10. Financial Instruments
The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its interest rate exposure associated
with some of its fixed-rate borrowings.
The Company does not use derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
All derivative instruments are recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value.
The Company designates interest rate swaps as fair value hedges of fixed-rate borrowings.
For derivatives designated as
fair value hedges,
the change in the fair value of both the derivative instrument
and the hedged item are recognized in earnings in the current period.
At the inception of a hedge transaction,
the Company formally documents the hedge relationship
and the risk management objective for undertaking the hedge.
In addition,
it assesses both at inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis
whether the derivative in the hedging transaction has been highly effective in offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged
item
and whether the derivative is expected to continue to be highly effective.
The impact of any ineffectiveness is recognized currently in earnings.
.