Financial Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2011

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Financial Instruments

Financial Instruments

Safeway manages interest rate risk through the strategic use of fixed- and variable-interest rate debt and, from time to time, interest rate swaps. The Company does not utilize financial instruments for trading or other speculative purposes, nor does it utilize leveraged financial instruments.

Fair Value Hedges    In December 2009, the Company effectively converted $800 million of its 5.80% fixed-rate debt due 2012 to floating-rate debt through interest rate swap agreements. These interest rate swaps, under which the Company agrees to pay variable rates of interest, are designated as fair value hedges of fixed-rate debt. The gain or loss on the interest rate swap agreements, as well as the gain or loss on the debt being hedged, are recognized in current earnings. These amounts were immaterial in 2011, 2010 and 2009.