Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) provide asset management and disposition services for the construction, agricultural, transportation, energy, mining, forestry, material handling, marine and real estate industries through its unreserved auctions, online marketplace services, value-added services and listing and software services. Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated is a company incorporated in Canada under the Canada Business Corporations Act, whose shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”).

These unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“US GAAP”). They include the accounts of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Incorporated and its subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the “Company”) from their respective dates of formation or acquisition. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Certain information and footnote disclosure required by US GAAP for complete annual financial statements have been omitted and, therefore, these condensed consolidated interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2015, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”). A selection of the accounting policies for which there has been a change since the annual consolidated financial statements are set out below. In the opinion of management, these unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, which are necessary to present fairly, in all material respects, the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations, cash flows and changes in equity for the interim periods presented. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Previously, the Company prepared its consolidated financial statements under International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as permitted by securities regulators in Canada, as well as in the United States under the status of a Foreign Private Issuer as defined by the United States SEC. At the end of the second quarter of 2015, the Company determined that it no longer qualified as a Foreign Private Issuer under the SEC rules. As a result, beginning January 1, 2016 the Company was required to report with the SEC on domestic forms and comply with domestic company rules in the United States. The transition to US GAAP was made retrospectively for all periods from the Company’s inception.

Revenues are comprised of:

The Company recognizes revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred or services have been rendered, the price is fixed or determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. For auction or online marketplace sales, revenue is recognized when the auction or online marketplace sale is complete and the Company has determined that the sale proceeds are collectible. Revenue is measured at the fair value of the consideration received or receivable and is shown net of value-added tax and duties.

Commissions from sales at our auctions represent the percentage earned by the Company on the gross auction proceeds from equipment and other assets sold at auction. The majority of commissions are earned as a pre-negotiated fixed rate of the gross selling price. Other commissions from sales at our auctions are earned from underwritten commission contracts, when the Company guarantees a certain level of proceeds to a consignor or purchases inventory to be sold at auction. Commissions also include those earned on online marketplace sales.

Commissions from sales at auction

The Company accepts equipment and other assets on consignment or takes title for a short period of time prior to auction, stimulates buyer interest through professional marketing techniques, and matches sellers (also known as consignors) to buyers through the auction or private sale process.

In its role as auctioneer, the Company matches buyers to sellers of equipment on consignment, as well as to inventory held by the Company, through the auction process. Following the auction, the Company invoices the buyer for the purchase price of the property, collects payment from the buyer, and where applicable, remits to the consignor the net sale proceeds after deducting its commissions, expenses and applicable taxes. Commissions are calculated as a percentage of the hammer price of the property sold at auction.

On the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer, the highest bidder becomes legally obligated to pay the full purchase price, which is the hammer price of the property purchased and the seller is legally obligated to relinquish the property in exchange for the hammer price less any seller’s commissions. Commission revenue is recognized on the date of the auction sale upon the fall of the auctioneer’s hammer, which is the point in time when the Company has substantially accomplished what it must do to be entitled to the benefits represented by the commission revenue. Subsequent to the date of the auction sale, the Company’s remaining obligations for its auction services relate only to the collection of the purchase price from the buyer and the remittance of the net sale proceeds to the seller.

Under the standard terms and conditions of its auction sales, the Company is not obligated to pay a consignor for property that has not been paid for by the buyer, provided that the property has not been released to the buyer. In the rare event where a buyer refuses to take title of the property, the sale is cancelled in the period in which the determination is made, and the property is returned to the consignor. Historically, cancelled sales have not been material in relation to the aggregate hammer price of property sold at auction.

Commission revenues are recorded net of commissions owed to third parties, which are principally the result of situations when the commission is shared with a consignor or with the counterparty in an auction guarantee risk and reward sharing arrangement. Additionally, in certain situations, commissions are shared with third parties who introduce the Company to consignors who sell property at auction.

Underwritten commission contracts can take the form of guarantee or inventory contracts. Guarantee contracts typically include a pre-negotiated percentage of the guaranteed gross proceeds plus a percentage of proceeds in excess of the guaranteed amount. If actual auction proceeds are less than the guaranteed amount, commission is reduced; if proceeds are sufficiently lower, the Company can incur a loss on the sale. Losses, if any, resulting from guarantee contracts are recorded in the period in which the relevant auction is completed. If a loss relating to a guarantee contract held at the period end to be sold after the period end is known or is probable and estimable at the financial statement reporting date, the loss is accrued in the financial statements for that period. The Company’s exposure from these guarantee contracts fluctuates over time (note 22).

Revenues related to inventory contracts are recognized in the period in which the sale is completed, title to the property passes to the purchaser and the Company has fulfilled any other obligations that may be relevant to the transaction, including, but not limited to, delivery of the property. Revenue from inventory sales is presented net of costs within revenues on the income statement, as the Company takes title only for a short period of time and the risks and rewards of ownership are not substantially different than the Company’s other underwritten commission contracts.

Fees

Fees earned in the process of conducting our auctions include administrative, documentation, and advertising fees. Fees from value-added services include financing and technology service fees. Fees also include subscription revenues from our listing and software services, as well as amounts paid by buyers (a “buyer’s premium”) on online marketplace sales. Fees are recognized in the period in which the service is provided to the customer.

Costs of services are comprised of expenses incurred in direct relation to conducting auctions (“direct expenses”), earning online marketplace revenues, and earning other fee revenues. Direct expenses include direct labour, buildings and facilities charges, and travel, advertising and promotion costs. Costs of services incurred to earn online marketplace revenues include inventory management, referral, inspection, sampling, and appraisal fees. Costs of services incurred in earning other fee revenues include direct labour (including commissions on sales), software maintenance fees, and materials. Costs of services exclude depreciation and amortization expenses. In comparative periods, costs of services consisted entirely of direct expenses. As a result of the Xcira LLC (“Xcira”) and Mascus International Holdings BV (“Mascus”) acquisitions, significant other costs of services are now incurred in earning our revenues (note 23).

The Company classifies a share-based payment award as an equity or liability payment based on the substantive terms of the award and any related arrangement.

Equity-classified share-based payments

The Company has a stock option compensation plan that provides for the award of stock options to selected employees, directors and officers of the Company. The cost of options granted is measured at the fair value of the underlying option at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company also has a senior executive performance share unit (“PSU”) plan that provides for the award of PSUs to selected senior executives of the Company. The Company has the option to settle executive PSU awards in cash or shares and expects to settle them in shares. The cost of PSUs granted is measured at the fair value of the underlying PSUs at the grant date using a binomial model.

This fair value of awards expected to vest under these plans is expensed over the respective remaining service period of the individual awards, on a straight-line basis, with recognition of a corresponding increase to APIC in equity. At the end of each reporting period, the Company revises its estimate of the number of equity instruments expected to vest. The impact of the revision of the original estimates, if any, is recognized in earnings, such that the consolidated expense reflects the revised estimate, with a corresponding adjustment to equity.

Any consideration paid on exercise of the stock options is credited to the common shares together with any related compensation recognized for the award. Dividend equivalents on the senior executive plan PSUs are recognized as a reduction to retained earnings over the service period.

Equity-classified share-based payments (continued)

PSUs awarded under the senior executive and employee PSU plans (described in note 21) are contingently redeemable in cash in the event of death of the participant. The contingently redeemable portion of the senior executive PSU awards, which represents the amount that would be redeemable based on the conditions at the date of grant, to the extent attributable to prior service, is recognized as temporary equity. The balance reported in temporary equity increases on the same basis as the related compensation expense over the service period of the award, with any excess of the temporary equity value over the amount recognized in compensation expense charged against retained earnings. In the event it becomes probable an award is going to become eligible for redemption by the holder, the award would be reclassified to a liability award.

Liability-classified share-based payments

The Company maintains other share unit compensation plans that vest over a period of up to five years after grant. Under those plans, the Company is either required or expects to settle vested awards on a cash basis or by providing cash to acquire shares on the open market on the employee’s behalf, where the settlement amount is determined using the volume weighted average price of the Company’s common shares for the twenty days prior to the vesting date or, in the case of deferred share unit (“DSU”) recipients, following cessation of service on the Board of Directors.

These awards are classified as liability awards, measured at fair value at the date of grant and re-measured at fair value at each reporting date up to and including the settlement date. The determination of the fair value of the share units under these plans is described in note 21. The fair value of the awards is expensed over the respective vesting period of the individual awards with recognition of a corresponding liability. Changes in fair value after vesting are recognized through compensation expense. Compensation expense reflects estimates of the number of instruments expected to vest.

The impact of fair value and forfeiture estimate revisions, if any, are recognized in earnings such that the cumulative expense reflects the revised estimates, with a corresponding adjustment to the settlement liability. Liability-classified share unit liabilities due within 12 months of the reporting date are presented in trade and other payables while settlements due beyond 12 months of the reporting date are presented in non-current liabilities.

Employee share purchase plan

The Company matches employees’ contributions to the share purchase plan, which is described in more detail in note 21. The Company’s contributions are expensed as share-based compensation.

The amendments also contain extensive disclosure requirements designed to enable users of the financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. In July 2015, the FASB delayed the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year so that ASU 2014-09 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.

ASU 2016-01 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. Early adoption is only permitted for the provisions under ASU 2016-01 related to the recognition of changes in fair value of financial liabilities. The Company is evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.

The effective date and transition requirements of ASU 2016-08 are the same as for ASU 2014-09, which is for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.

ASC 2016-10 affects the guidance in ASU 2014-09, and so has the same effective date and transition requirements. ASU 2016-10 is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2017. The Company is evaluating the new guidance to determine the impact it will have on its consolidated financial statements.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with US GAAP requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.

Future differences arising between actual results and the judgments, estimates and assumptions made by the Company at the reporting date, or future changes to estimates and assumptions, could necessitate adjustments to the underlying reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in future reporting periods.

Judgments, estimates and underlying assumptions are evaluated on an ongoing basis by management, and are based on historical experience and other factors including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Existing circumstances and assumptions about future developments, however, may change due to market changes or circumstance and such changes are reflected in the assumptions when they occur. Significant estimates include the estimated useful lives of long-lived assets, as well as valuation of goodwill, underwritten commission contracts, contingently redeemable non-controlling interest and share-based compensation.

The Company's operations are both seasonal and event driven. Revenues tend to be highest during the second and fourth calendar quarters. The Company generally conducts more auctions during these quarters than during the first and third calendar quarters. Late December through mid-February and mid-July through August are traditionally less active periods.

The Company’s principal business activity is the sale of industrial equipment and other assets at auctions. The Company’s operations are comprised of one reportable segment and other business activities that are not reportable as follows:

The Chief Operating Decision Maker evaluates segment performance based on earnings (loss) from operations, which is calculated as revenues less costs of services, selling, general and administrative (“SG&A”) expenses, and depreciation and amortization expenses. The significant non-cash item included in segment earnings (loss) from operations is depreciation and amortization expenses.

The Company’s revenue from the rendering of services is as follows:

Net profits on inventory sales included in commissions are:

Costs of services, excluding depreciation and amortization

SG&A expenses

Depreciation and amortization expenses

At the end of each interim period, the Company estimates the effective tax rate expected to be applicable for the full fiscal year.  The estimate reflects, among other items, our best estimate of operating results.  It does not include the estimated impact of foreign exchange rates or unusual and/or infrequent items, which may cause significant variations in the customary relationship between income tax expense and income before income taxes.

The Company’s consolidated effective tax rate in respect of operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 was 24.6% and 24.4%, respectively (2015: 27.5% and 27.7%). 

At June 30, 2016, the Company held a 51% interest in Ritchie Bros. Financial Services (”RBFS”), an entity that provides loan origination services to enable the Company’s auction customers to obtain financing from third party lenders. As a result of the Company’s involvement with RBFS, the Company is exposed to risks related to the recovery of the net assets of RBFS as well as liquidity risks associated with the put option discussed below.

The Company determined that RBFS was a variable interest entity because the Company provided subordinated financial support to RBFS and because the Company’s voting interest was disproportionately low in relation to its economic interest in RBFS while substantially all the activities of RBFS involved or were conducted on behalf of the Company. The Company also determined it was the primary beneficiary of RBFS as it was part of a related party group that had the power to direct the activities that most significantly impacted RBFS’s economic performance, and although no individual member of that group had such power, the Company represented the member of the related party group that was most closely associated with RBFS.

On June 30, 2016, the Company and the non-controlling interest (“NCI”) holders each held options pursuant to which the Company could acquire, or be required to acquire, the NCI holders’ 49% interest in RBFS. These call and put options became exercisable on April 6, 2016, and the Company had the option to elect to pay the purchase price in either cash or shares of the Company, subject to the Company obtaining all relevant security exchange and regulatory consents and approvals. As a result of the existence of the put option, the NCI was accounted for as a contingently redeemable equity instrument (the “contingently redeemable NCI”). The NCI could be redeemed at a purchase price to be determined through an independent appraisal process conducted in accordance with the terms of the agreement, or at a negotiated price (the “redemption value”).

For the comparative reporting period presented, the Company determined that redemption was probable and measured the carrying value of the contingently redeemable NCI at its estimated December 31, 2015 redemption value of $24,785,000. The estimation of redemption value at that date required management to make significant judgments, estimates, and assumptions.

On June 30, 2016, the Company recorded the contingently redeemable NCI at a redemption value of $44,141,000, which reflected the actual purchase price on July 12, 2016 when the Company completed its acquisition of the NCI.

The July 12, 2016 acquisition of the NCI holders’ 49% interest in RBFS was completed for total consideration of 57,900,000 Canadian dollars ($44,141,000). That purchase price consisted of cash consideration of 53,900,000 Canadian dollars and 4,000,000 Canadian dollars representing the acquisition date fair value of contingent consideration payable to the former shareholders of RBFS. The contingent payment is payable if RBFS achieves a specified annual revenue growth rate over a three-year post-acquisition period, and is calculated as a specified percentage of the accumulated earnings of RBFS after the three-year post-acquisition period. The maximum amount payable under the contingent payment arrangement is 10,000,000 Canadian dollars. The Company may pay an additional amount not exceeding 1,500,000 Canadian dollars over a three-year period based on the former NCI holders providing continued management services to RBFS.

Basic earnings per share (“EPS”) attributable to stockholders was calculated by dividing the net income attributable to stockholders by the weighted average (“WA”) number of common shares outstanding. Diluted EPS attributable to stockholders was calculated by dividing the net income attributable to stockholders after giving effect to outstanding dilutive stock options and PSUs by the WA number of shares outstanding adjusted for all dilutive securities.

At June 30, 2016, there were 263,203 senior executive PSUs outstanding and 178,165 employee PSUs outstanding, which had no dilutive impact at June 30, 2016. Performance and market conditions, depending on their outcome at the end of the contingency period, can reduce the number of vested awards to nil or to a maximum of 200% of the number of outstanding PSUs.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, stock options to purchase 28,318 and 1,504,394 common shares, respectively, were outstanding but excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share as they were anti-dilutive (2015: 72,309 and 253,622).

All assets and liabilities for which fair value is measured or disclosed in the condensed consolidated financial statements are categorized within the fair value hierarchy, described as follows, based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement or disclosure:

● Level 1: Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the entity can access at measurement date;

● Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and

● Level 3: Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The carrying value of the Company‘s cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, trade and other current receivables, advances against auction contracts, auction proceeds payable, trade and other payables, short-term debt, and current portion of long-term debt approximate their fair values due to their short terms to maturity. The fair values of the Company’s long-term debt are determined through the calculation of each liability‘s present value using market rates of interest at period close .

At each period end, inventory is reviewed to ensure that it is recorded at the lower of cost and net realizable value. During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, the Company recorded an inventory write-down of $1,402,000 (2015: $253,000 and $313,000). No write down was recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2016.

Of inventory held at June 30, 2016, 99% is expected to be sold prior to the end of September 2016, with the remainder to be sold by the end of November 2016 (December 31, 2015: 91% sold by the end of March 2016 with the remainder sold by the end of June 2016).

As at June 30, 2016, the Company’s assets held for sale consisted of excess auction site acreage located in Denver, United States, and Orlando, United States. Management made the strategic decision to sell this excess acreage to maximize the Company’s return on invested capital. These land assets belong to the Core Auction reportable segment.

The properties continue to be actively marketed for sale through an independent real estate broker, and management expects the sales to be completed within 12 months of June 30, 2016.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2016, interest of $97,000 and $177,000, respectively was capitalized to the cost of software under development (2015: $212,000 and $513,000). These interest costs relating to qualifying assets are capitalized at a weighted average rate of 6.01% (2015: 6.39%).

The Company holds a 48% share interest in a group of companies detailed below (together, the Cura Classis entities), which have common ownership. The Cura Classis entities provide dedicated fleet management services in three jurisdictions to a common customer unrelated to the Company. The Company has determined the Cura Classis entities are variable interest entities and the Company is not the primary beneficiary, as it does not have the power to make any decisions that significantly affect the economic results of the Cura Classis entities. Accordingly, the Company accounts for its investments in the Cura Classis entities following the equity method.

A condensed summary of the Company's investments in and advances to equity-accounted investees are as follows (in thousands of U.S. dollars, except percentages):