SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2016

Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Cinedigm and its wholly owned and majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation.

Investments in which we do not have a controlling interest or are not the primary beneficiary, but have the ability to exert significant influence, are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Noncontrolling interests for which we have been determined to be the primary beneficiary are consolidated and recorded net of tax as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest. See Note 5 - Other Interests to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of our noncontrolling interests.

RECLASSIFICATIONS

We have reclassified certain amounts previously reported in our consolidated financial statements to conform to the current presentation, including reclassifying a contribution from non-controlling interest in the amount of $0.8 million from investing activities to financing activities in the statement of cash flows. Effective September 30, 2015, we elected to change our method of presentation relating to debt issuance costs in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") ASU 2015-03 - Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs. Prior to September 30, 2015, our policy was to present debt issuance costs in Other Assets on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of accumulated amortization. Beginning with the period ended September 30, 2015, we have presented these costs as a direct deduction to notes payable. Unamortized debt issuance costs of $6.7 million previously reported as assets on our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2015 have been reclassified as a direct deduction to notes payable.

USE OF ESTIMATES

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Such estimates include the adequacy of accounts receivable reserves, return reserves, inventory reserves, recovery of advances, minimum guarantees, assessment of goodwill and intangible asset impairment and valuation allowances for income taxes. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be “cash equivalents.” We maintain bank accounts with major banks, which, from time to time, may exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation’s insured limits. We periodically assess the financial condition of the institutions and believe that the risk of any loss is minimal.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

We maintain reserves for potential credit losses on accounts receivable. We review the composition of accounts receivable and analyze historical bad debts, customer concentrations, customer credit worthiness, current economic trends and changes in customer payment patterns to evaluate the adequacy of these reserves. Reserves are recorded primarily on a specific identification basis.

Our Content & Entertainment segment recognizes accounts receivable, net of an estimated allowance for product returns and customer chargebacks, at the time that it recognizes revenue from a sale. We base the amount of the returns allowance and customer chargebacks upon historical experience and future expectations.

We record accounts receivable, long-term in connection with activation fees that we earn from Systems deployments that have extended payment terms. Such accounts receivable are discounted to their present value at prevailing market rates.

INVENTORY

INVENTORY, NET

Inventory consists of finished goods of Company owned physical DVD and Blu-ray Disc titles and is stated at the lower of cost (determined based on weighted average cost) or market. We identify inventory items to be written down for obsolescence based on their sales status and condition. We write down discontinued or slow moving inventories based on an estimate of the markdown to retail price needed to sell through our current stock level of the inventories.

RESTRICTED CASH

Our 2013 Term Loans and Prospect Loan require that we maintain specified cash balances that are restricted to repayment of interest thereunder. In addition, during the year ended March 31, 2016, certain terms of the Cinedigm Credit Agreement were amended which require us to maintain a specified cash balance restricted to the repayment of interest on the Convertible Notes (see Note 6 - Notes Payable).

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation expense is recorded using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the respective assets as follows:



Computer equipment and software	3 - 5 years
Digital cinema projection systems	10 years
Machinery and equipment	3 - 10 years
Furniture and fixtures	3 - 6 years

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful life of the leasehold improvements. Maintenance and repair costs are charged to expense as incurred. Major renewals, improvements and additions are capitalized. Upon the sale or other disposition of any property and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation and amortization are removed from the accounts and the gain or loss on disposal is included in the consolidated statements of operations.

ACCOUNTING FOR DERIVATIVE ACTIVITIES

Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivative financial instruments are either recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss (a component of stockholders' deficit) or in the consolidated statements of operations depending on whether the derivative qualifies for hedge accounting. We entered into two separate interest rate cap transactions during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2013 to limit our exposure to interest rates related to our 2013 Term Loans and Prospect Loan. The interest rate cap on the 2013 Term Loans matured in March 2016 and the interest rate cap on the Prospect Loan matures March of 2018. We have not sought hedge accounting treatment for these instruments and therefore, changes in the value of our Interest Rate Swaps and caps were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The fair value measurement disclosures are grouped into three levels based on valuation factors:


•	Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments


•	Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments and market corroborated inputs)


•	Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including our own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis use the market approach, where prices and other relevant information are generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable assets or liabilities.

The following tables summarize the levels of fair value measurements of our financial assets and liabilities:



	As of March 31, 2016
(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Restricted cash	$	8,983	$	—	$	—	$	8,983
Interest rate derivatives	—		12		—		12
	$	8,983	$	12	$	—	$	8,995



	As of March 31, 2015
(In thousands)	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Restricted cash	$	6,751	$	—	$	—	$	6,751
Interest rate derivatives	—		208		—		208
	$	6,751	$	208	$	—	$	6,959

Our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, unbilled revenue and accounts payable and accrued expenses are financial instruments that are recorded at cost in the Consolidated Balance Sheets because the estimated fair values of these financial instruments approximate their carrying amounts due to their short-term nature. The carrying amount of accounts receivable, long-term and notes receivable approximates fair value based on the discounted cash flows of such instruments using current assumptions at the balance sheet date. At March 31, 2016 and 2015, the estimated fair value of our fixed rate debt was $88.7 million and $32.4 million, respectively, compared to its carrying amounts of $87.4 million and $31.6 million, respectively. At March 31, 2016 and 2015, the estimated fair value of our variable rate debt was $119.4 million and $170.2 million, respectively, compared to a carrying amount of $119.4 million and $171.8 million. We estimated the fair value of debt based upon current interest rates available to us at the respective balance sheet dates for arrangements with similar terms and conditions. Based on borrowing rates currently available to us for loans with similar terms, the carrying value of notes payable and capital lease obligations approximates fair value.

IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED AND FINITE-LIVED ASSETS

We review the recoverability of our long-lived assets and finite-lived intangible assets, when events or conditions occur that indicate a possible impairment exists. The assessment for recoverability is based primarily on our ability to recover the carrying value of our long-lived and finite-lived assets from expected future undiscounted net cash flows. If the total of expected future undiscounted cash flows is less than the total carrying value of the assets, the asset is deemed not to be recoverable and possibly impaired. We then estimate the fair value of the asset to determine whether an impairment loss should be recognized. An impairment loss will be recognized if the asset's fair value is determined to be less than its carrying value. Fair value is determined by computing the expected future discounted cash flows. During the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, no impairment charge from continuing operations for long-lived assets or finite-lived assets was recorded.

GOODWILL AND INDEFINITE-LIVED INTANGIBLE ASSETS

GOODWILL

Goodwill is the excess of the purchase price paid over the fair value of the net assets of an acquired business. Goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis or more often if warranted by events or changes in circumstances indicating that the carrying value may exceed fair value, also known as impairment indicators.

Inherent in the fair value determination for each reporting unit are certain judgments and estimates relating to future cash flows, including management’s interpretation of current economic indicators and market conditions, and assumptions about our strategic plans with regard to its operations. To the extent additional information arises, market conditions change or our strategies change, it is possible that the conclusion regarding whether our remaining goodwill is impaired could change and result in future goodwill impairment charges that will have a material effect on our consolidated financial position or results of operations.

We apply the applicable accounting guidance when testing goodwill for impairment, which permits us to make a qualitative assessment of whether goodwill is impaired, or opt to bypass the qualitative assessment, and proceed directly to performing the first step of the two-step impairment test. If we perform a qualitative assessment and conclude it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not considered impaired and the two-step impairment test is unnecessary. However, if we conclude otherwise, we are required to perform the first step of the two-step impairment test.

We have the unconditional option to bypass the qualitative assessment for any reporting unit and proceed directly to performing the first step of the goodwill impairment test. We may resume performing the qualitative assessment in any subsequent period.

For reporting units where we decide to perform a qualitative assessment, we assess and make judgments regarding a variety of factors which potentially impact the fair value of a reporting unit, including general economic conditions, industry and market-specific conditions, customer behavior, cost factors, our financial performance and trends, our strategies and business plans, capital requirements, management and personnel issues, and our stock price, among others. We then consider the totality of these and other factors, placing more weight on the events and circumstances that are judged to most affect a reporting unit's fair value or the carrying amount of its net assets, to reach a qualitative conclusion regarding whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount.

For reporting units where we decide to perform a quantitative testing approach in order to test goodwill, a determination of the fair value of our reporting units is required and is based, among other things, on estimates of future operating performance of the reporting unit and/or the component of the entity being valued. This impairment test includes the projection and discounting of cash flows, analysis of our market factors impacting the businesses we operate and estimating the fair values of tangible and intangible assets and liabilities. Estimating future cash flows and determining their present values are based upon, among other things, certain assumptions about expected future operating performance and appropriate discount rates determined by us.

The discounted cash flow methodology establishes fair value by estimating the present value of the projected future cash flows to be generated from the reporting unit. The discount rate applied to the projected future cash flows to arrive at the present value is intended to reflect all risks of ownership and the associated risks of realizing the stream of projected future cash flows. The discounted cash flow methodology uses projections of financial performance for a five-year period. The most significant assumptions used in the discounted cash flow methodology are the discount rate and expected future revenues and gross margins, which vary among reporting units. The market participant based weighted average cost of capital for each unit gives consideration to factors including, but not limited to, capital structure, historic and projected financial performance, industry risk and size.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

Phase I Deployment and Phase II Deployment

Virtual print fees (“VPFs”) are earned, net of administrative fees, pursuant to contracts with movie studios and distributors, whereby amounts are payable by a studio to Phase 1 DC, CDF I and to Phase 2 DC when movies distributed by the studio are displayed on screens utilizing our Systems installed in movie theatres. VPFs are earned and payable to Phase 1 DC and CDF I based on a defined fee schedule with a reduced VPF rate year over year until the sixth year (calendar year 2011) at which point the VPF rate remains unchanged through the tenth year until the VPFs phase out. One VPF is payable for every digital title displayed per System. The amount of VPF revenue is dependent on the number of movie titles released and displayed using the Systems in any given accounting period. VPF revenue is recognized in the period in which the digital title first plays on a System for general audience viewing in a digitally equipped movie theatre, as Phase 1 DC’s, CDF I's and Phase 2 DC’s performance obligations have been substantially met at that time.

Beginning in December 2015, certain Phase 1 DC Systems began to reach the conclusion of their deployment payment period with certain distributors and, therefore, VPF revenues ceased to be recognized on such Systems. Furthermore, because the Phase I deployment installation period ended in November 2007, a majority of the VPF revenue associated with the Phase I systems will end by November 2017. While the absence of such revenue was not material to our consolidated financial statements during the fiscal year ending March 31, 2016, it is expected to have a material impact in subsequent periods. As of March 31, 2016, 101 of the systems in our Phase I deployment had ceased to earn VPF revenue from certain major studios. By December 2016, we expect that more than 50% of our Phase I deployment systems will cease to earn VPF revenue from certain major studios and by December 2017, we expect that nearly all of our Phase I deployment systems will no longer earn VPF revenue from certain major studios. We expect to continue to earn ancillary revenue streams from the Phase I deployment Systems through December of 2020; however, such amounts are expected to be significantly less material to our consolidated financial statements. The expected reduction in VPF revenue on our Phase I systems is scheduled to approximately coincide with the conclusion of certain of our non-recourse debt obligations and, therefore, we expect that reduced cash outflows related to such non-recourse debt obligations will partially offset reduced VPF revenue after November 2017.

Phase 2 DC’s agreements with distributors require the payment of VPFs, according to a defined fee schedule, for ten years from the date each system is installed; however, Phase 2 DC may no longer collect VPFs once “cost recoupment,” as defined in the contracts with movie studios and distributors, is achieved. Cost recoupment will occur once the cumulative VPFs and other cash receipts collected by Phase 2 DC have equaled the total of all cash outflows, including the purchase price of all Systems, all financing costs, all “overhead and ongoing costs”, as defined, and including service fees, subject to maximum agreed upon amounts during the three-year rollout period and thereafter. Further, if cost recoupment occurs before the end of the eighth contract year, the studios will pay us a one-time “cost recoupment bonus.” Any other cash flows, net of expenses, received by Phase 2 DC following the achievement of cost recoupment are required to be returned to the distributors on a pro-rata basis. At this time, we cannot estimate the timing or probability of the achievement of cost recoupment. Beginning in December 2018, certain Phase 2 DC Systems will have reached the conclusion of their deployment payment period, subject to earlier achievement of cost recoupment. In accordance with existing agreements with distributors, VPF revenues will cease to be recognized on such Systems. Because the Phase II deployment installation period ended in December 2012, a majority of the VPF revenue associated with the Phase II systems will end by December 2022 or earlier if cost recoupment is achieved.

Alternative content fees (“ACFs”) are earned pursuant to contracts with movie exhibitors, whereby amounts are payable to Phase 1 DC, CDF I and to Phase 2 DC, generally either a fixed amount or as a percentage of the applicable box office revenue derived from the exhibitor’s showing of content other than feature movies, such as concerts and sporting events (typically referred to as “alternative content”). ACF revenue is recognized in the period in which the alternative content first opens for audience viewing.

Revenues earned in connection with up front exhibitor contributions are deferred and recognized over the expected cost recoupment period.

Services

Exhibitors who purchased and own Systems using their own financing in the Phase II Deployment paid us an upfront activation fee of approximately $2.0 thousand per screen (the “Exhibitor-Buyer Structure”). Upfront activation fees were recognized in the period in which these Systems were delivered and ready for content, as we had no further obligations to the customer after that time and collection was reasonably assured. In addition, we recognize activation fee revenue of between $1.0 thousand and $2.0 thousand on Phase 2 DC Systems and for Systems installed by CDF2 Holdings, a related party, (See Note 5 - Other Interests) upon installation and such fees are generally collected upfront upon installation. Our services segment manages and collects VPFs on behalf of exhibitors, for which it earns an administrative fee equal to 10% of the VPFs collected.

Our Services segment earns an administrative fee of approximately 5% of VPFs collected and, in addition, earns an incentive service fee equal to 2.5% of the VPFs earned by Phase 1 DC. This administrative fee is recognized in the period in which the billing of VPFs occurs, as performance obligations have been substantially met at that time.

Content & Entertainment

CEG earns fees for the distribution of content in the home entertainment markets via several distribution channels, including digital, VOD, and physical goods (e.g. DVD and Blu-ray Discs). Fees earned are typically based on the gross amounts billed to our customers less the amounts owed to the media studios or content producers under distribution agreements, and gross media sales of owned or licensed content. Depending upon the nature of the agreements with the platform and content providers, the fee rate that we earn varies. Generally, revenues are recognized when content is available for subscription on the digital platform, at the time of shipment for physical goods, or point-of-sale for transactional and VOD services. Reserves for sales returns and other allowances are recorded based upon historical experience. If actual future returns and allowances differ from past experience, adjustments to our allowances may be required. Sales returns and allowances are reported as a reduction of revenues.

CEG also has contracts for the theatrical distribution of third party feature movies and alternative content. CEG’s distribution fee revenue and CEG's participation in box office receipts is recognized at the time a feature movie and alternative content are viewed. CEG has the right to receive or bill a portion of the theatrical distribution fee in advance of the exhibition date, and therefore such amount is recorded as a receivable at the time of execution, and all related distribution revenue is deferred until the third party feature movies’ or alternative content’s theatrical release date.

Revenue is deferred in cases where a portion or the entire contract amount cannot be recognized as revenue due to non-delivery of services. Such amounts are classified as deferred revenue and are recognized as earned revenue in accordance with our revenue recognition policies described above.

DIRECT OPERATING COSTS

Direct operating costs consist of operating costs such as cost of goods sold, fulfillment expenses, shipping costs, property taxes and insurance on Systems, royalty expenses, marketing and direct personnel costs.

ADVERTISING

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION

Employee and director stock-based compensation expense from continuing operations related to our stock-based awards was as follows:



	For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
(In thousands)	2016		2015
Direct operating	$	16	$	17
Selling, general and administrative	1,816		2,134
Total stock-based compensation expense	$	1,832	$	2,151

The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015 was $7.94 and $20.40, respectively. There were 2,500 and 14,100 stock options exercised during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

We estimated the fair value of stock options at the date of each grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model with the following assumptions:



	For the Fiscal Year Ended March 31,
Assumptions for Option Grants	2016	2015
Range of risk-free interest rates	1.4% - 1.7%	1.4% - 1.8%
Dividend yield	—	—
Expected life (years)	5	5
Range of expected volatilities	70.6 - 72.5%	70.4% - 72.1%

The risk-free interest rate used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for options granted under our stock option plan awards is the historical yield on U.S. Treasury securities with equivalent remaining lives. We do not currently anticipate paying any cash dividends on Class A common stock in the foreseeable future. As a result, an expected dividend yield of zero is used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. We estimate the expected life of options granted under our stock option plans using both exercise behavior and post-vesting termination behavior, as well as consideration of outstanding options. We estimate expected volatility for options granted under our stock option plans based on a measure of our Class A common stock's historical volatility in the trading market.

NET LOSS PER SHARE

NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO COMMON SHAREHOLDERS

Basic and diluted net loss per common share has been calculated as follows:



Basic and diluted net loss per common share attributable to common shareholders =	Net loss attributable to common shareholders
	Weighted average number of common stock shares outstanding during the period

Stock issued and treasury stock repurchased during the period are weighted for the portion of the period that they are outstanding. The shares to be repurchased in connection with the forward stock purchase transaction discussed in Note 7 - Stockholders' Deficit are considered repurchased for the purposes of calculating net loss per share and therefore the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding as of March 31, 2016 excludes 1,179,138 shares that will be repurchased as a result of the forward stock purchase transaction.

Loss per share from continuing operations is calculated similarly to basic and diluted loss per common share attributable to common shareholders, except that it uses loss from continuing operations in the numerator and takes into account the net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest.

Shares issued and any shares that are reacquired during the period are weighted for the portion of the period that they are outstanding.

COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

As of March 31, 2016 and 2015, our comprehensive loss consisted of net loss and foreign currency translation adjustments

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on revenue recognition. The new standard provides for a single five-step model to be applied to all revenue contracts with customers as well as requires additional financial statement disclosures that will enable users to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows relating to customer contracts. Companies have an option to use either a retrospective approach or cumulative effect adjustment approach to implement the standard. The guidance will be effective during our fiscal year ending March 31, 2019 with early adoption permitted. We are evaluating the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard update on our consolidated financial statements.

In June 2014, the FASB issued an accounting standards update, which provides additional guidance on how to account for share-based payments where the terms of an award may provide that the performance target could be achieved after an employee completes the requisite service period. The amendments require that a performance target that affects vesting and that could be achieved after the requisite period is treated as a performance condition. The guidance will be effective during our fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard update on our consolidated financial statements. The standards update may be applied (a) prospectively to all awards granted or modified after the effective date or (b) retrospectively to all awards with performance targets that are outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented in the financial statements and to all new or modified awards thereafter. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In August 2014, the FASB amended accounting guidance pertaining to going concern considerations by company management. The amendments in this update state that in connection with preparing financial statements for each annual and interim reporting period, an entity's management should 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 within one year after the date that the financial statements are available to be issued, when applicable). The guidance will be effective during our fiscal year ending March 31, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update, which amended accounting guidance on consolidation. The amendments affect reporting entities that are required to evaluate whether they should consolidate certain legal entities. All legal entities are subject to reevaluation under the revised consolidation model. The update will be effective during our fiscal year ending March 31, 2017. We are evaluating the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard update on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to the customer’s accounting for fees paid in a cloud computing arrangement, which provides guidance to customers about whether a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license. If a cloud computing arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. The new guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2015. Early adoption is permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In July 2015, the FASB issued an accounting standards update that requires an entity to measure inventory balances 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 in this update are effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, and for annual periods and interim periods thereafter. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance to the consolidated financial statements.

In September 2015, the FASB issued new guidance with respect to Business Combinations. The new guidance requires the acquirer in a Business Combination to recognize provisional amounts that are identified during the measurement period in the reporting period in which the adjustment amounts are determined. The new guidance is effective for public entities for which fiscal years begin after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within the fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2017. The accounting standard must be applied prospectively to adjustments to provisional amounts that occur after the effective date, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of this standard is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In November 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to the balance sheet classification of income taxes. The standard requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent on the balance sheet rather than being separated into current and noncurrent. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted and the standard may be applied either retrospectively or on a prospective basis to all deferred tax assets and liabilities. We do not believe the adoption of the new financial instruments standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to financial instruments, which updates certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The standard will be effective beginning in the first quarter of our 2019 fiscal year and early adoption is not permitted. We do not believe the adoption of the new financial instruments standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the accounting for leases. The new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic. The new standard, amongst other things, requires a lessee to classify a lease as either a finance or operating lease in which lessees will need to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for their leases. The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. The asset will be based on the liability, subject to adjustment, such as for initial direct costs. Operating leases will result in straight-line expense while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition and will require application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. We are evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance in an effort to simplify accounting for share-based payments. The new standard, amongst other things:


•	will require that all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies be recorded as income tax expense or benefit in the statement of operations and that the tax effects of exercised or vested awards should be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur;


•	will require excess tax benefits from share-based payments to be reported as operating activities on the statement of cash flows; and


•	permits an accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest using an estimated forfeiture rate, as currently required, or account for forfeitures when they occur.

The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the impact of this new accounting guidance to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.