On April 1, 2015 and October 20, 2016, the Company entered into separate Note Purchase Agreements pursuant to which it issued senior unsecured notes (the "Notes") through a private placement. The 2015 Notes and 2016 Notes each have an aggregate principal amount of $350,000, comprised of four different series ranging from $50,000 to $100,000, with maturity dates ranging from August 20, 2025 through April 1, 2045, and interest rates ranging from 2.75% to 4.02%. Interest on the Notes is paid semi-annually.
The Company’s total weighted average effective interest rate and remaining weighted average tenure of the senior unsecured notes is 4.08%, including the impact from terminated swap agreements as discussed in Note 12, and 9.5 years, respectively. The senior unsecured notes contain certain affirmative and negative covenants. As of June 30, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all of its debt covenants relating to the senior unsecured notes.
Term Loan
On November 29, 2022, the Company entered into a term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $400,000 (the “Term Loan”), which was borrowed in full. On June 20, 2024, the Company used the net proceeds from the issuance of the initial series of 2024 Notes to repay the Term Loan in full.
In June 2024, the Company terminated the interest rate swaps that were associated with the Term Loan and realized a gain of $2,428, which is recorded in Other income (expense).
Fair Value of Debt
At June 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the fair value of long-term debt, including the current portion, was approximately $1,017,606 and $1,013,795, respectively, which was determined using available market information and methodologies requiring judgment. The carrying value of this debt at such dates was $1,098,434 and $1,102,771, respectively. Since judgment is required in interpreting market information, the fair value of the debt is not necessarily the amount which could be realized in a current market exchange.
NOTE 11 — INCOME TAXES
The Company recognized $70,031 of tax expense on pretax income of $295,154, resulting in an effective income tax rate of 23.7% for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The effective income tax rate was 21.1% for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
The effective tax rate was higher for the six months ended June 30, 2024, as compared with the same period in 2023, primarily due to mix of earnings and discrete tax items.
As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $13,410 of unrecognized tax benefits. If recognized, approximately $10,841 would be reflected as a component of income tax expense.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal, state and local or non-U.S. income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2019. The Company is currently subject to U.S., various state and non-U.S. income tax audits.
Unrecognized tax benefits are reviewed on an ongoing basis and are adjusted for changing facts and circumstances, including progress of tax audits and closing of statutes of limitations. Based on information currently available, management believes that additional audit activity could be completed and/or statutes of limitations may close relating to existing unrecognized tax benefits. It is reasonably possible there could be a reduction of $1,855 in previously unrecognized tax benefits by the end of the second quarter 2025.