The Company categorizes its financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value into a three-level hierarchy established by GAAP that prioritizes those inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value based on the degree to which they are observable. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows: Level 1 inputs are quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; Level 2 inputs, other than quoted prices included within Level 1, are observable for the asset or liability either directly or indirectly; and Level 3 inputs are not observable in the market.

The carrying values of financial instruments equal or approximate their fair values with the exception of long-term debt:

All long-term debt is classified as Level 2. The estimated fair value of current and long-term borrowings has been determined based on market information where available, or by discounting future payments of principal and interest at estimated interest rates expected to be available to the Company at period end.

Derivative financial instruments may be used to selectively reduce volatility associated with fluctuations in interest rates, FX rates, the price of fuel, and stock-based compensation expense. Where derivatives are designated as hedging instruments, the relationship between the hedging instruments and their associated hedged items is documented, as well as the risk management objective and strategy for the use of the hedging instruments. This documentation includes linking the derivatives that are designated as fair value or cash flow hedges to specific assets or liabilities on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets, commitments, or forecasted transactions. At the time a derivative contract is entered into and at least quarterly thereafter, an assessment is made as to whether the derivative item is effective in offsetting the changes in fair value or cash flows of the hedged items. The derivative qualifies for hedge accounting treatment if it is effective in substantially mitigating the risk it was designed to address.

The railway industry predominantly serves financially established customers, and the Company has experienced limited financial losses with respect to credit risk. The credit worthiness of customers is assessed using credit scores supplied by a third party and through direct monitoring of their financial well-being on a continual basis. The Company establishes guidelines for customer credit limits and should thresholds in these areas be reached, appropriate precautions are taken to improve collectability.

Counterparties to financial instruments expose the Company to credit losses in the event of non-performance. Counterparties for derivative and cash transactions are limited to high credit quality financial institutions, which are monitored on an ongoing basis. Counterparty credit assessments are based on the financial health of the institutions and their credit ratings from external agencies. The Company does not anticipate non-performance that would materially impact the Company’s financial statements. In addition, the Company believes there are no significant concentrations of credit risk.

The Company conducts business transactions and owns assets in both Canada and the United States. As a result, the Company is exposed to fluctuations in the value of financial commitments, assets, liabilities, income, or cash flows due to changes in FX rates. The Company may enter into FX risk management transactions primarily to manage fluctuations in the exchange rate between Canadian and U.S. currencies. FX exposure is primarily mitigated through natural offsets created by revenues, expenditures, and balance sheet positions incurred in the same currency. Where appropriate, the Company may negotiate with customers and suppliers to reduce the net exposure.

The FX gains and losses on long-term debt are mainly unrealized and can only be realized when U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt matures or is settled. The Company also has long-term FX exposure on its investment in foreign subsidiaries with a U.S. dollar functional currency. The majority of the Company’s U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt has been designated as a hedge of the net investment in these foreign subsidiaries. This designation has the effect of mitigating volatility on Net income by offsetting long-term FX gains and losses on U.S. dollar-denominated long-term debt and gains and losses on its net investment. The effect of the net investment hedge recognized in “Other comprehensive (loss) income” in 2019 was an FX gain of $288 million, the majority of which was unrealized (2018 – unrealized loss of $479 million; 2017 – unrealized gain of $319 million) (see Note 8).

The Company is exposed to interest rate risk, which is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will vary as a result of changes in market interest rates. In order to manage funding needs or capital structure goals, the Company enters into debt or finance lease agreements that are subject to either fixed market interest rates set at the time of issue or floating rates determined by ongoing market conditions. Debt subject to variable interest rates exposes the Company to variability in interest expense, while debt subject to fixed interest rates exposes the Company to variability in the fair value of debt.

To manage interest rate exposure, the Company accesses diverse sources of financing and manages borrowings in line with a targeted range of capital structure, debt ratings, liquidity needs, maturity schedule, and currency and interest rate profiles. In anticipation of future debt issuances, the Company may enter into forward rate agreements, that are designated as cash flow hedges, to substantially lock in all or a portion of the effective future interest expense. The Company may also enter into swap agreements, designated as fair value hedges, to manage the mix of fixed and floating rate debt.

During the second quarter of 2018, the Company settled a notional amount of U.S. $500 million of forward starting swaps related to the U.S. $500 million 4.000% 10-year Notes issued in the same period. The fair value of these derivative instruments at the time of settlement was a loss of U.S. $19 million ($24 million). The Company no longer has any active forward starting swaps.

During the second quarter of 2017, the Company de-designated the hedging relationship for U.S. $700 million of forward starting swaps. The Company settled a notional amount of U.S. $200 million of forward starting swaps for a cash payment of U.S. $16 million ($22 million). The Company rolled the remaining notional amount of U.S. $500 million of forward starting swaps and did not cash settle these swaps. The impact of the U.S. $200 million settlement and U.S. $500 million roll of the forward starting swaps was a charge of $13 million to "Other (income) expense" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income. Concurrently, the Company re-designated the forward starting swaps totalling U.S. $500 million to fix the benchmark rate on cash flows associated with highly probable forecasted issuances of long-term notes.

The changes in fair value of the forward starting swaps for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $nil (2018 – gain of $31 million). This was recorded in "Accumulated other comprehensive loss”, net of tax, and is being reclassified to "Net interest expense" on the Company's Consolidated Statements of Income until the underlying hedged notes are repaid.

For the year ended December 31, 2019, a net loss of $9 million related to previous forward starting swap hedges has been amortized to “Net interest expense” (2018 – loss of $10 million; 2017 – loss of $11 million). The Company expects that during the next 12 months, $9 million of net losses will be amortized to “Net interest expense”.

At December 31, 2019, the Company had net unamortized losses related to interest rate locks, which are accounted for as cash flow hedges, settled in previous years totalling $18 million (December 31, 2018 – $19 million). This amount is composed of various unamortized gains and losses related to specific debts which are reflected in “Accumulated other comprehensive loss” and are amortized to “Net interest expense” in the period that interest on the related debt is charged. The amortization of these gains and losses resulted in a $1 million increase to “Net interest expense” and “Other comprehensive (loss) income” in 2019 (2018 – $1 million; 2017 – $1 million). The Company expects that during the next 12 months, a net loss of $1 million related to these previously settled derivatives will be reclassified to “Net interest expense”.

(in millions of Canadian dollars)

December 31, 2019

December 31, 2018

Long-term debt (including current maturities):

Fair value

Carrying value