forecasted transaction affects earnings. However, if it is no longer probable that a forecasted transaction will occur by the end of the originally specified time period or within an additional two-month period of time thereafter, the gains and losses in AOCI are recognized immediately in earnings. In all situations in which hedge accounting is discontinued and the derivative remains outstanding, we carry the derivative at its fair value on the consolidated balance sheets until maturity, recognizing future changes in the fair value in current period earnings. 

## Significant Derivative/Hedge Positions 

## Derivative Activity Related to the Acquisition 

During the first quarter of 2016, we entered into swaption agreements with a total notional amount of $855.0 million to economically hedge a portion of our long-term debt issuance with which we partially funded the Acquisition. We paid upfront premiums of $37.8 million for the option to enter into and exercise swaps with a forward starting effective date. These swaptions were not designated in hedge accounting relationships as the hedges were entered into in association with the Acquisition and, accordingly, all mark-to-market fair value adjustments were reflected within interest expense. During the second quarter of 2016, we terminated and cash settled these swaptions in anticipation of the issuance of the 2016 Notes, resulting in cash proceeds of $1.4 million. 

Separately, prior to issuing the EUR Notes and the CAD Notes on July 7, 2016, we entered into foreign currency forward agreements in the second quarter of 2016 with a total notional amount of EUR 794.6 million and CAD 965.5 million, representing a majority of the anticipated net proceeds from the issuance of the respective CAD Notes and EUR Notes, to economically hedge the foreign currency exposure of the associated notes against the USD prior to issuance and to convert the proceeds to USD upon issuance through gross settlement. We settled these foreign currency forwards on July 7, 2016, resulting in a loss of $3.6 million, and received the USD necessary, along with the USD Notes, to complete our financing needs for the Acquisition. These foreign currency forwards were not designated in hedge accounting relationships, and, accordingly, the mark-to-market fair value adjustments and resulting unrealized losses were recorded to other income (expense). 

On July 7, 2016, concurrent with the issuance of the EUR Notes, we designated the principal EUR 800 million of the EUR Notes as a non- derivative financial net investment hedge of our investment in our Europe business in order to hedge a portion of the related foreign currency translational impacts, and, accordingly, record changes in the carrying value of the EUR Notes due to fluctuations in the spot rate to AOCI. See Note 11, "Debt"  for further discussion of the EUR Notes and CAD Notes. 

## Interest Rate Swaps 

In the first quarter of 2017, we entered into interest rate swaps with an aggregate notional amount of $1.0 billion to economically convert our fixed rate $1.0 billion 2017 USD Notes to floating rate debt. We received fixed interest payments semi-annually at a rate of 1.90% and 2.25% per annum on our $500 million senior notes due March 15, 2019, and $500 million senior notes due March 15, 2020, respectively, and paid a rate to our counterparties based on a credit spread plus the one-month LIBOR rate, thereby effectively exchanging a fixed interest obligation for a floating interest obligation. 

We entered into these interest rate swap agreements to minimize exposure to changes in the fair value of each of our $500 million notes that results from fluctuations in the benchmark interest rate, specifically LIBOR. We designated these swaps as fair value hedges and determined that there was zero ineffectiveness. The changes in fair value of derivatives designated as fair value hedges and the offsetting changes in fair value of the hedged item were recognized in earnings. The changes in fair value of the two $500 million interest rate swaps were recorded in interest expense in our consolidated statement of operations and were fully offset by changes in fair value of the two $500 million notes attributable to the benchmark interest rate, also recorded to interest expense. 

During the fourth quarter of 2017, we voluntarily settled our aggregate notional amount of $1.0 billion which resulted in net cash payments of $3.5 million, representing the cumulative adjustments to the carrying value of the notes from inception to termination. At the time of settlement we ceased adjusting the carrying value of the two $500 million notes for the fair value movements and these cumulative adjustments are now being amortized as a charge to interest expense over the expected remaining term of the respective note. See Note 11, "Debt"  for additional details. 

Separately, in prior years, we also entered into similar interest rate swap agreements to economically convert our fixed rate $500 million 3.5% notes due 2022 to floating rate debt. These interest rate swap agreements were also previously voluntarily cash settled, at which time we ceased adjusting the carrying value of the notes for the fair value movements. The cumulative adjustments which increased the carrying value of the notes are being amortized as a benefit to interest expense over the expected remaining term of the notes. See Note 11, "Debt"  for additional details. 

