9. Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives. We are exposed to certain risks arising from both our business operations and economic conditions. We principally manage our exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of our core business activities. We manage economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk, primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of our debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, we may enter into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures arising from business activities resulting in differences in the amount, timing, and duration of our known or expected cash payments principally related to our borrowings. See Note 2, "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Recent Accounting Pronouncements" for a further discussion of derivative financial instrument.

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 these objectives, we primarily use interest rate swaps and caps as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps 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. Interest rate caps involve the receipt of variable rate amounts from a counterparty if interest rates rise above the strike rate on the contract in exchange for an upfront premium.

Designated Hedges. The gain or loss on derivatives designated and qualifying as cash flow hedges is reported as a component of other comprehensive income or loss, and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings and is presented in the same line item as the earnings effect of the hedged item. In February 2018, we entered into two forward interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $200.0 million that become effective October 31, 2018 to hedge a portion of an anticipated future fixed rate debt issuance. At March 31, 2018, we had a total of five forward interest rate swaps with a total notional value of $400.0 million to hedge a portion of future fixed rate debt issuances. As of March 31, 2018, the amount we expect to be reclassified into earnings in the next 12 months as a decrease to interest expense is approximately $0.2 million. At March 31, 2017, we did not have any designated hedges outstanding. See Note 14, "Fair Value Measurements" for a further discussion of the fair value of our derivative financial instrument.

Non-Designated Hedges. Derivatives are not entered into for speculative purposes and are used to manage our exposure to interest rate movements and other identified risks. Our non-designated hedges are either specifically non-designated by management or do not meet strict hedge accounting requirements. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated in hedging relationships are recorded directly in earnings in interest and other income. At March 31, 2018, we did not have any non-designated hedges outstanding. At March 31, 2017, we had one outstanding interest rate cap with a notional amount of $175.0 million which was not designated as a hedge of interest rate risk. The fair value changes for this derivative was not material.

The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

Asset Derivatives

Liability Derivatives

March 31, 2018 (1)

December 31, 2017

March 31, 2018 (1)

December 31, 2017

(in millions)

Balance Sheet
Location

Fair
Value

Balance Sheet
Location

Fair
Value

Balance Sheet
Location

Fair
Value

Balance Sheet
Location

Fair
Value

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

Interest Rate Swaps

Other Assets

7.7

Other Assets

2.2

Other Liabilities

2.4

Other Liabilities

0.5


(1)	The derivatives subject to master netting arrangements are presented on a gross basis on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2018. Had these derivatives been recognized on a net basis, the fair value of the derivative asset would have been $5.3 million. We had no derivative contracts in a master netting arrangement as of December 31, 2017.

The table below presents the effect of our derivative financial instruments in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2018:



Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Unrealized Gain Recognized in Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”) on Derivatives		Location of Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income	Amount of Gain Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	2018			2018
Interest Rate Swaps	$	3.6	Interest expense	N/A

Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features. Derivative financial investments expose us to credit risk in the event of non-performance by the counterparties under the terms of the interest rate hedge agreements. The Company has an agreement with a derivative counterparty that contains a provision where the Company could be declared in default on its derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to the Company's default on the indebtedness. Taking into consideration the derivatives subject to master netting arrangements, we did not have any derivatives in a net liability position as of March 31, 2018.