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FAIR VALUE
3 Months Ended
Nov. 30, 2022
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Fair value
NOTE 9. FAIR VALUE

The Company has established a fair value hierarchy which prioritizes the inputs to the valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels. These levels are determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Levels within the hierarchy are defined within Note 1, Nature of Operations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, to the consolidated financial statements in the 2022 Form 10-K.

The following tables summarize information regarding the Company's financial assets and financial liabilities that were measured at fair value on a recurring basis:
  Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)November 30, 2022Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
Investment deposit accounts (1)
$492,405 $492,405 $— $— 
Commodity derivative assets (2)
248,261 6,795 — 241,466 
Foreign exchange derivative assets (2)
2,748 — 2,748 — 
Liabilities:
Commodity derivative liabilities (2)
4,417 4,417 — — 
Foreign exchange derivative liabilities (2)
1,934 — 1,934 — 
  Fair Value Measurements at Reporting Date Using
(in thousands)August 31, 2022Quoted Prices in
Active Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other
Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant
Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Assets:
Investment deposit accounts (1)
$572,384 $572,384 $— $— 
Commodity derivative assets (2)
160,847 17,347 — 143,500 
Foreign exchange derivative assets (2)
1,296 — 1,296 — 
Liabilities:
Commodity derivative liabilities (2)
1,260 1,260 — — 
Foreign exchange derivative liabilities (2)
3,126 — 3,126 — 
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(1) Investment deposit accounts are short-term in nature, and the value is determined by principal plus interest. The investment portfolio mix can change each period based on the Company's assessment of investment options.
(2) Derivative assets and liabilities classified as Level 1 are commodity futures contracts valued based on quoted market prices in the London Metal Exchange or New York Mercantile Exchange. Amounts in Level 2 are based on broker quotes in the over-the-counter market. Derivatives classified as Level 3 are described below. Further discussion regarding the Company's use of derivative instruments is included in Note 8, Derivatives.

As of August 31, 2022, the Company had one Level 3 commodity derivative. In September 2022, the Company entered into a second Level 3 commodity derivative with the same counterparty. The second Level 3 commodity derivative will begin to settle in January 2025. The fair value estimates of the Level 3 commodity derivatives are based on internally developed discounted cash flow models primarily utilizing unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data. The Company forecasts future energy rates using a range of historical prices ("floating rate"). The floating rate is the only significant unobservable input used in the Company's discounted cash flow models. The following table summarizes the floating rate used to measure the fair value of the commodity derivatives at November 30, 2022 and 2021:
Floating rate (PLN)
November 30,LowHighAverage
2022532.66 1,298.53 786.58 
2021252.79 540.39 348.99 

Below is a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of the Level 3 commodity derivatives recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. The fluctuation in energy rates over time causes volatility in the fair value estimate and is the primary reason for unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income ("OCI") in the three months ended November 30, 2022 and 2021.                                     
(in thousands)Three Months Ended November 30, 2022
Balance, September 1, 2022$143,500 
Total gains, realized and unrealized:
Unrealized holding gain before reclassification (1)
104,197 
Reclassification for gain included in net earnings (2)
(6,231)
Balance, November 30, 2022$241,466 
(in thousands)Three Months Ended November 30, 2021
Balance, September 1, 2021$26,413 
Total gains, realized and unrealized:
Unrealized holding gain before reclassification (1)
25,208 
Reclassification for gain included in net earnings (2)
(3,729)
Balance, November 30, 2021$47,892 
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(1) Unrealized holding gain, net of foreign currency translation, less amounts reclassified are included in OCI in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
(2) Gains included in net earnings are recorded in cost of goods sold in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.

There were no material, non-recurring fair value remeasurements during the three months ended November 30, 2022 or 2021.

The carrying values of the Company's short-term items, including documentary letters of credit and notes payable, approximate fair value.

The carrying values and estimated fair values of the Company's financial assets and liabilities that are not required to be measured at fair value in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were as follows:
 November 30, 2022August 31, 2022
(in thousands)Fair Value HierarchyCarrying ValueFair ValueCarrying ValueFair Value
2032 Notes (1)
Level 2$300,000 $255,005 $300,000 $256,488 
2031 Notes (1)
Level 2300,000 252,169 300,000 249,888 
2030 Notes (1)
Level 2300,000 261,675 300,000 263,372 
2023 Notes (1)
Level 2214,059 214,316 330,000 330,182 
Series 2022 Bonds, due 2047 (1)
Level 2145,060 115,768 145,060 126,652 
Poland Term Loan (2)
Level 2— — 32,439 32,439 
Short-term borrowings (2)
Level 2— — 26,390 26,390 
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(1) The fair values of the notes and the Series 2022 Bonds were determined based on indicated market values.
(2) The Poland Term Loan and short-term borrowings contain variable interest rates, and as a result, the carrying values approximate fair value.