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Note 10 - Fuel Derivatives
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3 Months Ended |
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Sep. 30, 2013
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| Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] | 10. Fuel Derivatives In the Company’s day to day business activities we are exposed to certain market risks, including the effects of changes in fuel prices. The Company continually reviews new ways to reduce the potentially adverse effects that the volatility of fuel markets may have on operating results. In an effort to reduce the variability of the ultimate cash flows associated with fluctuations in diesel fuel prices, the Company has begun to enter into futures contracts. These instruments will be heating oil futures contracts as the related index, New York Mercantile Exchange ("NYMEX"), generally exhibits high correlation with the changes in the dollars of the forecasted purchase of diesel fuel. The Company does not engage in speculative transactions, nor does it hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. We have entered into futures contracts, which pertain to 378,000 total gallons, 126,000 gallons per month for October 2013 through December 2013, approximately 4.0% of our monthly projected fuel requirements. Under these contracts, we pay a fixed rate per gallon of heating oil and receive the monthly average price of New York heating oil per the NYMEX. The Company has done retrospective and prospective regression analyses that showed the changes in the prices of diesel fuel and heating oil were deemed to be highly effective based on the relevant authoritative guidance. Accordingly, we have designated the respective hedges as cash flow hedges. We perform both a prospective and retrospective assessment of the effectiveness of our hedge contracts at inception and quarterly. If our analysis shows that the derivatives are not highly effective as hedges, we will discontinue hedge accounting for the period and prospectively recognize changes in the fair value of the derivative being recognized through earnings. As a result of our effectiveness assessment at inception and at September 30, 2013, we believe our hedge contracts have been and will continue to be highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows attributable to the hedged risk. We recognize all derivative instruments at fair value on our condensed consolidated balance sheets in other assets or other accrued expenses. The Company's derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges, thus the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and will be reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. The effective portion of the derivative represents the change in fair value of the hedge that offsets the change in fair value of the hedged item. To the extent the change in the fair value of the hedge does not perfectly offset the change in the fair value of the hedged item, the ineffective portion of the hedge is immediately recognized in other income or expense on our consolidated condensed statements of income. The ineffective portion of the hedge for the quarter was immaterial and therefore not recognized through earnings. Based on the amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income as of September 30, 2013, and the expected timing of the purchases of the diesel hedged, we expect to reclassify $0.1 million of gain on derivative instruments from accumulated other comprehensive income to the statement of income, as an offset to fuel expense, due to the actual diesel fuel purchases. The amounts actually realized will depend on the fair values as of the date of settlement. Outstanding financial derivative instruments expose us to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the companies with which we have these agreements. Our credit exposure related to these financial instruments is represented by the fair value of contracts reported as assets. To evaluate credit risk, we review each counterparty's audited financial statements and credit ratings and obtain references. Any credit valuation adjustments deemed necessary would be reflected in the fair value of the instrument. As of September 30, 2013, we have not made any adjustments. |