Fair Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset and liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We estimate fair value of our assets and liabilities utilizing an established three-level hierarchy as described in Note 16 (Fair Value Measurements) in our 2014 Annual Report on Form 10-K.     

The fair value of our financial assets and liabilities is determined by reference to market data and other valuation techniques as appropriate. We believe the fair value of our financial instruments, which are principally cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other current assets, accounts payable and accrued liabilities, approximates their recorded values.

Interest rate swaption contract

In January 2014, we entered into a swaption contract with an aggregate notional value of $150.0 million. The swaption gives us the right, but not the obligation, to enter into a swap under which we would pay a fixed rate of 2.151% and receive interest on the notional amount based on a floating three-month LIBOR rate. We paid a premium of $0.9 million at the time we entered into the swaption and have no additional payment obligations. The swaption expired on April 15, 2015. As the prevailing swap rate was below the swaption fixed rate, we did not exercise the swaption and it expired with no further cash payment from us or the counterparty.

As valuations for comparable swaptions are not publicly available, we categorized the swaption as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. We believe the estimated fair value for the swaption we held during the quarter was based on the most accurate information available for these types of derivative contracts. For the three months ended March 31, 2015, there was no change in fair value associated with the intrinsic value of the swaption. The fair value of the swaption as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $0.0 million and $0.2 million, respectively, which is recorded in other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Interest rate swap contracts

In August 2013, we entered into forward starting interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional value of $500.0 million. In October 2013, we entered into additional forward starting interest rate swap contracts with an aggregate notional value of $200.0 million. These hedges became effective in April 2015 and mature in January 2018. We entered into the forward starting interest rate swap contracts, which are designated as cash flow hedges of the future interest payment transactions in accordance with ASC 815, in order to eliminate the variability of cash flows attributable to the LIBOR component of interest expense to be paid on our variable rate debt. Under these hedges, we will pay interest on the notional amount of debt at a weighted-average fixed rate of 2.151% and receive interest on the notional amount at the greater of 1% or the then prevailing three-month LIBOR rate beginning in April 2015.

These hedges are highly effective in offsetting changes in our future expected cash flows due to fluctuation in the three-month LIBOR rate associated with our variable rate debt. The effectiveness of these hedges is measured quarterly on a retrospective basis by comparing the cumulative change in the hedging instrument's fair value to the change in the hedged transaction's fair value. To the extent these hedges have no ineffectiveness, all gains and losses from these hedges are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) until the future underlying interest payment transactions occur. Any realized gains or losses resulting from the hedges will be recognized (together with the hedged transaction) as interest expense in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss beginning in April 2015. For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, we recorded losses, net of tax, of $4.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively, in other comprehensive income (loss) in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss related to these hedges. The fair value of these hedges as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was $14.4 million and $9.5 million, which is recorded in other long-term liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Other

In accordance with ASC 323, Investments -Equity Method and Joint Ventures, we record our share of a derivative instrument held by LNS. Changes in the fair value of the derivative instrument are recorded by LNS in other comprehensive income on LNS' statement of comprehensive income. During the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, our 20% share of the change associated with this derivative instrument was not material to other comprehensive income (loss) in our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss and equity investments in our Consolidated Balance Sheet.