(8) Goodwill
The Partnership evaluates the carrying value of goodwill annually as of November 1 and between annual evaluations if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount. The Partnership's goodwill reporting unit is the Coffeyville Facility. No impairment of goodwill was recorded for any of the periods presented.
August 31, 2017 Interim Impairment Test
Based on a significant decline in market capitalization and lower cash flow forecasts resulting from weakened fertilizer pricing trends that occurred during the third quarter of 2017, the Partnership identified a triggering event and therefore performed an interim goodwill impairment test as of August 31, 2017. The quantitative goodwill impairment analysis compares the fair value of the reporting unit to its carrying value. The Coffeyville Facility reporting unit fair value was based upon consideration of various valuation methodologies, including guideline public company multiples and projected future cash flows discounted at rates commensurate with the risk involved. The carrying amount of the reporting unit was less than its fair value; therefore, no impairment was recorded.
The fair value of the reporting unit exceeded its carrying value by approximately 12% based upon the results of the interim goodwill impairment test as of August 31, 2017. Judgments and assumptions are inherent in management’s estimates used to determine the fair value of the reporting unit. Assumptions used in the discounted cash flows ("DCF") included estimating appropriate discount rates and growth rates, and estimating the amount and timing of expected future cash flows. The discount rates used in the DCF, which are intended to reflect the risks inherent in future cash flow projections, are based on estimates of the weighted-average cost of capital of a market participant. Such estimates are derived from analysis of peer companies and consider the industry weighted average return on debt and equity from a market participant perspective. The most significant assumption to determining the fair value of the reporting unit was forecasted fertilizer pricing. The Partnership also calculated fair value estimates derived from the market approach utilizing the public company market multiple method, which required assumptions about the applicability of those multiples to the Coffeyville Facility reporting unit.
November 1, 2017 Annual Impairment Test
Due to the short length of time since the August 31, 2017 interim impairment test, the Partnership elected to perform a qualitative evaluation for its annual test as of November 1, 2017. The qualitative analysis included an analysis of the key drivers and other external factors that may impact the results of operations of the Coffeyville Facility to determine if any significant events, transactions or other factors had occurred or are expected to occur that would indicate the fair value of the reporting unit was less than its carrying value. After assessing the totality of events and circumstances, it was determined that there were no events or circumstances that would have a significant negative impact to management’s estimates used in the August 31, 2017 goodwill analysis, and therefore, it was not more likely than not that the fair value of the Coffeyville Facility was less than the carrying value. Based on the results of the test, it was not necessary to perform the quantitative goodwill impairment analysis.
About Goodwill & Intangibles Disclosures
Goodwill and intangible asset disclosures reveal the premium paid in acquisitions and how management assesses whether that premium retains its value. Since goodwill is no longer amortized under US GAAP, the annual impairment test is the only mechanism that adjusts carrying values downward — making the assumptions behind that test critically important for investors.
Key signals: a history of goodwill impairments suggests management consistently overpays for acquisitions. Watch the gap between reporting unit fair value and carrying amount — when fair value exceeds carrying amount by less than 10-20%, a small decline in business performance could trigger a write-down. For finite-lived intangibles, examine useful life assumptions across customer relationships, technology, and trade names; aggressive estimates inflate near-term earnings. Compare total intangibles-to-total-assets ratios against peers to assess acquisition dependency. Rising goodwill as a percentage of equity can signal balance sheet fragility.