DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

NOTE 5: DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

During the normal course of operations, we are exposed to market risks including interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates and commodity prices. From time to time, and consistent with our risk management policies, we use derivative instruments to balance the cost and risk of such expenses. We do not utilize derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.

The accounting for gains and losses that result from changes in the fair value of derivative instruments depends on whether the derivatives have been designated and qualify as hedging instruments and the type of hedging relationship. The interest rate swap agreements described below were designated as either cash flow hedges or fair value hedges. The changes in fair value of our interest rate swap cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) and are reclassified into interest expense in the same period the hedged items affect earnings. The changes in fair value of our interest rate swap fair value hedges are recorded as interest expense consistent with the change in the fair value of the hedged items attributable to the risk being hedged.

CASH FLOW HEDGES

During 2007, we entered into fifteen forward starting interest rate locks on $1,500,000,000of future debt issuances in order to hedge the risk of higher interest rates. Upon the 2007 and 2008 issuances of the related fixed-rate debt, underlying interest rates were lower than the rate locks and we terminated and settled these forward starting locks for cash payments of $89,777,000. This amount was booked to AOCI and is being amortized to interest expense over the term of the related debt.

This amortization was reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31 as follows:

in thousands	Location on Statement	2015	2014	2013
Cash Flow Hedges
Loss reclassified from AOCI
(effective portion)	Interest expense	$       (9,759)	$       (7,988)	$       (5,077)

The loss reclassified from AOCI for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 includes the acceleration of a proportional amount of the deferred loss in the amount of $7,208,000 and $3,762,000, respectively, referable to the debt purchases as described in Note 6.

For the 12-month period ending December 31, 2016, we estimate that $2,008,000 of the pretax loss in AOCI will be reclassified to earnings.

FAIR VALUE HEDGES

In June 2011, we issued $500,000,000 of 6.50% fixed-rate notes due in 2016 to refinance near term floating-rate debt. Concurrently, we entered into interest rate swap agreements in the stated amount of $500,000,000 to reestablish the pre-refinancing mix of fixed- and floating-rate debt. Under these agreements, we paid 6-month London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a spread of 4.05% and received a fixed interest rate of 6.50%. Additionally, in June 2011, we entered into interest rate swap agreements on our $150,000,000 of 10.125% fixed-rate notes due in 2015. Under these agreements, we paid 6-month LIBOR plus a spread of 8.03% and received a fixed interest rate of 10.125%. In August 2011, we terminated and settled these interest rate swap agreements for $25,382,000 of cash proceeds. The $23,387,000 gain component of the settlement (cash proceeds less $1,995,000 of accrued interest) was added to the carrying value of the related debt and is being amortized as a reduction to interest expense over the terms of the related debt using the effective interest method.

This deferred gain amortization was reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31 as follows:

in thousands	2015	2014	2013
Deferred Gain on Settlement
Amortized to earnings as a reduction to interest expense	$        3,036	$      10,674	$        4,334

The amortized deferred gain for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 includes the acceleration of a proportional amount of the deferred gain in the amount of $1,642,000 and $8,032,000, respectively, referable to the debt purchases as described in Note 6. The deferred gain was fully amortized in December 2015, concurrent with the retirement of the 10.125% notes due 2015.