Fair Value Measurements

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Note 5—Fair Value Measurements

The following table presents the balance of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

	Level 1 (1)		Level 2 (2)		Level 3 (3)		Total
	(in thousands)
September 30, 2018
Assets:
Derivative contracts	$	1,701	$	784	$	—	$	2,485
Liabilities:
Derivative contracts	$	589	$	112	$	—	$	701
December 31, 2017
Assets:
Derivative contracts	$	3,091	$	1,267	$	—	$	4,358
Liabilities:
Derivative contracts	$	693	$	535	$	—	$	1,228

(1) – quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities

(2) – observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities

(3) – no observable pricing inputs in the market

The Company’s derivative contracts consist of natural gas and electricity put and call options and swaps. The underlying asset in the Company’s put and call options is a forward contract. The Company’s swaps are agreements whereby a floating (or market or spot) price is exchanged for a fixed price over a specified period.

Fair Value of Other Financial Instruments

The estimated fair value of the Company’s other financial instruments was determined using available market information or other appropriate valuation methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting this data to develop estimates of fair value. Consequently, the estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized or would be paid in a current market exchange.

Restricted cash—short-term and long-term, other current assets, due to IDT Corporation, and other current liabilities. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the carrying amounts of these assets and liabilities approximated fair value. The fair value estimate for restricted cash—short-term and long-term was classified as Level 1 and other current assets, due to IDT Corporation, and other current liabilities were classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Other assets, revolving line of credit, and other liabilities. At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, other assets included an aggregate of $1.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively, in notes receivable. The carrying amounts of the notes receivable, revolving line of credit, and other liabilities approximated fair value. The fair values were estimated based on the Company’s assumptions, and were classified as Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details