Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

6.           Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

We use derivative instruments to manage risks related to interest rates and foreign currencies.  We record all derivatives at estimated fair value as either assets or liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets and recognize the unrealized gains and losses in either the consolidated balance sheets or statements of operations, depending on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument.  As permitted under our master netting arrangements, the fair value amounts of our derivative instruments are presented on a net basis by counterparty in the consolidated balance sheets.

Interest Rate

In order to reduce our exposure to interest rate fluctuations on our floating rate debt commitments, we maintain interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts of $220.0 million ($145.0 million of which became effective in January 2012, $20.0 million of which became effective in February 2012, and $30.0 million of which will become effective in January 2013) and termination dates ranging from December 31, 2012 to December 31, 2013.  Under these agreements, we receive a variable rate of interest based on LIBOR, and we pay a fixed rate of interest.  These interest rate swap agreements effectively modify our exposure to interest rate risk by converting a portion of our floating rate debt to fixed obligations with interest rates ranging from 0.465% to 3.385% plus a spread (see Note 8), thus reducing the impact of interest rate changes on future interest expense.  We have designated these interest rate swap agreements as qualifying cash flow hedges.  We currently meet the hedge accounting criteria under U.S. GAAP in accounting for these interest rate swap agreements.

Foreign Currency

We enter into foreign currency options and/or forward contracts in order to minimize our earnings exposure to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.  Our foreign currency exchange contracts do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment under U.S. GAAP.  We routinely monitor our foreign currency exposures to maximize the overall effectiveness of our foreign currency hedge positions.  We do not execute transactions or hold derivative financial instruments for trading or other purposes.

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

The estimated gross fair values of derivative instruments at December 31, 2011 and 2010, excluding the impact of netting derivative assets and liabilities when a legally enforceable master netting agreement exists, were as follows:

	December 31, 2011		December 31, 2010
(In $000s)	Foreign currency exchange contracts	Interest rate swap agreements	Foreign currency exchange contracts	Interest rate swap agreements
Assets:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Other current assets	$315	$-	$136	$-
Total assets	$315	$-	$136	$-
Liabilities:
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Accrued liabilities	$321	$-	$245	$-
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Accrued liabilities	-	251	-	4,465
Other long-term liabilities	-	3,984	-	2,593
Total liabilities	$321	$4,235	$245	$7,058

See also Note 7.

Cash Flow Hedges

Derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recorded at estimated fair value in the consolidated balance sheets, with the effective portion of the gains and losses being reported as accumulated other comprehensive income or loss, respectively (“accumulated OCI”).  Cash flow hedges for all periods presented consist solely of interest rate swap agreements.  Gains and losses on these interest rate swap agreements are reclassified to interest expense in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings or the period in which all or a portion of the hedge becomes ineffective.  As of December 31, 2011, we expect to reclassify $2.9 million of net losses on interest rate swap agreements from accumulated OCI to interest expense within the next 12 months due to the scheduled payment of interest associated with our debt.

Gains and losses representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.  The following table shows the effect of our cash flow hedges on the consolidated balance sheets during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010:

(In $000s)	Amount of Gain Recognized as Accumulated OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion) For the Year Ended
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	December 31, 2011	December 31, 2010
Interest rate swap agreements, gross of tax effect	$2,823	$32

During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no gains or losses on cash flow hedges recognized in income resulting from hedge ineffectiveness.

Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

Our foreign currency exchange contracts require current period mark-to-market accounting, with any change in fair value being recorded each period in the consolidated statements of operations in selling, general and administrative expenses.  At December 31, 2011, we had forward contracts with notional amounts of $11.3 million to exchange foreign currencies, primarily the Australian dollar and Euro, that were entered into to hedge forecasted foreign net income (loss) and intercompany debt.

These forward contracts did not have a material effect on our consolidated statements of operations during the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010.