v3.25.1
Fair Value Measurements
 6 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2025
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements
In determining fair value, the Company uses various valuation approaches including market, income and/or cost approaches. FASB standard ‘‘Fair Value Measurements’’ (Topic 820) establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs are those that reflect the Company’s expectation of the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability developed based on the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy is broken down into three levels based on the reliability of inputs as follows:
Level 1 – Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access. Assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include marketable securities that are actively traded.
Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
Level 3 – Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement. Asset and liability measurements utilizing Level 3 inputs include those used in estimating fair value of non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities in
purchase acquisitions, those used in assessing impairment of property and equipment and other intangibles, and those used in the reporting unit valuation in the annual goodwill impairment evaluation and contingent consideration.
The availability of observable inputs can vary and is affected by a wide variety of factors. To the extent that valuation is based on models or inputs that are less observable or unobservable in the market, the determination of fair value requires more judgment. Accordingly, the degree of judgment required in determining fair value is greatest for assets and liabilities categorized in Level 3. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, for disclosure purposes, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement is disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Fair value measurements can be volatile based on various factors that may or may not be within the Company’s control.
The following tables summarize the Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2025 and September 30, 2024:
March 31, 2025
($ in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets: 
Investment in Equity Securities$81 $— $— $81 
Derivative and hedging instruments— 1,787 — 1,787 
Liabilities: 
Contingent Consideration— — 9,126 9,126 
Derivative and hedging instruments— 340 — 340 
September 30, 2024
($ in thousands)Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
Assets:    
Investment in Equity Securities$128 $— $— $128 
Derivative and hedging instruments— 1,560 — 1,560 
Liabilities:    
Contingent Consideration— — 15,161 15,161 
Derivative and hedging instruments— 3,626 — 3,626 
There were no transfers between the valuation hierarchy Levels 1, 2, and 3 for the six months ended March 31, 2025.
We measure all equity investments that do not result in consolidation and are not accounted for under the equity method at fair value with the change in fair value included in other expense (income), net, in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of equity investments is measured using quoted prices in its active markets. The investment in equity securities balance is recorded in other long-term assets in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The portion of unrealized losses recognized related to equity securities still held as of March 31, 2025 and 2024 consists of the following:
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2025Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Net loss recognized during the period on equity securities$53 $23 
Less net loss recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period— — 
Unrealized loss recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date$53 $23 
($ in thousands)Six Months Ended March 31, 2025Six Months Ended March 31, 2024
Net loss recognized during the period on equity securities$46 $135 
Less net loss recognized during the period on equity securities sold during the period— — 
Unrealized loss recognized during the reporting period on equity securities still held at the reporting date$46 $135 
We estimate the fair value of contingent consideration using a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model based on forecasted future earnings or other agreed upon metrics including the production of acquisition leads. The acquisition contingent consideration liability has been accounted for based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement (Level 3). The contingent consideration balance is recorded in other payables and accrued expenses and other long-term liabilities in the unaudited condensed consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value and net present value of contingent consideration are recorded in change in fair value of contingent consideration in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations. The fair value of contingent consideration is reassessed on a quarterly basis.
The following tables set forth the changes in fair value of our contingent consideration for the three and six months ended March 31, 2025:
($ in thousands)Three Months Ended March 31, 2025
Balance as of December 31, 2024$14,947 
Additions from acquisitions— 
Settlement of contingent consideration(5,887)
Change in fair value, including accretion66 
Balance as of March 31, 2025$9,126 
($ in thousands)Six Months Ended March 31, 2025
Balance as of September 30, 2024$15,161 
Additions from acquisitions— 
Settlement of contingent consideration(6,343)
Change in fair value, including accretion308 
Balance as of March 31, 2025$9,126 
We determine the carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, other payables and accrued expenses, floor plan notes payable, term note payable with Truist Bank, seller notes payable and company vehicle notes payable approximate their fair values because of the nature of their terms and current market rates of these instruments. Derivative and hedging instruments are recorded at fair value as discussed in Note 9.