Debt instruments measured at fair value through other comprehensive income
A debt instrument is classified as a financial asset measured at fair value through other comprehensive income if the debt
instrument is held within a business model whose objective is achieved by both collecting contractual cash flows and selling the financial asset and the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are
solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding. Changes in the fair value of the financial asset after initial recognition, except for impairment gains or losses and foreign exchange gains or losses, are recognized in
other comprehensive income. Interest income from these financial assets is recognized in profit or loss using the effective interest method. On derecognition of a debt instrument measured at fair value through other comprehensive income, the
cumulative amount previously recognized in other comprehensive income is reclassified to profit or loss.
In the life
insurance business, the financial assets are held mainly from the perspective of asset-liability management. The objective of holding financial assets in the life insurance business is to match the interest rate sensitivity (duration) of financial
assets and insurance contract liabilities as much as possible, in order to ensure sufficient cash flows are available to settle insurance claims when they come due.
Sony manages these assets as one portfolio, based on the overall objective of managing duration and liquidity needs in a
capital-efficient manner. While some assets within the portfolio may be held for a longer period of time, Sony considers, because of its overall objective for these assets, that all the financial assets are held within one business model whose
objective is achieved by both collecting cash flows and selling financial assets.
Equity instruments measured at fair value through
other comprehensive income
For investments in equity instruments which are not held for trading, Sony may make an
irrevocable election at initial recognition to present subsequent changes in fair value of the investments in other comprehensive income.
These financial assets are measured at fair value and subsequent changes in the fair value are recognized in other
comprehensive income. Dividends from financial assets are recognized in profit or loss, and the cumulative amount recognized in other comprehensive income is transferred to retained earnings upon derecognition.
Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss
Financial assets other than those measured at amortized cost or fair value through other comprehensive income are classified as
financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss. Financial assets measured at fair value through profit or loss include financial assets held for trading.
In the life insurance business, investments held for variable life insurance and individual variable annuity contracts mainly
consist of equity securities, debt securities and investment funds, which are measured at fair value through profit or loss. For certain financial assets that would not normally be measured at fair value through profit or loss, Sony may, at initial
recognition, choose the irrevocable option to measure such financial assets at fair value through profit or loss in order to eliminate or significantly reduce an accounting mismatch.
In the life insurance business, Sony mitigates accounting mismatches by designating certain debt securities to be measured at
fair value through profit or loss, consistent with insurance finance income or expenses incurred from certain variable life insurance and individual variable annuity contracts.
In the banking business, in relation to some fixed-rate debt securities, Sony utilizes derivatives to hedge the risk arising
from the changes in the fair value of the debt securities due to unfavorable fluctuations of interest rates, and mitigates accounting mismatches by designating the debt securities to be measured at fair value through profit or loss.
Sony derecognizes a financial asset when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the financial asset expire, or when Sony
transfers the contractual rights to receive the cash flows of the financial asset and transfers substantially all of the risks and rewards of the financial asset.
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