Derivative Instruments

Currently, we use interest rate swaps to manage our interest rate risk. The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves. The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts). The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves.

To comply with the provisions of fair value accounting guidance, we incorporate credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect both our own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of our derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, we have considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts, and guarantees.

Although we have determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by us and our counterparties. However, as of December 31, 2017, we have assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivative positions and have determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of our derivatives. As a result, we have determined that our derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. We do not have any fair value measurements on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) as of December 31, 2017 or December 31, 2016.

Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk

Our objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate movements related to the U.S. LIBOR, GBP LIBOR and CDOR-based tranches of the unsecured term loans. To accomplish this objective, 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-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.

We record all our interest rate swaps on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. In determining the fair value of our interest rate swaps, we consider the credit risk of our counterparties. These counterparties are generally larger financial institutions engaged in providing a variety of financial services. These institutions generally face similar risks regarding adverse changes in market and economic conditions, including, but not limited to, fluctuations in interest rates, exchange rates, equity and commodity prices and credit spreads. The recent and pervasive disruptions in the financial markets have heightened the risks to these institutions.

The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives is recognized directly in earnings. During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, there were no ineffective portions to our interest rate swaps.

As of December 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had the following outstanding interest rate derivatives that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk (in thousands):



Notional Amount										Fair Value at Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
As of December 31, 2017			As of December 31, 2016			Type of Derivative	Strike Rate	Effective Date	Expiration Date	As of December 31, 2017⁽⁶⁾			As of December 31, 2016 ⁽⁶⁾
Currently-paying contracts
$	206,000	(1)	$	—		Swap	1.611	Jun 15, 2017	Jan 15, 2020	$	1,409		$	—
54,905		(1)	—			Swap	1.605	Jun 6, 2017	Jan 6, 2020	374			—
—			206,000		(1)	Swap	0.932	Jun 18, 2012	Apr 18, 2017	—			(90		)
—			54,905		(1)	Swap	0.670	Aug 6, 2012	Apr 6, 2017	—			16
75,000		(1)	75,000		(1)	Swap	1.016	Apr 6, 2016	Jan 6, 2021	2,260			1,911
75,000		(1)	75,000		(1)	Swap	1.164	Jan 15, 2016	Jan 15, 2021	1,947			1,487
300,000		(2)	300,000		(2)	Swap	1.435	Jan 15, 2016	Jan 15, 2023	9,978			8,128
—			130,850		(3)	Swap	0.925	Jul 17, 2012	Apr 18, 2017	—			18
229,012		(4)	209,132		(4)	Swap	0.792	Jan 15, 2016	Jan 15, 2019	(430		)	(1,818		)
78,357		(5)	73,294		(5)	Swap	0.779	Jan 15, 2016	Jan 15, 2021	3,034			1,556
$	1,018,274		$	1,124,181						$	18,572		$	11,208


(1)	Represents portions of the U.S. dollar tranche of the 5-Year Term Loan.


(2)	Represents the U.S. dollar tranche of the 7-Year Term Loan.


(3)	Represents a portion of the Singapore dollar tranche of the 5-Year Term Loan. Translation to U.S. dollars is based on exchange rate of $0.69 to 1.00 SGD as of December 31, 2016.


(4)	Represents the British pound sterling tranche of the 5-Year Term Loan. Translation to U.S. dollars is based on exchange rates of $1.35 to £1.00 as of December 31, 2017 and $1.23 to £1.00 as of December 31, 2016.


(5)	Represents the Canadian dollar tranche of the 5-Year Term Loan. Translation to U.S. dollars is based on exchange rates of $0.80 to 1.00 CAD as of December 31, 2017 and $0.74 to 1.00 CAD as of December 31, 2016.


(6)	Balance recorded in other assets in the consolidated balance sheets if positive and recorded in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets if negative.

Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss related to interest rate swaps will be reclassified to interest expense as interest payments are made on our debt. As of December 31, 2017, we estimate that an additional $1.6 million will be reclassified as a decrease to interest expense during the year ending December 31, 2018, when the hedged forecasted transactions impact earnings.

Foreign Currency Net Investment Hedges

During the three months ended June 30, 2016, we entered into a series of forward contracts pursuant to which we agreed to sell an amount of foreign currency for an agreed upon amount of U.S. dollars. These forward contracts were executed to manage foreign currency exposures associated with certain transactions. As of June 30, 2016, the forward contracts did not meet the criteria for hedge accounting under GAAP and had a fair value of approximately $37.8 million. On July 1, 2016, the four forward contracts still in place met the criteria for net investment hedge accounting. During the year ended December 31, 2017, we terminated the four forward contracts with a notional amount of GBP 357.3 million. In connection with the settlement, we received approximately $64.0 million in proceeds and the related amount of approximately $26.2 million of accumulated other comprehensive income (AOCI) will remain in AOCI until the Company sells or liquidates its GBP-denominated investments, which has not occurred as of December 31, 2017.