Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

New Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)

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New Accounting Pronouncements (Policies)
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
New Accounting Pronouncements
New Accounting Pronouncements

Recently adopted accounting standards

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash. This ASU requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash. Amounts generally described as restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The update should be applied retrospectively to each period presented.  The pronouncement is effective for fiscal years, and for interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017,. We adopted this pronouncement on January 1, 2018, and the pronouncement did not result in changes to our consolidated statements of cash flows as there were no restricted cash amounts included in the beginning-of-period and end-of-period cash and cash equivalents totals.

In February 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-05, "Other Income - Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets (Subtopic 610-20): Clarifying the Scope of Asset Derecognition Guidance and Accounting for Partial Sales of Nonfinancial Assets." ASU 2017-05 clarifies the definition of an in-substance nonfinancial asset and changes the accounting for partial sales of nonfinancial assets to be more consistent with the accounting for a sale of a business pursuant to ASU 2017-01. This update is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017 using a full retrospective or modified retrospective method and is required to be adopted in conjunction with ASU 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers" discussed below. We adopted ASU 2017-05 effective January 1, 2018, along with our adoption of ASU 2014-09, using the modified retrospective approach only to contracts that are not completed contracts as of January 1, 2018. Subsequent to adoption, we believe most of our future contributions of nonfinancial assets to our joint ventures where we cease to have a controlling financial interest, if any, will result in the recognition of a full gain or loss as if we sold 100% of the nonfinancial asset and we will also measure our retained interest at fair value.

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers: Topic 606, as amended, (collectively, Topic 606). Topic 606 is based on the principle that revenue is recognized to depict the transfer of 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. Topic 606 applies to all contracts with customers, except those that are within the scope of other topics in the FASB's Accounting Standards Codification, including real estate lease contracts, which the majority of our revenue is derived. The guidance also provides a model for the measurement and recognition of gains and losses on the sale of certain nonfinancial assets, such as property, including real estate.

We adopted Topic 606 effective January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018, are presented under Topic 606, while prior period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with our historic accounting under Revenue Recognition (Topic 605). The new guidance provides a unified model to determine how revenue is recognized. To determine the proper amount of revenue to be recognized, the Company performs the following steps: (i) identify the contract with the customer, (ii) identify the performance obligations within the contract, (iii) determine the transaction price, (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) a performance obligation is satisfied. As of March 31, 2018, the Company has no outstanding contract assets or contract liabilities and we did not have a cumulative catch-up upon the adoption of this standard. The adoption of this standard did not result in any material changes to our revenue recognition as compared to the previous guidance.

The Company’s revenue-producing contracts are primarily leases that are not within the scope of this standard, except for the lease component relating to common area maintenance (“CAM”) reimbursement revenue, which will be within the scope of this standard upon the effective date of ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). The revenues which will be impacted by the initial adoption of Topic 606 include revenues from management, leasing and other services provided to our unconsolidated joint ventures that we manage and other income earned at our properties. We receive management, leasing and other services revenue for services provided to our unconsolidated joint ventures that we manage. We recognize management and other services provided to our unconsolidated joint ventures in revenue as the services are transferred. Our other income earned at our properties consist primarily of revenues from vending and other on-site services or products provided to shoppers or tenants. The other income earned at our properties is recorded as the goods are transferred at a point in time or as the service is transferred over time. We have elected to disaggregate our revenue streams into the following line items on our Consolidated Statements of Operations: base rentals, percentage rentals, expense reimbursements, management, leasing and other services, and other income. We believe that these are the proper disaggregated categories as they are the best depiction of our revenue streams both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Recently issued accounting standards to be adopted

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities. The new guidance will make more financial and nonfinancial hedging strategies eligible for hedge accounting. It also amends the presentation and disclosure requirements and changes how companies assess effectiveness. It is intended to more closely align hedge accounting with companies’ risk management strategies, simplify the application of hedge accounting, and increase transparency as to the scope and results of hedging programs. The amendments can be adopted immediately in any interim or annual period (including the current period). The mandatory effective date for calendar year-end public companies is January 1, 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new guidance, but we do not expect the adoption to have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), issued subsequent amendments to the initial guidance in September 2017 within ASU 2017-13 and January 2018 within ASU 2018-01  (collectively, Topic 842). Topic 842, amends the existing accounting standards for lease accounting, including requiring lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheets and making targeted changes to lessor accounting. Topic 842 will be effective beginning in the first quarter of 2019. Early adoption of Topic 842 as of its issuance is permitted. We will adopt Topic 842 effective January 1, 2019. The new leases standard requires a modified retrospective transition approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the date of initial application, with an option to use certain transition relief. Based on a preliminary assessment, we expect our significant operating lease commitments, primarily ground leases at seven of our outlet centers, will be required to be recognized as operating lease liabilities and right-of-use assets upon adoption, resulting in an increase in the assets and liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. In addition, direct internal leasing costs will continue to be capitalized, however, indirect internal leasing costs previously capitalized will be expensed. Within the terms of our leases where we are the lessor, we are entitled to receive reimbursement amounts from tenants for operating expenses such as real estate taxes, insurance and other CAM. Upon adoption of this ASU, CAM reimbursement revenue will be accounted for in accordance with ASU 2016-12 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606).  We are continuing our evaluation, which may identify additional impacts this standard will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. Information about our undiscounted future lease payments and the timing of those payments is in Note 23, Commitments and Contingencies of Consolidated Properties, in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.