DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

12 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIESNetScout operates internationally and, in the normal course of business, is exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The exposures result from costs that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar, primarily the Euro, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, and Indian Rupee. The Company manages its foreign cash flow risk by hedging forecasted cash flows for operating expenses denominated in foreign currencies for up to twelve months, within specified guidelines through the use of forward contracts. The Company enters into foreign currency exchange contracts to hedge cash

flow exposures from costs that are denominated in currencies other than the U.S. Dollar. These hedges are designated as cash flow hedges at inception.

NetScout also periodically enters into forward contracts to manage exchange rate risk associated with certain third-party transactions and for which the Company does not elect hedge accounting treatment as there is no difference in the timing of gain or loss recognition on the hedge instrument and the hedged item.

All of the Company's derivative instruments are utilized for risk management purposes, and the Company does not use derivatives for speculative trading purposes. These contracts will mature over the next twelve months and are expected to impact earnings on or before maturity.

The notional amounts and fair values of derivative instruments in the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2021 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):

	Notional Amounts (a)				Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets				Accrued Other
	March 31, 2021		March 31, 2020		March 31, 2021		March 31, 2020		March 31, 2021		March 31, 2020
Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Forward contracts	$	11,037	$	1,722	$	57	$	—	$	152	$	49
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments:
Forward contracts	6,373		—		—		—		39		—
					$	57	$	—	$	191	$	49

 Notional amounts represent the gross contract/notional amount of the derivatives outstanding.

The following table provides the effect foreign exchange forward contracts had on other comprehensive income (loss), (OCI) and results of operations during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands): 

	Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (a)					Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (b)
	March 31,		March 31,			March 31,		March 31,
	2021		2020		Location	2021		2020
Forward contracts	$	274	$	(103)	Research and development	$	(57)	$	(19)
					Sales and marketing	(252)		47
	$	274	$	(103)		$	(309)	$	28

(a)The amount represents the change in fair value of derivative contracts due to changes in spot rates.

(b)The amount represents reclassification from other comprehensive income to earnings that occurs when the hedged item affects earnings.

The following table provides the effect foreign exchange forward contracts not designated as hedging instruments had on the Company's results of operations during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 (in thousands):

		Gain Recognized in Income (a)
		March 31,		March 31,
	Location	2021		2020
Forward contracts	General and administrative	$	115	$	—
		$	115	$	—

(a) The amount represents the change in fair value of derivative contracts due to changes in spot rates.