We are exposed to market risks, such as changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. To manage the volatility related to these exposures, from time to time, we enter into various derivative transactions. We use various types of derivative instruments, including forward contracts and swaps. We formally assess, designate and document, as a hedge of an underlying exposure, each qualifying derivative instrument that will be accounted for as an accounting hedge at inception. Additionally, we assess, both at inception and at least quarterly thereafter, whether the financial instruments used in the hedging transaction are effective at offsetting changes in either the fair values or cash flows of the underlying exposures.

In February 2020, as a means of mitigating the impact of currency fluctuations on our Euro investments in foreign entities, we executed a cash flow hedge and two cross currency swap agreements, in which we paid fixed rate interest in Euros and received variable rate interest in U.S. Dollars with a combined notional amount of approximately €277.73 million ($300 million U.S. Dollar equivalent), and which had a maturity date of February 2023. This effectively converted our U.S. Dollar denominated variable rate debt to Euro denominated fixed rate debt. The cash flow hedge was recognized at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, while changes in the fair value of the hedge were recognized in AOCI when the hedged items affected earnings. Amounts recognized in AOCI were recognized in earnings in interest expense when the hedged interest payment was accrued. We designated the swaps as net investment hedges of our net investment in our European operations under ASU 2017-12 and applied the spot method to these hedges. The changes in fair value of the derivative instruments that were designated and qualified as hedges of net investments in foreign operations were recognized in AOCI to offset the changes in the values of the net investments being hedged.

In addition, in February 2020, as a means of mitigating the variability of the functional-currency-equivalent cash flows associated with the U.S. Dollar denominated term loan facility (referred to as Foreign Borrower’s Term Loan), we executed a cash flow hedge, in which we paid fixed rate interest in Euros and received variable rate interest in U.S. Dollars with a notional amount of approximately €92.52 million ($100 million U.S. Dollar equivalent), and which had a maturity date of February 2023. This effectively converted our U.S. Dollar denominated variable rate debt to Euro denominated fixed rate debt. The cash flow hedge was recognized at fair value in our Consolidated Balance Sheets, while changes in the fair value of the hedge were recognized in AOCI when the hedged items affected earnings. Amounts recorded in AOCI were recognized in earnings in interest expense when the hedged interest payment was accrued. In addition, since this currency swap was a hedge of variability of the functional-currency-equivalent cash flows of a recognized liability to be remeasured at spot exchange rates under ASC 830, "Foreign Currency Matters," an amount that offset the gain or loss arising from the remeasurement of the hedged liability was reclassified each period from AOCI to earnings as foreign exchange gain/(loss), which is a component of SG&A expenses.

In May 2022, the cash flow hedges and cross-currency swaps were terminated, and we received cash in the amount of $11.6 million, representing the fair value of the swap and interest accrued through the date of termination. Accordingly, hedge accounting was discontinued. For the cash flow hedges, a hedge accounting reserve balance within AOCI of $1.9 million remained and was amortized to interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Income through the original termination date of the underlying hedged debt in February 2023. Changes in the fair value of the cross-currency swaps were recorded as cumulative translation adjustment within AOCI and will remain in AOCI until either the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the hedged subsidiaries. As such, there were no assets or liabilities recognized in the Consolidated Balance Sheets as of May 31, 2023 and May 31, 2022 for derivatives designated as hedges.

The following table summarizes the location and effects of our derivatives instruments on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and Consolidated Statements of Income for gains or losses initially recognized in AOCI in the Consolidated Balance Sheets:


	Pretax gain/(loss) recognized in AOCI								Pretax gain/(loss) reclassified from AOCI into Income
(In thousands)	Year Ended May 31,								Year Ended May 31,
Derivatives in hedging relationships	2023		2022		2021			Income Statement Location	2023		2022			2021
Interest Rate Swap (Cash Flow)	$	-	$	4,508	$	(1,226	)	Interest (Expense) Income	$	-	$	(3,272	)	$	(3,380	)
Cross Currency Swap (Cash Flow)		-		15,494		(9,207	)	Interest Income		1,766		611			638
Cross Currency Swap (Cash Flow)		-		-		-		Foreign Exchange (Loss)		-		14,758			(9,874	)
Cross Currency Swap (Net Investment)		-		40,471		(31,380	)	Gain or (loss) on sale of subsidiary		-		-			-
Total	$	-	$	60,473	$	(41,813	)		$	1,766	$	12,097		$	(12,616	)

At May 31, 2023 and 2022, we held one foreign currency forward contract at each period end designed to reduce our exposure to changes in the cash flows of intercompany foreign-currency-denominated loans related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates by fixing the functional currency cash flows. These contracts have not been designated as hedges; therefore, the changes in fair value of the contracts are recognized in earnings as a component of SG&A expenses. Amounts recognized in earnings and in the Consolidated Balance Sheets did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements for any period presented. As of May 31, 2023, and May 31, 2022, the notional amounts of the forward contract held to purchase foreign currencies was $43.6 million and $238.2 million, respectively.

All of our derivative assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy. We determine the fair value of our derivatives based on valuation methods, which project future cash flows and discount the future amounts to present value using market-based observable inputs, including interest rate curves, foreign currency rates, as well as future and basis point spreads, as applicable.