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the acquisition date. The cost of the transaction includes both the consideration transferred to the seller and any direct transaction costs incurred. The primary asset acquired in previous asset acquisitions has been the rights to manage fund assets. The rights to manage fund assets is an intangible asset valued using the excess earnings method, under the income approach, which estimates fair value by quantifying the amount of discounted cash flows generated by the asset. No goodwill is recognized in an asset acquisition.
A transaction that meets the definition of a business is accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting. The consideration transferred to the seller in a business combination is measured at fair value and calculated as the sum of the acquisition date fair values of the assets transferred by Federated Hermes, the liabilities incurred by Federated Hermes from the seller and any equity interests issued by Federated Hermes. Direct transaction costs are expensed as incurred
in a business combination. Results of operations of an acquired business are included in Federated Hermes' results from the date of acquisition.
Rights to manage fund assets and trade names acquired in a business combination are recorded at fair value. The fair value of the rights to manage fund assets is determined using the excess earnings method, under the income approach. The fair value of the trade names is determined using the relief from royalty method, under the income approach. Each method considers various factors to project future cash flows expected to be generated from the asset. After the fair values of all separately identifiable assets and liabilities have been estimated, goodwill is recorded to the extent that the consideration paid exceeds the sum of the fair values of the separately identifiable acquired assets, net of assumed liabilities.
For both asset acquisitions and business combinations, the significant assumptions used in the valuation of the intangible assets acquired typically include: (1) the asset's estimated useful life; (2) projected AUM; (3) projected revenue growth rates; (4) projected pre-tax profit margins; (5) tax rates; (6) discount rates and (7) in the case of a trade name valuation, a royalty rate.
(j) Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Intangible assets consist primarily of rights to manage fund assets and trade names acquired in connection with various asset acquisitions and business combinations. Goodwill represents the excess cost of a business acquisition over the fair value of the net assets acquired. Certain portions of goodwill and intangible assets are denominated in foreign currency and, as such, include the effects of foreign currency fluctuations.
Federated Hermes tests goodwill for impairment at least annually or when indicators of potential impairment exist. Goodwill is evaluated at the reporting unit level. Federated Hermes has determined that it has a single reporting unit consistent with its single operating segment based on the management of Federated Hermes' operations as a single business: investment management. Federated Hermes uses a qualitative approach to test for potential impairment of goodwill. If, after considering various factors, management determines that it is more likely than not that goodwill is impaired, a quantitative goodwill impairment test is performed which compares the fair value of its reporting unit, including consideration of Federated Hermes' market capitalization, with its carrying amount. If the carrying amount of its reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized in an amount equal to that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
Federated Hermes has determined that certain acquired assets, primarily certain rights to manage fund assets and trade names, have indefinite useful lives. In reaching this conclusion, management considered the acquired assets' legal, regulatory and agreed-upon provisions, the highest and best use of the asset, the level of cost and effort required in agreed-upon renewals, and the effects of obsolescence, demand, competition and other economic factors that could impact the assets' fair value. The fair value of the rights to manage fund assets is determined using the excess earnings method, under the income approach. The fair value of the trade name is determined using the relief from royalty method, under the income approach. Federated Hermes has aggregated multiple indefinite-lived assets into three units of accounting for purposes of indefinite-lived intangible impairment testing. The determination to group indefinite-lived intangible assets into three units of accounting is not a one-time evaluation. Rather, it is subject to reconsideration and may change depending on the facts and circumstances. On a quarterly basis, indefinite-lived intangible assets are reviewed for potential changes in useful life. In addition, an annual impairment test is performed at the accounting unit level, or when indicators of a potential impairment exist. Management may use a qualitative or quantitative approach which requires the weighting of positive and negative evidence collected through the consideration of various factors to determine whether it is more likely than not that an indefinite-lived intangible asset or asset group is impaired. In 2020, management used a quantitative approach for two units of account and a qualitative approach for the remaining unit of account. Management considers macroeconomic and entity-specific factors, including the asset's estimated useful life, projected AUM, projected revenue growth rates, projected pre-tax profit margins, tax rates, discount rates and, in the case of a trade name valuation, a royalty rate. If Federated Hermes' carrying amount of its accounting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized in an amount equal to the excess of the carrying value over the fair value.
Federated Hermes amortizes finite-lived identifiable intangible assets on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Management periodically evaluates the remaining useful lives and carrying values of the intangible assets to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that a change in the useful life or impairment in value may have occurred. Indicators of a potential impairment monitored by management include a significant decline in the level of managed assets, changes to contractual provisions underlying certain intangible assets and significant reductions in underlying operating cash flows. Should there be an indication of a change in the useful life or impairment in value of the finite-lived intangible assets, Federated Hermes compares the carrying value of the asset to the projected undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the underlying asset over its remaining useful life to determine whether impairment has occurred. If the carrying value of the asset
exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the asset is written down to its fair value determined using discounted cash flows. Federated Hermes writes-off the cost and accumulated amortization balances for all fully amortized intangible assets.
(k) Property and Equipment
Property and equipment are initially recorded at cost and are depreciated using the straight-line method over their estimated useful lives ranging from 1 to 15 years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or their respective lease terms. Depreciation and amortization expense is recorded in Office and Occupancy on the Consolidated Statements of Income. As property and equipment are taken out of service, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed. The write-off of any residual net book value is reflected as a loss in Operating Expenses – Other on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
On an annual basis, management reviews the remaining useful lives and carrying values of property and equipment to determine whether events and circumstances indicate that a change in the useful life or impairment in value may have occurred. Indicators of impairment monitored by management include a decrease in the market price of the asset, an accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected in the acquisition or development of the asset, historical and projected cash flows associated with the asset and an expectation that the asset will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life. Should there be an indication of a change in the useful life or an impairment in value, Federated Hermes compares the carrying value of the asset to the probability-weighted undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the underlying asset over its remaining useful life to determine whether an impairment has occurred. If the carrying value of the asset exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, the asset is written down to fair value which is determined based on prices of similar assets if available or discounted cash flows. Impairment adjustments are recognized in Operating Expenses – Other on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(l) Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use
Certain internal and external costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining software for internal use, including software licenses in a cloud computing arrangement, are capitalized in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance relating to Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software. These capitalized costs are included in Property and Equipment, net on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the software, typically four years, or over the term of the software license. These assets are subject to the impairment test used for property and equipment described above.
Certain internal and external costs incurred in connection with implementation costs related to a software hosting arrangement that is a service contract are capitalized in accordance with the applicable accounting guidance relating to Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software. These capitalized costs are included in Prepaid Expenses and Other Long-Term Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized using the straight-line method over the term of the software license.
(m) Leases
Federated Hermes classifies leases as either operating or financing, and records a right-of-use (ROU) asset and a lease liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The lease liability is initially measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments remaining at the lease commencement date. The ROU asset is initially measured as the lease liability, adjusted for lease payments made prior to the lease commencement date and lease incentives received. ROU assets are reviewed for impairment when events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. In determining the present value of the lease liability, a lessee must use the interest rate implicit in the lease or, if that rate is not readily determinable, its incremental borrowing rate (IBR). All leases for the periods presented are classified as operating leases. Management has made the following accounting policy elections: (1) not to separate lease components from non-lease components for all asset classes and (2) to apply the short-term lease exception, which does not require the capitalization of leases with terms of 12 months or less. Rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the lease term, beginning on the earlier of the effective date of the lease or the date Federated Hermes obtains control of the asset. The lease term may include options to extend the lease when they are reasonably certain of being exercised.
Management judgments are used when reviewing new and/or materially-modified contracts to determine (1) whether the contract is, or contains, a lease, and (2) the IBR. Management was unable to determine the rates implicit in Federated Hermes' leases based on the information available at the commencement date, therefore, management calculated an IBR for each lease. In order to calculate the IBR, management began with readily observable unsecured rates, and adjusted for the following assumptions: (1) collateralization, (2) remaining lease term and (3) the type of ROU asset.
(n) Equity Method Investments
The equity method of accounting is used to account for equity investments in which Federated Hermes does not control the investee and is not the primary beneficiary of a VIE, but has the ability to exercise significant influence over the financial and operating policies of the investee. Significant influence is generally considered to exist when Federated Hermes' ownership interest is between 20% and 50%. Equity method investments are initially recorded at cost in Other Long-Term Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Federated Hermes' proportionate share of the investee's net income or loss is recorded in Nonoperating Income (Expenses) - Other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. The investments are reviewed for impairment if events or changes in circumstance indicate that the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. If the carrying amount of an investment exceeds fair value and the decline in fair value is deemed to be other-than-temporary, the equity method investment will be adjusted to fair value and an impairment loss equal to the difference is recorded in Nonoperating Income (Expenses) - Other, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(o) Loss Contingencies
Federated Hermes accrues for estimated costs, including legal costs related to existing lawsuits, claims and proceedings, if any, when it is probable that a loss has been incurred and the costs can be reasonably estimated. Accruals are reviewed at least quarterly and are adjusted to reflect the impact and status of settlements, rulings, advice of counsel and other information pertinent to a particular matter. Significant differences could exist between the actual cost required to investigate, litigate and/or settle a claim or the ultimate outcome of a lawsuit, claim or proceeding and management's estimate. These differences could have a material impact on Federated Hermes' results of operations, financial position and/or cash flows. Recoveries of losses are recognized on the Consolidated Statements of Income when receipt is deemed probable, or when final approval is received by the insurance carrier.
(p) Noncontrolling Interests
To the extent Federated Hermes' interest in a consolidated entity represents less than 100% of the entity's equity, Federated Hermes recognizes noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries. These noncontrolling interests are deemed to represent temporary equity and are classified as Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiaries in the mezzanine section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
In the case of consolidated investment companies, the noncontrolling interests represent equity which is redeemable or convertible for cash at the option of the equity holder.
In the case of HFML, the noncontrolling interest primarily represents equity which is subject to the terms of a Put and Call Option Deed, redeemable at the option of either the noncontrolling party or Federated Hermes at future predetermined dates, and therefore, not entirely within Federated Hermes' control. The subsidiary's net income or loss and related dividends are allocated to Federated Hermes and the noncontrolling interest holder based on their relative ownership percentages. The noncontrolling interest carrying value is adjusted on a quarterly basis to the higher of the carrying value or current redemption value (fair value), as of the balance sheet date, through a corresponding adjustment to retained earnings. Management may use an independent valuation expert to assist in estimating the current redemption value (fair value) using three methodologies: (1) the discounted cash flow methodology under the income approach; (2) the guideline public company methodology under the market approach and (3) the guideline public transaction methodology under the market approach. The estimated current redemption value is derived from equally weighting the result of each of the three methodologies. The estimation of the current redemption value includes significant assumptions concerning: (1) projected AUM; (2) projected revenue growth rates; (3) projected pre-tax profit margins; (4) tax rates and (5) discount rates.
(q) Treasury Stock
Federated Hermes accounts for acquisitions of treasury stock at cost and reports total treasury stock held as a deduction from Federated Hermes, Inc. shareholders' equity on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. At the date of subsequent reissue, the treasury stock account is reduced by the cost of such stock on a specific-identification basis. Additional Paid-in Capital from Treasury Stock Transactions is increased as Federated Hermes reissues treasury stock for more than the cost of the shares. If Federated Hermes issues treasury stock for less than its cost, Additional Paid-in Capital from Treasury Stock Transactions is reduced to no less than zero and any further required reductions are recorded to Retained Earnings on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.
(r) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax is reported on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and the Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity and includes unrealized gains and losses on foreign currency translation adjustments.
(s) Foreign Currency Translation
The balance sheets of certain foreign subsidiaries of Federated Hermes, certain consolidated foreign-denominated investment products and all other foreign-denominated cash or investment balances are translated at the current exchange rate as of the end of the reporting period and the related income or loss is translated at the average exchange rate in effect during the period. Net exchange gains and losses resulting from these translations are excluded from income and are recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), net of tax on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are reflected in Operating Expenses – Other on the Consolidated Statements of Income.
(t) Share-Based Compensation
Federated Hermes issues shares for share-based awards from treasury stock. Federated Hermes recognizes compensation costs based on grant-date fair value for all share-based awards. For restricted stock awards, the grant-date fair value of the award is calculated as the difference between the closing fair value of Federated Hermes' Class B common stock on the date of grant and the purchase price paid by the employee, if any. Federated Hermes' awards are generally subject to graded vesting schedules. Compensation and Related expense is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award and is adjusted for actual forfeitures as they occur. For awards with provisions that allow for accelerated vesting upon retirement, Federated Hermes recognizes expense over the shorter of the vesting period or the period between grant date and the date on which the employee meets the minimum required age for retirement. Compensation and Related expense also includes dividends paid on forfeited awards. Excess tax benefits and deficiencies (including tax benefits from dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards) are recognized in the Income Tax Provision in the Consolidated Statements of Income.
Effective July 2, 2018, Federated Hermes established a non-public subsidiary share-based compensation plan for certain employees of one of its subsidiaries. The subsidiary grants equity awards in the form of restricted nonpublic subsidiary stock to certain members of the subsidiary's management and other key employees. The grant date fair value of the awards is recognized as Compensation and Related expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards and is adjusted for actual forfeitures as they occur, with a corresponding adjustment to Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiaries in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. As a result of the grant of the equity awards in a nonpublic consolidated subsidiary, the shares are not included in the attribution of the subsidiary's income and losses to noncontrolling interest holders until the awards vest. Therefore, Federated Hermes initially recognized the fair value of 33 percent of HFML as Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest in Subsidiaries on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. The attribution of the subsidiary's income and loss is recognized in Net Income (Loss) Attributable to the Noncontrolling Interests in Subsidiaries on the Consolidated Statements of Income and is expected to fluctuate as the these awards vest and put/call options are exercised.
(u) Advertising Costs
Federated Hermes generally expenses the cost of all advertising and promotional activities as incurred. Certain printed matter, however, such as sales brochures, are accounted for as prepaid supplies and are included in Other Current Assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets until they are distributed or are no longer expected to be used, at which time their costs are expensed.
(v) Income Taxes
Federated Hermes accounts for income taxes under the liability method, which requires the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. Federated Hermes recognizes a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence regarding future taxable income, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Following its review, management has determined that the investment in certain non-U.S. subsidiaries will be reinvested for an indefinite period of time. Federated Hermes has the ability and the intent to do this. In addition, under the various directives and
protocols in the jurisdictions where these entities are located, management believes that any dividend from these non-U.S. subsidiaries would not be subject to a withholding tax. Additionally, Federated Hermes has elected to account for taxes related to temporary basis differences expected to reverse as Global Intangible Low-Taxed Income (GILTI) as tax expense in the period incurred, rather than factoring it into the measurement of deferred taxes. As of December 31, 2020, the unrecognized deferred tax liability associated with these subsidiaries is $8.2 million.
(w) Earnings Per Share
Basic and diluted earnings per share are calculated under the two-class method. Pursuant to the two-class method, unvested restricted shares of Federated Hermes' Class B common stock with nonforfeitable rights to dividends are considered participating securities and are required to be considered in the computation of earnings per share. These unvested restricted shares, as well as the related dividends paid and their proportionate share of undistributed earnings, if any, are excluded from the computation of basic earnings per share. In addition to the amounts excluded from the basic earnings per share calculation, net income available to unvested shareholders of a nonpublic consolidated subsidiary is excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share.
(x) Business Segments
Business or operating segments are defined as a component of an enterprise that engages in activities from which it may earn revenue and incur expenses for which discrete financial information is available and is regularly evaluated by Federated Hermes' Chief Executive Officer (CEO), who is the chief operating decision maker, in deciding how to allocate resources and assess performance. Federated Hermes operates in one operating segment, the investment management business, which is primarily conducted within the U.S. Federated Hermes' CEO utilizes a consolidated approach to assess performance and allocate resources.