8. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

 

We are exposed to market risks, such as changes in interest rates, foreign exchange rates and commodity pricing risks. From time to time, we enter into transactions, including transactions involving derivative instruments, to manage certain of these exposures.

 

All derivatives, whether designated as hedging relationships or not, are recorded on our balance sheet at fair value. If the derivative is designated as a fair value hedge, the changes in the fair value of the derivative and the hedged items are recognized in earnings. If the derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, to the extent effective, and will be recognized in the income statement when the hedged item affects earnings. To the extent applicable, we perform effectiveness assessments in order to use hedge accounting at each reporting period. For a derivative that does not qualify as a hedge, changes in fair value are recognized in earnings.

 

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 as an unrealized currency translation adjustment in accumulated other comprehensive loss.

 

Our revenues and expenses are denominated in various foreign currencies, and our cash flows and earnings are thus subject to fluctuations due to exchange rate variations. From time to time, we may 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 one year or less). We do not hedge our foreign currency exposures in a manner that would eliminate the effect of changes in exchange rates on our cash flows and earnings. As of March 31, 2018, we had approximately $126 million in notional amount (in U.S. dollar equivalents) outstanding in forward foreign currency contracts.

 

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.

 

Beginning in 2009, Arabian Amines Company 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 Arabian Amines Company as of July 1, 2010, the interest rate contract is included in our consolidated results. See “Note 5. Variable Interest Entities.” The notional amount of the swap as of March 31, 2018 was $14 million, and the interest rate contract was not designated as a cash flow hedge. As of March 31, 2018, the fair value of the swap was $1 million and was recorded in noncurrent liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017, we recorded a reduction of interest expense of nil due to changes in fair value of the swap.

 

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. This swap was designated as a hedge of net investment for financial reporting purposes. Under the cross-currency interest rate contract, we were to receive fixed U.S. dollar payments of $5 million semiannually on May 15 and November 15 (equivalent to an annual rate of 5.125%) and make interest payments of approximately €3 million (equivalent to an annual rate of approximately 3.6%). In August 2017, we terminated these cross-currency interest rate contracts and received $7 million 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 on our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. 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 March 31, 2018, we have designated approximately €585 million (approximately $725 million) of euro-denominated debt as a hedge of our net investment. For the three months ended March 31, 2018, the amount of loss recognized on the hedge of our net investment was $24 million and was recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) on our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.