DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

Our objective in using interest rate derivatives is to add stability to interest expense and to manage our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. To accomplish this objective, we primarily use interest rate swap contracts to fix the variable interest rate on our term loans. The interest rate swap contracts qualify as cash flow hedges.

Under ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities, which we adopted on November 1, 2017, the ineffective portion of a hedging instrument is no longer required to be recognized currently in earnings or disclosed. Changes in the fair value of cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged transaction affects earnings. Amounts reported in accumulated other comprehensive income for our interest rate swap will be reclassified to interest expense as interest expense is incurred on our term loans. During the next twelve months, we estimate an additional $320,000 will be reclassified as a decrease to interest expense.

At October 31, 2018, we had two interest rate swap contracts in effect with a notional amount of $145.0 million and one additional interest rate swap that becomes effective on January 31, 2023 with a notional amount of $70.0 million.

The table below presents the fair value of our derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 2018 and April 30, 2018.



		(in thousands)
		October 31, 2018		April 30, 2018
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Fair Value
Derivative instruments - interest rate swaps	Other Assets	$	3,321	$	1,779

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	3,321	$	1,779

The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations as of October 31, 2018 and 2017.



	(in thousands)
	Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI			Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income	Gain (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income
	2018		2017		2018		2017
Three months ended October 31,
Interest rate contracts	$	1,247	—	Interest expense	$	90	—

Total derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	$	1,247	—		$	90	—

Six months ended October 31,
Interest rate contracts	$	1,455	—	Interest expense	$	119	—

Total derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships	$	1,455	—		$	119	—