Constellation Brands, Inc. Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

Derivative Instruments

Derivative Instruments

12 Months Ended

Feb. 28, 2019

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS:

Overview –

We are exposed to market risk from changes in foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices, interest rates and equity prices that could affect our results of operations and financial condition. The impact on our results and financial position and the amounts reported in our financial statements will vary based upon the currency, commodity, interest rate and equity market movements during the period, the effectiveness and level of derivative instruments outstanding and whether they are designated and qualify for hedge accounting.

The estimated fair values of our derivative instruments change with fluctuations in currency rates, commodity prices, interest rates and/or equity prices and are expected to offset changes in the values of the underlying exposures. Our derivative instruments are held solely to manage our exposures to the aforementioned market risks as part of our normal business operations. We follow strict policies to manage these risks and do not enter into derivative instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

We have investments in certain equity securities which provide us with the option to purchase an additional ownership interest in the equity securities of that issuer (see Note 10). These investments are included in securities measured at fair value and are accounted for at fair value, with the net gain (loss) from the changes in fair value of these investments recognized in income (loss) from unconsolidated investments (see Note 7).

The aggregate notional value of outstanding derivative instruments is as follows:



	February 28, 2019		February 28, 2018
(in millions)
Derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments
Foreign currency contracts	$	1,579.3	$	1,465.4

Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments
Foreign currency contracts	$	460.3	$	440.6
Commodity derivative contracts	$	284.7	$	177.5

Cash flow hedges –

Our derivative instruments designated in hedge accounting relationships are designated as cash flow hedges. We are exposed to foreign denominated cash flow fluctuations primarily in connection with third party and intercompany sales and purchases. We primarily use foreign currency forward contracts to hedge certain of these risks. In addition, we utilize interest rate swap contracts periodically to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. Derivatives managing our cash flow exposures generally mature within three years or less, with a maximum maturity of five years.

To qualify for hedge accounting treatment, the details of the hedging relationship must be formally documented at inception of the arrangement, including the risk management objective, hedging strategy, hedged item, specific risk that is being hedged, the derivative instrument, how effectiveness is being assessed and how ineffectiveness will be measured. The derivative must be highly effective in offsetting changes in the cash flows of the risk being hedged. Throughout the term of the designated cash flow hedge relationship on at least a quarterly basis, a retrospective evaluation and prospective assessment of hedge effectiveness is performed based on quantitative and qualitative measures. All components of our derivative instruments’ gains or losses are included in the assessment of hedge effectiveness.

When we determine that a derivative instrument which qualified for hedge accounting treatment has ceased to be highly effective as a hedge, we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively. In the event the relationship is no longer effective, we recognize the change in the fair value of the hedging derivative instrument from the date the hedging derivative instrument became no longer effective immediately in our results of operations. We also discontinue hedge accounting prospectively when (i) a derivative expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised; (ii) it is no longer probable that the forecasted transaction will occur; or (iii) we determine that designating the derivative as a hedging instrument is no longer appropriate. When we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively, but the original forecasted transaction continues to be probable of occurring, the existing gain or loss of the derivative instrument remains in AOCI and is reclassified into earnings when the forecasted transaction occurs. When it becomes probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur, any remaining gain or loss in AOCI is recognized immediately in our results of operations.

We expect $11.8 million of net gains, net of income tax effect, to be reclassified from AOCI to our results of operations within the next 12 months.

Undesignated hedges –

Certain of our derivative instruments do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment; for others, we choose not to maintain the required documentation to apply hedge accounting treatment. These undesignated instruments are primarily used to economically hedge our exposure to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency denominated receivables and payables; foreign currency investments, primarily consisting of loans to subsidiaries and foreign-denominated investments, and cash flows related primarily to the repatriation of those loans or investments; and commodity prices, including aluminum, corn, diesel fuel, natural gas and wheat prices. We primarily use foreign currency forward and option contracts, generally less than 12 months in duration, and commodity swap contracts, generally less than 36 months in duration, with a maximum maturity of five years, to hedge some of these risks. In addition, from time to time, we utilize interest rate swap contracts, generally less than six months in duration, to economically hedge our exposure to changes in interest rates associated with the financing of significant investments and acquisitions. Our derivative policy permits the use of undesignated derivatives as approved by senior management.

Credit risk –

We are exposed to credit-related losses if the counterparties to our derivative contracts default. This credit risk is limited to the fair value of the derivative contracts. To manage this risk, we contract only with major financial institutions that have earned investment-grade credit ratings and with whom we have standard International Swaps and Derivatives Association agreements which allow for net settlement of the derivative contracts. We have also established counterparty credit guidelines that are regularly monitored. Because of these safeguards, we believe the risk of loss from counterparty default to be immaterial.

In addition, our derivative instruments are not subject to credit rating contingencies or collateral requirements. As of February 28, 2019, the estimated fair value of derivative instruments in a net liability position due to counterparties was $3.4 million. If we were required to settle the net liability position under these derivative instruments on February 28, 2019, we would have had sufficient available liquidity on hand to satisfy this obligation.

Results of period derivative activity –

The estimated fair value and location of our derivative instruments on our balance sheets are as follows (see Note 7):



Assets					Liabilities
	February 28, 2019		February 28, 2018			February 28, 2019		February 28, 2018
(in millions)
Derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments
Foreign currency contracts:
Prepaid expenses and other	$	14.1	$	21.2	Other accrued expenses and liabilities	$	8.8	$	7.8
Other assets	$	22.1	$	17.0	Deferred income taxes and other liabilities	$	6.3	$	9.9

Derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments
Foreign currency contracts:
Prepaid expenses and other	$	2.0	$	2.1	Other accrued expenses and liabilities	$	0.6	$	2.2
Commodity derivative contracts:
Prepaid expenses and other	$	6.1	$	6.3	Other accrued expenses and liabilities	$	6.1	$	3.0
Other assets	$	2.6	$	2.8	Deferred income taxes and other liabilities	$	5.5	$	2.6

The principal effect of our derivative instruments designated in cash flow hedging relationships on our results of operations, as well as Other Comprehensive Income (“OCI”), net of income tax effect, is as follows:



Derivative Instruments in Designated Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI			Location of Net Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI to Income	Net Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI to Income
(in millions)
For the Year Ended February 28, 2019
Foreign currency contracts	$	15.9		Sales	$	0.4
				Cost of product sold	4.1
	$	15.9			$	4.5

For the Year Ended February 28, 2018
Foreign currency contracts	$	61.4		Sales	$	(1.4	)
				Cost of product sold	1.3
Interest rate swap contracts	(1.5		)	Interest expense	2.2
	$	59.9			$	2.1

For the Year Ended February 28, 2017
Foreign currency contracts	$	(26.1	)	Sales	$	1.1
				Cost of product sold	(28.3		)
Interest rate swap contracts	2.8			Interest expense	(4.0		)
	$	(23.3	)		$	(31.2	)

The effect of our undesignated derivative instruments on our results of operations is as follows:



Derivative Instruments not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location of Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income	Net Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income
(in millions)
For the Year Ended February 28, 2019
Commodity derivative contracts	Cost of product sold	$	1.8
Foreign currency contracts	Selling, general and administrative expenses	(60.8		)
Interest rate swap contracts	Interest expense	35.0
		$	(24.0	)

For the Year Ended February 28, 2018
Commodity derivative contracts	Cost of product sold	$	7.5
Foreign currency contracts	Selling, general and administrative expenses	6.0
		$	13.5

For the Year Ended February 28, 2017
Commodity derivative contracts	Cost of product sold	$	16.3
Foreign currency contracts	Selling, general and administrative expenses	(26.1		)
		$	(9.8	)