Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk primarily from changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates, which may affect future income, cash flows and fair value of the Company, depending on changes to interest rates and/or foreign exchange rates. In certain situations, we may seek to reduce cash flow volatility associated with changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates by entering into financial arrangements intended to provide a hedge against a portion of the risks associated with such volatility. We continue to have exposure to such risks to the extent they are not hedged. We enter into derivative financial arrangements to the extent they meet the objective described above, and we do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

Interest Rate Risk

We are exposed to interest rate risk on our variable-rate debt. Interest rates on our variable-rate debt discussed below are based on one-month and three-month LIBOR, so we are most vulnerable to changes in these rates.

The following table sets forth the contractual maturities and the total fair values as of December 31, 2016 for our financial instruments that are materially affected by interest rate risk:

Refer to Note 16: "Fair Value Measurements" in our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of the fair value measurements of our financial assets and liabilities.

Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk

We conduct business in various currencies and are exposed to earnings and cash flow volatility associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Our principal exposure results from management and franchise fees earned in foreign currencies and revenues from our international owned and leased hotels, partially offset by foreign operating expenses and capital expenditures, the value of which could change materially in reference to our reporting currency, the U.S. dollar. We also have exposure from our international financial assets and liabilities, including certain intercompany loans not deemed to be permanently invested, the value of which could change materially in reference to the functional currencies of the exposed entities. As of December 31, 2016, our largest net exposures were to the euro, GBP and AUD. As of December 31, 2016, we held 68 short-term foreign exchange forward contracts with a total notional amount of $326 million. These offset exposure to financial assets and liabilities and are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.