Note 15 - Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

15.      Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

We account for derivatives and certain hedging activities in accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (“ASC 815”). ASC 815 establishes the accounting and reporting standards requiring that every derivative instrument, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, be recorded as either assets or liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets and to measure these instruments at fair market value. Gains and losses resulting from changes in the fair market value of derivatives are recognized in the consolidated statement of operations or recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax, and recognized in the consolidated statement of operations when the hedged item affects earnings, depending on the purpose of the derivative and whether the derivative qualifies for hedge accounting treatment.

Our policy is to designate at a derivative’s inception the specific assets, liabilities or future commitments being hedged and monitor the derivative to determine if the derivative remains an effective hedge. The effectiveness of a derivative as a hedge is based on a high correlation between changes in the derivative’s value and changes in the value of the underlying hedged item. We recognize gains or losses for amounts received or paid when the underlying transaction settles. We do not enter into or hold derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

For the three and six months ended June 30, 2013, we recorded after-tax other comprehensive income of $0.6 million and $2.2 million, respectively, related to interest rate swap agreements that we terminated in December 2010. These swap agreements qualified for hedge accounting treatment prior to their termination and the related gain or loss was deferred, net of tax, in stockholders’ equity as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The cost associated with the early unwind of the interest rate swap agreements was amortized as a component of our interest incurred through May 2013, at which time the total cost was completely amortized.