Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
As a multi-national organization, we are subject to market risks associated with foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk. Because we operate in various regions around the world, we conduct a portion of our business in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. As such, our earnings are impacted by movements in foreign currency exchange rates when (i) transactions are denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the relevant Helix entity or (ii) the functional currency of our subsidiaries is not the U.S. dollar. In order to mitigate the effects of exchange rate risk in areas outside the U.S., we endeavor to pay a portion of our expenses in local currencies to partially offset revenues that are denominated in the same local currencies. In addition, a substantial portion of our contracts are denominated, and provide for collections from our customers, in U.S. dollars.
Assets and liabilities of our subsidiaries that do not have the U.S. dollar as their functional currency are translated using the exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date, and changes in the exchange rates can result in translation adjustments that are reflected in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” in the shareholders’ equity section of our condensed consolidated balance sheets. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, we recorded foreign currency translation gains of $8.4 million to accumulated other comprehensive loss. Deferred taxes have not been provided on foreign currency translation adjustments as the related undistributed earnings are permanently reinvested.
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When currencies other than the functional currency are to be paid or received, the resulting transaction gain or loss associated with changes in the applicable foreign currency exchange rate is recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of operations as a component of “Other income (expense), net.” Foreign currency gains or losses from the remeasurement of monetary assets and liabilities as well as unsettled foreign currency transactions, including intercompany transactions that are not of a long-term investment nature, are also recognized as a component of “Other income (expense), net.” For the three-month period ended March 31, 2023, we recorded foreign currency gains of $3.4 million, primarily related to U.S. dollar denominated intercompany debt in our U.K. entities.
Interest Rate Risk. In order to maintain a cost-effective capital structure, we borrow funds using a mix of fixed and variable rate debt. For variable rate debt, changes in interest rates could affect our future interest expense and cash flows. Alternatively for fixed rate debt, changes in interest rates may not affect our interest expense, but could result in changes in the fair value of the debt instrument prior to maturity. We currently have no exposure to interest rate risks as we have no outstanding debt subject to floating rates. However, we may be at risk upon refinancing our debt.
Commodity Price Risk. We are exposed to market price risks related to oil and natural gas with respect to offshore oil and gas production in our Production Facilities business. Prices are volatile and unpredictable and are dependent on many factors beyond our control. See Item 1A. Risk Factors in our 2022 Form 10-K for a list of factors affecting oil and gas prices.
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