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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Revenue Recognition
Revenue Recognition. Effective October 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which, as amended, is included in ASC 606. This new accounting guidance supersedes previous revenue recognition requirements in ASC 605. ASC 606 requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or
services. We adopted this new accounting guidance using the modified retrospective transition method to those contracts which were not completed as of October 1, 2018. Periods prior to October 1, 2018, have not been restated and continue to be reported in accordance with ASC 605. The Company recorded a $7.1 reduction to opening retained earnings as of October 1, 2018, to reflect the cumulative effect of ASC 606 on certain contracts not complete as of the date of adoption. The adoption of ASC 606 did not, and is not expected to, have a material impact on the amount or timing of our revenue recognition and on our consolidated net income, cash flows or financial position.

Certain revenues such as revenue from leases, financial instruments and other revenues are not within the scope of ASC 606 because they are not from contracts with customers. Such revenues are accounted for in accordance with other GAAP. Revenue-related taxes collected on behalf of customers and remitted to taxing authorities, principally sales and use taxes, are not included in revenues. Gross receipts taxes at Midstream & Marketing and Electric Utility are presented on a gross basis. The Company has elected to use the practical expedient to expense the costs to obtain contracts when incurred for contracts that have a term less than one year. The costs incurred to obtain contracts that have durations of longer than one year are not material.
Restricted Cash Restricted Cash. Restricted cash principally represents those cash balances in our commodity futures brokerage accounts that are restricted from withdrawal. Upon adoption of revised accounting guidance in October 2018 (see Note 3), changes in restricted cash is no longer reflected as a separate investing activity but included in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash when reconciling the beginning and end of period total amounts in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Earnings Per Common Share
Earnings Per Common Share. Basic earnings per share attributable to UGI shareholders reflect the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share attributable to UGI include the effects of dilutive stock options and common stock awards.
Derivative Instruments
Derivative Instruments. Derivative instruments are reported on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at their fair values, unless the NPNS exception is elected. The accounting for changes in fair value depends upon the purpose of the derivative
instrument and whether it is subject to regulatory ratemaking mechanisms or if it qualifies and is designated as a hedge for accounting purposes.

Certain of our derivative instruments qualify and are designated as cash flow hedges. For cash flow hedges, changes in the fair values of the derivative instruments are recorded in AOCI, 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. We do not designate our commodity and certain foreign currency derivative instruments as hedges under GAAP. Changes in the fair values of these derivative instruments are reflected in net income. Gains and losses on substantially all of the commodity derivative instruments used by UGI Utilities are included in regulatory assets or liabilities because it is probable such gains or losses will be recoverable from, or refundable to, customers. From time to time, we also enter into net investment hedges. Gains and losses on net investment hedges that relate to our foreign operations are included in the cumulative translation adjustment component of AOCI until such foreign net investment is sold or liquidated.

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. Because these contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment, realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts are recorded in “Other non-operating income, net” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

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

Purchase Price Allocations
Purchase Price Allocations. From time to time, the Company enters into material business combinations. In accordance with accounting guidance associated with business combinations, the purchase price is allocated to the various assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair value as of the acquisition date. Fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based upon available information. Estimating fair values is generally subject to significant judgment and assumptions and most commonly impacts property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, including those with indefinite lives. Generally, we have, if necessary, up to one year from the acquisition date to finalize the purchase price allocation.
Income Taxes
Income Taxes. UGI’s consolidated effective income tax rate, defined as total income taxes 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.

Other non-operating income (expense), net
Other non-operating income (expense), net. Included in “Other non-operating income, net,” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income are net gains and losses on forward foreign currency contracts used to reduce volatility in net income associated with our foreign operations, and non-service income (expense) associated with our pension and other postretirement plans.
Use of Estimates
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.

Reclassifications
Reclassifications. Certain amounts for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, have been reclassified as a result of the adoption of revised accounting guidance pertaining to certain net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit costs and restricted cash (see Note 3). In addition, certain other prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-period presentation.
New Accounting Standards Adopted Effective October 1, 2018 and Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted
New Accounting Standards Adopted Effective October 1, 2018

Revenue Recognition. Effective October 1, 2018, the Company adopted new accounting guidance regarding revenue recognition. See Notes 2 and 4 for a detailed description of the impact of the new guidance and related disclosures.

Cloud Computing Implementation Costs. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, “Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract.” The new guidance requires a customer in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to capitalize certain implementation costs as if the arrangement was an internal-use software project. These deferred implementation costs are expensed over the fixed, noncancelable term of the service arrangement plus any reasonably certain renewal periods. The new guidance also requires the entity to present the expense related to the capitalized implementation costs in the same income statement line as the hosting service fees; to classify payments for capitalized implementation costs in the statement of cash flows in the same manner as payments for hosting service fees; and to present the capitalized implementation costs in the balance sheet in the same line item in which prepaid hosting service fees are presented. The new guidance can be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. We adopted this ASU effective October 1, 2018, and applied the guidance prospectively to all implementation costs associated with cloud computing arrangements that are service contracts incurred beginning October 1, 2018. The adoption of the new guidance did not have a material impact on our results of operations for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019.

Stranded Tax Effects in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-02, “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” This ASU provides that the stranded tax effects in AOCI resulting from the remeasurement of deferred income taxes associated with items included in AOCI due to the enactment of the TCJA may be reclassified to retained earnings, at the election of the entity, in the period the ASU is adopted. We adopted this ASU effective October 1, 2018. In connection with the adoption of this guidance, we reclassified a benefit of $6.6 from AOCI to opening retained earnings as of October 1, 2018, to reflect the reduction in the federal income tax rate, and the federal benefit of state income taxes, on the components of AOCI.

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” This ASU requires entities to disaggregate the service cost component from the other components of net periodic benefit cost and present it with compensation costs for related employees in the income statement. The other components are required to be presented elsewhere in the income statement and outside of income from operations. The amendments in this ASU permit only the service cost component to be eligible for capitalization, when applicable. For entities subject to rate regulation, including UGI Utilities, the ASU recognized that in the event a regulator continues to require capitalization of all net periodic benefit costs prospectively, the difference would result in the recognition of a regulatory asset or liability.

The guidance became effective for the Company beginning October 1, 2018, with retrospective adoption for the presentation of pension and postretirement expense on the income statement and a prospective adoption for capitalization. The Company’s Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018, has been recast to reflect the retrospective adoption for the presentation of the non-service cost component of net periodic pension and other postretirement benefit cost, net of estimated amounts capitalized, within “Other non-operating income, net,” on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income. Previously, the non-service cost components were reflected in “Operating and administrative expenses.”

The amount of income (expense) comprising the non-service cost components of our pension and postretirement benefit plans, net of amounts capitalized, presented in "Other non-operating income, net,” totaled $0.1 and $0.4, respectively, for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2019, and $(1.0) and $(5.7), respectively, for the three and nine months ended June 30, 2018.

Statement of Cash Flows - Restricted Cash. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows: Restricted Cash.” The guidance in this ASU requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, as well as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. As a result, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents are included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts on the statement of cash flows. The amendments in the ASU are required to be adopted on a retrospective basis. We adopted this ASU effective October 1, 2018. Adoption of this new guidance resulted in a change in presentation of restricted cash on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; otherwise, this guidance did not have a significant impact on our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and disclosures (see Note 2, “Restricted Cash”).
Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Costs Disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-14, “Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans.” This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans by removing and adding certain disclosures for these plans. The amendments in this ASU are effective for interim and annual periods beginning October 1, 2020 (Fiscal 2021). The guidance shall be adopted retrospectively for all periods presented in the financial statements. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to adopt the new guidance in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2019. The adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements Disclosures. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-13, “Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement.” This ASU modifies the disclosure requirements for fair value measurements by removing, modifying, or adding certain disclosures. The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual periods beginning October 1, 2020 (Fiscal 2021). The guidance regarding removing and modifying disclosures will be adopted on a retrospective basis and the guidance regarding new disclosures will be adopted on a prospective basis. Early adoption is permitted. The Company expects to adopt the new guidance in the fourth quarter of Fiscal 2019. The adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging. In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, “Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” This ASU amends and simplifies existing guidance to allow companies to more accurately present the economic effects of risk management activities in the financial statements. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning October 1, 2019 (Fiscal 2020). Early adoption is permitted. For cash flow and net investment hedges as of the adoption date, the guidance requires a modified retrospective approach. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance is required prospectively. The Company expects to adopt the new guidance in the first quarter of Fiscal 2020. The adoption of the new guidance is not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.

Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This ASU requires entities to estimate lifetime expected credit losses for financial instruments not measured at fair value through net income, including trade and other receivables, net investments in leases, financial receivables, debt securities, and other financial instruments, which may result in earlier recognition of credit losses. Further, the new current expected credit loss model may affect how entities estimate their allowance for loss for receivables that are current with respect to their payment terms. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning October 1, 2020 (Fiscal 2021). Early adoption is permitted. The Company is in the process of assessing the impact on its financial statements from the adoption of the new guidance and determining the period in which the new guidance will be adopted.

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases." This ASU, as subsequently updated, amends existing guidance to require entities that lease assets to recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases on the balance sheet. The new guidance also requires additional disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows from leases. The amendments in this ASU are effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning October 1, 2019 (Fiscal 2020). Early adoption is permitted. Lessees must apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements unless an entity chooses the transition option in ASU 2018-11, “Leases: Targeted Improvements” which, among other things, provides entities with a transition option to recognize the cumulative-effect adjustment from the modified retrospective application to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. We will adopt ASU No. 2016-02, as updated, effective October 1, 2019, and expect to elect the transition option which would allow the Company to maintain historical presentation for periods
before October 1, 2019. The Company has completed a preliminary assessment for evaluating the impact of the guidance and anticipates that its adoption will result in a significant amount of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for leases in effect at the adoption date. The Company has begun implementation activities including accumulating contracts and lease data in formats compatible with a new lease management system that will assist with the initial adoption and future reporting required by the standard.