Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to market risks related to fluctuations in interest rates on marketable investments, investments underlying a company-owned life insurance program (COLI), and variable rate debt under the secured credit facility. In addition, market-related changes to our 6% convertible trust preferred securities indirectly may impact the amount of the deferred tax valuation allowance, which currently depends on available tax strategies, including the unrealized gains on these securities. We do not currently use interest rate swaps, futures contracts or options on futures, or other types of derivative financial instruments.
The vast majority of our marketable investments are in institutional money market funds or fixed rate securities with average original maturity dates of two weeks or less, minimizing the effect of interest rate fluctuations on their fair value.
With respect to the company-owned life insurance program, the underlying investments are subject to both interest rate risk and equity market risk.
For variable rate debt, changes in interest rates generally do not influence fair market value, but do affect future earnings and cash flows. Based upon the amount of variable-rate debt outstanding at the end of the year, and holding the variable-rate debt balance constant, each one percentage point increase in interest rates occurring on the first day of an annual period would result in an increase in interest expense of approximately $195,000. For both fixed-rate loans and debt, changes in interest rates generally affect the fair market value, but not earnings or cash flows. Currently, the effects of such changes on our financial statements are not expected to be material.
We do not believe that future market equity or interest rate risks related to our marketable investments or debt obligations will have a material impact on our results.