ACCOUNTING POLICIES

9 Months Ended

May 31, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Accounting policies

NOTE 1. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") on a basis consistent with that used in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended August 31, 2019 ("2019 Form 10-K") filed by Commercial Metals Company ("CMC," and together with its consolidated subsidiaries, the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to present fairly the condensed consolidated balance sheets and the condensed consolidated statements of earnings, comprehensive income, cash flows and stockholders' equity for the periods indicated. These notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements included in the 2019 Form 10-K. The results of operations for the three and nine month periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full fiscal year.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

On September 1, 2019, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), as amended, (“ASU 2016-02”), using the modified retrospective transition approach. ASU 2016-02 requires a lessee to recognize a right-of-use ("ROU") asset and a lease liability on its balance sheet for all leases with terms longer than twelve months. The Company’s financial statements for periods prior to September 1, 2019 were not modified for the application of this ASU. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, the Company recorded the following amounts associated with operating leases in its condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 1, 2019: $113.4 million of ROU assets in other noncurrent assets, $30.9 million of lease liabilities in accrued expenses and other payables and $84.9 million of lease liabilities in other noncurrent liabilities. There was no impact to the opening balance of retained earnings as a result of implementing ASU 2016-02. The Company elected the package of three practical expedients available under the ASU. Additionally, the Company implemented appropriate changes to internal processes and controls to support recognition, subsequent measurement and disclosures.

The Company's leases are primarily for office space, land and equipment. The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception of a contract if the terms state the Company has the right to direct the use of and obtain substantially all the economic benefits from a specific asset identified in the contract. The ROU assets represent the Company's right to use the underlying assets for the lease term, and the lease liabilities represent the obligation to make lease payments arising from the leases. ROU assets and lease liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments to be made over the lease term. Certain of the Company's lease agreements contain options to extend the lease. The Company evaluates these options on a lease-by-lease basis, and if the Company determines it is reasonably certain to be exercised, the lease term includes the extension. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate at lease commencement to determine the present value of lease payments, and lease expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest the Company could borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term with similar payments. The Company does not record leases with an initial term of twelve months or less (“short-term leases”) in its condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Certain of the Company's lease agreements include payments for certain variable costs not determinable upon lease commencement, including mileage, utilities, fuel and inflation adjustments. These variable lease payments are recognized in cost of goods sold and selling, general and administrative expenses, but are not included in the ROU asset or lease liability balances. The Company's lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees, restrictions or covenants.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In December 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes ("ASU 2019-12"). ASU 2019-12 eliminates certain exceptions to the general principles in Accounting Standards Codification 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This standard is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods therein. The Company currently does not expect ASU 2019-12 to have a material effect on its consolidated financial statements; however, the Company will continue to evaluate the impact of this guidance.