Derivatives and Hedging Activities

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2014

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

Note 14: Derivatives and Hedging Activities

We are exposed to various market risks, including fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. From time to time, we manage a portion of this risk through the use of derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to foreign currency risk. We do not hold or issue any derivative instrument for trading or speculative purposes.

During 2012, we entered into foreign currency forward contracts that were formally designated and qualified as net investment hedges of our operations in certain European subsidiaries. To the extent that the hedge relationships were effective, the gains or losses on the forward contracts were reported in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (AOCI) as part of the cumulative translation component of equity. We utilized the forward-rate method of assessing hedge ineffectiveness. Any ineffectiveness was recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The forward contracts exposed us to credit risk to the extent that the counterparties to our forward contracts would have been unable to meet the terms of the agreements. We sought to mitigate such risks by limiting the counterparties to major financial institutions and by executing our agreements across multiple counterparties. Additionally, our forward contracts were short-term in duration.

We recognized a $4.0 million pre-tax gain in AOCI during 2012. There was no ineffectiveness and no amount reclassified from AOCI into earnings for 2012. There were no outstanding derivatives as of December 31, 2014 or 2013.

All cash flows associated with derivatives are classified as financing cash flows in the Consolidated Cash Flow Statements. We collected $4.0 million in proceeds upon the settlement of foreign currency forward contracts during 2012.