Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements

v2.4.0.8
Fair Value Measurements
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements

For a description on how we estimate fair value, see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements in our 2013 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
 
Recurring Fair Value Measurements
 
Our partner in a real estate joint venture has the right to require us to acquire its interest at fair value beginning in March 2020; accordingly, we classify the fair value of our partner’s interest as a redeemable noncontrolling interest in the mezzanine section of our consolidated balance sheet. In determining the fair value of our partner’s interest as of March 31, 2014, we used a discount rate of 15.5%. The discount rate factored in risk appropriate to the level of future property development expected to be undertaken by the joint venture. A significant increase (decrease) in the discount rate used in determining the fair value would result in a significantly (lower) higher fair value. Given our reliance on the unobservable inputs, the valuations are classified in Level 3 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 6, we estimated the fair values of our mortgage and other 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 8, we estimated the fair value of our unsecured senior notes and exchangeable 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 at 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 6 for mortgage loans receivable, Note 8 for debt and Note 9 for interest rate derivatives. 

COPT and Subsidiaries

The table below sets forth financial assets and liabilities of COPT and its subsidiaries that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 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
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Marketable securities in deferred compensation plan (1)
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Mutual funds
 
$
7,249

 
$

 
$

 
$
7,249

Common stocks
 
115

 

 

 
115

Other
 
201

 

 

 
201

Interest rate derivatives (2)
 

 
5,038

 

 
5,038

Warrants to purchase common stock (2)
 

 
537

 

 
537

Total Assets
 
$
7,565

 
$
5,575

 
$

 
$
13,140

Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Deferred compensation plan liability (3)
 
$

 
$
7,565

 
$

 
$
7,565

Interest rate derivatives
 

 
3,196

 

 
3,196

Total Liabilities
 
$

 
$
10,761

 
$

 
$
10,761

Redeemable noncontrolling interest
 
$

 
$

 
$
17,654

 
$
17,654


(1) Included in the line entitled “restricted cash and marketable securities” on COPT’s consolidated balance sheet.
(2) Included in the line entitled “prepaid expenses and other assets” on COPT’s consolidated balance sheet.
(3) Included in the line entitled “other liabilities” on COPT’s consolidated balance sheet.

COPLP and Subsidiaries

The table below sets forth financial assets and liabilities of COPLP and its subsidiaries that are accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2014 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
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate derivatives (1)
 
$

 
$
5,038

 
$

 
$
5,038

Warrants to purchase common stock (1)
 

 
537

 

 
537

Total Assets
 
$

 
$
5,575

 
$

 
$
5,575

Liabilities:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

Interest rate derivatives
 
$

 
$
3,196

 
$

 
$
3,196

Redeemable noncontrolling interest
 
$

 
$

 
$
17,654

 
$
17,654


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

Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
 
During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we recognized a non-cash impairment loss of $1.9 million for the amount by which the carrying values of certain properties exceeded their estimated fair values. The table below sets forth the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques used by us in determining the fair value of the property (dollars in thousands):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fair Value of Property Held as of March 31, 2013
 
Impairment Losses
 
 
Quoted Prices in
 
 
 
Significant
 
 
 
Recognized in
 
 
Active Markets for
 
Significant Other
 
Unobservable
 
 
 
Three Months
 
 
Identical Assets
 
Observable Inputs
 
Inputs
 
 
 
Ended
Description
 
(Level 1)
 
(Level 2)
 
(Level 3)
 
Total
 
March 31, 2013
Assets:
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
Properties, net
 
$

 
$

 
$
7,250

 
$
7,250

 
$
1,857



The table below sets forth quantitative information about significant unobservable inputs used for the Level 3 fair value measurements reported above as of March 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):
Valuation Technique
 
Fair Value on 
Measurement Date
 
 Unobservable Input
 
Range (Weighted Average)
Bids for property indicative of value
 
$
7,250

 
Indicative bid
 
(1)

(1) This fair value measurement was developed as a result of negotiations between us and a purchaser of a property.