Derivative Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014 the Company did not have any interest rate or foreign exchange contracts outstanding. The type of cash flow hedges the Company has entered into includes interest rate exchange agreements that effectively convert a portion of floating-rate debt to fixed-rate debt and are designed to reduce the impact of interest rate changes on future interest expense.

The effective portion of gains or losses on interest rate exchange agreements is reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) in shareholders’ equity and reclassified into net income in the same period or periods in which the hedged transaction affects net income. The remaining gain or loss in excess of the cumulative change in the present value of future cash flows or the hedged item, if any, is recognized into net income during the period of change.

Fair values relating to derivative financial instruments reflect the estimated amounts that the Company would receive or pay to sell or buy the contracts based on quoted market prices of comparable contracts at each balance sheet date.

On April 15, 2010 the Company entered into a forward starting interest rate contract with a notional amount of $300.0 million with a settlement date in December 2010. This contract was entered into in anticipation of the issuance of the 4.5% Senior Notes and was designed to lock in the market interest rate as of April 15, 2010. In December 2010, the Company settled and paid this interest rate contract for $31.0 million. The $31.0 million is being amortized into interest expense over the 10 year term of the 4.5% Senior Notes, which results in an effective interest rate of 5.8%.

On July 12, 2011 the Company entered into a forward starting interest rate contract with a notional amount of $350.0 million and a settlement date of September 30, 2011. This contract was entered into in anticipation of the issuance of the 4.2% Senior Notes and was designed to lock in the market interest rate as of July 12, 2011. On September 29, 2011, the Company settled this interest rate contract for $34.7 million with a payment made on October 3, 2011. Simultaneously, the Company entered into a separate interest rate contract with a notional amount of $350.0 million and a settlement date of February 28, 2012. The contract was entered into in anticipation of the expected issuance of the 4.2% Senior Notes and was designed to maintain the market rate as of July 12, 2011. In December 2011, the Company settled and paid the September interest rate contract for $4.0 million, resulting in a total settlement of $38.7 million. Of the $38.7 million, $0.8 million was recognized as other expense in 2011 and the balance of $37.9 million is being amortized into interest expense over the 10 year term of the 4.2% Senior Notes, which results in an effective interest rate of 5.3%.

The amount of expense reclassified into interest expense for interest rate contracts for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 is $7.0 million, $7.2 million and $7.4 million, respectively.

Approximately $6.8 million of the pre-tax amount included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity at December 31, 2015 will be recognized to net income over the next 12 months as the underlying hedged transactions are realized.