ECOLAB

 

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Annual Report

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MARKET RISK

We enter into contractual arrangements (derivatives) in the ordinary course of business to manage foreign currency exposure and interest rate risks. We do not enter into derivatives for trading purposes. Our use of derivatives is subject to internal policies that provide guidelines for control, counterparty risk and ongoing monitoring and reporting and is designed to reduce the volatility associated with movements in foreign exchange and interest rates on our income statement.

We enter into forward contracts, swaps and foreign currency options to hedge certain intercompany financial arrangements, and to hedge against the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on transactions related to cash flows and net investments denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars. At December 31, 2004, we had approximately $239 million of foreign currency forward exchange contracts with face amounts denominated primarily in euros.

We manage interest expense using a mix of fixed and floating rate debt. To help manage borrowing costs, we may enter into interest rate swap agreements. Under these arrangements, we agree to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. At yearend 2004, we had an interest rate swap that converts approximately euro 78 million (approximately $104 million U.S. dollars) of our Euronote debt from a fixed interest rate to a floating or variable interest rate. This swap agreement is effective until February 2007. In September 2003, we entered into an interest rate swap agreement that converts $30 million of the 7.19% senior notes from a fixed interest rate to a floating or variable interest rate. This agreement is effective until January 2006.

Based on a sensitivity analysis (assuming a 10 percent adverse change in market rates) of our foreign exchange and interest rate derivatives and other financial instruments, changes in exchange rates or interest rates would not materially affect our financial position and liquidity. The effect on our results of operations would be substantially offset by the impact of the hedged items.








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