v2.4.0.8
Fair Value Disclosures
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2013
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Disclosures
Fair Value Disclosures
 
A.    Fair Value Measurements
Recurring Fair Value Measurements. The following tables present financial assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on NiSource’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited) on a recurring basis and their level within the fair value hierarchy as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012:
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
June 30, 2013 (in millions)
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance as of June 30, 2013
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Price risk management assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical price risk programs
$

 
$
14.6

 
$

 
$
14.6

Financial price risk programs
27.6

 
0.4

 

 
28.0

Interest rate risk activities

 
30.9

 

 
30.9

Available-for-sale securities
22.4

 
86.2

 

 
108.6

Total
$
50.0

 
$
132.1

 
$

 
$
182.1

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Price risk management liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical price risk programs
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Financial price risk programs
51.3

 
0.2

 
1.0

 
52.5

Total
$
51.3

 
$
0.2

 
$
1.0

 
$
52.5


Recurring Fair Value Measurements
December 31, 2012
(in millions)
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
for Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Balance as of
December 31, 2012
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Price risk management assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical price risk programs
$

 
$
35.4

 
$

 
$
35.4

Financial price risk programs
71.5

 
0.8

 
0.1

 
72.4

Interest rate risk activities

 
40.4

 

 
40.4

Available-for-sale securities
27.4

 
84.4

 

 
111.8

Total
$
98.9

 
$
161.0

 
$
0.1

 
$
260.0

Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity Price risk management liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Physical price risk programs
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

Financial price risk programs
115.0

 
0.5

 

 
115.5

Total
$
115.0

 
$
0.5

 
$

 
$
115.5


Price risk management assets and liabilities include commodity exchange-traded and non-exchange-based derivative contracts. Exchange-traded derivative contracts are based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1. These financial assets and liabilities are secured with cash on deposit with the exchange; therefore nonperformance risk has not been incorporated into these valuations. Certain non-exchange-traded derivatives are valued using broker or over-the-counter, on-line exchanges. In such cases, these non-exchange-traded derivatives are classified within Level 2. Non-exchange-based derivative instruments include swaps, forwards, and options. In certain instances, these instruments may utilize models to measure fair value. NiSource uses a similar model to value similar instruments. Valuation models utilize various inputs that include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, other observable inputs for the asset or liability, and market-corroborated inputs, i.e., inputs derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means. Where observable inputs are available for substantially the full term of the asset or liability, the instrument is categorized in Level 2. Certain derivatives trade in less active markets with a lower availability of pricing information and models may be utilized in the valuation. When such inputs have a significant impact on the measurement of fair value, the instrument is categorized in Level 3. Credit risk is considered in the fair value calculation of derivative instruments that are not exchange-traded. Credit exposures are adjusted to reflect collateral agreements which reduce exposures. As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no material transfers between fair value hierarchies. Additionally, there were no changes in the method or significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of NiSource’s financial instruments.
To determine the fair value of derivatives associated with NiSource’s unregulated natural gas marketing business, certain reserves were calculated. These reserves were primarily determined by evaluating the credit worthiness of certain customers, fair value of future cash flows, and the cost of maintaining restricted cash. Refer to Note 7, “Risk Management Activities” for additional information on price risk assets.
Price risk management assets also include fixed-to-floating interest-rate swaps, which are designated as fair value hedges, as a means to achieve NiSource’s targeted level of variable-rate debt as a percent of total debt. NiSource uses a calculation of future cash inflows and estimated future outflows related to the swap agreements, which are discounted and netted to determine the current fair value. Additional inputs to the present value calculation include the contract terms, as well as market parameters such as current and projected interest rates and volatility. As they are based on observable data and valuations of similar instruments, the interest-rate swaps are categorized in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Credit risk is considered in the fair value calculation of the interest rate swap.
Available-for-sale securities are investments pledged as collateral for trust accounts related to NiSource’s wholly-owned insurance company. Available-for-sale securities are included within “Other investments” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (unaudited). Securities classified within Level 1 include U.S. Treasury debt securities which are highly liquid and are actively traded in over-the-counter markets. NiSource values corporate and mortgage-backed debt securities using a matrix pricing model that incorporates market-based information. These securities trade less frequently and are classified within Level 2. Total gains and losses from available-for-sale securities are included in other comprehensive income (loss). The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses, and fair value of available-for-sale debt securities at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 were:
 
(in millions)
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair
Value
Available-for-sale debt securities, June 30, 2013
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
27.5

 
$
0.4

 
$
(0.8
)
 
$
27.1

Corporate/Other
82.2

 
0.9

 
(1.6
)
 
81.5

Total Available-for-sale debt securities
$
109.7

 
$
1.3

 
$
(2.4
)
 
$
108.6

(in millions)
Amortized
Cost
 
Gross Unrealized Gains
 
Gross Unrealized Losses
 
Fair
Value
Available-for-sale debt securities, December 31, 2012
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury
$
31.1

 
$
1.5

 
$

 
$
32.6

Corporate/Other
76.8

 
2.5

 
(0.1
)
 
79.2

Total Available-for-sale debt securities
$
107.9

 
$
4.0

 
$
(0.1
)
 
$
111.8


For the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the net realized gain on the sale of available-for-sale U.S. Treasury debt securities was $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively. For the three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the net realized gain on sale of available-for-sale Corporate/Other bond debt securities was $0.1 million and zero, respectively.
For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the net realized gain on the sale of available-for-sale U.S. Treasury debt securities was $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, the net realized gain on sale of available-for-sale Corporate/Other bond debt securities was $0.3 million and $0.1 million, respectively.
The cost of maturities sold is based upon specific identification. At June 30, 2013, approximately $0.4 million of U.S. Treasury debt securities have maturities of less than a year while the remaining securities have maturities of greater than one year. At June 30, 2013, approximately $4.0 million of Corporate/Other bonds have maturities of less than a year while the remaining securities have maturities of greater than one year.
There are no material items in the fair value reconciliation of Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.
 
 

Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements. In January 2013, NiSource sold the service plan and leasing business lines of its Retail Services business. The disposed business lines were included in the Columbia Distributions Operations reporting unit and the Northern Indiana Gas Distribution Operations reporting unit. Goodwill associated with the disposed business lines was included in the carrying amount of the business lines in determining the gain on disposal. The amount of the goodwill included in the carrying amount was based on the relative fair values of the business lines disposed of and the portion of the reporting units that were retained. The fair value of the disposed business lines was determined by using the selling price of the business lines. The fair value of the reporting units that were retained was determined by a weighted average of income and market approaches. This approach was similar to the process undertaken to calculate the fair value of the reporting units for the goodwill impairment test conducted on May 1, 2012. These approaches are further discussed in NiSource’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 and yield fair values considered to be at Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. The respective fair value of the disposed business lines was divided by the fair value of the reporting units to which the disposed business lines belonged. These percentages were then applied to those goodwill balances to determine their allocations. As a result of these procedures, NiSource recorded a disposal of goodwill of approximately $11.0 million during the first quarter of 2013. This amount is included within the "Gain on Disposition of Discontinued Operations - net of taxes" on the Condensed Statements of Consolidated Income (unaudited).
There were no significant non-recurring fair value measurements recorded during the six months ended June 30, 2012.
B.    Other Fair Value Disclosures for Financial Instruments. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, notes receivable, customer deposits and short-term borrowings is a reasonable estimate of fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature. NiSource’s long-term borrowings are recorded at historical amounts unless designated as a hedged item in a fair value hedge.
The following methods and assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate fair value.
Long-term Debt. The fair values of these securities are estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the rates offered for securities of the same remaining maturities. Certain premium costs associated with the early settlement of long-term debt are not taken into consideration in determining fair value. These fair value measurements are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. For the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, there were no changes in the method or significant assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the financial instruments.

The carrying amount and estimated fair values of financial instruments were as follows:
 
(in millions)
Carrying
Amount as of
June 30, 2013
 
Estimated Fair
Value as of
June 30, 2013
 
Carrying
Amount as of
Dec. 31, 2012
 
Estimated Fair
Value as of
Dec. 31, 2012
Long-term debt (including current portion)
$
7,687.4

 
$
8,296.2

 
$
7,326.3

 
$
8,389.0