(i) Financial assets
Financial assets are classified into the following categories: financial assets at fair value through profit or loss, held-to-maturity investments, loans and receivables and available-for-sale financial assets. The classification depends on the purpose for which the financial assets were acquired. Management determines the classification of its financial assets at initial recognition. The Group has principally loans and receivables and available-for-sale financial assets and limited financial assets at fair value through profit or loss. The detailed accounting policies for loans and receivables, available-for-sale financial assets and financial assets at fair value through profit or loss held by the Group are set out below:
Classification
(i) Loans and receivables
Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. They are included in current assets, except for those with maturities greater than 12 months after the date of the statement of financial position, which are classified as non-current assets. The Group’s loans and receivables comprise accounts receivable, notes receivable and other receivables. The recognition methods for loans and receivables are disclosed in the respective policy notes.
(ii) Available-for-sale financial assets
Available-for-sale financial assets are non-derivatives that are either designated in this category or not classified in any of the other categories; these are included in non-current assets unless management intends to dispose of the investment within 12 months of the date of the statement of financial position. The Group’s available-for-sale financial assets primarily comprise unquoted equity instruments.
(iii) Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss
Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are financial assets held for trading. A financial asset is classified in this category if acquired principally for the purpose of selling in the short term. Derivatives are also categorized as held for trading unless they are designated as hedges. Assets in this category are classified as current assets if expected to be settled within 12 months; otherwise, they are classified as non-current.
Recognition and measurement
Regular purchases and sales of financial assets are recognized on the trade-date, the date on which the Group commits to purchase or sell the asset. Investments are initially recognized at fair value plus transaction costs for all financial assets not carried at fair value through profit or loss. Financial assets carried at fair value through profit or loss are initially recognized at fair value, and transaction costs are expensed in profit or loss. Financial assets are derecognized when the rights to receive cash flows from the investments have expired or have been transferred and the Group has transferred substantially all risks and rewards of ownership.
Available-for-sale financial assets are measured at fair value except where there are no quoted market prices in active markets and the fair values cannot be reliably measured using valuation techniques. Available-for-sale financial assets that do not have quoted market prices in active markets and whose fair value cannot be reliably measured are carried at cost. Changes in the fair value of monetary and non-monetary securities classified as available for sale are recognized in other comprehensive income. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are subsequently carried at fair value. Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of the “financial assets at fair value through profit or loss” category are presented in the statement of comprehensive income within “other income, net” in the period in which they arise.
The Group assesses at the end of each reporting period whether there is objective evidence that a financial asset is impaired. The amount of the impairment loss is measured as the difference between the carrying amount of the available-for-sale financial asset and the present value of the estimated cash flows.