Receivables From Customers, Net and Notes Receivable, Net (Notes)

3 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Receivables from customers and notes receivable, net [Abstract]

Financing Receivables [Text Block]

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts related to receivables from customers was $7.6 million as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017. The allowance for doubtful accounts related to deposits with and receivables from broker-dealers, clearing organizations, and counterparties was$48.1 million and $47.0 million as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2017, respectively.

During the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded bad debt expense of $1.1 million, primarily related to the Company’s Physical Commodities segment. During the three months ended December 31, 2017, the Company recorded an additional provision related to a bad debt in the physical coal business for amounts due to the Company from a coal supplier for demurrage and other charges related to contracts with delivery dates subsequent to September 30, 2017.

During the three months ended December 31, 2016, the Company recorded bad debt expense of $2.5 million. The provision for bad debts was primarily related to $2.5 million of LME Metals customer deficits in the Company’s Commercial Hedging segment.