2.18Derivative financial instruments and hedging
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to reduce risk exposure related to fluctuations in foreign currency rates and interest rates. Such derivative financial instruments are initially recognized in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value on the date on which a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at fair value. Any gains or losses arising from changes in fair value on derivatives during the year that do not qualify for hedge accounting and any ineffective hedges are taken directly to the income statement. The Group applies either fair value or cash flow hedge accounting when a transaction meets the specified criteria. To qualify for hedge accounting, the instrument should be designated as a hedge at inception of a hedge relationship. At the time a financial instrument is designated as a hedge, the Group documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and the hedged item. Documentation includes risk management objectives and strategy in undertaking the hedge transaction, together with the methods that will be used to assess the effectiveness of the hedging relationship. Accordingly, the Group formally assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the hedging derivatives have been “highly effective� in offsetting changes in the fair value or cash flows of the hedged item. Hedge accounting will be discontinued when (a) the Company determines that a derivative is not, or has ceased to be, highly effective as a hedge, (b) the derivative expires, or is sold, terminated or exercised, (c) the hedged item matures or is sold or repaid, or (d) a forecast transaction is no longer deemed highly probable.
2.18.1 Fair value hedges The Group applies fair value hedges whilst hedging the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment (except for foreign currency risk). The change in fair value of the hedging instrument is recognized in the consolidated income statement. The change in fair value of the hedged item attributable to the risk hedged is recorded as part of the carrying value of the hedged item and is also recognized in the consolidated income statement. When an unrecognized firm commitment is designated as a hedged item, the subsequent cumulative change in fair value of the firm commitment attributable to the hedged risk is recognized as an asset or liability with a corresponding gain or loss recognized in the consolidated income statement.
2.18.2 Cash flow hedges Cash flow hedging is applied to hedge the exposure to variability in cash flows that is either attributable to a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction or the foreign currency risk in an unrecognized firm commitment. The effective portion of the gain or loss on the hedging instrument is recognized directly in other comprehensive income (OCI), while any ineffective portion is recognized immediately in the consolidated income statement. Amounts recorded in OCI are transferred to the consolidated income statement when the hedged transaction affects profit or loss. Where the hedged item is the cost of a non-financial asset or non-financial liability, the amounts taken into OCI are transferred to the initial carrying amount of the non-financial asset or liability. If the forecast transaction or firm commitment is no longer expected to occur, amounts previously recognized in OCI are transferred to the income statement. If the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised without replacement or rollover, or if its designation as a hedge is revoked, amounts previously recognized in OCI remain in OCI until the forecast transaction or firm commitment occurs.
2.19Financial assets and liabilities
Financial assets and liabilities are recognized when the Group becomes party to the contractual obligations of the instrument and are initially recognized at fair value. Financial assets and liabilities are classified as per below.
57