New Accounting Pronouncements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

New Accounting Pronouncements [Abstract]

New Accounting Pronouncements

2. New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Implemented Standards

In July 2013, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Update No. 2013-11 (Topic 740) Presentation of an Unrecognized Tax Benefit When a Net Operating Loss Carryforward, a Similar Tax Loss, or a Tax Credit Carryforward Exists (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASC update clarifies the applicable guidance for the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. An unrecognized tax benefit, or a portion of an unrecognized tax benefit, should be presented in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward as long as it is available, at the reporting date under the tax law of the applicable jurisdiction, to settle any additional income taxes that would result from the disallowance of a tax position (with certain exceptions). The assessment of whether a deferred tax asset is available is based on the unrecognized tax benefit and deferred tax asset that exist at the reporting date and should be made presuming disallowance of the tax position at the reporting date. This guidance was applicable for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted, and was to be applied prospectively to all unrecognized tax benefits that existed at the effective date. Retrospective application to all prior periods upon the date of adoption was permitted. The Company implemented this guidance effective January 1, 2014. The effect of implementing this guidance was not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

In March 2013, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2013-05 (Topic 830) Foreign Currency Matters-Parent’s Accounting for the Cumulative Translation Adjustment upon Derecognition of Certain Subsidiaries or Groups of Assets within a Foreign Entity or of an Investment in a Foreign Entity  (a consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force). This ASC update clarifies the applicable guidance for the release of the cumulative translation adjustment into net income when a parent either sells all or a portion of its investment in a foreign entity. This guidance is also required to be applied when an entity no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a subsidiary or group of assets that is a nonprofit activity or a business within a foreign entity (with certain exceptions). Additionally, this update clarifies that the sale of an investment in a foreign entity includes events that result in an acquirer obtaining control of an acquiree in which it held an equity interest immediately before the acquisition date in a business combination achieved in stages. This guidance was applicable for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2013, with early adoption permitted, and was to be applied prospectively to derecognition events occurring after the effective date. The Company implemented this guidance effective January 1, 2014. The effect of implementing this guidance was not material to the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Recently Issued Standards

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-08 (Topic 205 and Topic 360) Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity. This ASC update modifies the definition of discontinued operations by limiting discontinued operations reporting to disposals of components of an entity that represent strategic shifts that have (or will have) a major effect on an entity’s operations and financial results. Also, this update requires additional financial statement disclosures about discontinued operations, as well as disposals of an individually significant component of an entity that do not qualify for discontinued operations presentation. This ASC update is effective for all disposals (or classifications as held for sale) of components of an entity that occur within annual and interim periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014 and for all businesses that, on acquisition, are classified as held for sale that also occur within interim and annual periods beginning on or after December 15, 2014. Early adoption is permitted for disposals (or classifications as held for sale) that have not been reported in financial statements previously issued or available for issuance. The Company does not expect the adoption of ASC Update 2014-08 to have a material impact on its financial position or results of operations.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASC Update No. 2014-09 (Topic 606) Revenue from Contracts with Customers. This ASC was issued to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue. Insurance Contracts and financial instrument transactions are not within the scope of this updated guidance, and; therefore, only an insignificant amount of the Company’s revenue is subject to this updated guidance. The updated guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and is not expected to have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.