Deconsolidation of RBH

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2020

Deconsolidation [Abstract]

Deconsolidation of RBH

Deconsolidation of RBH:

As discussed in Note 8. Contingencies, following the March 1, 2019 judgment of the Court of Appeal of Québec in two class action lawsuits against PMI's Canadian subsidiary, Rothmans, Benson & Hedges Inc. ("RBH"), PMI recorded in its consolidated results a pre-tax charge of $194 million, representing $142 million net of tax, in the first quarter of 2019. This pre-tax Canadian tobacco litigation-related expense was included in marketing, administration and research costs on PMI's condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. The charge reflects PMI’s assessment of the portion of the judgment that represents probable and estimable loss prior to the deconsolidation of RBH and corresponds to the trust account deposit required by the judgment. RBH’s share of the deposit is approximately CAD 257 million.

On March 22, 2019, RBH obtained an initial order from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granting it protection under the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act ("CCAA"), which is a Canadian federal law that permits a Canadian business to restructure its affairs while carrying on its business in the ordinary course with minimal disruption to its customers, suppliers and employees.

The administration of the CCAA process, principally relating to the powers provided to the court and the court appointed monitor, removes certain elements of control of the business from both PMI and RBH. As a result, PMI has determined that it no longer has a controlling financial interest over RBH as defined in ASC 810 (Consolidation), and PMI deconsolidated RBH as of the date of the CCAA filing. PMI has also determined that it does not exert "significant influence" over RBH as that term is defined in ASC 323 (Investments-Equity Method and Joint Ventures). Therefore, as of March 22, 2019, PMI accounted for its continuing investment in RBH in accordance with ASC 321 (Investments-Equity Securities) as an equity security, without readily determinable fair value.

Following the deconsolidation, the carrying value of assets and liabilities of RBH was removed from the consolidated balance sheet of PMI, and the continuing investment in RBH was recorded at fair value at the date of deconsolidation. The total amount deconsolidated from PMI’s balance sheet was $3,519 million, including $1,323 million of cash, $1,463 million of goodwill, $529 million of accumulated other comprehensive earnings, primarily related to historical currency translation and $204 million of other assets and liabilities, net. While PMI is accounting for its investment in RBH as an equity security, PMI would recognize dividends as income upon receipt. However, while it remains under creditor protection, RBH does not anticipate paying dividends.

The fair value of PMI’s continuing investment in RBH of $3,280 million was determined at the date of deconsolidation, recorded within Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and equity securities and is assessed for impairment on an ongoing basis. The estimated fair value of the underlying business was determined based on an income approach using a discounted cash flow analysis, as well as a market approach for certain contingent liabilities. The information used in the estimate includes observable inputs, primarily a discount rate of 8%, a terminal growth rate of 2.5% and information about total tobacco market size in Canada and RBH’s share of the market, as well as unobservable inputs such as operating budgets and strategic plans, various inflation scenarios, estimated shipment volumes, and expected product pricing and projected margins.

The difference between the carrying value of the assets and liabilities of RBH that were deconsolidated, and the fair value of the continuing investment, as determined at the date of deconsolidation, was $239 million, before tax, and this loss on deconsolidation is reflected within marketing, administration and research costs on PMI’s condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the nine months ended September 30, 2019. PMI also recorded a tax benefit of $49 million within the provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, related to the reversal of a deferred tax liability on unremitted earnings of RBH.

RBH is party to transactions with PMI and its consolidated subsidiaries entered into in the normal course of business; these transactions include royalty payments and recharge of various corporate expenses for services benefiting RBH. Up to the date of the CCAA filing, these transactions were eliminated on consolidation and had no impact on PMI’s consolidated statement of earnings. After deconsolidating RBH, these transactions are treated as third-party transactions in PMI’s financial statements. The amount of these related party transactions is included within Note 14. Related Parties - Investments in Unconsolidated Subsidiaries, Equity Securities and Other.

Developments in the CCAA process, including resolution through a plan of arrangement or compromise of all pending tobacco-related litigation currently stayed in Canada, as discussed in Note 8. Contingencies, could result in a material change in the fair value of PMI’s continuing investment in RBH.