Derivative financial instruments and hedge accounting
Initial recognition and subsequent measurement
The Group uses derivative financial instruments, such as forward currency contracts and interest rate swaps, to hedge its foreign currency risk and interest rate risk, respectively. Such derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured at fair value. Derivatives are carried as assets when the fair value is positive and as liabilities when the fair value is negative.
Any gains or losses arising from changes in fair value of derivatives are taken directly to profit or loss, except for the effective portion of cash flow hedges, which is recognized in other comprehensive income and later reclassified to profit or loss when the hedged item affects profit or loss.
For the purpose of hedge accounting, hedges are classified as:
| • | fair value hedges when hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment; or |
| • | cash flow hedges when hedging the exposure to variability in cash flows that is either attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction, or a foreign currency risk in an unrecognized firm commitment; or |
| • | hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation. |
At the inception of a hedge relationship, the Group formally designates and documents the hedge relationship to which the Group wishes to apply hedge accounting, the risk management objective and its strategy for undertaking the hedge. The documentation includes identification of the hedging instrument, the hedged item or transaction, the nature of the risk being hedged and how the Group will assess the hedging instrument’s effectiveness of changes in the hedging instrument’s fair value in offsetting the exposure to changes in the hedged item’s fair value or cash flows attributable to the hedged risk. Such hedges are expected to be highly effective in achieving offsetting changes in fair value or cash flows and are assessed on an ongoing basis to determine that they actually have been highly effective throughout the financial reporting periods for which they were designated.
Hedges which meet the strict criteria for hedge accounting are accounted for as follows:
Fair value hedges
The change in the fair value of a hedging derivative is recognized in profit or loss. The change in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk hedged is recorded as a part of the carrying amount of the hedged item and is also recognized in profit or loss.
For fair value hedges relating to items carried at amortized cost, the adjustment to carrying value is amortized through profit or loss over the remaining term of the hedge using the effective interest rate method. Effective interest rate amortization may begin as soon as an adjustment exists and shall begin no later than when the hedged item ceases to be adjusted for changes in its fair value attributable to the risk being hedged. If the hedged item is derecognized, the unamortized fair value is recognized immediately in profit or loss.
When an unrecognized firm commitment is designated as a hedged item, the subsequent cumulative change in the fair value of the firm commitment attributable to the hedged risk is recognized as an asset or liability with a corresponding gain or loss recognized in profit or loss. The changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument are also recognized in profit or loss.
Cash flow hedges
The effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognized directly in other comprehensive income in the hedging reserve, while any ineffective portion is recognized immediately in profit or loss.
Amounts recognized in other comprehensive income are transferred to profit or loss when the hedged transaction affects profit or loss, such as when hedged financial income or financial expense is recognized or when a forecast sale occurs. Where the hedged item is the cost of a non-financial asset or non-financial liability, the amounts recognized in other comprehensive income are transferred to the initial carrying amount of the non-financial asset or non-financial liability.
If the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised without replacement or rollover (as part of the hedging strategy), or if its designation as a hedge is revoked, or when the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the amounts previously recognized in other comprehensive income remain in other comprehensive income until the forecast transaction occurs or the foreign currency firm commitment is met.
Current versus non-current classification
The full fair value of a hedging derivative is classified as a non-current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged items is more than 12 months and as a current asset or liability when the remaining maturity of the hedged item is less than 12 months.