A financial asset or financial liability at fair value through profit or loss is a financial asset or financial liability that meets either of the following conditions: (a) it is classified as held for trading if it is (i) acquired or incurred principally for the purpose of selling or repurchasing it in the near term, (ii) part of a portfolio of identified financial instruments that are managed together and for which there is evidence of a recent actual pattern of short-term profit taking, or (iii) a derivative, except for a derivative that is a designated and effective hedging instrument; or (b) it is designated by the Group upon initial recognition as at fair value through profit or loss when certain conditions are met. Generally, a financial instrument cannot be reclassified out of the fair value through profit or loss category while it is held or issued, except in rare circumstances.
Available-for-sale financial assets are those non-derivative financial assets that are designated as available for sale, or that are not classified as loans and receivables, held-to-maturity investments, or at fair value through profit or loss.
Non-derivative financial liabilities are classified as financial liabilities measured at amortized cost.
When a financial asset or financial liability is recognized initially, the Group measures it at its fair value plus, in the case of a financial asset or financial liability not at fair value through profit or loss, transaction costs that are directly attributable to the acquisition or issue of the financial asset or financial liability. Transaction costs related to the acquisition or issue of a financial asset or financial liability at fair value through profit or loss are expensed as incurred. The subsequent measurement of a financial instrument and the recognition of associated gains and losses are determined by the financial instrument classification.
After initial recognition, the Group measures financial assets, including derivatives that are assets, at their fair values, without any deduction for transaction costs it may incur on sale or other disposal, except for the following financial assets: (a) held-to-maturity investments which are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method; (b) loans and receivables which are measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method; and (c) investments in equity instruments that do not have a quoted market price in an active market and whose fair value cannot be reliably measured and derivatives that are linked to and must be settled by delivery of such unquoted equity instruments which are measured at cost. All financial assets except those measured at fair value through profit or loss are subject to review for impairment.
After initial recognition, the Group measures all financial liabilities at amortized cost using the effective interest method, except for financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss (including derivatives that are liabilities), which are measured at their fair values (except for derivative liabilities that are linked to and must be settled by delivery of unquoted equity instruments whose fair value cannot be reliably measured, which should be measured at cost).
Regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are accounted for at the settlement date.
A gain or loss on a financial asset or financial liability classified as at fair value through profit or loss is recognized in profit or loss for the period in which it arises. A gain or loss on an available-for-sale financial asset is recognized in other comprehensive income, except for impairment losses, until the financial asset is derecognized, at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income is recognized in profit or loss for the period. For financial assets and financial liabilities carried at amortized cost, a gain or loss is recognized in profit or loss when the financial asset or financial liability is derecognized or impaired and through the amortization process.
Whenever quoted market prices are available, bid prices are used for the measurement of fair value of financial assets while ask prices are used for financial liabilities. When the market for a financial instrument is not active, the Group establishes fair value by using a valuation technique. Valuation techniques include using recent arm’s length market transactions between knowledgeable, willing parties, if available; reference to the current fair value of another financial instrument that is substantially the same; discounted cash flow analysis; option pricing models; and other valuation techniques commonly used by market participants to price
the financial instrument.
