Derivative Financial Instruments

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2020

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block]

6. Derivative Financial Instruments:

The Company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to hedge exposure related to receivables denominated in a foreign currency and occasionally to manage risks related to future sales expected to be denominated in a foreign currency. Before entering into a derivative transaction for hedging purposes, it is determined that a high degree of initial effectiveness exists between the change in value of the hedged item and the change in the value of the derivative instrument from movement in exchange rates. High effectiveness means that the change in the cash flows of the derivative instrument will effectively offset the change in the cash flows of the hedged item. The effectiveness of each hedged item is measured throughout the hedged period and is based on the dollar offset methodology and excludes the portion of the fair value of the foreign currency forward exchange contract attributable to the change in spot-forward difference which is reported in current period earnings. Any hedge ineffectiveness is also recognized as a gain or loss on foreign currency in the income statement. For hedge contracts that are no longer deemed highly effective, hedge accounting is discontinued and gains and losses accumulated in other comprehensive income are reclassified to earnings. If it is probable that the forecasted transaction will no longer occur, then any gains or losses accumulated in other comprehensive income are reclassified to current-period earnings. 

In connection with a 2015 brand acquisition, $108 million of the purchase price was paid in cash on the closing date and was financed entirely through a 5-year term loan. As the payment at closing was due in dollars and we had planned to finance it with debt in euro, the Company entered into foreign currency forward contracts to secure the exchange rate for the $108 million purchase price at $1.067 per 1 euro. This derivative was designated and qualified as a cash flow hedge.

Gains and losses in derivatives designated as hedges are accumulated in other comprehensive income (loss) and gains and losses in derivatives not designated as hedges are included in (gain) loss on foreign currency on the accompanying income statements. Such gains and losses were immaterial for both three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019. For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, interest expense was reduced by a gain of $0.02 and $0.05 million relating to the interest rate swap.

All derivative instruments are reported as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet measured at fair value. The valuation of interest rate swaps resulted in a liability which is included in long-term debt on the accompanying balance sheets. The valuation of foreign currency forward exchange contracts at March 31, 2020, resulted in an asset and is included in other current assets on the accompanying balance sheet.

At March 31, 2020, we had foreign currency contracts in the form of forward exchange contracts in the amount of approximately U.S. $40.0 million, GB £1.0 million and JPY ¥170.0 million which all have maturities of less than one year.