9. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Derivative Financial Instruments
(a) Non-Designated Derivative Financial Instruments
The company uses derivative financial instruments, such as physical and financial contracts, to manage certain exposures to fluctuations in interest rates, commodity prices and foreign currency exchange rates, as part of its overall risk management program, as well as for trading purposes.
The changes in the fair value of non-designated derivatives are as follows:
| ($ millions) | | | Total | |
| Fair value outstanding at December 31, 2022 | | | | | (65) | | |
|
| Changes in fair value recognized in earnings during the year | | | | | (81) | | |
|
| Cash settlements – paid (received) during the year | | | | | 10 | | |
| Fair value outstanding at September 30, 2023 | | | | | (136) | | |
(b) Fair Value Hierarchy
To estimate the fair value of derivatives, the company uses quoted market prices when available, or third-party models and valuation methodologies that utilize observable market data. In addition to market information, the company incorporates transaction-specific details that market participants would utilize in a fair value measurement, including the impact of non-performance risk. However, these fair value estimates may not necessarily be indicative of the amounts that could be realized or settled in a current market transaction. The company characterizes inputs used in determining fair value using a hierarchy that prioritizes inputs depending on the degree to which they are observable. The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:
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Level 1 consists of instruments with a fair value determined by an unadjusted quoted price in an active market for identical assets or liabilities. An active market is characterized by readily and regularly available quoted prices where the prices are representative of actual and regularly occurring market transactions to assure liquidity.
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Level 2 consists of instruments with a fair value that is determined by quoted prices in an inactive market, prices with observable inputs or prices with insignificant non-observable inputs. The fair value of these positions is determined using observable inputs from exchanges, pricing services, third-party independent broker quotes and published transportation tolls. The observable inputs may be adjusted using certain methods, which include extrapolation over the quoted price term and quotes for comparable assets and liabilities.
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Level 3 consists of instruments with a fair value that is determined by prices with significant unobservable inputs. As at September 30, 2023, the company does not have any derivative instruments measured at fair value Level 3.
In forming estimates, the company utilizes the most observable inputs available for valuation purposes. If a fair value measurement reflects inputs of different levels within the hierarchy, the measurement is categorized based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement.
The following table presents the company’s derivative financial instruments measured at fair value for each hierarchy level as at September 30, 2023:
| ($ millions) | | | Level 1 | | | Level 2 | | | Level 3 | | | Total Fair Value | |
| Accounts receivable | | | | | 30 | | | | | | 33 | | | | | | — | | | | | | 63 | | |
|
| Accounts payable | | | | | (164) | | | | | | (35) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (199) | | |
| | | | | | (134) | | | | | | (2) | | | | | | — | | | | | | (136) | | |
During the third quarter of 2023, there were no transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements.
Non-Derivative Financial Instruments
At September 30, 2023, the carrying value of fixed-term debt accounted for under amortized cost was $9.8 billion (December 31, 2022 – $9.8 billion) and the fair value was $9.0 billion (December 31, 2022 – $9.4 billion). The estimated fair value of long-term debt is based on pricing sourced from market data.