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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies  
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy

We periodically assess whether there are any indicators that the value of our real estate investments may be impaired or that their carrying value may not be recoverable. For investments in real estate for which an impairment indicator is identified, we follow a two-step process to determine whether an investment is impaired and the amount of the charge. First, we compare the carrying value of the property's asset group to the future undiscounted net cash flows that we expect the property's asset group will generate, including any estimated proceeds from the eventual sale of the property's asset group. If this amount is less than the carrying value, the property's asset group is considered to be impaired, and we then measure the impairment charge as the excess of the carrying value of the property's asset group over the estimated fair value of the property's asset group, which is primarily determined using market information such as recent comparable sales or broker quotes. If relevant market information is not available or is not deemed appropriate, we perform a future net cash flow analysis discounted for inherent risk associated with each investment. We determined that the significant inputs used to value these investments fall within Level 3 for fair value accounting. As a result of our assessments, we calculated impairment charges based on market conditions and assumptions that existed at the time. The valuation of real estate is subject to significant judgment and actual results may differ materially if market conditions or the underlying assumptions change.

Derivatives, Policy

We measure derivative instruments at fair value and record them as assets or liabilities, depending on our rights or obligations under the applicable derivative contract. Derivatives that are not designated as hedges must be adjusted to fair value through earnings. For a derivative designated and that qualified as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative is recognized in Other comprehensive income (loss) until the hedged item is recognized in earnings. The ineffective portion of a derivative's change in fair value is immediately recognized in earnings. For a derivative designated and that qualified as a net investment hedge, the effective portion of the change in the fair value and/or the net settlement of the derivative are reported in Other comprehensive income (loss) as part of the cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. Amounts are reclassified out of Other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings when the hedged investment is either sold or substantially liquidated.

 

Equity Method Investments, Policy

We own equity interests in single-tenant net leased properties that are generally leased to companies through noncontrolling interests (iin partnerships and limited liability companies that we do not control but over which we exercise significant influence or (ii) as tenants-in-common subject to common control. Generally, the underlying investments are jointly-owned with affiliates. We account for these investments under the equity method of accounting. Earnings for each investment are recognized in accordance with each respective investment agreement and where applicable, based upon an allocation of the investment's net assets at book value as if the investment was hypothetically liquidated at the end of each reporting period. Investments in unconsolidated investments are required to be evaluated periodically. We periodically compare an investment's carrying value to its estimated fair value and recognize an impairment charge to the extent that the carrying value exceeds fair value and such decline is determined to be other than temporary. Additionally, we provide funding to developers for the acquisition, development and construction of real estate (“ADC Arrangement”). Under ADC Arrangements, we have provided two loans to third-party developers of real estate projects, which we account for as equity investments.

 

Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy

The fair value of an asset is defined as the exit price, which is the amount that would either be received when an asset is sold or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers are: Level 1, for which quoted market prices for identical instruments are available in active markets, such as money market funds, equity securities and U.S. Treasury securities; Level 2, for which there are inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the instrument, such as certain derivative instruments including an interest rate cap and swaps; and Level 3, for securities and other derivative assets that do not fall into Level 1 or Level 2 and for which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring us to develop our own assumptions.

 

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

 

The methods and assumptions described below were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instrument.

 

Derivative Assets Our derivative assets, which are included in Other assets, net in the consolidated financial statements, are comprised of an interest rate cap, interest rate swaps, foreign currency collars, foreign currency forward contracts, stock warrants, and a swaption (Note 9). The interest rate cap, interest rate swaps, foreign currency collars, foreign currency forward contracts, and swaption were measured at fair value using readily observable market inputs, such as quotations on interest rates, and were classified as Level 2 as these instruments are custom, over-the-counter contracts with various bank counterparties that are not traded in an active market. The stock warrants were measured at fair value using internal valuation models that incorporate market inputs and our own assumptions about future cash flows. We classified these assets as Level 3 because these assets are not traded in an active market.

 

Derivative Liabilities — Our derivative liabilities, which are included in Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities in the consolidated financial statements, are comprised of interest rate swaps, foreign currency forward contracts, and embedded derivatives (Note 9). These derivative instruments were measured at fair value using readily observable market inputs, such as quotations on interest rates and were classified as Level 2 because they are custom, over-the-counter contracts with various bank counterparties that are not traded in an active market. The embedded derivatives were measured at fair value using internal valuation models that incorporate market inputs and our own assumptions about future cash flows. We classified these liabilities as Level 3 because these liabilities are not traded in an active market.

 

Discontinued Operations, Policy

From time to time, we may decide to sell a property. We may make a decision to dispose of a property when it is vacant as a result of tenants vacating space, tenants electing not to renew their leases, tenant insolvency, or lease rejection in the bankruptcy process. In such cases, we assess whether we can obtain the highest value from the property by selling it, as opposed to re-leasing it. We may also sell a property when we receive an unsolicited offer or negotiate a price for an investment that is consistent with our strategy for that investment. When it is appropriate to do so, we classify the property as an asset held for sale on our consolidated balance sheet and the current and prior period results of operations of the property are reclassified as discontinued operations.

 

New Accounting Requirements

Recent Accounting Requirements

 

The following Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) promulgated by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) are applicable to us as indicated:

 

ASU 2013-01, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities — In January 2013, the FASB issued an update to ASU 2011-11, Balance Sheet (Topic 210): Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. ASU 2013-01 clarifies that the scope of ASU 2011-11 applies to derivatives accounted for in accordance with Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset in accordance with Section 210-20-45 or Section 815-10-45 or subject to an enforceable master netting or similar arrangement. These amendments did not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations and are applicable to us for our interim and annual reports beginning in 2013 and has been applied retrospectively.

 

ASU 2013-02, Other Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income — In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02 requiring entities to disclose additional information about items reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income. This ASU impacts the form of our disclosures only, is applicable to us for our interim and annual reports beginning in 2013, and has been applied retrospectively. The related additional disclosures are located in Note 12.

 

ASU 2013-04, Liabilities (Topic 405): Obligations Resulting from Joint and Several Liability Arrangements for Which the Total Amount of the Obligation is Fixed at the Reporting Date, a Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force — In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-04, which requires entities to measure obligations resulting from joint and several liability arrangements (in our case, tenancy-in-common arrangements, Note 6) for which the total amount of the obligation is fixed as the sum of the amount the entity agreed to pay on the basis of its arrangement among its co-obligors and any additional amount the reporting entity expects to pay on behalf of its co-obligors. This ASU is applicable to us for our interim and annual reports beginning in 2014 and shall be applied retrospectively; however, we elected to adopt this ASU early in 2013 and it did not have a significant impact on our financial position or results of operations for any of the periods presented.

 

ASU 2013-10, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Inclusion of the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate (or Overnight Index Swap Rate) as a Benchmark Interest Rate for Hedge Accounting Purposes, a Consensus of the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force — In July 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-10, which permits the Fed Funds Effective Swap Rate, also referred to as the “Overnight Index Swap Rate, to be used as a U.S. benchmark interest rate for hedge accounting purposes under Topic 815, in addition to the U.S. government and London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) swap rate. The update also removes the restriction on the use of different benchmark rates for similar hedges. This ASU will be applicable to us for qualifying new or redesignated hedging relationships entered into on or after July 17, 2013. Through the date of this Report, we had not entered into any transactions to which this ASU applies.