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Fair Value Measurements, Including Derivatives

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Fair Value Measurements, Including Derivatives

9. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS, INCLUDING DERIVATIVES

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Fair values are based on assumptions that market participants would use when pricing an asset or liability, including assumptions about risk and the risks inherent in valuation techniques and the inputs to valuations. This includes not only the credit standing of counterparties involved and the impact of credit enhancements but also the impact of DESC’s own nonperformance risk on their liabilities. Fair value measurements assume that the transaction occurs in the principal market for the asset or liability (the market with the most volume and activity for the asset or liability from the perspective of the reporting entity), or in the absence of a principal market, the most advantageous market for the asset or liability (the market in which the reporting entity would be able to maximize the amount received or minimize the amount paid). DESC applies fair value measurements to interest rate assets and liabilities. DESC’s interest rate swap agreements are valued using discounted cash flow models with independently sourced data. DESC applies credit adjustments to its derivative fair values in accordance with the requirements described above.

Inputs and Assumptions

Fair value is based on actively-quoted market prices, if available. In the absence of actively-quoted market prices, price information is sought from external sources, including industry publications. The inputs and assumptions used in measuring fair value for interest rate derivative contracts include the following:

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Interest rate curves

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Credit quality of counterparties and DESC

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Notional value

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Credit enhancements

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Time value

Levels

DESC utilizes the following fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels:

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Level 1-Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that they have the ability to access at the measurement date.

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Level 2-Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability, and inputs that are derived from observable market data by correlation or other means. Instruments categorized in Level 2 include interest rate swaps.

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Level 3-Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, including situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The fair value hierarchy gives the highest priority to quoted prices in active markets (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable data (Level 3). In some cases, the inputs used to measure fair value might fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In these cases, the lowest level input that is significant to a fair value measurement in its entirety determines the applicable level in the fair value hierarchy. Assessing the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, considering factors specific to the asset or liability.

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurement

During the third quarter of 2020, DESC determined that certain of its nonutility property was impaired and recorded a $12 million charge ($9 million after-tax) within impairments and other charges in its Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) to adjust the property down to its estimated fair value of $6 million. The fair value determinations are considered Level 2 fair value measurements due to the use of real estate appraised values.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

Fair value disclosures for assets held in DESC’s pension and other postretirement benefit plans are presented in Note 11.

The following table presents DESC’s liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis for each hierarchy level, including both current and noncurrent portions:

	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
(millions)
At December 31, 2020
Liabilities
Interest rate	$	—	$	27	$	—	$	27
Total liabilities	$	—	$	27	$	—	$	27
At December 31, 2019
Liabilities
Interest rate	$	—	$	19	$	—	$	19
Total liabilities	$	—	$	19	$	—	$	19

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Substantially all of DESC’s financial instruments are recorded at fair value, with the exception of the instruments described below, which are reported at historical cost. Estimated fair values have been determined using available market information and valuation methodologies considered appropriate by management. The carrying amount of financial instruments classified within current assets and current liabilities are representative of fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. For financial instruments that are not recorded at fair value, the carrying amounts and estimated fair values are as follows:

At December 31,	2020				2019
(millions)	Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value⁽¹⁾		Carrying Amount		Estimated Fair Value⁽¹⁾
Long-term debt⁽²⁾	$	3,360	$	4,748	$	3,358	$	4,262
Affiliated long-term debt		230		230		230		230

(1) Fair value is estimated using market prices, where available, and interest rates currently available for issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. All fair value measurements are classified as Level 2. The carrying amount of debt issuances with short-term maturities and variable rates refinanced at current market rates is a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

(2) Carrying amount includes current portions included in securities due within one year and amounts which represent the unamortized debt issuance costs and discount or premium.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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