XML 35 R17.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1
Derivatives and Hedging Activities
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Derivatives and Hedging Activities

NOTE 9 – DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

Risk Management Objective of Using Derivatives

We are exposed to certain risks arising from both our business operations and economic conditions. We manage exposure to a wide variety of business and operational risks through our core business activities. We manage economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity and credit risk primarily by overseeing the amount, sources and duration of debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments. Specifically, we have entered into derivative financial instruments to manage exposure to interest rate movements that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates. Our derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing and duration of our known or expected cash receipts and known or expected cash payments principally related to our investments and borrowings.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

Our purpose for using interest rate derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish these objectives, we primarily use interest rate swaps as part of our interest rate risk management strategy. Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable amounts from a counterparty in exchange for making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount. As of December 31, 2017, we have two interest rate swaps with a beginning notional of $100.0 million that amortize quarterly to $95.3 million at a maturity date of May 31, 2022. We did not have any derivative instruments as of December 31, 2016.

The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. During 2017, such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with existing variable-rate debt. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives, when present, is recognized directly in earnings. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we recorded $0.1 million as a result of hedge ineffectiveness in earnings.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income related to derivatives will be reclassified to interest expense, net as interest payments are made on our variable-rate debt. Over the next twelve months, we estimate that an additional $0.2 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense, net.

Additionally, we do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes and we currently do not have any derivatives that are not designated as hedges. As of December 31, 2017, the Company has not posted any collateral related to these agreements.