Fair value Measurements

Fair value measurement assumes that the transaction to sell the asset or transfer the liability takes place in the principal market for the asset or liability or, in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the asset or liability. The principal market is the one with the greatest volume and level of activity for the asset or liability that can be accessed by the entity.

The most advantageous market is the one, which maximises the amount that would be received for the asset or paid to extinguish the liability after transport and transaction costs. Often these markets would be the same.

Sensibly an entity does not have to carry out an exhaustive search to identify either market but should take into account all available information. Although transaction costs are taken into account when identifying the most advantageous market, the fair value is calculated before adjustment for transaction costs because these costs are characteristics of the transaction and not the asset or liability. However, if location is a factor, then the market price is adjusted for the costs incurred to transport the asset to that market. Market participants must be independent of each other and knowledgeable, and able and willing to enter into transactions.

This is a complex process and so IFRS 13 sets out a valuation approach, which refers to a broad range of techniques, which can be used. There are three approaches based on the market, income and cost. When measuring fair value, the entity is required to maximise the use of observable inputs and minimise the use of unobservable inputs. To this end, the standard introduces a fair value hierarchy, which prioritises the inputs into the fair value measurement process

Fair value measurements are categorised into a three-level hierarchy, based on the type of inputs to the valuation techniques used, as follows:

Level 1 inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for items identical to the asset or liability being measured. As with current IFRS standards, if there is a quoted price in an active market, an entity uses that price without adjustment when measuring fair value. An example of this would be prices quoted on a stock exchange. The entity needs to be able to access the market at the measurement date. Active markets are ones where transactions take place with sufficient frequency and volume for pricing information to be provided. An alternative method may be used where it is expedient. The standard sets out certain criteria where this may be applicable. For example where the price quoted in an active market does not represent fair value at the measurement date. An example of this may be where a significant event takes place after the close of the market such as a business reorganisation or combination.

The determination of whether a fair value measurement is based on level 2 or level 3 inputs depends on:

• Whether the inputs are observable inputs or unobservable
• Their significance.

Level 2 inputs are inputs other than the quoted prices in determined in level 1 that are directly or indirectly observable for that asset or liability. They are likely to be quoted assets or liabilities for similar items in active markets or supported by market data. For example, interest rates, credit spreads or yields curves. Adjustments may be needed to level 2 inputs and, if this adjustment is significant, then it may require the fair value to be classified as level 3.

Finally, level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs. These inputs should be used only when it is not possible to use Level 1 or 2 inputs. The entity should maximise the use of relevant observable inputs and minimise the use of unobservable inputs. However, situations may occur where relevant inputs are not observable and therefore these inputs must be developed to reflect the assumptions that market participants would use when determining an appropriate price for the asset or liability. The general principle of using an exit price remains and IFRS 13 does not preclude an entity from using its own data. For example cash flow forecasts may be used to value an entity that is not listed. Each fair value measurement is categorised based on the lowest level input that is significant to it.

IFRS 13 also sets out certain valuation concepts to assist in the determination of fair value. For non-financial assets only, fair value is determined based on the highest and best use of the asset as determined by a market participant. Highest and best use is a valuation concept that considers how market participants would use a non-financial asset to maximise its benefit or value. The maximum value of a non-financial asset to market participants may come from its use in combination with other assets and liabilities or on a standalone basis. In determining the highest and best use of a non-financial asset, IFRS 13 indicates that all uses that are physically possible, legally permissible and financially feasible should be considered. As such, when assessing alternative uses, entities should consider the physical characteristics of the asset, any legal restrictions on its use and whether the value generated provides an adequate investment return for market participants.

The fair value measurement of a liability, or the entity’s own equity, assumes that it is transferred to a market participant at the measurement date. In many cases there is no observable market to provide pricing information and the highest and best use is not applicable. In this case, the fair value is based on the perspective of a market participant who holds the identical instrument as an asset. If there is no corresponding asset, then a corresponding valuation technique may be used. This would be the case with a decommissioning activity. The fair value of a liability reflects the non performance risk based on the entity’s own credit standing plus any compensation for risk and profit margin that a market participant might require to undertake the activity. Transaction price is not always the best indicator of fair value at recognition because entry and exit prices are conceptually different.

The guidance includes enhanced disclosure requirements that include:

• Information about the hierarchy level into which fair value measurements fall
• Transfers between levels 1 and 2
• Methods and inputs to the fair value measurements and changes in valuation techniques, and
• Additional disclosures for level 3 measurements that include a reconciliation of opening and closing balances, and quantitative information about unobservable inputs and assumptions used.

Fair value of liabilities and equity

IFRS 13 requires that the fair value of a liability or equity instrument of the entity be determined under the assumption that the instrument would be transferred on the measurement date, but would remain outstanding (i.e., it is a transfer value not an extinguishment or settlement cost.).  Accordingly, the fair value of a liability must take account of non-performance risk, including the entity’s own credit risk

Offsetting positions

The new Standard allows a limited exception to the basic fair value measurement principles for a reporting entity that holds a group of financial assets and financial liabilities with offsetting positions in particular market risks as defined in IFRS 7, Financial Instruments: Disclosures, or counterparty credit risk (also as defined in IFRS 7) and manages those holdings on the basis of the entity’s net exposure to either risk. The exception allows the reporting entity, if certain criteria are met, to measure the fair value of the net asset or liability position in a manner consistent with how market participants would price the net risk position.

Valuation techniques

When transactions are directly observable in a market, the determination of fair value can be relatively straightforward, but when they are not, a valuation technique is used. IFRS 13 describes three valuation techniques that an entity might use to determiner fair value, as follows:

• The market approaches. An entity uses “prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable (i.e. similar) assets, liabilities or a group of assets and liabilities”.
• The income approaches. An entity converts future amounts (e.g., cash flows or income and expenses) to a single current (i.e., discounted) amount.
• The cost approach.

Premiums and discounts

IFRS 13 permits a premium or discount to be included in a fair value measurement only when it is consistent with the unit of account for the item. This means that premiums or discounts that reflect size as a characteristic of the entity’s holding (e.g. a blockage factor reducing the price which could be achieved on disposal of an entire large equity holding) rather than as a characteristic of the asset or liability (e.g. a control premium when measuring the fair value of a controlling interest) are not included.

Disclosures

IFRS 13 requires a number of quantitative and qualitative disclosures about fair value measurements. Many of these are related to the following three-level fair value hierarchy on the basis of the inputs to the valuation technique: Level 1 inputs are fully observable (e.g. unadjusted quoted prices in an active market for identical assets and liabilities that the entity can access at the measurement date); Level 2 inputs are those other than quoted prices within Level 1 that are directly or indirectly observable; and Level 3 inputs are unobservable.