Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2015

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. LP is required to classify these financial assets and liabilities into two groups: recurring—measured on a periodic basis and non-recurring—measured on an as needed basis.

There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:


Level 1	Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.


Level 2	Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.


Level 3	Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable. Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available and reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use.

Assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 is summarized in the following tables.



Dollar amounts in millions	December 31, 2015		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Available for sale securities	$	5.8	$	—	$	—	$	5.8
Trading securities	2.3		2.3		—		—



Dollar amounts in millions	December 31, 2014		Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Available for sale securities	$	4.6	$	—	$	—	$	4.6
Trading securities	2.3		2.3		—		—
Contingent consideration	0.2		—		—		0.2

Due to the lack of observable market quotations on a portion of LP’s ARS portfolio, LP evaluates the structure of its ARS holdings and current market estimates of fair value, including fair value estimates from issuing banks that rely exclusively on Level 3 inputs. These inputs include those that are based on expected cash flow streams and collateral values, including assessments of counterparty credit quality, default risk underlying the security, discount rates and overall capital market liquidity. The valuation of LP’s ARS investment portfolio is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Factors that may impact LP’s valuation include changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as to the underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral value, discount rates, counterparty risk and ongoing strength and quality of market credit and liquidity.

Trading securities consist of rabbi trust financial assets which are recorded in other assets in LP’s consolidated balance sheets. The rabbi trust holds assets attributable to the elections of certain management employees to defer the receipt of a portion of their compensation. The assets of the rabbi trust are invested in mutual funds and are reported at fair value based on active market quotations, which represent Level 1 inputs.

The following table summarizes changes in assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) during the twelve months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014.



Dollar amounts in millions	Available for sale securities		Contingent consideration
Balance at December 31, 2013	$	3.7	$	3.8
Sale of ARS	—		—
Adjustment to contingent consideration fair value	—		(3.2		)
Foreign exchange rate changes			(0.4		)
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
Included in other comprehensive income	0.9		—
Balance at December 31, 2014	$	4.6	$	0.2
Sale of ARS	—		—
Contingent consideration pursuant to business combination	$	—	$	—
Adjustment to contingent consideration fair value	—		(0.2		)
Total realized/unrealized gains (losses)
Included in other comprehensive income	1.2		—
Balance at December 31, 2015	$	5.8	$	—

LP estimated the Senior Notes maturing in 2020 to have a fair value of $366.2 million at December 31, 2015 and $371.0 million at December 31, 2014 based upon market quotations.

Carrying amounts reported on the balance sheet for cash and cash equivalents, receivables and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these instruments.

LP reviews the carrying values of long-lived assets to be held and used for impairment wherever events or changes in circumstances indicate possible impairment. An impairment loss is recognized when a long-lived asset's carrying value is not recoverable (given assumptions on housing starts and growth rates) and exceeds estimated fair value.

During 2015, LP recognized a gain of $0.2 million as a fair value adjustment to the contingent consideration payable in connection with a business combination (see Note 24 for further discussion). The fair value of the contingent consideration was reduced during the year due to the decline in projected OSB prices as compared to the initial fair value which was established at the date of the acquisition. This reduction resulted in lowering the estimated payment obligation. The fair value adjustment is recorded in Other Operating Credits and Charges, Net (see Note 17 for further discussion). This fair value was determined based upon the income approach using significant non-observable inputs such as projected OSB pricing taking into consideration volatility of such projections.

During 2014, LP recognized a gain of $3.2 million as a fair value adjustment to the contingent consideration payable in connection with a business combination (see Note 24 for further discussion). The fair value of the contingent consideration was reduced during the year due to the decline in projected OSB prices as compared to the initial fair value which was established at the date of the acquisition. This reduction resulted in lowering the estimated payment obligation. The fair value adjustment is recorded in Other Operating Credits and Charges, Net (see Note 17 for further discussion). This fair value was determined based upon the income approach using significant non-observable inputs such as projected OSB pricing taking into consideration volatility of such projections.

- 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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