Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Leases

Leases. Effective October 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASU No. 2016-02, "Leases," which, as amended, is included in ASC 842. This new accounting guidance supersedes previous lease accounting guidance in ASC 840 and requires entities that lease assets to recognize the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases on its balance sheet. The new guidance also requires additional disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows from leases.

We adopted this new guidance using the modified retrospective transition method. Amounts and disclosures related to periods prior to October 1, 2019 have not been restated and continue to be reported in accordance with ASC 840. We elected to apply the following practical expedients in accordance with the guidance upon adoption:

• Short-term leases: We did not recognize short-term leases (term of 12 months or less) on the balance sheet;

• Easements: We did not re-evaluate existing land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases; and

• Other: We did not reassess the classification of expired or existing contracts or determine whether they are or contain a lease. We also did not reassess whether initial direct costs qualify for capitalization under ASC 842.

Upon adoption, we recorded ROU assets and lease liabilities of $451.9 related to our operating leases. Our accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged. There were no cumulative effect adjustments made to opening retained earnings as of October 1, 2019. The adoption did not, and is not expected to, have a significant impact on our condensed consolidated statements of income or cash flows.

Restricted Cash

Restricted Cash. Restricted cash principally represents those cash balances in our commodity futures brokerage accounts that are restricted from withdrawal.

Earnings Per Common Share

Earnings Per Common Share. Basic earnings per share attributable to UGI stockholders reflect the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share attributable to UGI stockholders 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, 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 in AOCI until such foreign net investment is sold or liquidated.

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.

Business Combination Purchase Price Allocations

Business Combination Purchase Price Allocations. From time to time, the Company enters into business combinations. In accordance with ASC 805, 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, under certain circumstances, up to one year from the acquisition date to finalize the purchase price allocation.

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 prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-period presentation.

New Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2020 and Not Yet Adopted

New Accounting Standards Adopted in Fiscal 2020

Derivatives and Hedging. Effective October 1, 2019, the Company adopted 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. For cash flow and net investment hedges as of the adoption date, the guidance required a modified retrospective approach. The amended presentation and disclosure guidance was required prospectively. The adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Leases. Effective October 1, 2019, the Company adopted new accounting guidance for leases in accordance with ASC 842. See Notes 2 and 9 for a detailed description of the impact of the new guidance and related disclosures.

Accounting Standards Not Yet Adopted

Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” This ASU, as subsequently amended, 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 losses related to 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.

Income Taxes. In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes.” This ASU simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating certain exceptions within the existing guidance for recognizing deferred taxes for equity method investments, performing intraperiod allocations and calculating income taxes in interim periods. Further, this ASU clarifies existing guidance related to, among other things, recognizing deferred taxes for goodwill and allocated taxes to members of a consolidated group. ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company for interim and annual periods beginning October 1, 2021 (Fiscal 2022). 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.

Reference Rate Reform. In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting.” This ASU provides entities temporary optional guidance to ease potential accounting burdens to transition away from LIBOR or other reference rates that are expected to be discontinued and replaced with alternative reference rates. This ASU applies to all entities that have contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform. The provisions in this ASU, among other things, simplify contract modification accounting and allow hedging relationships affected by reference rate reform to continue. ASU 2020-04 is effective upon issuance and entities may elect to apply the amendments prospectively through December 31, 2022. 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 optional expedients will be elected.