COPT Defense Properties Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2019

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 sheets using quoted market prices, as are other marketable securities that we hold. The balance of the plan, which was fully funded, totaled $3.1 million as of December 31, 2019 and $3.9 million as of December 31, 2018, and is included in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on COPT’s consolidated balance sheets. 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 are classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy, while the offsetting liability 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, 2019 and 2018, 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. The fair values of our investing receivables, as disclosed in Note 8, were 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, 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 subsidiaries that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 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, 2019:
Assets:
Marketable securities in deferred compensation plan (1)
Mutual funds	$	3,035	$	—	$	—	$	3,035
Other	25		—		—		25
Interest rate derivatives (1)	—		23		—		23
Total assets	$	3,060	$	23	$	—	$	3,083
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability (2)	$	—	$	3,060	$	—	$	3,060
Interest rate derivatives	—		25,682		—		25,682
Total liabilities	$	—	$	28,742	$	—	$	28,742

December 31, 2018:
Assets:
Marketable securities in deferred compensation plan (1)
Mutual funds	$	3,819	$	—	$	—	$	3,819
Other	49		—		—		49
Interest rate derivatives (1)	—		5,617		—		5,617
Total assets	$	3,868	$	5,617	$	—	$	9,485
Liabilities:
Deferred compensation plan liability (2)	$	—	$	3,868	$	—	$	3,868
Interest rate derivatives	—		5,459		—		5,459
Total liabilities	$	—	$	9,327	$	—	$	9,327

(1) Included in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on COPT’s consolidated balance sheet.

(2) Included in the line entitled “other liabilities” on COPT’s consolidated balance sheet.

COPLP and Subsidiaries

The tables below set forth financial assets and liabilities of COPLP and subsidiaries that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2019 and 2018 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, 2019:
Assets:
Interest rate derivatives (1)	$	—	$	23	$	—	$	23
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives	$	—	$	25,682	$	—	$	25,682

December 31, 2018:
Assets:
Interest rate derivatives (1)	$	—	$	5,617	$	—	$	5,617
Liabilities:
Interest rate derivatives	$	—	$	5,459	$	—	$	5,459

(1) Included in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets, net” on COPLP’s consolidated balance sheet.

2019 Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

In the third quarter of 2019, we determined that the carrying amount of land held in Frederick, Maryland would not be recovered from its eventual disposition. As a result, we recognized an impairment loss of $327,000 in order to adjust the land to its estimated fair value. This land was sold in the fourth quarter of 2019.

2017 Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements

As part of our closing process for each quarter 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 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 2016. 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 of 2017.

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.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details