Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

DERIVATIVES.

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DERIVATIVES.
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]  
DERIVATIVES.
7. DERIVATIVES.

 

The business and activities of the Company expose it to a variety of market risks, including risks related to changes in commodity prices. The Company monitors and manages these financial exposures as an integral part of its risk management program. This program recognizes the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to reduce the potentially adverse effects that market volatility could have on operating results.

 

Commodity RiskCash Flow Hedges – The Company uses derivative instruments to protect cash flows from fluctuations caused by volatility in commodity prices for periods of up to twelve months in order to protect gross profit margins from potentially adverse effects of market and price volatility on ethanol sale and purchase commitments where the prices are set at a future date and/or if the contracts specify a floating or index-based price for ethanol. In addition, the Company hedges anticipated sales of ethanol to minimize its exposure to the potentially adverse effects of price volatility. These derivatives may be designated and documented as cash flow hedges and effectiveness is evaluated by assessing the probability of the anticipated transactions and regressing commodity futures prices against the Company’s purchase and sales prices. Ineffectiveness, which is defined as the degree to which the derivative does not offset the underlying exposure, is recognized immediately in cost of goods sold. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, the Company did not designate any of its derivatives as cash flow hedges.

 

Commodity Risk – Non-Designated Hedges – The Company uses derivative instruments to lock in prices for certain amounts of corn and ethanol by entering into exchange-traded forward contracts for those commodities. These derivatives are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. The changes in fair value of these contracts are recorded on the balance sheet and recognized immediately in cost of goods sold. The Company recognized net losses of $6,714,000, $2,077,000 and $1,984,000 as the change in the fair value of these contracts for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

Non Designated Derivative Instruments – The classification and amounts of the Company’s derivatives not designated as hedging instruments, and related cash collateral balances, are as follows (in thousands): 

 

                     
    As of December 31, 2018  
    Assets     Liabilities  
                         
Type of Instrument   Balance Sheet Location   Fair Value     Balance Sheet Location   Fair Value  
                         
Cash collateral balance   Other current assets   $ 8,479              
Commodity contracts   Derivative assets   $ 1,765     Derivative liabilities   $ 6,309  

 

    As of December 31, 2017  
    Assets     Liabilities  
                     
Type of Instrument   Balance Sheet Location   Fair Value     Balance Sheet Location   Fair Value  
                     
Cash collateral balance   Other current assets   $ 3,813              
Commodity contracts   Derivative assets   $ 998     Derivative liabilities   $ 2,307  

 

The above amounts represent the gross balances of the contracts, however, the Company does have a right of offset with each of its derivative brokers.

 

The classification and amounts of the Company’s recognized gains (losses) for its derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are as follows (in thousands):

 

        Realized Gains (Losses)  
        For the Years Ended December 31,  
Type of Instrument   Statements of Operations Location   2018     2017     2016  
                       
Commodity contracts   Cost of goods sold   $ (3,479 )   $ (4,165 )   $ 1,386  
        $ (3,479 )   $ (4,165 )   $ 1,386  

  

        Unrealized Gains (Losses)  
        For the Years Ended December 31,  
Type of Instrument   Statements of Operations Location   2018     2017     2016  
                             
Commodity contracts   Cost of goods sold   $ (3,235 )   $ 2,088     $ (3,370 )
        $ (3,235 )   $ 2,088     $ (3,370 )