Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2018

Basis of Presentation The Consolidated Financial Statements include Libbey Inc. and its majority-owned subsidiaries (collectively, Libbey or the Company). Our fiscal year end is December 31^st. The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (U.S. GAAP) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from management’s estimates.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue Recognition Our customer contracts generally include a single performance obligation, the shipment of specified products, and are recognized at a point in time when control of the product has transferred to the customer. Transfer of control primarily takes place when risk of loss transfers in accordance with applicable shipping terms. Revenue is recognized based on the consideration specified in a contract with the customer, and is measured as the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods or providing services. When applicable, the transaction price includes estimates of variable consideration. We estimate provisions for rebates, customer incentives, allowances, returns and discounts based on the terms of the contracts, historical experience and anticipated customer purchases during the rebate period as sales occur. We continually evaluate the adequacy of these methods used, adjusting our estimates when the amount of consideration to which we expect to be entitled changes. Refund liabilities are included in accrued liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Our payment terms are based on customary business practices and can vary by region and customer type, but are generally 0-90 days. Since the term between invoicing and expected payment is less than a year, we do not adjust the transaction price for the effects of a financing component. Taxes collected from customers are excluded from revenues and credited directly to obligations to the appropriate governmental agencies. For contracts with a duration of less than one year, we follow an allowable practical expedient and expense contract acquisition costs when incurred. We do not have any costs to obtain or fulfill a contract that are capitalized under ASC Topic 340-40.

Cost of Sales

Cost of Sales Cost of sales includes cost to manufacture and/or purchase products, warehouse, shipping and delivery costs and other costs. Shipping and delivery costs associated with outbound freight after control of a product has transferred to a customer are accounted for as a fulfillment cost and are included in cost of sales. In addition, reimbursement of certain pre-production costs is considered a development activity and is included in cost of sales.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and Cash Equivalents We consider all highly liquid investments purchased with an original or remaining maturity of less than three months at the date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents are maintained with various financial institutions.

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We record trade receivables when revenue is recorded in accordance with our revenue recognition policy and relieve accounts receivable when payments are received from customers. The allowance for doubtful accounts is established through charges to the provision for bad debts. We regularly evaluate the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical trends in collections and write-offs, our judgment as to the probability of collecting accounts and our evaluation of business risk. This evaluation is inherently subjective, as it requires estimates that are susceptible to revision as more information becomes available. Accounts are determined to be uncollectible when the debt is deemed to be worthless or only recoverable in part and are written off at that time through a charge against the allowance. Generally, we do not require collateral on our accounts receivable.

Inventory Valuation

Inventory Valuation Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. The last-in, first-out (LIFO) method is used for our U.S. glass inventories, which represented 34.9 percent and 32.2 percent of our total inventories in 2018 and 2017, respectively. The remaining inventories are valued using either the first-in, first-out (FIFO) or average cost method. For those inventories valued on the LIFO method, the excess of FIFO cost over LIFO, was $15.9 million and $13.4 million in 2018 and 2017, respectively. Cost includes the cost of materials, direct labor, in-bound freight and the applicable share of manufacturing overhead.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Purchased Intangible Assets and Goodwill Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification™ ("FASB ASC") Topic 350 - "Intangibles-Goodwill and other" ("FASB ASC 350") requires goodwill and purchased indefinite life intangible assets to be reviewed for impairment annually, or more frequently if impairment indicators arise. Intangible assets with lives restricted by contractual, legal or other means will continue to be amortized over their useful lives. As of October 1^st of each year, we update our separate impairment evaluations for both goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets.

Goodwill impairment tests are completed for each reporting unit on an annual basis, or more frequently in certain circumstances where impairment indicators arise. The inputs used for this analysis are considered Level 2 and Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Software

Software We account for software in accordance with FASB ASC 350. Software represents the costs of internally developed and/or purchased software for internal use. Capitalized costs include software packages, installation and internal labor costs of employees devoted to the software development project. Costs incurred to modify existing software, providing significant enhancements and creating additional functionality are also capitalized. Once a project is complete, we estimate the useful life of the internal-use software, generally amortizing these costs over a five-year period.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, Plant and Equipment Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally 3 to 14 years for equipment and furnishings and 10 to 40 years for buildings and improvements. Maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred.

Long-lived assets to be held and used are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such assets may not be recoverable. Measurement of an impairment loss for long-lived assets that we expect to hold and use is based on the fair value of the asset. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Self-Insurance Reserves

Self-Insurance Reserves Self-insurance reserves reflect the estimated liability for group health and workers' compensation claims not covered by third-party insurance. We accrue estimated losses based on actuarial models and assumptions as well as our historical loss experience. Workers' compensation accruals are recorded at the estimated ultimate payout amounts based on individual case estimates. In addition, we record estimates of incurred-but-not-reported losses based on actuarial models.

Pension and Non-pension Post-retirement Benefits

Pension and Non-pension Post-retirement Benefits We account for pension and non-pension post-retirement benefits in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 715 - "Compensation-Retirement Benefits" ("FASB ASC 715"). FASB ASC 715 requires recognition of the over-funded or under-funded status of pension and other post-retirement benefit plans on the balance sheet. Under FASB ASC 715, gains and losses, prior service costs and credits and any remaining prior transaction amounts that have not yet been recognized through net periodic benefit cost are recognized in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax effect where appropriate. The service cost component of pension and post-retirement benefit costs is reported within income from operations while the non-service cost components of net benefit cost (interest costs, expected return on assets, amortization of prior service costs, settlement charges and other costs) are recorded in other income (expense).

The U.S. pension plans cover most hourly U.S.-based employees (excluding new hires at Shreveport after December 15, 2008 and at Toledo after September 30, 2010) and those salaried U.S.-based employees hired before January 1, 2006. Effective January 1, 2013, we ceased annual company contribution credits to the cash balance accounts in our Libbey U.S. Salaried Pension Plan and SERP. The non-U.S. pension plans cover the employees of our wholly-owned subsidiary in Mexico. For further discussion see note 8.

We also provide certain post-retirement healthcare and life insurance benefits covering substantially all U.S. and Canadian salaried employees hired before January 1, 2004 and a majority of our union hourly employees (excluding employees hired at Shreveport after December 15, 2008 and at Toledo after September 30, 2010). Employees are generally eligible for benefits upon reaching a certain age and completion of a specified number of years of creditable service. Benefits for most hourly retirees are determined by collective bargaining. Under a cross-indemnity agreement, Owens-Illinois, Inc. assumed liability for the non-pension, post-retirement benefit of our retirees who had retired as of June 24, 1993. Therefore, the benefits related to these retirees are not included in our liability.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are recognized for estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and tax attribute carry-forwards. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred income tax assets will not be realized. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined separately for each tax paying component in which we conduct our operations or otherwise incur taxable income or losses.

We currently have a valuation allowance in place on our deferred income tax assets in the Netherlands. We intend to maintain this allowance until a period of sustainable income is achieved and management concludes it is more likely than not that those deferred income tax assets will be realized.

A valuation allowance has been recorded against the deferred tax asset related to the limitation on the U.S. deduction for interest expense. Management concluded that it is not more likely than not that the disallowed interest expense for 2018 can be utilized in future years, due to IRS guidance that was issued in the fourth quarter of 2018. In addition, partial valuation allowances have been recorded against state operating loss carryforwards.

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities result from temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes and from income tax carryovers and credits.

Derivatives

Derivatives We account for derivatives in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 815 "Derivatives and Hedging" ("FASB ASC 815"). We hold derivative financial instruments to hedge certain of our interest rate risks associated with long-term debt and commodity price risks associated with forecasted future natural gas requirements. These derivatives qualify for hedge accounting since the hedges are highly effective, and we have designated and documented contemporaneously the hedging relationships involving these derivative instruments. While we intend to continue to meet the conditions for hedge accounting, if we do not believe that forecasted transactions would occur, the changes in the fair value of the derivatives used as hedges would be reflected in earnings. Cash flows from hedges of debt, interest rate swaps and natural gas contracts are classified as operating activities.

Environmental

Environmental In accordance with U.S. GAAP, we recognize environmental clean-up liabilities on an undiscounted basis when loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. The cost of the clean-up is estimated by financial and legal specialists based on current law. Such estimates are based primarily upon the estimated cost of investigation and remediation required, and the likelihood that, where applicable, other potentially responsible parties will not be able to fulfill their commitments at the sites where the Company may be jointly and severally liable.

Foreign Currency Translation

Foreign Currency Translation Assets and liabilities of non-U.S. subsidiaries that operate in a local currency environment, where that local currency is the functional currency, are translated to U.S. dollars at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, with the resulting translation adjustments directly recorded to a separate component of accumulated other comprehensive loss. Income and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates during the year. The effect of exchange rate changes on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency is recorded in other income (expense).

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Stock-Based Compensation Expense We account for stock-based compensation expense in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, “Compensation — Stock Compensation,” ("FASB ASC 718") and FASB ASC Topic 505-50, “Equity-Based Payments to Non-Employees” ("FASB ASC 505-50"). Stock-based compensation cost is measured based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued. FASB ASC 718 and 505-50 apply to all of our outstanding, unvested, stock-based payment awards.

Treasury Stock

Treasury Stock Treasury Stock purchases are recorded at cost.

Research and Development

Research and Development Research and development costs are charged to selling, general and administrative expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations when incurred.

Advertising Costs

Advertising Costs We expense all advertising costs as incurred.

Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock

Computation of Earnings (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock Basic earnings (loss) per share of common stock is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings (loss) per share of common stock is computed using the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding plus the dilutive effects of equity-based compensation outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications In connection with our adoption of ASU 2017-07, certain pension and non-pension expense amounts in the prior year's financial statements have been reclassified to conform with the current year presentation.

New Accounting Standards

New Accounting Standards - Adopted

Each change to U.S. GAAP is established by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) in the form of an accounting standards update (ASU) to the FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (ASC). We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs. ASUs not listed below were assessed and either were determined to be not applicable or are expected to have minimal impact on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2014-09, Revenue From Contracts With Customers and all related amendments, also known as ASC Topic 606, using the modified retrospective method. There was no cumulative effect adjustment required as a result of initially applying the new standard to existing contracts at adoption on January 1, 2018, and we expect the impact of adopting the new standard to be immaterial to our Consolidated Statement of Operations on an ongoing basis. Additionally, there was no impact to our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The enhanced disclosure requirements are included in note 18, Revenue. Results for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, are presented under ASC Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our previous accounting under ASC Topic 605.

On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Post-retirement Benefit Cost. ASU 2017-07 improves the presentation of net periodic pension and post-retirement benefit costs. We retrospectively adopted the presentation requirement that the service cost component of pension and post-retirement benefit costs be reported within income from operations. The other components of net benefit cost (interest costs, expected return on assets, amortization of prior service costs, settlement charges and other costs) have been reclassified from cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses to other income (expense). On a prospective basis, only the service cost component will be capitalized in inventory or property, plant and equipment, when applicable. The effect of the retrospective presentation change related to the net periodic pension and non-pension benefit costs (credits) on our Consolidated Statement of Operations was as follows:



	Year ended December 31, 2017
(dollars in thousands)	Previously Reported			Reclassification			As Revised
Cost of sales	$	634,185		$	(3,070	)	$	631,115
Selling, general and administrative expenses	124,926			1,279			126,205
Other income (expense)	(3,515		)	(1,791		)	(5,306		)

On January 1, 2018, we early adopted ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. ASU 2017-12 amended the hedge accounting rules to simplify the application of hedge accounting guidance and better portray the economic results of risk management activities in the financial statements. As of January 1, 2018, we recorded a $0.3 million reduction to our retained deficit and an increase in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to our natural gas swap contracts in Mexico that were previously not designated as hedging instruments. On a prospective basis, the change in fair value of these derivatives will be recognized in other comprehensive income (loss) rather than other income (expense) within the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Results and disclosures for reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2018, are presented under the new guidance within ASU 2017-12, while prior period amounts and disclosures are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our previous accounting. See note 12, Derivatives, for further details and disclosures.

On December 31, 2018, we early adopted ASU 2018-14, Compensation - Retirement Benefits - Defined Benefit Plans - General (Subtopic 715-20): Disclosure Framework - Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans. This update modifies the annual disclosure requirements for employers that sponsor defined benefit pension or other postretirement plans. ASU 2018-14 removes disclosures that are no longer deemed cost beneficial and adds the following disclosure requirements: 1) weighted-average interest crediting rates for cash balance plans; and 2) an explanation of the reasons for significant gains/losses related to changes in the benefit obligation during the period. The update also clarifies the requirements when entities aggregate disclosures for two or more plans. The new disclosure requirements were applied on a retrospective basis and are included in note 8, Pension, and note 9, Non-pension Post-retirement Benefits.

On December 31, 2018, we early adopted ASU 2018-02, Income Statement - Reporting Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income. This standard allows an optional reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Consequently, the stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will be eliminated, resulting in the reporting of more useful information to financial statement users. ASU 2018-02 relates to only the reclassification of the income tax effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The underlying guidance requiring that the effect of a change in tax laws or rates be included in income from continuing operations is not affected. ASU 2018-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early application permitted. We elected not to reclassify the stranded tax effects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The adoption did not have an impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

New Accounting Standards - Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet right-of-use assets and corresponding liabilities for leases with lease terms of more than 12 months. Leases will be classified as either finance or operating leases, with classification affecting the pattern of expense recognition in the income statement. The new guidance also clarifies the definition of a lease and disclosure requirements. ASU 2016-02 is effective for us in the first quarter of 2019. ASU 2016-02 requires lessees and lessors to apply a modified retrospective transition approach for leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. The modified retrospective approach does not require any transition accounting for leases that expired before the earliest comparative period presented. In the third quarter of 2018, the FASB approved an optional transition method permitting an entity to apply the transition provisions of ASU 2016-02 at its adoption date instead of at the earliest comparative period presented in the financial statements. Since this optional adoption method eases the transition burden, we plan to elect it and record a cumulative effect adjustment as of January 1, 2019, without restatement of the previously reported comparative periods. We anticipate recording additional assets and liabilities on the balance sheet similar to the amount of the total present value of our future undiscounted minimum operating lease payments as shown in note 15 of these Consolidated Financial Statements. Additionally, the adoption of this ASU is not expected to have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or cash flows. We have elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which among other things, permits us to carry forward our prior conclusions for lease identification and lease classification on existing contracts. We also made an accounting policy election to keep short-term leases off of the balance sheet for all classes of underlying assets. We continue to evaluate the related disclosures in the new lease guidance. We utilized a comprehensive approach to review our lease portfolio, selected a system for managing our leases, completed system implementation, updated our internal controls and conducted training on our new process.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. This standard introduces a new approach to estimating credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables, and modifies the impairment model for available-for-sale debt securities. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early application permitted. We are currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40): Customer's Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. This standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs in a cloud computing arrangement service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred for internal-use software. The new guidance also prescribes the balance sheet, income statement and cash flow classification of the capitalized implementation costs and related amortization expense, and requires additional quantitative and qualitative disclosures. ASU 2018-15 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early application permitted. We are currently assessing the impact that this standard will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements.

Indefinite Life Intangible Assets

Indefinite life intangible assets are composed of trade names and trademarks that have an indefinite life and are therefore individually tested for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently in certain circumstances where impairment indicators arise, in accordance with FASB ASC 350. Our measurement date for impairment testing is October 1^st of each year. When performing our test for impairment of individual indefinite life intangible assets, we use a relief from royalty method to determine the fair market value that is compared to the carrying value of the indefinite life intangible asset. The inputs used for this analysis are considered Level 3 inputs in the fair value hierarchy.

Goodwill

When performing our test for impairment, we measure each reporting unit's fair value using a combination of "income" and "market" approaches on a shipping point basis. The income approach calculates the fair value of the reporting unit based on a discounted cash flow analysis, incorporating the weighted average cost of capital of a hypothetical third-party buyer. Significant estimates in the income approach include the following: discount rate; expected financial outlook and profitability of the reporting unit's business; and foreign currency impacts (Level 3 inputs). Discount rates use the weighted average cost of capital for companies within our peer group, adjusted for specific company risk premium factors. The market approach uses the "Guideline Company" method, which calculates the fair value of the reporting unit based on a comparison of the reporting unit to comparable publicly traded companies. Significant estimates in the market approach model include identifying similar companies with comparable business factors such as size, growth, profitability, risk and return on investment, assessing comparable multiples, as well as consideration of control premiums (Level 2 inputs). The blended approach assigns a 70 percent weighting to the income approach and 30 percent to the market approach (Level 3 input). The higher weighting is given to the income approach due to some limitations of publicly available peer information used in the market approach. The blended fair value of both approaches is then compared to the carrying value, and to the extent that fair value exceeds the carrying value, no impairment exists. However, to the extent the carrying value exceeds the fair value, an impairment is recorded.

Pension

We have pension plans covering the majority of our employees. Benefits generally are based on compensation and length of service for salaried employees and job grade and length of service for hourly employees. In addition, we have an unfunded supplemental employee retirement plan (SERP) that covers salaried U.S.-based employees of Libbey hired before January 1, 2006. The U.S. pension plans cover the salaried U.S.-based employees of Libbey hired before January 1, 2006, and most hourly U.S.-based employees (excluding employees hired at Shreveport after December 15, 2008, and at Toledo after September 30, 2010). Effective January 1, 2013, we ceased annual company contribution credits to the cash balance accounts in our Libbey U.S. Salaried Pension Plan and SERP. The non-U.S. pension plans cover the employees of our wholly owned subsidiary in Mexico and are unfunded.

The discount rate enables us to estimate the present value of expected future cash flows on the measurement date. The rate used reflects a rate of return on high-quality fixed income investments that match the duration of expected benefit payments at our December 31 measurement date. The discount rate at December 31 is used to measure the year-end benefit obligations and the earnings effects for the subsequent year. A higher discount rate decreases the present value of benefit obligations and decreases pension expense.

To determine the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets for our funded plans, we consider the current and expected asset allocations, as well as historical and expected returns on various categories of plan assets. At December 31, 2018, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets is 6.50 percent, which will be used to measure the earnings effects for 2019.

The cash balance interest crediting rate, which applies only to the U.S. Salaried Plan, enables us to calculate the benefit obligation through projecting future interest credits on cash balance accounts between the measurement date and a participant’s assumed retirement date. The rate adjusts annually and is the 30-year Treasury rate in effect as of October in the preceding plan year, subject to a minimum of 5 percent. A lower cash balance interest crediting rate assumption decreases the benefit obligation and decreases pension expense.

Future benefits are assumed to increase in a manner consistent with past experience of the plans except for the Libbey U.S. Salaried Pension Plan and SERP as discussed above, which, to the extent benefits are based on compensation, includes assumed compensation increases as presented above. Amortization included in net pension expense is based on the average remaining service of employees.

We account for our defined benefit pension plans on an expense basis that reflects actuarial funding methods. The actuarial valuations require significant estimates and assumptions to be made by management, primarily with respect to the discount rate and expected long-term return on plan assets. These assumptions are all susceptible to changes in market conditions. The discount rate is based on a selected settlement portfolio from a universe of high quality bonds. In determining the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, we consider historical market and portfolio rates of return, asset allocations and expectations of future rates of return. We evaluate these critical assumptions on our annual measurement date of December 31^st. Other assumptions involving demographic factors such as retirement age, mortality and turnover are evaluated periodically and are updated to reflect our experience. Actual results in any given year often will differ from actuarial assumptions because of demographic, economic and other factors.

Our investment strategy is to control and manage investment risk through diversification across asset classes and investment styles, within established target asset allocation ranges. The investment risk of the assets is limited by appropriate diversification both within and between asset classes. Assets are diversified among a mix of traditional investments in equity and fixed income instruments, as well as alternative investments including real estate and hedge funds. It would be anticipated that a modest allocation to short-term investments would exist within the plans, since each investment manager is likely to hold some short-term investments in the portfolio with the goal of ensuring that sufficient liquidity will be available to meet expected cash flow requirements.

Our investment valuation policy is to state the investments at fair value. Primarily all investments are valued at their respective net asset value (NAV) as a practical expedient and calculated by the Trustee. The real estate, equity securities and fixed income investments are held in a Group Trust which is valued at the unit prices established by the Trustee and are valued using NAV as a practical expedient. Underlying equity securities (including large and small cap domestic and international equities), for which market quotations are readily available, are valued at the last reported readily available sales price on their principal exchange on the valuation date or official close for certain markets. Fixed income investments are valued on a basis of valuations furnished by a trustee-approved pricing service, which determines valuations for normal institutional-size trading units of such securities which are generally recognized at fair value as determined in good faith by the Trustee. The fair value of investments in real estate funds is based on valuation of the fund as determined by periodic appraisals of the underlying investments owned by the respective fund. Investments in registered investment companies are valued at quoted market prices. Collective pooled funds, if any, are recorded using NAV practical expedients. Short-term investments are valued at their respective NAV and have no redemption restrictions. The hedge fund investments using NAV as a practical expedient are valued by using estimated month-end NAV and performance numbers provided by the fund administrator. The Plan is required to provide a month’s advance written notice to liquidate its entire share in the Group Trust. Certain investments in the hedge funds can only be liquidated on either a quarterly or semi-annual basis, require advance notification and are subject to audit holdback provisions.

Non-pension Post-retirement Benefits

We provide certain retiree healthcare and life insurance benefits covering our U.S. and Canadian salaried employees hired before January 1, 2004 and a majority of our union hourly employees (excluding employees hired at Shreveport after December 15, 2008, and at Toledo after September 30, 2010). Employees are generally eligible for benefits upon retirement and completion of a specified number of years of creditable service. Benefits for most hourly retirees are determined by collective bargaining. The U.S. non-pension, post-retirement plans cover the hourly and salaried U.S.-based employees of Libbey (excluding those mentioned above). The non-U.S., non-pension, post-retirement plans cover the retirees and active employees of Libbey who are located in Canada. The post-retirement benefit plans are unfunded.

Fair Value

The fair values of our commodity futures natural gas contracts are determined using observable market inputs. The fair value of our interest rate swaps are based on the market standard methodology of netting the discounted expected future variable cash receipts and the discounted future fixed cash payments. The variable cash receipts are based on an expectation of future interest rates derived from observed market interest rate forward curves. Since these inputs are observable in active markets over the terms that the instruments are held, the derivatives are classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy. We also evaluate Company and counterparty risk in determining fair values. The commodity futures natural gas contracts and interest rate swaps are hedges of either recorded assets or liabilities or anticipated transactions. Changes in values of the underlying hedged assets and liabilities or anticipated transactions are not reflected in the above table.

Segment Reporting

Our measure of profit for our reportable segments is Segment Earnings before Interest and Taxes (Segment EBIT) and excludes amounts related to certain items we consider not representative of ongoing operations as well as certain retained corporate costs and other allocations that are not considered by management when evaluating performance. Segment EBIT also includes an allocation of manufacturing costs for inventory produced at a Libbey facility that is located in a region other than the end market in which the inventory is sold. This allocation can fluctuate from year to year based on the relative demands for products produced in regions other than the end markets in which they are sold. We use Segment EBIT, along with net sales and selected cash flow information, to evaluate performance and to allocate resources. Segment EBIT for reportable segments includes an allocation of some corporate expenses based on the costs of services performed.

Certain activities not related to any particular reportable segment are reported within retained corporate costs. These costs include certain headquarter, administrative and facility costs, and other costs that are global in nature and are not allocable to the reporting segments.