Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements

v3.20.2
Fair Value Measurements
 9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurements
Fair value guidance establishes a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which prioritizes the inputs used in measuring fair value. These tiers are defined as follows:
Tier Description
Level 1 Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets
Level 2 Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable
Level 3 Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis

The following table sets forth our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Significant Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs
Total
Fair value as of September 30, 2020:
Assets:
Short-term government securities (cash and cash equivalents)
$ 20,626  $ 20,626  $ —  $ — 
Total assets $ 20,626  $ 20,626  $ —  $ — 
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps (other liabilities) $ 5,134  $ —  $ 5,134  $ — 
Total liabilities $ 5,134  $ —  $ 5,134  $ — 
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Significant Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs
Total
Fair value as of December 31, 2019:
Asset:
Interest rate swaps (prepaids and other assets) $ 1,018  $ —  $ 1,018  $ — 
Total assets $ 1,018  $ —  $ 1,018  $ — 
Liabilities:
Interest rate swaps (other liabilities) $ 1,442  $ —  $ 1,442  $ — 
Total liabilities $ 1,442  $ —  $ 1,442  $ — 

Short-term government securities

Short-term government securities are highly liquid investments, which are classified as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices in an active market.
Interest rate swaps

Fair values of interest rate swaps are estimated using Level 2 inputs based on current market data received from financial sources that trade such instruments and are based on prevailing market data and derived from third party proprietary models based on well recognized financial principles including counterparty risks, credit spreads and interest rate projections, as well as reasonable estimates about relevant future market conditions.

Fair Value Measurements on a Nonrecurring Basis

The following table sets forth our assets that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis within the fair value hierarchy (in thousands):
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities Significant Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs
Total
Fair value as of March 31,2020:
Asset:
Long-lived assets $ 60,000  $ —  $ —  $ 60,000 

During the first quarter 2020, we recorded a $45.7 million impairment charge in our consolidated statement of operations which equaled the excess of the carrying value of our Foxwoods outlet center over its estimated fair value. The estimated fair value was based on the income approach. The income approach involves discounting the estimated income stream and reversion (presumed sale) value of a property over an estimated holding period to a present value at a risk-adjusted rate. Discount rates and terminal capitalization rates utilized in this approach were derived from property-specific information, market transactions and other financial and industry data. The terminal capitalization rate and discount rate are significant unobservable inputs in determining the fair value. The terminal capitalization rate used in the calculation was 7.8% and the discount rate used was 8.5%. These inputs are classified under Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy above. Should the significant assumptions utilized above to determine fair value continue to deteriorate, additional impairments in the future could be possible. 

Other Fair Value Disclosures

The estimated fair value within the fair value hierarchy and recorded value of our debt consisting of senior unsecured notes, unsecured term loans, secured mortgages and unsecured lines of credit were as follows (in thousands):
September 30, 2020 December 31, 2019
Level 1 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets or Liabilities $ —  $ — 
Level 2 Significant Observable Inputs 1,133,864  1,169,481 
Level 3 Significant Unobservable Inputs 431,285  434,333 
Total fair value of debt $ 1,565,149  $ 1,603,814 
Recorded value of debt $ 1,568,217  $ 1,569,773 

Our senior unsecured notes are publicly-traded which provides quoted market rates. However, due to the limited trading volume of these notes, we have classified these instruments as Level 2 in the hierarchy. Our other debt is classified as Level 3 given the unobservable inputs utilized in the valuation. Our unsecured term loan, unsecured lines of credit and variable interest rate mortgages are all LIBOR based instruments. When selecting the discount rates for purposes of estimating the fair value of these instruments, we evaluated the original credit spreads and do not believe that the use of them differs materially from current credit spreads for similar instruments and therefore the recorded values of these debt instruments is considered their fair value.
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable, accrued expenses and other assets and liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair values because of the short maturities of these instruments.