Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

9 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2017

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Note 12 — Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

We are exposed to certain market risks related to our ongoing business operations. Management uses derivative financial and commodity instruments, among other things, to manage these risks. The primary risks managed by derivative instruments are (1) commodity price risk; (2) interest rate risk; and (3) foreign currency exchange rate risk. Although we use derivative financial and commodity instruments to reduce market risk associated with forecasted transactions, we do not use derivative financial and commodity instruments for speculative or trading purposes. The use of derivative instruments is controlled by our risk management and credit policies, which govern, among other things, the derivative instruments we can use, counterparty credit limits and contract authorization limits. Although our commodity derivative instruments extend over a number of years, a significant portion of our commodity derivative instruments economically hedge commodity price risk during the next twelve months.

Commodity Price Risk

Regulated Utility Operations

Natural Gas

Gas Utility’s tariffs contain clauses that permit recovery of all of the prudently incurred costs of natural gas it sells to retail core-market customers, including the cost of financial instruments used to hedge purchased gas costs. As permitted and agreed to by the PUC pursuant to Gas Utility’s annual PGC filings, Gas Utility currently uses New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”) natural gas futures and option contracts to reduce commodity price volatility associated with a portion of the natural gas it purchases for its retail core-market customers. Gains and losses on Gas Utility’s natural gas futures contracts and natural gas option contracts are recorded in regulatory assets or liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets because it is probable such gains or losses will be recoverable from, or refundable to, customers through the PGC recovery mechanism (see Note 6).

Electricity

Electric Utility’s DS tariffs permit the recovery of all prudently incurred costs of electricity it sells to DS customers, including the cost of financial instruments used to hedge electricity costs. Electric Utility enters into forward electricity purchase contracts to meet a substantial portion of its electricity supply needs. At June 30, 2017, September 30, 2016 and June 30, 2016, all Electric Utility forward electricity purchase contracts were subject to the NPNS exception.

In order to reduce volatility associated with a substantial portion of its electricity transmission congestion costs, Electric Utility obtains FTRs through an annual allocation process. Gains and losses on Electric Utility FTRs are recorded in regulatory assets or liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets because it is probable such gains or losses will be recoverable from, or refundable to, customers through the DS mechanism (see Note 6).

Non-utility Operations

LPG

In order to manage market price risk associated with the Partnership’s fixed-price programs, the Partnership uses over-the-counter derivative commodity instruments, principally price swap contracts. In addition, the Partnership, certain other domestic businesses and our UGI International operations also use over-the-counter price swap and option contracts to reduce commodity price volatility associated with a portion of their forecasted LPG purchases. The Partnership from time to time enters into price swap and put option agreements to reduce the effects of short-term commodity price volatility. Also, Midstream & Marketing uses NYMEX futures contracts to economically hedge the gross margin associated with the purchase and anticipated later near-term sale of propane.

Natural Gas

In order to manage market price risk relating to fixed-price sales contracts for natural gas, Midstream & Marketing enters into NYMEX and over-the-counter natural gas futures and forward contracts and Intercontinental Exchange (“ICE”) natural gas basis swap contracts. In addition, Midstream & Marketing uses NYMEX futures contracts to economically hedge the gross margin associated with the purchase and anticipated later near-term sale of natural gas.

Electricity

In order to manage market price risk relating to fixed-price sales contracts for electricity, Midstream & Marketing enters into electricity futures and forward contracts. Midstream & Marketing also uses NYMEX and over-the-counter electricity futures contracts to economically hedge the price of a portion of its anticipated future sales of electricity from its electric generation facilities. From time to time, Midstream & Marketing purchases FTRs to economically hedge electricity transmission congestion costs associated with its fixed-price electricity sales contracts and from time to time also enters into New York Independent System Operator (“NYISO”) capacity swap contracts to economically hedge the locational basis differences for customers it serves on the NYISO electricity grid.

Interest Rate Risk

UGI France SAS’s and Flaga GmbH’s long-term debt agreements have interest rates that are generally indexed to short-term market interest rates. UGI France SAS and Flaga GmbH have each entered into pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreements to hedge the underlying euribor rates of interest on their variable-rate term loans.

Our domestic businesses’ long-term debt is typically issued at fixed rates of interest. As these long-term debt issues mature, we typically refinance such debt with new debt having interest rates reflecting then-current market conditions. In order to reduce market rate risk on the underlying benchmark rate of interest associated with near- to medium-term forecasted issuances of fixed-rate debt, from time to time we enter into interest rate protection agreements (“IRPAs”).

We account for interest rate swaps and IRPAs as cash flow hedges. At June 30, 2017, the amount of net losses associated with interest rate hedges (excluding pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swaps) expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months is $3.5.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

In order to reduce exposure to foreign exchange rate volatility related to our foreign LPG operations, through September 30, 2016, we entered into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge a portion of anticipated U.S. dollar-denominated LPG product purchases primarily during the heating-season months of October through March. We account for these foreign currency exchange contracts associated with anticipated purchases of U.S. dollar-denominated LPG as cash flow hedges. At June 30, 2017, the amount of net gains associated with currency rate risk expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months based upon current fair values is $2.4.

Beginning October 1, 2016, in order to reduce the volatility in net income associated with our foreign operations, principally as a result of changes in the U.S. dollar exchange rate between the euro and British pound sterling, we enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The fair value of these forward foreign currency contracts are recorded as assets or liabilities on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value of these foreign currency exchange contracts are recorded in “Losses on foreign currency contracts, net,” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

From time to time we also enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce the volatility of the U.S. dollar value of a portion of our International Propane euro-denominated net investments.

Cross-currency Swaps

From time to time, Flaga GmbH enters into cross-currency swaps to hedge its exposure to the variability in expected future cash flows associated with the foreign currency and interest rate risk of U.S. dollar-denominated debt. These cross-currency hedges include initial and final exchanges of principal from a fixed euro denomination to a fixed U.S. dollar-denominated amount, to be exchanged at a specified rate, which was determined by the market spot rate on the date of issuance. These cross-currency swaps also include interest rate swaps of a floating U.S. dollar-denominated interest rate to a fixed euro-denominated interest rate. We designate these cross-currency swaps as cash flow hedges.

At June 30, 2017, the amount of net losses associated with such cross-currency swaps expected to be reclassified into earnings during the next twelve months is not material.

Quantitative Disclosures Related to Derivative Instruments

The following table summarizes by derivative type the gross notional amounts related to open derivative contracts as of June 30, 2017, September 30, 2016 and June 30, 2016, and the final settlement date of the Company's open derivative transactions as of June 30, 2017, excluding those derivatives that qualified for the NPNS exception:

			Notional Amounts (in millions)
Type	Units	Settlements Extending Through	June 30, 2017		September 30, 2016		June 30, 2016
Commodity Price Risk:
Regulated Utility Operations
Gas Utility NYMEX natural gas futures and option contracts	Dekatherms	September 2018	12.7		18.4		13.4
FTRs	Kilowatt hours	May 2018	139.4		58.3		80.6
Non-utility Operations
LPG swaps & options	Gallons	September 2019	284.9		396.9		406.4
Natural gas futures, forward and pipeline contracts	Dekatherms	December 2021	55.5		71.1		79.6
Natural gas basis swap contracts	Dekatherms	March 2021	113.2		118.3		106.3
NYMEX natural gas storage	Dekatherms	March 2019	1.6		1.9		1.8
NYMEX propane storage	Gallons	March 2018	0.3		—		—
Electricity long forward and futures contracts	Kilowatt hours	May 2021	686.3		761.2		558.0
Electricity short forward and futures contracts	Kilowatt hours	April 2021	471.4		264.6		344.7
Interest Rate Risk:
Interest rate swaps	Euro	October 2020	€	645.8	€	645.8	€	645.8
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk:
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	USD	September 2020	$	467.4	$	314.3	$	316.8
Cross-currency swaps	USD	September 2018	$	59.1	$	59.1	$	59.1

Derivative Instrument Credit Risk

We are exposed to risk of loss in the event of nonperformance by our derivative instrument counterparties. Our derivative instrument counterparties principally comprise large energy companies and major U.S. and international financial institutions. We maintain credit policies with regard to our counterparties that we believe reduce overall credit risk. These policies include evaluating and monitoring our counterparties’ financial condition, including their credit ratings, and entering into agreements with counterparties that govern credit limits or entering into netting agreements that allow for offsetting counterparty receivable and payable balances for certain financial transactions, as deemed appropriate. Certain of these agreements call for the posting of collateral by the counterparty or by the Company in the forms of letters of credit, parental guarantees or cash. Additionally, our commodity exchange-traded futures contracts generally require cash deposits in margin accounts. At June 30, 2017, September 30, 2016 and June 30, 2016, restricted cash in brokerage accounts totaled $6.7, $15.6 and $9.6, respectively. Although we have concentrations of credit risk associated with derivative instruments, the maximum amount of loss we would incur if these counterparties failed to perform according to the terms of their contracts, based upon the gross fair values of the derivative instruments, was not material at June 30, 2017. Certain of the Partnership’s derivative contracts have credit-risk-related contingent features that may require the posting of additional collateral in the event of a downgrade of the Partnership’s debt rating. At June 30, 2017, if the credit-risk-related contingent features were triggered, the amount of collateral required to be posted would not be material.

Offsetting Derivative Assets and Liabilities

Derivative assets and liabilities (and cash collateral received and pledged) are presented net by counterparty on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets if the right of offset exists. Our derivative instruments include both those that are executed on an exchange through brokers and centrally cleared and over-the-counter transactions. Exchange contracts utilize a financial intermediary, exchange or clearinghouse to enter, execute or clear the transactions. Over-the-counter contracts are bilateral contracts that are transacted directly with a third party. Certain over-the-counter and exchange contracts contain contractual rights of offset through master netting arrangements, derivative clearing agreements and contract default provisions. In addition, the contracts are subject to conditional rights of offset through counterparty nonperformance, insolvency or other conditions.

In general, most of our over-the-counter transactions and all exchange contracts are subject to collateral requirements. Types of collateral generally include cash or letters of credit. Cash collateral paid by us to our over-the-counter derivative counterparties, if any, is reflected in the table below to offset derivative liabilities. Cash collateral received by us from our over-the-counter derivative counterparties, if any, is reflected in the table below to offset derivative assets. Certain other accounts receivable and accounts payable balances recognized on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets with our derivative counterparties are not included in the table below but could reduce our net exposure to such counterparties because such balances are subject to master netting or similar arrangements.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The following table presents the Company’s derivative assets and liabilities by type, as well as the effects of offsetting, as of June 30, 2017, September 30, 2016 and June 30, 2016:

	June 30, 2017			September 30, 2016			June 30, 2016
Derivative assets:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency contracts	$	5.2		$	17.8		$	18.6
Cross-currency contracts	—			—			0.3
	5.2			17.8			18.9
Derivatives subject to PGC and DS mechanisms:
Commodity contracts	1.2			4.5			5.7
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	38.6			50.4			64.5
Foreign currency contracts	6.1			—			—
	44.7			50.4			64.5
Total derivative assets — gross	51.1			72.7			89.1
Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	(34.6		)	(35.0		)	(36.8		)
Cash collateral received	(0.1		)	(0.3		)	(2.3		)
Total derivative assets — net	$	16.4		$	37.4		$	50.0
Derivative liabilities:
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency contracts	$	(2.1	)	$	(2.4	)	$	(0.8	)
Cross-currency contracts	(0.9		)	(0.5		)	—
Interest rate contracts	(2.2		)	(3.9		)	(3.8		)
	(5.2		)	(6.8		)	(4.6		)
Derivatives subject to PGC and DS mechanisms:
Commodity contracts	(1.2		)	(0.5		)	(0.6		)
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	(41.7		)	(98.1		)	(70.8		)
Foreign currency contracts	(22.2		)	—			—
	(63.9		)	(98.1		)	(70.8		)
Total derivative liabilities — gross	(70.3		)	(105.4		)	(76.0		)
Gross amounts offset in the balance sheet	34.6			35.0			36.8
Total derivative liabilities — net	$	(35.7	)	$	(70.4	)	$	(39.2	)

Effect of Derivative Instruments

The following tables provide information on the effects of derivative instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and changes in AOCI for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016:

Three Months Ended June 30,:
	Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI						Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income						Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
Cash Flow Hedges:	2017			2016			2017			2016
Foreign currency contracts	$	(10.2	)	$	11.5		$	0.8		$	0.2		Cost of sales
Cross-currency contracts	0.3			0.3			0.1			0.1			Interest expense/other operating income, net
Interest rate contracts	(0.1		)	(0.6		)	(0.9		)	(1.3		)	Interest expense
Total	$	(10.0	)	$	11.2		$	—		$	(1.0	)
	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income						Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:	2017			2016
Commodity contracts	$	(25.2	)	$	44.8		Cost of sales
Commodity contracts	0.6			0.1			Revenues
Foreign currency contracts	(16.2		)	—			Losses on foreign currency contracts, net
Total	$	(40.8	)	$	44.9
Nine Months Ended June 30,:
	Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI						Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income						Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Income
Cash Flow Hedges:	2017			2016			2017			2016
Foreign currency contracts	$	5.3		$	6.2		$	17.6		$	17.4		Cost of sales
Cross-currency contracts	0.5			—			(0.2		)	0.3			Interest expense/other operating income, net
Interest rate contracts	1.7			(32.2		)	(2.9		)	(3.2		)	Interest expense
Total	$	7.5		$	(26.0	)	$	14.5		$	14.5
	Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income						Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:	2017			2016
Commodity contracts	$	105.3		$	(7.4	)	Cost of sales
Commodity contracts	1.5			1.9			Revenues
Commodity contracts	—			(0.1		)	Operating and administrative expenses
Foreign currency contracts	(16.1		)	—			Losses on foreign currency contracts, net
Total	$	90.7		$	(5.6	)

For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017, the amounts of derivative gains or losses representing ineffectiveness were not material. For the three months ended June 30, 2016, the amounts of derivative gains or losses representing ineffectiveness were not material. For the nine months ended June 30, 2016, the amounts of derivative gains or losses representing ineffectiveness were losses of $5.5, which were included in “Other operating income, net,” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and were related to interest rate contracts at UGI France SAS. For the three and nine months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, the amounts of gains or losses recognized in income as a result of excluding derivatives from ineffectiveness testing were not material.

We are also a party to a number of other contracts that have elements of a derivative instrument. These contracts include, among others, binding purchase orders, contracts that provide for the purchase and delivery, or sale, of energy products, and service contracts that require the counterparty to provide commodity storage, transportation or capacity service to meet our normal sales commitments. Although certain of these contracts have the requisite elements of a derivative instrument, these contracts qualify for NPNS exception accounting under GAAP because they provide for the delivery of products or services in quantities that are expected to be used in the normal course of operating our business and the price in the contract is based on an underlying that is directly associated with the price of the product or service being purchased or sold.