Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

v3.8.0.1
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value
Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value

For assets and liabilities required to be reported at fair value, GAAP provides a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three broad levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date. Level 2 inputs, other than quoted market prices included within Level 1, are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. The Company does not have any recurring assets or liabilities measured at fair value that would be considered Level 3.

The Company’s assets and liabilities measured at fair value are as follows:
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017
Description
 
Total
 
Quoted prices
in active
markets
for identical
assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
Total
 
Quoted prices
in active
markets
for identical
assets
(Level 1)
 
Significant
other
observable
inputs
(Level 2)
 
 
amounts in thousands
Cash equivalents
 
$
253,860

 
253,860

 

 
570,526

 
570,526

 

Equity securities
 
$
1,667,642

 
1,667,642

 

 
1,800,208

 
1,800,208

 

Investment in Liberty Broadband
 
$
3,657,407

 
3,657,407

 

 
3,634,786

 
3,634,786

 

Variable forward
 
$
86,065

 

 
86,065

 
94,807

 

 
94,807

Indemnification obligation
 
$
252,538

 

 
252,538

 

 

 


    
On June 6, 2017, Qurate Retail purchased 450,000 LendingTree shares and executed a 2‑year variable forward with respect to 642,850 LendingTree shares. The variable forward was executed at the LendingTree closing price on June 6, 2017 of $170.70 per share and has a floor price of $128.03 per share and a cap price of $211.67 per share. The liability associated with this instrument is included in the Other liabilities line item in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The fair value of the variable forward was derived from a Black‑Scholes‑Merton model using observable market data as the significant inputs.

Pursuant to an indemnification agreement, GCI Liberty has agreed to indemnify LI LLC for certain payments made to a holder of LI LLC 1.75% exchangeable debentures due 2046 (the "1.75% Exchangeable Debentures") that exercises its exchange right under the terms of the debentures on or before October 5, 2023 (the "Exchange Indemnity"). The Exchange Indemnity, which is supported by a negative pledge in favor of Qurate Retail on the referenced shares that underlie the 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures, will not apply to any 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures purchased by LI LLC, as described below. Also, within six months of the HoldCo Split‑Off, Qurate Retail, LI LLC and GCI Liberty will cooperate, and reasonably assist each other, with respect to the commencement and consummation of one or more privately negotiated transactions, a tender offer or other purchase transactions (each, a "Purchase Offer") whereby LI LLC will offer to purchase the 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures on terms and conditions (including maximum offer price) reasonably acceptable to GCI Liberty. GCI Liberty will indemnify LI LLC for each 1.75% Exchangeable Debenture repurchased by LI LLC in a Purchase Offer for an amount by which the purchase price for such debenture exceeds the amount of cash reattributed with respect to such purchased 1.75% Exchangeable Debenture net of certain tax benefits, if any, attributable to such 1.75% Exchangeable Debenture (the "Repurchase Indemnity"). GCI Liberty’s Exchange Indemnity obligation and the number of shares subject to the negative pledge will be ratably reduced as to any 1.75% Exchangeable Debentures purchased in a Purchase Offer in connection with the Repurchase Indemnity. An indemnity obligation in the amount of $281.3 million was recorded upon completion of the HoldCo Split-Off. As the fair value of the indemnification liability is calculated based on the underlying debt (Level 2), the indemnification liability is characterized as Level 2.

Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Instruments, net

Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments, net are comprised of changes in the fair value of the following:
 
 
March 31,
 
 
2018
 
2017
 
 
amounts in thousands
Equity securities
 
$
(131,562
)
 
211,285

Investment in Liberty Broadband
 
22,621

 
526,267

Variable forward
 
8,743

 

Indemnification obligation
 
28,717

 

 
 
$
(71,481
)
 
737,552