(b) Investments in associates
Associates are entities over which the Group has significant influence but not control, generally accompanying a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Investments in associates are accounted for by the equity method of accounting in the consolidated financial statements of the Group and are initially recognized at cost.
Under this method of accounting, the Group’s share of the post-acquisition profits or losses of associates is recognized in the consolidated profit or loss and its share of post-acquisition movements in other comprehensive income is recognized in other comprehensive income. The cumulative post-acquisition movements are adjusted against the carrying amounts of the investments. When the Group’s share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the associate, including any other unsecured receivables, the Group does not recognize further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.
Unrealized gains on transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associates; unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred. The Group’s investment in associates includes goodwill identified on acquisition, net of any accumulated loss and is tested for impairment as part of the overall balance. Goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets of the acquired associate at the date of acquisition. Accounting policies of associates have been changed where necessary to ensure consistency with the policies adopted by the Group.
A listing of the Group’s principal associates is shown in Note 16.