ACCOUNTING FOR VARIOUS INVESTMENTS Investment in Debt Securities Investment in Equity Securities Classification Control-greater than 50% ownership of voting stock Not applicable Consolidation Significant influence - 20% to 50% ownership of voting stock Not applicable Equity method Debt securities classified as held to maturity, and equity securities for which fair value is not readily determinable Amortized cost method Cost method Debt and equity securities classified as trading securities Fair value method, with unrealized holding gain or loss included in earnings Debt and equity securities classified as available for sale Fair value method, with unrealized holding gain or loss included as a component of comprehensive income/ stockholders’ equity

Size (of the Investment) Matters!!! 1-2 Size (of the Investment) Matters!!! Investor Ownership of the Investee’s Shares Outstanding Fair Value Equity Method Consolidated Financial Statements { 0% 20% 50% 100% In some cases, influence or control may exist with less than 20% ownership. 8

The Significance of the Size of the Investment 1-3 The Significance of the Size of the Investment Investor Ownership of the Investee’s Shares Outstanding Fair Value Equity Method Consolidated Financial Statements { 0% 20% 50% 100% Significant influence is generally assumed with 20% to 50% ownership. 9

The Significance of the Size of the Investment 1-4 The Significance of the Size of the Investment Investor Ownership of the Investee’s Shares Outstanding Fair Value Equity Method Consolidated Financial Statements { 0% 20% 50% 100% Financial Statements of all related companies must be consolidated. 9

1-5 Criteria for Determining Whether There is “Significant” Influence (APB Opinion 18) Representation on the investee’s Board of Directors Participation in the investee’s policy-making process Material intercompany transactions. Interchange of managerial personnel. Technological dependency. Extent of ownership in relationship to other investor ownership percentages. 6

1-6 Equity Method Requires that the investor has the potential for “significant” influence. Generally used when ownership is between 20% and 50%. Significant Influence might be present with much smaller ownership percentages. (The accountant must consider the particulars!!!) 5

No actual influence need have been applied!! 1-7 Remember: The ability to exert significant influence is the determining factor in applying the equity method No actual influence need have been applied!!

EQUITY METHOD Evidence against Significant Influence Investee opposition Investor/investee agreement Closely held majority stockholder Lack of information Lack of board representation

Step 1: The investor records its investment in the investee at cost. 1-9 Equity Method Step 1: The investor records its investment in the investee at cost. Journal entry: Debit – Investment in Investee Credit – Cash (or other Assets/Stock) Cost can be defined by cash paid or the Fair Market Value of Stock or Assets given up. 10

1-10 Equity Method Step 2: The investor recognizes its proportionate (pro rata) share of the investee’s net income (or net loss) for the period. Journal entry at end of period: Debit – Investment in Investee Credit – Equity in Investee Income This will appear as a separate line-item on the investor’s income statement. 11

1-11 Equity Method Step 3: The investor reduces the investment account by the amount of cash dividends received from the investee. Journal entry when cash dividends received: Debit – Cash Credit – Investment in Investee 13

Excess of Cost Over BV Acquired 1-12 When Cost > BV acquired, the difference must be identified and accounted for. When Cost > BV acquired, the difference must be identified and accounted for. 21

Excess of Cost Over BV Acquired 1-13 Excess of Cost Over BV Acquired The amortization of the difference associated with the undervalued assets is recorded as a reduction of both the Investment account and the Equity in Investee Income account. 22

Special Procedures for Special Situations 1-14 Special Procedures for Special Situations Reporting a change to the equity method. Reporting the sale of an equity investment. Reporting investee income from sources other than continuing operations. Reporting investee losses.

Reporting a Change to the Equity Method. (Retroactive Adjustment) 1-15 Reporting a Change to the Equity Method. (Retroactive Adjustment) An investment that is too small to have significant influence is accounted for using the fair-value method. When ownership grows to the point where significant influence is established . . . . . . all accounts are restated so that the investor’s financial statements appear as if the equity method had been applied from the date of the first [original] acquisition. - - APB Opinion 18 ?

Reporting Investee Losses 1-16 Reporting Investee Losses A permanent decline in the investee’s fair market value is recorded as an impairment loss and the reduction of the investment account to the fair value. A temporary decline is ignored!!!

Possibility of “off-balance sheet financing” 1-17 Possible Criticisms: Over-emphasis on possession of 20-50% voting stock in deciding on “significant influence” vs. “control” Possibility of “off-balance sheet financing” Potential manipulation of performance ratios