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SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
GAAP establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring financial instruments at fair value into three levels based on their market observability. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, such as the type of instrument and the characteristics specific to the instrument. Financial instruments with readily available quoted prices from an active market or for which fair value can be measured based on actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment inherent in measuring fair value.
Financial assets and liabilities measured and reported at fair value are classified as follows:
Level I – Quoted unadjusted prices for identical instruments in active markets to which the Company has access at the date of measurement. The types of investments in Level I include exchange-traded equities, debt and derivatives with quoted prices.
Level II – Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are directly or indirectly observable. Level II inputs include prices in markets for which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, little public information exists or prices vary substantially over time or among brokered market makers. Other inputs include interest rates, yield curves, volatilities, prepayment risks, loss severities, credit risks and default rates. The types of investments in Level II generally include corporate bonds and loans, government and agency securities, less liquid and restricted equity investments, over-the-counter traded derivatives and other investments where the fair value is based on observable inputs.
Level III – Model-derived valuations for which one or more significant inputs are unobservable. These inputs reflect the Company's assessment of the assumptions that market participants use to value the investment based on the best available information. The types of investments in Level III include non-publicly traded equity, debt, real estate and derivatives.
In some instances, an instrument may fall into multiple levels of the fair-value hierarchy. In such instances, the instrument's level within the fair-value hierarchy is based on the lowest of the three levels (with Level III being the lowest) that is significant to the fair-value measurement. The Company's assessment of the significance of an input requires judgment and considers factors specific to the instrument. The Company accounts for the transfer of assets into or out of each fair-value hierarchy level as of the beginning of the reporting period.
In the absence of observable market prices, the Company values Level III investments using valuation methodologies applied on a consistent basis. The quarterly valuation process for Level III investments begins with each portfolio company or security being valued by the investment and valuation teams. The valuations are then reviewed by the valuation committee of each investment strategy, which consists of senior members of the investment team. All Level III investment values are ultimately approved by the valuation committees and designated investment professionals, as well as the valuation officer, who is independent of the investment teams and reports directly to the Company's Managing Principal. For certain investments, the valuation process also includes a review by independent valuation parties, at least annually, to determine whether the fair values determined by management are reasonable. Results of the valuation process are evaluated each quarter, including an assessment of whether the underlying calculations should be adjusted or recalibrated. In connection with this process, the Company evaluates changes in fair-value measurements from period to period for reasonableness, considering items such as industry trends, general economic and market conditions, and factors specific to the investment.
Investments, at Fair Value
The consolidated funds are primarily investment companies that reflect their investments, including majority-owned and controlled investments (the “portfolio companies”), at fair value. The Company has retained the specialized investment company accounting guidance under GAAP for the consolidated funds with respect to consolidated investments. Thus, the consolidated investments are reflected on the condensed consolidated statements of financial condition at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses resulting from changes in fair value reflected as a component of net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on consolidated funds' investments in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Fair value is the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price).
Non-publicly traded debt and equity securities and other securities or instruments for which reliable market quotations are not available, are valued by management using valuation methodologies applied on a consistent basis. These securities may initially be valued at the acquisition price as the best indicator of fair value. Subsequent valuations will depend on facts and circumstances known as of the valuation date and the application of valuation methodologies further described below under “—Non-publicly Traded Equity and Real Estate Investments.”
Exchange-traded Investments
Securities listed on one or more national securities exchanges are valued at their last reported sales price on the date of valuation. If no sale occurred on the valuation date, the security is valued at the mean of the last “bid” and “ask” prices on the valuation date. Securities that are not marketable due to legal restrictions that may limit or restrict transferability are generally valued at a discount from quoted market prices. The discount would reflect the amount market participants would require due to the risk relating to the inability to access a public market for the security for the specified period and would vary depending on the nature and duration of the restriction and the risk and volatility of the underlying securities. Securities with longer duration restrictions or higher volatility are generally valued at a higher discount. Such discounts are generally estimated based on put option models or analysis of market studies. Instances where the Company has applied discounts to quoted prices of restricted listed securities have been infrequent. The impact of such discounts is not material to the Company's condensed consolidated statements of financial condition and results of operations for all periods presented.
Credit-oriented Investments
Investments in corporate and government debt which are not listed or admitted to trading on any securities exchange are valued at the mean of the last bid and ask prices on the valuation date based on quotations supplied by recognized quotation services or by reputable broker-dealers.
The market-yield approach is considered in the valuation of non-publicly traded debt securities, utilizing expected future cash flows, discounted using estimated current market rates. Discounted cash flow calculations may be adjusted to reflect current market conditions and/or the perceived credit risk of the borrowers. Consideration is also given to a borrower's ability to meet principal and interest obligations; this may include an evaluation of collateral and/or the underlying value of the borrower utilizing techniques described below under “—Non-publicly Traded Equity and Real Estate Investments.”
Non-publicly Traded Equity and Real Estate Investments
The fair values of equity and real estate investments are determined by using a cost approach, market approach or an income approach. A cost approach is based upon the current cost of reproducing a real estate investment less deterioration and functional and economic obsolescence. A market approach utilizes valuations of comparable public companies and transactions and generally seeks to establish the enterprise value of the portfolio company or investment property using a market-multiple methodology. This approach takes into account a specific financial measure (such as EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, net operating income, net income, book value or net asset value) believed to be most relevant for the given company or investment property. Consideration may also be given to such factors as acquisition price of the security or investment property, historical and projected operational and financial results for the portfolio company, the strengths and weaknesses of the portfolio company or investment property relative to its comparable companies or properties, industry trends, general economic and market conditions and other factors deemed relevant. The income approach is typically a discounted cash flow method that incorporates expected timing and level of cash flows. It incorporates assumptions in determining growth rates, income and expense projections, discount and capitalization rates, capital structure, terminal values and other factors. The applicability and weight assigned to market and income approaches are determined based on the availability of reliable projections and comparable companies and transactions.
The valuation of securities may be impacted by expectations of investors' receptiveness to a public offering of the securities, the size of the holding of the securities and any associated control, information with respect to transactions or offers for the securities (including the transaction pursuant to which the investment was made and the period of time elapsed from the date of the investment to the valuation date) and applicable restrictions on the transferability of the securities.
These valuation methodologies involve a significant degree of management judgment. Accordingly, valuations by the Company do not necessarily represent the amounts which may eventually be realized from sales or other dispositions of investments. Fair values may differ from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the investment existed, and the differences could be material to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts reported in the prior period have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Recent Accounting Developments
In December 2011, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued amended guidance requiring enhanced disclosures that will enable users to evaluate the effect or potential effect of netting arrangements on an entity's financial position, including the effect or potential effect of rights of setoff associated with certain financial instruments and derivative instruments. In January 2013, the FASB issued additional guidance to clarify that ordinary receivables and receivables are not in the scope of the amended guidance. The amendments were effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2013. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2013 and determined that the adoption did not have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements. Please see note 5 for required disclosures.
In February 2013, the FASB issued guidance on reporting amounts reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), which requires entities to disclose additional information about reclassification adjustments, including changes in AOCI balances by component and significant items reclassified out of AOCI. The guidance was effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2013 and applied prospectively. The Company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2013 and determined that the adoption did not have a material impact on its condensed consolidated financial statements.