Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
In the normal course of business, we are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate risks that could impact our financial position and results of operations.
Foreign Currency
We are exposed to foreign currency risk primarily related to our foreign subsidiaries. Exchange rates impact the U.S. dollar value of our reported earnings, our investments in and held by subsidiaries, local currency denominated borrowings and intercompany transactions with and between subsidiaries. Our foreign subsidiaries primarily derive revenues and incur expenses within a single country and currency which, as a result, provide a natural hedge against currency risks in connection with normal business operations. Accordingly, changes in foreign currency rates vs. the U.S. dollar and euro generally do not impact local cash flows. Intercompany transactions which create foreign currency risk include services, royalties, loans, contributions and distributions.
On November 2, 2023, the Company entered into a foreign currency forward contract with a notional amount of €90.0 million to manage the foreign currency risk associated with the sale of our EMEA staffing operations, which was completed on January 2, 2024. This contract was not designated as a hedging instrument; therefore, it was marked-to-market and the changes in fair value were recognized in earnings. An unrealized loss of $3.6 million associated with the forward contract was recorded as of year-end 2023. A total loss of $2.4 million was realized upon settlement on January 5, 2024; therefore, the Company recorded a gain of $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2024 (see Fair Value Measurements footnote in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for more details).
On February 8, 2024, the Company entered into a foreign currency forward contract with a notional amount of €17.0 million to manage the foreign currency risk associated with the expected additional proceeds related to the sale of our EMEA staffing operations (see Acquisitions and Dispositions footnote in the notes to our consolidated financial statements). The expected proceeds are recorded as a euro-denominated receivable which is remeasured each period. The forward contract was designated as a fair value hedge, with the mark-to-market changes of the forward contract offsetting the mark-to-market changes of the receivable in the gain on sale of EMEA staffing operations in the consolidated statement of earnings. In the fourth quarter of
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2024, the Company settled the contract with a $0.4 million cash payment and recognized a corresponding loss of $0.4 million on the contract. As of year-end 2024, there is no asset or liability related to the forward contract (see Fair Value Measurements footnote in the notes to our consolidated financial statements for more details).
Interest Rates
We are exposed to interest rate risks through our use of our credit facilities and other local borrowings, when applicable. Following our acquisition of MRP, the Company has long-term borrowings on our credit facilities. On July 17, 2024, we entered into a $50.0 million 12-month interest rate swap and a $50.0 million 18-month interest rate swap that effectively locked in the variable SOFR component of our interest rate for a portion of the long-term borrowings on the Securitization Facility at a fixed rate of 4.772% and 4.468% from the effective date through July 17, 2025 and January 17, 2026, respectively. A hypothetical fluctuation of 10% of market interest rates would not have had a material impact on 2024 earnings.
We are exposed to market risk as a result of our obligation to pay benefits under our nonqualified deferred compensation plan and our related investments in Company-owned variable universal life insurance policies. The obligation to employees increases and decreases based on movements in the equity and debt markets. The investments in mutual funds, as part of the Company-owned variable universal life insurance policies, are designed to mitigate, but not eliminate, this risk with offsetting gains and losses.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The financial statements and supplementary data required by this Item are set forth in the accompanying index on page 47 of this filing and are presented in pages 48 - 99 .
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
None.