v2.4.1.9
Foreign Currency Derivatives
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
FOREIGN CURRENCY DERIVATIVES
FOREIGN CURRENCY DERIVATIVES

Our sales contracts are primarily denominated in U.S. dollars and therefore substantially all of our revenue is not subject to foreign currency translation risk. However, a substantial portion of our operating expenses incurred outside the U.S. are denominated in foreign currencies and are subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates, particularly changes in the Canadian dollar (“CAD”) and the Euro (EUR). To help protect against significant fluctuations in value and the volatility of future cash flows caused by changes in currency exchange rates, we engage in foreign currency risk management activities, including forward contracts, to hedge balance sheet items denominated in CAD. We do not use these contracts for speculative or trading purposes. All of the derivative instruments are with high quality financial institutions and we monitor the creditworthiness of these parties. These contracts typically have maturities of one month. We record changes in the fair value of forward exchange contracts related to balance sheet accounts as Other expense—net in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

Additionally, independent of any hedging activities, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may cause us to recognize transaction gains and losses in Other expense—net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Our hedging activities are intended to reduce, but not eliminate, the impact of currency exchange rate movements. As our hedging activities are relatively short-term in nature and are focused on CAD, long-term material changes in the value of the U.S. dollar against other foreign currencies, such as the GBP and EUR could adversely impact our operating expenses in the future.

The notional amount of forward exchange contracts to hedge balance sheet accounts were (in thousands):

 
Buy/Sell
 
Notional
Currency—As of March 31, 2015
 
 
 
CAD
Sell
 
$
9,093

 
 
 
 
Currency—As of December 31, 2014
 
 
 
CAD
Buy
 
$
6,879