v3.26.1
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
12 Months Ended
May 31, 2026
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

Note Q – Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

 

We utilize derivative financial instruments to primarily manage exposure to certain risks related to our ongoing operations. The primary risks managed through the use of derivative financial instruments include interest rate risk, foreign currency exchange risk and commodity price risk. While certain of our derivative financial instruments are designated as hedging instruments, we also enter into derivative financial instruments that are designed to hedge a risk, but are not designated as hedging instruments and therefore do not qualify for hedge accounting. These derivative financial instruments are adjusted to current fair value through earnings at the end of each period.

 

Interest Rate Risk Management – We are exposed to the impact of interest rate changes. Our objective is to manage the impact of interest rate changes on cash flows and the market value of our borrowings. We utilize a mix of debt maturities along with both fixed-rate and variable-rate debt to manage changes in interest rates. In addition, we enter into interest rate swaps to further manage our exposure to interest rate variations related to our borrowings and to lower our overall borrowing costs.

 

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk Management – We conduct business in several major international currencies and are, therefore, subject to risks associated with changing foreign currency exchange rates. We enter into various contracts that change in value as foreign currency exchange rates change to manage this exposure. Such contracts limit exposure to both favorable and unfavorable foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. The translation of foreign currencies into U.S. dollars also subjects us to exposure related to fluctuating foreign currency exchange rates; however, derivative financial instruments are not used to manage this risk.

 

Commodity Price Risk Management – We are exposed to changes in the price of certain commodities, including steel, natural gas, copper, zinc, aluminum and other raw materials, and our utility requirements. Our objective is to reduce earnings and cash flow volatility associated with forecasted purchases and sales of these commodities to allow management to focus its attention on business operations. Accordingly, we enter into derivative financial instruments to manage the associated price risk.

 

We are exposed to counterparty credit risk on all of our derivative financial instruments. Accordingly, we have established and maintain strict counterparty credit guidelines. We have credit support agreements in place with certain counterparties to limit our credit exposure. These agreements require either party to post cash collateral if its cumulative market position exceeds a predefined liability threshold. Amounts posted to the margin accounts accrue interest at market rates and are required to be refunded in the period in which the cumulative market position falls below the required threshold. Our net position with these counterparties fell below the predefined threshold in fiscal 2026, fiscal 2025 and fiscal 2024. We do not have significant exposure to any one counterparty and management believes the risk of loss is remote and, in any event, would not be material.

 

Refer to “Note R – Fair Value Measurements” for additional information regarding the accounting treatment for our derivative financial instruments, as well as how fair value is determined.

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of our derivative financial instruments and the respective lines in which they were recorded in our consolidated balance sheet at May 31, 2026 and 2025:

 

 

 

Fair Value of Assets

 

 

Fair Value of Liabilities

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sheet

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Location

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

 

Location

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity contracts

 

Receivables

 

$

1,264

 

 

$

478

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

1,044

 

 

$

51

 

Commodity contracts

 

Other assets

 

 

100

 

 

 

-

 

 

Other liabilities

 

 

-

 

 

 

35

 

Foreign currency exchange contracts

 

Receivables

 

 

-

 

 

 

483

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

133

 

 

 

-

 

Subtotal

 

 

 

 

1,364

 

 

 

961

 

 

 

 

 

1,177

 

 

 

86

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity contracts

 

Receivables

 

$

-

 

 

$

81

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

64

 

 

$

15

 

Foreign currency exchange contracts

 

Receivables

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

16

 

 

 

7,360

 

Subtotal

 

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

81

 

 

 

 

 

80

 

 

 

7,375

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

$

1,364

 

 

$

1,042

 

 

 

 

$

1,257

 

 

$

7,461

 

 

The amounts in the table above reflect the fair value of our derivative financial instruments on a net basis where allowable under master netting arrangements. Had these amounts been recognized on a gross basis, the impact would have been an increase in receivables with a corresponding increase in accounts payable of $707 and $356 at May 31, 2026 and 2025, respectively.

 

Cash Flow Hedges

 

We enter into derivative financial instruments to hedge our exposure to changes in cash flows attributable to interest rate, foreign currency, and commodity price fluctuations associated with certain forecasted transactions. These derivative financial instruments are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges. Accordingly, changes in the fair value of the derivatives are recorded in AOCI and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged forecasted transactions affect earnings, and in the same financial statement caption as the earnings effect of the hedged item.

 

The following table summarizes our cash flow hedges outstanding at May 31, 2026:

 

 

Notional

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Maturity Date

Commodity contracts

$

4,853

 

 

June 2026 - December 2027

Foreign currency exchange contracts

 

6,021

 

 

June 2026 - August 2026

 

 

The following table summarizes the gain (loss) recognized in OCI and the gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into earnings for derivative financial instruments designated as cash flow hedges during fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2025:

 

 

 

 

 

Location of

Gain (Loss)

 

 

Gain (Loss)

 

 

Gain (Loss)

Reclassified

 

 

Recognized

 

 

Reclassified from AOCI

from AOCI

 

 

in OCI

 

 

into Net Earnings

into Net Earnings

 

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2026:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity contracts

$

1,276

 

 

Cost of goods sold

$

1,301

 

Foreign currency exchange contracts

 

293

 

 

Various (1)

 

651

 

Interest rate contracts

 

-

 

 

Interest expense

 

207

 

Totals

$

1,569

 

 

 

$

2,159

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the fiscal year ended May 31, 2025:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commodity contracts

$

(63

)

 

Cost of goods sold

$

(100

)

Interest rate contracts

 

-

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

207

 

Foreign currency exchange contracts

 

752

 

 

Various (2)

 

284

 

Totals

$

689

 

 

 

$

391

 

 

 

(1)
Location of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into net earnings for fiscal 2026 related to foreign currency exchange contracts included miscellaneous expense, net, interest expense, net, and cost of goods sold in our consolidated statement of earnings.
(2)
Location of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into net earnings for fiscal 2025 related to foreign currency exchange contracts included miscellaneous expense, net and net sales in our consolidated statement of earnings.

 

The estimated net amount of the gains recognized in AOCI at May 31, 2026, expected to be reclassified into net earnings within the succeeding twelve months is $484 (net of tax of $131). This amount was computed using the fair value of the cash flow hedges at May 31, 2026, and will change before actual reclassification from OCI to net earnings during fiscal 2027.

 

Net Investment Hedges

 

We have designated our Euro-denominated debt held in the U.S. with an initial notional amount of 91,700 ($99,479) as a non-derivative net investment hedge of our foreign operations in Portugal. The full principal amount is considered fully effective. We did not reclassify any gains or losses related to the net investment hedge from AOCI into earnings during any of the fiscal years presented. The foreign currency loss recognized in OCI for the non-derivative instruments designated as net investment hedges during fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2025 was $2,863 and $4,572, respectively.

 

Economic (Non-designated) Hedges

 

We enter into foreign currency exchange contracts to manage our foreign currency exchange rate exposure related to inter-company and financing transactions that do not meet the requirements for hedge accounting treatment. We also enter into certain commodity contracts that do not qualify for hedge accounting treatment. Accordingly, these derivative financial instruments are adjusted to current market value at the end of each period through earnings.

The following table summarizes our economic (non-designated) derivative financial instruments outstanding at May 31, 2026:

 

 

Notional

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Maturity Date

Commodity contracts

$

1,412

 

 

June 2026 - May 2027

Foreign currency exchange contracts

 

37,710

 

 

June 2026 - November 2026

 

 

The following table summarizes the gain (loss) recognized in earnings for economic (non-designated) derivative financial instruments during fiscal 2026 and fiscal 2025:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (Loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recognized in Earnings

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fiscal Year Ended

 

 

 

 

Location of Gain (Loss)

 

May 31,

 

 

 

 

Recognized in Earnings

 

2026

 

 

2025

 

Commodity contracts

 

 

Cost of goods sold

 

$

415

 

 

$

600

 

Foreign currency exchange contracts

 

 

Miscellaneous expense, net

 

 

7,119

 

 

 

(6,111

)

Total

 

 

 

 

$

7,534

 

 

$

(5,511

)