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Foreign Currency Risk Management and Derivatives
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2012
Foreign Currency Risk Management and Derivatives
Foreign Currency Risk Management and Derivatives
The Company is exposed to gains and losses resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates relating to transactions generated by its international subsidiaries in currencies other than their local currencies. These gains and losses are primarily driven by intercompany transactions. From time to time, the Company may elect to enter into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on intercompany transactions and projected inventory purchases for its European and Canadian subsidiaries. In addition, the Company may elect to enter into foreign currency forward contracts to reduce the risk associated with foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on Pound Sterling denominated balance sheet items.

As of September 30, 2012, the notional value of the Company’s outstanding foreign currency forward contract used to mitigate the foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on its Canadian subsidiary’s intercompany transactions was $30.7 million with a contract maturity of 1 month. As of September 30, 2012, the notional value of the Company’s outstanding foreign currency forward contracts used to mitigate the foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on its European subsidiary’s intercompany transactions was $47.3 million with contract maturities of 1 month. As of September 30, 2012, the notional value of the Company’s outstanding foreign currency forwards contract used to mitigate the foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on Pounds Sterling denominated balance sheet items was €7.9 million, or $10.2 million, with a contract maturity of 1 month. The foreign currency forward contracts are not designated as cash flow hedges, and accordingly, changes in their fair value are recorded in earnings. The fair values of the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts were liabilities of $1.3 million and $0.7 million as of September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, and were included in accrued expenses on the consolidated balance sheets. The fair values of the Company’s foreign currency forward contracts were assets of $0.5 million as of September 30, 2011 and were included in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the consolidated balance sheet. Refer to Note 6 for a discussion of the fair value measurements. Included in other income (expense), net were the following amounts related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and derivative foreign currency forward contracts:
 
 
Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
(In thousands)
2012
 
2011
 
2012
 
2011
Unrealized foreign currency exchange rate gains (losses)
$
3,313

 
$
(6,622
)
 
$
2,405

 
$
(3,638
)
Realized foreign currency exchange rate gains (losses)
(1,266
)
 
66

 
(1
)
 
388

Unrealized derivative gains
27

 
1,654

 
579

 
1,149

Realized derivative gains (losses)
(2,105
)
 
3,709

 
(2,422
)
 
36


The Company enters into foreign currency forward contracts with major financial institutions with investment grade credit ratings and is exposed to credit losses in the event of non-performance by these financial institutions. This credit risk is generally limited to the unrealized gains in the foreign currency forward contracts. However, the Company monitors the credit quality of these financial institutions and considers the risk of counterparty default to be minimal.