Marketable Securities and Derivative Instruments (Policy)

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2012

Marketable Securities and Derivative Instruments [Abstract]

Marketable Securities, Available-for-sale Securities, Policy [Policy Text Block]

Our portfolio of marketable securities is comprised of debt and equity securities that are classified as available for sale. Available for sale securities are presented on our consolidated balance sheets at fair value. Gains and losses resulting from the mark-to-market of these securities are included in “other comprehensive income.” Gains and losses are recognized in earnings only upon the sale of the securities and are recorded based on the weighted average cost of such securities.

We own 18,584,010 common shares at an average economic cost of $25.75 per share, or $478,532,000 in the aggregate. As of March 31, 2012, these shares have an aggregate fair value of $658,431,000, based on J.C. Penney's closing share price of $35.43 per share. Unrealized gains from the mark-to-market of these shares are included in “other comprehensive income” and were $5,203,000 and $66,903,000 in the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

Derivatives, Methods of Accounting, Derivatives Not Designated or Qualifying as Hedges [Policy Text Block]

We also own an economic interest in 4,815,990 common shares through a forward contract executed on October 7, 2010, at a weighted average strike price of $28.86 per share, or $138,986,000 in the aggregate. The contract may be settled, at our election, in cash or common shares, in whole or in part, at any time prior to October 9, 2012. The strike price per share increases at an annual rate of LIBOR plus 80 basis points. The contract is a derivative instrument that does not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Mark-to-market adjustments on the underlying common shares are recognized in “interest and other investment income, net” on our consolidated statements of income. In the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, we recognized gains of $1,045,000 and $17,163,000, respectively,from the mark-to-market of the underlying common shares.