NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
1
SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Continued)
(e)
Associates
An associate is an entity in which the Group or Company has significant influence, but not control or joint control, over its management, including participation in the financial and operating policy decisions.
An investment in an associate is accounted for in the consolidated financial statements under the equity method, unless it is classified as held for sale (or included in a disposal group that is classified as held for sale). Under the equity method, the investment is initially recorded at cost, adjusted for any excess of the Group's share of the acquisition-date fair values of the associate's identifiable net assets over the cost of the investment (if any). Thereafter, the investment is adjusted for the post acquisition change in the Group's share of the associate's net assets and any impairment loss relating to the investment (see note 1(j)). Any acquisition-date excess over cost, the Group's share of the post- acquisition, post-tax results of the associates and any impairment losses for the year are recognised in the consolidated statement of profit or loss, whereas the Group's share of the post-acquisition post-tax items of the associates' other comprehensive income is recognised in the consolidated statement of profit or loss and other comprehensive income.
When the Group's share of losses exceeds its interest in the associate, the Group's interest is reduced to nil and recognition of further losses is discontinued except to the extent that the Group has incurred legal or constructive obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate. For this purpose, the Group's interest is the carrying amount of the investment under the equity method together with the Group's long-term interests that in substance form part of the Group's net investment in the associate.
Unrealised profits and losses resulting from transactions between the Group and its associates are eliminated to the extent of the Group's interest in the investee, except where unrealised losses provide evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred, in which case they are recognised immediately in profit or loss.
If an investment in an associate becomes an investment in a joint venture, retained interest is not remeasured. Instead, the investment continues to be accounted for under the equity method.
In all other cases, when the Group ceases to have significant influence over an associate, it is accounted for as a disposal of the entire interest in that investee, with a resulting gain or loss being recognised in profit or loss. Any interest retained in that former investee at the date when significant influence is lost is recognised at fair value and this amount is regarded as the fair value on initial recognition of a financial asset (see note 1(f)).
In the Company's statement of financial position, investments in associates are stated at cost less impairment losses (see note 1(j)), unless classified as held for sale (or included in a disposal group that is classified as held for sale).
Hong Kong Ferry (Holdings) Company Limited Annual Report 2014
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