Financial instruments

The Company uses derivative instruments to manage its exposure to interest rate and foreign currency exchange risks.

The notional amounts, fair value and balance sheet presentation of derivative instruments outstanding as of February 28, 2018 and August 31, 2017 are as follows (in millions):



	February 28, 2018				August 31, 2017
	Notional ¹		Fair value		Notional ¹		Fair value		Location in Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
Derivatives designated as hedges:
Interest rate swaps	$	—	$	—	$	250	$	—	Other non-current assets
Interest rate swaps	250		2		—		—		Other current liabilities
Foreign currency forwards	—		—		24		—		Other current assets
Derivatives not designated as hedges:
Foreign currency forwards	198		1		221		—		Other current assets
Foreign currency forwards	3,177		61		2,816		19		Other current liabilities


¹	Amounts are presented in U.S. dollar equivalents, as applicable.

The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage the interest rate exposure associated with some of its fixed-rate borrowings and designates them as fair value hedges. From time to time, the Company may use forward starting interest rate swaps to hedge interest rate exposure of some or all of its anticipated debt issuances.

The Company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts and other foreign currency derivatives to hedge significant committed and highly probable future transactions and cash flows denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the Company or its subsidiaries. The Company has significant non-U.S. dollar denominated net investments and uses foreign currency denominated financial instruments, specifically foreign currency derivatives and foreign currency denominated debt, to hedge its foreign currency risk.

Fair value hedges

The Company holds an interest rate swap converting $250 million of its 5.250% fixed rate notes to a floating interest rate based on the six-month LIBOR in arrears plus a constant spread. The swap termination date coincides with the January 15, 2019 maturity date of the notes. This swap was designated as a fair value hedge.

The gains and losses due to changes in fair value on the swaps and on the hedged notes attributable to interest rate risk did not have a material impact on the Company’s Financial Statements. The changes in fair value of the Company’s debt that was swapped from fixed to variable rate and designated as fair value hedges are included in long-term debt on the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets (see note 7, debt).

Derivatives not designated as hedges

The Company enters into derivative transactions that are not designated as accounting hedges. These derivative instruments are economic hedges of foreign currency risks. The gains and (losses) due to changes in fair value of these derivative instruments were recognized in earnings as follows (in millions):



		Three months ended February 28,						Six months ended February 28,
	Location in Consolidated Condensed Statements of Earnings	2018			2017			2018			2017
Foreign currency forwards	Selling, general and administrative expenses	$	(164	)	$	(2	)	$	(183	)	$	47
Foreign currency forwards	Other income (expense)	(1		)	(15		)	33			(14		)

Derivatives credit risk

Counterparties to derivative financial instruments expose the Company to credit-related losses in the event of counterparty nonperformance, and the Company regularly monitors the credit worthiness of each counterparty.

Derivatives offsetting

The Company does not offset the fair value amounts of derivative instruments subject to master netting agreements in the Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets.