Hedging Activities

6 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2019

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]

In the normal course of business, we are exposed to interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. At times, we limit these risks through the use of derivatives such as cross-currency swaps, foreign currency forward contracts and interest rate swaps. In accordance with our policy, derivatives are only used for hedging purposes. We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

We conduct our business worldwide in U.S. dollars and the functional currencies of our foreign subsidiaries, including Euro, British pound sterling and Canadian dollars. Changes in foreign currency exchange rates could have a material adverse impact on our financial results that are reported in U.S. dollars. We are also exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk related to our foreign subsidiaries, including intercompany loans denominated in non-functional currencies. We have certain foreign currency exchange rate risk programs that use foreign currency forward contracts and cross-currency swaps. These forward contracts and cross-currency swaps are generally used to offset the potential income statement effects from intercompany loans denominated in non-functional currencies. These programs reduce but do not entirely eliminate foreign currency exchange rate risk.

Non-Derivative Instruments Designated as Hedges

At September 30, 2019 and March 31, 2019, we had €1.95 billion Euro-denominated notes designated as non-derivative net investment hedges. At March 31, 2019, we also had £450 million British pound sterling-denominated notes designated as non-derivative net investment hedges. Theses hedges are utilized to hedge portions of our net investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries against the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on the translation of foreign currency balances to the U.S. dollar. For all notes that are designated as net investment hedges and meet effectiveness requirements, the changes in carrying value of the notes attributable to the change in spot rates are recorded in foreign currency translation adjustments within accumulated other comprehensive loss in the condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity where they offset foreign currency translation gains and losses recorded on our net investments. To the extent foreign currency denominated notes designated as net investment hedges are ineffective, changes in carrying value attributable to the change in spot rates are recorded in earnings. On September 30, 2019, we de-designated our £450 million British pounding sterling-denominated notes prospectively from net investment hedges as the hedging relationship ceased to be effective. Gains or losses from net investment hedges recorded within other comprehensive income were gains of $91 million and $67 million during the second quarter and first six months of 2020 and gains of $23 million and $184 million during the second quarter and first six months of 2019. Ineffectiveness on our non-derivative net investment hedges during the second quarter and first six months of 2020 resulted in gains of $20 million and $30 million which were recorded in earnings within other income (expense), net. There was no ineffectiveness in our non-derivative net investment hedges during the second quarter and first six months of 2019.

Derivatives Designated as Hedges

On September 30, 2019, we entered into a number of cross-currency swaps designated as fair value hedges with total notional amounts of £450 million British pound sterling. Under the terms of the cross-currency swap contracts, we agree with third parties to exchange fixed interest payments in British pound sterling for floating interest payments in U.S. dollars based on three-month LIBOR plus a spread. These swaps are utilized to hedge the changes in the fair value of the underlying £450 million British pound sterling notes resulting from changes in benchmark interest rates and foreign exchange rates. The changes in the fair value of these derivatives designated as fair value hedges and the offsetting changes in the fair value of the hedged notes are recorded in earnings. Gains or losses from these fair value hedges recorded in earnings were not material during the second quarter and first six months of 2020. The swaps will mature in February 2023.

At September 30, 2019 and March 31, 2019, we had cross-currency swaps designated as net investment hedges with total gross notional amounts of $1,499 million Canadian dollars. At March 31, 2019, we also had cross-currency swaps designated as net investment hedges with total gross notional amounts of £932 million British pound sterling.

Under the terms of the cross-currency swap contracts, we agree with third parties to exchange fixed interest payments in one currency for fixed interest payments in another currency at specified intervals and to exchange principal in one currency for principal in another currency, calculated by reference to agreed-upon notional amounts. These swaps are utilized to hedge portions of our net investments denominated in British pound sterling and Canadian dollars against the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on the translation of foreign currency balances to the U.S. dollar. The changes in the fair value of these derivatives attributable to the changes in spot currency exchange rates and differences between spot and forward interest rates are recorded within accumulated other comprehensive loss in the condensed consolidated statement of stockholders’ equity where they offset foreign currency translation gains and losses recorded on our net investments denominated in British pound sterling and Canadian dollars. To the extent foreign currency denominated notes designated as hedges are ineffective, changes in carrying value attributable to the change in spot rates are recorded in earnings. Gains or losses from these net investment hedges recorded within other comprehensive income were gains of $20 million and $9 million during the second quarter and first six months of 2020 and gains of $5 million and $39 million during the second quarter and first six months of 2019. During the first quarter of 2020, we terminated cross-currency swaps with total gross notional amounts of £932 million British pound sterling due to ineffectiveness in our hedges within our British pound sterling hedging program that arose due to 2019 impairments of goodwill and certain long-lived assets in our U.K. businesses. Proceeds from the termination of these swaps totaled $84 million and resulted in a settlement gain of $34 million for the first six months of 2020, recorded in earnings within other income (expense), net. There was no ineffectiveness in our hedges for the second quarter and first six months of 2019. The remaining cross-currency swaps will mature between November 2020 and November 2024.

At September 30, 2019 and March 31, 2019, we had forward contracts to hedge the U.S. dollar against cash flows denominated in Canadian dollars with total gross notional amounts of $81 million, which were designated as cash flow hedges. The remaining contract will mature in March 2020.

From time to time, we also enter into cross-currency swaps to hedge intercompany loans denominated in non-functional currencies. These cross-currency swaps are designed to reduce the income statement effects arising from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and have been designated as cash flow hedges. At September 30, 2019 and March 31, 2019, we had cross-currency swaps with total gross notional amounts of approximately $2,908 million, which are designated as cash flow hedges. These swaps will mature between April 2020 and January 2024.

For forward contracts and cross-currency swaps that are designated as cash flow hedges, the effective portion of changes in the fair value of the hedges is recorded within accumulated other comprehensive income and reclassified into earnings in the same period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Changes in fair values representing hedge ineffectiveness are recognized in current earnings. Gains or losses from cash flow hedges recorded within other comprehensive income were gains of $17 million and $35 million during the second quarter and first six months of 2020 and not material during the second quarter and first six months of 2019. Gains or losses reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income and recorded in operating expenses in the condensed consolidated statements of operations were not material in the second quarters and first six months of 2020 and 2019. There was no ineffectiveness in our cash flow hedges for the second quarters and first six months of 2020 and 2019.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedges

Derivative instruments not designated as hedges are marked-to-market at the end of each accounting period with the change in fair value included in earnings.

We have a number of forward contracts to hedge the Euro against cash flows denominated in British pound sterling and other European currencies. At September 30, 2019 and March 31, 2019, the total gross notional amounts of these contracts were $44 million and $28 million. These contracts will mature through October 2020 and none of these contracts were designated for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair values for contracts not designated as hedges are recorded directly in earnings within operating expenses. Changes in the fair values were not material in the second quarters and first six months of 2020 and 2019. Gains or losses from these contracts are largely offset by changes in the value of the underlying intercompany foreign currency loans.

During the second quarter and first six months of 2020, we also entered a number of forward contracts to offset a portion of the earnings impacts from the ineffectiveness of net investment hedges discussed above. These contracts matured in September 2019 and none of these contracts were designated for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair values for contracts not designated as hedges are recorded directly in earnings. During the second quarter and first six months of 2020, losses of $20 million and $39 million were recorded in earnings within other income (expense), net.

Information regarding the fair value of derivatives on a gross basis is as follows:



	Balance Sheet Caption	September 30, 2019						March 31, 2019
		Fair Value of Derivative				U.S. Dollar Notional		Fair Value of Derivative				U.S. Dollar Notional
(In millions)		Asset		Liability		U.S. Dollar Notional		Asset		Liability		U.S. Dollar Notional
Derivatives designated for hedge accounting
Foreign exchange contracts (current)	Prepaid expenses and other	$	17	$	—	$	81	$	17	$	—	$	81
Cross-currency swaps (current)	Prepaid expenses and other/Other accrued liabilities	49		12		355		—		18		—
Cross-currency swaps (non-current)	Other Noncurrent Assets/Liabilities	68		5		4,237		91		33		5,283
Total		$	134	$	17			$	108	$	51
Derivatives not designated for hedge accounting
Foreign exchange contracts (current)	Prepaid expenses and other	$	—	$	—	$	21	$	—	$	—	$	14
Foreign exchange contracts (current)	Other accrued liabilities	—		—		23		—		—		14
Total		$	—	$	—			$	—	$	—

Refer to Financial Note 14, "Fair Value Measurements," for more information on these recurring fair value measurements.