Fair-Value Measurements

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2024

Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The Company uses a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

•Level 1 - Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

•Level 2 - Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices in markets that are not active or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data.

•Level 3 - Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities. This includes certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.

We had no Level 3 financial assets or liabilities at March 31, 2024 or at December 31, 2023, other than certain pension assets as indicated in our December 31, 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

The following table presents the fair-value hierarchy for our Level 1 and Level 2 financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, which are measured at fair value on a recurring basis:


	March 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
	Quoted prices in active markets		Significant other observable inputs		Quoted prices in active markets		Significant other observable inputs
(in thousands)	(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 1)		(Level 2)
Fair Value
Assets:
Cash equivalents	$	19,892	$	—	$	27,157	$	—
Foreign currency option contracts	—		1,533		—		1,725
Foreign currency forward contracts	—		269		—		199
Other Assets:
Common stock of unaffiliated foreign public company (a)	759		—		682		—
Interest rate swaps	—		9,404		—		12,214
Liabilities
Foreign currency forward contracts	—		(160)		—		—

(a)Original cost basis $0.5 million.

Cash equivalents include short-term securities that are considered to be highly liquid and easily tradable. These securities are valued using inputs observable in active markets for identical securities.

The interest rate swaps are accounted for as hedges of future cash flows. The fair value of our interest rate swaps is derived from a discounted cash flow analysis based on the terms of the contract and the interest rate curve, and is included in Other assets and/or Other noncurrent liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts determined to be due within one year are reclassified to Other current assets and/or Accrued liabilities in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Unrealized gains and losses on the interest rate swaps flow through the caption Derivative valuation adjustment in the Shareholders’ equity section of the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Amounts accumulated in Other comprehensive income are reclassified as interest expense/(income), net when the related interest payments (that is, the hedged forecasted transactions), affect earnings. Interest expense/(income) related to payments under the active swap agreements totaled $(4.0) million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, and $(3.2) million for the three months ended March 31, 2023.

We operate our business in many regions of the world, and currency rate movements can have a significant effect on operating results. Foreign currency instruments are entered into periodically and consist of foreign currency option contracts and forward contracts that are valued using quoted prices in active markets obtained from independent pricing sources. These instruments are measured using market foreign exchange prices and are recorded in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as Other current assets and Accounts payable, as applicable. Changes in fair value of these instruments are recorded as gains or losses within Other (income)/expense, net.

When exercised, the foreign currency instruments are net-settled with the same financial institution that bought or sold them. For all positions, whether options or forward contracts, there is a risk from the possible inability of the financial institution to meet the terms of the contracts and the risk of unfavorable changes in interest and currency rates, which may reduce the value of the instruments. We seek to mitigate risk by evaluating the creditworthiness of counterparties and by monitoring the currency exchange and interest rate markets while reviewing the hedging risks and contracts to ensure compliance with our internal guidelines and policies.

(Gains)/losses related to changes in fair value of derivative instruments that were recognized in Other (income)/expense, net in the Consolidated Statements of Income were as follows:


	Three months ended March 31,
(in thousands)	2024		2023
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency options (gains)/losses	$	(118)	$	16

- Definition

The entire disclosure for the fair value of financial instruments (as defined), including financial assets and financial liabilities (collectively, as defined), and the measurements of those instruments as well as disclosures related to the fair value of non-financial assets and liabilities. Such disclosures about the financial instruments, assets, and liabilities would include: (1) the fair value of the required items together with their carrying amounts (as appropriate); (2) for items for which it is not practicable to estimate fair value, disclosure would include: (a) information pertinent to estimating fair value (including, carrying amount, effective interest rate, and maturity, and (b) the reasons why it is not practicable to estimate fair value; (3) significant concentrations of credit risk including: (a) information about the activity, region, or economic characteristics identifying a concentration, (b) the maximum amount of loss the entity is exposed to based on the gross fair value of the related item, (c) policy for requiring collateral or other security and information as to accessing such collateral or security, and (d) the nature and brief description of such collateral or security; (4) quantitative information about market risks and how such risks are managed; (5) for items measured on both a recurring and nonrecurring basis information regarding the inputs used to develop the fair value measurement; and (6) for items presented in the financial statement for which fair value measurement is elected: (a) information necessary to understand the reasons for the election, (b) discussion of the effect of fair value changes on earnings, (c) a description of [similar groups] items for which the election is made and the relation thereof to the balance sheet, the aggregate carrying value of items included in the balance sheet that are not eligible for the election; (7) all other required (as defined) and desired information.

+ References + Details

ALBANY INTERNATIONAL CORP /DE/ 10-Q