Investments in Securities and Derivative Instruments

9 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Investments in Securities and Derivative Instruments

Investments in Securities and Derivative Instruments

As part of the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy, the Company, from time to time, uses derivative instruments to minimize significant unanticipated earnings fluctuations that may arise from rising variable interest rate costs associated with existing borrowings (Air T Term Note A and Term Note D). To meet these objectives, the Company entered into interest rate swaps with notional amounts consistent with the outstanding debt to provide a fixed rate of 4.56% and 5.09%, respectively, on Term Notes A and D. The swaps mature in January 2028.

As mentioned in Note 11, on August 31, 2021, Air T and MBT refinanced Term Note A and fixed its interest rate at 3.42%. As a result of this refinancing, the Company determined that the interest rate swap on Term Note A was no longer an effective hedge. The Company will amortize the fair value of the interest-rate swap contract included in accumulated other comprehensive income associated with Term Note A at the time of de-designation into earnings over the remainder of its term. In addition, any changes in the fair value of Term Note A's swap after August 31, 2021 are recognized directly into earnings.

The remaining swap contract associated with Term Note D is designated as an effective cash flow hedging instrument in accordance with ASC 815. The effective portion of changes in the fair value on this instrument is recorded in other comprehensive income and is reclassified into the condensed consolidated statement of income (loss) as interest expense in the same period in which the underlying hedged transaction affects earnings. This interest rate swap is considered a Level 2 fair value measurement. As of December 31, 2021 and March 31, 2021, the fair value of this interest-rate swap contract was a liability of $0.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively, which is included within other non-current liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a loss of approximately $20.0 thousand and a gain of $37.0 thousand, net of tax, respectively, in the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income (loss) for changes in the fair value of this instrument.

The Company may, from time to time, employ trading strategies designed to profit from market anomalies and opportunities it identifies. Management uses derivative financial instruments to execute those strategies, which may include options, and futures contracts. These derivative instruments are priced using publicly quoted market prices and are considered Level 1 fair value measurements. During the three and nine months ended December 31, 2021, the Company did not record any gain or loss related to these derivative instruments. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company had a gross gain aggregating to $0.1 million and gross loss aggregating to $1.6 thousand related to these derivative instruments. During the nine months ended December 31, 2020, the Company had a gross gain aggregating to $0.8 million and a gross loss aggregating to $23.7 thousand related to these derivative instruments.

The Company also invests in exchange-traded marketable securities and accounts for that activity in accordance with ASC 321, Investments- Equity Securities. Marketable equity securities are carried at fair value, with changes in fair market value included in the determination of net income. The fair market value of marketable equity securities is determined based on quoted market prices in active markets and are therefore, considered Level 1 fair value measurements. During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company had a gross unrealized gain aggregating to $1.7 million and a gross unrealized loss aggregating to $1.9 million. During the nine months ended December 31, 2021, the Company had a gross unrealized gain aggregating to $2.5 million and a gross unrealized loss aggregating to $2.1 million. During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company had a gross unrealized gain aggregating to $0.8 million and a gross unrealized loss aggregating to $0.3 million. During the nine months ended December 31, 2020, the Company had a gross unrealized gain aggregating to $1.6 million and a gross unrealized loss aggregating to $1.1 million. These unrealized gains and losses are included in Other Income (Loss) on the condensed consolidated statement of income (loss).

The market value of the Company’s equity securities and cash held by the broker are periodically used as collateral against any outstanding margin account borrowings. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had outstanding borrowings of $0 and $0.7 million under its margin account, respectively, which is reflected in accrued expenses and other on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company had cash margin balances related to exchange-traded equity securities and securities sold short of $0 and $1.3 million, respectively, which is reflected in other current assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheets.