Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 7A . Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
The following discussion of our exposure to various market risks contains “forward looking statements” regarding our estimates, assumptions and beliefs concerning our exposure. Although we believe these estimates and assumptions are reasonable in light of information currently available to us, we cannot provide assurance that these estimates will not materially differ from actual results due to the inherent unpredictability of interest rates, foreign currency rates and commodity prices as well as other factors. We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.
Interest Rate Risk
Our outstanding debt bears interest at variable rates and accordingly is sensitive to changes in interest rates. Based upon the balan ces of the variable rate debt at October 31, 2025, a hypothetical 1.0% increase or decrease in interest rates could result in approximately $6.4 million of additional pre-tax charges or credit to our operating results. This sensitivity pertains primarily to our outstanding revolving credit facility borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility as of October 31, 2025.
Foreign Currency Rate Risk
Our international operations have exposure to foreign currency rate risks, due primarily to fluctuations in the Euro, the British Pound Sterling and the Mexican Peso (“MXN”) exchange rates, to the U.S. Dollar (“USD”). From time to time, we enter into foreign exchange contracts associated with our operations to manage a portion of the foreign currency rate risk and the potential impact to ongoing cash flows. Hedge accounting is not applied to our foreign exchange contracts. As of October 31, 2025, we have outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts to hedge our foreign currency exposures against the MXN to the USD, with a notional principal amount of $20.0 million. During the year ended October 31, 2025 and 2024, we recognized a net loss of less than $0.1 million and $0.3 million, respectively, related to our forward foreign exchange contracts.
Commodity Price Risk
We purchase PVC as the significant raw material consumed in the manufacture of vinyl extrusions. We have resin adjusters in place with a majority of our customers and our resin supplier that is adjusted based upon published indices for lagging resin prices. These adjusters effectively share the base pass-through price changes of PVC with our customers commensurate with the market at large. Our long-term exposure to changes in PVC prices is somewhat mitigated due to the contractual component of the resin adjuster program. However, there is a level of exposure to short-term volatility due to timing lags.
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We adjust the pricing of petroleum-based raw materials for the majority of our customers who purchase products using these materials. This is intended to offset the fluctuating cost of products which are highly correlated to the price of oil including butyl and other oil-based raw materials. This program is adjusted monthly based upon the 90-day average published price for Brent crude. The oil-based raw materials that we purchase are subject to similar pricing schemes. As such, our long-term exposure to increases in oil-based raw material prices is significantly reduced under this program.
Similarly, we include a price index provision to insulate against significant fluctuations in the price for various hardwood products used as the primary raw material for kitchen and bathroom cabinet doors. Like our vinyl extrusion business, we are exposed to short-term volatility in wood prices due to a lag in the timing of price updates which generally could extend for up to three months.
For our remaining businesses, contractual price adjustment mechanisms are in place for key commodities including stainless steel and zinc for most large U.S. customers, but not all. For those customers not covered by contractual mechanisms, we have successfully implemented surcharges and general price increases to share the impact of price changes with our customers. Like our other businesses, there is exposure to short-term volatility due to a lag in the timing of implementing price increases.
We have begun implementing additional programs for other raw materials to facilitate more accurate pricing and reduce our exposure to changing material costs when necessary, however these are also subject to timing lags. While we maintain surcharges and other adjusters to manage our exposure to changes in the prices of our critical raw materials, we use several commodities in our business that are not covered by contractual surcharges or adjusters for which pricing can fluctuate, including PVC compound micro ingredients, silicone, polypropylene and other inputs.
Certain raw materials and commodities we use to manufacture our products are subject to tariffs. Currently, there is uncertainty on how recently enacted tariffs and potential future tariffs may affect the price of these raw materials and commodities. We are constantly assessing potential supply chain vulnerability and implementing strategies (i.e. surcharges) to mitigate potential tariff impacts. We are also utilizing local supply chains where possible to reduce supply and cost risks. Additionally, we continue to explore alternative supply sources and evaluate shifts in demand. Further discussion of our industry risks is included within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2025 and the section entitled “Item 1A. Risk Factors” within this Form 10-K.
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