14.  DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

We are exposed to market risks, such as changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity prices. From time to time, we enter into transactions, including transactions involving derivative instruments, to manage certain of these exposures. We also hedge our net investment in certain European operations. Changes in the fair value of the hedge in the net investment of certain European operations are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

Interest Rate Risk

Through our borrowing activities, we are exposed to interest rate risk. Such risk arises due to the structure of our debt portfolio, including the mix of fixed and floating interest rates. Actions taken to reduce interest rate risk include managing the mix and rate characteristics of various interest bearing liabilities, as well as entering into interest rate derivative instruments.

From time to time, we may purchase interest rate swaps and/or other derivative instruments to reduce the impact of changes in interest rates on our floating-rate long-term debt. Under interest rate swaps, we agree with other parties to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed-rate and floating-rate interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed notional principal amount.

Huntsman International had entered into several interest rate contracts to hedge the variability caused by monthly changes in cash flow due to associated changes in LIBOR under our Senior Credit Facilities. These swaps were designated as cash flow hedges and the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the swaps were recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). These swaps expired in April 2017.

Beginning in 2009, AAC entered into a 12-year floating to fixed interest rate contract providing for a receipt of LIBOR interest payments for a fixed payment of 5.02%. In connection with the consolidation of AAC as of July 1, 2010, the interest rate contract is now included in our consolidated results. See “Note 7. Variable Interest Entities.” The notional amount of the swap as of December 31, 2017 was $14 million, and the interest rate contract is not designated as a cash flow hedge. As of both December 31, 2017 and 2016, the fair value of the swap was $1 million, and was recorded as other noncurrent liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets. For 2017 and 2016, we recorded a reduction of interest expense of nil each due to changes in fair value of the swap.

During 2017, accumulated other comprehensive loss of nil was reclassified to earnings. The actual amount that will be reclassified to earnings over the next twelve months may vary from this amount due to changing market conditions. We would be exposed to credit losses in the event of nonperformance by a counterparty to our derivative financial instruments. We anticipate, however, that the counterparties will be able to fully satisfy their obligations under the contracts. Market risk arises from changes in interest rates.

Foreign Exchange Rate Risk

Our cash flows and earnings are subject to fluctuations due to exchange rate variation. Our revenues and expenses are denominated in various currencies. We enter into foreign currency derivative instruments to minimize the short-term impact of movements in foreign currency rates. Where practicable, we generally net multicurrency cash balances among our subsidiaries to help reduce exposure to foreign currency exchange rates. Certain other exposures may be managed from time to time through financial market transactions, principally through the purchase of spot or forward foreign exchange contracts (generally with maturities of three months or less). We do not hedge our currency exposures in a manner that would eliminate the effect of changes in exchange rates on our cash flows and earnings. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had approximately $93 million and $176 million, respectively, notional amount (in U.S. dollar equivalents) outstanding in foreign currency contracts with a term of approximately one month, of which nil and $88 million, respectively, were on behalf of our former P&A Business.

In November 2014, we entered into two five year cross-currency interest rate contracts and one eight year cross-currency interest rate contract to swap an aggregate notional $200 million for an aggregate notional €161 million. The swap was designated as a hedge of net investment for financial reporting purposes. In August 2017, we terminated these cross-currency interest rate contracts and received $7 million from the counterparties.

In March 2010, we entered into three five year cross-currency interest rate contracts to swap an aggregate notional $350 million for an aggregate notional €255 million. This swap was designated as a hedge of net investment for financial reporting purposes. During the three months ended March 31, 2015, we terminated these cross-currency interest rate contracts and received $66 million in payments from the counterparties.

A portion of our debt is denominated in euros. We also finance certain of our non-U.S. subsidiaries with intercompany loans that are, in many cases, denominated in currencies other than the entities’ functional currency. We manage the net foreign currency exposure created by this debt through various means, including cross-currency swaps, the designation of certain intercompany loans as permanent loans because they are not expected to be repaid in the foreseeable future and the designation of certain debt and swaps as net investment hedges.

Foreign currency transaction gains and losses on intercompany loans that are not designated as permanent loans are recorded in earnings. Foreign currency transaction gains and losses on intercompany loans that are designated as permanent loans are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss). From time to time, we review such designation of intercompany loans.

We review our non‑U.S. dollar denominated debt and derivative instruments to determine the appropriate amounts designated as hedges. As of December 31, 2017, for our continuing operations, we have designated approximately €470 million (approximately $559 million) of euro‑denominated debt and cross‑currency interest rate contracts as a hedge of our net investment. For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, for our continuing operations, the amounts recognized on the hedge of our net investment was a loss of $96 million, and gains of $27 million and $68 million, respectively, and were recorded in other comprehensive income (loss).

Commodity Prices Risk

Inherent in our business is exposure to price changes for several commodities. However, our exposure to changing commodity prices is somewhat limited since the majority of our raw materials are acquired at posted or market related prices, and sales prices for many of our finished products are at market related prices which are largely set on a monthly or quarterly basis in line with industry practice. Consequently, we do not generally hedge our commodity exposures.