Hedge Accounting
Cash flow hedges; Hedging of anticipated foreign currency denominated sales and purchases
The Group applies hedge accounting for ‘Qualifying Hedges’. Qualifying hedges are those properly documented cash flow hedges of the foreign exchange rate risk of future anticipated foreign currency denominated sales and purchases that meet the requirements set out in IAS 39. The cash flow being hedged must be ‘highly probable’ and must present an exposure to variations in cash flows that could ultimately affect profit or loss. The hedge must be highly effective both prospectively and retrospectively.
The Group claims hedge accounting in respect of certain forward exchange contracts and options, or option strategies, which have zero net premium or a net premium paid, and where the critical terms of the bought and sold options within a collar or zero premium structure are the same and where the nominal amount of the sold option component is no greater than that of the bought option.
For qualifying foreign exchange forwards the change in fair value that reflects the change in spot exchange rates is deferred in shareholders’ equity to the extent that the hedge is effective. For qualifying foreign exchange options, or option strategies, the change in intrinsic value is deferred in shareholders’ equity to the extent that the hedge is still effective. In all cases the ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the profit and loss account as financial income and expenses. Hedging ...
