SCHN 2017 Annual Report

SCHNITZER STEEL INDUSTRIES, INC. NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 67 / Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. Form 10-K 2017 recognized. The Company presents taxes assessed by governmental authorities collected from customers on a net basis. Therefore, the taxes are excluded from revenues and are shown as a liability on the Consolidated Balance Sheets until remitted. Freight Costs The Company classifies shipping and handling costs billed to customers as revenue and the related costs incurred as a component of cost of goods sold. Advertising Costs The Company expenses advertising costs when incurred. Advertising expense was $6 million in fiscal 2017, and $5 million in each of fiscal 2016 and 2015. Share-Based Compensation The Company recognizes compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions with employees and non-employee directors over the vesting period, with the cost measured based on the grant-date fair value of the equity instruments issued, net of an estimated forfeiture rate. See Note 14 – Share-Based Compensation for further detail. Income Taxes Income taxes are accounted for using the asset and liability method. This requires the recognition of taxes currently payable or refundable and the recognition of deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that are recognized in one reporting period on the Consolidated Financial Statements but in a different reporting period on the tax returns. Tax credits are recognized as a reduction of income tax expense in the year the credit arises. Valuation allowances are recorded to reduce deferred tax assets when it is more likely than not that a tax benefit will not be realized. Tax benefits arising from uncertain tax positions are recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by the relevant tax authorities. The amount recognized in the financial statements is the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50 percent likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement with a taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense. See Note 15 – Income Taxes for further detail. Net Income (Loss) Per Share Basic net income (loss) per share attributable to SSI is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to SSI by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the periods presented including vested deferred stock units (“DSUs”) and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) meeting certain criteria. Diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to SSI is computed by dividing net income (loss) attributable to SSI by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, assuming dilution. Potentially dilutive common shares include the assumed exercise of stock options and assumed vesting of performance share, DSU and RSU awards using the treasury stock method. Certain of the Company’s stock options and RSU and performance share awards were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income (loss) per share attributable to SSI because they were antidilutive; however, certain of these RSU and performance share awards could be dilutive in the future. Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is deducted from income (loss) from continuing operations to arrive at income (loss) from continuing operations attributable to SSI for the purpose of calculating income (loss) per share from continuing operations attributable to SSI. Loss per share fromdiscontinued operations attributable to SSI is presented separately in theConsolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 16 – Net Income (Loss) Per Share for further detail. Use of Estimates The preparation of the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of theConsolidatedFinancial Statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Examples include revenue recognition; the allowance for doubtful accounts; estimates of contingencies, including environmental liabilities and other legal liabilities; goodwill, long- lived asset and indefinite-lived intangible asset valuation; valuation of equity method and cost method investments; valuation of certain share-based awards; other asset valuation; inventory valuation; pension plan assumptions; and the assessment of the valuation of deferred income taxes and income tax contingencies. Actual results may differ from estimated amounts.