DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

During September 2017, the Company issued convertible debt in the form of the Notes and recorded a long-term liability representing the Note conversion liability. In conjunction with the Notes, the Company purchased convertible note hedges having the same number of the Company’s common shares, 8.1 million shares, and same strike price of $31.90, that underlie the Notes. The convertible note hedges are expected to reduce the potential equity dilution with respect to the Company's common stock, and/or offset any cash payments in excess of the principal amount due, as the case may be, upon conversion of the Notes. The Company evaluated the convertible note hedges under the applicable accounting guidance, including ASC 815, "Derivatives and Hedging," and determined that the convertible note hedges should be accounted for as derivatives. These derivatives were capitalized on the balance sheet as long-term assets and are adjusted to reflect their fair value at the end of the quarter. The fair value of the convertible note hedges was $56.0 million and $53.7 million at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. The Company recorded a net loss before the effects of income taxes of $0.2 million during the three month period ending March 31, 2018 for the revaluation of the convertible note hedges and the note conversion obligations to fair value.

The Company's Senior Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain derivative instruments for protection from fluctuating interest rates, for at least fifty percent of the outstanding balance of the term loan. Accordingly, the Company entered into interest rate swaps. The table below provides information about the Company’s interest rate swaps (in thousands):



			March 31, 2018		December 31, 2017
Expiration Date	Stated Interest Rate		Notional Amount	Market Value (Liability)	Notional Amount	Market Value (Liability)
May 5, 2021	1.090	%	33,750	914	35,625	719
May 30, 2021	1.703	%	33,750	491	35,625	240
March 31, 2022	1.900	%	50,000	1,166	50,000	416
March 31, 2022	1.950	%	75,000	1,612	75,000	465

The outstanding interest rate swaps are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes. The effects of future fluctuations in LIBOR interest rates on derivatives held by the Company will result in the recording of unrealized gains and losses into the statement of operations. The Company recorded pre-tax gains on derivatives of $2.3 million and $0.2 million for the three month periods ending March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The liability for outstanding derivatives is recorded in other liabilities and in accrued expenses.