Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, short-term interest rates and price fluctuations of certain material commodities in the ordinary course of our business. We have not engaged in hedging activities since inception and currently, do not expect to engage in any hedging activities with respect to the market risk to which we are exposed.
Foreign Currency Risk
Foreign currency exchange risks are attributable to sales to foreign customers and purchases from foreign suppliers not denominated in a location’s functional currency, foreign plant operations, intercompany indebtedness, intercompany investments and include exposures to the Euro, Canadian dollar, Norwegian krone and Australian dollar. We have elected to use the U.S. dollar for our Luxembourg entities. Transactions that are paid in a foreign currency are remeasured into U.S. dollars and recorded in the consolidated financial statements at prevailing currency exchange rates. A reduction in the value of the U.S. dollar against currencies of other countries could result in the use of additional cash to settle operating, administrative and tax liabilities.
Interest Rate Risk
For variable rate debt, interest rate changes generally do not affect the fair market value of such debt, but do impact future earnings and cash flows, assuming other factors are held constant. We are subject to market risk exposure related to changes in interest rates on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. Interest on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility is based on adjusted SOFR plus or base rate plus an applicable margin. At March 31, 2024, we had no borrowings outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Commodity Price Risk
Our realized margins depend on the differential of sales prices over our total supply costs. Generally, we attempt to maintain an inventory position that is substantially balanced between our purchases and sales, including our future delivery obligations. However, market, weather or other conditions beyond our control may disrupt our expected supply of product, and we may be required to obtain supply at increased prices that cannot be passed through to our customers. For example, some of our material supply contracts follow market prices, which may fluctuate through the year, while our product sales prices may be fixed on a quarterly or annual basis, and therefore, fluctuations in our material supply may not be passed through to our customers and can produce an adverse effect on our margins.
Effects of Inflation
We are subject to inflationary pressures with respect to raw materials, labor and transportation. Accordingly, we continue to take actions with our customers and suppliers to mitigate the impact of these inflationary pressures in the future. Actions to mitigate inflationary pressures with customers include contractual price escalation clauses and negotiated customer recoveries. Actions to mitigate inflationary pressures with suppliers include aggregation of purchase requirements to achieve optimal volume benefits, negotiation of cost-reductions and identification of more cost competitive suppliers. While these actions are designed to offset the impact of inflationary pressures, the Company cannot provide assurance that it will be successful in fully offsetting increased costs resulting from inflationary pressure.
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