Constellation Brands, Inc. Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

9 Months Ended

Nov. 30, 2018

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

Authoritative guidance establishes a framework for measuring fair value, including a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value that maximizes the use of observable inputs and minimizes the use of unobservable inputs by requiring that the most observable inputs be used when available. The hierarchy includes three levels:


•	Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;


•	Level 2 inputs include data points that are observable such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical assets or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) such as interest rates and yield curves that are observable for the asset and liability, either directly or indirectly; and


•	Level 3 inputs are unobservable data points for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.

Fair value methodology and assumptions –

The following methods and assumptions are used to estimate the fair value for each class of our financial instruments:

Foreign currency and commodity derivative contracts: The fair value is estimated using market-based inputs, obtained from independent pricing services, entered into valuation models. These valuation models require various inputs, including contractual terms, market foreign exchange prices, market commodity prices, interest-rate yield curves and currency volatilities, as applicable (Level 2 fair value measurement).

Canopy investments:

Equity securities, Common stock – The fair value of the November 2017 Canopy Investment (as defined in Note 8) is calculated through the date of the November 2018 Canopy Transaction (as defined in Note 8) by using the closing market price of the underlying equity security (Level 1 fair value measurement). As of the date of the November 2018 Canopy Transaction, the November 2017 Canopy Investment, collectively with the November 2018 Canopy Investment (as defined in Note 8), is accounted for under the equity method (see Note 8).

Equity securities, Warrants – The fair value of the November 2017 Canopy Warrants and the November 2018 Canopy Warrants (both as defined in Note 8) is estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model (Level 2 fair value measurement). The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the warrants are as follows:



	November 30, 2018				February 28, 2018
	November 2018 Canopy Warrants		November 2017 Canopy Warrants		November 2017 Canopy Warrants
Expected life⁽¹⁾	2.9 years		1.4 years		2.2 years
Expected volatility ⁽²⁾	75.2	%	83.2	%	70.9	%
Risk-free interest rate ⁽³⁾	2.2	%	2.1	%	1.8	%
Expected dividend yield ⁽⁴⁾	0.0	%	0.0	%	0.0	%


⁽¹⁾	Based on the expiration date of the warrants.


⁽²⁾	Based on historical volatility levels of the underlying equity security.


⁽³⁾	Based on the implied yield currently available on Canadian Treasury zero coupon issues with a remaining term equal to the expected life.


⁽⁴⁾	Based on historical dividend levels.

Debt securities, Convertible – In June 2018, we acquired convertible debt securities issued by Canopy for C$200.0 million, or $150.5 million (the “Canopy Debt Securities”). We have elected the fair value option to account for the Canopy Debt Securities. This provides the greatest level of consistency with the accounting treatment for the November 2017 Canopy Warrants. Interest income on the Canopy Debt Securities is calculated using the effective interest method and is recognized separately from the changes in fair value in interest expense. The Canopy Debt Securities have a contractual maturity of five years from the date of issuance, but may be converted prior to maturity by either party upon the occurrence of certain events. At settlement, the Canopy Debt Securities can be settled at the option of the issuer, in cash, equity shares of the issuer, or a combination thereof. The fair value is estimated using a binomial lattice option-pricing model (Level 2 fair value measurement). As of November 30, 2018, the assumptions used to estimate the fair value of the Canopy Debt Securities are as follows:



Remaining term⁽¹⁾	4.6 years
Expected volatility ⁽²⁾	44.2	%
Risk-free interest rate ⁽³⁾	2.2	%
Expected dividend yield ⁽⁴⁾	0.0	%


⁽¹⁾	Based on the contractual maturity date of the notes.


⁽²⁾	Based on historical volatility levels of the underlying equity security reduced to account for certain risks not incorporated into the option-pricing model.


⁽³⁾	Based on the implied yield currently available on Canadian Treasury zero coupon issues with a term equal to the remaining contractual term of the debt securities.


⁽⁴⁾	Based on historical dividend levels.

Debt securities, Available-for-sale (“AFS”): The fair value is estimated by discounting cash flows using market-based inputs (Level 3 fair value measurement) (see Note 9).

Short-term borrowings: The revolving credit facility under our senior credit facility is a variable interest rate bearing note which includes a fixed margin which is adjustable based upon our debt rating (as defined in our senior credit facility). Its fair value is estimated by discounting cash flows using LIBOR plus a margin reflecting current market conditions obtained from participating member financial institutions (Level 2 fair value measurement). The remaining instruments, including our commercial paper, are variable interest rate bearing notes for which the carrying value approximates the fair value.

Long-term debt: The term loans under our 2018 Credit Agreement and our Term Credit Agreement (both as defined in Note 10) are variable interest rate bearing notes which include a fixed margin which is adjustable based upon our debt rating. The Senior Floating Rate Notes (as defined in Note 10) are variable interest rate bearing notes which include a fixed margin. The fair value of the term loans and the Senior Floating Rate Notes are estimated by discounting cash flows using LIBOR plus a margin reflecting current market conditions obtained from participating member financial institutions (Level 2 fair value measurement). The fair value of the remaining long-term debt, which is primarily fixed interest rate, is estimated by discounting cash flows using interest rates currently available for debt with similar terms and maturities (Level 2 fair value measurement).

The carrying amounts of certain of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and short-term borrowings, approximate fair value as of November 30, 2018, and February 28, 2018, due to the relatively short maturity of these instruments. As of November 30, 2018, the carrying amount of long-term debt, including the current portion, was $12,838.1 million, compared with an estimated fair value of $12,460.7 million. As of February 28, 2018, the carrying amount of long-term debt, including the current portion, was $9,439.9 million, compared with an estimated fair value of $9,398.4 million.

Recurring basis measurements –

The following table presents our financial assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a recurring basis:



	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
(in millions)
November 30, 2018
Assets:
Foreign currency contracts	$	—	$	11.3	$	—	$	11.3
Commodity derivative contracts	$	—	$	8.3	$	—	$	8.3
Equity securities ^{(1) (2)}	$	—	$	1,881.2	$	—	$	1,881.2
Canopy Debt Securities ⁽²⁾	$	—	$	166.9	$	—	$	166.9
Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	$	—	$	67.5	$	—	$	67.5
Commodity derivative contracts	$	—	$	17.2	$	—	$	17.2

February 28, 2018
Assets:
Foreign currency contracts	$	—	$	40.3	$	—	$	40.3
Commodity derivative contracts	$	—	$	9.1	$	—	$	9.1
Equity securities ⁽¹⁾	$	402.4	$	253.2	$	—	$	655.6
Debt securities, AFS	$	—	$	—	$	16.6	$	16.6
Liabilities:
Foreign currency contracts	$	—	$	19.9	$	—	$	19.9
Commodity derivative contracts	$	—	$	5.6	$	—	$	5.6



⁽¹⁾	Equity securities consist of:	November 30, 2018		February 28, 2018
	(in millions)
	November 2017 Canopy Investment	$	—	$	402.4
	November 2017 Canopy Warrants	476.8		253.2
	November 2018 Canopy Warrants	1,404.4		—
		$	1,881.2	$	655.6



⁽²⁾	Unrealized net gain (loss) from the changes in fair value of our securities measured at fair value recognized in income (loss) from unconsolidated investments, are as follows:
			For the Nine Months Ended				For the Three Months Ended
			November 30, 2018		November 30, 2017		November 30, 2018			November 30, 2017
	(in millions)
	November 2017 Canopy Investment ⁽ⁱ⁾		$	292.5	$	139.7	$	(168.5	)	$	139.7
	November 2017 Canopy Warrants		223.5		77.1		(212.4		)	77.1
	November 2018 Canopy Warrants		257.6		—		257.6			—
	Canopy Debt Securities		12.9		—		(40.6		)	—
			$	786.5	$	216.8	$	(163.9	)	$	216.8
	⁽ⁱ⁾	Accounted for at fair value from the date of investment in November 2017 through October 31, 2018. Accounted for under the equity method from November 1, 2018.

Nonrecurring basis measurements –

The following table presents our assets and liabilities measured at estimated fair value on a nonrecurring basis for which an impairment assessment was performed for the period presented:



	Fair Value Measurements Using
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Losses
(in millions)
For the Nine Months Ended November 30, 2017
Trademarks	$	—	$	—	$	136.0	$	86.8

For the first quarter of fiscal 2018, we identified certain negative trends within our Beer segment’s Ballast Point craft beer portfolio which, when combined with the then-recent negative craft beer industry trends, indicated that it was more likely than not that the fair value of our indefinite lived intangible asset associated with the craft beer trademarks might be below its carrying value. Accordingly, we performed a quantitative assessment for impairment of the craft beer trademark asset. As a result of this assessment, the craft beer trademark asset with a carrying value of $222.8 million was written down to its estimated fair value of $136.0 million, resulting in an impairment of $86.8 million. This impairment is included in selling, general and administrative expenses.

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

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