FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

The measurement of fair value is based on a three-tier hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers include: Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets; Level 2, defined as inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions. Changes in economic conditions or model-based valuation techniques may require the transfer of financial instruments from one fair value level to another. In such instances, the transfer is reported at the beginning of the reporting period. For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, there were no transfers between levels.

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value subject to the three-tier hierarchy at December 31, 2015, were as follows:



	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs			Significant Unobservable Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)
Financial assets measured on a recurring basis:
Cash and cash equivalents — cash equivalents	$	49	$	—		$	—
Mutual funds — fixed income securities	35,813		—			—
Mutual funds — equity securities	976		—			—
Interest rate swap derivative	—		112			—
Financial liabilities measured on a recurring basis:
Interest rate swap derivatives	—		(3,548		)	—
Total	$	36,838	$	(3,436	)	$	—

Our assets and liabilities measured at fair value subject to the three-tier hierarchy at December 31, 2014, were as follows:



	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(In thousands)	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets		Significant Other Observable Inputs			Significant Unobservable Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)			(Level 3)
Financial assets measured on a recurring basis:
Cash and cash equivalents — cash equivalents	$	5,452	$	—		$	—
Mutual funds — fixed income securities	26,715		—			—
Mutual funds — equity securities	667		—			—
Financial liabilities measured on a recurring basis:
Interest rate swap derivatives	—		(1,934		)	—
Total	$	32,834	$	(1,934	)	$	—

As of December 31, 2015 and 2014, we held certain assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value on a recurring basis. The assets included in the table consist of investments recorded within cash and cash equivalents and other long-term assets, including investments held in a trust associated with our supplemental nonqualified, noncontributory, retirement benefit plans for selected management employees. Our cash and cash equivalents consist of money market funds that are recorded at cost plus accrued interest to approximate fair value. Our mutual funds consist of publicly traded mutual funds and are recorded at fair value based on observable trades for identical securities in an active market. Changes in the observed trading prices and liquidity of money market funds are monitored as additional support for determining fair value. Gain and losses are recorded in earnings for investments classified as trading securities and other comprehensive income for investments classified as available-for-sale.

The asset and liability related to derivatives consist of interest rate swaps as discussed in Note 8. The fair value of our interest rate swap derivatives is determined based on a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) method using LIBOR swap rates, which are observable at commonly quoted intervals.

We also held non-financial assets that are required to be measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis. These consist of goodwill and intangible assets. We did not record any impairment charges on long-lived assets and no other significant events occurred requiring non-financial assets and liabilities to be measured at fair value (subsequent to initial recognition) during the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.

Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities

Fixed Rate Debt

Based on the borrowing rates obtained from third party lending institutions currently available for bank loans with similar terms and average maturities from active markets, the fair value of our consolidated long-term debt and debt maturing within one year, excluding revolving and term loan credit agreements and commercial paper, was $3,879.7 million and $3,985.6 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively. These fair values represent Level 2 under the three-tier hierarchy described above. The total book value of our consolidated long-term debt and debt maturing within one year, net of discount and excluding revolving and term loan credit agreements and commercial paper, was $3,680.4 million and $3,629.8 million at December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Revolving and Term Loan Credit Agreements

At December 31, 2015 and 2014, we had a consolidated total of $680.9 million and $473.8 million, respectively, outstanding under our revolving and term loan credit agreements, which are variable rate loans. The fair value of these loans approximates book value based on the borrowing rates currently available for variable rate loans obtained from third party lending institutions. These fair values represent Level 2 under the three-tier hierarchy described above.

Other Financial Instruments

The carrying value of other financial instruments included in current assets and current liabilities, including cash and cash equivalents, special deposits and commercial paper, approximates their fair value due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

- 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.

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