Item 7A. . QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
5K characters. Original on sec.gov · Markdown
Item 7A. . QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risk, primarily related to foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. These exposures are actively monitored by management. Our exposure to foreign exchange rate risk is due to certain costs, revenue and borrowings being denominated in currencies other than one of our subsidiaries functional currency. Similarly, we are exposed to market risk as the result of changes in interest rates which may affect the cost of our financing. It is our policy and practice to use derivative financial instruments only to the extent necessary to manage exposures.
Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk
We conduct approximately 54% of our business in various locations outside the United States.
Our economic foreign currency risk primarily relates to receipts from customers, payments to suppliers and intercompany transactions denominated in foreign currencies. We may use derivative financial instruments to offset risk related to receipts from customers and payments to suppliers, when it is believed that the exposure will not be limited by our normal operating and financing activities. We enter into currency forward contracts periodically in order to manage the exchange rate fluctuation risk on certain intercompany transactions associated with third party sales and purchases. These risks are also mitigated by natural hedges including the presence of manufacturing facilities outside the United States, global sourcing and other spending which occurs in foreign countries. Our principal foreign currency transaction exposures primarily relate to the Euro, Swedish Krona, Polish Zloty, Canadian Dollar, British Pound, and Australian Dollar. We estimate that a hypothetical 10% movement in foreign currency exchange rates would not have a material economic impact to Xylem’s financial position and results of operations.
Additionally, we are subject to foreign exchange translation risk due to changes in the value of foreign currencies in relation to our reporting currency, the U.S. Dollar. The translation risk is primarily concentrated in the exchange rate between the U.S. Dollar and the Euro, British Pound, Chinese Yuan, Canadian Dollar, Swedish Krona and Australian Dollar. As the U.S. Dollar strengthens against other currencies in which we transact business, revenue and income will generally be negatively impacted, and if the U.S. Dollar weakens, revenue and income will generally be positively impacted. We estimate that a hypothetical 10% movement of the U.S. Dollar to the various foreign currency exchange rates we translate from, in the aggregate, could have approximately a 5% and 6% impact on Xylem's consolidated revenue and income, respectively, as reported in U.S. Dollars. We expect to continue to generate significant revenue from non-U.S. operations and we expect our cash will be predominately held by our foreign subsidiaries. We expect to manage our worldwide cash requirements considering available funds among the many subsidiaries through which we conduct business and the cost effectiveness with which those funds can be accessed. We may transfer cash from certain international subsidiaries to the U.S. and other international subsidiaries when it is cost effective to do so, though we continually review our domestic and foreign cash profile, expected future cash generation and investment opportunities and reassess whether there is a need repatriate funds held internationally to support our U.S. operations. Accordingly, we do not expect translation risk to have a material economic impact on our financial position and results of operations.
Interest Rate Risk
As of December 31, 2017, our long term debt portfolio is primarily comprised of four series of fixed-rate senior notes that total $2.1 billion. The senior notes are not exposed to interest rate risk as the bonds are at a fixed-rate until maturity. Based on current interest rate market we do not anticipate material risk associated with our debt refinancing within the target time-frame of completion.
Commodity Price Exposures
Portions of our business are exposed to volatility in the prices of certain commodities, such as copper, nickel and aluminum, among others. Our primary exposure to this volatility resides with the use of these materials in purchased component parts. We generally maintain long-term fixed price contracts on raw materials and component parts; however, we are prone to exposure as these contracts expire. We estimate that a hypothetical 10% adverse movement in prices for raw metal commodities would not be material to our financial position and results of operations.
Previous: Item 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS · Next: Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA