Derivative and Hedging (Notes)

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

DERIVATIVE AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage exposure to interest rate movement.  To accomplish these objectives, we use interest rate swaps as part of our interest rate risk management strategy.  Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for us making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. 

Concurrent with the closing of our amended and restated credit facility, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement that is intended to fix the interest rate associated with our term loan of $100 million at approximately 3.08% through its maturity date and extension options, subject to adjustments based on our consolidated leverage ratio. The following is a summary of the terms of the interest rate swap as of December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):

Swap Counterparty	Notional Amount	Effective Date	Maturity Date	Fair Value
Bank of America, N.A.	$100,000	1/9/2014	1/9/2019	$	1,448

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivatives that are designated as cash flow hedges are being recorded as accumulated other comprehensive income and will be subsequently reclassified into earnings during the period in which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings.

The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the derivative.  This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivative, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves, and implied volatilities.  The fair value of the interest rate swaps is determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts).  The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves. 

Forward Starting Swap

On August 19, 2014, we entered into a one-month forward-starting seven-year swap contract with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. to reduce the interest rate variability exposure of the projected interest cash flows of our then-prospective Series A Notes. The forward-starting seven-year swap contract had a notional amount of $150 million, a termination date of October 31, 2014, a fixed pay rate of 2.1305%, a receive rate equal to the one-month LIBOR, with fixed rate payments due quarterly on the last day of each January, April, July and October commencing January 30, 2015, floating payments due quarterly on the last day of each January, April, July and October commencing January 30, 2015, and floating reset dates two days prior to the first day of each calculation period.  The forward-starting seven-year swap contract's accrual period, October 31, 2014 to October 31, 2021, was designed to match the expected tenor of the Series A Notes.

The forward-starting seven-year swap contract was deemed to be a highly effective cash flow hedge and we elected to designate the forward-starting swap contract as an accounting hedge. We settled the forward-starting seven-year swap contract on September 19, 2014, resulting in a gain of approximately $1.6 million.  This gain is included in accumulated other comprehensive income and will be amortized to interest expense over the life of the Series A Notes.