Derivative Financial Instruments

We principally use derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk associated with long-term debt and foreign exchange risk related to foreign operations and foreign currency transactions. We enter into derivative financial instruments with a number of major financial institutions to minimize counterparty credit risk.

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

Interest rate swaps are used to adjust the proportion of total debt that is subject to variable and fixed interest rates. The interest rate swaps are designated as hedges of the amount of future cash flows related to interest payments on variable-rate debt that, in combination with the interest payments on the debt, convert a portion of the variable-rate debt to fixed-rate debt. At September 30, 2017, we had interest rate swaps with notional amounts totaling $150,000. The interest rate swaps effectively convert this amount of variable-rate debt to fixed-rate debt at 2.62%, including the applicable margin of 1.38% as of September 30, 2017. The interest will revert back to variable rates based on LIBOR plus the applicable margin upon the maturity of the interest rate swaps. These interest rate swaps mature at various times through June 23, 2020.

We use foreign currency contracts as cash flow hedges to effectively fix the exchange rates on future payments and revenue. To mitigate exposure in movements between various currencies, including the Philippine peso and the British pound, we had outstanding foreign currency contracts with notional amounts of $48,955 at September 30, 2017. These contracts mature at various times through August 30, 2019.

These interest rate swaps and foreign currency contracts are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value and the related gains or losses are deferred in shareholders’ equity as a component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (AOCIL). These deferred gains and losses are reclassified into the consolidated statements of earnings during the periods in which the related payments or receipts affect earnings. However, to the extent the interest rate swaps and foreign currency contracts are not perfectly effective in offsetting the change in the value of the payments being hedged, the ineffective portion of these contracts is recognized in earnings immediately. Ineffectiveness was not material in 2017, 2016 or 2015.

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

We also have foreign currency exposure on balances, primarily intercompany, that are denominated in a foreign currency and are adjusted to current values using period-end exchange rates. The resulting gains or losses are recorded in the consolidated statements of earnings. To minimize foreign currency exposure, we have foreign currency contracts with notional amounts of $104,796 at September 30, 2017. The foreign currency contracts are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets at fair value and resulting gains or losses are recorded in the consolidated statements of earnings. We recorded a net loss of $566 in 2017 and a net loss of $6,089 in 2016 on the foreign currency contracts. These losses are included in other expense and generally offset the gains and losses from the foreign currency adjustments on the intercompany balances that are also included in other income or expense.

Summary of derivatives

The fair value and classification of derivatives is summarized as follows:



		September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets	$	551	$	379
Foreign currency contracts	Other assets	50		56
Interest rate swaps	Other current assets	552		52
Interest rate swaps	Other assets	314		69
	Total asset derivatives	$	1,467	$	556
Foreign currency contracts	Other accrued liabilities	$	1,434	$	4,080
Foreign currency contracts	Other long-term liabilities	244		448
Interest rate swaps	Other accrued liabilities	10		201
Interest rate swaps	Other long-term liabilities	15		—
	Total liability derivatives	$	1,703	$	4,729
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:
Foreign currency contracts	Other current assets	$	95	$	422
Foreign currency contracts	Other accrued liabilities	$	383	$	76