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Financial Instruments
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2012
Financial Instruments [Abstract]  
Financial Instruments

Note 10. Financial Instruments:

Fair Value

Accounting guidance on fair value measurements specifies a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the inputs to those valuation techniques are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect our market assumptions. These two types of inputs create the following fair value hierarchy:

 

   

Level 1–Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

   

Level 2–Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs and significant value drivers are observable in active markets.

   

Level 3–Valuations derived from valuation techniques in which one or more significant inputs or significant value drivers are unobservable.

This hierarchy requires us to use observable market data, when available, and to minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value. We determine the fair value of structured liabilities (where performance is linked to structured interest rates, inflation or currency risks) using the London InterBank Offer Rate ("LIBOR") swap curve and forward interest and exchange rates at period end. Such instruments are classified as Level 2 based on the observability of significant inputs to the model. We do not have any instruments classified as Level 1 or Level 3, other than those included in pension asset trusts as discussed in Note 13 of our 2011 Form 10-K.

These valuations take into consideration our credit risk and our counterparties' credit risk. The estimated change in the fair value of these instruments due to such changes in our own credit risk (or instrument-specific credit risk) was immaterial as of March 31, 2012.

The amounts recorded in the balance sheet (carrying amount) and the estimated fair values of financial instruments at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 consisted of the following:

 

Derivatives

We periodically enter into foreign currency forward contracts with the objective of reducing exposure to cash flow volatility associated with our intercompany loans, foreign currency receivables and payables, and anticipated purchases of certain raw materials used in operations. These contracts generally involve the exchange of one currency for a second currency at a future date, have maturities not exceeding twelve months and are with counterparties which are major international financial institutions.

In 2003, we executed a 10-year Yen - U.S. dollar currency swap related to the monthly sale and purchase of products between the Company and its Japanese subsidiary which has been designated as a cash flow hedge.

During the third quarter of 2010, we entered into two three-year interest rate swap agreements effectively converting the fixed rate on our long term borrowings to a variable short-term rate based on the LIBOR plus an interest mark-up. These swaps are designated as fair value hedges. Amounts recognized in Interest expense have been immaterial for the three months ended
March 31, 2012 and 2011.

During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011, we entered into multiple forward currency contracts which qualified as net investment hedges, in order to mitigate a portion of our net European investments from foreign currency risk. The effective portions of net investment hedges are recorded in OCI as a component of Foreign currency translation adjustments in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Realized gains/(losses) are deferred in AOCI where they will remain until the net investments in our European subsidiaries are divested. Four of these forward currency contracts matured during the three months ended March 31, 2012. The outstanding forward currency contacts have remaining maturities of less than one year.

During the three months ended March 31, 2012 and the year ended December 31, 2011, we entered into several forward currency contracts which qualified as cash flow hedges. The objective of these hedges is to protect against the currency risk associated with forecasted U.S. dollar (USD) denominated raw material purchases made by Euro (EUR) functional currency entities which result from changes in the EUR/USD exchange rate. The effective portions of cash flow hedges are recorded in OCI as a component of gains/(losses) on derivatives qualifying as hedges in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. Realized gains/(losses) in AOCI related to cash flow hedges of raw material purchases are recognized as a component of Cost of goods sold in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income in the same period as the related costs are recognized.

The following table shows the notional amount of the Company's derivative instruments outstanding as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)

   March 31, 2012      December 31, 2011       

Forward currency contracts

   $ 120,171       $ 147,078      

Interest rate swaps

   $ 100,000       $ 100,000      

The following tables show the Company's derivative instruments measured at fair value (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy), as reflected in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:

 

The following table shows the effect of the Company's derivative instruments which were not designated as hedging instruments in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

 

Derivatives Not Designated

    as Hedging Instruments

  

Amount of (Loss) Gain

Recognized in Income

on Derivative

For the three months

ended March 31,

   

Location of (Loss) Gain

Recognized in Income on

Derivative

    
      2012      2011            

Foreign currency contracts

   $ 519       $ (9,551   Other (income) expense, net   

Most of these net gains or losses offset any recognized gains or losses arising from the revaluation of the related intercompany loans during the same respective periods.

The following table shows the effect of the Company's derivative instruments designated as cash flow and net investment hedging instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

 

No ineffectiveness was experienced in the above noted cash flow hedges during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011. The ineffective portion of the net investment hedges was not material during the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011.

The Company expects that approximately $4.3 million (net of tax) of derivative gains included in AOCI at March 31, 2012, based on current market rates, will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months. The majority of this amount will vary due to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.