Basis of Presentation (Policy)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Basis of Presentation [Abstract]

Investments in Affiliates

Investments in Affiliates

Our ownership interest in Telesat is accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Income and losses of Telesat are recorded based on our economic interest. The contribution of Loral Skynet, a wholly owned subsidiary of Loral prior to its contribution to Telesat in 2007, was recorded by Loral at the historical book value of our retained interest combined with the gain recognized on the contribution. However, the contribution was recorded by Telesat at fair value. Accordingly, the amortization of Telesat fair value adjustments applicable to the Loral Skynet assets and liabilities acquired by Telesat in 2007 is proportionately eliminated in determining our share of the net income of Telesat. Our equity in net income or loss of Telesat also reflects amortization of profits eliminated, to the extent of our economic interest in Telesat, on satellites we constructed for Telesat while we owned Space Systems/Loral, LLC (formerly known as Space Systems/Loral, Inc.) (“SSL”) and on Loral’s sale to Telesat in April 2011 of its portion of the payload on the ViaSat-1 satellite and related assets. Non-refundable cash distributions received from Telesat in excess of our initial investment and our share of cumulative equity in comprehensive income of Telesat, net of cash distributions received in prior periods, are recorded as equity in net income of Telesat (“Excess Cash Distribution”) since we have no obligation to provide future financial support to Telesat. After receiving an Excess Cash Distribution, we do not record additional equity in net income of Telesat until our share of Telesat’s future net income exceeds the Excess Cash Distribution. Equity in losses of affiliates is not recognized after the carrying value of an investment, including advances and loans, has been reduced to zero, unless guarantees or other funding obligations exist. We had no guarantees or other funding obligations for our equity method investments as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018. We use the nature of distribution approach to classify distributions from equity method investments on the statements of cash flows. The Company monitors its equity method investments for factors indicating other-than-temporary impairment. An impairment loss is recognized when there has been a loss in value of the affiliate that is other‑than-temporary.

Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements

Use of Estimates in Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with 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 the financial statements and the amount of income (loss) reported for the period. Actual results could materially differ from estimates.

Significant estimates also included the allowances for doubtful accounts, income taxes, including the valuation of deferred tax assets, the fair value of liabilities indemnified, the dilutive effect of Telesat stock options (see Note 10) and our pension liabilities.

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash

As of September 30, 2019, the Company had $257.3 million of cash and cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include liquid investments, primarily money market funds, with maturities of less than 90 days at the time of purchase. Management determines the appropriate classification of its investments at the time of purchase and at each balance sheet date.

As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, other current assets and other assets, respectively, included restricted cash of $0.3 million, which represents the amount pledged as collateral to the issuer of a standby letter of credit (the “LC”). The LC, which currently expires in August 2020, has been provided as a guaranty to the lessor of our corporate offices.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows (in thousands):

	September 30,		September 30,
	2019		2018
Cash and cash equivalents	$	257,319	$	248,904
Restricted cash included in other current assets		304		304
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown in the statement of cash flows	$	257,623	$	249,208

Concentration of Credit Risk

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of cash and cash equivalents and receivables. Our cash and cash equivalents are maintained with high-credit-quality financial institutions. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, our cash and cash equivalents were invested primarily in several liquid Prime and Government AAA money market funds. Such funds are not insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. The dispersion across funds reduces the exposure of a default at any one fund.  As a result, management believes that its potential credit risks are minimal.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

U.S. GAAP defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or the exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants. U.S. GAAP also establishes a fair value hierarchy that gives the highest priority to observable inputs and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

Level 1: Inputs represent a fair value that is derived from unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities traded in active markets at the measurement date.

Level 2: Inputs represent a fair value that is derived from quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, model-based valuation techniques for which all significant assumptions are observable in the market or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities, and pricing inputs, other than quoted prices in active markets included in Level 1, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date.

Level 3: Inputs are generally unobservable and typically reflect management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The fair values are therefore determined using model-based techniques that include option pricing models, discounted cash flow models, and similar techniques.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

The following table presents our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis (in thousands):

	September 30, 2019						December 31, 2018
	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents:
Money market funds	$	255,185	$	—	$	—	$	254,552	$	—	$	—
Other current assets:
Indemnification - Sale of SSL		—		—		598		—		—		2,410
Liabilities
Other liabilities:
Indemnification - Globalstar do Brasil S.A.	$	—	$	—	$	159	$	—	$	—	$	184

The carrying amount of money market funds approximates fair value as of each reporting date because of the short maturity of those instruments.

The Company did not have any non-financial assets or non-financial liabilities that were recognized or disclosed at fair value as of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Non-recurring Basis

We review the carrying values of our equity method investments when events and circumstances warrant and consider all available evidence in evaluating when declines in fair value are other-than-temporary. The fair values of our investments are determined based on valuation techniques using the best information available and may include quoted market prices, market comparables and discounted cash flow projections. An impairment charge is recorded when the carrying amount of the investment exceeds its current fair value and is determined to be other-than-temporary.

The asset resulting from the indemnification of SSL is for certain pre-closing taxes and reflects the excess of payments since inception over refunds and the estimated liability, which was originally determined using the fair value objective approach. The estimated liability for indemnifications relating to Globalstar do Brasil S.A. (“GdB”), originally determined using expected value analysis, is net of payments since inception.

Contingencies

Contingencies

Contingencies by their nature relate to uncertainties that require management to exercise judgment both in assessing the likelihood that a liability has been incurred as well as in estimating the amount of potential loss, if any. We accrue for costs relating to litigation, claims and other contingent matters when such liabilities become probable and reasonably estimable. Such estimates may be based on advice from third parties or on management’s judgment, as appropriate. Actual amounts paid may differ from amounts estimated, and such differences will be charged to operations in the period in which the final determination of the liability is made.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes

Loral and its subsidiaries are subject to U.S. federal, state and local income taxation on their worldwide income and foreign taxation on certain income from sources outside the United States. Telesat is subject to tax in Canada and other jurisdictions, and Loral will provide in each period any additional U.S. current and deferred tax required on actual or deemed distributions from Telesat, including Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”). Deferred income taxes reflect the future tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amount of assets and liabilities for financial and income tax reporting and are measured by applying anticipated statutory tax rates in effect for the year during which the differences are expected to reverse. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance to the extent it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized.

The tax benefit of an uncertain tax position (“UTP”) taken or expected to be taken in income tax returns is recognized only if it is “more likely than not” to be sustained on examination by the taxing authorities, based on its technical merits as of the reporting date. The tax benefit recognized in the financial statements from such a position is measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than fifty percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to income taxes in income tax expense on a quarterly basis.

The unrecognized tax benefit of a UTP is recognized in the period when the UTP is effectively settled. Previously recognized tax positions are derecognized in the first period in which it is no longer more likely than not that the tax position would be sustained upon examination.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings per Share

Basic earnings per share are computed based upon the weighted average number of shares of voting and non-voting common stock outstanding during each period. Shares of non-voting common stock are in all respects identical to and treated equally with shares of voting common stock except for the absence of voting rights (other than as provided in Loral’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation which was ratified by Loral’s stockholders on May 19, 2009). Diluted earnings per share are based on the weighted average number of shares of voting and non-voting common stock outstanding during each period, adjusted for the effect of unconverted restricted stock units. For diluted earnings per share, earnings are adjusted for the dilutive effect of Telesat stock options.