Interim Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Interim Basis of Presentation and Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Interim Basis of Presentation

Interim Basis of Presentation. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of American Pacific Corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, or “our”) are unaudited, but in the opinion of management, include all adjustments, which are of a normal recurring nature, necessary to a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. These statements should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011. The operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended June 30, 2012 and cash flows for the nine-month period ended June 30, 2012 are not necessarily indicative of the results that will be achieved for the full fiscal year or for future periods.

Accounting Policies and Principles of Consolidation

Accounting Policies and Principles of Consolidation. A description of our significant accounting policies is included in Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2011. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Pacific Corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts have been eliminated.

Discontinued Operations

Discontinued Operations. In May 2012, our board of directors approved and we committed to a plan to sell our Aerospace Equipment segment, which is comprised of Ampac-ISP Corp. and its wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries (“AMPAC-ISP”). The divestiture is a strategic shift that allows us to place more focus on the growth and performance of our pharmaceutical-related product lines. The carrying amount of Aerospace Equipment segment assets and liabilities are reported as held for sale as of June 30, 2012. Revenues and expenses associated with the Aerospace Equipment segment operations are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. (See Note 12).

Fair Value Disclosure of Financial Instruments

Fair Value Disclosure of Financial Instruments. The current authoritative guidance on fair value clarifies the definition of fair value, prescribes methods for measuring fair value, establishes a fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure fair value and expands disclosures about the use of fair value measurements. The valuation techniques utilized are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect internal market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1 – Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 – 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 whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

Level 3 – Significant inputs to the valuation model are unobservable.

We estimate the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate their carrying values due to their short-term nature. We estimate the fair value of our fixed-rate long-term debt as of June 30, 2012 to be approximately $101,336 based on level 2 data as of the trade date closest to June 30, 2012, which was June 28, 2012. We estimated the fair value of our fixed-rate long-term debt as of September 30, 2011 to be approximately $96,600 based on level 1 data which was a trade on September 30, 2011.

Depreciation and Amortization Expense

Depreciation and Amortization Expense.  Depreciation and amortization expense, associated with our continuing operations, is classified as follows in our statements of operations:

	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	June 30,				June 30,
	2012		2011		2012		2011
Classified as cost of revenues
Depreciation	$	3,447	$	3,148	$	10,022	$	9,342
Classified as operating expenses
Depreciation		99		111		301		356
Amortization		-		110		-		537
Total	$	3,546	$	3,369	$	10,323	$	10,235

Bill and Hold Transactions

Bill and Hold Transactions. Some of our perchlorate and fine chemicals products customers have requested that we store materials purchased from us in our facilities (“Bill and Hold” arrangements). The sales value of inventory, subject to Bill and Hold arrangements, at our facilities was $21,556 and $24,040 as of June 30, 2012 and September 30, 2011, respectively.

Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards

Recently Issued or Adopted Accounting Standards. In June 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2011-05, which amends Topic 220, Comprehensive Income. The amendment allows an entity to present the total of comprehensive income, the components of net income, and the components of other comprehensive income either in a single continuous statement of comprehensive income or in two separate but consecutive statements, and eliminates the option to present the components of other comprehensive income as part of the statement of changes in stockholders’ equity. The amendments do not change the items that must be reported in other comprehensive income or when an item of other comprehensive income must be reclassified to net income. This standard is effective for us beginning on October 1, 2012. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In September 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-08, which amended Topic 350, Intangibles, Goodwill and Other. The amendment will allow an entity to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform the two-step quantitative goodwill impairment test. Under this amendment, an entity would not be required to calculate the fair value of a reporting unit unless the entity determines, based on a qualitative assessment, that it is more likely than not that its fair value is less than its carrying amount. The amendment includes a number of events and circumstances for an entity to consider in conducting the qualitative assessment. This standard becomes effective for our annual and interim period goodwill impairment tests performed in our fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2012. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.