Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

NOTE 7. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

During the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, derivatives were used to hedge the interest rate risk associated with our variable-rate debt.

Term Facility Interest Rate Swap

On April 14, 2014, the Borrower entered into an interest rate swap agreement with an aggregate notional amount of $850.0 million that expires on April 14, 2019. This agreement swaps the LIBOR rate in effect under the new credit agreement for this portion of the loan to a fixed-rate of 2.0311%, which includes a 1.0% LIBOR floor. Management has elected to designate this interest rate swap as a cash flow hedge for accounting purposes.

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments

The effects of our derivative instruments on our consolidated balance sheets were as follows:

	December 31, 2017			December 31, 2016
	Balance Sheet Classification	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Classification	Fair Value
	(in thousands)
Cash Flow Hedges:
Interest rate swap	Other non- current long-term liabilities	$	1,169	Other non- current long-term liabilities	$	9,803

Earnings Effect of Derivative Instruments

The effects of our derivative instruments on our consolidated statements of operations and consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss), net of the effect for income taxes, were as follows:

	Classification of Gain (Loss) Recognized	2017		2016		2015
		(in thousands)
Cash Flow Hedges:
Interest rate swap (1)	Other comprehensive income (loss)	$	5,612	$	1,064	$	(4,309	)

⁽¹⁾ There were no amounts recognized in earnings related to hedge ineffectiveness or amounts excluded from hedge effectiveness testing during the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015.