Derivatives and Hedging Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

7. Derivatives and Hedging Activities

Derivative financial instruments are recognized on the consolidated balance sheets as either assets or liabilities and are measured at fair value. Changes in the fair values of derivatives are recorded each period in earnings or accumulated other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative qualifies for hedge accounting and is effective as part of a hedged transaction. Gains and losses on derivative instruments reported in accumulated other comprehensive income are subsequently included in earnings in the periods in which earnings are affected by the hedged item. The Company does not use derivative instruments for speculative purposes. The Company had no derivative instruments as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.

On March 14, 2012, SS&C and SS&C Sarl entered into a cooperation agreement with GlobeOp, pursuant to which SS&C Sarl issued an announcement disclosing that the Company and GlobeOp had agreed on the terms of a recommended cash offer (the “Offer”) to be made by SS&C Sarl to acquire the entire issued and to be issued share capital of GlobeOp for cash of 485 pence per share. As a result of the Offer’s foreign currency denomination, the Company was exposed to market risks relating to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. In conjunction with the Offer, the Company entered into a forward currency transaction and a currency option transaction to protect against the foreign currency exchange rate risk that existed. The transactions were contingent upon the Offer meeting the acceptance conditions and were not designated as hedge transactions. During the three months ended June 30, 2012, the forward contract was utilized at an average exchange rate of $1.584 to £1.0 on a notional amount of £423.0 million, and the option contract was sold. These transactions resulted in a loss of $14.3 million recorded in other expense on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2012.