16.08.2012 Views

Engineering

Engineering

Engineering

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

3.6 Consolidated financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements<br />

3.6 Consolidated financial statements Notes to the consolidated financial statements<br />

Derivates that do not qualify for hedge accounting<br />

If a hedging relationship does not meet the requirements for hedge<br />

accounting in accordance with the conditions under IAS 39, the<br />

derivative financial instrument is recognized as a derivative that does<br />

not qualify for hedge accounting. The resulting impact on profit or loss<br />

is shown in the table on net gains and losses from financial<br />

instruments by measurement categories. This item also includes<br />

embedded derivatives. They exist in the ThyssenKrupp Group in the<br />

way that regular supply and service transactions with suppliers and<br />

customers abroad are not concluded in the functional currency (local<br />

currency) of either contracting parties.<br />

Financial risks<br />

The management of ThyssenKrupp AG has implemented a risk<br />

management system that is monitored by the Supervisory Board. The<br />

general conditions for compliance with the requirements for proper and<br />

future-oriented risk management within the ThyssenKrupp Group are<br />

set out in the risk management principles. These principles aim at<br />

encouraging all Group members of staff to responsibly deal with risks<br />

as well as supporting a sustained process to improve risk awareness.<br />

The Group guideline on risk management and other Group guidelines<br />

specify risk management processes, compulsory limitations, and the<br />

application of financial instruments. The risk management system aims<br />

at identifying, analyzing, managing, controlling and communicating<br />

risks promptly throughout the Group. ThyssenKrupp Group’s risk<br />

environment is updated at least twice a year by carrying out a risk<br />

inventory in all Group companies. The results of the risk inventory<br />

process are communicated to both ThyssenKrupp AG’s Executive<br />

Board and the Supervisory Board's audit committee. Risk management<br />

reporting is a continuous process and part of regular Group reporting.<br />

Group guidelines and information systems are checked regularly and<br />

adapted to current developments. In addition, the internal auditing<br />

department regularly checks whether Group companies comply with<br />

risk management system requirements.<br />

Being a global Group, ThyssenKrupp is exposed to credit, liquidity and<br />

market risks (foreign currency, interest rate and commodity price risks)<br />

during the course of ordinary activities. The aim of risk management is<br />

to limit the risks arising from operating activities and associated<br />

financing requirements by applying selected derivate and nonderivative<br />

hedging instruments.<br />

Credit risk (counterparty default risk)<br />

To the Group, financial instruments bear default risk resulting from one<br />

party’s possible failure to meet its payment obligations, with the<br />

maximum default risk being equal to the positive fair value of the<br />

respective financial instrument. During crises, default risks take on<br />

greater significance; we are managing them very carefully by our<br />

business policy. In order to minimize default risk, the ThyssenKrupp<br />

Group only enters into financial instruments for financing purposes<br />

with contracting parties that have a very good credit standing or are<br />

members of a deposit protection fund. For further risk minimizing<br />

transactions are concluded in compliance with specified risk limits. In<br />

the operative area, receivables and default risks are monitored by<br />

Group companies on an ongoing basis and partially covered by<br />

merchandise credit insurance. Risks arising from the delivery of goods<br />

to major customers are subject to a special credit watch. In addition,<br />

letters of credit and indemnity bonds are used to hedge receivables<br />

from major customers. However, receivables from these contracting<br />

parties do not reach levels that would result in extraordinary risk<br />

concentrations. Default risk is taken into account by valuation<br />

allowances.<br />

Liquidity risk<br />

Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group is unable to meet its existing or<br />

future obligations due to insufficient availability of cash or cash<br />

equivalents. Managing liquidity risk, and therefore allocating resources<br />

and hedging the Group’s financial independence, are some of the<br />

central tasks of ThyssenKrupp AG. In order to be able to ensure the<br />

Group’s solvency and financial flexibility at all times, long-term credit<br />

limits and cash and cash equivalents are reserved on the basis of<br />

perennial financial planning and monthly rolling liquidity planning.<br />

Cash pooling and external financing focus primarily on ThyssenKrupp<br />

AG and specific financing companies. Despite the partially still difficult<br />

market environment as a consequence of the financial crisis and the<br />

current debt crisis of some countries, our financing is also secured for<br />

the next fiscal year.<br />

Cash pooling and external financing focus primarily on ThyssenKrupp<br />

AG and specific financing companies. Funds are provided internally to<br />

Group companies according to need.<br />

182

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!