We formally document, designate and assess the effectiveness of transactions that receive hedge accounting treatment initially and on an ongoing basis. For qualifying hedges, the change in fair value is deferred in accumulated other comprehensive income, a component of stockholders’ equity in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets, and recognized in earnings at the same time the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in the fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recorded in earnings throughout the term of the derivative.
Interest Rate Risk. Our debt bears interest at variable interest rates. Therefore, we are subject to variability in the cash payable for interest expense. In order to mitigate a portion of the risk attributable to such variability, we use a hedging strategy to reduce the variability of cash flows in the interest payments associated with a portion of the variable-rate debt outstanding under our Third Amended Credit Agreement that varies in accordance with changes in the benchmark interest rate.
Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
On August 5, 2016, we entered into a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap with a notional amount of $175 million with Wells Fargo to fix the one-month LIBOR rate at 1.12%. The variable portion of the interest rate swap was tied to the one-month LIBOR rate (the benchmark interest rate). The interest rate swap expired on July 6, 2021.
On December 23, 2019, we entered into a pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap with a notional amount of $75 million with Wells Fargo to fix the one-month LIBOR rate at 1.71% for the period from July 6, 2021 to July 31, 2024. The variable portion of the interest rate swap is tied to the one-month LIBOR rate (the benchmark interest rate). On a monthly basis, the interest rates under both the interest rate swap and the underlying debt reset, the swap is settled with the counterparty, and interest is paid.
On September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, our interest rate swaps qualified as cash flow hedges. The fair value of our interest rate swap on September 30, 2021 was a liability of approximately $2.5 million, which was partially offset by approximately $0.6 million in deferred taxes. The fair value of our interest rate swaps on December 31, 2020 was a liability of $4.4 million, partially offset by approximately $1.1 million in deferred taxes.
Foreign Currency Risk. We operate on a global basis and are exposed to the risk that our financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows could be adversely affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. To reduce the potential effects of foreign currency exchange rate movements on net earnings, we enter into derivative financial instruments in the form of foreign currency exchange forward contracts with major financial institutions. Our policy is to enter into foreign currency derivative contracts with maturities of up to two years. We are exposed to foreign currency exchange rate risk with respect to transactions and balances denominated in Chinese Renminbi, Euros, British Pounds, Mexican Pesos, Brazilian Reals, Australian Dollars, Hong Kong Dollars, Swiss Francs, Swedish Krona, Canadian Dollars, Danish Krone, Japanese Yen, and South Korean Won, among others. We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. We do not believe we are subject to any credit risk contingent features related to our derivative contracts, and we seek to manage counterparty risk by allocating derivative contracts among several major financial institutions.
Derivative Instruments Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is temporarily reported as a component of other comprehensive income (loss) and then reclassified into earnings in the same line item associated with the forecasted transaction and in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. We entered into forward contracts on various foreign currencies to manage the risk associated with forecasted exchange rates which impact revenues, cost of sales, and operating expenses in various international markets. The objective of the hedges is to reduce the variability of cash flows associated with the forecasted purchase or sale of the associated foreign currencies.
We enter into approximately 150 cash flow foreign currency hedges every month. As of September 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had entered into foreign currency forward contracts, which qualified as cash flow hedges, with aggregate notional amounts of approximately $124.0 million and $168.2 million, respectively.