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Moodys Approach to Global Standard Adjustments
in the Analysis of Financial Statements for
Non-Financial Corporations Part I
Standardized Adjustments to Enable Global Consistency for
US and Canadian GAAP Issuers
Product of the Global Standards Committee
In this Methodology we announce changes to the global standard adjustments to financial statements of non-financial
corporations that report under US or Canadian GAAP1 and reissue the complete methodology, updated for changes,
so that we continue to summarize in a single document the most recent status of our global standard adjustments. A
companion document discusses adjustments to financial statements prepared under International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS)2.
This methodology is the product of the Global Standards Committee, which is responsible for defining the standards that Moodys corporate analysts employ in analyzing financial statements. Our goal in doing so is to enhance
consistency of our global rating practice, among analysts, and across countries and industries.
Changes to our Global Standard Adjustments
We are changing our adjustments related to pension plans and operating leases, representing two of our nine standard adjustments.
We are adding an incremental adjustment related to unfunded defined benefit pension plans. With unfunded plans,
common in certain European countries, companies are not required and elect not to set aside assets in a separate pension
trust. Moodys has long adjusted financial statements of European companies sponsoring these plans3, as described below.
By extending this adjustment to companies that report under US or Canadian GAAP, we are standardizing our analysis of
unfunded plans for all companies, no matter where their locations or the GAAP of their home countries.
See Moodys Approach to Global Standard Adjustments in the Analysis of Financial Statements for Non-Financial Corporations Part I, July 2005 (#93570).
See Moodys Approach to Global Standard Adjustments in the Analysis of Financial Statements for Non-Financial Corporations Part II, February 2006 (#96729).
See Moodys Approach to Analyzing Pension Obligations of Corporations, November 1998 (#39330)
Unfunded and pre-funded pension systems differ in important respects. In contrast to pre-funded systems,
unfunded systems:
Result in the inclusion of the gross pension obligation (in place of the net obligation) on the balance sheet;
Usually do not require pre-funding of the pension obligation; and
Allow a long time horizon to deal with funding of pension payments providing sponsoring companies with
a choice of how to meet their obligations.
To improve accounting comparability with pre-funded plans, Moodys incremental adjustment for unfunded plans
simulates pre-funding of the gross pension obligation. If the company sponsoring the unfunded plan can access the
capital markets, Moodys assumes that the company will maintain its existing debt and equity mix in funding future
pension obligations. As a result, for unfunded pensions, we adjust the sponsoring companys balance sheet for an
equity credit, which reduces the amount of gross pension obligation that we would otherwise reclassify to debt.
Moodys does not further adjust the income statement or the cash flow statement for companies with unfunded pension obligations, other than to align interest expense with our adjustment to debt for the equity credit noted above.
We provide the specific mechanics of our unfunded pension adjustment in this methodology under Part 2 of the
pension adjustment (Adjustment #1).
Our adjustment for unfunded pensions will reduce the amount of adjusted debt for some global companies sponsoring unfunded pension plans. However, we suspect that this adjustment will impact the ratings of few, if any, companies.
We are changing two features of our adjustment to capitalize leases that companies account for as operating leases in
1. Simplify the calculations of lease-related debt and the interest and depreciation components of rent expense
2. Increase the amount of capital expenditures companies report on the cash flow statement by the
depreciation component of rent expense. Our former lease adjustment did not affect capital expenditures.
Since the announcement of standard adjustments in July 2005 companies and investors have argued that our lease
adjustments were unnecessarily complex. We believe we can simplify the calculation, while meeting our goal of
improving comparability between firms which purchase and firms which lease assets.
In place of the modified present value method, we will calculate the amount of debt related to operating leases
based on a multiple of the most recent years rent expense4 generally standardized by industry. We are also simplifying
our calculations of the interest and depreciation components of rent expense based on market convention that interest
is one-third of lease expense and depreciation the remaining two thirds. While more complex calculations produce a
slightly more accurate result, the simple market convention produces a result that is sufficiently accurate.
We are also amending our adjustment for operating leases to increase the amount of capital expenditures companies report on the cash flow statement to reflect the spending needed to support the business. We based our former
approach, which did not affect capital expenditures, on how accounting rules report capital leases, viewing them as
non-cash transactions at inception of the lease. Although consistent with accounting rules, not recognizing capital
expenditures for leases understates the amount of capital assets and spending needed to support the business. This, in
turn, overstates certain credit-relevant metrics, such as free cash flow. As a rough approximation of capital expenditures
related to leasing, we will assume that operating leases increase capital expenditures by the amount of depreciation we
attribute to the leased assets.
Our modeling suggests that our simplified approach to the operating lease adjustment closely approximates the
results we would achieve using our more complex approach. Accordingly, we expect our simplified approach will not
impact our credit ratings.
The remainder of this document presents our methodology for all standard adjustments for companies financial
statements, updated for the changes we outlined above.
If the multiple approach results in lease-related debt that is less than the present value of future minimum lease payments, we will use the present value amount as a floor.
Moodys Rating Methodology
Moodys adjusts financial statements to better reflect the underlying economics of transactions and events and to
improve the comparability of financial statements. We compute credit-relevant ratios using adjusted data and base our
debt ratings, in part, on those ratios.
This report, the first of a two part series, discusses Moodys Standard Adjustments to financial statements prepared
under US and Canadian accounting principles (GAAP). Part II discusses our standard adjustments to statements following International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Those adjustments include many we discuss herein and a
few that are unique to IFRS.
The standard adjustments Moodys applies to financial statements following US and Canadian GAAP relate to:
Underfunded and unfunded defined benefit pensions
Inventory on a LIFO cost basis
Unusual and non-recurring items
Analysts compute Standard Adjustments with the help of worksheets, which promote consistency and accuracy
(see the Appendix for Worksheets A through I). Moodys has published methodologies relating to several of the adjustments and the worksheet calculations have been prepared in accordance with these methodologies. Two methodologies pertaining to unfunded defined benefit pensions and operating leases are modified by this report and the changes
In addition to the Standard Adjustments, Moodys analysts may also make non-standard adjustments to financial
statements for other matters to better reflect underlying economics and improve comparability with peer companies.
For example, we may adjust financial statements to reflect estimates or assumptions that we believe are more prudent
for credit analysis.
With the introduction of Standard Adjustments, Moodys research will, over time disclose, for each rated company, the nature and amount of all Standard Adjustments and those other adjustments that we make based on publicly
available information. We will also publish key financial ratios reflecting the adjustments we make to financial statements. Our financial ratios will no longer contain complicated add backs to the numerators and denominators, but will
instead be simpler constructs based on fully adjusted sets of financial statements.
Our adjustments do not imply that a companys financial statements fail to comply with GAAP. Indeed, many of
our adjustments are inconsistent with current accounting principles. Our goal is to enhance the analytical value of
financial data and not to measure compliance with rules.
Over time, we may modify our Standard Adjustments as global reporting issues evolve. If so, we will alert readers
of our research and, where appropriate, solicit comment prior to doing so.
Adjustments Purpose, Methods and Transparency
In general, Moodys adjusts financial statements to better reflect, for analytical purposes, the underlying economics of
transactions and events and to improve comparability of a companys financial statements with those of its peers. More
specifically, we adjust financial statements to:
Apply accounting principles that we believe more faithfully capture underlying economics. One example is
our view that operating leases create property rights and debt-like obligations that we should recognize on
balance sheets. Indeed, most of our standard adjustments fall in the accounting principle category.
Identify and segregate the effects of unusual or non-recurring items. By stripping out these effects, we are
better able to perceive the results of ongoing, recurring and sustainable activities. Our standard adjustment
unusual and non-recurring items addresses this category.
Improve comparability by aligning accounting principles. For example, we adjust LIFO inventories so that
all companies in a peer group measure inventory on a comparable, in this case FIFO, basis.
Reflect estimates or assumptions that we believe are more prudent, for analytical purposes, in the companys particular circumstances. These adjustments typically relate to highly judgmental areas such as asset
valuation allowances, impairment of assets, and contingent liabilities. No standard adjustment falls in this
category as the calculations are too company-specific. Instead, we adjust financials in this area based on
Moodys has long adjusted financial data to improve analytical insight. The purpose and concepts of adjustments
are not new and Moodys has published several methodologies that discuss analytic adjustments. However, concurrent
with this rating methodology, Moodys is now formalizing and standardizing certain adjustments. Our goal in doing so
is to enhance consistency of our global rating practice, among analysts, and across countries and industries.
We are facilitating the calculation of Standard Adjustments with worksheets (see Appendix for Worksheets A
though I). Standard Adjustments supported by worksheets enable a disciplined and systematic method for analyzing
company financial data we use in the rating process. This, in turn, produces more comparable data for peer comparisons that are critical to our ratings. Moodys has published methodologies relating to several of the Standard Adjustments and the worksheet calculations have been prepared in accordance with these methodologies.
This report modifies two adjustments, those pertaining to unfunded defined benefit pensions and operating leases.
Details of the modifications are included in sections of this report entitled:
Standard Adjustment # 1 Underfunded and Unfunded Defined Benefit Pensions, and
Standard Adjustment # 2 Operating Leases.
We will publish key financial ratios reflecting the adjustments we make to financial statements. Concurrent with
this rating methodology, we are changing our practice of adjusting financial data through the definition of ratios.
Going forward, we will make comprehensive adjustments to complete sets of financial statements and then compute
ratios based on the adjusted financial statements. Our basic financial ratios will no longer contain complicated add
backs to the numerators and denominators, but will instead be simpler constructs based on fully adjusted sets of financial statements.
Our adjustments affect all three primary financial statements, which, after our adjustments, continue to interact:
Balance sheet: We are adjusting the value of certain items, removing the artificial effects of smoothing permitted by accounting standards, recognizing certain off-balance sheet transactions, and changing the debt
versus equity classification of certain hybrid financial instruments with both debt and equity features.
Income statement: We are eliminating the effects of certain smoothing, recognizing additional expenses, attributing interest to new debt that we recognize, and segregating the effects of unusual or non-recurring items.
Cash flow statement: We are adjusting the cash flow statement to be consistent with our adjustments to the
balance sheet and income statement. For example, we are identifying and segregating the cash effects of the
unusual transactions and events that we separate on the income statement.
We will warehouse unadjusted financials (i.e. publicly reported financials) and adjusted financials (i.e. publicly
reported data plus adjustments) in a database and use it to generate peer comparisons and quantitative rating criteria by
industry. This data will facilitate rating comparability and more transparent communication.
Moodys will be increasingly transparent to the market about the nature and amount of analytical adjustments we
are making to a companys financial statements. With the introduction of Standard Adjustments, Moodys research
will, over time, disclose, for each rated company, the nature and amount of all Standard Adjustments and those other
adjustments that the analyst bases on publicly available information. We will also publish key financial ratios reflecting
the adjustments we make to financial statements.
Adjustments Nature
The following describes the Standard Adjustments applicable to US and Canadian GAAP financial statements and the
name of related previously published methodology.
Table 1: Standard Adjustments and Corresponding Methodologies
To eliminate the effects of artificial smoothing of
pension expense permitted by accounting standards
and recognize as debt (to the extent appropriate) the
amount the pension obligation is under- or
unfunded. We also change the classification of cash
contributed to the pension trust on the cash flow
statement under certain circumstances.
Moodys Approach to Analyzing Pension Obligations
of Corporations, November 1998 (#39330)
To capitalize operating leases and recognize a
related debt obligation. We re-characterize rent
expense on the income statement by imputing
interest on the debt (one-third of rent) and
considering the residual amount (two thirds of
rent) depreciation. On the cash flow statement we
reclassify the principal payment portion of the rent
payment and simulate capital expenditures for
newly acquired assets under operating leases.
Off-Balance Sheet Leases: Capitalization and Ratings
Implications, October 1999 (#48591)
To expense the amount of interest capitalized in
the current year. On the cash flow statement, we
reclassify capitalized interest from an investing
cash outflow to an operating cash outflow.
To expense the cost of employee stock
compensation for companies not recognizing this
expense. On the cash flow statement, we classify
the tax benefit from the exercise of stock options
as a financing cash inflow.
Analytical Implications of Employee Stock-Based
Compensation, December 2002 (#76852)
To classify securities with characteristics of both
debt and equity following Moodys classification
scheme, which sometimes differs from the GAAP
treatment. We adjust interest expense, dividends
and related cash flows consistent with our
classification of the hybrid security.
Moodys Tool Kit: A Framework for Assessing Hybrid
Securities, December 1999 (#49802)
Analytical Observations Related to US Pension
Obligations, January 2003 (#77242)
See Standard Adjustment # 1 Defined Benefit Pensions
for changes to the previously published methodology
Hybrid Securities Analysis New Criteria for
Adjustment of Financial Ratios to Reflect the Issuance
of Hybrid Securities, November 2003 (#79991)
Refinements to Moodys Tool Kit: Evolutionary, not
Revolutionary!, March 2005 (#91696)
See: Standard Adjustment #6 Hybrid Securities
for changes to the November 2003 methodology
To adjust the sponsors accounting for
securitizations that do not fully transfer risk and that
are accounted for as sales of assets. Moodys views
those transactions as collateralized borrowings.
Securitization and its Effect on the Credit Strength of
Companies: Moodys Perspective 1987-2002,
March 2002 (#74455)
Changing the Paradigms: Revised Financial Reporting
for Special Purpose Entities, May 2002 (#74947)
Demystifying Securitization for Unsecured Investors,
January 2003 (#77213)
To adjust inventory recorded on a LIFO cost basis
to FIFO value. We do not adjust the income
statement, believing that cost of goods sold on a
LIFO basis is a superior method of matching
current costs with revenues.
To reclassify the effects of unusual or nonrecurring
transactions and events to a separate category on
the income and cash flow statements. Our
analytical ratios that include income or operating
cash flows generally exclude amounts in those
***Moodys has not published Methodologies or Special comments on this adjustment
In addition to the Standard Adjustments, Moodys may also make non-standard adjustments to financial statements for other matters to better reflect underlying economics and improve comparability with peer companies. For
example, analysts may adjust financial statements to reflect estimates or assumptions that they believe are more prudent for credit analysis.
In most cases we can compute our Standard Adjustments based on public information. In contrast, we compute nonstandard adjustments using public or private information. Despite our goal of transparency related to adjustments, we are
obviously restricted in what we are able to publish related to adjustments that we base on private information.
Standard Adjustment #1: Defined Benefit Pensions
There are two types of defined benefit pension schemes pre-funded schemes where companies are required to set
aside assets in a separate trust to fund future benefits and unfunded schemes where companies are not required and
elect not to set aside assets in a separate trust. Part 1 of our discussion of this adjustment addresses both types of
schemes. Part 2 addresses an incremental adjustment that is unique to unfunded plans. In circumstances where a company starts to voluntarily pre-fund a previously unfunded pension obligation, Moodys will continue to treat the
arrangement as unfunded until the plan assets amount to 75% of the PBO, or are expected to reach this level in the
THE REPORTING PROBLEM PART 1
Current accounting standards often fail to recognize or fully recognize on the sponsors balance sheet its economic
obligation to its pension trust and employees because of extensive artificial smoothing mechanisms permitted in pension accounting. Artificial smoothing also distorts the measurement of pension expense. The smoothing mechanisms
permit the deferral of large losses and gains, which can result in incongruous reporting such as:
Recording pension income during a period when the economic status of the plan deteriorates, and
Recording pension related assets on the balance sheet when the pension plan is underfunded
On the cash flow statement, standards require companies to classify cash contributions to the pension trust as an
operating cash outflow in the cashflow statement, including the portion that is reducing plan underfunding, which
arguably represents the reduction of debt. As a result, cash from operations (CFO) is diminished for a contribution to
the trust that is more akin to a financing activity.
MOODYS ANALYTICAL RESPONSE PART 1
Moodys believes that a sponsors balance sheet should reflect a liability equal to the underfunded status of the pension
plan (except as noted in Part 2 below for unfunded schemes). We measure that liability at the balance sheet date as the
excess of the actuarially determined projected benefit obligation (PBO)5 over the fair value of assets in the pension trust.
Because of the contractual nature of pension obligations, we view the pension liability as debt - like. Thus, we
classify it as debt on the balance sheet and include it in the computation of ratios that use debt. We also record a related
deferred tax asset which tempers the impact of our debt adjustment on equity. Because of the inherent uncertainty in
the timing and amount of future tax deductions, it is Moodys standard practice to present liabilities before any anticipated tax benefits.
On the income statement, our goal is to report pension expense absent the effects of artificial smoothing, such as
the amortization of prior service cost and actuarial gains and losses. We view pension expense to equal the years service
cost, plus interest on the gross pension obligation (PBO), minus actual earnings on plan assets6. However, volatility in
the performance of the pension plan assets is not reflected in EBIT because Moodys excludes the caption other nonrecurring expense from EBIT.
On the cash flow statement, we view cash contributions to the pension trust in excess of service cost as the repayment
of (pension) debt.
HOW MOODYS ADJUSTS THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PART 1
The following table describes Moodys adjustments related to underfunded defined benefit pension obligations. Worksheet A in the Appendix provides the detail underlying the calculations.
Some argue that a better measure of the pension obligation is the accumulated benefit obligation, or ABO. Unlike PBO, ABO does not assume future compensation
increases for employees. Moodys believes that PBO is the better measure for a company that is a going concern.
We limit the amount of gains on assets to the amount of interest to avoid recording pension income that is probably not sustainable. Also, in general, plan sponsors
cannot utilize the gain on pension plan assets to satisfy non-pension related obligations and the monetization of plan assets may give rise to significant tax penalties.
Table 2: Standard Adjustments for Underfunded Defined Benefit Pensions
We adjust the balance sheet by recording as debt the amount by which the defined benefit pension obligation is
unfunded or underfunded. Our adjustment:
recognizes the unfunded or underfunded pension obligation (PBO - FMV of assets)) as debt, and
removes all other pension assets and liabilities recognized under GAAP.
We adjust pension expense to eliminate smoothing, and exclude net periodic pension income. Moodys:
reverses all pension costs;
recognizes the service cost, which Moodys considers the best estimate of the operating cost of the pension plan
(in proportion to COGS, Operating Expenses and SG&A);
recognizes interest cost on the PBO in other non-recurring income/expense;
attributes interest expense to pension-related debt, which we reclassify from other non-recurring income/
expense to interest expense;
adds or subtracts actual losses or gains on pension assets (but only in an amount up to the interest cost after
attributing interest expense to pension-related debt) in other non-recurring income/expense.
We adjust the cash flow statement to:
recognize only the service cost as an outflow from cash from operations (CFO), and
reclassify employer cash pension contributions in excess of the service cost from an operating cash outflow
(CFO) to a financing cash outflow (CFF)
We do not adjust the cash flow statement if pension contributions are less than the service cost.
The most critical assumptions in pension accounting often relate to the discount rate used to assess the present value
of future payments and the assumed returns on pension assets. Where these assumptions appear unsustainable or significantly different than those of a companys peers, we will often investigate the reasons why management chose those
assumptions. The explanation may cause us to change our adjustment or provide other insight into credit risk. For example, if we conclude that the discount rate is aggressive, we may request that management calculate PBO using a lower rate
and base our pension adjustment on that calculation. As another example, understanding the reason for a high expected
rate of return on assets7 could provide us with insight into the nature and risk of the assets in the pension trust.
THE REPORTING PROBLEM PART 2
For countries such as Germany and Austria with an unfunded pension system, there are a number of significant differences compared to pre-funded schemes. In particular unfunded pension arrangements:
Typically have no statutory requirement for cash pre-funding of the gross obligation; and
Allow a long time horizon to deal with the actual funding of pension payments which provides the sponsoring companies with a choice of how to meet their obligations.
MOODYS ANALYTIC RESPONSE PART 2
For unfunded pension plans, Moodys considers the PBO to be only partially debt - like. To improve comparability
with pre-funded pensions, Moodys simulates a pre-funding of pension obligations for companies that are not required
to pre-fund. Given the long-term horizon for payment of pension obligations and the general predictability of the payment streams, the company will likely have time to secure the necessary financing. In cases where the company has the
ability to easily access the capital markets, Moodys assumes that managements targeted debt and equity mix will be
used to fund future pension obligations.
Consequently, for unfunded pensions, an additional adjustment is made to the balance sheet to incorporate an
equity credit which reduces the amount of the gross pension obligation (PBO) that would otherwise be added to
debt. However, excess liquid funds reduce the likelihood of additional equity being raised and the equity credit is
therefore calculated after the excess liquid funds have been deducted from the PBO. Excess liquid funds are discretionary amounts of cash and marketable securities that exceed day-to-day needs for operations. For industrial companies,
these day-to-day cash needs would typically be estimated at 3% of revenues, depending on the complexity of the companys payment streams and the efficiency of its cash management systems.
Moodys does not further adjust the income statement or the cash flow statement for companies with unfunded
pension obligations, other than to align the interest expense with the adjustment to debt described in the previous
paragraph. The remaining interest cost on the PBO is included in other non-recurring expense.
Note that the assumed rate of return on pension assets is irrelevant to our pension-related adjustments.
HOW MOODYS ADJUSTS THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS PART 2
The following table describes Moodys adjustment related to unfunded defined benefit pension obligations. Worksheet
A in the Appendix provides the detail underlying the calculations.
Table 2a: Standard Adjustments for Unfunded Defined Benefit Pensions
We adjust the balance sheet to record an equity credit that simulates funding of the companys unfunded PBO.
reverses a portion of the debt recognized in Part 1 of our adjustment for defined benefit pension plans, and
recognizes a corresponding increase in equity.
We do not further adjust the income statement for unfunded pension plans, other than to align the interest
expense with our adjustment to debt.
We do not further adjust the cash flow statement for unfunded pension plans.
Standard Adjustment #2: Operating Leases
Accounting standards distinguish between capital and operating leases, and the accounting for the two is very different.
Accounting standards view capital leases as the acquisition of a long-term property right and the incurrence of debt. During the lease term, companies amortize the capitalized property right and divide the lease payment between interest
expense and the repayment of debt. In contrast, accounting standards view operating leases as executory (off-balance
sheet) contracts that are generally accounted for on a pay-as-you-go basis. That is, companies simply recognize the lease
payments as lease expense on the income statement and as an operating cash outflow on the cash flow statement.
For operating leases, companies dont recognize debt even though they are contractually obligated for lease payments and a failure to make a lease payment often triggers events of default, as if the obligation were debt. Further, in
the eyes of lenders, incurring operating lease obligations reduces a companys borrowing capacity. Finally, in the
absence of a lease financing option, the company would likely borrow the money and buy the asset; an illustration of
this fact can be seen in the number of companies across industries that are selling and leasing back the same assets.
Further, accounting standards distinguish between capital and operating leases using arbitrary bright line tests. As
a result, companies structure transactions to achieve certain accounting, and, at the margin, the economic distinction
between capital and operating leases is insignificant even though the accounting is very different. This results in noncomparability between companies that account for similar economic transactions differently and between companies
that lease assets versus those that buy them.
MOODYS ANALYTICAL RESPONSE
Our analytic goal is to simulate a companys financial statements assuming it had bought and depreciated the leased
assets, and financed the purchase with a like amount of debt. Moodys approach entails adjustments to the balance
sheet, income and cash flow statements.
We will apply a multiple to current rent expense to calculate the amount of the adjustment to debt. This methodology has been used in the past, as many analysts applied an 8x rent factor to assess a companys effective leverage. The
8x rent factor, while providing a quick thumbnail estimate, assumes a certain interest rate (6%) on a piece of capital
equipment with a long useful life (15 years), and is not appropriate for all lease types. To accommodate a wider array of
useful lives and interest rates, we have expanded the number of rent factors to 5x, 6x, 8x and 10x. For consistency, we
will generally use the same multiple for companies by sector of activity. But in no event will we capitalize operating
leases at less than the present value of the future lease payments (discounted by the long-term borrowing rate).
HOW MOODYS ADJUSTS THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table describes Moodys adjustments to capitalize operating leases. Worksheet B in the Appendix provides the detail underlying the calculations.
Table 3: Standard Adjustments for Operating Leases
We adjust the balance sheet by adding both debt and fixed assets (usually gross plant, property and equipment).
We compute this debt by multiplying current rent expense by a factor of 5x, 6x, 8x, or 10x, or, if the present value
(PV) of the minimum lease commitments (using the incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate) is higher, we
will use the PV.
We adjust the income statement using market convention to reclassify one-third of the rent expense to interest
expense and the remaining two-thirds rent to Depreciation - Capitalized Operating Leases (a component of
operating profit), and we adjust operating expenses (or cost of goods sold and selling, general & administrative
expenses) proportionally.
We adjust the cash flow statement to reclassify the principal portion of lease payments from operating cash flow
(CFO) to a financing cash outflow (CFF). We also simulate capital expenditure for newly acquired leased assets by
increasing the capital expenditures line in investing cash flows (CFI) with a concomitant borrowing in CFF to fund
the capital expenditures.
Standard Adjustment #3: Capitalized Interest
Analysts typically wish to separately analyze the operations of a business from the financing of that business. This separation enables a more accurate portrayal of business operations, which is often the primary source of cash to repay debt.
However, accounting standards sometimes commingle operating and financing activities. One prominent example
is capitalized interest, where, under certain circumstances, GAAP requires that a company capitalize interest cost as a
part of property, plant and equipment (PP&E). In the year a company capitalizes interest, reported capital assets,
income and cash flow from operations are all increased relative to what would have been reported had the company
expensed all interest.
Moodys views capitalized interest as a cost for obtaining financing (i.e. interest expense) and believes that analysis of
interest coverage should expense when incurred all interest cost regardless of whether a company recognizes that cost
as an expense on its income statement or as an asset on its balance sheet. This requires modification to the balance
The following table describes Moodys adjustments to expense interest capitalized. Worksheet C in the Appendix provides the detail underlying the calculations.
Table 4: Standard Adjustments for Capitalized Interest
We adjust the balance sheet to:
reduce PP&E by the amount of interest capitalized during the period *
adjust deferred taxes, and
reduce retained earnings by the after-tax cost of the additional interest expense recognized on
We adjust the income statement to:
increase interest expense by the amount of capitalized interest during the current period, and
reduce applicable tax expense.
We adjust the cash flow statement to reclassify capitalized interest from capital expenditures, an
investing cash outflow (CFI), to interest expense, an operating cash outflow (CFO).
* While in concept we should adjust for the cumulative effect of interest capitalized in all prior periods, for practical reasons we focus on only interest capitalized
during a year. Those reasons include the difficulty of the calculation and that the cumulative treatment would rarely, if ever, be material to our rating.
Standard Adjustment #4: Employee Stock Compensation
Most US companies do not yet expense employee stock options (ESOs), although many do so. New US GAAP rules
(now delayed until January 1, 2006 for calendar reporters) will require all companies to expense ESOs, and will ultimately improve comparability. Until then, financial statements are not comparable, for two reasons. First, companies
that fail to expense ESOs are not comparable to those that do. Second, companies that fail to expense ESOs are not
comparable to companies that do not compensate their employees with ESOs.
Additionally, US companies, whether or not they expense ESOs on their income statement, receive a US tax
deduction for the difference between the exercise price and the strike price upon exercise of ESOs and the effect is a
reduction in taxes payable. Current accounting rules treat the reduction in the tax liability as an increase in cash flow
from operations. However, the amount of the tax benefit can fluctuate materially depending on the companys stock
price, option terms and employee preferences. Tax benefits may be non-sustainable, particularly when the company is
under stress and its stock price declines.
Moodys believes that employee stock options are a form of compensation that should be expensed for purposes of
analysis. Additionally, despite the fact that accounting guidance treats the reduction in the tax benefits related to ESOs
as an increase to operating cash flow in the cash flow statement, Moodys believes that the tax benefit from stock option
exercises is best viewed as a financing cash inflow (CFF), since the tax benefit:
1. relates to the issuance of an equity instrument,
2. is often non-recurring and highly volatile since it fluctuates depending on the companys stock price, the
terms of the options plan and employee behavior,
3. would be classified with the cash outflow for share repurchases made to avoid dilution from stock options,
4. would likely disappear when the company is under stress and employees dont exercise stock options.
We will adjust financial statements through December 31, 2005 when new accounting rules take effect that will
level the playing field among companies.
For purposes of this adjustment, Moodys relies upon footnote disclosures relating to the value of the options and
related pro-forma disclosures.
The following table describes Moodys adjustments to record the effects of employee stock compensation. Worksheet
D in the Appendix provides the detail underlying the calculations.
Table 5: Standard Adjustments for Employee Stock Compensation
We adjust the balance sheet as if the stock options had been recorded as an expense. Our adjustments:
reduce retained earnings by the amount of after-tax pro-forma stock compensation expense; and
increase common stock as if stock had been issued; and
reduce deferred tax liabilities due to the decrease in tax expense.
We adjust the income statement as if the company expensed stock options. Our adjustment:
increase SG&A expense by the amount of pre-tax pro-forma stock compensation expense; and
reduce tax expense by the amount of the incremental tax rate times the pre-tax pro-forma stock
We adjust the cash flow statement to reclassify the tax benefit from stock option exercises from an operating cash
inflow (CFO) to a financing cash inflow (CFF).
Standard Adjustment #5: Hybrid Securities
Although accounted for as debt, equity or minority interest, hybrid securities have characteristics of both debt and
equity instruments. For some instruments, accounting standards focus on legal form, even though the economics of
these instruments suggest a different classification. For example, standards classify certain preferred stocks as 100%
equity, even though these instruments have important attributes of debt.
Since hybrid securities are generally not pure debt or pure equity, Moodys places a particular hybrid security on a debt
- equity continuum. We assign weights to the debt and equity components of a hybrid based on the securitys particular
features. The weights determine where it lies on the continuum. As a result, for example, Moodys may view a particular hybrid as 75% debt and 25% equity, while accounting standards may classify the instrument as 100% equity.
On the balance sheet we classify the instrument in accordance with the weights we assign to its equity and debt features:
Often this requires an adjustment from the classification in current accounting, which often classifies instruments
as all debt or all equity, or in some cases, minority interest.
We also adjust the income statement to reflect interest expense or dividends, depending on our balance sheet classification. For example, if we deem a portion of a debt instrument as equity - like, Moodys reclassifies the ratable
amount of interest expense to dividends. Conversely, if we deem a portion of an equity instrument as debt - like,
Moodys reclassifies the ratable amount of dividends to interest expense.
We apply similar thinking to the cash flow statement, again reflecting cash outflows as interest or dividends
depending on our balance sheet classification.
In a change from Moodys previous methodology, Hybrid Securities Analysis, November 20038, we will adjust
financial statements for hybrid securities and calculate ratios in the same manner for both investment grade and noninvestment grade issuers.
The following table describes Moodys adjustments related to hybrid securities. Worksheet E in the Appendix provides
the detail underlying the calculations.
Table 6: Reclassification to Equity for Hybrid Securities Classified as Debt
We adjust the balance sheet to reclassify to equity (i.e. preferred stock) hybrid securities classified as debt, based
on the hybrid basket treatment assigned to the particular hybrid security
We adjust the income statement to reclassify interest expense to preferred dividends for the calculated equity
portion of hybrid securities based on the hybrid basket treatment
We adjust the cash flow statement to reclassify interest expense (an operating cash outflow) to preferred dividends (a
financing cash outflow) for the calculated equity portion of hybrid securities based on the hybrid basket treatment.
Hybrid Securities Analysis: New Criteria for Adjustment of Financial Ratios to Reflect the Issuance of Hybrid Securities, November 2003, established that fixed charge
coverage ratios would generally not be adjusted for high-grade issuers while coverage ratios for lower-rated issuers would be calculated both with and without hybrid
coupons that are deferrable, payable-in-kind, or payable in common stock. In a change from this methodology, Moodys now adjusts financial statements for hybrid
securities depending on the basket designation and calculates ratios in the same manner for both investment grade and non-investment grade issuers.
Table 7: Reclassification to Debt for Hybrid Securities Classified as Equity
We adjust the balance sheet to reclassify to debt (i.e. subordinated debt) hybrid securities classified as equity,
based on the hybrid basket treatment assigned to the particular hybrid security.
We adjust the income statement to reclassify preferred dividends to interest expense for the calculated debt
portion of hybrid securities based on the hybrid basket treatment.
We adjust the cash flow statement to reclassify preferred dividends (a financing cash outflow) to interest expense
(an operating cash outflow) for the calculated debt portion of hybrid securities based on hybrid basket treatment.
Accounting standards classify certain hybrid instruments as neither debt nor equity, but as minority interest. In
contrast, we reclassify these hybrids proportionally to debt and equity as determined by the weightings assigned in
accordance with the hybrid securities continuum. We also adjust the income and cash flow statements for these securities, consistent with our classification on the balance sheet.
Standard Adjustment #6: Securitizations
Companies often report as a sale the transfer of assets, such as receivables, to securitization trusts, following accounting
rules that are largely based on legal form. However, in many of these securitizations accounted for as sales:
1. the company sponsor retains key risks related to the assets transferred to the securitization trust,
2. the company, to maintain market access for future securitization, would be economically compelled to
rescue a prior securitization transaction, or
3. in the event that the company lost access to the securitization market, the types of assets normally
securitized would quickly accumulate on the sponsors balance sheet, through the companys normal
business activities, and require alternative funding.
These facts, if present, raise complex questions about whether the analyst covering a non-financial corporation
should view the securitization as a sale of assets or a borrowing collateralized by assets. The accounting and resulting
numbers related to the companys financial leverage and cash flows differ significantly depending upon which view the
analyst accepts.
For example, if the transaction is viewed as a sale, then the analyst accepts the accounting. That accounting
removes the assets from the companys balance sheet and recognizes no debt related to the transaction. On the cash
flow statement, the company classifies cash inflow from the sale of receivables in cash from operations.
However, if the transaction is viewed as a collateralized borrowing, then the analyst adjusts the companys balance
sheet to record debt for the proceeds from the securitization and to include the receivables or other assets that the
company securitized. On the cash flow statement, the analyst reclassifies cash inflow from the transaction from cash
from operations (CFO) to cash from financing activities (CFF), viewing the proceeds as borrowing.
Accounting standards that treat collateralized borrowings as sales result in non-comparable reporting among companies. Companies that borrow from traditional sources appear different from those that borrow through securitization transactions, even though the economics of the borrowings may be similar.
Moodys views securitization transactions that do not fully transfer risk as collateralized borrowings. In nearly all of the
securitizations we have reviewed to date, company sponsors have retained significant risks related to the assets transferred. In those cases, we adjust the financial statements of companies that report securitizations as sales to reflect the
transactions as collateralized borrowings.
HOW MOODYS ADJUSTS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The following table describes Moodys adjustments for securitizations that sponsors report as sales but that do not fully
transfer risk. Worksheet F in the Appendix provides the detail underlying the calculations.
Table 8: Standard Adjustments for Securitizations
We adjust the balance sheet to increase debt by the ending balance of uncollected or unrealized assets that the
company sponsor transferred in the securitization arrangement as of the balance sheet date. We also increase
assets of the appropriate category by the same amount.
We impute interest expense on the amount of additional debt recognized, at the borrowing rate implicit in the
companys securitization arrangement or the companys short-term borrowing rate, and reduce other expense by
the same amount. Thus, our adjustment does not affect reported net income
We adjust the cash flow statement to reclassify amounts in the cash from operations (CFO) and cash from
financing (CFF) categories:
upon the initial transfer of assets, we reclassify the cash inflow from operating cash flow (CFO) to financing
cash flow (CFF).
for each subsequent period, we base the amount of reclassification on changes in uncollected or unrealized
sponsor assets in the securitization arrangement from the beginning to the end of the period. For example if the
amount of uncollected receivables in the securitization:
increases from the beginning to the end of the year, we reclassify the amount of that increase from cash
inflow from operations (CFO) to cash inflow from financing activities (CFF).
decreases from the beginning to the end of the year, we increase cash from operations (CFO) by that amount
and decrease cash from financing activities (CFF).
Standard Adjustment #7: Inventory on a LIFO Cost Basis
LIFO (last-in-first-out) cost method for carrying inventories on the balance sheet is an accounting choice under US and
Canadian GAAP and is not an acceptable accounting method under other GAAPs, including international accounting
standards. In periods of rising prices, the LIFO method can cause the carrying value of inventory on the balance sheet to
be well below FIFO (first-in-first-out) value, replacement cost, and market value. Accordingly, the balance sheets of companies electing the LIFO cost method are not comparable to those that follow FIFO or other methods.
Moodys adjusts inventories that companies report on the LIFO cost method to the FIFO cost method. This adjustment improves our ability to compare a company with others. It also states inventory at a more relevant amount (the
current cost of the inventory).
This adjustment only affects the balance sheet. We do not adjust the income or cash flow statements because we view
cost of goods sold measured on the LIFO basis as an accurate representation of the current cost of inventories sold.
The following table describes Moodys adjustment to inventory measured on LIFO. Worksheet G in the Appendix
provides the detail underlying the calculations.
Table 9: Standard Adjustments for Inventory on a LIFO Cost Basis
increase inventories by the amount of the LIFO inventory valuation reserve
increase deferred tax liabilities for applicable tax effects
We do not adjust the income statement because we view cost of goods sold on a LIFO basis as an
accurate representation of the current cost of inventories sold.
We do not adjust the cash flow statement
Standard Adjustments #8 and #9: Unusual and Non-Recurring Items - Income and
Financial statements generally do not contain enough information about unusual or non-recurring items to meet analysts needs for information. Although companies separately display the effects of a few non-recurring transactions and
events (e.g. discontinued operations, extraordinary items, and effect of change in accounting principles), accounting
standards fail to require or permit companies to separately display on the face of the statements a sufficiently broad
range of unusual or non-recurring items.
Unusually large transactions (creating revenues, costs or cash flows) that management does not expect to
recur in the foreseeable future
Unique transactions, such as selling real estate by a company that rarely sells real estate
Transactions that have occurred in the past but that management expects will soon cease (for example, the
tax benefits of deductible goodwill whose depreciable life is ending).
Inadequate information about the effects of unusual or non-recurring items can foster misleading impressions
about key trends in financial data. For example, the revenues, gross margin and cash flows resulting from a one-time
unusually large sale, if not separately considered could create a misleading impression about a companys trends in
market share, revenue, income and operating cash flow.
Moodys captures the effects of unusual and non-recurring transactions and events in separate captions on the face of
the income and cash flow statements. This enables analysts to more accurately portray trends in the underlying recurring core business. Our key financial ratios will generally exclude the effects of unusual and non-recurring transactions
Generally, we identify unusual and non-recurring transactions and events from public disclosures, including managements discussion and analysis of operations. We may also discuss those types of transactions with management to
help ensure that we have considered major items and accurately quantified their effects.
For practical reasons, we generally do not adjust the balance sheet for unusual or non-recurring items. Nevertheless, we will consider the possibility that an unusual or non-recurring item could materially affect the balance sheet,
and adjust it too, if needed.
The following table describes Moodys adjustments to capture the effects of unusual and non-recurring items. Analysts
use Worksheet H (unusual items - income statement) and Worksheet I (unusual items - cash flow) in the Appendix to
Table 10: Standard Adjustments for Unusual and Non-Recurring Items - Income and Cash Flow Statements
We adjust the balance sheets in those instances when it is material to our analysis.
We adjust the income statement to reclassify the effects of unusual or non-recurring revenues, gains or costs, net
of the related tax effect, to a special income statement caption that is below net profit after tax. Our computation
of key ratios excludes amounts in the special income statement caption.
We adjust the cash flow statement to reclassify the effects of unusual or non-recurring operating cash inflows and
outflows to a special caption in the operating section of the cash flow statement. Our computation of key ratios
excludes amounts in the special cash flow statement caption.
Changes to Standard Adjustments
Over time, we may modify our standard adjustments as global reporting issues evolve. If so, we will alert readers of our
research and, where appropriate, solicit comment prior to doing so and will update this methodology.
Appendix Adjustment Worksheets
Attached are worksheets that show the calculations underlying each of the adjustments.
Underfunded/Unfunded defined benefit pensions
Unusual and non-recurring items - income statement
Unusual and non-recurring items - cash flow statement
Non-standard adjustment - public information
Adjustment: Pensions Worksheet (A) (US GAAP version)
Moodys believes that a sponsors balance sheet should reflect a liability equal to the under funded status of its defined benefit pension plan.
We measure that liability at the balance sheet date as the excess of the actuarially determined projected benefit obligation (PBO) over the fair
value of assets in the pension trust. To improve comparability with pre-funded pensions, Moody's simulates a pre-funding of pension
obligations for companies that are not required to pre-fund. Consequently, for unfunded pension plans, the PBO is only partly considered as
"debt-like." On the income statement, our goal is to report pension expense absent the effects of artificial smoothing, such as the amortization
of prior service cost and actuarial gains and losses. We view pension expense to equal the years service cost, plus interest on the gross
pension obligations (PBO), minus actual earnings on plan assets. On the cash flow statement, we view cash contributions in excess of service
cost as the repayment of (pension) debt.
Financial Statement Period Ended:
Amounts in US$'000
Step 1 - Pension Disclosure Information (Common Input for Both Underfunded and Unfunded Plans)
Projected Benefit Obligation (End of Year)
Fair Value of Plan Assets (End of Year)
Indicate accounts where amounts are recorded
Pension Asset Recorded
from the "Pension" note included in the
Step 2 - Additional Pension Disclosure Information for Unfunded Pension Plans
Unfunded Projected Pension Benefit Obligation
Service Cost for Unfunded Pensions
from the "Pension" note included in the financial statement footnotes
(excl OPEB - if disclosed)
Step 3 - Other Disclosure Information Used in Calculations:
a. Common Input for Both Underfunded and Unfunded Plans
Cost of Goods/Products/Services Sold
Incremental LT Borrowing Interest Rate
(o) * FROM "MANDATORY SUPPLEMENTAL INFO"
(p) * FROM "MANDATORY SUPPLEMENTAL INFO"
b. Additional Input for Unfunded Plans
Analyst Estimate: "Ideal" Percentage of Debt to Debt + Equity
Analyst Estimate: "Excess" cash related to unfunded
Guideline: Excess cash = Liquid funds less 3% of sales.
Excess cash should not exceed the unfunded pension obligation (l)
(A)-1 (Balance Sheet) (If Plan is Unfunded or Underfunded)
Pension Liabilities Recorded
Pension Assets Recorded
Bonds/Senior Debt
Purpose: To record underfunded and unfunded pension balance as debt.
(A)-2 (Balance Sheet - Unfunded Pensions)
Purpose: To give equity credit to a portion of the companys
(A)-3 (Income Statement)
Other Non-Recurring Expenses/(Gains)
Unusual & Non-Recurring Items - Adjust. After-tax
Purpose: To properly reflect pension costs on the Income Statement
(A)-4 (Cash Flow Statement)
Changes in Other Oper. Assets & Liabilities - LT
Purpose: To align cash flow treatment of underfunded pension costs with balance
sheet treatment.
= (h) - (i) - (s) - (t)
(s) = [(h) - (i) - (t)] x (p)
= (h) x -1
(t) = If (a) - (j) > (b) then (b) - (a) else (j) x -1
- (u) = [(j) - (r)] x [1 - (q)]
= (u) x -1
= [(d) - (c)] x [(l) / [(l) + (m) + (n)]]
= [(d) - (c)] x [(m) / [(l) + (m) + (n)]]
= [(d) - (c)] x [(n) / [(l) + (m) + (n)]]
(v) = If (e) - (w) > (f) then (e) - (w) - (f)
(w) = [(u) + (t)] x (o) x -1
(x) = [(d) - (c) + (v) + (v)] x (p) x -1
= [(d) - (c) + (v) + (w) + (x)] x -1
If (g) > (d) - (k) then (g) - [(d) - (k)]
Adjustment: Leases Worksheet (B)
For operating leases, companies do not recognize debt even though they are contractually obligated for lease payments and a failure to make a
lease payment often triggers events of default, as if the obligation were debt. Further, in the eyes of lenders, incurring operating lease obligations
reduces a companys borrowing capacity and in the absence of a lease financing option, the company would likely borrow the money and buy the
asset. To address the problems listed above, Moodys treats all leases as capital leases and adjusts the balance sheet income statement and
cash flow statement accordingly. Our adjustment is calculated using a multiple of rent expense, but in no case should the operating lease liability
be lower than the present value of lease commitments.
Step 1 - Use Multiple to Calculate Capitalized Lease Obligation
Current Year Rent Expense
Multiple of Rent to be used to calculate debt:
Multiple x Rent Expense
Step 2 - Use Minimum Lease Commitments to Calculate Present Value
Year 1 (next fiscal year)
Lease Commitment to be Replicated
Sum of Minimum Lease Commitments
PV of Lease Commitments
Step 3 - Calculate Adjustment to Debt / PP&E, Interest Expense, and Depreciation Expense
Incremental Debt and Addition to PP&E
Greater of Multiple x Rent Expense (c) and PV of Minimum Lease Commitments (f)
Depreciation Component of Rent Expense
Current Year Rent Expense (a) x
Step 4 - Other Disclosure Information and Analyst Estimates Used in Calculations:
(B)-1 (Balance Sheet)
(g) x -1
(e) x x -1
(i) x [(j) / [(j) + (k) + (l)]] x -1
(i) x [(k) / [(j) + (k) + (l)]] x -1
(i) x [(l) / [(j) + (k) + (l)]] x -1
Capitalized Leases (Gross)
Purpose: To recognize capitalized lease obligation and addition to PP&E.
(B)-2 (Income Statement)
Depreciation - Capitalized Operating Leases
(h) x [(j) / [(j) + (k) + (l)] x -1
(h) x [(k) / [(j) + (k) + (l)] x -1
(h) x [(l) / [(j) + (k) + (l)] x -1
Purpose: To reclassify rent expense into interest and depreciation expense.
(B)-3 (Cash Flow Statement)
Additions to P.P. & E. (Capital Expenditures)
Purpose: To reclassify depreciation portion of rent expense from depreciation to a financing outflow, and a
concomitant borrowing to fund capital expenditures.
(h) x - 1
Disclosed Commitment
Adjustment: Capitalized Interest Worksheet (C)
Under certain circumstances, GAAP requires that a company capitalize interest cost as a part of property, plant and equipment (PP&E). In the year a company
capitalizes interest, reported capital assets, income and cash flow from operations are all increased relative to what would have been reported had the company
expensed all interest. Moodys views capitalized interest as a cost for obtaining financing (i.e. interest expense) and believes that analysis of interest coverage
should expense when incurred all interest cost regardless of whether a company recognizes that cost as an expense on its income statement or capitalized asset
Step 1 - Identify the amount of interest capitalized during the period and determine whether the amount is material to our analysis:
Percentage of interest capitalized to interest expense
0.00% (a) / [(a) + (b)]
Is the amount of interest capitalized considered
Is the amount of interest capitalized considered material to our
analysis? (Yes or No)
Typically we respond "no" if the percentage (above) is less than 5%
Step 2 - Other Disclosure Information Used in Calculations:
Step 3 - Adjustments (If (c) is "Yes"):
(C)-1 (Balance Sheet)
Long-Term Deferred Tax Account
= [(f) + (e)] x -1
To adjust balance sheet to expense interest that the company capitalized
- (f) = (a) x -1
(C)-2 (Income Statement)
- (g)= (e) x -1
To adjust income statement to expense interest that the company
capitalized during the current period.
(C)-3 (Cash Flow Statement)
Purpose: To reclassify capitalized interest from an investing cash out flow to an
operating cash out flow on the cash flow statement.
= [(a) + (g)] x -1
(e) - (a)
(e) x -1
Adjustment: Employee Stock-Based Compensation Worksheet (D)
Most companies do not yet expense employee stock options (ESOs), although many do so. Moodys believes that employee stock options
are a form of compensation that should be expensed for purposes of analysis. Additionally, despite the fact that accounting guidance treats
the reduction in the tax benefits related to ESOs as an increase to operating cash flow in the cash flow statement, Moodys believes that the
tax benefit from stock option exercises is best viewed as a financing cash in-flow. This adjustment will be made to financial statements through
June 30, 2005, at which time new accounting rules take effect that will require all companies to expense the cost of ESOs.
Step 1 - Gather information on the cost of stock-based employee compensation and determine if amounts are material:
- (a) from the Income Statement
Pro-Forma Net Income as if the company had expensed
Percentage reduction in Net Income if the company were to have
expensed the effect of employee stock options
0.00% [(a) - (b)] / (a)
Is the amount of stock compensation considered
material to our analysis? (Yes or No)
from the financial statement footnotes (usually note 1)
Typically we respond "no" if the percentage (above) is less than 3%
amount (if material) is disclosed on the Cash Flow Statement, Statement of
Stockholders' Equity or the financial statement footnotes
Step 3 - Adjustments:
(D)-1 (Balance Sheet / Income Statement) - If (c) is "Yes"
Long Term Deferred Tax Account
Common Stock & Paid-in-Capital
Unusual & Non-Recurring Items - Adjustments After Tax
Purpose: To adjust the income statement and balance sheet as if stock options
had been recorded as an expense
(D)-2 (Cash Flow Statement)
Stock Option/Warrant Proceeds (Financing Cash Flows)
Other Operating Cash Flows (Operating Cash Flows)
Purpose: To reclassify tax benefits from stock options from an operating cash
inflow to a financing cash inflow
(f) = [(a) - (b)] / [1 - (e)]
(g) = (f) x (e)
(h) = [(f) - (g)]
= (f) x -1
= (g) x -1
Adjustment: Hybrid Securities Worksheet (E)
Although accounted for as debt, equity or minority interest, hybrid securities have characteristics of both debt and equity instruments. Since hybrid securities are
generally not pure debt or pure equity, Moodys places a particular hybrid security on a debt equity continuum. We assign weights to the debt and equity components
of a hybrid based on the securitys particular features. Often this requires an adjustment from the classification in current accounting, which often classifies instruments
as all debt or all equity, or in some cases, minority interest. We also adjust the income statement to reflect interest expenseor dividends, depending on our balance
sheet classification. Finally, we apply similar thinking to the cash flow statement, again reflecting cash outflows as interest or dividends depending on our balance sheet
Moody's Hybrid Securities Baskets:
Moody's %
Step 1 - Gather information on Hybrid Securities Classified as Debt (in the "As Reported" numbers):
Description of Hybrid Security
Hybrid Security #1
Hybrid Security #2
Hybrid Security #3
Hybrid Security #4
- (a) $
Step 2 - Gather information on Hybrid Securities Classified as Equity (in the "As Reported" numbers):
- (c) $
Step 3 - Gather information on Hybrid Securities Classified as Minority Interest (in the "As Reported" numbers):
- (g) $
Step 4 - Adjustments:
(E)-1 (Balance Sheet)
Hybrid securities classified as debt in the "as reported" numbers
may be included in multiple account captions on the standard chart
of accounts. Analysts will need to manually enter the standard
adjustment accounts effected by the adjustment and the related
amounts (based on the calculation above)
Purpose: Reclassification to equity for hybrid securities classified as debt
(based on the basket calculation in Step 1 - above)
(E)-2 (Balance Sheet)
Reclassification to debt for hybrid securities classified as equity
(based on the basket calculation in Step 2 - above)
(E)-3 (Income Statement)
Adjustment of interest expense to preferred dividends for the
calculated equity portion of hybrid securities classified as debt in
the "As Reported" numbers (based on the basket calculation in
Step 1 - above)
(E)-4 (Income Statement)
Adjustments of preferred dividends to interest expense for the
calculated debt portion of hybrid securities classified as equity in the
"As Reported" numbers (based on the basket calculation in Step 2 above)
(E)-5 (Cash Flow Statement)
Net Income (Operating Cash Flow)
Cash Dividends Preferred
Purpose: Reclassification of interest expense (operating cash outflow) to
preferred dividends (financing cash outflow) for the calculated equity
portion of hybrid securities classified as debt in the "As Reported"
numbers (based on the basket calculation in Step 1 - above)
(E)-6 (Cash Flow Statement)
Purpose: Reclassification of preferred dividends (financing cash outflow) to
interest expense (operating cash outflow) for the calculated debt
portion of hybrid securities classified as equity in the "As Reported"
(E)-7 (Balance Sheet)
Purpose: Reclassification to debt and equity (preferred stock) for hybrid
securities classified as Minority Interest (based on the basket
calculation in Step 3 - above)
(E)-8 (Income Statement)
= [ (e) - (g)] x -1
= (f) - (h)
= ( f ) x -1
Purpose: Adjustment of interest expense and preferred dividends for the
calculated debt/equity portions of hybrid securities classified as
minority interest in the "As Reported" numbers (based on the basket
(E)-9 (Cash Flow Statement)
= (h) - (f)
Purpose: Reclassification of minority interest expense (operating cash outflow)
or minority interest dividends (financing cash outflow) to preferred
dividends (financing cash outflow) and interest expense (operating
cash outflow) for the calculated equity portion of hybrid securities
classified as minority interest in the "As Reported" numbers (based on
the basket calculation in Step 3 - above)
Adjustment: Securitizations Worksheet (F)
Moodys views securitization transactions that do not fully transfer risk as collateralized borrowings. In nearly all of the securitizations we have reviewed to
date, company sponsors have retained significant risks related to the assets transferred. In those cases, we adjust the financial statements of companies
that report securitizations as sales to reflect the transactions as securitized borrowings
Step 1 - Gather information about Securitization Transactions (from financial statement footnotes):
Amount of uncollected/unrealized sponsor assets in the securitization
arrangement at the beginning of the period
arrangement at the end of the period
Estimated average amount of uncollected/unrealized sponsor assets
in the securitization arrangement during the period
- (c) Analyst estimate based on quarterly disclosures
Estimated borrowing rate implicit in the company's securitization arrangement
0.00% (d) If rate is not known, use the company's average
short-term borrowing rate
Step 2 - Adjustments:
(F)-1 (Balance Sheet)
Asset account to be adjusted
Liability account to be adjusted
Purpose: To recognize assets not sold and uncollateralized borrowings based on the
(b) Analyst will have to enter the name
of the asset account affected
(F)-2 (Income Statement)
Income statement account to be used for adjustment against interest
Purpose: To impute interest expense on the amount of unrecognized debt at the
company's short-term borrowing rate
(F)-3 (Cash Flow Statement)
Net Short-term Debt Changes
Purpose: To recognize the cash effects of changes in unrecognized assets and debt
from the beginning to the end of the period
(c) x (d) x -1
- (a) - (b)
- (b) - (a)
Adjustment: Inventory - LIFO to FIFO Worksheet (G)
Moodys adjusts inventories that companies report on the LIFO cost method to the FIFO cost method. This adjustment improves our ability to compare a company
with others. It also states inventory at a more relevant amount (the current cost of the inventory). This adjustment only affects the balance sheet. We do not
adjust the income or cash flow statements because we view cost of goods sold measured on the LIFO basis as an accurate representation of the current cost of
Step 1 - Gather Disclosure Information related to Inventories:
Inventories (as reported)
LIFO Revaluation Reserve
- (c) = (a) - (b)
from the financial statement footnotes
(G)-1 (Balance Sheet)
Current Deferred Tax Account
Purpose: To adjust inventory on the balance sheet from a LIFO cost basis to a FIFO
- (e) = (b) x -1
- (f) = (b) x (d)
- (g) = [(e) + (f)] x -1
Adjustment: Unusual Items - Income Statement Worksheet (H)
Moodys captures the effects of unusual and non-recurring transactions and events in separate captions on the face of the income statement. This enables analysts to more
accurately portray trends in the underlying recurring core business. Our key financial ratios will generally exclude the effects of unusual and non-recurring transactions that
To increase a reported amount, enter a positive number. For example, an analyst may want to increase Cost of Sales if he believed the reported amount was lowered by exceptionally
low commodity prices that distort comparability
To decrease a reported amount, enter a negative number. For example an analyst may want to reduce Operating Expenses if the reported results included restructuring charges
which the analyst deems non-recurring
Step 1 - Gather information on Unusual and/or Non-recurring Income/Gains and Expenses/Losses:
Net Pre-Tax Effect of Unusual/Non-Recurring Items
Income Tax Effect - (Increase) / Decrease to Income Tax Expense
After-Tax Effect of Unusual/Non-Recurring Items
Description of Unusual Item
- (d) Increase (Decrease) to EBIT [ Column (a) - Column (b) - Column (c)]
- (e) [ Column (a) - Column (b)] x (i) x -1
0.00% (i)
(H)-1 (Income Statement)
Income Statement accounts to be adjusted
Purpose: Reclassification unusual/non-recurring revenues/gains and expenses/losses, net of the
related tax effect, to a special income statement caption
Adjustment: Unusual Items - Statement of Cash Flows Worksheet (I)
Moodys captures the effects of unusual and non-recurring transactions and events in separate captions on the face of the
statement of cash flows. This enables analysts to more accurately portray trends in the underlying recurring core business.
Our key financial ratios will generally exclude the effects of unusual and non-recurring transactions that we identify.
To increase net cash flow from operations (e.g., to reverse the impact of a significant one time litigation settlement payment),
To decrease net cash flow from operations (e.g., to reverse the impact of the receipt of significant proceeds from an
insurance settlement), enter a negative number.
Step 1 - Gather information on Unusual and/or Non-recurring Operating Cash Inflows and Outflows:
Net Effect of Unusual/Non-Recurring Items
on Operating Cash Flow
(I)-1 (Cash Flow Statement)
Unusual & Non-Recurring Items - Cash Flow Adjs
Cash Flow Statement accounts to be adjusted
Purpose: Reclassification unusual/non-recurring operating cash inflows and outflows to
a special caption in the operating section of the cash flow statement
Non-Standard Public Adjustments-- Worksheet (J)
Moodys may also make non-standard adjustments to financial statements for matters not covered by the standard adjustments to better reflect
underlying economics and improve comparability with peer companies. This template is used for such adjustments that are based on a
companys public disclosures.
Step 1 - Other Disclosure Information Used in Calculations:
Step 2 - Record Analyst Optional Adjustments:
Adjustment (J) - 1
accounts to be adjusted
Unusual & Non-Recurring Items Adjmts
Rating Methodologies:
Analytical Observations Related to US Pension Obligations, January 2003 (#77242)
Off-Balance Sheet Leases: Capitalization and Ratings Implications, October 1999 (#48591)
Analytical Implications of Employee Stock-Based Compensation, December 2002 (#76852)
Moody's Tool Kit: A Framework for Assessing Hybrid Securities, December 1999 (#49802)
Hybrid Securities Analysis - New Criteria for Adjustment of Financial Ratios to Reflect the Issuance of Hybrid
Securities, November 2003 (#79991)
Refinements to Moody's Tool Kit: Evolutionary, not Revolutionary!, March 2005 (#91696)
Changing Paradigms: Revised Financial Reporting for Special Purpose Entities, May 2002 (#74947)
Securitization and its Effect on the Credit Strength of Companies: Moody's Perspective 1987-2002, March 2002 (#74455)
Demystifying Securitization for Unsecured Investors, January 2003 (#77213)
Report Number: 96760
Pamela M. Stumpp
Copyright 2006, Moodys Investors Service, Inc. and/or its licensors and affiliates including Moodys Assurance Company, Inc. (together, MOODYS). All rights reserved. ALL
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