Derivative Instruments

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

We are exposed to certain risks relating to our ongoing business operations, including the effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.  The only risk we currently manage by using derivative instruments is a part of our interest rate risk. 

We may use derivative financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, caps, options, floors and other interest rate derivative contracts, to hedge all or a portion of the interest rate risk associated with our borrowings. The principal objective of such arrangements is to minimize the risks and/or costs associated with our operating and financial structure as well as to hedge specific anticipated transactions. We do not intend to utilize derivatives for speculative or other purposes other than interest rate risk management. The use of derivative financial instruments carries certain risks, including the risk that the counterparties to these contractual arrangements are not able to perform under the agreements. To mitigate this risk, we only enter into derivative financial instruments with counterparties with high credit ratings and with major financial institutions with which we and our affiliates may also have other financial relationships. We do not anticipate that any of the counterparties will fail to meet their obligations.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, we periodically use interest rate swaps, caps, or other similar instruments as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for us making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During 2015, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with variable-rate debt. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings.

Amounts reported in cumulative other comprehensive loss related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. During the next twelve months, we estimate that an additional $4.5 million will be reclassified from cumulative other comprehensive loss as an increase to interest expense.

We have interest rate swap agreements to manage our interest rate risk exposure on $170.6 million of mortgage debt due 2019, which require interest at a spread over LIBOR.  The interest rate swap agreements utilized by us qualify as cash flow hedges and effectively modify our exposure to interest rate risk by converting our floating interest rate debt to a fixed interest rate basis for this loan through December 1, 2016, thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest expense.  As of June 30, 2015, we had the following outstanding interest rate derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk:

Interest Rate Derivative	Number of Instruments	Notional Amount (in thousands)
Interest rate swap	2	$170,573

The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014 (amounts in thousands):

		Fair Value as of
Interest Rate Derivative Designated as Hedging Instrument	Balance Sheet Location	June 30, 2015		December 31, 2014
Pay-fixed swaps	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	5,963	$	7,462

The table below details the location in the financial statements of the gain or loss recognized on interest rate derivatives designated as cash flow hedges for the three and six months ended June 30, 2015 and 2014 (amounts in thousands):

	Three Months Ended June 30,						Six Months Ended June 30,
	2015			2014			2015			2014
Balance at beginning of period	$	(6,921	)	$	(10,706	)	$	(7,462	)	$	(11,706	)
Amount of loss recognized in cumulative other comprehensive loss	(274		)	(632		)	(960		)	(861		)
Amount of loss reclassified from cumulative other comprehensive loss into interest expense	1,232			1,259			2,459			2,488
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments	958			627			1,499			1,627
Balance at end of period	$	(5,963	)	$	(10,079	)	$	(5,963	)	$	(10,079	)

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

We have agreements with each of our derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if we either default or are capable of being declared in default on any of our indebtedness, then we could also be declared in default on our derivative obligations.

As of June 30, 2015, the fair value of derivatives in a net liability position including accrued interest but excluding any adjustment for nonperformance risk related to these agreements was $6.5 million. As of June 30, 2015, we have not posted any collateral related to these agreements and were not in breach of any agreement provisions. If we had breached any of these provisions, we could have been required to settle our obligations under the agreements at their aggregate termination value of $6.5 million at June 30, 2015.