Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Fair Value

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Fair Value
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair Value
Fair Value
Wyndham Hotels measures its financial assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis and utilizes the fair value hierarchy to determine such fair values. Financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:
Level 1: Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.
Level 2: Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value driver is observable.
Level 3: Unobservable inputs used when little or no market data is available. In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement falls has been determined based on the lowest level input (closest to Level 3) that is significant to the fair value measurement. Wyndham Hotels’ assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
The fair value of financial instruments is generally determined by reference to market values resulting from trading on a national securities exchange or in an over-the-counter market. In cases where quoted market prices are not available, fair value is based on estimates using present value or other valuation techniques, as appropriate. The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these assets and liabilities. The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of all other financial instruments are as follows:
 
June 30, 2018
 
Carrying Amount
 
Estimated Fair Value
Debt
 
 
 
Total debt
$
2,145

 
$
2,164


The Company estimates the fair value of its debt, excluding capital leases, using Level 2 inputs based on indicative bids from investment banks or quoted market prices.
Financial Instruments
Changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates expose Wyndham Hotels to market risk. Wyndham Hotels also uses cash flow hedges as part of its overall strategy to manage its exposure to market risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. As a matter of policy, Wyndham Hotels only enters into transactions that it believes will be highly effective at offsetting the underlying risk, and it does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.
Foreign Currency Risk
Wyndham Hotels has foreign currency rate exposure to exchange rate fluctuations worldwide particularly with respect to the Canadian Dollar, the Chinese Yuan, the Euro and the British Pound. Wyndham Hotels uses foreign currency forward contracts at various times to manage and reduce the foreign currency exchange rate risk associated with its foreign currency denominated receivables and payables, forecasted royalties, and forecasted earnings and cash flows of foreign subsidiaries and other transactions. Gains and losses recognized in income were not material for the six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.
Credit Risk and Exposure
Wyndham Hotels is exposed to counterparty credit risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to various agreements and sales transactions. Wyndham Hotels manages such risk by evaluating the financial position and creditworthiness of such counterparties and often by requiring collateral in instances in which financing is provided. Wyndham Hotels mitigates counterparty credit risk associated with its derivative contracts by monitoring the amounts at risk with each counterparty to such contracts, periodically evaluating counterparty creditworthiness and financial position, and where possible, dispersing its risk among multiple counterparties.
As of June 30, 2018, Wyndham Hotels had $46 million of management guarantee receivables related to hotel management agreements that provide the hotel owners with a guarantee of a certain level of profitability based upon various metrics. The collectability of these receivables is contingent on the future profitability of the managed hotels subject to the management agreements. See Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies for further detail.