v2.4.0.8
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2014
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
8. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The following tables summarize the valuation of the Partnership’s financial assets and liabilities by the fair value hierarchy:

 

    September 30, 2014  
    Level I     Level II     Level III     Total  

Assets

       

Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds (a)

       

Investment Funds

  $ —        $ —        $ 1,091,151      $ 1,091,151   

Equity Securities

    94,774        91,948        179,807        366,529   

Partnership and LLC Interests

    —          222,488        1,265,940        1,488,428   

Debt Instruments

    1,614        1,531,371        122,775        1,655,760   

Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

       

Corporate Loans

    —          5,332,759        537,874        5,870,633   

Corporate Bonds

    —          196,703        —          196,703   

Freestanding Derivatives — Foreign Currency Contracts

    —          11,921        —          11,921   

Freestanding Derivatives — Interest Rate Contracts

    —          2,772        —          2,772   

Other

    14        23,356        26,086        49,456   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

    96,402        7,413,318        3,223,633        10,733,353   

Blackstone’s Treasury Cash Management Strategies

    338,131        1,274,175        81,067        1,693,373   

Money Market Funds

    256,415        —          —          256,415   

Freestanding Derivatives

       

Interest Rate Contracts

    394        860        —          1,254   

Foreign Currency Contracts

    —          5,200        —          5,200   

Loans and Receivables

    —          —          69,794        69,794   

Other Investments

    17,044        7,199        114,134        138,377   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 708,386      $ 8,700,752      $ 3,488,628      $ 12,897,766   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities

       

Liabilities of Consolidated Blackstone Funds (a)

       

Freestanding Derivatives — Credit Default Swaps

  $ —        $ 5,179      $ —        $ 5,179   

Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

       

Senior Secured Notes

    —          —          5,322,648        5,322,648   

Subordinated Notes

    —          —          360,272        360,272   

Freestanding Derivatives — Foreign Currency Contracts

    —          22,620        —          22,620   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Liabilities of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

    —          27,799        5,682,920        5,710,719   

Freestanding Derivatives

       

Interest Rate Contracts

    1,184        809        —          1,993   

Foreign Currency Contracts

    —          831        —          831   

Credit Default Swaps

    —          1,835        —          1,835   

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

    —          188,363        —          188,363   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
  $ 1,184      $ 219,637      $ 5,682,920      $ 5,903,741   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     December 31, 2013  
     Level I      Level II      Level III      Total  

Assets

           

Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds (a)

           

Investment Funds

   $ —         $ —         $ 897,843       $ 897,843   

Equity Securities

     51,147         130,816         193,699         375,662   

Partnership and LLC Interests

     —           88,555         1,254,903         1,343,458   

Debt Instruments

     —           1,154,902         45,495         1,200,397   

Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

           

Corporate Loans

     —           7,537,661         929,228         8,466,889   

Corporate Bonds

     —           161,382         —           161,382   

Freestanding Derivatives — Foreign Currency Contracts

     —           30,830         —           30,830   

Freestanding Derivatives — Interest Rate Contracts

     —           3,726         —           3,726   

Other

     3,477         —           37,584         41,061   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

     54,624         9,107,872         3,358,752         12,521,248   

Blackstone’s Treasury Cash Management Strategies

     19,629         1,041,039         44,132         1,104,800   

Money Market Funds

     173,781         —           —           173,781   

Freestanding Derivatives

           

Interest Rate Contracts

     7,423         1,098         —           8,521   

Foreign Currency Contracts

     —           1,480         —           1,480   

Total Return Swaps

     —           342         —           342   

Loans and Receivables

     —           —           137,788         137,788   

Other Investments

     87,068         17,270         14,466         118,804   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 342,525       $ 10,169,101       $ 3,555,138       $ 14,066,764   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Liabilities

           

Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles (a)

           

Senior Secured Notes

   $ —         $ —         $ 8,302,572       $ 8,302,572   

Subordinated Notes

     —           —           610,435         610,435   

Freestanding Derivatives — Foreign Currency Contracts

     —           10,018         —           10,018   

Freestanding Derivatives

           

Interest Rate Contracts

     2,484         192         —           2,676   

Foreign Currency Contracts

     —           1,015         —           1,015   

Credit Default Swaps

     —           591         —           591   

Securities Sold, Not Yet Purchased

     —           76,195         —           76,195   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 2,484       $ 88,011       $ 8,913,007       $ 9,003,502   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a) Pursuant to GAAP consolidation guidance, the Partnership is required to consolidate all VIEs in which it has been identified as the primary beneficiary, including certain CLO vehicles, and other funds in which a consolidated entity of the Partnership, as the general partner of the fund, is presumed to have control. While the Partnership is required to consolidate certain funds, including CLO vehicles, for GAAP purposes, the Partnership has no ability to utilize the assets of these funds and there is no recourse to the Partnership for their liabilities since these are client assets and liabilities.

 

The following table summarizes the fair value transfers between Level I and Level II for positions that existed as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,      Nine Months Ended September 30,  
             2014                      2013                      2014                      2013          

Transfers from Level I into Level II (a)

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ 31   

Transfers from Level II into Level I (b)

   $ —         $ 41,155       $ 67,327       $ 1,308   

 

(a) Transfers out of Level I represent those financial instruments for which restrictions exist and adjustments were made to an otherwise observable price to reflect fair value at the reporting date.
(b) Transfers into Level I represent those financial instruments for which an unadjusted quoted price in an active market became available for the identical asset.

 

The following table summarizes the quantitative inputs and assumptions used for items categorized in Level III of the fair value hierarchy as of September 30, 2014:

 

    Fair Value     Valuation
Techniques
  Unobservable
Inputs
  Ranges   Weighted-
Average (a)

Financial Assets

         

Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

         

Investment Funds

  $ 1,091,151      NAV as Fair Value   N/A   N/A   N/A

Equity Securities

    89,259      Discounted Cash Flows   Discount Rate   7.1% - 25.2%   12.2%
      Revenue CAGR   1.9% - 27.6%   6.6%
      Exit Multiple - EBITDA   5.0x - 17.0x   8.0x
      Exit Multiple - P/E   9.5x - 15.0x   10.7x
    85,955      Transaction Price   N/A   N/A   N/A
    162      Market Comparable Companies   EBITDA Multiple   6.5x - 7.3x   6.7x
    48      Third Party Pricing   N/A   N/A   N/A
    4,383      Other   N/A   N/A   N/A

Partnership and LLC Interests

    504,092      Discounted Cash Flows   Discount Rate   5.0% - 21.5%   9.0%
      Revenue CAGR   -18.8% - 22.4%   6.1%
      Exit Multiple - EBITDA   0.0x - 23.3x   10.3x
      Exit Capitalization Rate   4.0% - 13.5%   7.4%
    740,513      Transaction Price   N/A   N/A   N/A
    12,967      Third Party Pricing   N/A   N/A   N/A
    8,368      Other   N/A   N/A   N/A

Debt Instruments

    18,627      Discounted Cash Flows   Discount Rate   9.0% - 23.0%   17.6%
      Revenue CAGR   5.3% - 6.5%   5.3%
      Exit Multiple - EBITDA   5.7x - 10.4x   10.2x
      Exit Capitalization Rate   1.0% - 7.5%   6.6%
      Default Rate   2.0%   N/A
      Recovery Rate   70.0%   N/A
      Recovery Lag   12 months   N/A
      Pre-payment Rate   20.0%   N/A
      Reinvestment Rate   LIBOR + 400 bps   N/A
    103,959      Third Party Pricing   N/A   N/A   N/A
    189      Market Comparable Companies   EBITDA Multiple   6.3x - 7.8x   6.3x

Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

    275,167      Third Party Pricing   N/A   N/A   N/A
    284,848      Market Comparable Companies   EBITDA Multiple   3.5x - 15.0x   6.9x
    3,945      Discounted Cash Flows   Discount Rate   8.5%   N/A
 

 

 

         

Total Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

    3,223,633       

Blackstone’s Treasury Cash Management Strategies

         
  $ 26,031      Discounted Cash Flows                Default Rate   2.0%   N/A
      Recovery Rate   70.0%   N/A
      Recovery Lag   12 months   N/A
      Pre-payment Rate   20.0%   N/A
      Reinvestment Rate   LIBOR + 400 bps   N/A
      Discount Rate   5.9% - 9.3%   6.8%
    44,087      Third Party Pricing   N/A   N/A   N/A
    981      Transaction Price   N/A   N/A   N/A
    9,968      NAV as Fair Value   N/A   N/A   N/A

Loans and Receivables

    69,794      Discounted Cash Flows   Discount Rate   8.8% - 12.9%   10.8%

Other Investments

    12,986      Transaction Price   N/A   N/A   N/A
    98,293      Discounted Cash Flows   Discount Rate   1.4% - 12.5%   3.0%
      Default Rate   2.0%   N/A
      Recovery Rate   70.0%   N/A
      Recovery Lag   12 months   N/A
      Pre-payment Rate   20.0%   N/A
      Reinvestment Rate            LIBOR + 400 bps     N/A
    2,855      NAV as Fair Value   N/A   N/A   N/A
 

 

 

         

Total

  $ 3,488,628           
 

 

 

         

Financial Liabilities

         

Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

  $ 5,682,920      Discounted Cash Flows   Default Rate   2.0% - 3.0%   2.1%
 

 

 

         
      Recovery Rate   70.0%   N/A
      Recovery Lag   12 months   N/A
      Pre-payment Rate   20.0%   N/A
      Discount Rate   0.8% - 26.7%   2.5%
      Reinvestment Rate   LIBOR + 400 bps   N/A

 

The following table summarizes the quantitative inputs and assumptions used for items categorized in Level III of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2013:

 

    Fair Value     Valuation
Techniques
  Unobservable
Inputs
  Ranges   Weighted-
Average (a)

Financial Assets

         

Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

         

Investment Funds

  $ 897,843      NAV as Fair Value   N/A   N/A   N/A

Equity Securities

    112,117      Discounted Cash Flows   Discount Rate   9.2% - 26.3%   12.4%
      Revenue CAGR   0.9% - 46.2%   6.8%
      Exit Multiple -
EBITDA
  5.0x - 14.0x   8.9x
      Exit Multiple - P/E   8.5x - 17.0x   9.8x
    78,154      Transaction Price   N/A   N/A   N/A
    275      Market Comparable Companies   EBITDA Multiple   6.3x - 7.5x   6.9x
    50      Third Party Pricing   N/A   N/A   N/A
    3,103      Other   N/A   N/A   N/A

Partnership and LLC Interests

    557,534      Discounted Cash Flows   Discount Rate   5.0% - 22.5%   9.0%
      Revenue CAGR   -0.7% - 17.7%   5.5%
      Exit Multiple -
EBITDA
  3.0x - 23.3x   9.4x
      Exit Capitalization
Rate
  4.3% - 10.5%   7.0%
    687,246      Transaction Price   N/A   N/A   N/A
    9,181      Third Party Pricing   N/A   N/A   N/A
    942      Other   N/A   N/A   N/A

Debt Instruments

    11,814      Discounted Cash Flows   Discount Rate   10.7% - 21.0%   19.2%
      Revenue CAGR   4.8% - 5.5%   4.8%
      Exit Multiple -
EBITDA
  5.8x - 11.1x   10.8x
      Exit Capitalization
Rate
  6.4% - 7.5%   6.7%
      Default Rate   2.0%   N/A
      Recovery Rate   67.0%   N/A
      Recovery Lag   12 months   N/A
      Pre-payment Rate   20.0%   N/A
      Reinvestment Rate   LIBOR + 400 bps   N/A
    31,675      Third Party Pricing   N/A   N/A   N/A
    1,772      Transaction Price   N/A   N/A   N/A
    234      Market Comparable Companies   EBITDA Multiple   6.2x - 8.0x   6.2x

Assets of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

    615,414      Third Party Pricing   N/A   N/A   N/A
    293,382      Market Comparable Companies   EBITDA Multiple   3.5x - 11.3x   7.3x
    57,936      Discounted Cash Flows   Discount Rate   7.0% - 14.0%   7.8%
      Revenue CAGR   4.2%   N/A
      Exit Multiple -
EBITDA
  8.0x   N/A
    80      Transaction Price   N/A   N/A   N/A
 

 

 

         

Total Investments of Consolidated Blackstone Funds

    3,358,752           

Blackstone’s Treasury Cash Management Strategies

  $ 17,040      Discounted Cash Flows                Default Rate   2.0%   N/A
      Recovery Rate   30.0% - 70.0%   66.0%
      Recovery Lag   12 months   N/A
      Pre-payment Rate   20.0%   N/A
      Reinvestment Rate   LIBOR + 400 bps   N/A
      Discount Rate   6.0% - 8.6%   6.6%
    16,993      Third Party Pricing   N/A   N/A   N/A
    10,099      NAV as Fair Value   N/A   N/A   N/A

Loans and Receivables

    137,788      Discounted Cash Flows   Discount Rate   11.0% - 14.8%   12.6%

Other Investments

    7,927      Transaction Price   N/A   N/A   N/A
    3,725      NAV as Fair Value   N/A   N/A   N/A
    2,814      Discounted Cash Flows   Discount Rate   12.5%   N/A
 

 

 

         

Total

  $ 3,555,138           
 

 

 

         

Financial Liabilities

         

Liabilities of Consolidated CLO Vehicles

  $ 8,913,007      Discounted Cash Flows   Default Rate   2.0% - 3.0%   2.1%
 

 

 

         
      Recovery Rate   30.0% - 70.0%   66.0%
      Recovery Lag   12 months   N/A
      Pre-payment Rate   5.0% - 20.0%   18.0%
      Discount Rate   0.4% - 24.2%   2.6%
      Reinvestment Rate   LIBOR + 400 bps   N/A

 

N/A Not applicable.
CAGR Compound annual growth rate.
EBITDA Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Exit Multiple Ranges include the last twelve months EBITDA, forward EBITDA and price/earnings (“P/E”) exit multiples.
(a) Unobservable inputs were weighted based on the fair value of the investments included in the range.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Blackstone’s Treasury Cash Management Strategies, debt instruments, other investments and liabilities of consolidated CLO vehicles are discount rates, default rates, recovery rates, recovery lag, pre-payment rates and reinvestment rates. Increases (decreases) in any of the discount rates, default rates, recovery lag and pre-payment rates in isolation would result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. Increases (decreases) in any of the recovery rates and reinvestment rates in isolation would result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption used for default rates may be accompanied by a directionally similar change in the assumption used for recovery lag and a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for recovery rates and pre-payment rates.

The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of equity securities, partnership and LLC interests, debt instruments, assets of consolidated CLO vehicles and loans and receivables are discount rates, exit capitalization rates, exit multiples, EBITDA multiples and revenue compound annual growth rates. Increases (decreases) in any of discount rates and exit capitalization rates in isolation can result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. Increases (decreases) in any of exit multiples and revenue compound annual growth rates in isolation can result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement.

Since December 31, 2013, there have been no changes in valuation techniques within Level II and Level III that have had a material impact on the valuation of financial instruments.

 

The following tables summarize the changes in financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value for which the Partnership has used Level III inputs to determine fair value and does not include gains or losses that were reported in Level III in prior years or for instruments that were transferred out of Level III prior to the end of the respective reporting period. Total realized and unrealized gains and losses recorded for Level III investments are reported in Investment Income and Net Gains from Fund Investment Activities in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

 

    Level III Financial Assets at Fair Value
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
    2014     2013  
    Investments
of
Consolidated
Funds
    Loans
and
Receivables
    Other
Investments (c)
    Total     Investments
of
Consolidated
Funds
    Loans
and
Receivables
    Other
Investments (c)
    Total  

Balance, Beginning of Period

  $ 3,245,040      $ 42,725      $ 180,657      $ 3,468,422      $ 2,890,319      $ 107,731      $ 47,914      $ 3,045,964   

Transfer Out Due to Deconsolidation

    (64,634     —          —          (64,634     (96     —          —          (96

Transfer In to Level III (b)

    161,332        —          20,452        181,784        226,144        —          8,868        235,012   

Transfer Out of Level III (b)

    (212,108     —          (9,913     (222,021     (270,059     —          (3,180     (273,239

Purchases

    303,044        69,255        19,914        392,213        349,209        127,370        23,225        499,804   

Sales

    (201,346     (42,261     (7,102     (250,709     (154,446     (138,937     (15,038     (308,421

Settlements

    —          (526     (123     (649     —          2,293        (253     2,040   

Realized Gains (Losses), Net

    21,344        —          5        21,349        13,861        —          (157     13,704   

Changes in Unrealized Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings Related to Investments Still Held at the Reporting Date

    (29,039     601        (8,689     (37,127     67,127        (380     (56     66,691   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, End of Period

  $ 3,223,633      $ 69,794      $ 195,201      $ 3,488,628      $ 3,122,059      $ 98,077      $ 61,323      $ 3,281,459   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Level III Financial Assets at Fair Value
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
    2014     2013  
    Investments
of
Consolidated
Funds
    Loans
and
Receivables
    Other
Investments (c)
    Total     Investments
of
Consolidated
Funds
    Loans
and
Receivables
    Other
Investments (c)
    Total  

Balance, Beginning of Period

  $ 3,358,752      $ 137,788      $ 58,598      $ 3,555,138      $ 3,017,699      $ 30,663      $ 28,104      $ 3,076,466   

Transfer In Due to Consolidation and Acquisition (a)

    276,806        —          —          276,806        —          —          11,960        11,960   

Transfer Out Due to Deconsolidation

    (335,357     —          —          (335,357     (152,823     —          —          (152,823

Transfer In to Level III (b)

    273,934        —          28,424        302,358        684,621        —          8,868        693,489   

Transfer Out of Level III (b)

    (315,067     —          (20,657     (335,724     (377,527     —          (4,894     (382,421

Purchases

    561,043        162,899        153,344        877,286        673,179        233,890        129,259        1,036,328   

Sales

    (700,970     (230,324     (15,340     (946,634     (959,115     (168,399     (110,767     (1,238,281

Settlements

    —          (1,170     (424     (1,594     —          2,312        (1,822     490   

Realized Gains (Losses), Net

    10,344        —          (544     9,800        (4,913     43        14,472        9,602   

Changes in Unrealized Gains (Losses) Included in Earnings Related to Investments Still Held at the Reporting Date

    94,148        601        (8,200     86,549        240,938        (432     (13,857     226,649   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, End of Period

  $ 3,223,633      $ 69,794      $ 195,201      $ 3,488,628      $ 3,122,059      $ 98,077      $ 61,323      $ 3,281,459   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Level III Financial Liabilities at Fair Value
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
     2014     2013  
     Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
Senior

Notes
    Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
Subordinated
Notes
    Total     Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
Senior

Notes
    Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
Subordinated
Notes
    Total  

Balance, Beginning of Period

   $ 6,407,838      $ 474,757      $ 6,882,595      $ 9,189,948      $ 618,682      $ 9,808,630   

Transfer In Due to Consolidation and Acquisition (a)

     495,610        29,828        525,438        —          —          —     

Transfer Out to Deconsolidation

     (778,461     (104,049     (882,510     —          —          —     

Issuances

     —          —          —          1,503        922        2,425   

Settlements

     (570,785     —          (570,785     (787,918     (180     (788,098

Realized Losses, Net

     1,822        —          1,822        2,833        —          2,833   

Changes in Unrealized (Gains) Losses Included in Earnings Related to Liabilities Still Held at the Reporting Date

     (233,376     (40,264     (273,640     235,141        (14,044     221,097   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, End of Period

   $ 5,322,648      $ 360,272      $ 5,682,920      $ 8,641,507      $ 605,380      $ 9,246,887   
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Level III Financial Liabilities at Fair Value
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
    2014     2013  
    Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
Senior

Notes
    Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
Subordinated
Notes
    Total     Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
Senior

Notes
    Collateralized
Loan
Obligations
Subordinated
Notes
    Total  

Balance, Beginning of Period

  $ 8,302,572      $ 610,435      $ 8,913,007      $ 10,695,136      $ 846,471      $ 11,541,607   

Transfer In Due to Consolidation
and Acquisition (a)

    967,629        116,009        1,083,638        —          —          —     

Transfer Out Due to Deconsolidation

    (2,231,853     (277,301     (2,509,154     (1,100,842     (150,925     (1,251,767

Issuances

    32,197        10,000        42,197        2,558        1,697        4,255   

Settlements

    (1,569,416     (110     (1,569,526     (1,492,295     (526     (1,492,821

Realized Losses, Net

    5,914        —          5,914        2,833        —          2,833   

Changes in Unrealized (Gains) Losses Included in Earnings Related to Liabilities Still Held at the Reporting Date

    (184,395     (98,761     (283,156     534,117        (91,337     442,780   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, End of Period

  $ 5,322,648      $ 360,272      $ 5,682,920      $ 8,641,507      $ 605,380      $ 9,246,887   
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a) Represents the transfer into Level III of financial assets and liabilities as a result of the consolidation of certain fund entities.
(b) Transfers in and out of Level III financial assets and liabilities were due to changes in the observability of inputs used in the valuation of such assets and liabilities.
(c) Represents Blackstone’s Treasury Cash Management Strategies and Other Investments.