Derivative instruments and hedging activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Derivative instruments and hedging activities

Effective January 1, 2009, the Company adopted the guidance under ASC Topic 815. The guidance provides users of financial statements with an enhanced understanding of (i) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (ii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for under the previous guidance and its related interpretations and (iii) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In 2008, the Company entered into two forward interest rate swaps with two different commercial banks to fix the interest rate on certain LIBOR-based borrowings under its credit facility. Both swaps were designated as cash flow hedges. Pursuant to each of the interest rate swap agreements, the Company was obligated to make quarterly fixed rate payments to the counterparty, while the counterparty was obligated to make quarterly variable rate payments to the Company based on three-month LIBOR on the same notional amount.

The Company’s objective in using derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements or other identified risks. To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps as part of its cash flow hedging strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts in exchange for fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying principal amount. The Company does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes and currently does not have any derivatives in place.

As of December 31, 2011 and 2010, the fair value of the interest rate swap liability was zero due to the expiration of both interest rate swap agreements on July 19, 2010. For the year ended December 31, 2010, the swaps increased the Company’s interest expense by $16.8 million.

There was no net tax effect on other comprehensive income for the interest rate swaps for the year ended December 31, 2011. The net tax effect on other comprehensive income for the interest rate swaps for the year ended December 31, 2010 was $10.6 million.

The Company may enter into additional swap transactions or other interest rate protection agreements in the future, although it has no current intention to do so.