Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Policies)

v3.22.4
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Policies)
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2022
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Derivatives, Reporting of Derivative Activity
The designation of a derivative instrument as a hedge and its ability to meet the hedge accounting criteria determine how the change in fair value of the derivative instrument will be reflected on the Consolidated Financial Statements. A derivative qualifies for hedge accounting if, at inception, the derivative is expected to be highly effective in offsetting the underlying hedged cash flows or fair value, and the hedge documentation standards are fulfilled at the time the Company enters into the derivative contract. A hedge is designated as a cash flow hedge based on the exposure being hedged. The asset or liability value of the derivative will change in tandem with its fair value. Changes in fair value for qualifying cash flow hedges, are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive loss (“AOCL”). The derivative’s gain or loss is released from AOCL to match the timing of the underlying hedged cash flows effect on earnings. A hedge is designated as a fair value hedge when the derivative is used to manage an exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability. For fair value hedges, the portion of the gain or loss on the derivative instrument designated as a fair value hedge will be recognized in earnings. The Company concurrently records changes in the value of the hedged asset or liability via a basis adjustment to the hedged item. These two changes in fair value offset one another in whole or in part and are reported in the same statement of income line item as the hedged risk.

The Company reviews the effectiveness of its hedging instruments on an ongoing basis, recognizes current period hedge ineffectiveness immediately in earnings and discontinues hedge accounting for any hedge that it no longer considers to be highly effective. The Company recognizes changes in fair value for derivatives not designated as hedges or those not qualifying for hedge accounting in current period earnings. Upon termination of cash flow hedges, the Company releases gains and losses from AOCL based on the timing of the underlying cash flows, unless the termination results from the failure of the intended transaction to occur in the expected time frame. Such untimely transactions require the Company to immediately recognize in earnings gains and losses previously recorded in AOCL.
Changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates expose the Company to market risk. The Company periodically uses cash flow and fair value hedges as part of its overall strategy to manage its exposure to market risks associated with fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates. As a matter of policy, the Company only enters into transactions that it believes will be highly effective at offsetting the underlying risk and it does not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.