Investment in associates and joint ventures
An associate is an entity over which the Group exercises significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate in the financial and operating policy decisions of the entity, but is not control or joint control over those policies.
A joint venture is a type of joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the net assets of the arrangement. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control of an arrangement, which exists only when decisions about relevant activities require the unanimous consent of the parties sharing control.
The Group’s investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method. Under the equity method, the investment in an associate or joint venture is initially recognized at cost. The carrying amount of the investment is adjusted to recognize changes in the Group’s share of net assets of the associate or joint venture since the acquisition date. The Group’s share of profits and losses of associates and joint ventures is included in the consolidated income statement outside operating profit or loss. Any change in other comprehensive income (“OCI”) of associates and joint ventures is presented as part of the Group’s OCI.
After application of the equity method, as of each reporting date the Group determines whether there is objective evidence that the investment in an associate or joint venture is impaired. If there is such evidence, the Group recognizes an impairment loss that is calculated as the difference between the recoverable amount of the associate or joint venture and its carrying value. The impairment loss is presented in ‘Share of results of associated companies and joint ventures’ in the consolidated income statement.