9. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

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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.

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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 June 30, 2020, we had approximately $165 million in notional amount (in U.S. dollar equivalents) outstanding in forward foreign currency contracts.

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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 exposures. 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. On January 9, 2019, we entered into a six-year $17 million notional value interest rate hedge with a fixed rate of 2.66%. This swap was designated as a cash flow hedge and the effective portion of the changes in the fair value of the swap was recorded in other comprehensive income. In November 2019, we terminated this swap and paid $1 million to our counterparties.

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We review our non-U.S. dollar denominated debt and derivative instruments to determine the appropriate amounts designated as hedges. As of June 30, 2020, we have designated approximately €445 million (approximately $499 million) of euro-denominated debt as a hedge of our net investment. For the six months ended June 30, 2020 and June 30, 2019, the amount recognized on the hedge of our net investment was a gain of $2 million and $3 million, respectively, and was recorded in other comprehensive income in our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

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In connection with the December 3, 2018 sale of Venator ordinary shares to Bank of America N.A., we recorded a forward swap. In February 2019, we settled this forward swap and received $16 million from the counterparty.