SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

The Company consolidates entities in which it has a direct or indirect controlling financial interest based on either a variable interest model or voting interest model. A limited partnership or similar entity is a variable interest entity (“VIE”) if the unaffiliated limited partners do not have substantive kick-out or participating rights. Most of the Oaktree funds are VIEs because they have not granted unaffiliated limited partners substantive kick-out or participating rights. The Company consolidates those VIEs in which it is the primary beneficiary. An entity is deemed to be the primary beneficiary if it holds a controlling financial interest. A controlling financial interest is defined as (a) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb losses of the entity or the right to receive benefits from the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE. The consolidation guidance requires an analysis to determine (a) whether an entity in which the Company holds a variable interest is a VIE and (b) whether the Company’s involvement, through holding interests directly or indirectly in the entity or contractually through other variable interests (e.g., management and performance-based fees), would give it a controlling financial interest. A decision maker’s fee arrangement is not considered a variable interest if it is compensation for services provided, commensurate with the level of effort required to provide those services and part of a compensation arrangement that includes only terms, conditions or amounts that are customarily present in arrangements for similar services negotiated at arm’s length (“at-market”), and the decision maker does not hold any other variable interests that absorb more than an insignificant amount of the potential VIE’s expected residual returns.

The Company determines whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time it becomes involved with a VIE and reconsiders that conclusion at each reporting date. In evaluating whether the Company is the primary beneficiary, the Company evaluates its economic interests in the entity held either directly by the Company or indirectly through related parties. The consolidation analysis can generally be performed qualitatively; however, if it is not readily apparent that the Company is not the primary beneficiary, a quantitative analysis may also be performed. Investments and redemptions (either by the Company, affiliates of the Company or third parties) or amendments to the governing documents of the respective Oaktree funds could affect an entity’s status as a VIE or the determination of the primary beneficiary. The Company does not consolidate most of the Oaktree funds because it is not the primary beneficiary, as its fee arrangements are not deemed to be variable interests and it does not hold any other interests in those funds that are considered to be more than insignificant. Please see note 3 for more information regarding both consolidated and unconsolidated VIEs. For entities that are not VIEs, consolidation is evaluated through a majority voting interest model.

“Consolidated funds” refers to Oaktree-managed funds and CLOs that Oaktree is required to consolidate. When funds or CLOs are consolidated, the Company reflects the assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and cash flows of the funds or CLOs on a gross basis, and the majority of the economic interests in those funds or CLOs, which are held by third-party investors, are reflected as non-controlling interests in consolidated funds or debt obligations of CLOs in the condensed consolidated financial statements. All of the revenues earned by the Company as investment manager of the consolidated funds are eliminated in consolidation. However, because the eliminated amounts are earned from and funded by third-party investors, the consolidation of a fund does not impact net income or loss attributable to the Company.

Certain entities in which the Company has the ability to exert significant influence, including unconsolidated Oaktree funds for which the Company acts as general partner, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting.

Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Funds and Subsidiaries

Non-controlling Redeemable Interests in Consolidated Funds

The Company records non-controlling interests to reflect the economic interests of the unaffiliated limited partners. These interests are presented as non-controlling redeemable interests in consolidated funds within the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition, outside of the permanent capital section. Limited partners in open-end and evergreen funds generally have the right to withdraw their capital, subject to the terms of the respective limited partnership agreements, over periods ranging from one month to three years. While limited partners in consolidated closed-end funds generally have not been granted redemption rights, these limited partners do have withdrawal or redemption rights in certain limited circumstances that are beyond the control of the Company, such as instances in which retaining the limited partnership interest could cause the limited partner to violate a law, regulation or rule.

The allocation of net income or loss to non-controlling redeemable interests in consolidated funds is based on the relative ownership interests of the unaffiliated limited partners after the consideration of contractual arrangements that govern allocations of income or loss. At the consolidated level, potential incentives are allocated to non-controlling redeemable interests in consolidated funds until such incentives become allocable to the Company under the substantive contractual terms of the limited partnership agreements of the funds.

Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Funds

Non-controlling interests in consolidated funds represent the equity interests held by third-party investors in CLOs that had not yet priced as of the respective period end. All non-controlling interests in those CLOs are attributed a share of income or loss arising from the respective CLO based on the relative ownership interests of third-party investors after consideration of contractual arrangements that govern allocations of income or loss. Investors in those CLOs are generally unable to redeem their interests until the respective CLO liquidates, is called or otherwise terminates.

Non-controlling Interests in Consolidated Subsidiaries

Non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries reflect the portion of unitholders’ capital attributable to OCGH unitholders (“OCGH non-controlling interest”) and third parties. All non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries are attributed a share of income or loss in the respective consolidated subsidiary based on the relative economic interests of the OCGH unitholders or third parties after consideration of contractual arrangements that govern allocations of income or loss. Please see note 11 for more information.

Goodwill and Intangibles

Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of identifiable net assets of acquired businesses. Goodwill has an indefinite useful life and is not amortized, but instead is tested for impairment annually in the fourth quarter of each fiscal year, or more frequently when events or circumstances indicate that impairment may have occurred.

The Company’s identifiable intangible assets acquired in business combinations primarily relate to contractual rights to earn future management fees and incentive income. Finite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their estimated useful lives, which range from three to seven years, and are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments and Fair Value Option

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

GAAP establishes a hierarchical disclosure framework that prioritizes the inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value into three levels based on their market observability. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, such as the type of instrument and the characteristics specific to the instrument. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices from an active market or for which fair value can be measured based on actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment inherent in measuring fair value.

Financial assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified as follows:


•	Level I – Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets to which the Company has access at the date of measurement. The types of investments in Level I include exchange-traded equities, debt and derivatives with quoted prices.

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Level II – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are directly or indirectly observable. Level II inputs include interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment risks, loss severities, credit risks and default rates. The types of investments in Level II generally include corporate bonds and loans, government and agency securities, less liquid and restricted equity investments, over-the-counter traded derivatives, debt obligations of consolidated CLOs, and other investments where the fair value is based on observable inputs.

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Level III – Valuations for which one or more significant inputs are unobservable. These inputs reflect the Company’s assessment of the assumptions that market participants use to value the investment based on the best available information. Level III inputs include prices of quoted securities in markets for which there are few transactions, less public information exists or prices vary among brokered market makers. The types of investments in Level III include non-publicly traded equity, debt, real estate and derivatives.

In some instances, the inputs used to value an instrument may fall into multiple levels of the fair-value hierarchy. In such instances, the instrument’s level within the fair-value hierarchy is based on the lowest of the three levels (with Level III being the lowest) that is significant to the fair-value measurement. The Company’s assessment of the significance of an input requires judgment and considers factors specific to the instrument. Transfers of assets into or out of each fair value hierarchy level as a result of changes in the observability of the inputs used in measuring fair value are accounted for as of the beginning of the reporting period. Transfers resulting from a specific event, such as a reorganization or restructuring, are accounted for as of the date of the event that caused the transfer.

In the absence of observable market prices, the Company values Level III investments using valuation methodologies applied on a consistent basis. The quarterly valuation process for Level III investments begins with each portfolio company, property or security being valued by the investment and/or valuation teams. With the exception of open-end funds, all unquoted Level III investment values are reviewed and approved by (i) the Company’s valuation officer, who is independent of the investment teams, (ii) a designated investment professional of each strategy and (iii) for a substantial majority of unquoted Level III holdings as measured by market value, a valuation committee of the respective strategy. For open-end funds, unquoted Level III investment values are reviewed and approved by the Company’s valuation officer. For certain investments, the valuation process also includes a review by independent valuation parties, at least annually, to determine whether the fair values determined by management are reasonable. Results of the valuation process are evaluated each quarter, including an assessment of whether the underlying calculations should be adjusted or recalibrated. In connection with this process, the Company periodically evaluates changes in fair-value measurements for reasonableness, considering items such as industry trends, general economic and market conditions, and factors specific to the investment.

Certain assets are valued using prices obtained from brokers or pricing vendors. The Company seeks to obtain at least one quote directly from a broker making a market for the asset and one price from a pricing vendor for the specific or similar securities. These investments may be classified as Level III because the quoted prices may be indicative in nature for securities that are in an inactive market, may be for similar securities, or may require adjustment for investment-specific factors or restrictions. The Company evaluates the prices obtained from brokers or pricing vendors based on available market information, including trading activity of the subject or similar securities, or by performing a comparable security analysis to ensure that fair values are reasonably estimated. The Company also performs back-testing of valuation information obtained from brokers and pricing vendors against actual prices received in transactions. In addition to ongoing monitoring and back-testing, the Company performs due diligence procedures surrounding pricing vendors to understand their methodology and controls to support their use in the valuation process.

Fair Value Option

The Company has elected the fair value option for certain corporate investments that otherwise would not have reflected unrealized gains and losses in current-period earnings. Such election is irrevocable and is applied on an investment-by-investment basis at initial recognition. Unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value are reflected as a component of investment income in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. The Company’s accounting for these investments is similar to its accounting for investments held by the consolidated funds at fair value, and the valuation methods are consistent with those used to determine the fair value of the consolidated funds’ investments.

The Company has elected the fair value option for the financial assets and financial liabilities of its consolidated CLOs. The assets and liabilities of CLOs are primarily reflected within the investments, at fair value and within the debt obligations of CLOs line items in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition. The Company’s accounting for CLO assets is similar to its accounting for its funds with respect to both carrying investments held by CLOs at fair value and the valuation methods used to determine the fair value of those investments. The fair value of CLO liabilities are measured as the fair value of CLO assets less the sum of (a) the fair value of any beneficial interests held by the Company and (b) the carrying value of any beneficial interests that represent compensation for services. Realized gains or losses and changes in the fair value of CLO assets, respectively, are included in net realized gain on consolidated funds’ investments and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on consolidated funds’ investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Interest income of CLOs is included in interest and dividend income, and interest expense and other expenses, respectively, are included in interest expense and consolidated fund expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Changes in the fair value of a CLO’s financial liabilities in accordance with the CLO measurement guidance are included in net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on consolidated funds’ investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Please see notes 5 and 9 for more information.

Investments, at Fair Value

The consolidated funds include investment limited partnerships and CLOs that reflect their investments, including majority-owned and controlled investments, at fair value. The Company has retained the specialized investment company accounting guidance under GAAP for investment limited partnerships with respect to consolidated investments and has elected the fair value option for the financial assets of CLOs. Thus, the consolidated investments are reflected in the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value reflected as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on consolidated funds’ investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Fair value is the amount 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 (i.e., the exit price).

Non-publicly traded debt and equity securities and other securities or instruments for which reliable market quotations are not available are valued by management using valuation methodologies applied on a consistent basis. These securities may initially be valued at the acquisition price as the best indicator of fair value. The Company reviews the significant unobservable inputs, valuations of comparable investments and other similar transactions for investments valued at acquisition price to determine whether another valuation methodology should be utilized. Subsequent valuations will depend on the facts and circumstances known as of the valuation date and the application of valuation methodologies as further described below under “—Non-publicly Traded Equity and Real Estate Investments.” The fair value may also be based on a pending transaction expected to close after the valuation date.

Exchange-traded Investments

Securities listed on one or more national securities exchanges are valued at their last reported sales price on the date of valuation. If no sale occurred on the valuation date, the security is valued at the mean of the last “bid” and “ask” prices on the valuation date. Securities that are not readily marketable due to legal restrictions that may limit or restrict transferability are generally valued at a discount from quoted market prices. The discount would reflect the amount market participants would require due to the risk relating to the inability to access a public market for the security for the specified period and would vary depending on the nature and duration of the restriction and the perceived risk and volatility of the underlying securities. Securities with longer duration restrictions or higher volatility are generally valued at a higher discount. Such discounts are generally estimated based on put option models or an analysis of market studies. Instances where the Company has applied discounts to quoted prices of restricted listed securities have been infrequent. The impact of such discounts is not material to the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and results of operations for all periods presented.

Credit-oriented Investments (including Real Estate Loan Portfolios)

Investments in corporate and government debt which are not listed or admitted to trading on any securities exchange are valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices on the valuation date based on quotations supplied by recognized quotation services or by reputable broker-dealers.

The market-yield approach is considered in the valuation of non-publicly traded debt securities, utilizing expected future cash flows and discounted using estimated current market rates. Discounted cash-flow calculations may be adjusted to reflect current market conditions and/or the perceived credit risk of the borrower. Consideration is also given to a borrower’s ability to meet principal and interest obligations; this may include an evaluation of collateral and/or the underlying value of the borrower utilizing techniques described below under “—Non-publicly Traded Equity and Real Estate Investments.”

Non-publicly Traded Equity and Real Estate Investments

The fair value of equity and real estate investments is determined using a cost, market or income approach. The cost approach is based on the current cost of reproducing a real estate investment less deterioration and functional and economic obsolescence. The market approach utilizes valuations of comparable public companies and transactions, and generally seeks to establish the enterprise value of the portfolio company or investment property using a market-multiple methodology. This approach takes into account the financial measure (such as EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, net operating income, net income, book value or net asset value) believed to be most relevant for the given company or investment property. Consideration also may be given to factors such as acquisition price of the security or investment property, historical and projected operational and financial results for the portfolio company, the strengths and weaknesses of the portfolio company or investment property relative to its comparable companies or properties, industry trends, general economic and market conditions, and others deemed relevant. The income approach is typically a discounted cash-flow method that incorporates expected timing and level of cash flows. It incorporates assumptions in determining growth rates, income and expense projections, discount and capitalization rates, capital structure, terminal values, and other factors. The applicability and weight assigned to market and income approaches are determined based on the availability of reliable projections and comparable companies and transactions.

The valuation of securities may be impacted by expectations of investors’ receptiveness to a public offering of the securities, the size of the holding of the securities and any associated control, information with respect to transactions or offers for the securities (including the transaction pursuant to which the investment was made and the elapsed time from the date of the investment to the valuation date), and applicable restrictions on the transferability of the securities.

These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of management judgment. Accordingly, valuations by the Company do not necessarily represent the amounts that eventually may be realized from sales or other dispositions of investments. Fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investment existed, and the differences could be material to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

Recent Accounting Developments

In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairments by eliminating step 2 of the goodwill impairment test. This step currently requires an entity to perform a hypothetical purchase price allocation to derive the implied fair value of goodwill. Under the new guidance, an impairment loss is recognized if the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. The impairment loss would equal the amount of that excess, limited to the total amount of goodwill. All other goodwill impairment guidance remains largely unchanged. Entities will continue to have the option to perform a qualitative assessment to determine if a quantitative impairment test is necessary. The guidance is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2020 on a prospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects that adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance that amends the definition of a business. The guidance provides a framework to help determine whether a transaction involves an asset or a business. In general, if substantially all of the gross assets acquired or disposed of are concentrated in a single identifiable asset or group of similar identifiable assets, the transaction is deemed to not involve a business. This framework is expected to reduce the number of transactions that an entity must further evaluate to determine whether they are business combinations or asset acquisitions. The definition of a business may also affect other aspects of accounting, such as goodwill impairment or consolidation. The Company adopted this guidance in the second quarter of 2017, with no impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In October 2016, the FASB amended the consolidation guidance with respect to a single decision maker’s evaluation of interests held through related parties that are under common control when it is determining whether it is the primary beneficiary of a VIE. Under the guidance, a reporting entity considers its indirect economic interests in a VIE held through related parties that are under common control on a proportionate basis, consistent with the way it would evaluate its indirect economic interests held through related parties that are not under common control. Previously, a reporting entity’s indirect economic interests in a VIE held through related parties that are under common control were considered to be the equivalent of direct interests in their entirety. The Company adopted the guidance in the first quarter of 2017, with no impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In August 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The amendments add to or clarify guidance on a number of cash flow issues, including debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs, contingent consideration payments made after a business combination, distributions received from equity-method investees and beneficial interests in securitization transactions. The guidance is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2018, generally on a retrospective basis, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects that adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance that affects several aspects of accounting for employee share-based payment awards. The amendments relate to the accounting for forfeitures, income taxes at settlement, the classification of income taxes in the statement of cash flows and net settlements for withholding tax. The amendment with respect to forfeitures allows an entity to make an accounting policy election either to estimate the number of forfeitures expected to occur or to account for forfeitures when they occur. The amendments related to income taxes require (a) all excess tax benefits and deficiencies related to share-based payment transactions to be recognized through the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statement of operations and (b) excess tax benefits related to share-based payment transactions to be presented as operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows with employee taxes paid classified as a financing activity. The amendments related to net settlements allow an employer to withhold shares upon settlement of an award to satisfy the employer’s tax withholding requirement in an amount up to the employees’ maximum individual tax rate in the relevant jurisdiction without resulting in liability classification of the award. The Company adopted the guidance in the first quarter of 2017. With respect to forfeitures, the Company made an accounting policy election to account for forfeitures when they occur and to adopt the guidance on a modified retrospective basis, which resulted in a $0.4 million increase to retained earnings and a corresponding $0.4 million decrease to paid in capital. Amendments relating to income taxes were adopted on a prospective basis. As a result, prior periods have not been recast. Amendments relating to net settlements were adopted on a modified retrospective basis, with no impact to the consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued guidance eliminating the requirement to retroactively apply the equity method of accounting when a reporting entity obtains significant influence over an investment (e.g., due to an increase in ownership) that previously had been accounted for under the cost basis or at fair value. Instead, the reporting entity would be required to apply the equity method of accounting prospectively from the date significant influence was obtained. The cost of the additional interest in the investee, if any, should be added to the current basis of the investment. The amendment also provides guidance for available-for-sale investments that become eligible for the equity method of accounting. In those cases, any unrealized gain or loss recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income should be recognized in earnings as of the date the investment initially qualifies for the use of the equity method. The Company adopted the guidance in the first quarter of 2017 on a prospective basis, with no impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued guidance that will require a lessee to recognize a lease asset and a lease liability for most of its operating leases. Under current GAAP, operating leases are not recognized by a lessee in its statements of financial position. In general, the new asset and liability will each equal the present value of lease payments. The guidance does not significantly change the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease by a lessee. The Company expects to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of 2019 under the modified retrospective transition approach, which requires application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. The Company does not expect that adoption will have a material impact on its consolidated statements of operations because all of its leases are currently classified as operating leases, which under the guidance will continue to be recognized as expense on a straight-line basis. The adoption, however, will result in a significant gross up in total assets and total liabilities on the Company’s consolidated statements of financial position. As of June 30, 2017, the Company’s minimum lease payments under lease obligations aggregated $138.0 million.

In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance that changes the classification and measurement of financial instruments and amends certain disclosure requirements associated with the fair value of financial instruments. The amendments revise the accounting related to (a) the classification and measurement of equity investments and (b) the presentation of certain fair value changes for financial liabilities measured at fair value. Specifically, the guidance generally requires equity investments to be carried at fair value with changes flowing through net income. This requirement does not apply to equity-method investments. For financial liabilities measured at fair value, the guidance requires fair value changes attributable to instrument-specific credit risk to be presented separately in other comprehensive income, as opposed to reflecting the entire fair-value change in net income. The guidance is effective for the Company in the first quarter of 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company expects that adoption of this guidance will not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance on revenue recognition that superseded most existing revenue recognition guidance, including industry-specific guidance. The new guidance outlined a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers, and provides a largely principles-based framework for addressing revenue recognition issues on a comprehensive basis. Under the new guidance, revenue would be recognized when an entity satisfies a performance obligation by transferring control of a promised good or service to a customer in an amount that reflects the consideration for which the entity expects to be entitled for that good or service. Additionally, enhanced disclosures would be required regarding both revenue that has been recognized and revenue that is expected to be recognized in the future from existing contracts, including quantitative and qualitative information about significant judgments and changes in those judgments made by management in recognizing revenue. The Company expects to adopt the guidance in the first quarter of 2018 on a modified retrospective basis. The Company currently anticipates that the most significant effect of the new guidance relates to the recognition of incentive income. The new guidance would require the Company to recognize incentive income when it concludes that it is probable that significant reversals of revenue will not occur in subsequent periods. Under current GAAP, the amount of incentive income recognized by the Company is generally limited to the amount that is not contingent on a future event. The Company is in the process of evaluating the effects, if any, of adopting the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.

- Definition

Disclosure of accounting policy for investments in financial assets, including marketable securities (debt and equity securities with readily determinable fair values), investments accounted for under the equity method and cost method, securities borrowed and loaned, and repurchase and resale agreements. For marketable securities, the disclosure may include the entity's accounting treatment for transfers between investment categories and how the fair values for such securities are determined. Also, for all investments, an entity may describe its policy for assessing, recognizing and measuring impairment of the investment.

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