Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) |
3 Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||
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Mar. 31, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||
| Basis of Presentation |
Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our wholly owned subsidiaries and have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) set forth in the Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC"), as published by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB"), and with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The accompanying consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments that are, in the opinion of management, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented. There were no adjustments that, in the opinion of management, were not of a normal and recurring nature. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation, and our net earnings are reduced by the portion of net earnings attributable to non-controlling interests.
Operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2016, are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2016. These consolidated financial statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis of the Financial Condition and Results of Operations should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the year ended December 31, 2015, filed with the SEC on March 14, 2016.
The financial statements included in this report are based on the selection and application of critical accounting policies, which require management to make significant estimates and assumptions. Critical accounting policies are those that are both important to the presentation of our financial condition and results of operations and require management's most difficult, complex or subjective judgments. Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, included in this report, further details information related to our significant accounting policies.
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| Use of Estimates |
Use of Estimates – The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, recognition of distribution income and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
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| Earnings Per Share |
Earnings Per Share – Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed using the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period except for periods of net loss for which no common share equivalents are included because their effect would be anti-dilutive. Dilutive common equivalent shares consist of shares issuable upon conversion of the convertible notes calculated using the if-converted method.
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| Investment Securities |
Investment Securities – The Company’s investments in securities are classified as other equity securities and represent interests in private companies which the Company has elected to report at fair value under the fair value option.
These investments generally are subject to restrictions on resale, have no established trading market and are valued on a quarterly basis. Because of the inherent uncertainty of valuation, the fair values of such investments, which are determined in accordance with procedures approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, may differ materially from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for the investments.
The Company determines fair value to be the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company has determined the principal market, or the market in which the Company exits its private portfolio investments with the greatest volume and level of activity, to be the private secondary market. Typically, private companies are bought and sold based on multiples of EBITDA, cash flows, net income, revenues, or in limited cases, book value.
For private company investments, value is often realized through a liquidity event. Therefore, the value of the Company as a whole (enterprise value) at the reporting date often provides the best evidence of the value of the investment and is the initial step for valuing the Company’s privately issued securities. For any one company, enterprise value may best be expressed as a range of fair values, from which a single estimate of fair value will be derived. In determining the enterprise value of a portfolio company, an analysis is prepared consisting of traditional valuation methodologies including market and income approaches. The Company considers some or all of the traditional valuation methods based on the individual circumstances of the portfolio company in order to derive its estimate of enterprise value.
The fair value of investments in private portfolio companies is determined based on various factors, including enterprise value, observable market transactions, such as recent offers to purchase a company, recent transactions involving the purchase or sale of the equity securities of the company, or other liquidation events. The determined equity values may be discounted when the Company has a minority position, or is subject to restrictions on resale, has specific concerns about the receptivity of the capital markets to a specific company at a certain time, or other comparable factors exist.
The Company undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter in connection with determining the fair value of private investments. We have retained an independent valuation firm to provide third party valuation consulting services based on procedures that the Company has identified and may ask them to perform from time to time on all or a selection of private investments as determined by the Company. The multi-step valuation process is specific to the level of assurance that the Company requests from the independent valuation firm. For positive assurance, the process is as follows:
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| Financing Notes Receivable |
Financing Notes Receivable - Financing notes receivable are presented at face value plus accrued interest receivable and deferred loan origination costs and net of related direct loan origination income. Each quarter the Company reviews its financing notes receivable to determine if the balances are realizable based on factors affecting the collectability of those balances. Factors may include credit quality, timeliness of required periodic payments, past due status, and management discussions with obligors. The Company evaluates the collectability of both interest and principal of each of its loans to determine if an allowance is needed. An allowance will be recorded when based on current information and events, the Company determines it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due according to the existing contractual terms. If the Company does determine an allowance is necessary, the amount deemed uncollectable is expensed in the period of determination. An insignificant delay or shortfall in the amount of payments does not necessarily result in the recording of an allowance. Generally, when interest and/or principal payments on a loan become past due, or if we otherwise do not expect the borrower to be able to service its debt and other obligations, we will place the loan on non-accrual status and will generally cease recognizing financing revenue on that loan until all principal and interest have been brought current. Interest income recognition is resumed if and when the previously reserved-for financing notes become contractually current and performance has been demonstrated. Payments received subsequent to the recording of an allowance will be recorded as a reduction to principal. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recorded $4.6 million and $0, respectively, in provision for loan losses. The Company's financing notes receivable are discussed more fully in Note 5.
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| Revenue Recognition |
Revenue Recognition – Specific recognition policies for the Company’s revenue items are as follows:
Omega is also paid fees for the operation and maintenance of its natural gas distribution system, including any necessary expansion of the distribution system. Omega is responsible for the coordination, supervision and quality of the expansions while actual construction is generally performed by third party contractors. Revenues from expansion efforts are recognized using either a completed contract, percentage of completion or cost-plus method based on the level and volume of estimates utilized, as well as the certainty or uncertainty of our ability to collect those revenues.
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| Transportation and distribution expense |
Transportation and distribution expense – Included here, for both MoGas and Omega, are the costs of operating and maintaining the natural gas distribution system, including any necessary expansion of the distribution system. These costs are incurred both internally and externally. The internal costs relate to system control, pipeline operations, maintenance, insurance and taxes. Other internal costs include payroll for employees associated with gas control, field employees, the office manager and the vice president of operations and finance. The external costs consist of professional services such as audit and accounting, legal and regulatory and engineering.
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| Debt Issuance Costs |
Debt Issuance Costs – Costs incurred for the issuance of new debt are capitalized and reported as a direct deduction to the carrying value of the related debt except for capitalized costs related to our revolving line of credit which are presented as an asset within Deferred costs, net of accumulated amortization. Amortization of these costs is reported as interest expense over the debt term. See Note 12 for further discussion.
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| Other Income Recognition |
Other Income Recognition – Specific policies for the Company’s other income items are as follows:
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| Federal and State Income Taxation |
Federal and State Income Taxation – In 2013 we qualified, and in March 2014 elected (effective as of January 1, 2013), to be treated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Because certain of our assets may not produce REIT-qualifying income or be treated as interests in real property, those assets are held in wholly-owned Taxable REIT Subsidiaries ("TRSs") in order to limit the potential that such assets and income could prevent us from qualifying as a REIT.
As a REIT, the Company holds and operates certain of our assets through one or more wholly-owned TRSs. Our use of TRSs enables us to continue to engage in certain businesses while complying with REIT qualification requirements and also allows us to retain income generated by these businesses for reinvestment without the requirement of distributing those earnings. In the future, we may elect to reorganize and transfer certain assets or operations from our TRSs to the Company or other subsidiaries, including qualified REIT subsidiaries.
The Company's other equity securities are limited partnerships or limited liability companies which are treated as partnerships for federal and state income tax purposes. As a limited partner, the Company reports its allocable share of taxable income in computing its own taxable income. To the extent held by a TRS, the TRS's tax expense or benefit is included in the Consolidated Statements of Income based on the component of income or gains and losses to which such expense or benefit relates. Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. A valuation allowance is recognized if, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax asset will not be realized. It is expected that for the three months ended March 31, 2016, and future periods, any deferred tax liability or asset generated will be related entirely to the assets and activities of the Company's TRSs.
If we cease to qualify as a REIT, the Company, as a C corporation, would be obligated to pay federal and state income tax on its taxable income. Currently, the highest regular marginal federal income tax rate for a corporation is 35 percent. The Company may be subject to a 20 percent federal alternative minimum tax on its federal alternative minimum taxable income to the extent that its alternative minimum tax exceeds its regular federal income tax.
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| Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements – In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-14 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers - Deferral of the Effective Date." The amendments in this update defer the effective date of ASU No. 2014-09 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers", for all entities by one year. ASU No. 2014-09 adds to the FASB ASC by requiring entities to recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or services to customers and provide additional disclosures. Additionally, in March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-08 "Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)". ASU 2016-08 clarifies the implementation guidance on principal versus agent considerations. As amended, the effective date for public entities is annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and interim periods therein. As such, we will be required to adopt the standard in the first quarter of fiscal year 2018. Early adoption is not permitted before the first quarter of fiscal year 2017. ASC 606 may be adopted using either the "full retrospective" approach, in which the standard is applied to all of the periods presented, or a "modified retrospective" approach. The Company is currently evaluating which transition method to use and the potential future impact, if any, the standard will have on the Company's consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. However, we do not expect its adoption to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements, as a substantial portion of our revenue consists of rental income from leasing arrangements, which is specifically excluded from ASU 2014-09.
In April 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-03 "Interest-Imputation of Interest" to simplify presentation of debt issuance costs. The amendments in this update require debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability, consistent with debt discounts. Then in June 2015, the FASB issued ASU No. 2015-15 "Presentation and Subsequent Measurement of Debt Issuance Costs Associated with Line-of-Credit Arrangements" to clarify that ASU No. 2015-03 does not address the presentation or subsequent measurement of debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements. As a result, an entity may present debt issuance costs related to line-of-credit arrangements as an asset instead of a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the debt. We adopted the accounting standards update as of January 1, 2016 with retrospective application to our December 31, 2015 Consolidated Balance Sheets. The effect of the adoption was to reclassify $510 thousand of debt issuance costs at December 31, 2015 from intangibles and deferred costs, net of accumulated amortization, to long-term debt.
In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-15 "Disclosure of Uncertainties about an Entity’s Ability to Continue as a Going Concern", that will require management to evaluate whether there are conditions and events that raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern within one year after the financial statements are issued on both an interim and annual basis. Management will be required to provide certain footnote disclosures if it concludes that substantial doubt exists or when its plans alleviate substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. ASU No. 2014-15 becomes effective for annual periods beginning in 2016 and for interim reporting periods starting in the first quarter of 2017. The Company does not expect the adoption of this amendment to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2016, the Company adopted ASU No. 2015-02 "Consolidation (Topic 810), Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis." Among other changes, the new standard specifically eliminates the presumption in the current voting model that a general partner controls a limited partnership or similar entity unless that presumption can be overcome. Generally, only a single limited partner that is able to exercise substantive kick-out rights will consolidate. While adoption of this standard did not result in any changes to conclusions about consolidated or unconsolidated entities, the Company has determined that Pinedale LP now qualifies as a variable interest entity and therefore requires additional disclosures.
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02 "Leases" which amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. ASU No. 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 31, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The new leases standard requires adoption using a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, and provides for certain practical expedients. Transition will require application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. Management is still in the process of evaluating this amendment.
In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-05 "Effect of Derivative Contract Novations on Existing Hedge Accounting Relationships." This ASU clarifies that a change in the counterparty of a derivative contract (i.e., a novation) in a hedge accounting relationship does not, in and of itself, require de-designation of the hedge accounting relationship. This ASU is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods therein. The Company is evaluating the impact of this ASU on its financial statements and disclosures.
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