Derivative Instruments

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2023

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

In the normal course of business, our operations are exposed to fluctuations in foreign currency values and interest rate changes. We may seek to control a portion of these risks through a risk management program that includes the use of derivative instruments.

Historically, Laureate’s senior long-term debt arrangements were primarily in USD. Our ability to make debt payments was subject to fluctuations in the value of the USD against foreign currencies, since a majority of our operating cash used to make these payments was generated by subsidiaries with functional currencies other than USD. As part of our overall risk management policies, Laureate has at times entered into foreign currency swap contracts and floating-to-fixed interest rate swap contracts. In addition, we occasionally entered into foreign exchange forward contracts to reduce the impact of other non-functional currency-denominated receivables and payables. We do not enter into speculative or leveraged transactions, nor do we hold or issue derivatives for trading purposes. We generally intend to hold our derivatives until maturity.

Laureate reports all derivatives at fair value. These contracts are recognized as either assets or liabilities, depending upon the derivative’s fair value. Gains or losses associated with the change in the fair value of these swaps are recognized in our Consolidated Statements of Operations on a current basis over the term of the contracts, unless designated and effective as a hedge. For swaps that are designated and effective as cash flow hedges, gains or losses associated with the change in fair value of the swaps are recognized in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) and amortized into earnings as a component of Interest expense over the term of the related hedged items. Upon early termination of an effective interest rate swap designated as a cash flow hedge, unrealized gains or losses are deferred in our Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of AOCI and are amortized as an adjustment to Interest expense over the period during which the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. For derivatives that are both designated and effective as net

investment hedges, gains or losses associated with the change in fair value of the derivatives are recognized on our Consolidated Balance Sheets as a component of AOCI and are deferred from earnings until the sale or liquidation of the hedged investee.

Laureate did not hold any derivatives as of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

BRL to USD Foreign Currency Swaps

In November 2020, in connection with the signing of the sale agreement for its Brazilian operations, Laureate entered into six BRL-to-USD swap agreements. The purpose of these swaps was to mitigate the risk of foreign currency exposure on the expected proceeds from the sale. Two of the swaps were deal contingent, with the settlement date occurring on the second business day following the completion of the sale. On the settlement date, Laureate would deliver the combined notional amount of BRL 1,900,000 (BRL 950,000 for each swap) and receive an amount in USD equal to each swap's notional amount multiplied by each swap's contract rate of exchange at the settlement date. The remaining four swaps were originally put/call options with a maturity date of May 13, 2021, where Laureate could put the combined notional amount of BRL 1,875,000 and call a combined USD amount of $343,783 at an exchange rate of 5.4540 BRL per 1 USD. The terms of these options included deferred premium payments from Laureate to the counterparties of $18,294, which were paid in full in January 2021. During the second quarter of 2021, all four of these swaps were converted to be deal contingent, with the settlement date occurring on the second business day following the aforementioned sale. This conversion resulted in cash proceeds to Laureate of $1,663. On the settlement date, Laureate would deliver the combined notional amount of BRL 1,875,000 and receive an amount in USD equal to each swap’s notional amount multiplied by each swap’s contract rate of exchange at the settlement date.

As discussed in Note 5, Dispositions, the sale of Laureate’s Brazilian operations closed on May 28, 2021. Per the terms of the agreements, the swaps were settled on June 2, 2021, which resulted in a realized loss and net settlement amount paid to the counterparties at closing of $33,710. These swaps were not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.

Components of the reported Gain (loss) on derivatives not designated as hedging instruments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations were as follows:


For the years ended December 31,	2023		2022		2021
Cross currency and interest rate swaps
Unrealized gain (loss)	$	—	$	—	$	25,824
Realized loss	—		—		(50,341)
Loss on derivatives, net	$	—	$	—	$	(24,517)

Credit Risk and Credit-Risk-Related Contingent Features

Derivatives expose us to credit risk to the extent that the counterparty may possibly fail to perform its contractual obligation. The amount of our credit risk exposure is equal to the fair value of the derivative when any of the derivatives are in a net gain position. Laureate limits its credit risk by only entering into derivative transactions with highly rated major financial institutions. We have not entered into collateral agreements with our derivatives' counterparties. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we did not hold any derivatives in a net gain position, and thus had no credit risk.

Laureate's agreements with its derivative counterparties typically contain a provision under which the Company could be declared in default on our derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to a default on the indebtedness. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company did not have any outstanding derivative agreements.