(a) Basis of consolidation
Subsidiaries are entities controlled by the Group. The Group controls an entity when it is exposed to, or has right to, variable returns from its involvement with the entity and has the ability to affect those returns through its power over the entity.
A subsidiary is consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group and is no longer consolidated from the date that control ceases. The acquisition method of accounting is used to account for the acquisition of subsidiaries except for business combinations under common control. The consideration transferred for the acquisition of a subsidiary is the fair values of the assets transferred, the liabilities incurred and the equity interests issued by the Group. The consideration transferred includes the fair value of any asset or liability resulting from a contingent consideration arrangement. Acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred. Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities and contingent liabilities assumed in a business combination are measured initially at their fair values at the acquisition date. On an acquisition-by-acquisition basis, the Group recognizes any non-controlling interests in the acquiree either at fair value or at the non-controlling interests’ proportionate share of the acquiree’s net assets.
The excess of the consideration transferred, the amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree and the acquisition-date fair value of any previous equity interest in the acquiree over the fair value of the identifiable net assets is recorded as goodwill. If this is less than the fair value of the net assets of the subsidiary acquired in the case of a bargain purchase, the difference is recognized directly in the statement of comprehensive income.
An acquisition of a business which is a business combination under common control is accounted for in a manner similar to a uniting of interests whereby the assets and liabilities acquired are accounted for at carryover predecessor values to the other party to the business combination with all periods presented as if the operations of the Group and the business acquired have always been combined. The difference between the consideration paid by the Group and the net assets or liabilities of the business acquired is adjusted against equity.
Intercompany transactions, balances and unrealized gains on transactions between group companies are eliminated. Unrealized losses are also eliminated. Where necessary, accounting policies of subsidiaries have been changed to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.
A listing of the Group’s principal subsidiaries is set out in Note 18.