Note 2 — Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited and have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). They include all adjustments which we consider necessary for a fair statement of the results for the interim periods presented. Such adjustments consist only of normal recurring items unless otherwise disclosed. The September 30, 2017, condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2017 (“the Partnership’s 2017 Annual Report”). Weather significantly impacts demand for propane and profitability because many customers use propane for heating purposes. Due to the seasonal nature of the Partnership’s propane business, the results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for a full year.

Principles of Consolidation. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of AmeriGas Partners, its majority-owned subsidiary AmeriGas OLP, and its 100%-owned finance subsidiaries AmeriGas Finance Corp., AmeriGas Eagle Finance Corp., AP Eagle Finance Corp., and AmeriGas Finance LLC. AmeriGas Partners and AmeriGas OLP are under the common control of the General Partner. The General Partner of AmeriGas OLP, which is also the General Partner of AmeriGas Partners, makes all decisions for AmeriGas OLP; limited partners of AmeriGas OLP do not have the ability to remove the General Partner or participate in the decision-making for AmeriGas OLP. The accounts of AmeriGas OLP are included based upon the determination that AmeriGas Partners has a controlling financial interest in and is the primary beneficiary of AmeriGas OLP.

Allocation of Net Income (Loss). Net income (loss) attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. is allocated to the General Partner and the limited partners in accordance with their respective ownership percentages after giving effect to amounts distributed to the General Partner in excess of its 1% general partner interest in AmeriGas Partners based on its incentive distribution rights (“IDRs”) under the Fourth Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership of AmeriGas Partners, L.P., as amended (“Partnership Agreement”).

Net Income (Loss) Per Unit. Income (loss) per limited partner unit is computed in accordance with GAAP regarding the application of the two-class method for determining income (loss) per unit for master limited partnerships (“MLPs”) when IDRs are present. The two-class method requires that income per limited partner unit be calculated as if all earnings for the period were distributed and requires a separate calculation for each quarter- and year-to-date period. In periods when our net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners exceeds our Available Cash, as defined in the Partnership Agreement, and is above certain levels, the calculation according to the two-class method results in an increased allocation of undistributed earnings to the General Partner. Generally, in periods when our Available Cash in respect of the quarter- or year-to-date periods exceeds our net income (loss) attributable to AmeriGas Partners, the calculation according to the two-class method results in an allocation of earnings to the General Partner greater than its relative ownership interest in the Partnership (or in the case of a net loss attributable to AmeriGas Partners, an allocation of such net loss to the Common Unitholders greater than their relative ownership interest in the Partnership).

The following table sets forth reconciliations of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted income per limited partner unit computations:



	Three Months Ended December 31,
	2017			2016
Net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P.	$	104,421		$	91,954
Adjust for general partner share and theoretical distributions of net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. to the general partner in accordance with the two-class method for MLPs	(14,202		)	(11,352		)
Common Unitholders’ interest in net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. under the two-class method for MLPs	$	90,219		$	80,602

Weighted average Common Units outstanding — basic (thousands)	93,016			92,967
Potentially dilutive Common Units (thousands)	64			52
Weighted average Common Units outstanding — diluted (thousands)	93,080			93,019

Theoretical distributions of net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. in accordance with the two-class method for the three months ended December 31, 2017, resulted in an increased allocation of net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. to the General Partner in the computation of income per limited partner unit which had the effect of decreasing earnings per limited partner unit by $0.02. There was no dilutive effect of theoretical distributions of net income attributable to AmeriGas Partners, L.P. in accordance with the two-class method for the three months ended December 31, 2016.

Potentially dilutive Common Units included in the diluted limited partner units outstanding computation reflect the effects of restricted Common Unit awards granted under the General Partner’s incentive compensation plans.

Derivative Instruments. Derivative instruments are reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheets at their fair values, unless the derivative instruments qualify for the normal purchase and normal sale (“NPNS”) exception under GAAP. The accounting for changes in fair value depends upon the purpose of the derivative instrument and whether it is designated and qualifies for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair values of these derivative instruments are reflected in “Cost of sales — propane” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. Cash flows from derivative instruments are included in cash flows from operating activities.

For a more detailed description of the derivative instruments we use, our accounting for derivatives, our objectives for using them and other information, see Note 8.

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, expenses and costs. These estimates are based on management’s knowledge of current events, historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Accordingly, actual results may be different from these estimates and assumptions.

Reclassifications. Certain prior-period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current-period presentation.