3. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING ACTIVITIES

We use derivatives principally to manage the interest rate risk associated with refinancing our long-term debt. The derivatives that we use to economically hedge these risks are governed by our risk management policies for forward and futures contracts. Our net positions are continually assessed within our structured hedging programs to determine whether new or offsetting transactions are required. We monitor and value derivative positions monthly as part of our risk management processes. We use published sources for pricing, when possible, to mark positions to market. All of our derivative instruments are used for risk management purposes and are designated as cash flow hedges if they qualify under ASC 815 for accounting purposes.

At June 30, 2019, IPL's outstanding derivative instruments were as follows:



Commodity	Accounting Treatment ^(a)	Unit	Purchases (in thousands)		Sales (in thousands)		Net Purchases/(Sales) (in thousands)
Interest rate hedges	Designated	USD	$	400,000	$	—	$	400,000
FTRs	Not Designated	MWh	13,646		—		13,646


(a)	Refers to whether the derivative instruments have been designated as a cash flow hedge.

Cash Flow Hedges

As part of our risk management processes, we identify the relationships between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as the risk management objective and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. The fair values of cash flow hedges determined by current public market prices will continue to fluctuate with changes in market prices up to contract expiration. With the adoption of ASU 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities effective January 1, 2019, we are no longer required to calculate effectiveness and thus the entire change in the fair value of a hedging instrument is now recorded in other comprehensive income and amounts deferred are reclassified to earnings in the same income statement line as the hedged item in the period in which it settles.

In March 2019, we entered into three forward interest rate swaps to hedge the interest risk associated with refinancing future debt. The three interest rate swaps have a combined notional amount of $400.0 million and will be settled when the associated debt is refinanced. The AOCI associated with the interest rate swaps will be amortized out of AOCI into interest expense over the remaining life of the underlying debt.

We use the income approach to value the swaps, which consists of forecasting future cash flows based on contractual notional amounts and applicable and available market data as of the valuation date. The most common market data inputs used in the income approach include volatilities, spot and forward benchmark interest rates (LIBOR). Forward rates with the same tenor as the derivative instrument being valued are generally obtained from published sources, with these forward rates being assessed quarterly at a portfolio-level for reasonableness versus comparable published rates. We will reclassify gains and losses on the swaps out of AOCI and into earnings in those periods in which hedged interest payments occur.

The following tables provide information on gains or losses recognized in AOCI for the cash flow hedges for the period indicated:



	Interest Rate Hedges for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
$ in thousands (net of tax)	Interest Rate Hedges for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2019
Beginning accumulated derivative gain / (loss) in AOCI	$	—

Net gains / (losses) associated with current period hedging transactions	(17,188		)
Ending accumulated derivative gain / (loss) in AOCI	$	(17,188	)

Portion expected to be reclassified to earnings in the next twelve months ^(a)	$	—
Maximum length of time that we are hedging our exposure to variability in future cash flows related to forecasted transactions (in months)	13

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedge

FTRs do not qualify for hedge accounting or the normal purchases and sales exceptions under ASC 815. Accordingly, such contracts are recorded at fair value when acquired and subsequently amortized over the annual period as they are used. FTRs are initially recorded at fair value using the income approach.

When applicable, IPALCO has elected not to offset derivative assets and liabilities and not to offset net derivative positions against the right to reclaim cash collateral pledged (an asset) or the obligation to return cash collateral received (a liability) under derivative agreements. As of June 30, 2019, IPALCO did not have any offsetting positions.