Derivatives and Hedging Activities

12 Months Ended

Jul. 31, 2016

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

Derivatives and Hedging Activities

The Company utilizes forward foreign exchange contracts to reduce the exchange rate risk of specific foreign currency denominated transactions. These contracts typically require the exchange of a foreign currency for U.S. dollars at a fixed rate at a future date, with maturities of less than 18 months, which qualify as cash flow hedges or net investment hedges under the accounting guidance for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The primary objective of the Company’s foreign currency exchange risk management program is to minimize the impact of currency movements due to transactions in other than the respective subsidiaries’ functional currency and to minimize the impact of currency movements on the Company’s net investment denominated in a currency other than the U.S. dollar. To achieve this objective, the Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward foreign exchange contracts. As of July 31, 2016 and July 31, 2015, the notional amount of outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts was $186,093 and $139,300, respectively.

The Company hedges a portion of known exposures using forward foreign exchange contracts. Main exposures are related to transactions denominated in the British Pound, the Euro, Canadian dollar, Australian dollar, Mexican Peso, Malaysian Ringgit and Singapore dollar. Generally, these risk management transactions will involve the use of foreign currency derivatives to minimize the impact of currency movements on non-functional currency transactions.

Hedge effectiveness is determined by how closely the changes in fair value of the hedging instrument offset the changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. Hedge accounting is permitted only if the hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective at the inception of the hedge and on an on-going basis. Gains or losses on the derivative related to hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current earnings.

Cash Flow Hedges

The Company has designated a portion of its forward foreign exchange contracts as cash flow hedges and recorded these contracts at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. For these instruments, 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. At July 31, 2016 and July 31, 2015, unrealized losses of $761 and unrealized gains of $297 have been included in OCI, respectively. These balances are expected to be reclassified from OCI to earnings during the next twelve months when the hedged transactions impact earnings. For the years ended July 31, 2016, 2015, and 2014, the Company reclassified losses of $199, and gains of $1,325 and $147 from OCI into cost of goods sold, respectively.

As of July 31, 2016 and 2015, the notional amount of outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges was $34,540 and $33,223, respectively.

Net Investment Hedges

The Company has also designated intercompany and third party foreign currency denominated debt instruments as net investment hedges. At July 31, 2016, the Company designated £25,000 of intercompany loans as net investment hedges to hedge portions of its net investment in British foreign operations. As of July 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized in OCI gains of $6,887 and $889, respectively, on its intercompany loans designated as net investment hedges. On May 13, 2010, the Company completed the private placement of €75.0 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes to accredited institutional investors. This Euro-denominated debt obligation was designated as a net investment hedge to selectively hedge portions of its net investment in European foreign operations. As of July 31, 2016 and 2015, the cumulative balance recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income were gains of $11,140 and $12,512, respectively, on the Euro-denominated debt obligation. The changes recognized in other comprehensive income during the years ended July 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 were losses of $1,372, gains of $18,008 and losses of $660, respectively, on the Euro-denominated debt obligation. The Company’s foreign denominated debt obligations are valued under a market approach using publicized spot prices.

Non-Designated Hedges

During the fiscal years ended July 31, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized gains of $2,162 and losses of $1,705, respectively, in “Investment and other income” on the Consolidated Statements of Earnings related to non-designated hedges.

Fair values of derivative and hedging instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:

	Asset Derivatives						Liability Derivatives
	July 31, 2016			July 31, 2015			July 31, 2016			July 31, 2015
	Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value		Balance Sheet Location	Fair Value
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments
Cash flow hedges
Foreign exchange contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	265	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	518	Other current liabilities	$	670	Other current liabilities	$	737
Net investment hedges
Foreign exchange contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	Other current liabilities	$	—	Other current liabilities	$	—
Foreign currency denominated debt	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	—	Long term obligations, less current maturities	$	116,888	Long term obligations, less current maturities	$	121,514
Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments		$	265		$	518		$	117,558		$	122,251
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments
Foreign exchange contracts	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	1,873	Prepaid expenses and other current assets	$	168	Other current liabilities	$	68	Other current liabilities	$	543
Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments		$	1,873		$	168		$	68		$	543