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Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of INTL FCStone Inc. and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Unless otherwise stated herein, all references to fiscal 2015, fiscal 2014, and fiscal 2013 refer to the Company’s fiscal years ended September 30.
Consolidation, Policy [Policy Text Block]
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of INTL FCStone Inc. and all other entities in which the Company has a controlling financial interest. All material intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.
Fiscal Period, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Unless otherwise stated herein, all references to fiscal 2015, fiscal 2014, and fiscal 2013 refer to the Company’s fiscal years ended September 30.
Use of Estimates, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Use of Estimates
The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. The most significant of these estimates and assumptions relate to fair value measurements for financial instruments and investments, revenue recognition, the provision for potential losses from bad debts, valuation of inventories, valuation of goodwill and intangible assets, self-insurance liabilities, incomes taxes and contingencies. These estimates are based on management’s best knowledge of current events and actions the Company may undertake in the future. The Company reviews all significant estimates affecting the financial statements on a recurring basis and records the effect of any necessary adjustments prior to their issuance. Although these and other estimates and assumptions are based on the best available information, actual results could be materially different from these estimates.
Foreign Currency Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]
Foreign Currency Translation
Assets and liabilities recorded in foreign currencies are translated at the exchange rates prevailing on the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the period. Gains or losses on translation of the financial statements of a non-United States (“U.S.”) operation, when the functional currency is other than the U.S. dollar, are recorded in other comprehensive income (“OCI”), net of tax, a component of stockholders’ equity. Foreign currency remeasurement gains or losses on transactions in nonfunctional currencies are included in ‘trading gains, net’ in the consolidated income statements.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers cash held at banks and all highly liquid investments, including certificates of deposit, which may be withdrawn at any time at the discretion of the Company without penalty, to be cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash, foreign currency, money market funds and certificates of deposit not deposited with or pledged to exchange-clearing organizations, broker-dealers, clearing organizations or counterparties. The money market funds are valued at period-end at the net asset value provided by the fund’s administrator, which approximates fair value. Certificates of deposit are stated at cost plus accrued interest, which approximates fair value. The Company has an investment policy, which limits the maximum amount placed in any one fund and with any one institution in order to reduce credit risk. The Company does not believe that it is exposed to significant risk on cash and cash equivalents.
Cash, Securities and Other Assets Segregated, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Cash, Securities and Other Assets Segregated under Federal and other Regulations
Pursuant to requirements of the Commodity Exchange Act in the U.S. and similarly in the United Kingdom (“UK”), pursuant to the Markets in Financial Instruments Implementing Directive 2006/73/EC underpinning the Client Asset or ‘CASS’ rules in the Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) handbook, funds deposited by customers relating to futures and options on futures contracts in regulated commodities must be carried in separate accounts which are designated as segregated customer accounts. The deposits in segregated customer accounts are not commingled with the funds of the Company. Under the FSA’s rules, certain categories of clients may choose to opt-out of segregation. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, cash, securities and other assets segregated under federal and other regulations consisted of cash held at banks and money market funds of approximately $240.0 million and $432.1 million, respectively, U.S. government securities and U.S. government agency obligations of approximately $493.4 million and $0.5 million, respectively, and commodities warehouse receipts of approximately $22.1 million and $14.8 million, respectively (see fair value measurements discussion in Note 3).
Deposits and Receivables from Exchange-Clearing Organizations, Broker-dealers, Clearing Organizations and Counterparties, and Payables to Broker-dealers, Clearing Organizations and Counterparties Disclosure [Text Block]
Deposits and Receivables from Exchange-Clearing Organizations, Broker-dealers, Clearing Organizations and Counterparties, and Payables to Broker-dealers, Clearing Organizations and Counterparties
As required by the regulations of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) and the aforementioned FSA handbook, customer funds received to margin, guarantee, and/or secure commodity futures transactions are segregated and accounted for separately from the general assets of the Company. Deposits with exchange-clearing organizations, broker-dealers and counterparties pertain primarily to deposits made to satisfy margin requirements on customer and proprietary open futures and options on futures positions and to satisfy the requirements set by clearing exchanges for clearing membership. The Company also pledges margin deposit with various counterparties for OTC derivative contracts, and these deposits are also included in deposits and receivables from broker-dealers and counterparties. Deposits with and receivables from exchange-clearing organizations and broker-dealers and counterparties are reported gross, except where a right of offset exists. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, the Company had cash and cash equivalents on deposit with or pledged to exchange-clearing organizations, broker-dealers and counterparties of $0.9 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively.
These balances also include securities pledged by the Company on behalf of customers and customer-owned securities that are pledged. It is the Company’s practice to include customer owned securities on its consolidated balance sheets, as the rights to those securities have been transferred to the Company under the terms of the futures trading agreement. Securities pledged include U.S. Treasury bills and instruments backed by U.S. government sponsored entities and government-sponsored enterprise backed mortgage-backed securities (“mortgage-backed securities”). Securities that are not customer-owned are adjusted to fair value with associated changes in unrealized gains or losses recorded through current period earnings. For customer owned securities, the change in fair value is offset against the payable to customers with no impact recognized on the consolidated income statements.
The securities, primarily U.S. government obligations and mortgage-backed securities, held by INTL FCStone Financial Inc. (“INTL FCStone Financial”), a subsidiary of the Company, as collateral or as margin have been deposited with exchange-clearing organizations, broker-dealers or other counterparties. The fair value of these securities was approximately $0.5 billion and $0.7 billion as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
Management has considered guidance required by the Transfers and Servicing Topic of the ASC as it relates to securities pledged by customers to margin their accounts. Based on a review of the agreements with the customer, management believes the transferor surrenders control over those assets because: (a) the transferred assets have been isolated from the transferor—put presumptively beyond the reach of the transferor and its creditors, even in bankruptcy or other receivership, (b) each transferee has the right to pledge or exchange the assets (or beneficial interests) it received, and no condition both constrains the transferee (or holder) from taking advantage of its right to pledge or exchange and provides more than a trivial benefit to the transferor and (c) the transferor does not maintain effective control over the transferred assets through either (1) an agreement that both entitles and obligates the transferor to repurchase or redeem them before their maturity or (2) the ability to unilaterally cause the holder to return specific assets, other than through a cleanup call. Under this guidance, the Company reflects the customer collateral assets and corresponding liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2015 and 2014.
In addition to margin, deposits with exchange-clearing organizations include guaranty deposits. The guaranty deposits are held by the clearing organization for use in potential default situations by one or more members of the clearing organization. The guaranty deposits may be applied to the Company’s obligations to the clearing organization, or to the clearing organization’s obligations to other clearing members or third parties.
The Company maintains customer omnibus and proprietary accounts with other counterparties, and the equity balances in those accounts along with any margin cash or securities deposited with the carrying broker are included in deposits and receivables from broker-dealers and counterparties.
Receivables from and payables to exchange-clearing organizations are also comprised of amounts due from or due to exchange-clearing organizations for daily variation settlements on open futures and options on futures positions. The variation settlements due from or due to exchange-clearing organizations are paid in cash on the following business day.
Deposits and receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties, and payables to broker-dealers, clearing organizations and counterparties also include amounts related to the value of customers cross-currency payment transactions related to the Global Payments segment. These amounts arise due to a clearing period before the funds are received and payments are made, which usually is one to two business days.
Deposits and receivables with exchange-clearing organizations also includes the unrealized gains and losses associated with the customers’ options on futures contracts. See discussion in the Financial Instruments and Derivatives section below for additional information on the treatment of derivative contracts. For customer owned derivative contracts, the fair value is offset against the payable to customers with no impact recognized on the consolidated income statements.
Receivable from and Payable to Customers, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Receivable from and Payable to Customers
Receivable from customers, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, include the total of net deficits in individual exchange-traded and OTC trading accounts carried by the Company. Customer deficits arise from realized and unrealized trading losses on futures, options on futures, swaps and forwards and amounts due on cash and margin transactions. Customer deficit accounts are reported gross of customer accounts that contain net credit or positive balances, except where a right of offset exists. Net deficits in individual exchange-traded and OTC trading accounts include both secured and unsecured deficit balances due from customers as of the balance sheet date. Secured deficit amounts are backed by U.S. Treasury bills and notes and commodity warehouse receipts. These U.S Treasury bills and notes and commodity warehouse receipts are not netted against the secured deficit amounts, as the conditions for right of setoff have not been met.
Payable to customers represent the total of customer accounts with credit or positive balances. Customer accounts are used primarily in connection with commodity transactions and include gains and losses on open commodity trades as well as securities and other deposits made as required by the Company, the exchange-clearing organizations or other clearing organizations. Customer accounts with credit or positive balances are reported gross of customer deficit accounts, except where a right of offset exists.
Receivables from and payables to customers also include amounts related to the value of customers cross-currency payment transactions related to the Global Payments segment. These amounts arise due to a clearing period before the funds are received and payments are made, which usually is one to two business days.
The future collectability of the receivable from customers can be impacted by the Company’s collection efforts, the financial stability of its customers, and the general economic climate in which it operates. The Company evaluates accounts that it believes may become uncollectible on a specific identification basis, through reviewing daily margin deficit reports, the historical daily aging of the receivables, and by monitoring the financial strength of its customers. The Company may unilaterally close customer trading positions in certain circumstances. In addition, to evaluate customer margining and collateral requirements, customer positions are stress tested regularly and monitored for excessive concentration levels relative to the overall market size.
The Company generally charges off an outstanding receivable balance when all economically sensible means of recovery have been exhausted. That determination considers information such as the occurrence of significant changes in the customer’s financial position such that the customer can no longer pay the obligation, or that the proceeds from collateral will not be sufficient to pay the balance.
Notes Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Notes Receivable
The Company originates short-term notes receivable from customers with the outstanding balances typically being insured 90% to 98% by a third party, including accrued interest, subject to applicable deductible amounts. The Company may sell the insured portion of the notes through non-recourse participation agreements with other third parties. See discussion of notes receivable related to commodity repurchase agreements below.
Accrual of commodity financing income on any note is discontinued when, in the opinion of management, there is reasonable doubt as to the timely collectability of interest or principal. Nonaccrual notes are returned to an accrual status when, in the opinion of management, the financial position of the borrower indicates there is no longer any reasonable doubt as to the timely payment of principal and interest. The Company records a charge against earnings for notes receivable losses when management believes that collectability of the principal is unlikely.
Physcial Commodities Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Physical Commodities Inventory
Physical commodities inventories, except as described below, are stated at the lower of cost or market (“LCM”), using the weighted-average price and first-in first-out costing method. Cost includes finished commodity or raw material and processing costs related to the purchase and processing of inventories.
Prior to the transfer of the Company’s precious metals business (see following discussion), precious metals inventory held by INTL Commodities Inc. was valued at LCM under the provisions of the Inventory Topic of the Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”), using the weighted-average price and first-in first-out costing method. Subsequent to the transfer, precious metals inventory held by INTL FCStone Ltd. is measured at fair value, with changes in fair value included as a component of ‘trading gains, net’ on the consolidated income statements.
Change in Precious Metals Accounting
The Company engages in trading activities in a variety of physical commodities, including actively trading precious metals whereby the Company provides a full range of trading and hedging capabilities, including OTC products, to select producers, consumers, and investors. In the Company’s precious metals trading activities, it acts as a principal, committing its own capital to buy and sell precious metals on a spot and forward basis.
On April 10, 2015 (the “transfer date”), the Company transitioned the portion of its precious metals business conducted through its unregulated domestic subsidiary, INTL Commodities Inc., to its United Kingdom based broker-dealer subsidiary, INTL FCStone Ltd. INTL FCStone Ltd. is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), the regulator of the financial services industry in the United Kingdom.
In anticipation of the transfer of the precious metals business, INTL Commodities Inc. liquidated all of its precious metals inventory as of the transfer date. Subsequent to the transfer, precious metals inventory held by INTL FCStone Ltd. is measured at fair value, with changes in fair value included as a component of ‘trading gains, net’ on the consolidated income statement, in accordance with U.S. GAAP accounting requirements for broker-dealers. Precious metals inventory held by subsidiaries that are not broker-dealers continues to be valued at the lower of cost or market value.
Property and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the improvement or the term of the lease, whichever is shorter. Certain costs of software developed or obtained for internal use are capitalized and amortized over the estimated useful life of the software. Expenditures for maintenance, repairs, and minor replacements are charged against earnings, as incurred. Expenditures that increase the value or productive capacity of assets are capitalized. When property and equipment are retired, sold, or otherwise disposed of, the asset’s carrying amount and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is included in earnings.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Goodwill and Identifiable Intangible Assets
Goodwill is the cost of acquired companies in excess of the fair value of identifiable net assets at acquisition date. In accordance with the Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Topic of the ASC, goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis at the fiscal year-end, and between annual tests if indicators of potential impairment exist, using a fair-value-based approach. No impairment of goodwill has been identified during any of the periods presented.
Identifiable intangible assets subject to amortization are amortized using the straight-line method over their estimated period of benefit, ranging from two to twenty years. Identifiable intangible assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances suggest that an asset’s or asset group’s carrying value may not be fully recoverable in accordance with the Intangibles – Goodwill and Other Topic of the ASC. Residual value is presumed to be zero. Identifiable intangible assets not subject to amortization are reviewed at each reporting period to re-evaluate if the intangible asset’s useful life remains indefinite. Additionally, intangible assets not subject to amortization are tested annually for impairment at the fiscal year-end, and between annual tests if indicators of potential impairment exist, using a fair-value-based approach.
Financial Instruments and Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Financial Instruments and Derivatives
Financial instruments owned and sold, not yet purchased, at fair value consist of financial instruments carried at fair value or amounts that approximate fair value, with related unrealized changes in gains or losses recognized in earnings, except for securities classified as available-for-sale. The fair value of a financial instrument is the amount at which the instrument could be exchanged in a current transaction between willing parties, other than in a forced or liquidation sale.
The Company accounts for its securities pledged on behalf of customers and proprietary securities as trading securities in accordance with U.S. GAAP accounting requirements for broker-dealers.
Investment in managed funds, at fair value represents investments in funds managed by the Company’s fund managers. The investments are valued at period-end at the net asset value provided by the fund’s administrator.
Commodities warehouse receipts are valued at the cash price, or the nearby futures prices in the absence of a cash price, for the commodity based on published market quotes. For commodities warehouse receipts, the change in fair value is offset against the payable to customers with no impact on the consolidated income statements.
The Company utilizes derivative instruments to manage exposures to foreign currency, commodity price and interest rate risks for the Company and its customers. The Company’s objectives for holding derivatives include reducing, eliminating, and efficiently managing the economic impact of these exposures as effectively as possible. Derivative instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities and are measured at fair value. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. For a derivative instrument designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the derivative’s gain or loss is initially recorded in OCI, net of tax, and is subsequently recognized in earnings when the hedged exposure affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss is recognized in earnings. Gains and losses from changes in fair values of derivatives that are not designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes are recognized in earnings.
The Company’s derivative contracts consist of exchange-traded and OTC derivatives. Fair values of exchange-traded derivatives are generally determined from quoted market prices. OTC derivatives are valued using valuation models. The valuation models used to derive the fair values of OTC derivatives require inputs including contractual terms, market prices, yield curves and measurements of volatility. The Company uses similar models to value similar instruments. Where possible, the Company verifies the values produced by pricing models by comparing them to market transactions. Inputs may involve judgment where market prices are not readily available. The Company does not elect hedge accounting under the Derivatives and Hedging Topic of the ASC in accounting for derivatives used as economic hedges on its commodities.
The Company provides clearing and execution of exchange-traded futures and options on futures for middle-market intermediaries, end-users, producers of commodities and the institutional and professional trader market segments. The Company has a subsidiary that is a registered broker-dealer and futures commission merchant (“FCM”), clearing on various exchanges. A primary source of revenues for the Company’s BD/FCM are commissions and clearing fees derived from executing and clearing orders for commodity futures contracts and options on futures on behalf of its customers.
The Company also brokers foreign exchange forwards, options and cash, or spot, transactions between customers and external counterparties. A portion of the contracts are arranged on an offsetting basis, limiting the Company’s risk to performance of the two offsetting parties. The offsetting nature of the contracts eliminates the effects of market fluctuations on the Company’s operating results. Due to the Company’s role as a principal participating in both sides of these contracts, the amounts are presented gross on the consolidated balance sheets at their respective fair values, net of offsetting assets and liabilities.
During fiscal 2014, the Company concluded its business activities related to speculative trading and holding proprietary positions in futures, options and swaps, including corn, wheat, soybeans, sugar. Since some of the derivatives held or sold by the Company were for speculative trading purposes, those derivative instruments were not designated as hedging instruments and accordingly, the changes in fair value during the period were recorded in the consolidated income statements as a component of ‘trading gains, net’ (see Note 4).
The Company holds proprietary positions in its foreign exchange line of business. On a limited basis, the Company’s foreign exchange trade desk will accept a customer transaction and will offset that transaction with a similar but not identical position with a counterparty. These unmatched transactions are intended to be short-term in nature and are often conducted to facilitate the most effective transaction for the Company’s customer. These spot and forward contracts are accounted for as free-standing derivatives and reported in the consolidated balance sheets at their fair values. The Company does not seek hedge accounting treatment for these derivatives, and accordingly, the changes in fair value during the period are recorded in the consolidated income statements in ‘trading gains, net’ (see Note 4). In applying the guidance in the Balance Sheet-Offsetting Topic of the ASC, the Company’s accounting policy is such that open contracts with the same customer are netted at the account level, in accordance with netting arrangements in place with each party, as applicable and rights to reclaim cash collateral or obligations to return cash collateral are netted against fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments with the same customer in accordance with the master netting arrangements in place with each customer.
The Company may lease commodities to or from customers or counterparties, or advance commodities to customers on an unpriced basis, receiving payment when they become priced. These are valued at fair value utilizing the fair value option based on guidance in the Financial Instruments Topic of the ASC. As permitted by the fair value option election, the entire instrument is recorded at fair value in the consolidated balance sheets as a component of ‘financial instruments owned and sold, not yet purchased’. Due to the short term nature of the instruments, the balance of the agreements is not materially different than the recorded fair value. The corresponding change in fair value of the instrument is recognized in the consolidated income statements as a component of ‘trading gains, net’ for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2015, 2014, and 2013. The Company does elect to value all of their commodities lease agreements at fair value using the fair value option. See fair value measurements in Note 3.
Exchange Memberships and Stock, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Exchange Memberships and Stock
The Company is required to hold certain exchange membership seats and exchange firm common stock and pledge them for clearing purposes, in order to provide the Company the right to process trades directly with the various exchanges. Exchange memberships include seats on the Chicago Board of Trade (“CBOT”), the Minneapolis Grain Exchange, the New York Mercantile Exchange (“NYMEX”), the Commodity Exchange, Inc. (“COMEX”) Division of the New York Mercantile Exchange, Mercado de Valores de Buenos Aires S.A. (“MERVAL”), the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) Growth and Emerging Markets, InterContinental Exchange, Inc. (“ICE”) Futures US, ICE Europe Ltd and London Metal Exchange (“LME”). Exchange firm common stock include shares of CME Group, Inc., ICE and LME.
Exchange memberships and firm common stocks pledged for clearing purposes are recorded at cost and are included in ‘other assets’ on the consolidated balance sheets. Equity investments in exchange firm common stock not pledged for clearing purposes are classified as trading securities and recorded at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recorded as a component of “trading gains, net” on the consolidated income statements. Equity investments in exchange firm common stock not pledged for clearing purposes are included in ‘financial instruments owned’ on the consolidated balance sheets.
The cost basis for exchange memberships and firm common stock pledged for clearing purposes was $9.9 million and $10.3 million as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The fair value of exchange memberships and firm common stock pledged for clearing purposes was $7.6 million and $9.7 million as of September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively. The fair value of exchange firm common stock is determined by quoted market prices, and the fair value of exchange memberships is determined by recent sale transactions. The Company monitors the fair value of exchange membership seats and firm common stock on a quarterly basis, and does not consider any current unrealized losses on individual exchange memberships to be anything other than a temporary impairment.
Commodity Repurchase and Other Repurchase Agreements Policy [Policy Text Block]
Commodity and Other Repurchase Agreements and Collateralized Transactions
In the normal course of operations the Company accepts notes receivable under sale/repurchase agreements with customers whereby the customers sell certain commodity inventory or other investments and agree to repurchase the commodity inventory or investment at a future date at either a fixed or floating rate. These transactions are short-term in nature, and in accordance with the guidance contained in the Transfers and Servicing Topic of the ASC, are treated as secured borrowings rather than commodity inventory and purchases and sales in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Additionally, the Company participates in transactions involving commodities or other investments sold under repurchase agreements (“repos”). In accordance with the guidance contained in the Transfers and Servicing Topic of the ASC, these transactions are treated as secured borrowings that are recorded as a liability in the consolidated balance sheets. Commodities or investments sold under repurchase agreements are reflected at the amount of cash received in connection with the transactions. The Company may be required to provide additional collateral based on the fair value of the underlying asset.
Business Combinations and Contingent Consideration Policy [Policy Text Block]
Business Combinations
Acquisitions are accounted for as business combinations in accordance with the provisions of the Business Combinations Topic of the ASC. Under this accounting guidance most of the assets and liabilities acquired and assumed are measured at fair value as of the acquisition date. Certain contingent liabilities acquired require remeasurement at fair value in each subsequent reporting period. Noncontrolling interests are initially measured at fair value and classified as a separate component of equity. Acquisition related costs, such as fees for attorneys, accountants, and investment bankers, are expensed as incurred and are not capitalized as part of the purchase price. For all acquisitions, regardless of the consummation date, deferred tax assets, valuation allowances, and uncertain tax position adjustments occurring after the measurement period are recorded as a component of income, rather than adjusted through goodwill.
Determining the fair value of certain assets and liabilities acquired is subjective in nature and often involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Estimating the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired requires significant judgment.
Contingent Consideration
The Company estimates and records the acquisition date estimated fair value of contingent consideration as part of purchase price consideration for acquisitions. Additionally, each reporting period, the Company estimates changes in the fair value of contingent consideration, and any change in fair value is recognized in the consolidated income statement. An increase in the earn-out expected to be paid will result in a charge to operations in the period that the anticipated fair value of contingent consideration increases, while a decrease in the earn-out expected to be paid will result in a credit to operations in the period that the anticipated fair value of contingent consideration decreases. The estimate of the fair value of contingent consideration requires subjective assumptions to be made of future operating results, discount rates, and probabilities assigned to various potential operating result scenarios. Future revisions to these assumptions could materially change the estimate of the fair value of contingent consideration and, therefore, materially affect the Company’s future financial results.
Additional Paid-In Capital, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Additional Paid-In Capital
The Company’s additional paid-in capital (“APIC”) consists of stockholder contributions that are in excess of par value of common stock. Included in APIC are amounts related to the exercise of stock options, share-based compensation and shares held in escrow.
In September 2010, the Company acquired certain assets of Provident Group (“Provident”). The purchase price for the assets and services of the sellers was $5.0 million. Subsequent to closing, the individual sellers placed the entire purchase price into an escrow account and the funds were used to purchase outstanding shares of the Company on the open market. There were 214,325 shares purchased and placed into escrow as a result of this agreement. The entire purchase price was recorded as a reduction in additional paid in capital as shares held in escrow for business combinations. The shares held in escrow for business combinations were to be released to the individual sellers, over a five year period from the date of closing based on net profits, in accordance with the provisions of the acquisition agreement. At September 30, 2015, the end of the five year period, the terms of the agreement were not met and 204,271 shares were forfeited to the Company and recorded as treasury stock. In accordance with the acquisition agreement, there were no shares earned or released during the years ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, while 6,799 shares were earned and subsequently released to the sellers during the year ended September 30, 2013, and 3,255 shares were earned and subsequently released prior to fiscal 2013.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Revenue Recognition
Sales of physical commodities revenue are recognized when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. The Company reports its physical commodities revenues, except as described below, on a gross basis, with the corresponding cost of sales shown separately, in accordance with the guidelines provided in the Revenue Recognition Topic of the ASC.
Change in Precious Metals Accounting
Prior to the transfer, INTL Commodities Inc. precious metals sales and costs of sales were recorded on a gross basis in accordance with the Revenue Recognition Topic of the ASC. Subsequent to the transfer, INTL FCStone Ltd. precious metals sales and cost of sales are presented on a net basis and included as a component of ‘trading gains, net’ on the consolidated income statements, in accordance with U.S GAAP accounting requirements for broker-dealers. Precious metals sales and cost of sales for subsidiaries that are not broker-dealers continue to be recorded on a gross basis.
The change has no effect on the Company’s operating revenues, income from continuing operations, or net income. Management has historically assessed the performance of the physical commodities businesses on an operating revenue basis, and continues to do so.
Trading gains, net include brokerage fees and margins generated from OTC derivative trades executed with customers and other counterparties and are recognized when trades are executed. Trading gains, net also include activities where the Company acts as principal in the purchase and sale of individual securities, currencies, commodities or derivative instruments with customers. These transactions may be offset simultaneously with another customer or counterparty, offset with similar but not identical positions on an exchange, made from inventory, or may be aggregated with other purchases to provide liquidity intraday, for a number of days, or in some cases, particularly the base metals business, even longer periods (during which fair value may fluctuate). In addition, trading gains, net includes activities from the Company’s operations of a proprietary foreign exchange desk which arbitrages the futures and cash markets (see additional discussion in the Financial Instruments and Derivatives policy note for revenue recognition on proprietary trading activities). Net dealer inventory and investment gains are recognized on a trade-date basis and include realized gains or losses and changes in unrealized gains or losses on investments at fair value. Dividend income and dividend expense, on short equity positions, are recognized net, in ‘trading gain, net’ on the ex-dividend date.
Commissions on futures contracts are recognized on a half-turn basis in two equal parts. The first half is recognized when the contract is opened and the second half is recognized when the transaction is closed. Commissions on options on futures contracts are generally recognized on a half-turn basis, except that full commissions are recognized on options expected to expire without being exercised or offset. Commissions and fees are charged at various rates based on the type of account, the products traded, and the method of trade. Clearing and transaction fees are charged to customers on a per exchange contract basis based on the trade date. Such fees are for clearing customers’ exchange trades and include fees charged to the Company by the various futures exchanges. See discussion of transaction-based clearing expenses below.
Consulting and management fees include risk management consulting fees which are billed and recognized as revenue on a monthly basis when risk management services are provided. Such agreements are generally for one year periods, but are cancelable by either party upon providing thirty days written notice to the other party and the amounts are not variable based on customer trading activities. Asset management fees are recognized as they are earned based on fees due at each period-end date. These include performance fees based on the amount that is due under the formula for exceeding performance targets as of the period-end date. Fee income for structuring and arrangement of debt transactions and management and investment advisory income is recorded when the services related to the underlying transactions are provided and success fees are recorded when complete, as determined under the terms of the assignment or engagement.
Interest income, generated primarily from investments and customer inventory financing, is recognized on an accrual basis. Interest from investments is generated from securities purchased using customer funds deposited with the Company to satisfy margin requirements, net of interest returned to customers, and from securities acquired through internally-generated company funds. Interest also includes unrealized gains and losses on securities owned and those deposited with other parties.
Revenue generally is recognized net of any taxes collected from customers and subsequently remitted to governmental authorities.
Cost of Revenue, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Cost of Revenue
Cost of sales of physical commodities include finished commodity or raw material and processing costs along with operating costs relating to the receipt, storage and delivery of the physical commodities.
Compensation and Benefits, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Compensation and Benefits
Compensation and benefits consists primarily of salaries, incentive compensation, variable compensation, including commissions, related payroll taxes and employee benefits. The Company classifies employees as either risk management consultants / traders, operational or administrative personnel, which includes the executive officers. Variable compensation paid to risk management consultants and traders generally represents a fixed percentage of revenues generated, and in some cases, revenues produced less direct costs and an overhead allocation. The Company accrues commission expense on a trade date basis.
Share-based Compensation Policy [Policy Text Block]
Share-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for share-based compensation in accordance with the guidance of the Compensation-Stock Compensation Topic of the ASC. The cost of employee services received in exchange for a share-based award is generally measured based on the grant-date fair value of the award. Share-based employee awards that require future service are amortized over the relevant service period. Expected forfeitures are included in determining share-based employee compensation expense. For option awards granted, compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period for the entire award.
Transaction-Based Clearing Expenses, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Transaction-Based Clearing Expenses
Clearing fees and related expenses include primarily variable expenses for clearing and settlement services, including fees the Company pays to executing brokers, exchanges, clearing organizations and banks. These fees are based on transaction volume, and recorded as expense on the trade date. Clearing fees are passed on to customers and are presented gross in the consolidated statements of income under the Revenue Recognition Topic of the ASC, as the Company acts as a principal for these transactions.
Introducing Broker Commissions, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Introducing Broker Commissions
Introducing broker commissions include commissions paid to non-employee third parties that have introduced customers to the Company. Introducing brokers are individuals or organizations that maintain relationships with customers and accept futures and options orders from those customers. The Company directly provides all account, transaction and margining services to introducing brokers, including accepting money, securities and property from the customers. The commissions are determined and settled monthly.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Income Taxes
Income tax expense includes U.S. federal, state and local and foreign income taxes. Certain items of income and expense are not reported in tax returns and financial statements in the same year. The tax effect of such temporary differences is reported as deferred income taxes. Tax provisions are computed in accordance with the Income Taxes Topic of the ASC.
Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Comprehensive Income
Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting stockholders’ equity that, under U.S. GAAP, are excluded from net income. Other comprehensive income (loss) includes net actuarial losses from defined benefit pension plans, gains and losses on foreign currency translations, and changes in the fair value of interest rate swap agreements, to the extent they are, or previously were, effective as cash flow hedges.
Noncontrolling Interest and Variable Interest Entity, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Noncontrolling Interest and Variable Interest Entities
In accordance with the Consolidation Topic of the ASC, the Company consolidates any variable interest entities for which it is the primary beneficiary, as defined. The Company applies the equity method of accounting when the Company does not have a controlling interest in an entity, but exerts significant influence over the entity.
Preferred Stock [Text Block]
Preferred Stock
The Company is authorized to issue one million shares of preferred stock, par value of $0.01 per share, in one or more classes or series to be established by the Company’s board of directors. As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, no preferred shares were outstanding and the Company’s board of directors had not yet established any class or series of shares.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
On May 28, 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP when it becomes effective. For public entities, the ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early application is not permitted. The Company expects to adopt this guidance starting with the first quarter of fiscal year 2019. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
In June 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-11, Transfers and Servicing: Repurchase-to-Maturity Transactions, Repurchase Financings, and Disclosures, which changes the accounting for repurchase-to-maturity transactions to secured borrowing accounting. Additionally, for repurchase financing arrangements, the amendments of this ASU require separate accounting for a transfer of a financial asset executed contemporaneously with a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty, which will result in secured borrowing accounting for the repurchase agreement. For public entities, the ASU is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning after December 15, 2014. Earlier application is not permitted. The Company adopted this guidance starting with the second quarter of fiscal year 2015. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, Presentation of Financial Statements - Going Concern: Disclosures of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern, which requires management to evaluate whether there are conditions or events that raise substantial doubt about the entity’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the date that the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. This ASU also requires management to disclose certain information depending on the results of the going concern evaluation. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods ending after December 15, 2016, and for interim and annual periods thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. This amendment is applicable to the Company for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In January 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-01, Income Statement - Extraordinary and Unusual Items: Simplifying Income Statement Presentation by Eliminating the Concept of Extraordinary Items, which eliminates from U.S. GAAP the concept of extraordinary items.  The ASU retains and expands the existing presentation and disclosure guidance for items that are unusual in nature or occur infrequently to also include items that are both unusual in nature and infrequently occurring. The provisions of this ASU are effective for annual periods and interim periods within those annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015.  Early adoption is permitted, provided that presentation applied to the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption.  This amendment is applicable to the Company beginning October 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest- Imputation of Interest (Subtopic 835-03) - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs which requires unamortized debt issuance costs to be presented as a reduction of the corresponding debt liability rather than a separate asset. Amortization of the costs is reported as interest expense. The provisions of this ASU are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is allowed for all entities for financial statements that have not been previously issued. Entities should apply the new guidance retrospectively to all prior periods. The guidance is applicable to the Company beginning October 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU No, 2015-11, "Inventory (Topic 330): Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory." Topic 330, Inventory, currently requires an entity to measure inventory at the lower of cost or market. Market could be replacement cost, net realizable value, or net realizable value less an approximately normal profit margin. The amendments do not apply to inventory that is measured using last-in, first-out (LIFO) or the retail inventory method. The amendments apply to all other inventory, which includes inventory that is measured using first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost. An entity should measure in scope inventory at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. Subsequent measurement is unchanged for inventory measured using LIFO or the retail inventory method. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively with earlier application permitted as of the beginning of an interim or annual reporting period. The guidance is applicable to the Company beginning October 1, 2017. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.
In September 2015, FASB issued ASU No.2015-16, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Simplifying the Accounting for Measurement-Period Adjustments. The amendments in ASU 2015-16 require that an acquirer recognize adjustments to provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2015, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The amendments should be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date of this update with earlier application permitted for financial statements that have not been issued. The guidance is applicable to the Company beginning October 1, 2016. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements.