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Fair Value Measurements
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements
J2 Global complies with the provisions of ASC 820, which defines fair value, provides a framework for measuring fair value and expands the disclosures required for fair value measurements of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. ASC 820 clarifies that fair value is an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or a liability. As a basis for considering such assumptions, ASC 820 establishes a three-tier value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in the valuation methodologies in measuring fair value:
§Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
§Level 2 – Observable inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
§Level 3 – Unobservable inputs which are supported by little or no market activity.

The fair value hierarchy also requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

The Company’s money market funds are classified within Level 1. The Company values these Level 1 investments using quoted market prices.

Certain of the Company’s debt securities are classified within Level 2. The Company values these Level 2 investments based on model-driven valuations using significant inputs derived from or corroborated by observable market data.

The fair value of our senior notes is determined using quoted market prices or dealer quotes for instruments with similar maturities and other terms and credit ratings, which are Level 2 inputs. The fair value of the Credit Facility approximates its carrying amount due to its variable interest rate, which approximates a market interest rate, and is considered a Level 2 input. The fair value of the Company’s debt instruments at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019 was $1.6 billion and $1.8 billion, respectively (see Note 9 - Debt).

In 2019, the Company entered into a $5.5 million note payable that was short-term in nature and associated with the quarter’s acquisition activity. In the same year, the Company paid down $5.1 million of the outstanding note and in the third quarter of 2020, the balance on the note payable was paid in full.

The Company classifies its contingent consideration liability in connection with acquisitions within Level 3 because factors used to develop the estimated fair value are unobservable inputs, such as volatility and market risks, and are not supported by market activity. For similar reasons, certain of the Company’s available-for-sale debt securities are classified within Level 3. The valuation approaches used to value the Level 3 investments consider unobservable inputs in the market such as time to liquidity, volatility, dividend yield, and breakpoints. Significant increases or decreases in either of the inputs in isolation would result in a significantly lower or higher fair value measurement.
 
The following table presents the fair values, valuation techniques, unobservable inputs, and ranges of the Company’s financial liabilities categorized within Level 3.
Valuation TechniqueUnobservable InputRangeWeighted Average
Contingent ConsiderationOption-Based ModelRisk free rate
1.9% - 2.9%
1.9 %
Debt spread
0.0% - 33.5%
12.6 %
Probabilities
5.0% - 100.0%
77.8 %
Present value factor
3.6% - 4.8%
3.8 %
Discount rate
28.6%
28.6 %
The following tables present the fair values of the Company’s financial assets or liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
September 30, 2020Level 1Level 2Level 3Fair Value
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
   Money market and other funds$317,107 $— $— $317,107 
Corporate debt securities— 653 — 653 
Total assets measured at fair value$317,107 $653 $— $317,760 
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration$— $— $8,352 $8,352 
Total liabilities measured at fair value$— $— $8,352 $8,352 
December 31, 2019Level 1Level 2Level 3Fair Value
Assets:
Cash equivalents:
   Money market and other funds$395,664 $— $— $395,664 
Corporate debt securities— 623 22,047 22,670 
Total assets measured at fair value$395,664 $623 $22,047 $418,334 
Liabilities:
Contingent consideration$— $— $37,887 $37,887 
Total liabilities measured at fair value$— $— $37,887 $37,887 

The following table presents a reconciliation of the Company’s Level 3 financial liabilities related to contingent consideration that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):
Level 3Affected line item in the Statement of Operations
Balance as of January 1, 2020$37,887 
Contingent consideration8,106 
Total fair value adjustments reported in earnings(243)General and administrative
Contingent consideration payments(37,398)Not applicable
Balance as of September 30, 2020$8,352 

In connection with the acquisition of Humble Bundle on October 13, 2017, contingent consideration of up to an aggregate of $40.0 million may be payable upon achieving certain future EBITDA thresholds and had a fair value of approximately zero and $20.0 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Due to the Company’s achievement of certain EBITDA targets for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the amended contingent consideration agreement, $20.0 million was paid in the first nine months of 2020 and $20.0 million in fiscal 2019.

In connection with the Company’s other acquisition activity, contingent consideration of up to $22.5 million may be payable upon achieving certain future EBITDA, revenue, and/or unique visitor thresholds and had a combined fair value of $8.4 million and $8.8 million at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively. Due to the achievement of certain thresholds, $8.3 million was paid in the first nine months of 2020.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company recorded a decrease in the fair value of the contingent consideration of $0.2 million and reported such decrease in general and administrative expenses.