Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

3. Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is a market-based measurement that should be determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. GAAP discusses valuation techniques, such as the market approach (comparable market prices), the income approach (present value of future income or cash flow), and the cost approach (cost to replace the service capacity of an asset or replacement cost). These valuation techniques are based upon observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s market assumptions.

As the basis for evaluating such inputs, a three-tier value hierarchy prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value as follows:

• Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.

• Level 2: Observable inputs other than quoted prices that are directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for similar or identical assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

• Level 3: Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions. The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

The Company estimates the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration using various valuation approaches including the Monte Carlo Simulation approach and the probability-weighted discounted cash flow approach. Acquisition related contingent consideration liabilities are classified as Level 3 liabilities because the Company uses unobservable inputs to value them, reflecting the Company’s assessment of the assumptions market participants would use to value these liabilities. A change in the unobservable inputs could result in a significantly higher or lower fair value measurement. Changes in the fair value of acquisition related contingent consideration are recorded as (income) expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The acquisition related contingent consideration liabilities are recorded in other current liabilities.

The following table presents the Company’s financial assets and liabilities which are measured at fair values on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, (in thousands):

	Fair Value		Level 1		Level 2		Level 3
December 31, 2015
Assets:
Repurchase agreements	$	144,082	$	—	$	144,082	$	—
Money market		55,062		—		55,062		—
Certificates of deposit		9,373		—		9,373		—
Total cash equivalents	$	208,517	$	—	$	208,517	$	—
December 31, 2014
Assets:
Repurchase agreements	$	196,616	$	—	$	196,616	$	—
Money market		50,000		—		50,000		—
Certificates of deposit		3,570		—		3,570		—
Total cash equivalents	$	250,186	$	—	$	250,186	$	—
Liabilities:
Acquisition related contingent consideration	$	43,486	$	—	$	—	$	43,486

The Company has highly liquid investments classified as cash equivalents, with original maturities of 90 days or less, included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company utilizes Level 2 fair value determinations derived from directly or indirectly observable (market based) information to determine the fair value of these highly liquid investments. The Company has certain cash and cash equivalents that are invested on an overnight basis in repurchase agreements, money markets and certificates of deposit. The value of overnight repurchase agreements is determined based upon the quoted market prices for the treasury securities associated with the repurchase agreements. Certificates of deposit are valued at cost, plus interest accrued. Given the short term nature of these instruments, the carrying value approximates fair value.

The level within the fair value hierarchy and the measurement technique are reviewed quarterly. Transfers between levels are deemed to have occurred at the end of each quarter. There were no transfers between fair value levels during 2015 and 2014.

The Company’s nonfinancial assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis include property, plant and equipment, equity method investment, goodwill and other intangible assets. As necessary, the Company generally uses projected cash flows, discounted as appropriate, to estimate the fair values of the assets using key inputs such as management’s projections of cash flows on a held-and-used basis (if applicable), management’s projections of cash flows upon disposition and discount rates. Accordingly, these fair value measurements are in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. These assets and liabilities are recognized at fair value on a nonrecurring basis if an impairment is identified.

The Company regularly evaluates the carrying value of its equity method investment and during the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company determined that the fair value of its 44% investment in Masternaut had declined as a result of the performance improvement initiatives taking longer than projected to implement. As a result, the Company determined that the carrying value of its investment exceeded its fair value and concluded that this decline in value was other than temporary. The Company recorded a $40 million non-cash impairment charge, which is included in the equity method investment loss in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Income.

The fair value of the Company’s cash, accounts receivable, securitized accounts receivable and related facility, prepaid expenses and other current assets, accounts payable, accrued expenses, customer deposits and short-term borrowings approximate their respective carrying values due to the short-term maturities of the instruments. The carrying value of the Company’s debt obligations approximates fair value as the interest rates on the debt are variable market based interest rates that reset on a quarterly basis. These are each level 2 fair value measurements, except for cash, which is a level 1 fair value measurement.