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ipsas 29—financial instruments: recognition and measurement - IFAC

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FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS: RECOGNITION AND MEASUREMENT<br />

F.4 Hedge Effectiveness<br />

F.4.1 Hedging on an After-Tax Basis<br />

Hedging is often done on an after-tax basis. Is hedge effectiveness assessed after<br />

taxes?<br />

IPSAS 29 permits, but does not require, assessment of hedge effectiveness on an after-tax<br />

basis. If the hedge is undertaken on an after-tax basis, it is so designated at inception as<br />

part of the formal documentation of the hedging relationship <strong>and</strong> strategy.<br />

F.4.2 Hedge Effectiveness: Assessment on Cumulative Basis<br />

IPSAS 29.98(b) requires that the hedge is expected to be highly effective. Should<br />

expected hedge effectiveness be assessed separately for each period or<br />

cumulatively over the life of the hedging relationship?<br />

Expected hedge effectiveness may be assessed on a cumulative basis if the hedge is<br />

so designated, <strong>and</strong> that condition is incorporated into the appropriate hedging<br />

documentation. Therefore, even if a hedge is not expected to be highly effective in a<br />

particular period, hedge accounting is not precluded if effectiveness is expected to<br />

remain sufficiently high over the life of the hedging relationship. However, any<br />

ineffectiveness is required to be recognized in surplus or deficit as it occurs.<br />

To illustrate: an entity designates a LIBOR-based interest rate swap as a hedge of a<br />

borrowing whose interest rate is a UK base rate plus a margin. The UK base rate<br />

changes, perhaps, once each quarter or less, in increments of 25–50 basis points,<br />

while LIBOR changes daily. Over a period of 1–2 years, the hedge is expected to be<br />

almost perfect. However, there will be quarters when the UK base rate does not<br />

change at all, while LIBOR has changed significantly. This would not necessarily<br />

preclude hedge accounting.<br />

F.4.3 Hedge Effectiveness: Counterparty Credit Risk<br />

Must an entity consider the likelihood of default by the counterparty to the<br />

hedging instrument in assessing hedge effectiveness?<br />

Yes. An entity cannot ignore whether it will be able to collect all amounts due under<br />

the contractual provisions of the hedging instrument. When assessing hedge<br />

effectiveness, both at the inception of the hedge <strong>and</strong> on an ongoing basis, the entity<br />

considers the risk that the counterparty to the hedging instrument will default by failing<br />

to make any contractual payments to the entity. For a cash flow hedge, if it becomes<br />

probable that a counterparty will default, an entity would be unable to conclude that the<br />

hedging relationship is expected to be highly effective in achieving offsetting cash<br />

flows. As a result, hedge accounting would be discontinued. For a fair value hedge, if<br />

there is a change in the counterparty’s creditworthiness, the fair value of the hedging<br />

instrument will change, which affects the assessment of whether the hedge relationship<br />

is effective <strong>and</strong> whether it qualifies for continued hedge accounting.<br />

IPSAS 29 IMPLEMENTATION GUIDANCE 1228

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