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8.3 Modifications or exchanges of equity-classified written call options
Publication date: 31 Dec 2021
us Financing guide
New guidance
In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40). The ASU clarifies the guidance related to an issuer’s accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options (for example, warrants) that remain equity-classified after modification or exchange. The amendments in the ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for all entities, including adoption in an interim period. If an entity elects early adoption in an interim period, the guidance should be applied as of the beginning of the fiscal year that includes that interim period.
Under this guidance, a reporting entity should recognize the effect of a modification or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that remains equity classified after modification or exchange on the basis of the substance of the transaction in the same manner as if cash had been paid as consideration.
Modifications or exchanges that are not related to debt or equity financings, compensation for goods or services, or other exchange transactions within the scope of other guidance should be recognized as a dividend consistent with ASC 815-40-35-17(d). The dividend amount is measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the modified or exchanged instrument over the fair value of that instrument immediately before it is modified or exchanged in accordance with ASC 815-40-35-16. See FSP 7.4.1.6 for additional information related to the computation of earnings per share.
ASC 815-40-35-3 refers to ASC 815-40-35-14 through ASC 815-40-35-18 for guidance on an issuer’s accounting for modifications or exchanges of freestanding equity-classified written call options that remain equity classified after modification or exchange.
Issuer’s Accounting for Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options
ASC 815-40-35-14
The guidance in paragraphs 815-40-35-15 through 35-18 applies to an issuer’s accounting for a modification of the terms or conditions or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option (for example, a warrant) that remains equity classified in accordance with this Subtopic after the modification or exchange and is not within the scope of another Topic. An entity shall account for the effects of a modification or an exchange in accordance with paragraphs 815-40-35-15 through 35-18. The disclosure requirements in paragraphs 815-40-50-5 through 50-6 and 505-10-50-3 shall apply to a modification or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option. The guidance in paragraphs 815-40-35-16 through 35-17 does not apply to freestanding equity-classified written call options that are modified or exchanged to compensate grantees in a share-based payment arrangement. An entity shall recognize the effect of such modifications of freestanding equity-classified written call options by applying the requirements in Topic 718; however, classification of the instrument will remain subject to the requirements in this Subtopic.
An entity shall consider the circumstances of the modification or exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option to determine whether the modification or exchange is related to a financing or other arrangement or a multiple-element arrangement (for example, an arrangement involving both debt financing and equity financing). In making that determination, an entity shall consider all of the terms and conditions of the modification or exchange, other transactions entered into contemporaneously or in contemplation of the modification or exchange, other rights and privileges obtained or obligations incurred (including services) as a result of the modification or exchange, and the overall economic effects of the modification or exchange. If the modification or exchange is not within the scope of another Topic, an entity shall apply the guidance in paragraphs 815-40-35-16 through 35-18.
An entity shall treat a modification of the terms or conditions or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option as an exchange of the original instrument for a new instrument. In substance, the entity repurchases the original instrument by issuing a new instrument. For transactions recognized in accordance with paragraph 815-40-35-17(c), the effect of a modification or an exchange shall be measured as the difference between the fair value of the modified or exchanged instrument and the fair value of that instrument immediately before it is modified or exchanged. For all other transactions recognized in accordance with paragraph 815-40-35-17, the effect of a modification or an exchange shall be measured as the excess, if any, of the fair value of the modified or exchanged instrument over the fair value of that instrument immediately before it is modified or exchanged. In a multiple-element transaction, the total effect of the modification or exchange shall be allocated to the respective elements in the transaction.
An entity shall recognize the effect of a modification or an exchange (calculated in accordance with paragraph 815-40-35-16) in the same manner as if cash had been paid as consideration, as follows:
- Equity issuance. An entity shall recognize the effect of a modification or an exchange that is directly attributable to a proposed or actual equity offering as an equity issuance cost. For additional guidance see SAB Topic 5.A, Expenses of Offering (paragraph 340-10-S99-1).
- Debt origination. An entity shall recognize the effect of a modification or an exchange that is a part of or directly related to an issuance of a debt instrument as a debt discount or debt issuance cost in accordance with the guidance in Topic 835 on interest.
- Debt modification. An entity shall recognize the effect of a modification or an exchange that is a part of or directly related to a modification or an exchange of an existing debt instrument in accordance with the guidance in Subtopic 470-50 on debt modifications and extinguishments and Subtopic 470-60 on troubled debt restructurings by debtors.
- Other. An entity shall recognize the effect of a modification or an exchange that is not related to a financing transaction in (a) through (c) and is not within the scope of any other Topics (such as Topic 718) as a dividend. Additionally, for an entity that presents earnings per share (EPS) in accordance with Topic 260, that effect shall be treated as a reduction of income available to common stockholders in basic earnings per share in accordance with the guidance in paragraph 260-10-45-15.
Example 22 (see paragraphs 815-40-55-49 through 55-52) illustrates the application of the guidance in paragraphs 815-40-35-14 through 35-17.
In a multiple-element transaction (e.g., one that includes both debt and equity financings), the total effect of the modification should be allocated to the respective elements in the transaction.
PwC. All rights reserved. PwC refers to the US member firm or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity. Please see www.pwc.com/structure for further details. This content is for general information purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors.
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