Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

LP’s investments that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized below using the fair value hierarchy. LP also measures the contingent consideration associated with the business combination using the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy has three levels based on the reliability of the inputs used to determine fair value. Level 1 refers to fair values determined based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets. Level 2 refers to fair values estimated using significant other observable inputs and Level 3 includes fair values estimated using significant non-observable inputs.

The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis for each of the three hierarchy levels presented below.



Dollar amounts in millions	March 31, 2015		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Available for sale securities	$	4.6	$	—	$	—	$	4.6
Trading securities	2.4		2.4		—		—
Contingent consideration	0.2		—		—		0.2
Dollar amounts in millions	December 31, 2014		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Available for sale securities	$	4.6	$	—	$	—	$	4.6
Trading securities	2.3		2.3		—		—
Contingent consideration	0.2		—		—		0.2

Due to the lack of observable market quotations on a portion of LP’s auction rate securities (ARS) portfolio, LP evaluates the structure of its ARS holdings and current market estimates of fair value, including fair value estimates from issuing banks that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs. These inputs include those that are based on expected cash flow streams and collateral values, including assessments of counterparty credit quality, default risk underlying the security, discount rates and overall capital market liquidity. The valuation of LP’s ARS investment portfolio is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Factors that may impact LP’s valuation include changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as to the underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral value, discount rates, counterparty risk and ongoing strength and quality of market credit and liquidity.

The following table summarizes changes in assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the three months ended March 31, 2014. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, no adjustment was recognized associated with the fair value of these assets and liabilities.



Dollar amounts in millions	Available for sale securities		Contingent consideration
Balance at December 31, 2013	3.7		3.8
Total unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income	0.1		—
Foreign currency gain	—		(0.2		)
Balance at March 31, 2014	$	3.8	$	3.6

LP estimated the Senior Notes maturing in 2020 to have a fair value of $376.3 million at March 31, 2015 and $371.0 million at December 31, 2014 based upon market quotations.

Carrying amounts reported on the balance sheet for cash, cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these items.

- 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.

+ References+ Details