Note 4 – Fair Value Measurements and Interest Rate Swaps

Our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis include the unrealized gains or losses on our interest rate swap contracts and contingent consideration related to recent acquisitions. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy under the accounting guidance are described below:


Level 1	Inputs to the valuation methodology are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.


Level 2	Inputs to the valuation methodology include:


•	quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets;


•	quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets;


•	inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; or


•	inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.


Level 3	Inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.

The table below presents the estimated fair values of our interest rate swap contracts, our forward-starting interest rate swap contract and our contingent consideration liabilities (in thousands):



	Fair Value at March 31,
	2019		2018
Level 2
Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps	$	1,785	$	2,451

Level 3
Contingent consideration liabilities	$	833	$	1,617

Interest Rate Swaps

We utilize interest rate swap contracts and forward-starting interest rate swap contracts to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in variable interest rates for future interest payments on our unsecured syndicated senior credit facility (the Credit Facility).

For determining the fair value of our interest rate swap and forward-starting interest rate swap contracts, we use significant other observable market data or assumptions (Level 2 inputs) that we believe market participants would use in pricing similar assets or liabilities, including assumptions about counterparty risk. Our fair value estimates reflect an income approach based on the terms of the interest rate swap contracts and inputs corroborated by observable market data including interest rate curves. We include unrealized gains in Prepaid expenses and other current assets and unrealized losses in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We recognize any differences between the variable interest rate payments and the fixed interest rate settlements from our swap counterparties as an adjustment to interest expense over the life of the swaps. If determined to be effective cash flow hedges, we record the changes in the estimated fair value of the swaps to Accumulated other comprehensive loss on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. To the extent our interest rate swaps are determined to be ineffective, we recognize the changes in the estimated fair value of our swaps in Interest and other non-operating expenses, net on our Consolidated Statements of Income.

We currently have three interest rate swap contracts in place, which became effective on October 19, 2016. These swaps were previously forward-starting contracts that were amended in October 2015 to bring the fixed rates per our forward-starting contracts in line with current market rates at that time and extend the hedged period for future interest payments on our Credit Facility. As amended, these swap contracts terminate on November 20, 2019. In the first three months of 2019, we recognized a loss of $0.2 million as a result of ineffectiveness.

The following table provides additional details related to each of these amended swap contracts:



Derivative	Amendment Date	Notional Amount (in millions)	Fixed Interest Rate
Interest rate swap 1	October 1, 2015	$75.0	2.273%
Interest rate swap 2	October 1, 2015	$25.0	2.111%
Interest rate swap 3	October 1, 2015	$50.0	2.111%

For the three interest rate swap contracts in effect at March 31, 2019, a portion of the change in the estimated fair value between periods relates to future interest expense. Recognition of the change in fair value between periods attributable to accrued interest is reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the Consolidated Balance Sheets to Interest and other non-operating expenses, net on the Consolidated Statements of Income. These amounts were not material in the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and March 31, 2018.

In July 2016, we entered into an additional forward-starting interest rate swap contract to extend the hedged period for future interest payments on our Credit Facility to its maturity date at that time. This swap contract will convert the variable interest rate to a fixed interest rate on borrowings under the Credit Facility. This contract becomes effective on November 20, 2019 and terminates on November 20, 2020. The following table provides additional details related to this swap contract:

Failure of our swap counterparties would result in the loss of any potential benefit to us under our swap agreements. In this case, we would still be obligated to pay the variable interest payments underlying our debt agreements. Additionally, failure of our swap counterparties would not eliminate our obligation to continue to make payments under our existing swap agreements if we continue to be in a net pay position.

Our interest rate swap and forward-starting interest rate swap contracts are subject to master netting arrangements. According to our accounting policy, we do not offset the fair values of assets with the fair values of liabilities related to these contracts.

Other

The carrying values of cash, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments (Level 1 inputs). The carrying value of long-term debt approximates fair value (Level 3 inputs). Our determination of the estimated fair value reflects a discounted cash flow model using our estimates, including assumptions related to borrowing rates (Level 3 inputs).

Derivative

Inception Date

Notional
Amount
(in millions)

Fixed
Interest
Rate

Forward-starting interest rate swap

July 6, 2016