In accordance with International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) 32, IAS 39, and IFRS 7, the financial assets of the Company and its subsidiaries are classified in accordance with the following categories:
| · | Measured at fair value through profit or loss: financial assets held for trading, that is, acquired or incurred principally for the purpose of selling or repurchasing in the near term, and derivatives. The balances are stated at fair value. The interest earned, the exchange variation, and changes in fair value are recognized in profit or loss. |
| · | Held to maturity: non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments, and fixed maturities for which the entity has the positive intention and ability to hold to maturity. The interest earned and the foreign currency exchange variation are recognized in profit or loss, and balances are stated at acquisition cost plus the interest earned, using the effective interest rate method. |
| · | Available for sale: non-derivative financial assets that are designated as available for sale or that are not classified into other categories at initial recognition. The balances are stated at fair value, and the interest earned and the foreign currency exchange variation are recognized in profit or loss. Differences between fair value and acquisition cost plus the interest earned are recognized in other comprehensive income in the “Valuation adjustments”. Accumulated gains and losses recognized in shareholders’ equity are reclassified to profit or loss in case of prepayment. |
| · | Loans and receivables: non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments or receipts, not quoted in an active market, except: (i) those which the entity intends to sell immediately or in the near term and which the entity classified as measured at fair value through profit or loss; (ii) those classified as available for sale; or (iii) those for which the Company may not recover substantially all of its initial investment for reasons other than credit deterioration. The interest earned and the foreign currency exchange variation are recognized in profit or loss. The balances are stated at acquisition cost plus interest, using the effective interest rate method. |
The Company and its subsidiaries use financial instruments for hedging purposes, applying the concepts described below:
| · | Hedge accounting - fair value hedge: financial instruments used to hedge exposure to changes in the fair value of an item, attributable to a particular risk, which can affect the entity’s profit or loss. In the initial designation of the fair value hedge, the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item is documented, including the objectives of risk management, the strategy in conducting the transaction, and the methods to be used to evaluate its effectiveness. Once the fair value hedge has been qualified as effective, the hedge item is also measured at fair value. Gains and losses from hedge instruments and hedge items are recognized in profit or loss. The hedge accounting must be discontinued when the hedge becomes ineffective. |
| · | Hedge accounting - cash flow hedge: financial instruments used to hedge the exposure to variability in cash flows that is attributable to a risk associated with an asset or liability or highly probable transaction or firm commitment that may affect the income statements. The portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument that is determined to be effective relating to the effects of exchange rate effect, is recognized directly in equity in accumulated other comprehensive income as “Valuation adjustments” while the ineffective portion is recognized in profit or loss. Gains or losses on the hedging instrument relating to the effective portion of this hedge that had been recognized directly in accumulated other comprehensive income shall be recognized in profit or loss in the period in which the hedged item is recognized in profit or loss or as initial cost of non- financial assets, in the same line of the statement that the hedged item is recognized. The hedge accounting shall be discontinued when (i) the Company cancels the hedging relationship; (ii) the hedging instrument expires; and (iii) the hedging instrument no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. When hedge accounting is discontinued, gains and losses recognized in other comprehensive income in equity are reclassified to profit or loss in the period which the hedged item is recognized in profit or loss. If the transaction hedged is canceled or is not expected to occur, the cumulative gains and losses in other comprehensive income in equity shall be recognized immediately in profit or loss. |
| · | Hedge accounting - hedge of net investments in foreign operation: financial instruments used to hedge exposure on net investments in foreign subsidiaries due to the fact that the local functional currency is different from the functional currency of the Company. The portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument that is determined to be effective, referring to the exchange rate effect, is recognized directly in equity in accumulated other comprehensive income as cumulative translation adjustments, while the ineffective portion and the operating costs are recognized in profit or loss. The gain or loss on the hedging instrument that has been recognized directly in accumulated other comprehensive income shall be recognized in income upon disposal of the foreign operation. |
For further detail on financial instruments of the Company and its subsidiaries, see Note 31.