Derivatives

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives

9.   Derivatives.

General. Our earnings and cash flows are subject to fluctuations due to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, and we seek to mitigate a portion of the risks attributable to those fluctuations by entering into derivative contracts. The derivative instruments we use are interest rate swaps and foreign currency forward contracts. We recognize derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, regardless of whether or not hedge accounting is applied. We report cash flows arising from our hedging instruments consistent with the classification of cash flows from the underlying hedged items. Accordingly, cash flows associated with our derivative contracts are classified as operating activities in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flows.

We formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting treatment initially and on an ongoing basis. For qualifying hedges, the change in fair value is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and recognized in earnings at the same time the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments are recorded in earnings throughout the term of the derivative.

Interest Rate Risk. Our debt bears interest at variable interest rates. Therefore, we are subject to variability in the cash payable for interest expense. In order to mitigate a portion of the risk attributable to such variability, we use a hedging strategy to reduce the variability of cash flows in the interest payments associated with a portion of the variable-rate debt outstanding under our Fourth Amended Credit Agreement that varies in accordance with changes in the benchmark interest rate.

Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

On December 23, 2019, we entered into a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap with a notional amount of $75 million with Wells Fargo. In June 2023, certain terms under the agreement were amended to reflect the transition from LIBOR to SOFR, an alternative reference rate. Under the interest rate swap agreement we fixed the one-month SOFR rate on that portion of our borrowings under the Fourth Amended Credit Agreement at 1.64% for the period from June 1, 2023 to July 31, 2024. The variable portion of the interest rate swap is tied to the one-month SOFR rate (the benchmark interest rate). On a monthly basis, the interest rates under both the interest rate swap and the underlying debt reset, the swap is settled with the counterparty, and interest is paid.

On March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, our interest rate swap qualified as a cash flow hedge. The fair value of our interest rate swap as of March 31, 2024 was an asset of $1.1 million, which was partially offset by $0.3 million in deferred taxes. The fair value of our interest rate swap as of December 31, 2023 was an asset of $1.5 million, partially offset by $0.4 million in deferred taxes.

Foreign Currency Risk. We operate on a global basis and are exposed to the risk that our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. To reduce the potential effects of foreign currency exchange rate movements on net earnings, we enter into derivative financial instruments in the form of foreign currency exchange forward contracts with major financial institutions. Our policy is to enter into foreign currency derivative contracts with maturities of up to two years. We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to transactions and balances denominated in various currencies, with our most significant exposure related to transactions and balances denominated in Chinese Renminbi and Euros, among others. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. We do not believe we are subject to any credit risk contingent features related to our derivative contracts, and we seek to manage counterparty risk by allocating derivative contracts among several major financial institutions.

Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is temporarily reported as a component of other comprehensive income and then reclassified into earnings in the same line item associated with the forecasted transaction and in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. We entered into forward contracts on various foreign currencies to manage the risk associated with forecasted exchange rates which impact revenues, cost of sales, and operating expenses in various international markets. The objective of the hedges is to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with the forecasted purchase or sale of the foreign currencies. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had entered into foreign currency forward contracts, which qualified as cash flow hedges, with aggregate notional amounts of $139.2 million and $141.1 million, respectively.

Derivatives Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

We forecast our net exposure in various receivables and payables to fluctuations in the value of various currencies, and we enter into foreign currency forward contracts to mitigate that exposure. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, we had entered into foreign currency forward contracts related to those balance sheet accounts with aggregate notional amounts of $92.7 million and $108.4 million, respectively.

Balance Sheet Presentation of Derivative Instruments. As of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, all derivative instruments, both those designated as hedging instruments and those that were not designated as hedging instruments, were recorded at fair value on a gross basis on our consolidated balance sheets. We are not subject to any master netting agreements.

The fair value of derivative instruments on a gross basis was as follows on the dates indicated (in thousands):

Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedging Instruments	Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Assets
Interest rate swaps	Prepaid expenses and other assets	$	1,150	$	1,503
Foreign currency forward contracts	Prepaid expenses and other assets		3,414		2,061
Foreign currency forward contracts	Other assets (long-term)		508		216
(Liabilities)
Foreign currency forward contracts	Accrued expenses		(636)		(1,898)
Foreign currency forward contracts	Other long-term obligations		(74)		(499)
Fair Value of Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Balance Sheet Location	March 31, 2024		December 31, 2023
Assets
Foreign currency forward contracts	Prepaid expenses and other assets	$	789	$	828
(Liabilities)
Foreign currency forward contracts	Accrued expenses		(626)		(1,463)

Income Statement Presentation of Derivative Instruments.

Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges had the following effects, before income taxes, on other comprehensive income (“OCI”), accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”), and net earnings in our consolidated statements of income, consolidated statements of comprehensive income and consolidated balance sheets (in thousands):

	Amount of Gain/(Loss)					Consolidated Statements				Amount of Gain/(Loss)
	Recognized in OCI					of Income				Reclassified from AOCI
	Three Months Ended March 31,					Three Months Ended March 31,				Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivative instrument	2024		2023		Location in statements of income	2024			2023	2024			2023
Interest rate swaps	$	348	$	(119)	Interest expense	$	(8,046)	$	(2,011)	$	702	$	534
Foreign currency forward contracts		4,166		239	Revenue		323,508		297,565		413		1,327
					Cost of sales		(171,793)		(159,203)		427		(50)

As of March 31, 2024, $3.4 million, or $2.6 million after taxes, was expected to be reclassified from AOCI to earnings in revenue and cost of sales over the succeeding twelve months. As of March 31, 2024, $1.1 million, or $0.9 million after taxes, was expected to be reclassified from AOCI to earnings in interest expense over the succeeding twelve months.

Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

The following gains/(losses) from these derivative instruments were recognized in our consolidated statements of income for the periods presented (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended March 31,
Derivative Instrument	Location in statements of income	2024		2023
Foreign currency forward contracts	Other income (expense) — net	$	883	$	1,059