Note 10 — Derivative Instruments

We are exposed to certain market risks related to changes in interest rates. To monitor and manage these market risks, we have established risk management policies and procedures. We do not enter into derivative instruments for any purpose other than hedging interest rate risk. None of our derivative instruments are used for trading purposes.

Interest Rate Risk. We are exposed to variable interest rate risk as a result of variable-rate borrowings under our Credit Agreement. To manage fluctuations in cash flows resulting from changes in interest rates on a portion of our variable-rate debt, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement on September 13, 2018 with an initial notional amount of $165.0 million, or 75% of the debt outstanding under our Term Loan, which was not designated as a hedge for accounting purposes. The notional amount of the swap will be adjusted down each quarter by 75% of the required principal payments made on the Term Loan. See Note 9 – “Credit Arrangements”. The swap effectively changes the variable-rate cash flow exposure on the debt obligations to fixed rates. The fair value of outstanding interest rate swap derivatives can vary significantly from period to period depending on the total notional amount of swap derivatives outstanding and fluctuations in market interest rates compared to the interest rates fixed by the swaps. As of December 31, 2018, our outstanding interest rate swap agreement contained a notional amount of $160.9 million with a maturity date of July 10, 2023. There were no outstanding interest rate swap agreements at December 31, 2017.

Credit Risk. By using derivative instruments to economically hedge exposures to changes in interest rates, we are exposed to counterparty credit risk. Credit risk is the failure of a counterparty to perform under the terms of a derivative contract. When the fair value of a derivative contract is positive, the counterparty owes us, which creates credit risk for us. When the fair value of a derivative contract is negative, we owe the counterparty and, therefore, we do not possess credit risk. We minimize the credit risk in derivative instruments by entering into transactions with high quality counterparties. We have entered into netting agreements, including International Swap Dealers Association (“ISDA”) Agreements, which allow for netting of contract receivables and payables in the event of default by either party.

The following table summarizes the fair value of our derivative contracts included in the Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands):


		Liability Derivatives
		December 31,		December 31,
	Balance Sheet Location	2018		2017
Interest rate swap	Other long-term liabilities	$	2,829	$	—
Total derivatives		$	2,829	$	—

The following table summarizes the amounts recognized with respect to our derivative instruments within the Consolidated Statements of Income (in thousands):

Location of Loss Recognized

Amount of Loss Recognized in Income on Derivatives

on Derivatives

December 31, 2018

December 31, 2017

December 31, 2016

Interest rate swap

Interest expense

3,131

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