Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Derivatives

v2.4.0.8
Derivatives
 12 Months Ended
Aug. 31, 2014
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Derivatives
Derivatives
All derivatives are recognized in the balance sheet at their estimated fair value. On the date the Company enters into a derivative contract, it designates the derivative as a hedge of a recognized asset or liability (fair value hedge) or a hedge of a forecasted transaction or of the variability of cash flows to be received or paid related to a recognized asset or liability (cash flow hedge). The Company does not enter into derivatives for speculative purposes. Changes in the value of fair value hedges and non-designated hedges are recorded in earnings along with the gain or loss on the hedged asset or liability, while changes in the value of cash flow hedges are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss, until earnings are affected by the variability of cash flows. The fair value of outstanding foreign currency derivatives was a liability of $1.0 million at August 31, 2014 and an asset of $0.1 million at August 31, 2013, respectively.
The Company is exposed to market risk for changes in foreign currency exchange rates due to the global nature of its operations. In order to manage this risk the Company has hedged portions of its forecasted inventory purchases and other cash flows that are denominated in non-functional currencies (cash flow hedges). The U.S. dollar equivalent notional value of these foreign currency forward contracts was $1.0 million and $9.7 million, at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
The Company also utilizes forward foreign currency exchange contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk associated with recognized non-functional currency balances. The effects of changes in exchange rates are reflected concurrently in earnings for both the fair value of the foreign currency exchange contracts and the related non-functional currency asset or liability. The U.S. dollar equivalent notional value of these short duration foreign currency forward contracts was $219.9 million and $383.6 million, at August 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Net foreign currency losses related to these derivative instruments were $13.6 million for the year ended August 31, 2014 while the prior year included a gain of $0.8 million, which offset foreign currency gains/losses from the related revaluation on non-functional currency assets and liabilities (included in other income/expense in the consolidated statement of earnings).