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
4. Fair Value Measurements:
Fair values are based on quoted market prices when available. When market prices are not available, fair values are generally estimated using discounted cash flow analyses, incorporating current market inputs for similar financial instruments with comparable terms and credit quality. In instances where there is little or no market activity for the same or similar instruments, the Company estimates fair values using methods, models and assumptions that management believes a hypothetical market participant would use to determine a current transaction price. These valuation techniques involve some level of management estimation and judgment that becomes significant with increasingly complex instruments or pricing models. Where appropriate, adjustments are included to reflect the risk inherent in a particular methodology, model or input used.
The Company’s financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value have been classified based upon a fair value hierarchy. The hierarchy gives the highest ranking to fair values determined using unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest ranking to fair values determined using methodologies and models with unobservable inputs (Level 3). The classification of an asset or a liability is based on the lowest level input that is significant to its measurement. For example, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are both observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). The levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

•
Level 1—Values are unadjusted quoted prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets accessible at the measurement date. Active markets provide pricing data for trades occurring at least weekly and include exchanges and dealer markets.
•
Level 2—Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices from those willing to trade in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by market data for the term of the instrument. Such inputs include market interest rates and volatilities, spreads and yield curves.
•
Level 3—Certain inputs are unobservable (supported by little or no market activity) and significant to the fair value measurement. Unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s best estimate of what hypothetical market participants would use to determine a transaction price for the asset or liability at the reporting date.
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value.
 
 
December 31, 2017
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs 
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative contracts
 
$
1,043

 
$
—

 
$
1,043

 
$
—

Restoration plan assets
 
5,576

 
5,576

 
—

 
—

Total
 
$
6,619

 
$
5,576

 
$
1,043

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative contracts
 
$
448

 
$
—

 
$
448

 
$
—

Total
 
$
448

 
$
—

 
$
448

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
(Level 1) 
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2) 
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Derivative contracts
 
$
6,434

 
$
—

 
$
6,434

 
$
—

Restoration plan assets
 
5,594

 
5,594

 
—

 
—

Total
 
$
12,028

 
$
5,594

 
$
6,434

 
$
—

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following table presents information about the Company’s assets and liabilities that were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of December 31, 2016. The Company performed its annual impairment test on its indefinite life tradenames on October 1, 2017 and determined that no impairment existed. Refer to Note 13 for additional detail.
Refer to Note 13 to these consolidated financial statements for a description of the valuation techniques the Company utilized to determine such fair value.

 
As of
December 31,
2016
 
Quoted Prices in
Active Markets
(Level 1)
 
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
 
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
Total
Losses 
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Indefinite life trade names(1)
$
153,922

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
153,922

 
$
(6,873
)
Total
$
153,922

 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
153,922

 
$
(6,873
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

(1) 
Indefinite life trade names with a carrying amount of $160,795, net of foreign exchange impact, were written down to their implied fair value of $153,922 as part of the Company’s annual impairment assessment on October 1, 2016. This resulted in an impairment charge of $6,873, which was recorded to other operating expense, net, on the consolidated statements of operations.
Restoration plan assets
The fair values of the Company’s restoration plan assets are determined through quoted prices in active markets. Restoration plan assets are assets held in a Rabbi trust to fund the obligations of the Company’s defined benefit supplementary retirement plans and include various stock and fixed income mutual funds. See Note 19 to these consolidated financial statements regarding defined benefit supplementary retirement plans.
Derivative contracts
Derivative assets and liabilities can be exchange-traded or traded over-the-counter (“OTC”). The Company generally values exchange-traded derivatives using models that calibrate to market transactions and eliminate timing differences between the closing price of the exchange-traded derivatives and their underlying instruments. OTC derivatives are valued using market transactions and other market evidence whenever possible, including market-based inputs to models, model calibration to market transactions, broker or dealer quotations or alternative pricing sources with reasonable levels of price transparency. When models are used, the selection of a particular model to value an OTC derivative depends on the contractual terms of, and specific risks inherent in, the instrument as well as the availability of pricing information in the market. The Company generally uses similar models to value similar instruments. Valuation models require a variety of inputs, including contractual terms, market prices and rates, forward curves, measures of volatility, and correlations of such inputs. For OTC derivatives that trade in liquid markets, such as forward contracts, swaps and options, model inputs can generally be corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means, and model selection does not involve significant management judgment.
The Company has interest rate caps and natural gas swaps that are fair valued using Level 2 inputs. In addition, the Company applies a credit valuation adjustment to reflect credit risk which is calculated based on credit default swaps. To the extent that the Company’s net exposure under a specific master agreement is an asset, the Company utilizes the counterparty’s default swap rate. If the net exposure under a specific master agreement is a liability, the Company utilizes a default swap rate comparable to PQ Group Holdings. The credit valuation adjustment is added to the discounted fair value to reflect the exit price that a market participant would be willing to receive to assume the Company’s liabilities or that a market participant would be willing to pay for the Company’s assets. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the credit valuation adjustment resulted in a minimal change in the fair value of the derivatives.