We utilize derivative financial instruments to primarily manage exposure to certain risks related to our ongoing operations. The primary risks managed through the use of derivative financial instruments include foreign currency exchange rate risk and commodity price risk. While certain of our derivative financial instruments are designated as hedging instruments, we also enter into derivative financial instruments that are designed to hedge a risk, but are not designated as hedging instruments and, therefore, do not qualify for hedge accounting. These derivative financial instruments are adjusted to current fair value through earnings at the end of each period.

Commodity Price Risk Management – We are exposed to changes in the price of certain commodities, including steel, zinc and other raw materials, and our utility requirements. Our objective is to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with forecasted purchases and sales of these commodities to allow management to focus its attention on business operations. Accordingly, we enter into derivative financial instruments to manage the associated price risk.

We are exposed to counterparty credit risk on all of our derivative financial instruments. Accordingly, we have established and maintain strict counterparty credit guidelines. We have credit support agreements in place with certain counterparties to limit our credit exposure. These agreements require either party to post cash collateral if its cumulative market position exceeds a predefined liability threshold. Amounts posted to the margin accounts accrue interest at market rates and are required to be refunded in the period in which the cumulative market position falls below the required threshold. We do not have significant exposure to any one counterparty, and management believes the overall risk of loss is remote and, in any event, would not be material.

Refer to “Note O – Fair Value” for additional information regarding the accounting treatment for our derivative financial instruments, as well as how fair value is determined.

The following table summarizes the fair value of our derivative financial instruments and the respective lines in which they were recorded in the combined balance sheet at November 30, 2023:


	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Balance			Balance
	Sheet	Fair		Sheet	Fair
(In millions)	Location	Value		Location	Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Receivables	$	11.4	Accounts payable	$	2.8
	Other assets		-	Other liabilities		-
Total		$	11.4		$	2.8

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Receivables	$	1.9	Accounts payable	$	1.7
	Other assets		-	Other liabilities		-
Total		$	1.9		$	1.7

Total derivative financial instruments		$	13.3		$	4.5

The amounts in the table above reflect the fair value of our derivative financial instruments on a net basis where allowable under master netting arrangements. Had these amounts been recognized on a gross basis, the impact would have been a $3.0 million increase in receivables with a corresponding increase in accounts payable.

The following table summarizes the fair value of our derivative financial instruments and the respective lines in which they were recorded in the combined balance sheet at May 31, 2023:


	Asset Derivatives			Liability Derivatives
	Balance			Balance
	Sheet	Fair		Sheet	Fair
(In millions)	Location	Value		Location	Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Receivables	$	-	Accounts payable	$	2.7
	Other assets		0.1	Other liabilities		0.1
Total		$	0.1		$	2.8

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Commodity contracts	Receivables	$	2.2	Accounts payable	$	7.0
	Other assets		-	Other liabilities		-
Total		$	2.2		$	7.0

Total derivative financial instruments		$	2.3		$	9.8

The amounts in the table above reflect the fair value of our derivative financial instruments on a net basis where allowable under master netting arrangements. Had these amounts been recognized on a gross basis, the impact would have been a $7.3 million increase in receivables with a corresponding increase in accounts payable.

We enter into derivative financial instruments to hedge our exposure to changes in cash flows attributable to commodity price fluctuations associated with certain forecasted transactions. These derivative financial instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, the effective portion of the gain or loss on each of these derivative financial instruments is reported as a component of OCI and reclassified into earnings in the same line associated with the forecasted transaction and in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative financial instrument is recognized in earnings immediately.

The following table summarizes our cash flow hedges outstanding at November 30, 2023:

The following table summarizes our cash flow hedges outstanding at May 31, 2023:

The following table summarizes the gain (loss) recognized in OCI and the gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into net earnings for derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges for the periods presented:


(In millions)	Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI			Location of Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Net Earnings	Gain (Loss) Reclassified from AOCI into Net Earnings
For the three months ended November 30, 2023:
Commodity contracts	$	13.0		Cost of goods sold	$	(0.8	)
Total	$	13.0			$	(0.8	)

For the three months ended November 30, 2022:
Commodity contracts	$	(9.9	)	Cost of goods sold	$	(8.7	)
Total	$	(9.9	)		$	(8.7	)

For the six months ended November 30, 2023:
Commodity contracts	$	11.4		Cost of goods sold	$	7.2
Total	$	11.4			$	7.2

For the six months ended November 30, 2022:
Commodity contracts	$	(21.2	)	Cost of goods sold	$	(7.1	)
Total	$	(21.2	)		$	(7.1	)

The estimated net amount of the gain recognized in AOCI at November 30, 2023 expected to be reclassified into net earnings within the succeeding 12 months is $5.7 million (net of tax of $1.7 million). This amount was computed using the fair value of the cash flow hedges at November 30, 2023, and will change before actual reclassification from OCI to net earnings during the fiscal years ending May 31, 2024 and May 31, 2025.

We enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to manage our foreign currency exchange rate exposure related to inter-company and financing transactions that do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting treatment. We also enter into certain commodity contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Accordingly, these derivative financial instruments are adjusted to current market value at the end of each period through gain (loss) recognized in earnings.

The following table summarizes our economic (non-designated) derivative financial instruments outstanding at November 30, 2023:

The following table summarizes our economic (non-designated) derivative financial instruments outstanding at May 31, 2023:

The following table summarizes the gain (loss) recognized in earnings for economic (non-designated) derivative financial instruments for the periods presented:


		Gain Recognized
		In Earnings for the
	Location of Gain	Three Months Ended November 30,
(In millions)	Recognized in Earnings	2023		2022
Commodity contracts	Cost of goods sold	$	0.3	$	0.2
Total		$	0.3	$	0.2


		Gain (Loss) Recognized
		in Earnings for the
	Location of Gain (Loss)	Six Months Ended November 30,
(In millions)	Recognized in Earnings	2023		2022
Commodity contracts	Cost of goods sold	$	0.8	$	(3.8	)
Total		$	0.8	$	(3.8	)

(In millions)

Maturity Date

Commodity contracts

December 2023 - October 2024