Assets measured at cost are subject to impairment testing and potential write-down if there has been a decline in value. However, unclear impairment indicators, subjective measurement and the ability to use so-called value-in-use may mean that accounting impairments do not equal the change in economic value.
We discuss the impairment process for investments in associated companies that are subject to equity accounting. In the case of French media company Vivendi’s investment in Telecom Italia, a cumulative impairment loss of €1,974m has been recognised since 2015. However, the 2021 balance sheet value still exceeded the market value of the investment by €812m.
Continue reading “Associate impairments may not reflect underlying economics”