INTERIM BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2013

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, 2012. The operating results for the three-month and six-month periods ended March 31, 2013 and cash flows for the six-month period ended March 31, 2013 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, 2012. Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of American Pacific Corporation and our wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts have been eliminated. We report our results based on a fiscal year which ends on September 30. References to Fiscal years refer to the twelve months ended or ending September 30 of the Fiscal year referenced.

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 was comprised of Ampac-ISP Corp. and its wholly-owned foreign subsidiaries (“AMPAC-ISP”). We completed the sale of substantially all of the assets of AMPAC-ISP effective August 1, 2012. The divestiture is a strategic shift that allows us to place more focus on the growth and performance of our pharmaceutical-related product lines. Revenues and expenses associated with the Aerospace Equipment segment operations are presented as discontinued operations for all periods presented. (See Note 12).

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses. Judgments and assessments of uncertainties are required in applying our accounting policies in many areas. For example, key assumptions and estimates are particularly important when determining our projected liabilities for pension benefits, useful lives for depreciable and amortizable assets, and deferred tax assets. Other areas in which significant judgment exists include, but are not limited to, costs that may be incurred in connection with environmental matters and the resolution of litigation and other contingencies. Actual results may differ from estimates on which our consolidated financial statements were prepared.

Fair Value Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures. 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. As of March 31, 2013, our floating-rate term loan had a carrying value of $57,750 and an estimated fair value of $56,851 (level 3 in the fair value hierarchy). Our interest rate swap agreement is recorded at fair value which was a liability of $284 as of March 31, 2013 (level 2 in the fair value hierarchy). The estimated fair values of our floating-rate term loan and interest rate swap agreement are based on a valuation technique that takes into consideration expected cash flows, the then-current interest rates and then-current creditworthiness of the Company or the counterparty, as applicable. Refer to Notes 6 and 7 for additional information regarding our term loan and interest rate swap agreement.

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				Six Months Ended
	March 31,				March 31,
	2013		2012		2013		2012
Depreciation classified as:
Cost of revenues	$	3,015	$	3,303	$	6,237	$	6,575
Operating expenses		89		101		177		202
Total continuing operations		3,104		3,404		6,414		6,777
Depreciation and amortization classified as discontinued operations		-		318		-		627
Total	$	3,104	$	3,722	$	6,414	$	7,404

Bill and Hold Transactions

Bill and Hold Transactions. Some of our 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 $16,048 and $19,346 as of March 31, 2013 and September 30, 2012, 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 was effective for us beginning on October 1, 2012. This standard changes presentation requirements, and accordingly, the adoption of this standard did not have an impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-2, which amends the Comprehensive Income Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). The updated standard requires the presentation of information about reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income. ASU No. 2013-2 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2012. The Company has adopted the standard on a prospective basis. The updated standard affects the Company’s disclosures but has no impact on its results of operations, financial condition or liquidity.