Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2019

Fair Value Measurements and Financial Instruments

Note 17—Fair value measurements and financial instruments:

Certain sales generated by our Chemicals Segment’s non-U.S. operations are denominated in U.S. dollars. Our Chemicals Segment periodically uses currency forward contracts to manage a very nominal portion of currency exchange rate risk associated with trade receivables denominated in a currency other than the holder’s functional currency or similar exchange rate risk associated with future sales. Derivatives that we use are primarily currency forward contracts and interest rate swaps. We have not entered into these contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the past, nor do we currently anticipate entering into such contracts for trading or speculative purposes in the future. Derivatives used to hedge forecasted transactions and specific cash flows associated with financial assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar and which meet the criteria for hedge accounting are designated as cash flow hedges. Consequently, the effective portion of gains and losses is deferred as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and is recognized in earnings at the time the hedged item affects earnings. Contracts that do not meet the criteria for hedge accounting are marked-to-market at each balance sheet date with any resulting gain or loss recognized in income currently as part of net currency transactions. The fair value of the currency forward contracts is determined using Level 1 inputs based on the currency spot forward rates quoted by banks or currency dealers. During 2018 and the first quarter of 2019, Kronos had no currency forward contracts outstanding.

The following table presents the financial instruments that are not carried at fair value but which require fair value disclosure:

	December 31, 2018				March 31, 2019
	Carrying amount		Fair value		Carrying amount		Fair value
	(In millions)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash equivalents	$	523.7	$	523.7	$	487.6	$	487.6
Deferred payment obligation		9.6		9.6		9.7		9.7
Long-term debt (excluding capitalized leases):
Kronos Senior Notes		452.4		412.9		443.2		428.6
Valhi credit facility with Contran		314.3		314.3		313.0		313.0
Tremont promissory note payable		9.4		9.4		8.7		8.7
BMI bank note payable		18.0		18.8		18.0		18.8
LandWell note payable to the City of Henderson		2.1		2.1		2.1		2.1

At March 31, 2019, the estimated market price of Kronos’ Senior Notes was €954 per €1,000 principal amount. The fair value of Kronos’ Senior Notes was based on quoted market prices; however, these quoted market prices represent Level 2 inputs because the markets in which the term loan trades were not active. The fair value of variable interest rate debt and other fixed-rate debt, which represents Level 2 inputs, is deemed to approximate carrying values. See Note 7. Due to their near-term maturities, the carrying amounts of accounts receivable and accounts payable are considered equivalent to fair value. See Notes 4 and 8.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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