Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
Interest Rate Risk:
Changes in short-term interest rates related to several separate funding sources impact the Company’s earnings. These sources are borrowings under the Accounts Receivable Facility, borrowings under the Senior Credit Facility and short-term bank borrowings by the Company's international subsidiaries. If the market rates for short-term borrowings increased by one-percentage-point around the globe, the impact from the Company's variable rate debt would be an increase in interest expense of $3.8 million annually, with a corresponding decrease in income from continuing operations before income taxes of the same amount. This amount was determined by considering the impact of hypothetical interest rates on the Company’s borrowing cost and year-end debt balances by category.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk:
Fluctuations in the value of the U.S. dollar compared to foreign currencies, including the Euro, can impact the Company’s earnings. The greatest risk relates to products shipped between the Company’s European operations and the United States, as well as intercompany loans between Timken affiliates. Foreign currency forward contracts are used to hedge a portion of these intercompany transactions. Additionally, hedges are used to cover third-party purchases of products and equipment. As of December 31, 2024, there were $471.6 million of hedges in place. A uniform 10% weakening of the U.S. dollar against all currencies would have resulted in a benefit of $11.9 million related to these hedges, which would have partially offset the impact of the underlying currency fluctuation. In addition to the direct impact of the hedged amounts, changes in exchange rates also affect the volume of sales or foreign currency sales price as competitors’ products become more or less attractive.
Commodity Price Risk:
In the ordinary course of business, the Company is exposed to market and other risk with respect to commodity price fluctuations, primarily related to our purchases of raw materials and energy, principally steel and natural gas. Whenever possible, the Company manages its exposure to commodity risks primarily through the use of supplier pricing agreements that enable the Company to establish the purchase prices for certain inputs that are used in our manufacturing and distribution business.
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