Note 5—Fair Value Measurements

ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”, defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in GAAP and requires certain disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC Topic 820 addresses fair value GAAP for financial assets and financial liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value at each reporting period and for non-financial assets and liabilities that are re-measured and reported at fair value on a non-recurring basis.

In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs use quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs use data points that are observable such as quoted prices, interest rates and yield curves. Fair values determined by Level 3 inputs are “unobservable data points” for the asset or liability and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

The following table presents, for each of the fair value hierarchy levels identified under ASC Topic 820, our financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured at fair value at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 (in thousands):


	Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date
			Significant
	Quoted Prices		Other		Significant
	in Active Markets		Observable		Unobservable
	for Identical Assets		Inputs		Inputs
	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets as of September 30, 2018:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	60,039	$	—	$	—
Interest rate swap		—		18		—
Liabilities as of September 30, 2018:
None	$	—	$	—	$	—

Assets as of December 31, 2017:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	170,385	$	—	$	—
Liabilities as of December 31, 2017:
Contingent consideration	$	—	$	—	$	716

Other financial instruments not listed in the table consist of accounts receivable, accounts payable and certain accrued liabilities. These financial instruments generally approximate fair value based on their short-term nature. The carrying value of our long-term debt approximates fair value based on comparison with current prevailing market rates for loans of similar risks and maturities.

The interest rate swap is measured at fair value using the income approach, which discounts the future net cash settlements expected under the derivative contracts to a present value. These valuations primarily utilize indirectly observable inputs, including contractual terms, interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals. See Note 10 – “Derivative Instruments” for additional information.

The following table provides changes to our contingent consideration liability Level 3 fair value measurements during the nine months ended September 30, (in thousands):


	Significant Unobservable Inputs
	(Level 3)
Contingent Consideration Liability	2018		2017
Beginning balance, January 1,	$	716	$	—
FGC acquisition		—		1,200
Change in fair value of contingent consideration liability during year		753		52
Payment of earn-out liability to FGC sellers		(1,469)		—
Ending balance, September 30,	$	—	$	1,252

On a quarterly basis, we assess the estimated fair value of the contractual obligation to pay the contingent consideration and any changes in estimated fair value are recorded as a non-operating charge in our Statement of Income. Fluctuations in the fair value of contingent consideration are impacted by two unobservable inputs, management’s estimate of the probability (which has ranged from 33% to 100%) of the acquired company meeting the contractual operating performance target and the estimated discount rate (a rate that approximates our cost of capital). Significant changes in either of those inputs in isolation would result in a different fair value measurement. Generally, a change in the assumption of the probability of meeting the performance target is accompanied by a directionally similar change in the fair value of contingent consideration liability, whereas a change in assumption of the estimated discount rate is accompanied by a directionally opposite change in the fair value of contingent consideration liability. Upon meeting the target, we reflect the full liability on the balance sheet and record a charge to “Other income (expense), net” for the change in the fair value of the liability from the prior period.

The May 2017 acquisition of FGC included an earnout of $1.5 million, contingent upon meeting certain performance targets. The estimated fair value of the contingent consideration on the acquisition date was $1.2 million. Under ASC 805, we are required to estimate the fair value of contingent consideration based on facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date and remeasure to fair value at each reporting date until the contingency is resolved. As a result of that remeasurement, we increased the fair value of the contingent consideration in the second quarter of 2018 related to the FGC performance target contemplated in their purchase agreement, and increased the liability by $0.8 million with a corresponding increase in non-operating expense. We paid the full $1.5 million liability in the third quarter of 2018.