XML 88 R14.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.8
Fair Value Measurements
9 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2013
Fair Value Measurements Disclosure [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements

6. Fair Value Measurements

 

The following tables summarize financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis and their assigned levels within the valuation hierarchy at July 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012:

July 31, 2013              
(in thousands)    Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other Assets Not Held at Fair Value  Total
                
Financial assets:              
Cash equivalents   $ 99,310$ 3,700$ -$ -$ 103,010
Investments:              
Investment securities, trading:           
Cash management assets  -  10,477   -  -  10,477
Debt - consolidated sponsored funds           
and separately managed accounts  74,601  73,825   -  -  148,426
Equity - consolidated sponsored funds           
and separately managed accounts  52,137  38,085   -  -  90,222
Investment securities, available-for-sale  12,099  5,358  -  -  17,457
Investment in non-consolidated CLO            
entity(1)  -  -  -  317  317
Investments in equity method investees(2)  -  -  -  271,044  271,044
Investments, other(3)  -  61  -  7,470  7,531
Derivative instruments     -  1,302  -  -  1,302
Assets of consolidated CLO entity:            
Cash equivalents     56,725  -  -  -  56,725
Bank loans and other investments -  242,946  3,045  -  245,991
Total financial assets   $ 294,872$ 375,754$ 3,045$ 278,831$ 952,502
                
Financial liabilities:              
Derivative instruments $ -$ 6,668$ -$ -$ 6,668
Securities sold, not yet purchased  -  1,572  -  -  1,572
Liabilities of consolidated CLO entity:            
Senior and subordinated note obligations -  2,635  288,540  -  291,175
Total financial liabilities   $ -$ 10,875$ 288,540$ -$ 299,415

October 31, 2012              
(in thousands)    Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Other Assets Not Held at Fair Value  Total
                
Financial assets:              
Cash equivalents   $ 16,390$ 139,469$ -$ -$ 155,859
Investments:              
Investment securities, trading – debt  4,512  66,293   -  -  70,805
Investment securities, trading – equity  87,991  31,457   -  -  119,448
Investment securities, available-for-sale  26,736  4,412  -  -  31,148
Investment in non-consolidated CLO            
entity(1)  -  -  -  350  350
Investments in equity method investees(2)  -  -  -  257,652  257,652
Investments, other(3)  -  60  -  7,470  7,530
Derivative instruments     -  2,229  -  -  2,229
Assets of consolidated CLO entity:            
Cash equivalents     34,561  -  -  -  34,561
Bank loans and other investments 98  428,282  2,203  -  430,583
Total financial assets   $ 170,288$ 672,202$ 2,203$ 265,472$ 1,110,165
                
Financial liabilities:              
Derivative instruments $ -$ 788$ -$ -$ 788
Securities sold, not yet purchased  -  26,142  -  -  26,142
Liabilities of consolidated CLO entity:            
Senior and subordinated note obligations -  2,659  443,946  -  446,605
Total financial liabilities   $ -$ 29,589$ 443,946$ -$ 473,535
(1)The Company’s investment in this CLO entity is measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis using Level 3 inputs. 
 The investment is carried at amortized cost unless facts and circumstances indicate that the investment has been  
 impaired, at which time the investment is written down to fair value. There was no re-measurement of this asset during  
 the nine month period ended July 31, 2013 or the twelve month period ended October 31, 2012. 
(2)Investments in equity method investees are not measured at fair value in accordance with GAAP.
(3)Investments, other include investments carried at cost that are not measured at fair value in accordance with GAAP.

Valuation methodologies

 

The following is a description of the valuation methodologies used for financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as well as the general classification of those assets and liabilities pursuant to the valuation hierarchy:

 

Cash equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents consist of investments in money market funds, government and agency securities, commercial paper and certificates of deposit. Money market funds are valued using published net asset values and are classified as Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy. Government and agency securities are valued based upon quoted market prices for similar assets in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets that are not active, and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable or corroborated by observable market data. Depending on the nature of the inputs, these assets are generally classified as Level 1 or 2 within the valuation hierarchy. The carrying amounts of commercial paper and certificates of deposit are valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value, and are generally classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.

 

Investment securities, trading cash management assets

Investment securities, trading – corporate cash management assets consist of certificates of deposit, commercial paper and corporate debt obligations with original maturities from three months to twenty-four months. Debt obligations are generally valued on the basis of valuations provided by third-party pricing services, as derived from such services' pricing models. Inputs to the models may include, but are not limited to, reported trades, executable bid and asked prices, broker-dealer quotations, prices or yields of securities with similar characteristics, benchmark curves or information pertaining to the issuer, as well as industry and economic events. The pricing services may use a matrix approach, which considers information regarding securities with similar characteristics to determine the valuation for a security. Depending on the nature of the inputs, investment securities, trading – corporate cash management assets are generally classified as Level 1 or 2 within the valuation hierarchy.

 

Investment securities, trading debt-consolidated funds and separately managed accounts

Investment securities, trading – debt, consist of debt obligations held in the portfolios of consolidated sponsored funds and separately managed accounts. Debt obligations (including short-term obligations with a remaining maturity of more than sixty days) are generally valued on the basis of valuations provided by third-party pricing services, as derived from such services' pricing models. Inputs to the models may include, but are not limited to, reported trades, executable bid and asked prices, broker-dealer quotations, prices or yields of securities with similar characteristics, benchmark curves or information pertaining to the issuer, as well as industry and economic events. The pricing services may use a matrix approach, which considers information regarding securities with similar characteristics to determine the valuation for a security. Short-term obligations purchased with a remaining maturity of sixty days or less (excluding those that are non-U.S. denominated, which typically are valued by a third-party pricing service or dealer quotes) are generally valued at amortized cost, which approximates market value. Depending upon the nature of the inputs, investment securities, trading – debt, are generally classified as Level 1 or 2 within the valuation hierarchy.

 

Investment securities, trading equity-consolidated funds and separately managed accounts

Investment securities, trading – equity, consist of foreign and domestic equity securities held in the portfolios of consolidated sponsored funds and separately managed accounts. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and asked prices on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and asked prices. When valuing foreign equity securities that meet certain criteria as established by our fair value pricing service, the portfolios use a fair value service that values such securities to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities. The service utilizes a multi-factor model that considers such information as an issue's local closing price and post-closing fluctuations in relevant general market and sector indices, currencies, depositary receipts and futures, as applicable. The size of the adjustment is determined by the observed changes in these factors since the close of the applicable foreign market. The pricing service uses a multiple regression methodology and back testing to validate the quality and correlations of their evaluations. In addition, the Company performs its own independent back test review of fair values versus the subsequent local market opening prices when available. Depending upon the nature of the inputs, investment securities, trading – equity are generally classified as Level 1 or 2 within the valuation hierarchy.

 

Investment securities, available-for-sale

Investment securities, available-for-sale, consist of investments in sponsored mutual funds and privately offered equity funds. Sponsored mutual funds that are listed on an active exchange are valued using published net asset values and are classified as Level 1 within the valuation hierarchy. Investments in sponsored privately offered equity funds and portfolios that are not listed on an active exchange but have net asset values that are comparable to mutual funds and have no redemption restrictions are classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.

 

Derivative instruments

Derivative instruments, which include foreign exchange contracts, stock index futures contracts and commodity futures contracts, are recorded as either other assets or other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets. Foreign exchange contracts are valued by interpolating a value using the spot foreign exchange rate and forward points, which are based on spot rate and currency interest rate differentials. Index futures contracts and commodity futures contracts are valued using a third-party pricing service that determines fair value based on bid and ask prices. Derivative instruments are generally classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.

 

Assets of consolidated CLO entity

Assets of the consolidated CLO entity include investments in money market funds, equity securities, debt securities, bank loans and warrants. Fair value is determined utilizing unadjusted quoted market prices when available. Interests in senior floating-rate loans for which reliable market quotations are readily available are valued generally at the average mid-point of bid and ask quotations obtained from a third-party pricing service. Fair value may also be based upon valuations obtained from independent third-party brokers or dealers utilizing matrix pricing models that consider information regarding securities with similar characteristics. In certain instances, fair value has been determined utilizing discounted cash flow analyses or single broker non-binding quotes. Depending on the nature of the inputs, these assets are classified as Level 1, 2 or 3 within the valuation hierarchy.

 

Securities sold, not yet purchased

Securities sold, not yet purchased, are recorded as other liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets and are valued by a third-party pricing service that determines fair value based on bid and ask prices. Securities sold, not yet purchased, are generally classified as Level 2 within the valuation hierarchy.

 

Liabilities of consolidated CLO entity

Liabilities of the consolidated CLO entity include debt securities and senior and subordinated note obligations of the consolidated CLO entity. The debt securities are valued based upon quoted prices for identical or similar liabilities that are not active and inputs other than quoted prices that are observable or corroborated by observable market data. The senior and subordinated notes are valued based upon model-based valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable in the market. Depending on the nature of the inputs, these liabilities are classified as Level 2 or 3 within the valuation hierarchy.

Transfers in and/or out of Levels

 

The following table summarizes fair value transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012:

     Three Months Ended July 31,  Nine Months Ended July 31,
(in thousands)  2013 2012  2013 2012
Transfers from Level 1 into Level 2(1) $ 237$ 7,861 $ 43$ 18,104
Transfers from Level 2 into Level 1(2)   149  -   1,332  -
             
(1) Transfers from Level 1 into Level 2 primarily represent debt and equity securities that were valued based on prices of similar
 securities because unadjusted quoted market prices were not available in the current period.
(2) Transfers from Level 2 into Level 1 primarily represent debt and equity securities due to the availability of unadjusted quoted
 market prices in active markets.

Level 3 assets and liabilities

 

The following table shows a reconciliation of the beginning and ending fair value measurements of assets and liabilities that are valued on a recurring basis and classified as Level 3 for the three and nine months ended July 31, 2013 and 2012:

    Three Months Ended  Three Months Ended
    July 31, 2013  July 31, 2012
(in thousands) Bank loans and other investments of consolidated CLO entity  Senior and subordinated note obligations of consolidated CLO entity  Bank loans and other investments of consolidated CLO entity  Senior and subordinated note obligations of consolidated CLO entity
              
Beginning balance$ 2,819 $ 365,460 $ 2,150 $ 483,062
Net gains (losses) on investments and            
 note obligations included in net           
 income(1)  (101)   (720)   (139)   (8,599)
Principal paydown 0   (76,200)  0   -
Transfers into Level 3(2)  327   -   122   -
Transfers out of Level 3(3)  -   -   (15)   -
Ending balance$ 3,045 $ 288,540 $ 2,118 $ 474,463
Change in unrealized (losses) gains          
 included in net income relating to            
 assets and liabilities held$ (101) $ (720) $ (139) $ (8,599)

    Nine Months Ended  Nine Months Ended
    July 31, 2013  July 31, 2012
(in thousands) Bank loans and other investments of consolidated CLO entity  Senior and subordinated note obligations of consolidated CLO entity  Bank loans and other investments of consolidated CLO entity  Senior and subordinated note obligations of consolidated CLO entity
              
Beginning balance$ 2,203 $ 443,946 $ 5,910 $ 477,699
Net gains (losses) on investments and            
 note obligations included in net           
 income(1)  (80)   4,536   (139)   (603)
Principal paydown 0   (159,942)  0   -
Transfers into Level 3(2)  922   -   137   -
Transfers out of Level 3(3)  -   -   (3,790)   (2,633)
Ending balance$ 3,045 $ 288,540 $ 2,118 $ 474,463
Change in unrealized (losses) gains          
 included in net income relating to            
 assets and liabilities held$ (80) $ 4,536 $ (139) $ (603)
(1)Substantially all net gains and losses on investments and note obligations attributable to the assets and borrowings of the Company's
  consolidated CLO entity are allocated to non-controlling and other beneficial interests on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income.
(2)Transfers into Level 3 were the result of a reduction in the availability of significant observable inputs used in determining the fair value
  of a second lien term loan. Fair value was determined utilizing a discounted cash flow analysis.
(3)Transfers out of Level 3 into Level 2 were due to an increase in the observability of the inputs used in determining the fair value of certain
  instruments.

The following table shows the valuation technique and significant unobservable inputs utilized in the fair value measurement of Level 3 liabilities at July 31, 2013 and October 31, 2012:

 July 31, 2013   Valuation  Unobservable  
 ($ in thousands) Fair Value  Technique Inputs(1) Range
          
 Liabilities of consolidated CLO entity:        
          
       Prepayment rate 30 percent
       Recovery rate 70 percent
 Senior and subordinated     Default rate 200 bps
  note obligations$ 288,540 Income approach Discount rate 110-475 bps
          

 October 31, 2012   Valuation  Unobservable  
 ($ in thousands) Fair Value  Technique Inputs(1) Range
          
 Liabilities of consolidated CLO entity:        
          
       Prepayment rate 30 percent
       Recovery rate 70 percent
 Senior and subordinated     Default rate 200 bps
  note obligations$ 443,946 Income approach Discount rate 135-700 bps
(1) Discount rate refers to spread over LIBOR. Lower spreads relate to the more senior tranches in the CLO note structure;
 higher spreads relate to the less senior tranches. The default rate refers to the constant annual default rate. Recovery rate is the
 expected recovery of defaulted amounts received through asset sale or recovery through bankruptcy restructuring or other
 settlement processes. Prepayment rate is the rate at which the underlying collateral is expected to repay principal.

Valuation process

The Company elected the fair value option for both the collateral assets held and senior and subordinated notes issued by its consolidated CLO entity upon consolidation to mitigate any accounting inconsistencies between the carrying value of the assets held to provide cash flows for the note obligations and the carrying value of those note obligations.

 

Senior and subordinated note obligations of the Company's consolidated CLO entity are issued in various tranches with different risk profiles. The notes are valued on a quarterly basis by the Company's bank loan investment team utilizing an income approach that projects the cash flows of the collateral assets using the team's projected default rate, prepayment rate, recovery rate and discount rate, as well as observable assumptions about market yields, collateral reimbursement assumptions, callability and other market factors that vary based on the nature of the investments in the underlying collateral pool. Once the undiscounted cash flows of the collateral assets have been determined, the bank loan team applies appropriate discount rates that it believes a reasonable market participant would use to determine the discounted cash flow valuation of the notes. The bank loan team routinely monitors market conditions and model inputs for cyclical and secular changes in order to identify any material factors that could influence the Company's valuation method. The bank loan team reports directly to the Chief Income Investment Officer.

 

Sensitivity to changes in significant unobservable inputs

For senior and subordinated notes issued by the Company's consolidated CLO entity, a change in the assumption used for the probability of default is generally accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for discount rates. Significant increases in either of these inputs would result in a significantly lower measurement of fair value.

 

Although the Company believes the valuation methods described above are appropriate, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine fair value could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.