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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). They include all adjustments that we consider necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments consisted only of normal recurring items unless otherwise disclosed. The September 30, 2015, condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s 2015 Annual Report. Due to the seasonal nature of our businesses, the results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

Earnings Per Common Share. Basic earnings per share attributable to UGI Corporation stockholders reflect the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share attributable to UGI Corporation include the effects of dilutive stock options and common stock awards.
 
Shares used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share are as follows: 
 
 
Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
June 30,
 
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Denominator (thousands of shares):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic
 
173,395

 
173,136

 
172,954

 
173,060

Incremental shares issuable for stock options and awards
 
2,579

 
2,444

 
2,306

 
2,605

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted
 
175,974

 
175,580

 
175,260

 
175,665



Derivative Instruments. Derivative instruments are reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair values, unless the derivative instruments qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale (“NPNS”) exception under GAAP. The accounting for changes in fair value depends upon the purpose of the derivative instrument and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting.

Certain of our derivative instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges and from time to time we also enter into net investment hedges. For cash flow hedges, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) or noncontrolling interests, to the extent effective at offsetting changes in the hedged item, until earnings are affected by the hedged item. We discontinue cash flow hedge accounting if occurrence of the forecasted transaction is determined to be no longer probable. Hedge accounting is also discontinued for derivatives that cease to be highly effective. Gains and losses on net investment hedges that relate to our foreign operations are included in AOCI until such foreign net investment is sold or liquidated. Unrealized gains and losses on substantially all of the commodity derivative instruments used by Gas Utility and Electric Utility (for which NPNS has not been elected) are included in regulatory assets or liabilities because it is probable such gains or losses will be recoverable from, or refundable to, customers.

Effective October 1, 2014, UGI International determined on a prospective basis that it would not elect cash flow hedge accounting for its commodity derivative transactions and also de-designated its then-existing commodity derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges. Also effective October 1, 2014, AmeriGas Propane de-designated its remaining commodity derivative instruments accounted for as cash flow hedges. Previously, AmeriGas Propane had discontinued cash flow hedge accounting for all commodity derivative instruments entered into beginning April 1, 2014. Midstream & Marketing has not applied cash flow hedge accounting for its commodity derivative instruments during any of the periods presented. Substantially all realized and unrealized gains and losses on commodity derivative instruments are recorded in cost of sales or revenues, as appropriate, on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

Cash flows from derivative instruments, other than net investment hedges and certain cross-currency swaps, if any, are included in cash flows from operating activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash flows from net investment hedges are included in cash flows from investing activities on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Cash flows from the interest portion of our cross-currency hedges are included in cash flow from operating activities while cash flows from the currency portion of such hedges are included in cash flow from financing activities.

For a more detailed description of the derivative instruments we use, our accounting for derivatives, our objectives for using them and other information, see Note 12.

Reclassifications. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

Consolidated Effective Income Tax Rate. UGI’s consolidated effective income tax rate, defined as total income tax (expense) or benefit as a percentage of income (loss) before income taxes, includes amounts associated with noncontrolling interests in the Partnership, which principally comprises AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP.  AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP are not directly subject to federal income taxes. As a result, UGI’s consolidated effective income tax rate is affected by the amount of income (loss) before income taxes attributable to noncontrolling interests in the Partnership not subject to income taxes.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and costs. These estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events, historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may be different from these estimates and assumptions.

Correction of Prior Period Error in Other Comprehensive Income
During the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company recorded an adjustment to decrease other comprehensive income related to prior periods by reducing the amount of net deferred tax assets that had been previously recognized for (1) foreign currency adjustments related to foreign subsidiaries whose undistributed earnings are considered indefinitely reinvested, and (2) foreign currency adjustments related to intercompany loans between a U.S. domiciled entity and its foreign branch that is considered disregarded for tax purposes and for which income taxes will not be payable. Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 740, “Income Taxes,” provides an exception to recording deferred tax attributes associated with these components of comprehensive income. Previously, the Company had incorrectly recorded deferred taxes on these currency adjustments. During the three months ended June 30, 2015, the Company evaluated the effects of the errors, both qualitatively and quantitatively, and concluded that they did not have a material impact on any prior period financial statement and recorded the cumulative effect of the error as of April 1, 2015. If the Company had corrected the error in all of the periods prior to April 1, 2015, other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2015, would have decreased by $57.8 and $10.7, respectively.