Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2018

12. Fair Value Measurements

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

The following table presents the estimated carrying amount and fair value of the Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of April 30, 2018 and 2017:


	April 30,		April 30,
	2018		2017
	(in thousands)
Assets:
Interest rate cap (Level 2)	$	543	$	88

Liabilities:
Forward currency forward (Level 2)	$	5,108	$	—
Stock appreciation rights (Level 3)		21,944		20,662
Deferred Compensation (Level 3)		2,222		3,750
Noncontrolling interest holders (Level 3)		16,170		24,309

Derivative instruments. The fair value of derivative instruments is determined using Level 2 inputs. Generally, the Company obtains the Level 2 inputs from its counterparties. Substantially all of the inputs are observable in the marketplace throughout the full term of the instruments, which can be derived from observable data or are supported by observable levels at which transactions are executed in the marketplace. The fair value of the Company’s interest rate cap is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of the derivative. This analysis reflected the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and used observable market‑based inputs, including interest rate curves and implied volatilities. The fair value of the Company’s forward currency forward contract is based on observable market inputs, such as forward rates in active markets.

Stock appreciation rights, deferred compensation and redeemable noncontrolling interests. The fair values of stock appreciation rights, deferred compensation and redeemable noncontrolling interests are determined using Level 3 inputs. These inputs include a volatility rate based on comparable entities, a discount rate, the expected time to redemption of the liabilities, historical values of the book equity of certain subsidiaries and market information for comparable entities. The use of these inputs to derive the fair value of the liabilities at a point in time can result in volatility to the financial statements. See Note 11, “Stock Appreciation Rights, Deferred Compensation and Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests,” for a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

Disclosures are required for certain assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis in periods subsequent to initial recognition. Such measurements of fair value relate primarily to assets and liabilities measured at fair value in connection with business combinations and long-lived asset impairments. For more information on business combinations, see Note 2, “Business Acquisitions.” There were no material long-lived asset impairments during the years ended April 30, 2018, 2017 or 2016.

- 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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