Axalta Coating Systems Ltd

(20)FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, HEDGING ACTIVITIES AND FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

Fair value of financial instruments

Equity securities with readily determinable fair values - Balances of equity securities are recorded within other assets, with any changes in fair value recorded within other expense, net. The fair values of equity securities are based upon quoted market prices, which are considered Level 1 inputs.

Long-term borrowings - The estimated fair values of these borrowings are based on recent trades, as reported by a third-party pricing service. Due to the infrequency of trades, these inputs are considered to be Level 2 inputs.

Derivative instruments - The Company's interest rate swaps, cross-currency swaps and foreign currency forward contracts are valued using broker quotations, or market transactions in either the listed or over-the-counter markets. As such, these derivative instruments are included in the Level 2 hierarchy.

Fair value of contingent consideration

Contingent consideration is valued using a probability-weighted expected payment method that considers the timing of expected future cash flows and the probability of whether key elements of the contingent event are completed. The fair value of contingent consideration is valued at each balance sheet date, until amounts become payable, with adjustments recorded within other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations. Due to the significant unobservable inputs used in the valuations, these liabilities are categorized within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.

The table below presents the fair values of our financial instruments measured on a recurring basis by level within the fair value hierarchy at December 31, 2024 and 2023.

(1) Net investment hedge

(2) Cash flow hedge

The table below presents a roll forward of activity for the Level 3 liabilities for the year ended December 31, 2024.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We selectively use derivative instruments to reduce market risk associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates. The use of derivatives is intended for hedging purposes only, and we do not enter into derivative instruments for speculative purposes. A description of each type of derivative used to manage risk is included in the following paragraphs and our policies regarding accounting treatments of derivative movements are detailed in Note 1.

Derivative Instruments Qualifying and Designated as Cash Flow and Net Investment Hedges

Interest Rate Swaps Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

(1) The interest rate swap was terminated early on March 27, 2024.

Cross-Currency Swaps Designated as Net Investment Hedges

The following tables set forth the locations and amounts recognized during the year ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 for these cash flow and net investment hedges.

Over the next 12 months, we expect a loss of $1 million pertaining to cash flow hedges to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings, related to our interest rate swaps.

Derivative Instruments Not Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

We periodically enter into foreign currency forward and option contracts to reduce market risk and hedge our balance sheet exposures and cash flows for subsidiaries with exposures denominated in currencies different from the functional currency of the relevant subsidiary. These contracts have not been designated as hedges and all gains and losses are marked to market through other expense, net in the consolidated statement of operations.

Fair value gains and losses of derivative contracts, as determined using Level 2 inputs, that have not been designated for hedge accounting treatment are recorded in earnings as follows: