Fair Value Measurements

ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures defines fair value as the price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standard also establishes a hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Observable inputs are inputs or market data that a market participant would obtain from independent sources to value the asset or liability. Unobservable inputs are inputs that reflect our assumptions about the factors market participants would use in valuing the asset or liability developed based upon the best information available in the circumstances. The fair value hierarchy consists of three levels. Level 1 inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, and inputs (other than quoted prices) that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability. Categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.

Recurring fair value measurements at May 31, 2019, and August 31, 2018, are as follows:



	May 31, 2019
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Commodity derivatives	$	27,024	$	229,760	$	—	$	256,784
Foreign exchange derivatives	—		9,704		—		9,704
Interest rate swap derivatives	—		4,479		—		4,479
Deferred compensation assets	39,327		—		—		39,327
Embedded derivative asset	—		20,957		—		20,957
Other assets	5,763		—		—		5,763
Total	$	72,114	$	264,900	$	—	$	337,014
Liabilities:
Commodity derivatives	$	76,388	$	239,066	$	—	$	315,454
Foreign exchange derivatives	—		7,480		—		7,480
Interest rate swap derivatives	—		713		—		713
Total	$	76,388	$	247,259	$	—	$	323,647



	August 31, 2018
	Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total
	(Dollars in thousands)
Assets:
Commodity derivatives	$	54,487	$	259,359	$	—	$	313,846
Foreign exchange derivatives	—		15,401		—		15,401
Deferred compensation assets	39,073		—		—		39,073
Embedded derivative asset	—		23,595		—		23,595
Other assets	5,334		—		—		5,334
Total	$	98,894	$	298,355	$	—	$	397,249
Liabilities:
Commodity derivatives	$	31,778	$	389,911	$	—	$	421,689
Foreign exchange derivatives	—		24,701		—		24,701
Interest rate swap derivatives	—		9,452		—		9,452
Total	$	31,778	$	424,064	$	—	$	455,842

Commodity and foreign exchange derivatives — Exchange-traded futures and options contracts are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets and are classified within Level 1. Our forward commodity purchase and sales contracts with fixed-price components, select ocean freight contracts and other over-the-counter ("OTC") derivatives are determined using inputs that are generally based on exchange traded prices and/or recent market bids and offers, adjusted for location-specific inputs, and are classified within Level 2. The location-specific inputs are driven by local market supply and demand, and are generally based on broker or dealer quotations, or market transactions in either the listed or OTC markets. Changes in the fair values of these contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of cost of goods sold.

Interest rate swap derivatives — Fair values of our interest rate swap derivatives are determined utilizing valuation models that are widely accepted in the market to value these OTC derivative contracts. The specific terms of the contracts, as well as market observable inputs, such as interest rates and credit risk assumptions, are factored into the models. As all significant inputs are market observable, all interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2. Changes in the fair values of contracts not designated as hedging instruments for accounting purposes are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of interest expense. See Note 13, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, for additional information about interest rate swaps designated as fair value and cash flow hedges.

Deferred compensation and other assets — Our deferred compensation investments, Rabbi Trust assets and investments in common stock of other companies are valued based on unadjusted quoted prices on active exchanges and are classified within Level 1. Changes in the fair values of these other assets are primarily recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations as a component of marketing, general and administrative expenses.

Embedded derivative asset — The embedded derivative asset relates to contingent payments inherent in our investment in CF Nitrogen. The inputs into the fair value measurement include the probability of future upgrades and downgrades of CF Industries' credit rating based on historical credit rating movements of other public companies and the discount rates to be applied to potential annual payments based on applicable historical and current yield coupon rates. Any actual upgrades or downgrades to CF Industries' credit rating could also impact the fair value of the embedded derivative asset. Based on these observable inputs, our fair value measurement is classified within Level 2. See Note 13, Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedging Activities, for additional information.

There were no material transfers between Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 assets and liabilities during the three or nine months ended May 31, 2019.