Capital Structure, Investments, and Financing Activities

Accounting and measurement policies

Derivative financial instruments

The IFRS 9 provisions are applied for hedge accounting. Hedging transactions are entered into for highly probable forecast transactions in foreign currencies and for hedging fair values of assets on the balance sheet. Cash flow hedge accounting for forecast transactions in foreign currency means the hedged item is recognized at a fixed exchange rate on a net basis instead of being recognized at the spot exchange rate at the transaction date. As a result of hedging fair values of assets on the balance sheet, the compensating changes in value of the corresponding hedged item and hedging instrument offset each other.

The Group only uses derivatives as hedging instruments. The Group uses the dollar offset method as well as regression analyses to measure hedge effectiveness.

Hedging ineffectiveness may occur in the timing of forecast cash flows or if hedged items are dissolved. Derivatives that do not or no longer meet the documentation or effectiveness requirements for hedge accounting, whose hedged item no longer exists, or for which hedge accounting rules are not applied are classified as financial assets or liabilities at fair value through profit or loss depending on their balance.

Where options are used as hedging instruments, only their intrinsic value is designated as the hedging instrument. Changes in the fair value of the time value component of options that are used for hedge accounting are recognized in other comprehensive income and in the reserve for the cost of cash flow hedging within equity. The subsequent accounting of these amounts depends on the type of hedged transaction.

Where forward contracts are used as hedging instruments, only the spot element is designated as the hedging instrument. Changes in the fair value of the forward element in forward contracts are recognized in other comprehensive income in the reserve for the cost of cash flow hedging within equity. The subsequent accounting of these amounts depends on the type of hedged transaction.

The Group has concluded virtual power purchase agreements. As these agreements are designed as contracts for difference, they fulfill the definition of contracts to buy non-financial items that can be settled net in cash with the characteristics of derivative financial instruments and are measured at fair value through profit or loss in accordance with IFRS 9. As no physical electricity is purchased, the own use exemption that allows certain derivative financial instruments to be treated as executory contracts does not apply.

Derivative financial instruments are recognized in the consolidated balance sheet, the consolidated income statement, and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income – with the exception of the balance sheet treatment of amounts included directly from the reserve in the initial cost or in the other carrying amount of a non-financial asset or liability – as follows: