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7.7 Equity investments—measurement
Publication date: 31 Mar 2023
us IFRS & US GAAP guide
Under both IFRS and US GAAP, equity investments are generally required to be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in earnings. Unlike US GAAP, IFRS does not include simplifications such as the “NAV exception” or “measurement alternative,” which exist under US GAAP. However, IFRS provides an option to recognize the changes in the fair value of equity investments in other comprehensive income, with no subsequent reclassification to profit or loss.
US GAAP | IFRS |
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Equity investments are generally measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized through earnings.
If certain conditions are met, entities can use net asset value (NAV), without adjustment, as a practical expedient to measure the fair value of investments in certain funds (e.g., hedge funds, private equity funds, real estate funds, venture capital funds, commodity funds, funds of funds) when fair value is not readily determinable.
| Investments in equity instruments (as defined in IAS 32, from the perspective of the issuer) are always measured at fair value. Equity instruments that are held for trading are required to be classified at FVTPL. For all other investment in equity instruments, an entity can irrevocably elect on initial recognition, on an instrument-by-instrument basis, to present changes in fair value in OCI rather than profit or loss. Under that option, there is no subsequent reclassification of amounts from AOCI to profit or loss – for example, on sale of the equity investment – and no requirement to assess the equity investment for impairment. However, an entity may transfer amounts within equity; for example, from AOCI to retained earnings.
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Entities are able to elect the “measurement alternative” in ASC 321 for equity interests without readily determinable fair value and for which the NAV practical expedient does not apply. Under that alternative, the equity interest is recorded at cost, less impairment. The carrying amount is subsequently adjusted up or down for observable price changes (i.e., prices in orderly transactions for the identical investment or similar investment of the same issuer); any adjustments to the carrying amount are recorded in net income. The selection of the measurement alternative is optional but should be applied upon acquisition of an equity instrument on an instrument-by-instrument basis.
| IFRS does not include a similar NAV practical expedient or the “measurement alternative” for equity interests without readily determinable fair values.
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