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 interest rates. The only risk we currently manage by using derivative instruments is related to 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 or 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 use interest rate caps, as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate caps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts if interest rates rise above the cap strike rate.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in cumulative other comprehensive income (loss) and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During 2017, 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 income (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 $0.3 million will be reclassified from cumulative other comprehensive income (loss) as an increase to interest expense.

On March 4, 2016, we purchased an interest rate cap with a LIBOR strike price of 2.50%. The interest rate cap, effective April 1, 2016, has a notional amount of $400.0 million and a maturity date of March 1, 2019.

As of September 30, 2017, we had the following outstanding interest rate derivative that was designated as a cash flow hedge of interest rate risk:



Interest Rate Derivative	Number of Instruments	Notional Amount (in thousands)
Interest rate cap	1	$	400,000

The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instrument as well as its classification on the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (amounts in thousands):



		Fair Value as of
Interest Rate Derivative Designated as Hedging Instrument	Balance Sheet Location	September 30, 2017		December 31, 2016
Interest rate cap	Other assets	$	14	$	314

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 nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in thousands):



	Three Months Ended September 30,					Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2016		2017			2016
Amount of loss recognized in cumulative other comprehensive income (loss)	$	(32	)	$	23	$	(300	)	$	(748	)
Amount of loss reclassified from cumulative other comprehensive income (loss) into interest expense	13			1,094		20			3,318

Credit-risk-related Contingent Features

As of September 30, 2017, we did not have any derivatives in a net liability position including accrued interest but excluding any adjustment for nonperformance risk.