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Description of Business and Basis of Presentation (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Description of Business
Description of Business
The St. Joe Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless the context indicates otherwise (the “Company”) is a Florida-based real estate developer and manager. The Company owns approximately 567,000 acres of land concentrated primarily in Northwest Florida and has significant residential and commercial land-use entitlements in hand or in process. The majority of land not under development or part of the Company's various residential, commercial, resort, leisure and leasing operations is designated for forestry operations (of which the Company currently has the ability to consistently harvest approximately 315,000 acres).
The Company conducts primarily all of its business in five reportable operating segments: 1) residential real estate, 2) commercial real estate, 3) rural land, 4) resorts, leisure and leasing operations and 5) forestry.
Basis of Presentation
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for reporting on Form 10-Q. Accordingly, certain information and footnotes required by U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for complete financial statements are not included herein. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all of its majority-owned and controlled subsidiaries and variable interest entities where the Company is the primary beneficiary. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in which the Company has significant influence, but not a controlling financial interest. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The December 31, 2012 balance sheet amounts have been derived from the Company’s December 31, 2012 audited consolidated financial statements.
The statements reflect all normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for fair presentation of the information contained herein. The interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012. The Company adheres to the same accounting policies in preparation of its unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements. As required under GAAP, interim accounting for certain expenses, including income taxes, are based on full year assumptions. For interim financial reporting purposes, income taxes are recorded based upon estimated annual income tax rates.
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Issued and Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
In February 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued an accounting standards update (“ASU”) that requires enhanced disclosures around the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. The amendments do not change the requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income. The ASU requires an entity to present information about significant reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income and their corresponding effects on the respective line items in net income. The ASU became effective for the Company on January 1, 2013. The Company adopted the ASU’s disclosure provisions in Note 10, Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.
In July 2013, FASB determined that an unrecognized tax benefit should be presented as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforward or other tax credit carryforward when settlement in this manner is available under applicable tax law. This guidance is effective for the Company’s interim and annual periods beginning January 1, 2014. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on its consolidated financial statements.
Real estate, indirect costs
The capitalization period relating to direct and indirect development project costs is the period in which activities necessary to ready a property for its intended use are in progress. The period begins when such activities commence, typically when the Company begins the entitlement processes for land already owned, and ends when the asset is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Determination of when construction of a project is substantially complete and ready for its intended use requires judgment. The Company determines when the capitalization period begins and ends through communication with project and other managers responsible for the tracking and oversight of individual projects. In the event that the activities to ready the asset for its intended use are suspended, the capitalization period will cease until such activities are resumed. If we determine not to complete a project, any previously capitalized costs are expensed in the period in which the determination is made and recovery is not deemed reasonable.
Investments
Investments consist of available-for-sale securities and are recorded at fair value, which is based on quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and temporary losses on investments, net of tax, are recorded in Other comprehensive income (loss). Realized gains and losses are determined using the specific identification method.
evaluates investments with unrealized losses to determine if they experienced an other-than-temporary impairment. This evaluation is based on various factors, including length of time securities were in a loss position, ability and intent to hold investments until unrealized losses are recovered or maturity, investee's industry and amount of the unrealized loss.
Variable interest entities
The Company enters into real estate joint ventures for the purpose of developing real estate in which the Company may or may not have a controlling financial interest. GAAP requires consolidation of variable interest entities (“VIE”) in which an enterprise has a controlling financial interest and is the primary beneficiary. A controlling financial interest will have both of the following characteristics: (a) the power to direct the VIE activities that most significantly impact economic performance and (b) the obligation to absorb the VIE losses and right to receive benefits that are significant to the VIE. The Company examines specific criteria and uses judgment when determining whether the Company is the primary beneficiary and must consolidate a VIE. The Company continues to assess whether it is the primary beneficiary on an ongoing basis.