SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2014

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation – The accompanying financial statements consolidate the operating results and financial position of Rex American Resources Corporation and its wholly-owned and majority owned subsidiaries (the “Company” or “REX”). All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. As of January 31, 2014, the Company maintains ownership interests in four ethanol entities and manages a portfolio of real estate located in six states. The Company operates in two reportable segments, alternative energy and real estate. The Company completed the exit of its retail business during fiscal year 2009 and recognizes, in discontinued operations, revenue and expense associated with administering extended service policies.

Fiscal Year – All references in these consolidated financial statements to a particular fiscal year are to the Company’s fiscal year ended January 31. For example, “fiscal year 2013” means the period February 1, 2013 to January 31, 2014. The Company refers to its fiscal year by reference to the year immediately preceding the January 31 fiscal year end date.

Use of Estimates – The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Cash Equivalents – Cash equivalents are principally short-term investments with original maturities of less than three months. The carrying amount of cash equivalents approximates fair value.

Concentrations of Risk –The Company maintains cash and cash equivalents in accounts with financial institutions which exceed federally insured limits. The Company has not experienced any losses in such accounts. The Company does not believe there is significant credit risk related to its cash and cash equivalents. During fiscal years 2013 (four customers), 2012 (four customers) and 2011 (three customers), accounted for approximately 82%, 81% and 78%, respectively, of the Company’s net sales and revenue. At January 31, 2014 and 2013, these customers represented approximately 91% and 80%, respectively, of the Company’s accounts receivable balance. These customers (in fiscal year 2013) were Archer Daniels Midland, Biourja Trading, LLC, CHS, Inc. and United Bio Energy.

Inventory – Inventories are carried at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out basis. Inventory includes direct production costs and certain overhead costs such as depreciation, property taxes and utilities related to producing ethanol and related by products. Inventory is permanently written down for instances when cost exceeds estimated net realizable value; such write-downs are based primarily upon commodity prices as the market value of inventory is often dependent upon changes in commodity prices. There was no write-down of inventory at January 31, 2014. The write down of inventory was $466,000 at January 31, 2013. Fluctuations in the write-down of inventory generally relate to the levels and composition of such inventory at a given point in time and commodity prices.

The components of inventory at January 31, 2014, and January 31, 2013 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	2014		2013
Ethanol and other finished goods	$	3,517	$	7,306
Work in process		3,017		4,414
Grain and other raw materials		12,836		13,199
Total	$	19,370	$	24,919

Property and Equipment – Property and equipment is recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method. Estimated useful lives are 15 to 40 years for buildings and improvements, and 3 to 20 years for fixtures and equipment. The components of property and equipment at January 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (amounts in thousands):

	2014			2013
Land and improvements	$	21,543		$	23,980
Buildings and improvements		28,297			38,056
Machinery, equipment and fixtures		223,544			221,638
Construction in progress		693			39
		274,077			283,713
Less: accumulated depreciation		(71,819	)		(60,533	)
	$	202,258		$	223,180

In accordance with ASC 360-05 “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, the carrying value of long-lived assets is assessed for recoverability by management when changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable, based on an analysis of undiscounted future expected cash flows from the use and ultimate disposition of the asset. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $55,000 in fiscal year 2013, all of which is included in cost of sales in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $562,000 in fiscal year 2012, of which $133,000 is included in cost of sales and $429,000 is classified as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $1,227,000 in fiscal year 2011, of which $11,000 is included in cost of sales and $1,216,000 is classified as discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The impairment charges classified as cost of sales in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 relate to individual properties in the Company’s real estate segment. The impairment charges in fiscal years 2012 and 2011 classified as discontinued operations relate to individual properties that have been sold that were previously included in the Company’s real estate segment. These impairment charges are primarily related to unfavorable changes in real estate conditions in local markets. Impairment charges result from the Company’s management performing cash flow analysis and represent management’s estimate of the excess of net book value over fair value. Fair value is estimated using expected future cash flows on a discounted basis or appraisals of specific properties as appropriate. Long-lived assets are tested for recoverability whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that its carrying amount may not be recoverable. Given the nature of the Company’s business, events and changes in circumstances include, but are not limited to, a significant decline in estimated future cash flows, a sustained decline in market prices for similar assets, or a significant adverse change in legal or regulatory factors or the business climate. A significant decline in estimated future cash flows is represented by a greater than 25% annual decline in expected future cash flows (for asset groups in the real estate reportable segment) or a change in the spread between ethanol and grain prices that would result in greater than six consecutive months of estimated or actual significant negative cash flows (for asset groups in the alternative energy reportable segment).

The Company tests for recoverability of an asset group by comparing its carrying amount to its estimated undiscounted future cash flows. If the carrying amount of an asset group exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, the Company recognizes an impairment charge for the amount by which the asset group’s carrying amount exceeds its fair value, if any. The Company generally determines the fair value of the asset group using a discounted cash flow model based on market participant assumptions (for income producing asset groups) or by obtaining appraisals based on the market approach and comparable market transactions (for non-income producing asset groups).

In the real estate reportable segment, each individual real estate property represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. As such, the Company separately tests individual real estate properties for recoverability. The real estate reportable segment includes both income producing and non-income producing asset groups.

In the alternative energy reportable segment, each individual ethanol plant represents the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. As such, the Company separately tests individual ethanol plants for recoverability. In addition to the general events and changes in circumstances noted above that indicate that an asset group may not be recoverable, the Company also considers the following events as indicators: (i) the decision to suspend operations at a plant for at least a six month period; or (ii) an expected or actual failure to maintain compliance with debt covenants at our ethanol plants. The alternative energy reportable segment includes only income producing asset groups.

Depreciation expense was approximately $16,915,000, $16,081,000 and $11,721,000 in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Investments and Deposits – The method of accounting applied to long-term investments, whether consolidated, equity or cost, involves an evaluation of the significant terms of each investment that explicitly grant or suggest evidence of control or influence over the operations of the investee and also includes the identification of any variable interests in which the Company is the primary beneficiary. The Company consolidates the results of two majority owned subsidiaries, One Earth and NuGen. The results of One Earth are included on a delayed basis of one month lag as One Earth has a fiscal year end of December 31. NuGen has the same fiscal year as the parent, and therefore, there is no lag in reporting the results of NuGen. The Company accounts for investments in limited liability companies in which it may have a less than 20% ownership interest, using the equity method of accounting when the factors discussed in ASC 323 “Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures” are met. The excess of the carrying value over the underlying equity in the net assets of equity method investees is allocated to specific assets and liabilities. Any unallocated excess is treated as goodwill and is recorded as a component of the carrying value of the equity method investee. Investments in businesses that the Company does not control but for which it has the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial matters are accounted for using the equity method. Investments in which the Company does not have the ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial matters are accounted for using the cost method.

The Company periodically evaluates its investments for impairment due to declines in market value considered to be other than temporary. Such impairment evaluations include, in addition to persistent, declining market prices, general economic and company-specific evaluations. If the Company determines that a decline in market value is other than temporary, then a charge to earnings is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and a new cost basis in the investment is established.

Revenue Recognition – The Company recognizes sales from the production of ethanol, distillers grains and non-food grade corn oil when title transfers to customers, upon shipment from the ethanol plant. Shipping and handling charges billed to customers are included in net sales and revenue.

The Company includes income from its real estate leasing activities in net sales and revenue. The Company accounts for these leases as operating leases. Accordingly, minimum rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease.

The Company sold, prior to its exit of the retail business, extended service policies covering periods beyond the normal manufacturers’ warranty periods, usually with terms of coverage (including manufacturers’ warranty periods) of between 12 to 60 months. Contract revenues and sales commissions were deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the contracts after the expiration of applicable manufacturers’ warranty periods. The Company retained the obligation to perform warranty service and such costs are charged to operations as incurred. All related revenue and expense is classified as discontinued operations. All of the extended service policy contracts have expired as of January 31, 2014.

Costs of Sales – Alternative energy cost of sales includes depreciation, costs of raw materials, inbound freight charges, purchasing and receiving costs, inspection costs, shipping costs, other distribution expenses, warehousing costs, plant management, certain compensation costs, and general facility overhead charges.

Real estate cost of sales includes depreciation, real estate taxes, insurance, repairs and maintenance and other costs directly associated with operating the Company’s portfolio of real property.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses –The Company includes non-production related costs from its alternative energy segment such as professional fees and certain payroll in selling, general and administrative expenses.

The Company includes costs not directly related to operating its portfolio of real property from its real estate segment such as certain payroll and related costs, professional fees and other general expenses in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Interest Cost – Cash paid for interest in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011 was approximately $3,492,000, $4,449,000 and $3,174,000, respectively.

Deferred Financing Costs – Direct expenses and fees associated with obtaining long-term debt are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the life of the loan using the effective interest method.

Financial Instruments – The Company uses derivative financial instruments to manage its balance of fixed and variable rate debt. The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. Interest rate swap agreements involve the exchange of fixed and variable rate interest payments and do not represent an actual exchange of the notional amounts between the parties. The swap agreements were not designated for hedge accounting pursuant to ASC 815. The interest rate swaps are recorded at their fair values and the changes in fair values are recorded as gain or loss on derivative financial instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company paid settlements of interest rate swaps of approximately $1,687,000, $1,816,000 and $2,436,000 in fiscal years 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Forward grain purchase and ethanol and distillers grains sale contracts are accounted for under the “normal purchases and normal sales” scope exemption of ASC 815, because these arrangements are for purchases of grain that will be delivered in quantities expected to be used and sales of ethanol in quantities expected to be produced over a reasonable period of time in the normal course of business.

Stock Compensation – The Company has stock-based compensation plans under which stock options have been granted to directors, officers and key employees at the market price on the date of the grant. No options were granted in the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, January 31, 2013 or January 31, 2012. The following table summarizes options granted, exercised and canceled or expired during the fiscal year ended January 31, 2014:

						Weighted
				Weighted		Average		Aggregate
				Average		Remaining		Intrinsic
	Shares			Exercise		Contractual Term		Value
	(000’s)			Price		(in years)		(000’s)
Outstanding—Beginning of year		169		$	12.46
Granted		—			—
Exercised		(85	)		12.55
Canceled or expired		—			—
Outstanding and exercisable—End of year		84		$	12.37		0.3	$	2,382

The total intrinsic value of options exercised in the fiscal years ended January 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, was approximately $1.1 million, $1.8 million and $3.2 million, respectively, resulting in tax deductions to realize benefits of approximately $0.4 million, $0.2 million and $1.2 million, respectively. At January 31, 2014, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested stock options. See Note 13 for a further discussion of stock options.

Income Taxes – The Company provides for deferred tax liabilities and assets for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company provides for a valuation allowance if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

Discontinued Operations – The Company classifies sold real estate assets in discontinued operations when the operations and cash flows of the real estate assets have been (or will be) eliminated from ongoing operations and when the Company will not have any significant continuing involvement in the operation of the real estate after disposal. To determine if cash flows had been or would be eliminated from ongoing operations, the Company evaluates a number of qualitative and quantitative factors. For purposes of reporting the operations of real estate assets meeting the criteria for discontinued operations, the Company reports net sales and revenue, gross profit and related selling, general and administrative expenses that are specifically identifiable to those assets as discontinued operations. Certain corporate level charges, such as general office expense, certain interest expense, and other “fixed” expenses are not allocated to discontinued operations because the Company believes that these expenses were not specific to components’ operations.

Comprehensive Income – The Company has no components of other comprehensive income, and therefore, comprehensive income equals net income.

New Accounting Pronouncements – Effective February 1, 2013, the Company adopted the amended guidance in ASC Topic 210, Balance Sheet. The amended guidance addresses disclosure of offsetting financial assets and liabilities. It requires entities to add disclosures showing both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset in the balance sheet and instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. The updated disclosures were implemented retrospectively and did not impact the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.