Description of Business, Basis of Consolidation, Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Reclassifications

Reclassifications—Certain prior years’ amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation.   

Cost of Sales

Cost of Sales— Cost of sales is the Company’s capitalized cost of inventory procurement and production that is sold in the respective periods. These costs include direct labor, materials, and manufacturing overhead, Additionally the Company also includes such cost centers as Health and Safety, Environmental, Maintenance and Quality Control in cost of sales.

Operating Expenses

Operating Expenses—Operating expenses include cost centers for Selling, General and Administrative, Research, Product Development, and Regulatory, and Freight, Delivery and Warehousing.

	2020		2019		2018
Selling	$	42,389	$	45,121	$	39,585
General and administrative		48,828		46,593		42,981
Research, product development and regulatory		26,310		24,070		26,428
Freight, delivery and warehousing		36,812		35,349		34,616
	$	154,339	$	151,133	$	143,610

Advertising Expense

Advertising Expense—The Company expenses advertising costs in the period incurred. Advertising expenses, which include promotional costs, are recognized in operating expenses (specifically in selling expenses) in the consolidated statements of operations and were $4,833, $5,520 and $4,865 in 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents—The Company’s cash equivalents consist primarily of certificates of deposit with an initial term of less than three months. For purposes of the consolidated statements of cash flows, the Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Inventories

Inventories—The Company values its inventories at lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) or average cost method, including material, labor, factory overhead and subcontracting services. The Company writes down its inventory carrying values as a result of net realizable value assessments of slow moving and obsolete inventory and other annual adjustments to ensure that our standard costs continue to closely reflect actual cost. The Company recorded an inventory reserve allowance of $2,868 and $2,130 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.  

The components of inventories, net of reserve allowance, consist of the following:

	2020		2019
Finished products	$	149,415	$	151,917
Raw materials		14,369		11,396
	$	163,784	$	163,313

Leases

Leases— The Company has operating leases for warehouses, manufacturing facilities, offices, cars, railcars and certain equipment. On January 1, 2019, the Company adopted the accounting and adoption guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842, Leases, for its operating leases resulting in the recognition of operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities on the effective date. The Company measures ROU assets throughout the lease term at the carrying amount of the lease liability, plus initial direct costs, plus (minus) any prepaid (accrued) lease payments, less the unamortized balance of lease incentives received. The lease liabilities are measured at the present value of the unpaid lease payments at the lease commencement date. Leases that include both lease and non-lease components are accounted for as a single lease component for each asset class, except for warehouse leases.

The minimum payments under operating leases are recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term in the consolidated statements of operations. Operating lease expenses related to variable lease payments are recognized in cost of sales or as operating expenses in a manner consistent with the nature of the underlying lease and as the events, activities, or circumstances in the lease

agreement occur. Leases with a term of less than 12 months are not recognized on the consolidated balance sheets, and the related lease expenses are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

The accounting for leases requires management to exercise judgment and make estimates in determining the applicable discount rate, lease term and payments due under a lease. Most of our leases do not provide an implicit interest rate, nor is it available to us from our lessors. As an alternative, the Company uses our estimated incremental borrowing rate, which is derived from information available at the lease commencement date, including publicly available data, in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company also estimated the fair value of the lease and non-lease components for some of our warehouse leases based on market data and cost data.

The lease term includes the non-cancellable period of the lease plus any additional periods covered by either an option to extend (or not terminate) that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise. The Company has leases with a lease term ranging from 1 year to 20 years.

The operating leases of the Company do not contain major restrictions or covenants such as those relating to dividends or additional financial obligations. Finance leases are immaterial to the consolidated financial statements. There were no lease transactions with related parties during 2020 and 2019.

The operating lease expense for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $5,662 and $5,547, respectively. Lease expenses related to variable lease payments and short-term leases were immaterial. Additional information related to operating leases are as follows:

	Year Ended December 31, 2020		Year Ended December 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of    lease liabilities	$	5,657	$	5,398
ROU assets obtained in exchange for new liabilities	$	6,309	$	3,580

The weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate related to the operating leases as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 were as follows:

	December 31, 2020			December 31, 2019
Weighted-average remaining lease term (in years)		4.62			3.18
Weighted-average discount rate		3.81	%		3.68	%

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:

	December 31, 2020
2021	$	4,536
2022		2,879
2023		1,914
2024		1,192
2025		1,001
Thereafter		2,020
Total lease payments	$	13,542
Less: imputed interest		1,177
Total	$	12,365
Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets:
Operating lease liabilities, current	$	4,188
Operating lease liabilities, long term	$	8,177

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition— The Company recognizes revenue when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to its customers in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. The Company sells its products mainly to distributors and retailers. The products include insecticides, herbicides, soil fumigants, fungicides and biologicals. In addition, the Company recognizes royalty income related to licensing arrangements which qualify as functional licenses rather than symbolic licenses. Upon signing a new licensing agreement, the Company typically receives up-front fees, which are generally characterized as non-refundable royalties. These fees are recognized as revenue upon the execution of the

license agreements. Minimum royalty fees are recognized once the Company has an enforceable right for payment. Sales-based royalty fees are typically recognized when the sales occur. The Company calculates and accrues estimated royalties based on the agreement terms and correspondence with the licensees regarding actual sales. Based on similar economic and operational characteristics, the Company’s business is aggregated into one reportable segment. Selective enterprise information of sales disaggregated by category and geographic region is as follows:

	2020		2019
Net sales:
U.S. crop	$	223,167	$	220,635
U.S. non-crop		48,557		61,590
Total U.S.		271,724		282,225
International		186,980		185,961
Total net sales	$	458,704	$	468,186
Timing of revenue recognition:
Goods and services transferred at a point in time	$	455,726	$	464,967
Goods and services transferred over time		2,978		3,219
Total net sales	$	458,704	$	468,186

Performance Obligations — A performance obligation is a promise in a contract or sales order to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer. A transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Certain of the Company’s sales orders have multiple performance obligations, as the promise to transfer individual goods or services is separately identifiable from other promises in the sales orders. For sales orders with multiple performance obligations, the Company allocates the sales order’s transaction price to each performance obligation based on its relative stand-alone selling price. The stand-alone selling prices are determined based on the prices at which the Company separately sells these products. The Company’s performance obligations are satisfied either at a point in time or over time as work progresses.

On December 31, 2020, the Company had $43,611 of remaining performance obligations, which are comprised of deferred revenue and services not yet delivered. The Company expects to recognize all these remaining performance obligations as revenue in fiscal 2021.

Practical Expedients — The Company has elected to use the following practical expedients (i) not to adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component when the Company expects, at contract inception, that the period between the Company's transfer of a promised product or service to a customer and when the customer pays for that product or service will be one year or less and (ii) treat shipping and handling activities that occur after control of the good transfers to the customer as fulfillment activities.

Contract Balances— The contract assets are included in other receivables on the consolidated balance sheets and relate to royalties earned on certain functional licenses granted for the use of the Company’s intellectual property, and a contract manufacturing agreement for the production of products without alternative use. The contract manufacturing agreement was terminated in 2020 and the balance outstanding in 2019 was settled.

Deferred Revenue—The timing of revenue recognition, billings and cash collections may result in deferred revenue in the consolidated balance sheets. The Company sometimes receives payments from its customers in advance of goods and services being provided, in return for participation in its pre-payments related cash incentive program. These pre-payments are held on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as deferred revenue until control of the related performance obligations has passed to the customers, which is generally upon shipment of products. There is no significant financing component related to the pre-payments since the Company expects to transfer the products within one year from the date payment is received. More customers participated in the Company’s cash incentive program in 2020, and at an increased average level, which resulted in a significant increase in the Company’s deferred revenue balance as of December 31, 2020 compared to the prior year.  

	December 31, 2020		December 31, 2019
Contract assets	$	3,200	$	6,091
Deferred revenue	$	43,611	$	6,826

Revenue recognized for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, that was included in the deferred revenue balance at the

beginning of 2020 and 2019 was $5,652 and $20,043, respectively.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts— The Company maintains an allowance to cover its Current Expected Credit Losses ("CECL") on its trade receivables, other receivables and contract assets arising from the failure of customers to make contractual payments. The Company estimates credit losses expected over the life of its trade receivables, other receivables and contract assets based on historical information combined with current conditions that may affect a customer’s ability to pay and reasonable and supportable forecasts. In most instances, the Company’s policy is to write-off trade receivables when they are deemed uncollectible. The vast majority of the Company's trade receivables, other receivables and contract assets are less than 365 days. Under the CECL impairment model, the Company develops and documents its allowance for credit losses on its trade receivables based on multiple portfolios. The determination of portfolios is based primarily on geographical location, type of customer and aging.

Accrued Program Costs

Accrued Program Costs— The Company offers various discounts to customers based on the volume purchased within a defined time period, other pricing adjustments, some grower volume incentives or other key performance indicator driven payments, which are usually made at the end of a growing season, to distributors, retailers or growers. The Company describes these payments as “Programs.” Programs are a critical part of doing business in both the U.S. crop and non-crop chemicals marketplaces. These discount Programs represent variable consideration.  Revenues from sales are recorded at the net sales price, which is the transaction price net of the impact of Programs and includes estimates of variable consideration. Variable consideration includes amounts expected to be paid to its customers estimated using the expected value method. Each quarter management compares individual sale transactions with Programs to determine what, if any, estimated program liabilities have been incurred. Once this initial calculation is made for the specific quarter, sales and marketing management, along with executive and financial management, review the accumulated Program balance and, for volume driven payments, make assessments of whether or not customers are tracking in a manner that indicates that they will meet the requirements set out in agreed upon terms and conditions attached to each Program. Following this assessment, management will make adjustments to the accumulated accrual to properly reflect the Company’s best estimate of the liability at the balance sheet date. Programs are paid out predominantly on an annual basis, usually in the final quarter of the financial year or the first quarter of the following year.  

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation

Property, Plant and Equipment and Depreciation— Property, plant and equipment includes the cost of land, buildings, machinery and equipment, office furniture and fixtures, automobiles, construction projects and significant improvements to existing plant and equipment. Interest costs related to significant construction projects are capitalized at the Company’s current weighted average effective interest rate. Expenditures for minor repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. When property or equipment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the respective accounts and the gain or loss realized on disposition is reflected in operations. All plant and equipment are depreciated using the straight-line method, utilizing the estimated useful property lives. See note 1 for useful lives

Intangible Assets

Intangible Assets— The primary identifiable intangible assets of the Company relate to assets associated with its product and business acquisitions. All of the Company’s intangible assets have finite lives and are amortized. The estimated useful life of an identifiable intangible asset to the Company is based upon a number of factors including the effects of demand, competition, and expected changes in the marketability of the Company’s products.

Business Combinations

Business Combinations— The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The Company’s estimates are inherently uncertain and subject to refinement. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the fair value of these tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, with the corresponding offset to goodwill or an adjustment to the gain from a bargain purchase. In addition, uncertain tax positions and tax-related valuation allowances are initially recorded in connection with a business combination as of the acquisition date. The Company continues to collect information and reevaluates these estimates and assumptions quarterly and records any adjustments to the Company’s preliminary estimates to goodwill or an adjustment to the gain from a bargain purchase, provided that the Company is within the measurement period. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are recorded to the Company’s consolidated statement of operations.

In the event that the Company acquires an entity in which the Company previously held a non-controlling investment, the difference between the fair value and carrying value of the investment as of the date of the acquisition is recorded as a gain or loss and recorded within net income (loss) on equity method investments in the consolidated statement of operations.

Certain of our acquisition agreements include contingent earn-out arrangements, which are generally based on the achievement of future income thresholds. The fair values of these earn-out arrangements are included as part of the purchase price of the acquired companies on their respective acquisition dates. For each transaction, the Company engages third-party valuation specialists to assist it in making estimates the fair value of contingent earn-out payments, both as part of the initial purchase price and at each subsequent financial statement date until the end of the related performance period. The Company records the estimated fair value of contingent consideration as a liability on the consolidated balance sheets.

We review and re-assess the estimated fair value of contingent consideration on a quarterly basis, and the updated fair value could be materially different from the initial estimates or prior quarterly amounts. Changes in the estimated fair value of our contingent earn-out liabilities are reported in operating results.

Asset Acquisitions

Asset Acquisitions— If an acquisition of an asset or group of assets does not meet the definition of a business, the transaction is accounted for as an asset acquisition rather than a business combination. An asset acquisition does not result in the recognition of goodwill and transaction costs are capitalized as part of the cost of the asset or group of assets acquired. The Company uses its best estimates and assumptions to assign fair value to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the acquisition date. The acquisitions costs are allocated to the assets acquired on a relative fair value basis.

Impairment

Impairment— The carrying values of long-lived assets other than goodwill are reviewed for impairment annually and/or whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. The Company evaluates recoverability of an asset group by comparing the carrying value to the future undiscounted cash flows that it expects to generate from the asset group. If the comparison indicates that the carrying value of an asset group is not recoverable, measurement of the impairment loss is based on the fair value of the asset. There were no circumstances that would indicate any impairment of the carrying value of these long-lived assets and no material impairment losses were recorded in 2020, 2019 or 2018.

The Company reviews goodwill for impairment utilizing either a qualitative or quantitative assessment. If the Company decides that it is appropriate to perform a qualitative assessment and concludes that the fair value of a reporting unit more likely than not exceeds its carrying value, no further evaluation is necessary. If the Company performs a quantitative assessment, the Company compares the fair value of a reporting unit with its carrying amounts and recognizes an impairment charge for the amount that the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. The Company annually tests goodwill for impairment in beginning of the fourth quarter, or earlier if triggering events occur. The Company did not record any impairment losses in 2020, 2019 or 2018.

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments— The accounting standard for fair value measurements provides a framework for measuring fair value and requires expanded disclosures regarding fair value measurements. Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This accounting standard established a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs, where available. The following summarizes the three levels of inputs required:

• Level 1 – Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

• Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.

• Level 3 – Inputs that are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimate of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.

The carrying amount of the Company’s financial instruments, which principally include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, long-term investments, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximates fair value because of the relatively short maturity of such instruments. The carrying amount of the Company’s short-term and long-term borrowings, which are considered Level 2 liabilities, approximates fair value based upon current rates and terms available to the Company for similar debt.

We measure our contingent earn-out liabilities in connection with acquisitions at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. We may use various valuation techniques depending on the terms and conditions of the contingent consideration including a Monte-Carlo simulation. This simulation uses probability distribution for each significant input to produce hundreds or thousands of possible outcomes and the results are analyzed to determine probabilities of different outcomes occurring. Refer to Note 9 for a reconciliation of the Company’s deferred consideration.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation— Certain international operations use the respective local currencies as their functional currency, while other international operations use the U.S. Dollar as their functional currency. The Company considers the U.S. dollar as its reporting currency. Translation adjustments for subsidiaries where the functional currency is its local currency are included in other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains (losses) resulting from exchange rate fluctuation on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are reported in earnings. Assets and liabilities of the foreign operations denominated in local currencies are translated at the rate of exchange at the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses are translated at the weighted average rate of exchange during the period. Translations of intercompany loans of a long-term investment nature are included as a component of translation adjustment in other comprehensive income (loss).

Income Taxes

Income Taxes—The Company utilizes the liability method of accounting for income taxes as set forth in ASC 740. Under the liability method, deferred taxes are determined based on the temporary differences between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using tax rates expected to be in effect during the years in which the basis differences reverse. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. In determining the need for valuation allowances, the Company considers projected future taxable income and the availability of tax planning strategies. If in the future the Company determines that it would not be able to realize its recorded deferred tax assets, an increase in the valuation allowance would be recorded, decreasing earnings in the period in which such determination is made.

The Company assesses its income tax positions and records tax benefits for all years subject to examination based upon the Company’s evaluation of the facts, circumstances and information available at the reporting date. For those tax positions where there is greater than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, the Company has recorded the largest amount of tax benefit that may potentially be realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. For those income tax positions where there is less than 50% likelihood that a tax benefit will be sustained, no tax benefit has been recognized in the consolidated financial statements. At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded unrecognized tax benefits of $3,222 and $4,395, respectively.

Per Share Information

Per Share Information—Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) is computed as net income divided by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects potential dilution to EPS that could occur if securities or other contracts, which, for the Company, consists of restricted stock grants and options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock, are exercised as calculated using the treasury stock method.

The components of basic and diluted earnings per share were as follows:

	2020		2019		2018
Numerator:
Net income attributable to American Vanguard	$	15,242	$	13,601	$	24,195
Denominator:
Weighted average shares outstanding—basic		29,450		29,030		29,326
Dilutive effect of stock options and grants		543		626		722
Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted		29,993		29,656		30,048

For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, no options or grants were excluded from the computation.

Use of Estimates

Use of Estimates—The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities (including those related to litigation), and revenues, at the date that the consolidated financial statements are prepared. Significant estimates relate to the allowance for doubtful accounts, inventory reserves, impairment of long-lived assets, assets acquired, and liabilities assumed in connections with business combinations and asset acquisitions, accrued program costs, and stock-based compensation and income taxes. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Total comprehensive income (loss)—In addition to net income, total comprehensive income (loss) includes changes in equity that are excluded from the consolidated statements of operations and are recorded directly into a separate section of stockholders’ equity on the consolidated balance sheets. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, total comprehensive income (loss) consisted of net income attributable to AVD and foreign currency translation adjustments.

Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-Based Compensation—The Company estimates the fair value of share-based payment awards on the date of grant. The value of the portion of the award that is ultimately expected to vest is recognized as expense over the requisite service periods in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Stock-based compensation expense recognized during the period is based on the fair value of the portion of share-based payment awards that is ultimately expected to vest during the period. Stock-based compensation expense recognized is reduced for estimated forfeitures. Estimated forfeitures recognized in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations reduced compensation expense by $222, $191, and $358 for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019, and 2018, respectively. The Company estimates that 16.8% of all restricted stock grants and 16.8% of the performance-based restricted shares that are currently subject to vesting will be forfeited. These estimates are reviewed quarterly and revised as necessary.

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (“Black-Scholes model”) to value option grants using the following weighted average assumptions (i.e. risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, volatility and average lives). There were no stock options granted during 2020, 2019 or 2018. 

The expected volatility and expected life assumptions are complex and use subjective variables. The variables take into consideration, among other things, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behavior. The Company estimates the expected term or vesting period using the “safe harbor” provisions of Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) 107 and SAB 110. The Company used historical volatility as a proxy for estimating expected volatility.

The Company values restricted stock grants using the Company’s traded stock price on the date of grant. The weighted average grant-date fair values of restricted stock grants during 2020, 2019, and 2018 were $14.39, $16.84, and $20.21, respectively.

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance

Recently Issued Accounting Guidance:

Recent Accounting Standards Adopted:

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 "Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments" which requires the measurement and recognition of expected credit losses for financial assets held at amortized cost. ASU 2016-13 replaces the existing incurred loss impairment model with an expected loss model, which requires the use of forward-looking information to calculate credit loss estimates. It also eliminates the concept of other-than-temporary impairment and requires credit losses related to available-for-sale debt securities to be recorded through an allowance for credit losses rather than as a reduction in the amortized cost basis of the securities. These changes result in earlier recognition of credit losses. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not result in any material adjustments to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13 “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”, which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements, including the consideration of costs and benefits. The Company adopted ASU 2018-13 effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not result in any material adjustments to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15 “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other-Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract”.  ASU 2018-15 requires that issuers follow the internal-use software guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 350-40 to determine which costs to capitalize as assets or expense as incurred. The ASC 350-40 guidance requires that certain costs incurred during the application development stage be capitalized and other costs incurred during the preliminary project and post-implementation stages be expensed as they are incurred. The Company adopted ASU 2018-15 effective January 1, 2020. The adoption of this standard did not result in any material adjustments to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04 “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting,” (“ASU No. 2020-04”), which provides practical expedients for contract modifications and certain hedging relationships associated with the transition from reference rates that are expected to be discontinued. This guidance is applicable for our borrowing instruments, which use LIBOR as a reference rate, and is effective immediately, but is only available through December 31, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2020-04 in March 2020 did not result in any adjustments to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

Accounting standards not yet adopted:

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU no. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” (“ASU No. 2019-12”). The amendment removes certain exceptions to the general income tax accounting methodology including an exception for the recognition of a deferred tax liability when a foreign subsidiary becomes an equity method investment and an exception for interim periods showing operating losses in excess of anticipated operating losses for the year. The amendment also reduces the complexity surrounding franchise tax recognition; the step up in the tax basis of goodwill in conjunction with business combinations; and the accounting for the effect of changes in tax laws enacted during interim periods. The amendments in this update are effective for the Company for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those years with early adoption permitted. The Company will adopt ASU 2019-12 as of January 1, 2021, and does not expect the adoption will have a material impact on the Consolidated Financial Statements.