Equity Method Investments in Affiliates

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2018

Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]

The following table presents the change in Equity method investments in Affiliates (net):



	Total
Balance, as of December 31, 2017	$	3,304.7
Equity method earnings	126.3
Equity method intangible amortization	(30.0		)
Distributions of earnings from equity method investments	(225.7		)
Foreign currency translation	11.6
Other	(9.9		)
Balance, as of March 31, 2018	$	3,177.0

Definite-lived acquired relationships at the Company’s equity method Affiliates are amortized over their expected period of economic benefit. The Company recognized amortization expense for these relationships of $21.7 million and $30.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, respectively. Based on relationships existing as of March 31, 2018, the Company estimates the annual amortization expense attributable to its equity method Affiliates will be approximately $100 million in 2018 and approximately $90 million in each of 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022.

The Company has determined that one of its equity method Affiliates is significant under Rule 10-01(b)(1) of Regulation S-X. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2018, this equity method Affiliate recognized revenue of $265.6 million and $310.7 million, respectively, and net income of $148.6 million and $169.6 million, respectively.