# Financial assets

The Group’s financial assets are classified into loans and receivables and financial assets at fair value through profit or loss (‘‘FVTPL’’). The classification depends on the nature and purpose of the financial assets and is determined at the time of initial recognition.

# Effective interest method

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a debt instrument and of allocating interest income over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash receipts (including all fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the debt instrument, or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition.

Interest income is recognised on an effective interest basis for debt instrument other than those financial assets classified as at FVTPL, of which interest income is included in net gains or losses.

# Financial assets at FVTPL

Financial assets are classified as financial assets at FVTPL when it is a derivative that is not designated and effective as a hedging instrument; or it forms part of a contract containing one or more embedded derivatives, and HKAS 39 permits the entire combined contract to be designated as at FVTPL upon initial recognition.

Financial assets at FVTPL are stated at fair value, with any gains or losses arising on remeasurement recognised in profit or loss. The net gain or loss recognised in the profit or loss excludes any interest earned on the financial assets and is included in ‘‘other gains and losses’’ line item. Fair value is determined in the manner described in note 7.

# Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted in an active market. Subsequent to initial recognition, loans and receivables (including trade and other receivables, amounts due from related parties and bank balances and cash) are carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method, less any impairment (see accounting policy on impairment loss on financial assets below).

Interest income is recognised by applying the effective interest rate, except for short-term receivables where the recognition of interest would be immaterial.

# Impairment of financial assets

Financial assets, other than those at FVTPL, are assessed for indicators of impairment at the end of each reporting period. Financial assets are considered to be impaired when there is objective evidence that, as a result of one or more events that occurred after the initial recognition of the financial asset, the estimated future cash flows of the financial assets have been affected.

Objective evidence of impairment could include:

. significant financial difficulty of the issuer or counterparty; or

. breach of contract, such as a default or delinquency in interest or principal payments; or

. it becoming probable that the borrower will enter bankruptcy or financial re-organisation.

Impairment loss for loans and receivables are assessed on an individual basis.

For financial assets carried at amortised cost, the amount of the impairment loss recognised is the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the present value of the estimated future cash flows discounted at the financial asset’s original effective interest rate.

The carrying amount of the financial asset is reduced by the impairment loss directly for all financial assets with the exception of trade receivables, where the carrying amount is reduced through the use of an allowance account. Changes in the carrying amount of the allowance account are recognised in profit or loss. When a trade receivable is considered uncollectible, it is written off against the allowance account. Subsequent recoveries of amounts previously written off are credited to profit or loss.

For financial assets measured at amortised cost, if, in a subsequent period, the amount of the impairment loss decreases and the decrease can be related objectively to an event occurring after the impairment was recognised, the previously recognised impairment loss is reversed through profit or loss to the extent that the carrying amount of the investment at the date the impairment is reversed does not exceed what the amortised cost would have been had the impairment not been recognised.

# Financial liabilities and equity instruments

Financial liabilities and equity instruments issued by an entity are classified according to the substance of the contractual arrangements entered into and the definitions of a financial liability and an equity instrument.

# Equity instruments

An equity instrument is any contract that evidences a residual interest in the assets of an entity after deducting all of its liabilities. Equity instruments issued by the Group are recognised at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.

# Financial liabilities

Financial liabilities (including trade and other payables and accruals) are subsequently measured at amortised cost, using the effective interest method.

# Effective interest method

The effective interest method is a method of calculating the amortised cost of a financial liability and of allocating interest expense over the relevant period. The effective interest rate is the rate that exactly discounts estimated future cash payments (including all fees and points paid or received that form an integral part of the effective interest rate, transaction costs and other premiums or discounts) through the expected life of the financial liability, or, where appropriate, a shorter period, to the net carrying amount on initial recognition. Interest expense is recognised on an effective interest basis.

# Derivative financial instruments

Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date when derivative contracts are entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at the end of the reporting period. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss immediately.

# Derecognition

The Group derecognises a financial asset only when the contractual rights to the cash flows from the asset expire.

On derecognition of a financial asset, the difference between the asset’s carrying amount and the sum of the consideration received and receivable is recognised in profit or loss.