13. FAIR VALUE

Fair Value Hierarchy

Fair value is a market-based measurement, not an entity-specific measurement. Therefore, a fair value measurement should be determined based on the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. As a basis for considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the Company utilizes the U.S. GAAP fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between market participant assumptions based on market data obtained from sources independent of the reporting entity (observable inputs that are classified within Levels 1 and 2 of the hierarchy) and the reporting entity’s own assumption about market participant assumptions (unobservable inputs classified within Level 3 of the hierarchy).

The inputs used to measure fair value are classified into the following fair value hierarchy:

Level 1: Quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2: Observable market-based inputs or unobservable inputs that are corroborated by market data.

Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. Level 3 includes values determined using pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques reflecting the Company’s own assumptions.

In instances where the determination of the fair value hierarchy measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment of factors specific to the asset or liability.

The following table sets forth, by level within the fair value hierarchy, the financial assets and liabilities recorded at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011 (in thousands):



	September 30, 2012		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Available-for-sale securities	$	35,419	$	35,419	$	-	$	-
Trading securities		36,235		36,235		-		-
Total assets	$	71,654	$	71,654	$	-	$	-

Fair value of interest rate swap agreements	$	209,210	$	-	$	209,210	$	-
Total liabilities	$	209,210	$	-	$	209,210	$	-

	December 31, 2011		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
Available-for-sale securities	$	31,582	$	31,582	$	-	$	-
Trading securities		30,486		30,486		-		-
Total assets	$	62,068	$	62,068	$	-	$	-

Fair value of interest rate swap agreements	$	254,228	$	-	$	254,228	$	-
Total liabilities	$	254,228	$	-	$	254,228	$	-

Available-for-sale securities and trading securities classified as Level 1 are measured using quoted market prices.

The valuation of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements is determined using market valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each agreement. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the agreement, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including forward interest rate curves. The fair value of interest rate swap agreements are determined by netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted expected variable cash receipts. The variable cash receipts are based on the expectation of future interest rates based on observable market forward interest rate curves and the notional amount being hedged.

The Company incorporates CVAs to appropriately reflect both its own nonperformance or credit risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance or credit risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of its interest rate swap agreements for the effect of nonperformance or credit risk, the Company has considered the impact of any netting features included in the agreements. The CVA on the Company’s interest rate swap agreements at September 30, 2012 resulted in a decrease in the fair value of the related liability of $5.6 million and an after-tax adjustment of $3.6 million to OCI. The CVA on the Company’s interest rate swap agreements at December 31, 2011 resulted in a decrease in the fair value of the related liability of $21.7 million and an after-tax adjustment of $13.9 million to OCI.

The majority of the inputs used to value its interest rate swap agreements, including the forward interest rate curves and market perceptions of the Company’s credit risk used in the CVAs, are observable inputs available to a market participant. As a result, the Company has determined that the interest rate swap valuations are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.