P. Derivatives and Other Financial Instruments

Derivatives

Alcoa is exposed to certain risks relating to its ongoing business operations, including financial, market, political, and economic risks. The following discussion provides information regarding Alcoa’s exposure to the risks of changing commodity prices, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange rates.

Alcoa’s commodity and derivative activities are subject to the management, direction, and control of the Strategic Risk Management Committee (SRMC), which is composed of the chief executive officer, the chief financial officer, and other officers and employees that the chief executive officer selects. The SRMC meets on a periodic basis to review derivative positions and strategy and reports to Alcoa’s Board of Directors on the scope of its activities.

The aluminum, energy, interest rate, and foreign exchange contracts are held for purposes other than trading. They are used primarily to mitigate uncertainty and volatility, and to cover underlying exposures. Alcoa is not involved in trading activities for energy, weather derivatives, or other nonexchange commodity trading activities.

The fair values and corresponding classifications under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy of outstanding derivative contracts recorded as assets in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:


Asset Derivatives	Level	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets:
Aluminum contracts	1	$	8	$	4
Aluminum contracts	3		5		9
Foreign exchange contracts	1		—		2
Interest rate contracts	2		6		9
Other noncurrent assets:
Aluminum contracts	3		8		16
Energy contracts	3		—		6
Interest rate contracts	2		21		23

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	48	$	69


Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments*:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets:
Aluminum contracts	3	$	104	$	149
Other noncurrent assets:
Aluminum contracts	3		100		175

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	204	$	324


Less margin held**:
Prepaid expenses and other current assets:
Aluminum contracts	1	$	3	$	—
Interest rate contracts	2		—		3

Sub-total		$	3	$	3


Total Asset Derivatives		$	249	$	390

*	See the “Other” section within Note P for additional information on Alcoa’s purpose for entering into derivatives not designated as hedging instruments and its overall risk management strategies.

All margin held is in the form of cash and is valued under a Level 1 technique. The levels that correspond to the margin held in the table above reference the level of the corresponding asset for which it is held. Alcoa elected to net the margin held against the fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparties under master netting arrangements.

The fair values and corresponding classifications under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy of outstanding derivative contracts recorded as liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:


Liability Derivatives	Level	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Other current liabilities:
Aluminum contracts	1	$	9	$	45
Aluminum contracts	3		29		23
Energy contracts	1		1		—
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits:
Aluminum contracts	1		4		14
Aluminum contracts	3		378		387
Energy contracts	3		6		—

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	427	$	469


Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments*:
Other current liabilities:
Aluminum contracts	1	$	1	$	4
Embedded credit derivative	3		3		2
Foreign exchange contracts	1		—		3
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits:
Embedded credit derivative	3		21		19

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	25	$	28


Less margin posted**:
Other current liabilities:
Aluminum contracts	1	$	5	$	18
Other noncurrent liabilities and deferred credits:
Aluminum contracts	1		1		—

Sub-total		$	6	$	18


Total Liability Derivatives		$	446	$	479

*	See the “Other” section within Note P for additional information on Alcoa’s purpose for entering into derivatives not designated as hedging instruments and its overall risk management strategies.

All margin posted is in the form of cash and is valued under a Level 1 technique. The levels that correspond to the margin posted in the table above reference the level of the corresponding liability for which it is posted. Alcoa elected to net the margin posted against the fair value amounts recognized for derivative instruments executed with the same counterparties under master netting arrangements.

The gross amounts of recognized derivative assets and liabilities and gross amounts offset in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet were as follows:


	Assets						Liabilities
	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013			September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
Gross amounts recognized:
Aluminum contracts	$	47		$	40		$	49		$	81
Interest rate contracts		27			32			—			3

	$	74		$	72		$	49		$	84


Gross amounts offset:
Aluminum contracts*	$	(42	)	$	(36	)	$	(42	)	$	(36	)
Interest rate contracts**		—			(3	)		—			(3	)

	$	(42	)	$	(39	)	$	(42	)	$	(39	)


Net amounts presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheet:
Aluminum contracts	$	5		$	4		$	7		$	45
Interest rate contracts		27			29			—			—

	$	32		$	33		$	7		$	45

*	The amounts under Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 include $6 and $18, respectively, of margin posted with counterparties.

**	The amounts under Assets and Liabilities as of December 31, 2013 represent margin held from the counterparty.

Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The fair value hierarchy distinguishes between (1) market participant assumptions developed based on market data obtained from independent sources (observable inputs) and (2) an entity’s own assumptions about market participant assumptions developed based on the best information available in the circumstances (unobservable inputs). The fair value hierarchy consists of three broad levels, which gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1) and the lowest priority to unobservable inputs (Level 3). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are described below:

•

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date for identical, unrestricted assets or liabilities.

•

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, including quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active; inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (e.g., interest rates); and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means.

•

Level 3 - Inputs that are both significant to the fair value measurement and unobservable.

The following section describes the valuation methodologies used by Alcoa to measure derivative contracts at fair value, including an indication of the level in the fair value hierarchy in which each instrument is generally classified. Where appropriate, the description includes details of the valuation models, the key inputs to those models, and any significant assumptions. These valuation models are reviewed and tested at least on an annual basis.

Derivative contracts are valued using quoted market prices and significant other observable and unobservable inputs. Such financial instruments consist of aluminum, energy, interest rate, and foreign exchange contracts. The fair values for the majority of these derivative contracts are based upon current quoted market prices. These financial instruments are typically exchange-traded and are generally classified within Level 1 or Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy depending on whether the exchange is deemed to be an active market or not.

For certain derivative contracts whose fair values are based upon trades in liquid markets, such as interest rate swaps, valuation model inputs can generally be verified through over-the-counter markets and valuation techniques do not involve significant management judgment. The fair values of such financial instruments are generally classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Alcoa has other derivative contracts that do not have observable market quotes. For these financial instruments, management uses significant other observable inputs (e.g., information concerning time premiums and volatilities for certain option type embedded derivatives and regional premiums for aluminum contracts). For periods beyond the term of quoted market prices for aluminum, Alcoa uses a model that estimates the long-term price of aluminum by extrapolating the 10-year London Metal Exchange (LME) forward curve. For periods beyond the term of quoted market prices for energy, management has developed a forward curve based on independent consultant market research. Where appropriate, valuations are adjusted for various factors such as liquidity, bid/offer spreads, and credit considerations. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence (Level 2). In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate is used (Level 3). If a significant input that is unobservable in one period becomes observable in a subsequent period, the related asset or liability would be transferred to the appropriate level classification (1 or 2) in the period of such change.

The following table presents Alcoa’s derivative contract assets and liabilities that are measured and recognized at fair value on a recurring basis classified under the appropriate level of the fair value hierarchy (there were no transfers in or out of Levels 1 and 2 during the periods presented):


	September 30, 2014			December 31, 2013
Assets:
Level 1	$	8		$	6
Level 2		27			32
Level 3		217			355
Margin held		(3	)		(3	)

Total	$	249		$	390


Liabilities:
Level 1	$	15		$	66
Level 2		—			—
Level 3		437			431
Margin posted		(6	)		(18	)

Total	$	446		$	479

Financial instruments classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy represent derivative contracts in which management has used at least one significant unobservable input in the valuation model. The following tables present a reconciliation of activity for such derivative contracts:


	Assets						Liabilities
Third quarter ended September 30, 2014	Aluminum contracts			Energy contracts			Aluminum contracts			Embedded credit derivative		Energy contracts
Opening balance – June 30, 2014	$	281		$	24		$	422		$	14	$	—
Total gains or losses (realized and unrealized) included in:
Sales		—			—			(8	)		—		—
Cost of goods sold		(36	)		—			—			—		—
Other expenses, net		(12	)		(5	)		—			10		—
Other comprehensive loss		(11	)		(18	)		(7	)		—		6
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements*		—			—			—			—		—
Transfers into and/or out of Level 3*		—			—			—			—		—
Foreign currency translation		(5	)		(1	)		—			—		—

Closing balance – September 30, 2014	$	217		$	—		$	407		$	24	$	6


Change in unrealized gains or losses included in earnings for derivative contracts held at September 30, 2014:
Sales	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—
Cost of goods sold		—			—			—			—		—
Other expenses, net		(12	)		(5	)		—			10		—

*	There were no purchases, sales, issuances or settlements of Level 3 financial instruments. Additionally, there were no transfers of financial instruments into or out of Level 3.


	Assets						Liabilities
Nine months ended September 30, 2014	Aluminum contracts			Energy contracts			Aluminum contracts			Embedded credit derivative		Energy contracts
Opening balance – January 1, 2014	$	349		$	6		$	410		$	21	$	—
Total gains or losses (realized and unrealized) included in:
Sales		—			—			(19	)		—		—
Cost of goods sold		(147	)		—			—			—		—
Other expenses, net		(13	)		—			—			3		—
Other comprehensive loss		(11	)		(6	)		16			—		6
Purchases, sales, issuances, and settlements*		—			—			—			—		—
Transfers into and/or out of Level 3*		—			—			—			—		—
Foreign currency translation		39			—			—			—		—

Closing balance – September 30, 2014	$	217		$	—		$	407		$	24	$	6


Change in unrealized gains or losses included in earnings for derivative contracts held at September 30, 2014:
Sales	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—	$	—
Cost of goods sold		—			—			—			—		—
Other expenses, net		(13	)		—			—			3		—

*	There were no purchases, sales, issuances or settlements of Level 3 financial instruments. Additionally, there were no transfers of financial instruments into or out of Level 3.

As reflected in the table above, the net unrealized loss on derivative contracts using Level 3 valuation techniques was $220 as of September 30, 2014. The unrealized loss related to aluminum contracts recognized as liabilities was mainly attributed to embedded derivatives in power contracts that index the price of power to the LME price of aluminum. These embedded derivatives are primarily valued using observable market prices; however, due to the length of the contracts, the valuation model also requires management to estimate the long-term price of aluminum based upon an extrapolation of the 10-year LME forward curve. Significant increases or decreases in the actual LME price beyond 10 years would result in a higher or lower fair value measurement. An increase of actual LME price over the inputs used in the valuation model will result in a higher cost of power and a corresponding increase to the liability. The embedded derivatives have been designated as hedges of forward sales of aluminum and related realized gains and losses were included in Sales on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.

In July 2012, as provided for in the arrangements, management elected to modify the pricing for two existing power contracts, which end in 2014 and 2016 (see directly below), for Alcoa’s two smelters in Australia and the Point Henry rolling mill in Australia. These contracts contain an LME-linked embedded derivative, which previously was not recorded as an asset in Alcoa’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. Beginning on January 1, 2001, all derivative contracts were required to be measured and recorded at fair value on an entity’s balance sheet under GAAP; however, an exception existed for embedded derivatives upon meeting certain criteria. The LME-linked embedded derivative in these two contracts met such criteria at that time. Management’s election to modify the pricing of these contracts qualifies as a significant change to the contracts thereby requiring that the contracts now be evaluated under derivative accounting as if they were new contracts. As a result, Alcoa recorded a derivative asset in the amount of $596 with an offsetting liability (deferred credit) recorded in Other current and noncurrent liabilities. Unrealized gains and losses from the embedded derivative were included in Other expenses (income), net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations, while realized gains and losses were included in Cost of goods sold on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations as electricity purchases are made under the contracts. The deferred credit is recognized in Other expenses (income), net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations as power is received over the life of the contracts. The embedded derivative is valued using the probability and interrelationship of future LME prices, Australian dollar to U.S. dollar exchange rates, and the U.S. consumer price index. Significant increases or decreases in the LME price would result in a higher or lower fair value measurement. An increase in actual LME price over the inputs used in the valuation model will result in a higher cost of power and a decrease to the embedded derivative asset.

Also, included within Level 3 measurements is a derivative contract that will hedge the anticipated power requirements at Alcoa’s Portland smelter in Australia once the existing contract expires in 2016. This derivative hedges forecasted power purchases through December 2036. Beyond the term where market information is available, management has developed a forward curve, for valuation purposes, based on independent consultant market research. The effective portion of gains and losses on this contract was recorded in Other comprehensive (loss) income on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet until the designated hedge period begins in 2016. Once the hedge period begins, realized gains and losses will be recorded in Cost of goods sold. Significant increases or decreases in the power market may result in a higher or lower fair value measurement. Higher prices in the power market would cause the derivative asset to increase in value. Alcoa had a similar contract for its Point Henry smelter in Australia once the existing contract expired on July 31, 2014, but elected to terminate the new contract in early 2013. This election was available to Alcoa under the terms of the contract and was made due to a projection that suggested the contract would be uneconomical. Prior to termination, the new contract was accounted for in the same manner as the contract for the Portland smelter.

Additionally, Alcoa has a six-year natural gas supply contract, which has an LME-linked ceiling. This contract is valued using probabilities of future LME aluminum prices and the price of Brent crude oil (priced on Platts), including the interrelationships between the two commodities subject to the ceiling. Any change in the interrelationship would result in a higher or lower fair value measurement. An LME ceiling was embedded into the contract price to protect against an increase in the price of oil without a corresponding increase in the price of LME. An increase in oil prices with no similar increase in the LME price would limit the increase of the price paid for natural gas. Unrealized gains and losses from this contract were included in Other expenses (income), net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations, while realized gains and losses will be included in Cost of goods sold on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations as gas purchases are made under the contract.

Furthermore, an embedded derivative in a power contract that indexes the difference between the long-term debt ratings of Alcoa and the counterparty from any of the three major credit rating agencies is included in Level 3. Management uses market prices, historical relationships, and forecast services to determine fair value. Significant increases or decreases in any of these inputs would result in a lower or higher fair value measurement. A wider credit spread between Alcoa and the counterparty would result in an increase of the future liability and a higher cost of power. Realized gains and losses for this embedded derivative were included in Cost of goods sold on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations and unrealized gains and losses were included in Other expenses (income), net on the accompanying Statement of Consolidated Operations.

The following table presents quantitative information for Level 3 derivative contracts:


	Fair value at September 30, 2014		Valuation technique	Unobservable input	Range ($ in full amounts)
Assets:
Aluminum contract	$	—	Discounted cash flow	Interrelationship of future aluminum and oil prices	Aluminum: $1,921 per metric ton in 2014 to $2,137 per metric ton in 2018 Oil: $97 per barrel in 2014 to $96 per barrel in 2018
Aluminum contract		204	Discounted cash flow	Interrelationship of future aluminum prices, foreign currency exchange rates, and the U.S. consumer price index (CPI)	Aluminum: $1,936 per metric ton in 2014 to $2,051 per metric ton in 2016 Foreign currency: A$1 = $0.87 in 2014 to $0.89 in 2016 CPI: 1982 base year of 100 and 236 in 2014 to 246 in 2016
Aluminum contract		13	Discounted cash flow	Interrelationship of LME price to overall energy price	Aluminum: $1,914 per metric ton in 2014 to $2,177 per metric ton in 2019
Liabilities:
Aluminum contracts		407	Discounted cash flow	Price of aluminum beyond forward curve	$2,460 per metric ton in 2025 to $2,588 per metric ton in 2027
Embedded credit derivative		24	Discounted cash flow	Credit spread between Alcoa and counterparty	1.79% to 2.49% (2.14% median)
Energy contracts		6	Discounted cash flow	Price of electricity beyond forward curve	$51 per megawatt hour in 2014 to $100 per megawatt hour in 2036

Fair Value Hedges

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative as well as the loss or gain on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk are recognized in current earnings. The gain or loss on the hedged items are included in the same line items as the loss or gain on the related derivative contracts as follows (there were no contracts that ceased to qualify as a fair value hedge in any of the periods presented):


Derivatives in Fair Value Hedging Relationships	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives
		Third quarter ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Aluminum contracts*	Sales	$	20		$	20		$	19		$	(110	)
Interest rate contracts	Interest expense		3			3			8			8

Total		$	23		$	23		$	27		$	(102	)


* In the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the loss recognized in earnings includes a gain of $1 and a loss of $12, respectively, related to the ineffective portion of the hedging relationships. In the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the gain and loss, respectively, recognized in earnings includes a gain of $18 and $22, respectively, related to the ineffective portion of the hedging relationships.
Hedged Items in Fair Value Hedging Relationships	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Hedged Items	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Hedged Items
		Third quarter ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013			2014			2013
Aluminum contracts	Sales	$	(19	)	$	(2	)	$	(31	)	$	132
Interest rate contracts	Interest expense		(3	)		(3	)		(8	)		(8	)

Total		$	(22	)	$	(5	)	$	(39	)	$	124

Aluminum. Alcoa is a leading global producer of primary aluminum and fabricated aluminum products. As a condition of sale, customers often require Alcoa to enter into long-term, fixed-price commitments. These commitments expose Alcoa to the risk of fluctuating aluminum prices between the time the order is committed and the time that the order is shipped. Alcoa’s aluminum commodity risk management policy is to manage, principally through the use of futures and contracts, the aluminum price risk associated with a portion of its firm commitments. These contracts cover known exposures, generally within three years. As of September 30, 2014, Alcoa had 264,000 metric tons of aluminum futures designated as fair value hedges. The effects of this hedging activity will be recognized over the designated hedge periods in 2014 to 2018.

Interest Rates. Alcoa uses interest rate swaps to help maintain a strategic balance between fixed- and floating-rate debt and to manage overall financing costs. As of September 30, 2014, the Company had pay floating, receive fixed interest rate swaps that were designated as fair value hedges. These hedges effectively convert the interest rate from fixed to floating on $200 of debt through 2018.

Cash Flow Hedges

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income (OCI) and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.


																									Location of Gain or
Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivatives (Effective Portion)											Location of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion)	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Earnings (Effective Portion)*												(Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives (Ineffective Portion and Amount Excluded from Effectiveness Testing)**
	Third quarter ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,						Third quarter ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,							Third quarter ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
	2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013			2014			2013				2014			2013		2014			2013
Aluminum contracts	$	(2	)	$	(61	)	$	(21	)	$	117	Sales	$	(6	)	$	(4	)	$	(15	)	$	(11	)	Other expenses (income), net	$	—		$	—	$	(1	)	$	(2	)
Energy contracts		(21	)		1			(6	)		—	Cost of goods sold		—			—			—			—		Other expenses (income), net		(5	)		—		—			—
Foreign exchange contracts		(1	)		3			1			1	Sales		—			(2	)		1			(2	)	Other expenses (income), net		—			—		—			—
Interest rate contracts		—			—			—			—	Interest expense		1			—			—			(1	)	Other expenses (income), net		—			—		—			—
Interest rate contracts		—			1			2			2	Other expenses (income), net		—			—			—			—		Other expenses (income), net		—			—		—			—

Total	$	(24	)	$	(56	)	$	(24	)	$	120		$	(5	)	$	(6	)	$	(14	)	$	(14	)		$	(5	)	$	—	$	(1	)	$	(2	)

*	Assuming market rates remain constant with the rates at September 30, 2014, a loss of $22 is expected to be recognized in earnings over the next 12 months.

For the third quarter ended September 30, 2014, the amount of gain or (loss) recognized in earnings represents $(5) related to the ineffective portion of the hedging relationships. There was no ineffectiveness related to the derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. There was also less than $1 and $(1) recognized in earnings related to the amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively. For both the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013, there was no ineffectiveness related to the derivatives in cash flow hedging relationships. There was less than $1 and $(2) recognized in earnings related to the amount excluded from the assessment of hedge effectiveness for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2013, respectively.

Aluminum and Energy. Alcoa anticipates the continued requirement to purchase aluminum and other commodities, such as electricity and natural gas, for its operations. Alcoa enters into forwards, futures, and options contracts to reduce volatility in the price of these commodities. Alcoa has also entered into power supply and other contracts that contain pricing provisions related to the LME aluminum price. The LME-linked pricing features are considered embedded derivatives. A majority of these embedded derivatives have been designated as cash flow hedges of future sales of aluminum.

Also, Alcoa has a contract to hedge the anticipated power requirements at its Portland smelter in Australia. This derivative hedges forecasted power purchases through December 2036. Prior to 2013, Alcoa had a similar contract for its Point Henry smelter in Australia but elected to terminate it under the terms of the contract (see additional information in description of Level 3 derivative contracts above).

Interest Rates. Alcoa had no outstanding cash flow hedges of interest rate exposures as of September 30, 2014. An investment accounted for on the equity method by Alcoa has entered into interest rate contracts, which are designated as cash flow hedges. Alcoa’s share of the activity of these cash flow hedges is reflected in the table above.

Foreign Exchange. Alcoa is subject to exposure from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Contracts may be used from time to time to hedge the variability in cash flows from the forecasted payment or receipt of currencies other than the functional currency. These contracts cover periods consistent with known or expected exposures through 2015.

Alcoa had the following outstanding forward contracts that were entered into to hedge forecasted transactions:


	September 30, 2014		December 31, 2013
Aluminum contracts (000 metric tons)		707		841
Energy contracts:
Electricity (megawatt hours)		59,409,328		59,409,328
Natural gas (million British thermal units)		20,570,000		19,980,000
Foreign exchange contracts	$	632	$	335

Other

Alcoa has certain derivative contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment and, therefore, the fair value gains and losses on these contracts are recorded in earnings as follows:


Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives	Amount of Gain or (Loss) Recognized in Earnings on Derivatives
		Third quarter ended September 30,					Nine months ended September 30,
		2014			2013		2014			2013
Aluminum contracts	Sales	$	—		$	1	$	(4	)	$	(6	)
Aluminum contracts	Other expenses (income), net		(11	)		4		(12	)		19
Embedded credit derivative	Other expenses (income), net		(10	)		11		(3	)		2
Foreign exchange contracts	Other expenses (income), net		1			2		(2	)		(3	)

Total		$	(20	)	$	18	$	(21	)	$	12

The aluminum contracts relate to derivatives (recognized in Sales) and embedded derivatives (recognized in Other expenses (income), net) entered into to minimize Alcoa’s price risk related to other customer sales and certain pricing arrangements.

The embedded credit derivative relates to a power contract that indexes the difference between the long-term debt ratings of Alcoa and the counterparty from any of the three major credit rating agencies. If the counterparty’s lowest credit rating is greater than one rating category above Alcoa’s credit ratings, an independent investment banker would be consulted to determine a hypothetical interest rate for both parties. The two interest rates would be netted and the resulting difference would be multiplied by Alcoa’s equivalent percentage of the outstanding principal of the counterparty’s debt obligation as of December 31 of the year preceding the calculation date. This differential would be added to the cost of power in the period following the calculation date.

Alcoa had a forward contract to purchase $53 (C$58) to mitigate the foreign currency risk related to a Canadian-denominated loan, which was repaid on August 31, 2014 upon maturity. The forward contract expired on August 5, 2014 and a gain of $1 was recognized in the 2014 third quarter. Also, in December 2013, Alcoa entered into a forward contract to purchase $231 (R$543) to mitigate the foreign currency risk associated with a potential future transaction denominated in Brazilian reais. This contract expired on March 31, 2014 and a loss of $4 was recognized in the 2014 nine-month period. All other foreign exchange contracts were entered into and settled within each of the periods presented.

Material Limitations

The disclosures with respect to commodity prices, interest rates, and foreign currency exchange risk do not take into account the underlying commitments or anticipated transactions. If the underlying items were included in the analysis, the gains or losses on the futures contracts may be offset. Actual results will be determined by a number of factors that are not under Alcoa’s control and could vary significantly from those factors disclosed.

Alcoa is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by counterparties on the above instruments, as well as credit or performance risk with respect to its hedged customers’ commitments. Although nonperformance is possible, Alcoa does not anticipate nonperformance by any of these parties. Contracts are with creditworthy counterparties and are further supported by cash, treasury bills, or irrevocable letters of credit issued by carefully chosen banks. In addition, various master netting arrangements are in place with counterparties to facilitate settlement of gains and losses on these contracts.

Other Financial Instruments

The carrying values and fair values of Alcoa’s other financial instruments were as follows:


	September 30, 2014				December 31, 2013
	Carrying value		Fair value		Carrying value		Fair value
Cash and cash equivalents	$	3,272	$	3,272	$	1,437	$	1,437
Restricted cash		18		18		18		18
Noncurrent receivables		18		18		19		19
Available-for-sale securities		144		144		119		119
Short-term borrowings		57		57		57		57
Commercial paper		99		99		—		—
Long-term debt due within one year		35		35		655		1,040
Long-term debt, less amount due within one year		8,797		9,335		7,607		7,863

The following methods were used to estimate the fair values of other financial instruments:

Cash and cash equivalents, Restricted cash, Short-term borrowings, and Commercial paper. The carrying amounts approximate fair value because of the short maturity of the instruments. The fair value amounts for Cash and cash equivalents, Restricted cash, and Commercial paper were classified in Level 1, and Short-term borrowings were classified in Level 2.

Noncurrent receivables. The fair value of noncurrent receivables was based on anticipated cash flows, which approximates carrying value, and was classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Available-for-sale securities. The fair value of such securities was based on quoted market prices. These financial instruments consist of exchange-traded fixed income and equity securities, which are carried at fair value and were classified in Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy.

Long-term debt due within one year and Long-term debt, less amount due within one year. The fair value was based on quoted market prices for public debt and on interest rates that are currently available to Alcoa for issuance of debt with similar terms and maturities for non-public debt. The fair value amounts for all Long-term debt were classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.