Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to various market risks, including changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates that could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition. To manage the volatility relating to these typical business exposures, we may enter into various derivative transactions when appropriate. We do not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading or other speculative purposes.
Foreign Currency Exchange and Other Rate Risks
We operate on a global basis and are exposed to the risk that changes in foreign currency exchange rates could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We are primarily exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to transactions and net assets denominated in Euros, British pounds, Swiss francs, Canadian dollars, Japanese yen, Israeli shekel, Australian dollars and Chinese yuan. We manage the foreign currency exposure centrally, on a combined basis, which allows us to net exposures and to take advantage of any natural offsets. To mitigate the impact of currency fluctuations on transactions denominated in nonfunctional currencies, we periodically enter into derivative financial instruments in the form of foreign currency exchange forward contracts with major financial institutions. We temporarily record realized and unrealized gains and losses on these contracts that qualify as cash flow hedges in other comprehensive income, and then recognize them in other income or expense when the hedged item affects net earnings.
From time to time, we enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage currency exposures for transactions denominated in a currency other than an entity’s functional currency. As a result, the impact of foreign currency gains/losses recognized in earnings are partially offset by gains/losses on the related foreign currency forward exchange contracts in the same reporting period. Refer to Note 6. Derivative Instruments , to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Part IV, Item 15 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) for additional information.
We maintain written policies and procedures governing our risk management activities. With respect to derivatives, changes in hedged items are generally expected to be completely offset by changes in the fair value of hedge instruments. Consequently, foreign currency exchange contracts would not subject us to material risk due to exchange rate movements, because gains and losses on these contracts offset gains and losses on the assets, liabilities or transactions being hedged.
The results of operations discussed herein have not been materially affected by inflation.
Interest Rate Risk
Cash and Cash Equivalents - We are exposed to the risk of interest rate fluctuations on the interest income earned on our cash and cash equivalents. A hypothetical 100 basis points increase or decrease in interest rates applicable to our cash and cash equivalents outstanding at December 31, 2024 would impact the Company by approximately $2.5 million on an annual basis. We are subject to foreign currency exchange risk with respect to cash balances maintained in foreign currencies.
Short-Term Investments- We are exposed to the risk of interest rate fluctuations on the interest income earned on our short-term investments. A hypothetical 100 basis points movement in interest rates applicable to our short-term investments outstanding at December 31, 2024 would increase or decrease interest income by approximately $0.3 million on an annual basis.
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Debt - Our interest rate risk relates primarily to U.S. dollar SOFR-indexed borrowings. We use interest rate swap derivative instruments to manage our earnings and cash flow exposure to changes in interest rates. These interest rate swaps fix the interest rate on a portion of our expected SOFR-indexed floating-rate borrowings. These interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2024. The total notional amounts related to the Company’s interest rate swaps were $1.1 billion with $425.0 million effective as of December 31, 2024. Based on our outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2024, a 100 basis points change in interest rates would have impacted interest expense on the unhedged portion of the debt by $8.1 million on an annualized basis.