Objectives and Strategies for Using Derivatives

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Objectives and Strategies for Using Derivatives

Objectives and Strategies for Using Derivatives

As a multinational enterprise, we are exposed to financial risks, such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates, and commodity prices. We employ a number of practices to manage these risks, including operating and financing activities and, where appropriate, the use of derivative instruments. We enter into derivative instruments to hedge a portion of forecasted cash flows denominated in foreign currencies for non-U.S. operations' purchases of raw materials, which are priced in U.S. dollars, and imports of intercompany finished goods and work-in-process priced predominantly in U.S. dollars and euros. The derivative instruments used to manage these exposures are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. The foreign currency exposure on certain non-functional currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities, primarily intercompany loans and accounts payable, is hedged with primarily undesignated derivative instruments.

Interest rate risk is managed using a portfolio of variable- and fixed-rate debt composed of short- and long-term instruments. Interest rate swap contracts may be used to facilitate the maintenance of the desired ratio of variable- and fixed-rate debt and are designated and qualify as fair value hedges. From time to time, we also hedge the anticipated issuance of fixed-rate debt, using forward-starting swaps, and these contracts are designated as cash flow hedges.

We use derivative instruments, such as forward swap contracts, to hedge a limited portion of our exposure to market risk arising from changes in prices of certain commodities. These derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges of specific quantities of the underlying commodity expected to be purchased in future months.

Translation adjustments result from translating foreign entities' financial statements into U.S. dollars from their functional currencies. The risk to any particular entity's net assets is reduced to the extent that the entity is financed with local currency borrowing. Translation exposure, which results from changes in translation rates between functional currencies and the U.S. dollar, generally is not hedged.

Set forth below is a summary of the total designated and undesignated fair values of our derivative instruments:

	Assets				Liabilities
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Foreign currency exchange contracts	$	54	$	34	$	102	$	49
Interest rate contracts	—		22		4		—
Commodity price contracts	—		6		10		—
Total	$	54	$	62	$	116	$	49

The derivative assets are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet in other current assets and other assets, as appropriate. The derivative liabilities are included in the Consolidated Balance Sheet in accrued expenses and other liabilities, as appropriate.

Derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are predominantly used to manage interest rate risk. The fair values of these derivative instruments are recorded as an asset or liability, as appropriate, with the offset recorded in current earnings. The offset to the change in fair values of the related hedged items also is recorded in current earnings. Any realized gain or loss on the derivatives that hedge interest rate risk is amortized to interest expense over the life of the related debt. At December 31, 2014, the aggregate notional values of outstanding interest rate contracts designated as fair value hedges were $250. Fair value hedges resulted in no significant ineffectiveness in each of the three years ended December 31, 2014. For each of the three years ended December 31, 2014, gains or losses recognized in interest expense for interest rates swaps were not significant. For each of the three years ended December 31, 2014, no gain or loss was recognized in earnings as a result of a hedged firm commitment no longer qualifying as a fair value hedge.

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is initially recorded in AOCI, net of related income taxes, and recognized in earnings in the same period that the hedged exposure affects earnings. As of December 31, 2014, outstanding commodity forward contracts were in place to hedge a limited portion of our estimated requirements of the related underlying commodities in 2015 and future periods. As of December 31, 2014, the aggregate notional values of outstanding foreign exchange and interest rate derivative contracts designated as cash flow hedges were $820 and $200, respectively. Cash flow hedges resulted in no significant ineffectiveness in each of the three years ended December 31, 2014. For each of the three years ended December 31, 2014, no gains or losses were reclassified into earnings as a result of the discontinuance of cash flow hedges due to the original forecast transaction no longer being probable of occurring. At December 31, 2014, amounts to be reclassified from AOCI during the next twelve months are not expected to be material. The maximum maturity of cash flow hedges in place at December 31, 2014 is December 2017.

Gains or losses on undesignated foreign exchange hedging instruments are immediately recognized in other (income) and expense, net. Losses of $192 and $74 and gains of $69 were recorded in the years ending December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The effect on earnings from the use of these non-designated derivatives is substantially neutralized by the transactional gains and losses recorded on the underlying assets and liabilities. At December 31, 2014, the notional amount of these undesignated derivative instruments was $2.6 billion.