Fair Value Measurements and Interest Rate Swaps

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2024

Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurements and Interest Rate Swaps

Fair Value Measurements and Interest Rate Swaps

Recurring Fair Value Measurements

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 our deferred compensation plan asset and liability. 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 our assets and liabilities measured and recorded at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands):

			Fair Value at September 30,
	Input Level	Classification	2024		2023
Assets
Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps	Level 2	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	1,905	$	—
Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps	Level 2	Other assets	16,213		34,854
Deferred compensation plan asset	Level 1	Other assets	18,179		14,075
Liabilities
Deferred compensation plan liability	Level 1	Other long-term liabilities	$	18,179	$	14,075

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 a portion of our variable rate borrowings. 

We use significant other observable market data or assumptions (Level 2 inputs) in determining the fair value of our interest rate swap contracts and forward-starting interest rate swap contract 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 recognize any differences between the variable interest rate in effect and the fixed interest rates per our swap contracts as an adjustment to interest expense over the life of the swaps. To the extent our derivatives are effective in offsetting the variability of the hedged cash flows, we record the changes in the estimated fair value of our interest rate swap contracts to Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

We currently have two swap contracts in place. These swap contracts were previously forward-starting and convert the variable interest rate to a fixed interest rate on a portion of our variable rate borrowings. Interest expense related to the notional amounts under these swap contracts is based on the fixed rates plus the applicable margin on a portion of our variable rate borrowings. Changes in the estimated fair value of these interest rate swap contracts are recorded to Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

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

Derivative	Inception Date	Effective Date	Termination Date	Notional Amount (in millions)	Fixed Interest Rate
Interest rate swap 1	February 5, 2020	February 26, 2021	February 28, 2025	$150.0	1.3260%
Interest rate swap 2	March 9, 2020	September 29, 2022	February 26, 2027	$150.0	0.6690%

For the interest rate swap contracts in effect at September 30, 2024, 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) income 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 and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2024 or September 30, 2023.

We also have in place a forward-starting interest rate swap contract to extend the hedged period for future interest payments on a portion of our variable rate borrowings. The following table provides details related to our forward-starting interest rate swap contract:

Derivative	Inception Date	Effective Date	Termination Date	Notional Amount (in millions)	Fixed Interest Rate
Forward-starting interest rate swap	March 9, 2020	February 28, 2025	February 26, 2027	$150.0	0.7630%

Failure of any 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 were in a net pay position.

Our interest rate swap contracts and forward-starting interest rate swap contract 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

Our deferred compensation plan asset represents investments in securities (primarily mutual funds) traded in an active market (Level 1 inputs) held for the benefit of certain employees as part of our deferred compensation plan. We record an equal and offsetting deferred compensation plan liability, which represents our obligation to participating employees. Changes in the fair value of the plan asset and liability are reflected in Selling and administrative expenses on the Consolidated Statements of Income.

The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued liabilities approximate fair value due to the short maturity of those instruments. The carrying value of our long-term debt approximates its fair value.  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).