Financial Risk Management and Derivatives

9 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2016

Financial Risk Management and Derivatives [Abstract]

Financial Risk Management and Derivatives

11. Financial Risk Management and Derivatives

Purchases and expenses denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar, which are primarily related to the Company’s facilities overseas, expose the Company to market risk from material movements in foreign exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the foreign currencies. The Company’s primary risk exposure is from fluctuations in the value of the Mexican peso and to a lesser extent the Chinese yuan. To mitigate these risks, the Company enters into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to exchange U.S. dollars for these foreign currencies. The extent to which forward foreign currency exchange contracts are used is modified periodically in response to the Company’s estimate of market conditions and the terms and length of anticipated requirements.

The Company enters into forward foreign currency exchange contracts in order to reduce the impact of foreign currency fluctuations and not to engage in currency speculation. The use of derivative financial instruments allows the Company to reduce its exposure to the risk that the eventual cash outflow resulting from funding the expenses of the foreign operations will be materially affected by changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the foreign currencies. The Company does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. The forward foreign currency exchange contracts are designated for forecasted expenditure requirements to fund foreign operations.

The Company had forward foreign currency exchange contracts with a U.S. dollar equivalent notional value of $27,433,000 and $18,917,000 at December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016, respectively. These contracts generally have a term of one year or less, at rates agreed at the inception of the contracts. The counterparty to this derivative transaction is a major financial institution with investment grade credit rating; however, the Company is exposed to credit risk with this institution. The credit risk is limited to the potential unrealized gains (which offset currency fluctuations adverse to the Company) in any such contract should this counterparty fail to perform as contracted. Any changes in the fair values of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are reflected in current period earnings and accounted for as an increase or offset to general and administrative expenses.

The following shows the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments on its consolidated statements of operations:

	Gain (Loss) Recognized within General and Administrative Expenses
Derivatives Not Designated as	Three Months Ended December 31,					Nine Months Ended December 31,
Hedging Instruments	2016			2015		2016			2015
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts	$	(964,000	)	$	245,000	$	(2,150,000	)	$	(104,000	)

The fair value of the forward foreign currency exchange contracts of $2,566,000 and $416,000 is included in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2016 and March 31, 2016, respectively.