Derivative Financial Instruments (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2012

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments

We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes and our derivative financial instruments are limited to interest rate swap and interest rate cap agreements. The Company utilizes a combination of fixed rate debt and variable rate debt to finance its operations. The variable rate debt exposes the Company to variability in interest payments due to changes in interest rates. Management believes that it is prudent to mitigate the interest rate risk on a portion of its variable rate borrowings. To satisfy our objectives and requirements, the Company has entered into interest rate swap and interest rate cap agreements, which have not been designated as cash flow hedges, to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on our variable rate debt.

All derivative financial instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheets with measurement at fair value. On a quarterly basis, the fair values of our interest rate swaps and interest rate caps are determined based on observable inputs. These derivative instruments have not been designated as cash flow hedges and as such, the initial fair value and any subsequent gains or losses on the change in the fair value of the interest rate swaps and interest rate caps are reported in earnings as a component of interest expense. Any gains or losses related to the quarterly fair value adjustments are presented as a non-cash operating activity on the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. By using derivative financial instruments to hedge exposures to changes in interest rates, the Company exposes itself to credit risk and market risk. Credit risk is the possible failure of the counterparty to perform under the terms of the derivative contract. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes the Company, which creates credit risk for the Company. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, the Company owes the counterparty and, therefore, it is not subject to credit risk. The Company minimizes the credit risk in derivative financial instruments by entering into transactions with major financial institutions with credit ratings of A- or higher, or the equivalent dependent upon the credit rating agency.

Market risk is the adverse effect on the value of a financial instrument that results from a change in interest rates. The market risk associated with interest-rate contracts is managed by establishing and monitoring parameters that limit the types and degree of market risk that may be undertaken. See Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies – Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for additional information regarding our interest rate swaps and interest rate caps.