Note 10 - Derivative Instruments; Fair Value

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2018

Notes to Financial Statements

Derivatives and Fair Value [Text Block]

Note

10

-

Derivative Instruments; Fair Value

The Company accounts for derivative instruments in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires that all derivative instruments be recognized on the balance sheet at fair value. We

may

enter into interest rate swaps to fix the interest rate on a portion of our variable interest rate debt to reduce the potential volatility in our interest expense that would otherwise result from changes in market interest rates. Our derivative instruments are recorded at fair value and are included in accrued liabilities of our consolidated balance sheet. Our accounting policies for these instruments are based on whether they meet our criteria for designation as hedging transactions, which include the instrument’s effectiveness, risk reduction and, in most cases, a

one

-to-

one

matching of the derivative instrument to our underlying transaction. As of

June 30, 2018

and

December 31, 2017,

we had

one

derivative instrument accounted for as a hedge, compared to

no

such instrument as of

June 30, 2017.

Gains and losses from changes in fair values of derivatives that are

not

designated as hedges for accounting purposes are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations. We have

no

such derivative financial instruments as of

December 31, 2017.

Changes in fair value for the respective periods were recognized in the consolidated statement of operations.

The interest rate swap we entered into

December 14, 2017

had a

three

year term (ending

December 14, 2020)

and a notional amount of

$3

million. The Company purchased a

2.25%

fixed rate in exchange for the variable rate on a portion of the notes payable under the PNC Agreements, which was

1.47%

at time of execution. The fair value of the swap was insignificant as of

June 30, 2018

and

December 31, 2017.