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Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies

Our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes which are normally included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.  These financial statements reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items or items discussed herein) that management believes are necessary to fairly state results for the interim periods presented. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual results of operations. For a detailed discussion about the Company’s significant accounting policies, see Note 2, Significant Accounting Policies, included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 ("2017 10-K").

The preparation of these financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP") requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate all of these estimates and assumptions. The most important of these estimates and assumptions relate to fair value measurements, compensation and benefits, asset impairment, the ability to realize deferred tax assets, the recognition and measurement of uncertain tax positions and contingencies. Although these and other estimates and assumptions are based on the best available information, actual results could be different from these estimates.

Jefferies Group has a November 30 year-end, which it retains for standalone reporting purposes. We reflect Jefferies Group in our consolidated financial statements utilizing a one month lag. We have reviewed Jefferies Group's business and internal operating results for the month of September 2018 for the purpose of evaluating whether financial statement disclosure or adjustments are required in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and we have concluded that no additional disclosures or adjustments are warranted. In connection with the planned change of our fiscal year-end to November 30, we also plan to eliminate the one month lag utilized to reflect Jefferies Group results in our consolidated financial statements, starting with a transition report on Form 10-K for the transition period from January 1, 2018 to November 30, 2018.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, other than the following, there were no significant updates made to the Company’s significant accounting policies. The accounting policy changes are attributable to the adoption of the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") guidance on Revenue from Contracts with Customers (the "new revenue standard"). These revenue recognition policy updates are applied prospectively in our financial statements from January 1, 2018 forward using the modified retrospective approach. Reported financial information for the historical comparable periods were not revised and continue to be reported under the accounting standards in effect during the historical periods.

Revenue Recognition Policies
Investment Banking Revenues:
Advisory fees from mergers and acquisitions engagements are recognized at a point in time when the related transaction is completed.
Expenses associated with investment banking advisory engagements are deferred only to the extent they are explicitly reimbursable by the client and the related revenue is recognized at a point in time. All other investment banking advisory related expenses, including expenses incurred related to restructuring advisory engagements, are expensed as incurred.
All investment banking expenses are recognized within their respective expense category in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and any expenses reimbursed by clients are recognized as Investment banking revenues.
Asset Management Fees:
Performance fee revenue is generally recognized only at the end of the performance period to the extent that the benchmark return has been met.
See Accounting Developments - Adopted Accounting Standards below and Note 17 for further information.

Changes to the Consolidated Statements of Operations

Manufacturing revenues, which were previously reported within Other revenues, are now reported separately in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Manufacturing revenues are primarily from Idaho Timber, which manufactures and distributes an extensive range of quality wood products to markets across North America. Idaho Timber's primary business consists of the sale of lumber that is manufactured or remanufactured at one of its locations. Agreements with customers for these sales specify the type, quantity and price of products to be delivered as well as the delivery date and payment terms. The transaction price is fixed at the time of sale and revenue is generally recognized when the customer takes control of the product.

We have reorganized the presentation of our gains and losses generated from our capital invested in asset management funds. This was previously presented as Other revenues and is now presented within Principal transactions revenues. For the three months ended September 30, 2017, this resulted in a decrease to Principal transactions revenues of $11.3 million and an increase to Other revenues of $11.3 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, this resulted in a decrease to Principal transactions revenues of $12.2 million and an increase to Other revenues of $12.2 million.

Receivables

At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Receivables include receivables from brokers, dealers and clearing organizations of $2,878.5 million and $2,635.2 million, respectively, and receivables from customers of securities operations of $1,951.8 million and $1,563.8 million, respectively.

Payables, expense accruals and other liabilities

At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Payables, expense accruals and other liabilities include payables to brokers, dealers and clearing organizations of $1,913.3 million and $2,228.9 million, respectively, and payables to customers of securities operations of $3,187.6 million and $2,664.0 million, respectively.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information
 
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2018
 
2017
Cash paid during the year for:
(In thousands)
Interest
$
1,059,139

 
$
837,020

Income tax payments (refunds), net
$
28,204

 
$
9,183


During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we had $21.0 million in non-cash financing activities related to purchases of common shares for treasury which settled subsequent to quarter end.

Accounting Developments - Adopted Accounting Standards

Revenue Recognition.  In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance that defines how companies report revenues from contracts with customers, and also requires enhanced disclosures. The core principle of guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We adopted the guidance as of January 1, 2018 and recognized an increase of $17.8 million after-tax to beginning retained earnings as the cumulative effect of adoption of accounting standards. The increase primarily relates to the recognition of $24.3 million of revenue previously deferred from the sale of real estate to HomeFed in 2014, offset by a decrease of $6.1 million related to Jefferies Group. For Jefferies Group, the impact of adoption primarily related to investment banking expenses that were deferred as of December 31, 2017 under the previously existing accounting guidance, which would have been expensed in prior periods under the new revenue standard and investment banking revenues that were previously recognized in prior periods, which would have been deferred as of December 31, 2017 under the new revenue standard. We elected to adopt the new guidance using a modified retrospective approach applied to contracts that were not completed as of January 1, 2018. Accordingly, the new revenue standard is applied prospectively in our financial statements from January 1, 2018 forward and reported financial information for historical comparable periods is not revised and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect during those historical periods.


The new revenue standard does not apply to revenue associated with financial instruments, including loans and securities that are accounted for under other GAAP, and as a result, did not have an impact on the elements of our Consolidated Statements of Operations most closely associated with financial instruments, including Principal transactions revenues, Interest income and Interest expense. The new revenue standard primarily impacts Jefferies Group's revenue recognition and presentation accounting policies as follows:

Investment Banking Revenues. Advisory fees from mergers and acquisitions engagements are recognized at a point in time when the related transaction is completed, as the performance obligation is to successfully broker a specific transaction.

Certain Capital Markets Revenues. Revenues associated with price stabilization activities as part of a securities underwriting were historically recognized as part of Investment banking revenues. Under the new revenue standard, revenues from these activities are recognized within Principal transactions revenues, as these revenues are not considered to be within the scope of the new standard.

• Investment Banking Advisory Expenses. Historically, expenses associated with investment banking advisory assignments were deferred until reimbursed by the client, the related fee revenue is recognized or the engagement is otherwise concluded. Under the new revenue standard, expenses are deferred only to the extent they are explicitly reimbursable by the client and the related revenue is recognized at a point in time. All other investment banking advisory related expenses, including expenses incurred related to restructuring assignments, are expensed as incurred.

Investment Banking Underwriting and Advisory Expenses. Expenses have historically been recorded net of client reimbursements and/or netted against revenues. Under the new revenue standard, all investment banking expenses will be recognized within their respective expense category in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and any expense reimbursements will be recognized as Investment banking revenues (i.e., expenses are no longer recorded net of client reimbursements and are not netted against revenues).

Asset Management Fees. In certain asset management fee arrangements, Jefferies Group and LAM receive performance-based fees, which vary with performance or, in certain cases, are earned when the return on assets under management exceed certain benchmark returns or other performance targets. Historically, performance fees have been accrued (or reversed) quarterly based on measuring performance to date versus any relevant benchmark return hurdles stated in the investment management agreement. Under the new revenue standard, performance fees are considered variable as they are subject to fluctuation (e.g., based on market performance) and/or are contingent on a future event during the measurement period (e.g., exceeding a specified benchmark index) and are recognized only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty is resolved. Accordingly, performance fee revenue will generally be recognized only at the end of the performance period to the extent that the benchmark return has been met.

There was no significant impact as a result of applying the new revenue standard to our consolidated financial statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, except as it relates to the presentation of Jefferies Group's investment banking expenses. The table below presents the impact of applying the new revenue recognition standard to the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as a result of the change in presentation of investment banking expenses (in thousands):
 
For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2018
 
As Reported
 
Impact of Adoption of Revenue Recognition Standard
 
Financial Results Prior to Adoption of Revenue Recognition Standard
 
As Reported
 
Impact of Adoption of Revenue Recognition Standard
 
Financial Results Prior to Adoption of Revenue Recognition Standard
Revenues:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commissions and other fees
$
155,417

 
$

 
$
155,417

 
$
461,023

 
$

 
$
461,023

Principal transactions
116,204

 

 
116,204

 
315,622

 

 
315,622

Investment banking
460,043

 
36,319

 
423,724

 
1,400,331

 
101,146

 
1,299,185

Interest income
336,736

 

 
336,736

 
939,272

 

 
939,272

Manufacturing revenues
94,029

 

 
94,029

 
307,129

 

 
307,129

Other
296,548

 

 
296,548

 
440,537

 

 
440,537

Total revenues
1,458,977

 
36,319

 
1,422,658

 
3,863,914

 
101,146

 
3,762,768

Interest expense of Jefferies Group
308,131

 

 
308,131

 
906,474

 

 
906,474

Net revenues
1,150,846

 
36,319

 
1,114,527

 
2,957,440

 
101,146

 
2,856,294

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 

 
 

Compensation and benefits
461,265

 

 
461,265

 
1,429,439

 

 
1,429,439

Cost of sales
84,876

 

 
84,876

 
257,501

 

 
257,501

Floor brokerage and clearing fees
44,570

 

 
44,570

 
131,792

 

 
131,792

Interest expense
28,837

 

 
28,837

 
74,614

 

 
74,614

Depreciation and amortization
32,295

 

 
32,295

 
92,360

 

 
92,360

Selling, general and other expenses
245,178

 
36,319

 
208,859

 
708,084

 
101,146

 
606,938

Total expenses
897,021

 
36,319

 
860,702

 
2,693,790

 
101,146

 
2,592,644

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes and income (loss) related to associated companies
$
253,825

 
$

 
$
253,825

 
$
263,650

 
$

 
$
263,650



Financial Instruments. In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that affects the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. We have adopted the new guidance as of January 1, 2018 with a cumulative effect increase to opening retained earnings of $27.6 million and a corresponding decrease to Accumulated other comprehensive income. The opening retained earnings adjustment is to recognize the unrealized gains we had for available for sale equity securities. Beginning in 2018, these available for sale equity securities are now reported as part of Trading assets, at fair value within the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition. Early adoption was permitted for the accounting guidance on financial liabilities under the fair value option and we adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2016. The adoption of the guidance on financial liabilities under the fair value option did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Retirement Benefits. In March 2017, the FASB issued new guidance for improving the presentation of net periodic pension costs in the statement of operations. The update also allows the service cost to be eligible for capitalization, when applicable. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 and the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. The adoption of this guidance resulted in the following adjustments to the Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017: a decrease of $0.9 million and $2.6 million, respectively, to Compensation and benefits expenses and an increase to Selling, general and other expenses of $0.9 million and $2.6 million, respectively.

Cash Flow Classifications. In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance to reduce the diversity in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. The guidance adds or clarifies guidance on the classification of certain cash receipts and payments in the statement of cash flows. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017. In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on restricted cash. The guidance requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018. Prior periods were retrospectively adjusted to conform to the current period presentation. The adoption of the guidance did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Upon adoption, we recorded an increase of $49.3 million in Net cash provided by operating activities and a decrease of $6.7 million in Net cash provided by investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 related to reclassifying the changes in our restricted cash balance from operating and investing activities to the cash and cash equivalent balances within the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.

Compensation. In May 2017, the FASB issued new guidance providing clarity and reducing diversity in practice and cost and complexity when accounting for a change to the terms or conditions of a share-based payment award. We adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2018 and the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Fair Value Measurement. In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance to improve the effectiveness of disclosure requirements on fair value measurement by eliminating certain disclosure requirements for fair value measurements for all entities, requiring public entities to disclose certain new information and modifying some disclosure requirements. We early adopted this guidance in the third quarter of 2018 and the adoption did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Developments - Accounting Standards to be Adopted in Future Periods

Leases. In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance that affects the accounting and disclosure requirements for leases. The FASB requires the recognition of all leases that are longer than one year onto the balance sheet, which will result in the recognition of a right of use asset and a corresponding lease liability. The right of use asset and lease liability will be measured initially using the present value of the remaining rental payments. A significant portion of the population of contracts that will be subject to recognition on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition have been identified; however, their initial measurement still remains under evaluation. We are currently modifying our lease accounting systems to enable us to comply with the accounting requirements of this guidance. In July 2018, the FASB issued additional guidance on leases which allows an entity to recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings upon adoption. The guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. We plan on adopting the lease standard in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 with a cumulative-effect adjustment to opening retained earnings in the period of adoption. We are currently evaluating the impact this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Financial Instruments - Credit Losses. In June 2016, the FASB issued new guidance for estimating credit losses on certain types of financial instruments by introducing an approach based on expected losses. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact this new guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Goodwill. In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance for simplifying goodwill impairment testing. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. We do not believe the new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives and hedging. In August 2017, the FASB issued new guidance to improve the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2020 and early adoption is permitted. We do not believe the new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Defined Benefit Plans. In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance to improve the effectiveness of disclosure requirements on defined benefit pension plans and other post-retirement plans. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. We do not believe the new guidance will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Internal-Use Software. In August 2018, the FASB issued new guidance which amends the definition of a hosting arrangement and requires that the customer in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract capitalize certain implementation costs as if the arrangement was an internal-use software project. The guidance is effective in the first quarter of fiscal 2021. We are currently evaluating the impact of the new guidance on our consolidated financial statements.