NOTE H – DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Company’s risk management strategy includes the select use of derivative instruments to reduce the effects of volatility in foreign currency exchange exposure on operating results and cash flows. In accordance with the Company’s risk management policies, the Company does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes. The Company recognizes all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet at their respective fair values. When the Company becomes a party to a derivative instrument and intends to apply hedge accounting, the Company formally documents the hedge relationship and the risk management objective for undertaking the hedge, the nature of risk being hedged, and the hedged transaction, which includes designating the instrument for financial reporting purposes as a fair value hedge, a cash flow hedge, or a net investment hedge. The Company also documents how the hedging instrument’s effectiveness in offsetting the hedged risk will be assessed prospectively and retrospectively, and a description of the method used to measure ineffectiveness.

The Company periodically uses derivative instruments to hedge the foreign currency exposure of its net investment in foreign subsidiaries into U.S. dollars. Initially, the Company records derivative assets on a gross basis in its condensed consolidated balance sheets. Subsequently the fair value of derivatives is measured for each reporting period. The effective portion of gains and losses attributable to these net investment hedges is recorded to foreign currency translation adjustment (“FCTA”) within accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) (“AOCI”) to offset the change in the carrying value of the net investment being hedged, and will subsequently be reclassified to net earnings in the period in which the investment in the subsidiary is either sold or substantially liquidated.

During the nine months ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019, the Company settled a European option designated as a net investment hedge with a notional amount of $90,000 and $110,000, respectively.  No settlements occurred during the three months ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019.  For the nine months ended September 26, 2020 and September 28, 2019, the Company realized a net gain of $846 and $276, respectively, which is recorded to FCTA within AOCI.

As of  September 26, 2020 and December 28, 2019, there were no derivatives outstanding for which the Company has applied hedge accounting.