Derivative Financial Instruments

6 Months Ended

Mar. 28, 2021

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

Derivative Financial Instruments

Derivative Financial Instruments

We often use certain interest rate derivative contracts to hedge interest rate exposures on our variable rate debt. Also, we may enter in foreign currency derivative contracts with financial institutions to reduce the risk that cash flows and earnings could adversely be affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Our hedging program is not designated for trading or speculative purposes.

We recognize derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at fair value. We record changes in the fair value (i.e., gains or losses) of the derivatives that have been designated as cash flow hedges in our consolidated balance sheets as accumulated other comprehensive income, and in our consolidated statements of income for those derivatives designated as fair value hedges.

In fiscal 2018, we entered into five interest rate swap agreements that we designated as cash flow hedges to fix the interest rate on the borrowings under our term loan facility. As of March 28, 2021, the notional principal of our outstanding interest swap agreements was $221.9 million ($44.4 million each.) The interest rate swaps have a fixed interest rate of 2.79% and expire in July 2023 for all five agreements. At March 28, 2021 and September 27, 2020, the fair value of the effective portion of our interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges before tax effect was $(12.1) million and $(15.5) million, which were reported in "Other current liabilities" on our consolidated balance sheets. Additionally, the related gains of $1.9 million and $3.4 million for the three and six months ended March 28, 2021, respectively, compared to related losses of $7.4 million and $5.7 million for the prior-year periods, were recognized and reported on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. We expect to reclassify $5.7 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense within the next twelve months. There were no other derivative instruments designated as hedging instruments for the first half of fiscal 2021.