Derivative Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

We are exposed to, among other risks, the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates as a result of our non-U.S. investments and interest rate risk related to our capital structure. Our risk management program is designed to manage the exposure and volatility arising from these risks, and utilizes foreign currency forward contracts, cross currency swap contracts, interest rate swaps, interest rate locks and debt issued in foreign currencies to offset a portion of these risks.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

For instruments that are designated as and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is deferred as a component of other comprehensive income (“OCI”), and reclassified into earnings in the same period, or periods, during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in earnings.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

We enter into interest rate swaps in order to maintain a capital structure containing targeted amounts of fixed and floating-rate debt and manage interest rate risk. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for our fixed-rate payments. These interest rate swap agreements were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with variable-rate debt.

Periodically, we enter into and designate interest rate locks to partially hedge the risk of changes in interest rate payments attributable to increases in the benchmark interest rate during the period leading up to the probable issuance of fixed-rate debt. We designate our interest rate locks as cash flow hedges. Gains and losses when we settle our interest rate locks are amortized into income over the life of the related debt, except where a material amount is deemed to be ineffective, which would be immediately reclassified to the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts and Cross Currency Swap Contracts Designated as Net Investment Hedges

We use foreign currency forward and cross currency forward swap contracts to hedge a portion of the net investment in foreign subsidiaries against fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. For instruments that are designated and qualify as net investment hedges, the variability in the foreign currency to U.S. Dollar of the instrument is recorded as a cumulative translation adjustment component of OCI.

During the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017 we settled certain net investment hedges generating cash proceeds of $6,716,000, $70,897,000, and $52,719,000, respectively. The balance of the cumulative translation adjustment will be reclassified to earnings when the hedged investment is sold or substantially liquidated.

Derivative Contracts Undesignated

We use foreign currency exchange contracts to manage existing exposures to foreign currency exchange risk. Gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair value of these instruments are recorded in interest expense on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income, and are substantially offset by net revaluation impacts on foreign currency denominated balance sheet exposures. In addition, we have several interest rate cap contracts related to variable rate secured debt agreements. Gains and losses resulting from the changes in the fair values of these instruments are also recorded in interest expense.

The following presents the notional amount of derivatives and other financial instruments as of the dates indicated (in thousands):



	December 31, 2019			December 31, 2018
Derivatives designated as net investment hedges:
Denominated in Canadian Dollars	$	725,000		$	575,000
Denominated in Pounds Sterling	£	1,340,708		£	890,708

Financial instruments designated as net investment hedges:
Denominated in Canadian Dollars	$	250,000		$	250,000
Denominated in Pounds Sterling	£	1,050,000		£	1,050,000

Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges:
Denominated in U.S. Dollars⁽¹⁾	$	1,188,250		$	—

Derivative instruments not designated:
Interest rate caps denominated in U.S. Dollars	$	405,819		$	405,819
Forward purchase contracts denominated in Canadian Dollars	$	—		$	(325,000	)
Forward sales contracts denominated in Canadian Dollars	$	—		$	405,000
Forward purchase contracts denominated in Pounds Sterling	£	(125,000	)	£	(350,000	)
Forward sales contracts denominated in Pounds Sterling	£	125,000		£	350,000

⁽¹⁾ At December 31, 2019 the maximum maturity date was July 15, 2021.

The following presents the impact of derivative instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the periods presented (in thousands):



		Year Ended
	Location	December 31, 2019			December 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments designated as hedges recognized in income	Interest expense	$	26,419		$	12,271	$	(2,476	)
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments not designated as hedges recognized in income	Interest expense	$	(2,310	)	$	5,233	$	(49	)
Gain (loss) on derivative and financial instruments designated as hedges recognized in OCI	OCI	$	(131,120	)	$	211,390	$	(252,168	)