IAS 32 — Classification of a financial instrument that is mandatorily convertible into a variable number of shares upon a 'contingent non-viability event'

Date recorded:

Issue

The IFRS Interpretations Committee discussed how an issuer would classify a particular mandatorily convertible financial instrument in accordance with IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation.

The financial instrument did not have a stated maturity date but was mandatorily convertible into a variable number of the issuer’s own equity instruments if the issuer breached the Tier 1 Capital ratio (i.e. described as a ‘contingent non-viability event’). The financial instrument is issued at par and the value of the equity instruments that will be delivered at conversion is equal to that fixed par amount. Interest payments on the instrument are payable at the discretion of the issuer.

Specifically the Committee discussed the following issues:

  1. Whether the financial instrument meets the definition of a financial liability in its entirety or must be classified as a compound instrument comprised of a liability component and an equity component (and, in the latter case, what those components reflect)
  2. How the financial liability (or liability component) identified above in bullet a. would be measured.

 

Decision not to add

January 2014

 

Reason

The Committee decided not to add this issue to its agenda. The Committee noted that the scope of the issues raised in the submission is too broad for it to address in an efficient manner.

 

IFRIC reference:

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