Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS

v3.20.1
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
 3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2020
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The following table presents the fair value of our derivative instruments and the classification of each in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Position:
 
 
Derivatives designated as hedging instruments under Topic 815:
 
Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments under Topic 815:
Derivative Asset (Liability)
 
March 31,
2020
 
December 31,
2019
 
March 31,
2020
 
December 31,
2019
Other current assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Customer supply agreement
 
$
—

 
$
—

 
$
19.0

 
$
44.5

Provisional pricing arrangements
 
—

 
—

 
0.6

 
1.3

Commodity contracts
 
0.3

 
—

 
1.3

 
—

Other current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Provisional pricing arrangements
 
 
 
 
 
—

 
(1.1
)
Commodity contracts
 
(25.9
)
 
(3.2
)
 
(0.6
)
 
—

Foreign exchange contracts
 
(1.6
)
 
—

 
—

 
—

Other non-current liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commodity contracts
 
(2.8
)
 
—

 
(0.6
)
 
—

Foreign exchange contracts
 
(0.9
)
 
—

 
—

 
—


Derivatives Designated as Hedging Instruments - Cash Flow Hedges
Exchange rate fluctuations affect a portion of revenues and operating costs that are denominated in foreign currencies, and we use forward currency and currency option contracts to reduce our exposure to certain of these currency price fluctuations. Contracts to purchase Canadian dollars are designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes, and we record the gains and losses for the derivatives and premiums paid for option contracts in Accumulated other comprehensive loss until we reclassify them into Cost of goods sold when we recognize the associated underlying operating costs.
We are exposed to fluctuations in market prices of raw materials and energy sources. We may use cash-settled commodity swaps and options to hedge the market risk associated with the purchase of certain of our raw materials and energy requirements. Our hedging strategy is to reduce the effect on earnings from the price volatility of these various commodity exposures, including timing differences between when we incur raw material commodity costs and when we receive sales surcharges from our customers based on those raw materials. Independent of any hedging activities, price changes in any of these commodity markets could negatively affect operating costs.
The following table presents our outstanding hedge contracts:
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
 
 
 
March 31, 2020
 
December 31, 2019
 
 
Unit of Measure
 
Maturity Dates
Notional Amount
 
Notional Amount
Commodity contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Natural gas
 
MMBtu
 
April 2020 - December 2021
50.4

 
20.1

Diesel
 
Gallons
 
—
—

 
0.8

Zinc
 
Pounds
 
April 2020 - December 2021
28.8

 
—

Electricity
 
Megawatt hours
 
April 2020 - December 2021
1.5

 
—

Foreign exchange contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Canadian dollars
 
CAD
 
April 2020 - December 2021
C$
58.7

 
C$
—


Estimated losses before tax expected to be reclassified into Cost of goods sold within the next 12 months for our existing derivatives that qualify as cash flow hedges are presented below:
 
 
(In Millions)
Hedge:
 
Estimated Losses
Natural gas
 
$
(7.0
)
Zinc
 
(0.2
)
Electricity
 
(1.5
)
Canadian dollars
 
(0.2
)

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
Customer Supply Agreement
A supply agreement with one customer provides for supplemental revenue or refunds to the customer based on the hot-rolled coil steel price at the time the iron ore product is consumed in the customer’s blast furnaces. The supplemental pricing is characterized as a freestanding derivative instrument and is required to be accounted for separately once control transfers to the customer. The derivative instrument, which is finalized based on a future price, is adjusted to fair value through Revenues each reporting period based upon current market data and forward-looking estimates provided by management until the pellets are consumed and the amounts are settled.
Provisional Pricing Arrangements
Certain of our supply agreements specify provisional price calculations, where the pricing mechanisms generally are based on market pricing, with the final revenue rate based on certain market inputs at a specified period in time in the future, per the terms of the supply agreements. Market inputs are tied to indexed price adjustment factors that are integral to the iron ore supply contracts and vary based on the agreement. The pricing mechanisms typically include adjustments based upon changes in the Platts 62% Price, Atlantic Basin pellet premiums and Platts international indexed freight rates. The pricing adjustments generally operate in the same manner, with each factor typically comprising a portion of the price adjustment, although the weighting of each factor varies based upon the specific terms of each agreement. The price adjustment factors have been evaluated to determine if they qualify as embedded derivatives. The price adjustment factors share the same economic characteristics and risks as the host sales contract and are
integral to the host sales contract as inflation adjustments; accordingly, they have not been separately valued as derivative instruments.
Revenue is recognized generally upon delivery to our customers. Revenue is measured at the point that control transfers and represents the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods. Changes in the expected revenue rate from the date that control transfers through final settlement of contract terms is recorded in accordance with Topic 815 and is characterized as a derivative instrument and accounted for separately.  Subsequently, the derivative instruments are adjusted to fair value through Revenues each reporting period based upon current market data and forward-looking estimates provided by management until the final revenue rate is determined.
Foreign Exchange Contracts
Contracts to sell euro have not been designated as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes. Gains and losses are reported in earnings immediately in Other non-operating income. The notional amount of our outstanding contracts to sell euro is €2 million.
The following summarizes the effect of our derivatives that are not designated as hedging instruments in the Statements of Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Operations:
 
 
 
 
(In Millions)
 
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments
 
Location of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Income on Derivatives
Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
 
2020
 
2019
 
Customer supply agreements
 
Revenues
$
(25.6
)
 
$
17.1

 
Provisional pricing arrangements
 
Revenues
(1.2
)
 
(11.6
)
 
Foreign exchange contracts
 
Other non-operating income
(0.1
)
 
—

 
Commodity contracts
 
Cost of goods sold
(5.9
)
 
—

 
Total
 
 
$
(32.8
)
 
$
5.5


Refer to NOTE 9 - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS for additional information.