IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation sets out how a company that issues financial instruments should distinguish debt instruments from equity instruments. The distinction is important because the classification of the instruments affects the depiction of a company’s financial position and performance.

IAS 32 works well for most financial instruments. However, the instruments have evolved since this IFRS Accounting Standard was initially issued—they are more complex and present new reporting challenges for companies. Companies’ solutions to the reporting challenges differ, resulting in diverse accounting practices that make it difficult for investors to assess and compare companies’ financial position and performance. Investors are calling for better information, particularly about equity instruments.

To address these challenges, the proposals in the Exposure Draft would amend IAS 32, IFRS 7 Financial Instruments: Disclosures, and IAS 1 Presentation of Financial Statements.

The IASB proposes:

• to clarify the underlying classification principles of IAS 32 to help companies distinguish between debt and equity;
• to require companies to disclose information to further explain the complexities of instruments that have both debt and equity features; and
• to issue new presentation requirements for amounts—including profit and total comprehensive income—attributable to ordinary shareholders separate to the amounts attributable to other holders of equity instruments.

Comments on the proposed changes are requested by March 29, 2024.

Access the press release and the exposure draft on the IFRS Foundation website.