Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value Measurements

v3.8.0.1
Fair Value Measurements
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value Measurements
Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The fair value accounting guidance provides a three-level hierarchy for classifying financial instruments. The levels of inputs used to determine the fair value of our financial assets and liabilities carried on the balance sheet at fair value and for those which only disclosure of fair value is required are characterized in accordance with the fair value hierarchy established by ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements. Where inputs for a financial asset or liability fall in more than one level in the fair value hierarchy, the financial asset or liability is classified in its entirety based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement of that financial asset or liability. We use our judgment and consider factors specific to the financial assets and liabilities in determining the significance of an input to the fair value measurements. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, only our residual assets, interest rate swaps and investments, if any, were carried at fair value on the consolidated balance sheets on a recurring basis. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:
 
Level 1 — Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date.
Level 2 — Observable prices that are based on inputs not quoted on active markets, but corroborated by market data.
Level 3 — Unobservable inputs are used when little or no market data is available.

The tables below illustrate the estimated fair value of our financial instruments on our balance sheet. Unless otherwise discussed below, fair value for our Level 2 and Level 3 measurements is measured using a discounted cash flow model, contractual terms and inputs which consist of base interest rates and spreads over base rates which are based upon market observation and recent comparable transactions. An increase in these inputs would result in a lower fair value and a decline would result in a higher fair value. Our convertible notes are valued using a market based approach and observable prices. The receivables held-for-sale, if any, are carried at the lower of cost or fair value.
 
 
As of March 31, 2018
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Level
 
(in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
Government receivables
$
497

 
$
514

 
Level 3
Commercial receivables
452

 
471

 
Level 3
Receivables held-for-sale
16

 
16

 
Level 3
Investments (1)
152

 
152

 
Level 3
Securitization residual assets (2)
53

 
53

 
Level 3
Derivative assets
6

 
6

 
Level 2
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Credit facility
$
70

 
$
70

 
Level 3
Non-recourse debt (3)
1,225

 
1,241

 
Level 3
Convertible notes (3)
144

 
151

 
Level 2

(1)
The amortized cost of our investments as of March 31, 2018 was $157 million.
(2)
Included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(3)
Fair value and carrying value excludes unamortized debt issuance costs.
 
As of December 31, 2017
 
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Value
 
Level
 
(in millions)
Assets
 
 
 
 
 
Government receivables
$
519

 
$
519

 
Level 3
Commercial receivables
464

 
473

 
Level 3
Receivables held-for-sale
20

 
19

 
Level 3
Investments (1)
151

 
151

 
Level 3
Securitization residual assets (2)
45

 
45

 
Level 3
Liabilities
 
 
 
 
 
Credit facility
$
70

 
$
70

 
Level 3
Non-recourse debt (3)
1,239

 
1,238

 
Level 3
Convertible notes (3)
156

 
152

 
Level 2
 
(1)
The amortized cost of our investments as of December 31, 2017 was $153 million.
(2)
Included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheet.
(3)
Fair value and carrying value excludes unamortized debt issuance costs.

Investments
The following table reconciles the beginning and ending balances for our Level 3 investments that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis:
 
For the three months ended March 31,
 
2018
 
2017
 
(in millions)
Balance, beginning of period
$
151

 
$
58

Purchases of investments
4

 
66

Unrealized gains (losses) on investments recorded in AOCI
(3
)
 
1

Balance, end of period
$
152

 
$
125



The following table illustrates our investments in an unrealized loss position:
 
Estimated Fair Value
 
Unrealized Losses (1)
 
Securities with a loss shorter than 12 months
 
Securities with a loss longer than 12 months
 
Securities with a loss shorter than 12 months
 
Securities with a loss longer than 12 months
 
(in millions)
March 31, 2018
103

 
44

 
2

 
3

December 31, 2017
26

 
46

 
1

 
2

(1)    Loss position is due to interest rates movements. We have the intent and ability to hold these investments until a recovery of fair value.
In determining the fair value of our investments, we used a range of interest rate spreads of approximately 1% to 4% based upon comparable transactions as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
The fair values of the derivative financial instruments are determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative. We have determined that the significant inputs, such as interest yield curves and discount rates, used to value our derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy and that the credit valuation adjustments associated with our counterparties and our own credit risk utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of our or our counterparties default. As of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, we assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of our derivative positions and determined that the credit valuation adjustments were not significant to the overall valuation of our derivatives. As a result, we determined that our derivative valuations in their entirety are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of the derivative financial instruments are included in other assets (if in an unrealized gain position) or accounts payable, accrued expenses and other (if in an unrealized loss position) in the consolidated balance sheets.
Non-recurring Fair Value Measurements
Our financial statements may include non-recurring fair value measurements related to acquisitions and non-monetary transactions, if any. Assets acquired in a business combination are recorded at their fair value. We may use third party valuation firms to assist us with developing our estimates of fair value.
Concentration of Credit Risk
Government and commercial receivables, investments and leases consist primarily of U.S. federal government-backed receivables, investment grade state and local government receivables and receivables from various sustainable infrastructure projects and do not, in our view, represent a significant concentration of credit risk. See Note 6 for an analysis by type of obligor and the method for rating. As described above, we do not believe we have a significant credit exposure to our interest rate swap providers. We had cash deposits that are subject to credit risk as shown below:
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
 
(in millions)
Cash deposits
$
47

 
$
57

Restricted cash deposits (included in other assets)
70

 
61

Total cash deposits
$
117

 
$
118

Amount of cash deposits in excess of amounts federally insured
$
114

 
$
116