Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Revision of Previously Issued Financial Statements

In the first quarter of fiscal 2014, an error was identified in the classification of the cash outflow of $24.7 million for the purchase of a noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary as a use of cash in investing activities that, under generally accepted accounting principles, should have been reflected as a use of cash in financing activities in the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows included in the previously reported financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2013 included in the 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The Company assessed the materiality of this classification error under the guidance in ASC 250-10 relating to SEC’s Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 99, Materiality, and concluded that the previously issued financial statements for the year ended August 31, 2013 were not materially misstated. The Company also evaluated the impact of correcting the error through an adjustment to its financial statements and concluded, based on the guidance within ASC 250-10 relating to SAB No. 108, Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements, to revise its previously issued financial statements to reflect the impact of the correction of the classification error. The consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended August 31, 2013 presented in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements has been corrected.

The revision had no impact on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, consolidated results of operations, earnings (loss) per share and net cash provided by operating activities in the consolidated statement of cash flows.

The effect of the revision on the line items within the Company’s consolidated statement of cash flows for the year ended August 31, 2013 is as follows (in thousands):



	Year Ended August 31, 2013
	As Reported			Adjustments			As Revised
Investing Activities
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	$	(24,734	)	$	24,734		$	—
Net cash used in investing activities	(137,184		)	24,734			(112,450		)

Financing Activities
Purchase of noncontrolling interest	—			(24,734		)	(24,734		)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	20,587			(24,734		)	(4,147		)

Principles of Consolidation

The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and its majority-owned and wholly-owned subsidiaries. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in joint ventures over which the Company has significant influence but does not have effective control. All significant intercompany account balances, transactions, profits and losses have been eliminated. All transactions and relationships with potential variable interest entities are evaluated to determine whether the Company is the primary beneficiary of the entities, therefore requiring consolidation. The Company does not have any variable interest entities requiring consolidation.

Accounting Changes

In February 2013, an accounting standards update was issued that amends the reporting of amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. This standard does not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income in the financial statements. However, the guidance requires an entity to provide information about the amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income by component, either on the face of the financial statement where net income is presented or in the notes to the financial statements. The Company adopted the new requirement in the first quarter of fiscal 2014 with no impact to the Consolidated Financial Statements, except for the change in presentation. The Company has elected to present amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income in the notes to the financial statements. See Note 14 - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss for further detail.

During the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company elected to change its annual goodwill impairment testing date from February 28 to July 1 of each year. See Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, net for further detail.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include short-term securities that are not restricted by third parties and have an original maturity date of 90 days or less. Included in accounts payable are book overdrafts representing outstanding checks in excess of funds on deposit of $35 million and $31 million as of August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Accounts Receivable, net

Accounts receivable represent amounts due from customers on product and other sales. These accounts receivable, which are reduced by an allowance for doubtful accounts, are recorded at the invoiced amount and do not bear interest. The Company evaluates the collectability of its accounts receivable based on a combination of factors, including whether sales were made pursuant to letters of credit. In cases where management is aware of circumstances that may impair a specific customer’s ability to meet its financial obligations, management records a specific allowance against amounts due and reduces the net recognized receivable to the amount the Company believes will be collected. For all other customers, the Company maintains an allowance that considers the total receivables outstanding, historical collection rates and economic trends. Accounts are written off when all efforts to collect have been exhausted. The allowance for doubtful accounts was $3 million as of August 31, 2014 and 2013.

Inventories, net

The Company’s inventories primarily consist of scrap metal (ferrous, nonferrous, processed and unprocessed), nonferrous recovered joint product (nonferrous arising from the manufacturing process), used and salvaged vehicles, semi-finished steel products (billets) and finished steel products (primarily rebar, merchant bar and wire rod). Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market. MRB determines the cost of ferrous and nonferrous inventories using the average cost method and capitalizes substantially all direct costs and yard costs into inventory. MRB allocates material and production costs to joint products using the gross margin method. APB determines the cost for used and salvaged vehicle inventory based on the average price the Company pays for a vehicle and capitalizes the vehicle cost into inventory. SMB determines the cost of its finished steel product inventory based on weighted average costs and capitalizes all direct and indirect costs of manufacturing into inventory. Indirect costs of manufacturing include general plant costs, maintenance and yard costs. The Company considers estimated future selling prices when determining the estimated net realizable value for its inventory. As MRB generally sells its export recycled ferrous metal under contracts that provide for shipment within 30 to 60 days after the price is agreed, it utilizes the selling prices under committed contracts and sales orders for determining the estimated market price of quantities on hand that will be shipped under these contracts and orders.

The Company performs periodic physical inventories to verify the quantity of inventory on hand. Due to variations in product density, holding period and production processes utilized to manufacture the product, physical inventories will not necessarily detect all variances for metal inventory such that estimates of quantities are required. To mitigate this risk, the Company adjusts its ferrous physical inventories when the volume of a commodity is low and a physical inventory count can more accurately estimate the remaining volume.

Property, Plant and Equipment, net

Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized, while routine repair and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Interest related to the construction of qualifying assets is capitalized as part of the construction costs and was not material to any of the periods presented. When assets are retired or sold, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and resulting gains or losses are generally included in operating expenses. Depreciation is recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the remaining lease term.

As of August 31, 2014, the useful lives used for depreciation and amortization were as follows:



	Useful Life (In Years)
Machinery and equipment	3 to 40
Land improvements	3 to 35
Buildings and leasehold improvements	5 to 40
Office equipment	2 to 20
Enterprise Resource Planning (“ERP”) systems	11 to 17

Long-lived assets held and used by the Company are subject to an impairment assessment when certain triggering events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may be impaired. If the carrying value exceeds the Company’s estimate of future undiscounted cash flows of the operations related to the assets, an impairment is recorded for the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the assets. During the year ended August 31, 2014, the Company recorded an impairment charge on long-lived assets held and used of $1 million, a portion of which is reported within other asset impairment charges and the remainder reported within restructuring charges and exit-related costs in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. There were no material impairments to the carrying value of long-lived assets held and used during the years ended August 31, 2013 and 2012.

Investments in Joint Venture Partnerships

As of August 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had five 50%-owned joint venture interests which were accounted for under the equity method of accounting and presented as part of MRB operations. The Company’s investments in equity method joint ventures have resulted in cumulative undistributed earnings of $10 million and $11 million as of August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. A loss in value of an investment in a joint venture partnership that is other than a temporary decline is recognized. Management considers all available evidence to evaluate the realizable value of its investments including the length of time and the extent to which the fair value has been less than cost, the financial condition and near-term prospects of the joint venture business, and the Company’s intent and ability to retain the investment for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value. Once management determines that an other-than-temporary impairment exists, the investment is written down to its fair value, which establishes a new cost basis. The Company determines fair value using Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy using an income approach based on a discounted cash flow analysis.

During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to an investment in a joint venture partnership of $2 million, which is reported within other asset impairment charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 20 - Related Party Transactions for further detail on transactions with joint ventures.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, net

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the net amount of identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination measured at fair value. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment annually and upon the occurrence of certain triggering events or substantive changes in circumstances that indicate that the fair value of goodwill may be impaired. Impairment of goodwill is tested at the reporting unit level. A reporting unit is an operating segment or one level below an operating segment (referred to as a component). The Company has determined that its reporting units for which goodwill has been allocated are equivalent to the Company’s operating segments, as all of the components of each operating segment meet the criteria for aggregation.

When testing goodwill for impairment, the Company has the option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the estimated fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company elects to perform a qualitative assessment and determines that an impairment is more likely than not, the Company is then required to perform the two-step quantitative impairment test, otherwise no further analysis is required. The Company also may elect not to perform the qualitative assessment and, instead, proceed directly to the two-step quantitative impairment test.

In the first step of the two-step quantitative impairment test, the fair value of a reporting unit is compared to its carrying value. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, the second step of the impairment test is performed for purposes of measuring the impairment. In the second step, the fair value of the reporting unit is allocated to all of the assets and liabilities of the reporting unit to determine an implied goodwill value. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit’s goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill, an impairment loss will be recognized in an amount equal to that excess.

The Company estimates the fair value of its reporting units using an income approach based on the present value of expected future cash flows, including terminal value, utilizing a market-based weighted average cost of capital (“WACC”) determined separately for each reporting unit. The determination of fair value involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions, including revenue growth rates driven by future commodity prices and volume expectations, operating margins, capital expenditures, working capital requirements, tax rates, terminal growth rates, discount rates, benefits associated with a taxable transaction and synergistic benefits available to market participants. In addition, to corroborate the reporting units’ valuation, the Company uses a market approach based on earnings multiple data and a reconciliation of the Company’s estimate of the aggregate fair value of the reporting units to the Company’s market capitalization, including consideration of a control premium.

For the years ended August 31, 2014 and 2013, in accordance with an accounting standard update adopted in fiscal 2013, the Company tested indefinite-lived intangible assets by first assessing qualitative factors to determine whether it was necessary to perform the quantitative impairment test. Under the adopted standard, if the Company believes, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is required. Otherwise, no further testing is required. For the year ended August 31, 2012, using the standard in place prior to fiscal 2013, the Company tested indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment by either comparing the carrying value of the intangible to the projected discounted cash flows from the intangible or using the relief from royalties method. If the carrying value exceeded the projected discounted cash flows attributed to the indefinite-lived intangible asset, the carrying value was no longer considered recoverable and the Company recorded an impairment. The Company did not record any material impairment charges on indefinite-lived intangible assets in any of the periods presented.

The Company tests intangible assets subject to amortization for impairment when certain triggering events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may be impaired. If the carrying value exceeds the Company’s estimate of future undiscounted cash flows of the operations related to the assets, an impairment is recorded for the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset. The Company did not record any impairment charges on intangible assets subject to amortization in any of the periods presented.

See Note 7 – Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, net for further detail.

Acquisitions

The Company recognizes the assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree at the acquisition date, measured at their fair values as of that date. Contingent purchase consideration is recorded at fair value at the date of acquisition. Any excess purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired is recorded as goodwill. Within one year from the date of acquisition, the Company may update the value allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the resulting goodwill balances as a result of information received regarding the valuation of such assets and liabilities that was not available at the time of purchase. Measuring assets and liabilities at fair value requires the Company to determine the price that would be paid by a third party market participant based on the highest and best use of the assets or interests acquired. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred. See Note 6 – Business Combinations for further detail.

Other Assets

The Company’s other assets, exclusive of prepaid expenses, consist primarily of receivables from insurers, notes and other contractual receivables, and assets held for sale. Other assets are reported within either prepaid expenses and other current assets or other assets in the Consolidated Balance Sheets based on their expected use either during or beyond the current operating cycle of one year from the reporting date.

Receivables from insurers represent the portion of insured losses expected to be recovered from the Company’s insurance carriers and are recorded at the time the Company records a liability for an insured loss. The receivable is recorded at an amount not to exceed the recorded loss and only if the terms of legally enforceable insurance contracts support that the insurance recovery will not be disputed and is deemed collectible.

Notes receivable consist primarily of loans to entities in the business of extracting scrap metal through demolition and other activities. Repayment of these loans is in either cash or scrap metal. Other contractual receivables consist primarily of amounts due from scrap and demolition entities under financial guarantee arrangements. The Company performs periodic reviews of its notes and other contractual receivables to identify credit risks and to assess the overall collectability of the receivables, which typically involves consideration of the value of collateral in the form of scrap metal extracted from demolition and construction projects. A note or other contractual receivable is considered impaired when, based on current information and events, it is probable that the Company will be unable to collect all amounts due in accordance with the contractual terms of the agreement. Once a note or other contractual receivable has been identified as impaired, it is measured based on the present value of payments expected to be received, discounted at the receivable’s contractual interest rate, or for arrangements that are solely dependent on collateral for repayment, the estimated fair value of the collateral less estimated costs to sell. If the carrying value of the receivable exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment is recorded for the difference. During the fiscal year ended August 31, 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to other contractual receivables of $8 million, which represents the full amount of the allowance for credit losses on notes and other contractual receivables as of August 31, 2014 and 2013, and which is reported within other asset impairment charges in the fiscal 2013 Consolidated Statement of Operations.

A long-lived asset is classified as held for sale upon meeting criteria specified in the accounting standards. An asset classified as held for sale is measured at the lower of its carrying amount or fair value less cost to sell. An impairment loss is recognized for any initial or subsequent write-down of the asset to its fair value less cost to sell. The Company determines fair value using Level 3 inputs under the fair value hierarchy consisting of information provided by brokers and other external sources along with management’s own assumptions. During the fiscal years ended August 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company recorded an impairment charge related to assets held for sale of $1 million and $3 million, respectively, which is reported within other asset impairment charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

Other Asset Impairment Charges

The following impairment charges were recorded within other asset impairment charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended August 31 (in thousands):



	2014		2013
Investment in joint venture partnership	$	—	$	2,411
Contractual receivable	—		7,803
Assets held for sale	928		2,526
Other	532		313
Total	$	1,460	$	13,053

Restructuring Charges

Restructuring charges consist of severance, contract termination and other restructuring-related costs. A liability for severance costs is typically recognized when the plan of termination has been communicated to the affected employees and is measured at its fair value at the communication date. Contract termination costs consist primarily of costs that will continue to be incurred under operating leases for their remaining terms without economic benefit to the Company. A liability for contract termination costs is recognized at the date the Company ceases using the rights conveyed by the lease contract and is measured at its fair value, which is determined based on the remaining contractual lease rentals reduced by estimated sublease rentals. A liability for other restructuring-related costs is measured at its fair value in the period in which the liability is incurred. See Note 12 - Restructuring Charges and Other Exit-Related Costs for further detail.

Accrued Workers’ Compensation Costs

The Company is self-insured for workers’ compensation claims with exposure limited by various stop-loss insurance policies. The Company estimates the costs of workers’ compensation claims based on the nature of the injury incurred and on guidelines established by the applicable state. An accrual is recorded based upon the amount of unpaid claims as of the balance sheet date. Accrued amounts recorded for individual claims are reviewed periodically as treatment progresses and adjusted to reflect additional information that becomes available. The estimated cost of claims incurred but not reported is included in the accrual. The Company accrued $9 million and $10 million for the estimated cost of unpaid workers’ compensation claims as of August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, which are included in other accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Environmental Liabilities

The Company estimates future costs for known environmental remediation requirements and accrues for them on an undiscounted basis when it is probable that the Company has incurred a liability and the related costs can be reasonably estimated but the timing of incurring the estimated costs is unknown. The Company considers various factors when estimating its environmental liabilities. Adjustments to the liabilities are recorded to selling, general and administrative expense and made when additional information becomes available that affects the estimated costs to study or remediate any environmental issues or when expenditures are made for which liabilities were established. Legal costs incurred in connection with environmental contingencies are expensed as incurred.

When only a wide range of estimated amounts can be reasonably established and no other amount within the range is a better estimate than another, the low end of the range is recorded in the financial statements. In a number of cases, it is possible that the Company may receive reimbursement through insurance or from other potentially responsible parties for a site. In these situations, recoveries of environmental remediation costs from other parties are recognized when the claim for recovery is either realized or realizable. The amounts recorded for environmental liabilities are reviewed periodically as site assessment and remediation progresses at individual sites and adjusted to reflect additional information that becomes available. Due to evolving remediation technology, changing regulations, possible third party contributions, the subjective nature of the assumptions used and other factors, amounts accrued could vary significantly from amounts paid. See “Contingencies – Environmental” in Note 11 – Commitments and Contingencies for further detail.

Financial Instruments

The Company’s financial instruments include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, debt and derivative contracts. The Company uses the market approach to value its financial assets and liabilities, determined using available market information. The net carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short term nature of these instruments. For long-term debt, which is primarily at variable interest rates, fair value is estimated using observable inputs (Level 2) and approximates its carrying value. Derivative contracts are reported at fair value. See Note 10 - Fair Value Measurements and Note 15 - Derivative Financial Instruments for further detail.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is measured using inputs from the three levels of the fair value hierarchy. Classification within the hierarchy is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels are described as follows:


•	Level 1 – Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities.


•	Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the determination of the fair value of the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.


•	Level 3 – Unobservable inputs that are significant to the determination of fair value of the asset or liability.

When developing the fair value measurements, the Company uses quoted market prices whenever available or seeks to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when quoted market prices are not available. See Note 7 - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, net, Note 10 - Fair Value Measurements, Note 13 - Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest and Note 15 - Derivative Financial Instruments for further detail.

Derivatives

The Company records derivative instruments in prepaid expenses and other current assets or other accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value, and changes in the fair value are either recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) or net income (loss) in the Consolidated Statements of Operations, as applicable, depending on the nature of the underlying exposure, whether the derivative has been designated as a hedge and, if designated as a hedge, the extent to which the hedge is effective. Amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss are reclassified to earnings in the period in which earnings are impacted by the hedged items, in the period that the hedged transaction is deemed no longer likely to occur, or in the period that the derivative is terminated. For cash flow hedges, a formal assessment is made, both at the hedge’s inception and on an ongoing basis, to determine whether the derivatives that are designated as hedging instruments have been highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of hedged items and whether those derivatives may be expected to remain highly effective in future periods. To the extent the hedge is determined to be ineffective, the ineffective portion is immediately recognized in earnings. When available, quoted market prices or prices obtained through external sources are used to measure a derivative instrument’s fair value. The fair value of these instruments is a function of underlying forward commodity prices, related volatility, counterparty creditworthiness and duration of the contracts. Cash flows from derivatives are recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in a manner consistent with the underlying transactions. See Note 10 - Fair Value Measurements and Note 15 - Derivative Financial Instruments for further detail.

Derivative contracts for commodities used in normal business operations that are settled by physical delivery, among other criteria, are eligible for and may be designated as normal purchases and normal sales. Contracts that qualify as normal purchases or normal sales are not marked-to-market. The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

Foreign Currency Translation and Transactions

Assets and liabilities of the Company’s operations in Canada are translated into U.S. dollars at the period-end exchange rate, revenues and expenses of these operations are translated into U.S. dollars at the average exchange rate for the period, and cash flows of these operations are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rates in effect at the time of the cash flows. Translation adjustments are not included in determining net income (loss) for the period, but are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, a separate component of shareholders’ equity. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses are generated from the effects of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the Company, which is the U.S. dollar. Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are generally included in determining net income (loss) for the period. The Company records these gains and losses in other income, net in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Net realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains (losses) were not material in any of the periods presented.

Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest

The Company issued common stock of one of its subsidiaries to the noncontrolling interest holder of that subsidiary that, prior to the Company’s purchase of that interest on March 8, 2013, had been redeemable both at the option of the holder and upon the occurrence of an event that was not solely within the Company’s control. Since redemption of the noncontrolling interest was outside of the Company’s control, this interest was presented on the Consolidated Balance Sheets in the mezzanine section under the caption redeemable noncontrolling interest. If the interest had been redeemed, the Company would have been required to purchase all of such interest at fair value on the date of redemption. Prior to its purchase by the Company on March 8, 2013, the redeemable noncontrolling interest was presented at the greater of its carrying amount (adjusted for the noncontrolling interest’s share of the allocation of income or loss of the subsidiary, dividends to and contributions from the noncontrolling interest) or its fair value as of each measurement date. Any adjustments to the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interest for changes in fair value prior to the Company’s purchase of the interest in March 2013 were recorded to retained earnings. See Note 13 – Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest for further detail.

Common Stock

Each share of Class A and Class B common stock is entitled to one vote. Additionally, each share of Class B common stock may be converted to one share of Class A common stock. As such, the Company reserves one share of Class A common stock for each share of Class B common stock outstanding. There are currently no meaningful distinctions between the rights of holders of Class A shares and Class B shares.

Shareholder Rights Plan

Under its shareholder rights plan, the Company issued a dividend distribution of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each share of Class A common stock or Class B common stock held by shareholders of record as of the close of business on April 4, 2006. The Rights generally become exercisable if a person or group has acquired 15% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock or announces a tender offer or exchange offer which, if consummated, would result in ownership by a person or group of 15% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock (“Acquiring Person”). Each Right entitles shareholders to buy one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Participating Preferred Stock (“Series A Shares”) of the Company at an exercise price of $110, subject to adjustments. Holders of Rights (other than an Acquiring Person) are entitled to receive upon exercise Series A Shares, or in lieu thereof, Class A common stock of the Company having a value of twice the Right’s then-current exercise price. The Series A Shares are not redeemable by the Company and have voting privileges and certain dividend and liquidation preferences. The Rights will expire on March 21, 2016, unless such date is extended or the Rights are redeemed or exchanged on an earlier date.

Share Repurchases

The Company accounts for the repurchase of stock at par value. All shares repurchased are deemed retired. Upon retirement of the shares, the Company records the difference between the weighted average cost of such shares and the par value of the stock as an adjustment to additional paid-in capital, with the excess recorded to retained earnings when additional paid-in capital is not sufficient.

Revenue Recognition

The Company recognizes revenue when it has a contract or purchase order from a customer with a fixed price, the title and risk of loss transfer to the buyer and collectibility is reasonably assured. Title for both recycled metal and finished steel products transfers based on contract terms. A significant portion of the Company’s ferrous export sales of recycled metal are made with letters of credit, reducing credit risk. However, domestic recycled ferrous metal sales, nonferrous sales and sales of finished steel are generally made on open account. Nonferrous export sales typically require a deposit prior to shipment. All sales made on open account are evaluated for collectibility prior to revenue recognition. Additionally, the Company recognizes revenues on partially loaded shipments when detailed documents support revenue recognition based on transfer of title and risk of loss. The Company reports revenue net of the payments made to the supplier of scrap metal when the supplier, and not the Company, is responsible for fulfillment, including the acceptability of the products purchased by the customer. For APB, retail revenues are recognized when customers pay for parts, and wholesale product revenues are recognized when customer weight certificates are received following shipments. Historically, there have been very few sales returns and adjustments that impact the ultimate collection of revenues; therefore, no material provisions have been made when sales are recognized. The Company presents taxes assessed by governmental authorities collected from customers on a net basis. Therefore, the taxes are excluded from revenues and are shown as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets until remitted.

Freight Costs

The Company classifies shipping and handling costs billed to customers as revenue and the related costs incurred as a component of cost of goods sold.

Share-Based Compensation

The Company recognizes compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions with employees and non-employee directors over the vesting period, with the cost measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued, net of an estimated forfeiture rate. See Note 17 – Share-Based Compensation for further detail.

The Company recognizes service cost relating to share-based payment transactions with non-employees that are classified as equity instruments based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued in the period in which performance of services is complete, all performance conditions have been met and an obligation to compensate the non-employee exists, which may or may not align with the timing of legal vesting of the equity instruments.

Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. This requires the recognition of taxes currently payable or refundable and the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that are recognized in one reporting period on the Consolidated Financial Statements but in a different reporting period on the tax returns. Tax credits are recognized as a reduction of income tax expense in the year the credit arises. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. Tax benefits arising from uncertain tax positions are recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by the relevant tax authorities. The amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. See Note 18 – Income Taxes for further detail.

Net Income (Loss) per Share

Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to SSI is computed by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the periods presented including vested deferred stock units (“DSUs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”). Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to SSI is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, assuming dilution. Potentially dilutive common shares include the assumed exercise of stock options and assumed vesting of performance shares, DSU and RSU awards using the treasury stock method. Certain of the Company’s stock options, RSUs and performance share awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because they were antidilutive; however, these options and awards could be dilutive in the future. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is deducted from income (loss) from continuing operations to arrive at net income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SSI for purposes of calculating net income (loss) per share attributable to SSI. Income per share from discontinued operations attributable to SSI is presented separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 19 – Net Income (Loss) Per Share for further detail.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the Consolidated Financial Statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Examples include valuation of assets received in acquisitions; revenue recognition; the allowance for doubtful accounts; estimates of contingencies, including environmental liabilities; goodwill and intangible asset valuation; valuation of investments in joint venture partnerships; other asset valuation; inventory valuation; redeemable noncontrolling interest valuation; pension plan assumptions; and the assessment of the valuation of deferred income taxes and income tax contingencies. Actual results may differ from estimated amounts.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to significant concentration of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and notes and other contractual receivables and derivative financial instruments. The majority of cash and cash equivalents are maintained with two major financial institutions (Bank of America and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.). Balances with these institutions exceeded the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insured amount of $250,000 as of August 31, 2014. Concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable is limited because a large number of geographically diverse customers make up the Company’s customer base. The Company controls credit risk through credit approvals, credit limits, letters of credit or other collateral, cash deposits and monitoring procedures. The Company is exposed to a residual credit risk with respect to open letters of credit by virtue of the possibility of the failure of a bank providing a letter of credit. The Company had $74 million and $94 million of open letters of credit as of August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The counterparties to the Company's derivative financial instruments are major financial institutions.

Discontinued Operations

In the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014, the Company released an environmental liability associated with a component disposed of through sale in a prior period. The release was the result of a periodic review of the Company's estimate of future environmental remediation costs associated with the disposed sites, for which it bears responsibility based on contractual agreements. The release resulted in a gain of $1 million, net of tax of less than $1 million, which was classified within discontinued operations in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Environmental liabilities related to discontinued operations were immaterial as of August 31, 2014 and 2013.