Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements

v3.8.0.1
Fair Value Measurements
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards define fair value as the exit price, or the amount that would be received upon sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants as of the measurement date. The standards also establish a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. Observable inputs are inputs market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based on market data obtained from sources independent of us. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based upon the best information available in the circumstances. The hierarchy of these inputs is broken down into three levels: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; Level 2 inputs include (1) quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, (2) quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets and (3) inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is most significant to the fair value measurement.

Recurring Fair Value Measurements 

COPT has a non-qualified elective deferred compensation plan for Trustees and certain members of our management team that permits participants to defer up to 100% of their compensation on a pre-tax basis and receive a tax-deferred return on such deferrals. The assets held in the plan (comprised primarily of mutual funds and equity securities) and the corresponding liability to the participants are measured at fair value on a recurring basis on COPT’s consolidated balance sheet using quoted market prices, as are other marketable securities that we hold. The balance of the plan, which was fully funded, totaled $4.6 million as of December 31, 2017 and $5.4 million as of December 31, 2016, and is included in the accompanying COPT consolidated balance sheets in the line entitled restricted cash and marketable securities. The offsetting liability associated with the plan is adjusted to fair value at the end of each accounting period based on the fair value of the plan assets and reported in other liabilities on COPT’s consolidated balance sheets. The assets of the plan and other marketable securities that we hold are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. The liability associated with the plan is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

The fair values of our interest rate derivatives are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques, including a discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate market data and implied volatilities in such interest rates. While we determined that the majority of the inputs used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with our interest rate derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default. However, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivatives and determined that these adjustments are not significant. As a result, we determined that our interest rate derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
 
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable, other assets (excluding investing receivables) and accounts payable and accrued expenses are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments.  As discussed in Note 8, we estimated the fair values of our investing receivables based on the discounted estimated future cash flows of the loans (categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy); the discount rates used approximate current market rates for loans with similar maturities and credit quality, and the estimated cash payments include scheduled principal and interest payments.  For our disclosure of debt fair values in Note 10, we estimated the fair value of our unsecured senior notes based on quoted market rates for publicly-traded debt (categorized within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy) and estimated the fair value of our other debt based on the discounted estimated future cash payments to be made on such debt (categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy); the discount rates used approximate current market rates for loans, or groups of loans, with similar maturities and credit quality, and the estimated future payments include scheduled principal and interest payments.  Fair value estimates are made as of a specific point in time, are subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant judgment.  Settlement at such fair value amounts may not be possible and may not be a prudent management decision.
 
For additional fair value information, please refer to Note 8 for investing receivables, Note 10 for debt and Note 11 for interest rate derivatives.

COPT and Subsidiaries

The tables below set forth financial assets and liabilities of COPT and its subsidiaries that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the hierarchy level of inputs used in measuring their respective fair values under applicable accounting standards (in thousands):
Description
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs(Level 3)
 
Total
December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Marketable securities in deferred compensation plan (1)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Mutual funds
 
$
4,547

 
$

 
$

 
$
4,547

Other
 
69

 

 

 
69

Interest rate derivatives (2)
 

 
3,073

 

 
3,073

Total assets
 
$
4,616

 
$
3,073

 
$

 
$
7,689

Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deferred compensation plan liability (3)
 
$

 
$
4,616

 
$

 
$
4,616

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Marketable securities in deferred compensation plan (1)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Mutual funds
 
$
5,346

 
$

 
$

 
$
5,346

Other
 
91

 

 

 
91

Interest rate derivatives (2)
 

 
158

 

 
158

Total assets
 
$
5,437

 
$
158

 
$

 
$
5,595

Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deferred compensation plan liability (3)
 
$

 
$
5,437

 
$

 
$
5,437

Interest rate derivatives
 

 
1,572

 

 
1,572

Redeemable preferred shares of beneficial interest (4)
 

 
26,583

 

 
26,583

Total liabilities
 
$

 
$
33,592

 
$

 
$
33,592


(1) Included in the line entitled “restricted cash and marketable securities” on COPTs consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Included in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on COPTs consolidated balance sheet.
(3) Included in the line entitled “other liabilities” on COPTs consolidated balance sheet.
(4) See disclosure regarding our Series K Preferred Shares in Note 13.

COPLP and Subsidiaries

The tables below set forth financial assets and liabilities of COPLP and its subsidiaries that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and the hierarchy level of inputs used in measuring their respective fair values under applicable accounting standards (in thousands):
Description
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets (Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable Inputs(Level 3)
 
Total
December 31, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate derivatives (1)
 
$

 
$
3,073

 
$

 
$
3,073

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate derivatives (1)
 
$

 
$
158

 
$

 
$
158

Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate derivatives
 
$

 
$
1,572

 
$

 
$
1,572

Redeemable preferred units of general partner (2)
 

 
26,583

 

 
26,583

Total liabilities
 
$

 
$
28,155

 
$

 
$
28,155


(1) Included in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on COPLPs consolidated balance sheet.
(2) See disclosure regarding our Series K Preferred Units in Note 14.

2017 Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

As part of our closing process for each of the four quarters in 2017, we conducted our review of our portfolio of long-lived assets to be held and used for indicators of impairment and found there to be no impairment losses in the first, second and third quarters. In the fourth quarter of 2017, our assessment of weakening leasing prospects and expected enduring vacancy in our Aberdeen, Maryland (“Aberdeen”) portfolio indicated that these properties could be impaired. We have performed recovery analyses on the properties considering weakening tenant demand, high vacancy and low investor demand for office properties in the surrounding submarkets and concluded that the carrying values of these properties were not likely to be recovered from the expected undiscounted cash flows from the operation and eventual disposition of these properties. Accordingly, we recognized $9.0 million of impairment losses on the operating properties in Aberdeen (included in our Other segment). In addition, and also considering these conditions, we determined that we would not likely recover the carrying amount of land in this submarket and recognized a $4.7 million impairment loss on it. We previously recognized impairment losses on these properties in the second quarter of 2016 as discussed below. We determined that the declines in values that have occurred since the initial losses were recognized were due to declining market conditions.

For the respective quarters in 2017, we also performed recoverability analyses for our properties classified as held for sale, which resulted in impairment losses of $1.6 million in the second quarter of 2017. These impairment losses were primarily on properties in White Marsh, Maryland (“White Marsh”) (included in our Regional Office and Other segments) that we reclassified to held for sale during the period and adjusted to fair value less costs to sell. These properties were sold in the third quarter.

Changes in the expected future cash flows due to changes in our plans for specific properties (especially our expected holding period) could result in the recognition of impairment losses. In addition, because properties held for sale are carried at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair values less costs to sell, declines in their estimated fair values due to market conditions and other factors could result in the recognition of impairment losses.

The table below sets forth the fair value hierarchy of the valuation technique we used to determine nonrecurring fair value measurements of properties as of December 31, 2017 (in thousands):
 
 
Fair Values as of December 31, 2017
 
 
Quoted Prices in
 
 
 
Significant
 
 
 
 
Active Markets for
 
Significant Other
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
 
Identical Assets
 
Observable Inputs
 
Inputs
 
 
Description
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Operating properties, net
 
$

 
$

 
$
3,850

 
$
3,850

Projects in development or held for future development
 
$

 
$

 
$
1,755

 
$
1,755



The table below sets forth quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used for the Level 3 fair value measurements reported above as of December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands):
Valuation Technique
 
Fair Values on 
Measurement Date
 
 Unobservable Input
 
Range (Weighted Average)
Discounted cash flow
 
$
3,850

 
Discount rate
 
14% - 16% (14%)
 
 
 
 
Terminal capitalization rate
 
12% (1)
Comparable sales analysis
 
$
1,755

 
Comparable sales prices
 
N/A

(1) Only one fair value applied for this unobservable input.

2016 Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

In the first quarter of 2016, we set a goal to raise cash from sales of properties in 2016 considerably in excess of the $96.8 million in assets held for sale at December 31, 2015. The specific properties we would sell to achieve this goal had not been identified when the goal was established. Throughout 2016, we engaged in the process of identifying properties we would sell.

In the first quarter of 2016, we reclassified: most of our properties in Greater Philadelphia (included in our Regional Office segment); two properties in the Fort Meade/BW Corridor sub-segment; and our remaining land holdings in Colorado Springs, Colorado (“Colorado Springs”) to held for sale and recognized $2.4 million of impairment losses. As of March 31, 2016, we had $225.9 million of assets held for sale.

During the second quarter of 2016, as part of our closing process, we conducted our quarterly review of our portfolio for indicators of impairment considering the refined investment strategy of our then newly-appointed Chief Executive Officer and the goals of the asset sales program and concluded that we would: (1) not hold our operating properties in Aberdeen; (2) not develop commercial properties on land in Frederick, Maryland; (3) sell specific properties in our Northern Virginia Defense/IT and Fort Meade/BW Corridor sub-segments; and (4) sell the remaining operating property in Greater Philadelphia that had not previously been classified as held for sale. Accordingly, we performed recoverability analyses for each of these properties and recorded the following impairment losses:

$34.4 million on operating properties in Aberdeen. After shortening our estimated holding period for these properties, we determined that the carrying amount of the properties would not likely be recovered from the operation and eventual dispositions of the properties during the shortened holding period. Accordingly, we adjusted the properties to their estimated fair values;
$4.4 million on land in Aberdeen. In performing our analysis related to the operating properties in Aberdeen, we determined that the weakening leasing and overall commercial real estate conditions in that market indicated that our land holdings in the market may be impaired. As a result, we determined that the carrying amount of the land was not recoverable and adjusted the land to its estimated fair value;
$8.2 million on land in Frederick, Maryland. We determined that the carrying amount of the land would not likely be recovered from its sale and adjusted the land to its estimated fair value;
$14.1 million on operating properties in our Northern Virginia and Fort Meade/BW Corridor sub-segments that we reclassified to held for sale during the period whose carrying amounts exceeded their estimated fair values less costs to sell;
$6.2 million on the property in Greater Philadelphia that we reclassified to held for sale during the period and adjusted to fair value less costs to sell; and
$2.4 million primarily on land in Colorado Springs and operating properties in White Marsh (included in our Regional Office Segment) classified as held for sale whose carrying amounts exceeded their estimated fair values less costs to sell based on updated negotiations with prospective buyers.

There were no property sales in the second quarter of 2016 and as of June 30, 2016, we had $300.6 million of assets held for sale.

During the third quarter of 2016, as part of our closing process, we conducted our quarterly review of our portfolio for indicators of impairment considering refinements to our disposition strategy made during the third quarter of 2016 to sell an additional operating property in our Northern Virginia Defense/IT sub-segment, an additional operating property in our Fort Meade/BW Corridor sub-segment and our remaining operating properties and land in White Marsh that had not previously been classified as held for sale. In connection with our determinations that we planned to sell these properties, we performed recoverability analyses for each of these properties and recorded the following impairment losses:

$13.3 million on the operating property in our Northern Virginia Defense/IT sub-segment. Communication with a major tenant in the building during the quarter led us to conclude that there was significant uncertainty with respect to the tenant renewing its lease expiring in 2019. As a result of this information and continuing sub-market weakness, we determined that this property no longer met our long-term hold strategy and we placed it into our asset sales program. Accordingly, we adjusted the carrying amount of the property to its estimated fair value less costs to sell; and
$2.9 million on the other properties that we reclassified as held for sale, primarily associated with a land parcel in White Marsh. As of June 30, 2016, this land was under a sales contract subject to a re-zoning contingency. During the third quarter, we were denied favorable re-zoning and the contract was canceled. As a result, we determined this property will be sold as is, reclassified it to held for sale and adjusted its carrying value to its estimated fair value less costs to sell.

During our review we also recognized additional impairment losses of $11.5 million on properties previously classified as held for sale. Approximately $10.0 million of these losses pertained to properties in White Marsh due to our assessment that certain significant tenants will likely exercise lease termination rights and to reflect market conditions. The remainder of these losses pertained primarily to properties in San Antonio, Texas (included in our Other segment), where prospective purchasers reduced offering prices late in the third quarter. We executed property sales of $210.7 million in the third quarter of 2016 (discussed further in Note 5), and had $161.5 million of assets held for sale as of September 30, 2016.

We executed property sales of $54.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2016 (discussed further in Note 5), and had $94.7 million of assets held for sale as of December 31, 2016. As part of our closing process for the fourth quarter, we conducted our quarterly review of our portfolio for indicators of impairment and found there to be no impairment losses for the quarter other than additional impairment losses of $1.3 million on properties previously classified as held for sale in White Marsh, where prospective purchasers reduced offering prices, and $0.3 million of losses on properties that were sold during the period.

Changes in the expected future cash flows due to changes in our plans for specific properties (especially our expected holding period) could result in the recognition of additional impairment losses. In addition, because properties held for sale are carried at the lower of carrying value or estimated fair values less costs to sell, declines in their estimated fair values due to market conditions and other factors could result in the recognition of additional impairment losses.

2015 Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

In 2015, we recognized the following impairment losses resulting from nonrecurring fair value measurements:

$12.8 million on land in Colorado Springs. We classified some of this land as held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2015, at which time we adjusted the land to its estimated fair value less costs to sell. Due to the impairment loss on the land held for sale, we updated our estimates of fair value for other land owned in Colorado Springs and determined that the carrying value of some of this land exceeded such land’s estimated fair value, which resulted in recognition of an additional impairment loss;
$6.6 million on land in Aberdeen. After concluding during the fourth quarter that we no longer expected to develop operating properties on the land, we determined that the carrying amount of the land would not likely be recovered from the sale of this property over the likely remaining holding period. Accordingly, we adjusted the land to its estimated fair value;
$2.6 million on operating properties in White Marsh (included in our Regional Office segment) that we decided to sell and whose carrying amounts exceeded their estimated fair values less costs to sell. These properties were reclassified as held for sale during the year; and
$1.3 million on an operating property in Northern Virginia (included in our Regional Office segment) that we sold on July 27, 2015 following receipt of an unsolicited offer. This property’s carrying value exceeded its fair value less costs to sell.