Derivatives and Financial Instruments Derivatives, Policy (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2018

Derivatives, Policy [Abstract]

Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block]

The Company is exposed to, among other risks, the impact of changes in commodity prices, foreign currency exchange rates, and interest rates in the normal course of business. The Company’s risk management program is designed to manage the exposure and volatility arising from these risks, and utilizes derivative financial instruments to offset a portion of these risks. The Company does not enter into derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. On an on-going basis, the Company monitors counterparty credit ratings. The Company considers credit non-performance risk to be low because the Company enters into agreements with commercial institutions that have investment grade credit rating.

During the first quarter of 2018, the Company early-adopted ASU 2017-02 "Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815)" which was issued with the objective of improving the financial reporting of hedging relationships to better portray the economic results of an entity's risk management activities in its financial statements and to make certain targeted improvements to simplify the application of previously applicable hedge accounting guidance. This adoption did not have a material effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements, and did not result in any cumulative adjustment to equity as of the date of adoption.

Our derivatives consist of a cross-currency swap and an interest rate swap, all of which are over-the-counter and not traded through an exchange. The Company uses widely accepted valuation tools to determine fair value, such as discounting cash flows to calculate a present value for the derivatives. The models use Level 2 inputs, such as forward curves and other commonly quoted observable transactions and prices. The fair value of our derivatives and hedging instruments are all classified as Level 2 investments within the three-tier hierarchy.