5. Investments in Affiliates

Investments in affiliates consist of (in thousands):

Equity in net income (loss) of affiliates consists of (in thousands):

Telesat

As of December 31, 2019, we held a 62.7% economic interest and a 32.6% voting interest in Telesat. We use the equity method of accounting for our majority economic interest in Telesat because we own 32.6% of the voting stock and do not exercise control by other means to satisfy the U.S. GAAP requirement for treatment as a consolidated subsidiary. We have also concluded that Telesat is not a variable interest entity for which we are the primary beneficiary. Loral’s equity in net income or loss of Telesat is based on our proportionate share of Telesat’s results in accordance with U.S. GAAP and in U.S. dollars. Our proportionate share of Telesat’s net income or loss is based on our economic interest as our holdings consist of common stock and non-voting participating preferred shares that have all the rights of common stock with respect to dividends, return of capital and surplus distributions, but have no voting rights.

In addition to recording our share of equity in net income (loss) of Telesat, we also recorded our share of equity in other comprehensive (loss) income of Telesat of $(35.8) million and $22.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

In the third quarter of 2019, we recorded an out-of-period correction to decrease our investment in Telesat and increase other comprehensive loss by $22.1 million. This non-cash adjustment was made to record the cumulative translation adjustment on our investment in Telesat from November 2007, when we first acquired our ownership interest in Telesat, to December 31, 2018. The adjustment resulted from translating our share of Telesat’s equity from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars at historical foreign exchange rates in accordance with ASC 830, Foreign Currency Matters, as required by ASC 323, Investments – Equity Method and Joint Ventures. Previously, we translated our share of Telesat’s equity from Canadian dollars to U.S. dollars at current foreign exchange rates at each balance sheet date. This adjustment had no effect on our equity in net income (loss) of Telesat for any current or prior reporting period. The Company has not revised its financial statements for prior periods for this adjustment based on its belief that the effect of such adjustment is not material to the financial statements taken as a whole.

On January 1, 2019, Telesat adopted ASC 842, Leases, for its U.S. GAAP reporting which we use to record our equity income in Telesat. Telesat adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective approach with the cumulative effect of initially applying the standard being recorded on the balance sheet. As a result, on January 1, 2019, Telesat recognized a right-of-use asset of $19.6 million and lease liability of $20.0 million on its consolidated balance sheet. Comparative summary financial information of Telesat presented below has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods presented.

On January 1, 2018, Telesat adopted ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, for its U.S. GAAP reporting which we use to record our equity income in Telesat. Telesat adopted the new standard using the modified retrospective approach with a cumulative effect adjustment to reduce Telesat’s retained earnings by $42.2 million. As a result, we recorded our share of the cumulative effect adjustment by reducing our investment in Telesat by $26.5 million and increasing our accumulated deficit by $26.5 million.

On January 1, 2018, Telesat adopted ASU No. 2017-07, Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Costs, for its U.S. GAAP reporting. Adoption of the new guidance did not affect Telesat’s previously reported financial position or net income.

On October 11, 2019, Telesat issued $550.0 million of 6.5% senior notes maturing in October 2027. The 6.5% senior notes are effectively subordinated to Telesat’s secured indebtedness, including the obligations under its senior secured credit facilities and its 4.875% senior secured notes.

On October 11, 2019, Telesat used the net proceeds from the 6.5% senior notes offering together with available cash on hand to redeem its $500 million 8.875% senior notes due November 15, 2024 by repaying all outstanding amounts, including principal, redemption premium and discounted interest to November 15, 2019.

On December 6, 2019, Telesat entered into amended senior secured credit facilities which provide for term loan borrowings of $1,908.5 million which mature in December 2026 and revolving credit facilities of up to $200 million (or Canadian dollar equivalent) which mature in December 2024. Telesat also issued, through a private placement, $400 million of 4.875% senior secured notes which mature in June 2027.

On December 6, 2019, Telesat repaid all outstanding amounts, including related fees and expenses, under its former senior secured credit facilities.

In March 2018, Telesat made a $50 million voluntary payment on the U.S. TLB Facility.

In April 2018, Telesat amended the former senior secured credit facilities, resulting in a reduction of the margin on the U.S. TLB Facility to 2.5% from 3.0%.

The ability of Telesat to pay dividends or certain other restricted payments in cash to Loral is governed by applicable covenants in Telesat’s debt and shareholder agreements. Telesat’s credit agreement governing its senior secured credit facilities limits, among other items, Telesat’s ability to incur debt and make dividend payments if the total leverage ratio (“Total Leverage Ratio”) is above 4.50:1.00, with certain exceptions. As of December 31, 2019, Telesat’s Total Leverage Ratio was 4.63:1.00. Telesat is, however, permitted to pay annual consulting fees of $5 million to Loral in cash (see Note 14).

The contribution of Loral Skynet, a wholly owned subsidiary of Loral prior to its contribution to Telesat in 2007, was recorded by Loral at the historical book value of our retained interest combined with the gain recognized on the contribution. However, the contribution was recorded by Telesat at fair value. Accordingly, the amortization of Telesat fair value adjustments applicable to the Loral Skynet assets and liabilities is proportionately eliminated in determining our share of the net income or losses of Telesat. Our equity in net income or loss of Telesat also reflects amortization of profits eliminated, to the extent of our economic interest in Telesat, on satellites we constructed for Telesat while we owned SSL and on Loral’s sale to Telesat in April 2011 of its portion of the payload on the ViaSat‑1 satellite and related assets.

The following table presents summary financial data for Telesat in accordance with U.S. GAAP, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 (in thousands):


	Year Ended December 31,
	2019		2018
Statement of Operations Data:
Revenues	$	687,868	$	699,596
Operating expenses		(129,770)		(137,400)
Depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation		(212,282)		(205,451)
Other operating (expense) income		(649)		576
Operating income		345,167		357,321
Interest expense		(186,394)		(176,873)
Loss on refinancing		(86,166)		—
Foreign exchange gain (loss)		122,002		(203,005)
(Loss) gain on financial instruments		(42,039)		15,795
Other income		16,360		11,335
Income tax provision		(12,741)		(45,423)
Net income (loss)	$	156,189	$	(40,850)


	December 31,
	2019		2018
Balance Sheet Data:
Current assets	$	877,294	$	628,125
Total assets		4,130,337		3,942,847
Current liabilities		124,217		139,401
Long-term debt, including current portion		2,836,700		2,764,599
Total liabilities		3,504,594		3,474,504
Shareholders’ equity		625,743		468,343

Other

We own 56% of XTAR, a joint venture between us and Hisdesat Servicios Estrategicos, S.A. (“Hisdesat”) of Spain. We account for our ownership interest in XTAR under the equity method of accounting because we do not control certain of its significant operating decisions. We have also concluded that XTAR is not a variable interest entity for which we are the primary beneficiary. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of our investment in XTAR was zero. Beginning January 1, 2016, we discontinued providing for our allocated share of XTAR’s net losses as our investment was reduced to zero and we have no commitment to provide further financial support to XTAR.

XTAR owns and operates an X-band satellite, XTAR-EUR, located at 29° E.L., which is designed to provide X-band communications services exclusively to United States, Spanish and allied government users throughout the satellite’s coverage area, including Europe, the Middle East and Asia. XTAR also leases 7.2 72MHz X-band transponders on the Spainsat satellite located at 30° W.L., owned by Hisdesat. These transponders, designated as XTAR-LANT, provide capacity to XTAR for additional X-band services and greater coverage and flexibility.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company also held an indirect ownership interest in a foreign company that currently serves as the exclusive service provider for Globalstar service in Mexico. The Company accounts for this ownership interest using the equity method of accounting. As of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the carrying value of this investment was zero. Loral has written-off its investment in this company and has no future funding requirements relating to this investment. Accordingly, there is no requirement for us to provide for our allocated share of this company’s net losses. This company is currently in the process of dissolution and liquidation in Mexico, and Loral believes that it will not have any liability associated with this company upon completion of this process.

December 31,