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Derivatives
12 Months Ended
Feb. 03, 2024
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
Derivatives Derivatives
Derivative transactions are used by Signet for risk management purposes to address risks inherent in Signet’s business operations and sources of financing. The Company’s main risks are market risk including foreign currency risk, commodity risk, liquidity risk and interest rate risk. Signet uses derivative financial instruments to manage and mitigate certain of these risks under policies reviewed and approved by Signet’s Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”). Signet does not enter into derivative transactions for speculative purposes.
Market risk
Signet primarily generates revenues and incurs expenses in US dollars, Canadian dollars and British pounds. As a portion of the International reportable segment’s purchases and purchases made by the Canadian operations of the North America reportable segment are denominated in US dollars, Signet enters into forward foreign currency exchange contracts and foreign currency swaps to manage this exposure to the US dollar.
Signet holds a fluctuating amount of British pounds and Canadian dollars reflecting the cash generative characteristics of operations. Signet’s objective is to minimize net foreign exchange exposure to the consolidated statements of operations on non-US dollar denominated items through managing cash levels, non-US dollar denominated intra-entity balances and foreign currency exchange contracts and swaps. In order to manage the foreign exchange exposure and minimize the level of funds denominated in British pounds and Canadian dollars, dividends are paid regularly by subsidiaries to their immediate holding companies and excess British pounds and Canadian dollars are sold in exchange for US dollars.
Signet’s policy is to reduce the impact of precious metal commodity price volatility on operating results through the use of outright forward purchases of, or by entering into options to purchase, precious metals within treasury guidelines approved by the CFO. In particular, when price and volume warrants such actions, Signet undertakes hedging of its requirements for gold through the use of forward purchase contracts, options and net zero premium collar arrangements (a combination of forwards and option contracts).
Liquidity risk
Signet’s objective is to ensure that it has access to, or the ability to generate, sufficient cash from either internal or external sources in a timely and cost-effective manner to meet its commitments as they become due and payable. Signet manages liquidity risks as part of its overall risk management policy. Management produces forecasting and budgeting information that is reviewed and monitored by the Board. Cash generated from operations and external financing are the main sources of funding, which supplement Signet’s resources in meeting liquidity requirements.
The primary external sources of funding are an asset-based credit facility and senior unsecured notes as described in Note 22.
Interest rate risk
Signet has exposure to movements in interest rates associated with cash and borrowings. Signet may enter into various interest rate protection agreements in order to limit the impact of movements in interest rates.
Credit risk and concentrations of credit risk
Credit risk represents the loss that would be recognized at the reporting date if counterparties failed to perform as contracted. Signet does not anticipate non-performance by counterparties of its financial instruments. Signet does not require collateral or other security to support cash investments or financial instruments with credit risk; however, it is Signet’s policy to only hold cash and cash equivalent investments and to transact financial instruments with financial institutions with a certain minimum credit rating. As of February 3, 2024, management does not believe Signet is exposed to any significant concentrations of credit risk that arise from cash and cash equivalent investments, derivatives or accounts receivable.
Commodity and foreign currency risks
The following types of derivative financial instruments are utilized by Signet to mitigate certain risk exposures related to changes in commodity prices and foreign exchange rates:
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts (designated) — These contracts, which are principally in US dollars, are entered into to limit the impact of movements in foreign exchange rates on forecasted foreign currency purchases. The total notional amount of these foreign currency contracts outstanding as of February 3, 2024 was $5.1 million (January 28, 2023: $25.9 million). These contracts have been designated as cash flow hedges and will be settled over the next 6 months (January 28, 2023: 12 months).
There were no discontinued cash flow hedges during the periods presented. Based on current valuations, the Company expects approximately $0.1 million of net pre-tax derivative losses to be reclassified out of AOCI into earnings within the next 12 months.
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts (undesignated) — Foreign currency contracts not designated as cash flow hedges are used to limit the impact of movements in foreign exchange rates on recognized foreign currency payables and to hedge currency flows through Signet’s bank accounts to mitigate Signet’s exposure to foreign currency exchange risk in its cash and borrowings. The total notional amount of these foreign currency contracts outstanding as of February 3, 2024 was $57.2 million (January 28, 2023: $27.3 million).
The Company recognizes activity related to these derivative instruments within other operating income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations. Losses were $0.1 million during Fiscal 2024 (Fiscal 2023: $12.9 million; Fiscal 2022: $3.1 million).
Commodity forward purchase contracts (designated) — These contracts are entered into to reduce Signet’s exposure to significant movements in the price of the underlying precious metal raw materials. Trading for these contracts was suspended during Fiscal 2022 due to the commodity price environment and there were no commodity derivative contracts outstanding as of February 3, 2024 and January 28, 2023.
The bank counterparties to the derivative instruments expose Signet to credit-related losses in the event of their non-performance. However, to mitigate that risk, Signet only contracts with counterparties that meet certain minimum requirements under its counterparty risk assessment process. As of February 3, 2024, Signet believes that this credit risk did not materially change the fair value of the foreign currency or commodity contracts.