Note 1: Significant Accounting Policies

General

Reporting entity

Wolters Kluwer nv (‘the Company’) with its subsidiaries (together ‘the Group’) is a market-leading global information services company. Professionals in the areas of legal, business, tax, accounting, finance, audit, risk, compliance, and healthcare rely on Wolters Kluwer’s leading information tools and software solutions to manage their business efficiently, deliver results to their clients, and succeed in an ever more dynamic world.

The Group maintains operations across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific, and Latin America. The Company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. The Company’s ordinary shares are quoted on the Euronext Amsterdam (WKL) and are included in the AEX and Euronext 100 indices. These financial statements were authorized for issue by the Executive Board and Supervisory Board on February 22, 2011.

The consolidated financial statements of the Company at and for the year ended December 31, 2010, comprise the Group and the Group’s interest in associates and jointly controlled entities. The principal accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are set out below. These policies have been consistently applied by the group companies.

A list of participations has been filed with the Chamber of Commerce in The Hague, the Netherlands and is available from the Company upon request.

The consolidated financial statements are presented in euro, which is the Company’s functional and presentation currency. Unless otherwise indicated, the financial information in these financial statements is in millions of euro and has been rounded to the nearest million.

In conformity with article 402, Book 2 of the Dutch Civil Code, a condensed statement of income is included in the separate financial statements of Wolters Kluwer nv.

Statement of compliance

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and its interpretations including International Accounting Standards (IAS) prevailing per December 31, 2010, as adopted by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and as endorsed for use in the European Union by the European Commission. If non-IFRS terminology is used in these financial statements, reference is made to  Glossary.

Basis of preparation

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with IFRS requires management to make judgments, estimates, and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts of income and expense. The estimates and underlying assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognized in the period in which the estimate is revised if the revision affects only that period or in the period of the revision and future periods if the revision affects both current and future periods. Judgments made by management in the application of IFRS that have significant effect on the financial statements and estimates with a significant risk of material adjustment in the next year are discussed in note 31 of the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Basis of measurement

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under historical cost except for the following material items in the statement of financial position:

Effect of new accounting standards

Relevant new accounting standards, amendments and interpretations that became effective for the year ended December 31, 2010, are listed below.

Other standards and interpretations effective from January 1, 2010 do not have a material impact on the Group’s results and equity.

Effect of forthcoming accounting standards

A number of new standards, amendments, and interpretations are not yet effective for the year ended December 31, 2010 and, if applicable, have not been adopted earlier in preparing these consolidated financial statements. None of these are expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group. The following new standards, amendments, and interpretations have been considered:

Accounting for business combinations

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method as at the acquisition date, which is the date on which control is transferred to the Group. Control is the power to govern the financial operating policies of an entity so as to obtain benefits from its activities. In assessing control, the Group takes into consideration potential voting rights that are currently exercisable.

Acquisitions on or after 1 January 2010

For acquisitions on or after 1 January 2010, the Group measures goodwill at the acquisition date as:

The consideration transferred does not include amounts related to the settlement of pre-existing relationships. Such amounts are generally recognized in the statement of income.

Cost related to acquisitions, other than those associated with the cost of debt or equity securities, that the Group incurs in connection with a business combination are expensed as incurred.

Any contingent consideration payable (like earn-out arrangements) is recognized at fair value at the acquisition date. If the contingent consideration is classified as equity, it is not remeasured at settlement and is accounted for within equity. Otherwise, subsequent changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration are recognized in the statement of income.

Acquisitions between January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2010

For acquisitions between January 1, 2004 and January 1, 2010, goodwill represents the excess of the cost of an acquisition over the fair value of the Group’s share of the net identifiable assets of the acquired subsidiary, associate, or joint venture at the date of acquisition. Goodwill represents the consideration made by the Group in anticipation of the future economic benefits from assets that are not capable of being individually identified and is separately recognized. These future economic benefits relate to, for example, opportunities with regard to cross-selling or cost efficiencies, such as sharing of infrastructure.

Costs related to transactions, other than those associated with the issue of debt or equity securities that the Group incurred in connection with business combinations were capitalized as part of the costs of acquisition.

Acquisitions prior to January 1, 2004

As part of transition to IFRSs, the Group elected to restate only those business combinations that occurred after January 1, 2004. In respect of acquisitions prior to January 1, 2004, goodwill represents the amount recognized under the Group’s previous accounting framework, Dutch GAAP and was directly recognized in equity up to 1996. Between January 1, 1997 and December 31, 2003 goodwill and publishing rights were recognized in the balance sheet and amortized over the useful life.

Accounting for acquisitions of non-controlling interests

Acquisitions of non-controlling interests are accounted for as transactions with owners in their capacity as owners and therefore no goodwill is recognized as a result of those transactions. The adjustments to non-controlling interests are based on a proportionate amount of the net assets of the subsidiary.

Segment reporting

An operating segment is a component of the Group that engages in business activities from which it may earn revenues and incur expenses. All operating segments are regularly reviewed by the Group’s chief operating decision maker to make decisions about resources to be allocated to the segment and assess its performance and for which discrete financial information is available.

Operating segments are reported in a manner consistent with the internal financial reporting provided to the chief operating decision maker. The chief operating decision maker, who is responsible for allocating resources and assessing performance of the operating segments, has been identified as the Executive Board.

Segment results reported to the Executive Board include items directly attributable to a segment as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Unallocated items comprise mainly corporate assets and liabilities, corporate office expenses and income tax assets and liabilities.

Operating segments that do not meet the quantitative thresholds and that have similar economic characteristics have been aggregated into a single operating segment.

Comparatives

Where necessary, certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year financial statements (or comparatives) to conform to the current year presentation.

Basis of consolidation

Subsidiaries

Subsidiaries are all entities (including special purpose entities) over which the Group has the power to govern the financial and operating policies generally accompanying a shareholding of more than one half of the voting rights. The existence and effect of potential voting rights that are currently exercisable or convertible are considered when assessing whether the Group controls another entity. Subsidiaries are fully consolidated from the date on which control is transferred to the Group. Subsidiaries are de-consolidated from the date that control ceases.

Losses applicable to the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary are allocated to the non-controlling interest even if this causes the non-controlling interest to have a deficit balance.

Loss of control

Upon loss of control, the Group derecognizes the assets and liabilities of the subsidiary, any non-controlling interests and the other components of equity related to the subsidiary. Any surplus or deficit arising on the loss of control is recognized in the statement of income. If the Group retains any equity interest in the previous subsidiary, then such interest is measured at fair value at the date that control is lost. Subsequently it is accounted for as an equity-accounted investee or as available for sale financial asset depending on the level of influence retained.

Accounting for equity-accounted investees

Equity-accounted investees comprise associates. Associates are those entities in which the Group has significant influence but not control over the financial and operating policies, generally accompanying a shareholding of between 20% and 50% of the voting rights. Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity method of accounting and are initially recognized at cost. Associates are recognized from the date on which the Group has significant influence, and recognition ceases from the date the Group has no significant influence over an associate. The Group’s investment in associates includes goodwill (net of any accumulated impairment loss) identified on acquisition.

The Group’s share of its associates’ post-acquisition profits or losses is recognized in the statement of income, and its share of post-acquisition movements in reserves is recognized in reserves. The cumulative post-acquisition movements are adjusted against the carrying amount of the investment. When the Group’s share of losses in an associate equals or exceeds its interest in the associate, including any other unsecured receivables, the Group does not recognize further losses, unless it has incurred obligations or made payments on behalf of the associate.

Joint ventures

Joint ventures are those entities over whose activities the Group has joint control, established by contractual agreement. Joint ventures are recognized using proportionate consolidation from the date that joint control commences until the date that joint control ceases.

Transactions eliminated on consolidation

Intragroup balances, transactions, income and expenses, and unrealized gains on transactions between Group companies are eliminated in preparing the consolidated financial statements. Unrealized losses are also eliminated unless the transaction provides evidence of an impairment of the asset transferred.

Unrealized gains on transactions between the Group and its associates and joint ventures are eliminated to the extent of the Group’s interest in the associates and joint ventures.

Foreign currency

Functional and presentation currency

Items included in the financial statements of each of the Group’s entities are measured using the currency of the primary economic environment in which the entity operates (the functional currency). The consolidated financial statements are presented in euros, which is the Group’s presentation currency.

Foreign currency transactions and balances

Foreign currency transactions are translated into the functional currency using the exchange rates prevailing at the dates of the transactions. Foreign exchange gains and losses resulting from the settlement of such transactions and from the translation at year-end exchange rates of monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies are recognized in the statement of income, except when deferred in equity as qualifying cash flow hedges and qualifying net investment hedges.

Non-monetary assets and liabilities in a foreign currency that are measured in terms of historical cost are translated using the exchange rate at the transaction date. Non-monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies that are stated at fair value are translated to the functional currency at foreign exchange rates prevailing at the dates the fair value was determined.

Financial statements of Group companies

The assets and liabilities of Group companies, including goodwill and fair value adjustments arising from consolidation, are translated to euros at foreign exchange rates prevailing at the balance sheet date. Income and expenses of Group companies are translated to euros at exchange rates at the dates of the transactions. All resulting exchange differences are recognized in the currency translation reserve as a separate component of equity.

When a foreign Group company is disposed of, exchange differences that were recorded in equity prior to the sale are recycled through the statement of income as part of the gain or loss on disposal.

Net investment in foreign operations

Net investment in foreign operations includes equity financing and long-term intercompany loans for which settlement is neither planned nor likely to occur in the foreseeable future. Exchange rate differences arising from the translation of the net investment in foreign operations, and of related hedges, are taken to the currency translation reserve in shareholders’ equity.

Principles for the determination of results

Revenues

Revenues represent the revenues billed to third parties net of value-added tax and discounts. Shipping and handling fees billed to customers are included in revenues. Subscription income received or receivable in advance of the delivery of services or publications is included in deferred income. If the Group acts as an agent, whereby the Group sells goods or services on behalf of a principal, the Group recognizes as revenues the amount of the commission.

Goods

Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized upon shipment and transfer of the significant risks and rewards of ownership to the customer, provided that the ultimate collectability and final acceptance by the customer is reasonably assured. Revenue from the sale of goods is recognized net of estimated returns for which the Group has recognized a liability based on previous experience and other relevant factors.

If returns on a product category exceed a threshold it is assumed that the transfer of the ownership of the product has only occurred upon receipt of payment from the customer.

Services

Revenue from the sale of services is recognized on a straight-line basis over the specified period, unless there is evidence that some other method better represents the stage of completion of the service at the balance sheet date.

Combination of goods and services

Revenues of products that consist of a combination of goods and services are recognized based on the fair value and the recognition policy of the individual components.

Cost of sales

Cost of sales comprises the directly attributable cost of goods and services sold and delivered. These costs include such items as the cost of raw materials, subcontracted work, other external expenses, salaries, wages, and social charges for personnel. Royalties owed to professional societies relating to contract publishing are included in cost of sales.

General and administrative operating expenses

General and administrative operating expenses includes costs that are neither directly attributable to cost of sales nor to sales and marketing activities. This includes costs such as product development, ICT, general overhead, and, as of January 1, 2010 acquisition related costs.

Share-based payments

The Group’s Long-Term Incentive Plan qualifies as an equity-settled share-based payments transaction. The fair value of shares awarded is recognized as an expense with a corresponding increase in equity. The fair value is measured at the grant date and spread over the period during which the employees become unconditionally entitled to the shares. The fair value of the shares is measured using a Monte Carlo simulation model, taking into account the terms and conditions upon which the shares were awarded. The amount recognized as an expense is adjusted to reflect the actual forfeitures due to participants’ resignation before the vesting date.

Finance income and costs

Finance income and costs comprise interest payable on borrowing and interest receivable calculated using the effective interest rate method, interest receivable on funds invested, foreign exchange gains and losses, and gains and losses on hedging instruments that are recognized in profit or loss.

As of January 1, 2010, finance income and costs include the subsequent fair value changes on contingent considerations classified as debt and recognized at acquisition date.

Principles of valuation and presentation of assets and liabilities

Intangible assets 

Goodwill

Goodwill recognized for acquisitions represents the consideration made by the Group in anticipation of the future economic benefits from assets that are not capable of being individually identified and separately recognized. These future economic benefits relate to, for example, opportunities with regard to cross-selling or cost efficiencies, such as sharing of infrastructure.

Goodwill is measured as the excess of the fair value of the consideration transferred, plus the recognized amount of any non-controlling interests in the acquiree, and less the net recognized amount (generally recognized at fair value) of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. When the excess is negative, a bargain purchase is recognized immediately in the statement of income. If the business is achieved in stages, the fair value of the existing equity interest in the acquiree is also taken into account.

Goodwill on acquisitions of subsidiaries is included in intangible assets. Goodwill on acquisitions of associates is included in investments in associates. Goodwill is carried at cost less any accumulated impairment losses. Gains and losses on the disposal of an entity include the carrying amount of goodwill relating to the entity that is sold.

Goodwill acquired in a business combination is not amortized. Instead, the goodwill is tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that it might be impaired. Goodwill is allocated to cash-generating units for the purpose of impairment testing. The allocation is made to those cash-generating units that are expected to benefit from the business combination in which the goodwill arose.

Publishing rights

The Group recognizes intangible assets acquired through business combinations (publishing rights) as well as other intangible assets. Publishing rights acquired through business combinations consist of:

Favorable purchase agreements are those purchasing agreements of the acquiree that are priced at a level that is considered below fair market value at the time of the acquisition. The amortization expenses therefore represent the difference between cost at fair market value and the cost per the contract.

The fair value of the intangible assets is computed at the time of the acquisition applying one of the following methods:

Publishing rights are stated at cost less accumulated amortization and any impairment losses and are amortized over their estimated useful economic life, generally applying the straight-line method. The useful life of the publishing rights is deemed finite, reflecting management’s assessment of the life of the assets, usually supported by outside valuation experts, and taking into account the impact of technological change and changes in the marketplace. If, and to the extent, that publishing rights are considered to be impaired in value, this is immediately charged to the statement of income as impairment.

The estimated useful life for publishing rights is 5 to 20 years.

Other intangible assets

Other intangible assets mainly relate to computer software that is valued at cost less accumulated amortization and any impairment losses. Capitalized software is amortized using the straight-line method over the economic life of the software. If, and to the extent that, other intangible assets are considered to be impaired in value, this is immediately charged to the statement of income as impairment.

No intangible asset arising from research or the research phase of an internal project is recognized. Expenditure on research or the research phase of an internal project is recognized as an expense when it is incurred. An intangible asset arising from development or the development phase of an internal project is recognized if, and only if, the Group can demonstrate the technical feasibility of completing the intangible asset so that it will be available for use or sale and comply with the following other requirements: the intention to complete the development project; the ability to sell or use the product; demonstration of how the product will yield probable future economic benefits; the availability of adequate technical, financial, and other resources to complete the project; and the ability to reliably measure the expenditure attributable to the project.

Subsequent expenditure on capitalized intangible assets is capitalized only when it increases the future economic benefits embodied in the specific asset to which it relates. All other expenditure is expensed as incurred.

The estimated useful life for other intangible assets is 3 to 10 years.

Property, plant, and equipment

Property, plant, and equipment, consisting of land and buildings, machinery and equipment, and other assets such as office equipment and vehicles, is valued at cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses. Depreciation is charged to the statement of income on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of each part of an item of property, plant, and equipment. Land is not depreciated.

The estimated useful life for buildings is 20 to 30 years, for machinery and equipment 5 to 10 years, and for other assets 3 to 10 years.

Impairment

The carrying amounts of the Group’s non-current assets are reviewed at each reporting date to determine whether there is any indication of impairment. If such indication exists, the asset’s recoverable amount is estimated. Irrespective of whether there is any indication of impairment, the Group also: (1) tests goodwill and publishing rights acquired in a business combination for impairment annually; and (2) tests an intangible asset not yet available for use for impairment annually by comparing its carrying amount with its recoverable amount.

An impairment loss is recognized whenever the carrying amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit exceeds its recoverable amount. Impairment losses are recognized in the statement of income immediately. The recoverable amount of an asset or its cash-generating unit is the higher of its fair value less cost to sell and its value in use.

An impairment loss for a cash generating unit shall be allocated in the following order:

The Group assesses at each reporting date whether there is any indication that an impairment loss recognized in prior periods for an asset other than goodwill may no longer exist or may have decreased. If any such indication exists, the Group shall estimate the recoverable amount of that asset and shall recognize this in the statement of income immediately.

Leases

Lease payments under an operating lease are recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term unless another systematic basis is more representative of the time pattern of the Group’s benefit.

A finance lease is a lease that transfers substantially all the risks and rewards incidental to ownership of an asset. Finance leases are initially recognized as assets and liabilities in the balance sheet at the fair value of the leased asset, or, if lower, the present value of the minimum lease payments, each determined at the inception of the lease. Subsequently, a finance lease gives rise to depreciation expense for depreciable assets and any impairment losses, as well as finance costs for each accounting period. The depreciation policy for these depreciable leased assets is consistent with that for depreciable assets that are owned.

Financial assets

Financial assets include investments, receivables, and derivative financial instruments. Financial assets are recorded initially at fair value. Subsequent measurement depends on the designation of the financial assets.

Investments

All equity investments that are not subsidiaries, equity-accounted investees (joint ventures and/or associates) are classified as investments. Investments available-for-sale are valued at their fair value. When the fair value cannot be reliably determined, the investment is carried at cost. A gain or loss arising from a change in the fair value of the investment available-for-sale shall be recognized directly in equity, except for impairment losses and foreign exchange gains and losses, until the financial asset is derecognized, at which time the cumulative gain or loss previously recognized in equity shall be recognized in profit or loss. If the investments are valued at cost, income from investments is based on the dividend received from the investments.

Loans and receivables

Loans and receivables to third parties are measured at amortized cost. Grants and subsidies are recognized at fair value.

The Group considers evidence of impairment of loans and receivables at both a specific and collective level. All individually significant receivables are assessed for specific impairment. All individually significant loans and receivables found not to be specifically impaired are then collectively assessed for any impairment that has been incurred but not yet identified. Loans and receivables that are not individually significant are collectively assessed for impairment by grouping together loans and receivables with similar risk characteristics.

In assessing collective impairment the Group uses historical trends of the probability of default, the timing of recoveries and the amount of loss incurred, adjusted for management’s judgment as to whether current economic and credit conditions are such that the actual losses are likely to be greater or less than suggested historical trends.

Non-current assets held for sale

Non-current assets, or disposal groups comprising assets and liabilities, that are expected to be recovered primarily through sale rather than through continuing use, are classified as held for sale. Immediately before classification as held for sale, the assets, or components of the disposal group, are remeasured in accordance with the Group’s accounting policies. Thereafter generally the assets, or disposal group, are measured at the lower of their carrying amount and fair value less cost to sell. Any impairment loss on a disposal group is first allocated to goodwill, and then generally to the remaining assets and liabilities on a pro rata basis. Impairment losses on initial classification as held for sale and subsequent gains and losses on remeasurement are recognized in profit or loss. Gains are not recognized in excess of any cumulative impairment loss. Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment once classified as held for sale are not amortized or depreciated.

Derivative financial instruments

Derivative financial instruments are recognized at fair value in the balance sheet. The fair value of derivative financial instruments is classified as a non-current asset or long-term debt if the remaining maturity of the derivative financial instrument is more than 12 months and as a current asset or liability if the remaining maturity of the derivative financial instrument is less than 12 months after the balance sheet date.

The accounting policy for changes in fair value is set out in Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities.

Derivative financial instruments and hedging activities

Derivative financial instruments are initially recognized at fair value on the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently re-measured at their fair value. The method of recognizing the resulting gain or loss depends on whether the derivative is designated as a hedging instrument and if so, the nature of the item being hedged. The Group designates certain derivatives as either: (1) hedges of the fair value of recognized assets or liabilities or firm commitments (fair value hedge); (2) hedges of a particular risk associated with a recognized asset or liability or a highly probable forecast transaction (cash flow hedge); or (3) hedges of a net investment in a foreign operation (net investment hedge).

The Group documents at the inception of the transaction the relationship between hedging instruments and hedged items, as well as its risk management objectives and strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. The Group also documents its assessment, both at hedge inception and on an ongoing basis, of whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of hedged items. The ineffective part is recognized immediately in the statement of income. If a hedging relationship is terminated and the derivative financial instrument is not sold, future changes in its fair value are recognized in the statement of income.

Fair value hedge

Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded in the statement of income, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged asset, liability, or unrecognized firm commitment that are attributable to the hedged risk. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective part of the hedging instrument is also recognized in the statement of income within finance income or costs. Changes in the fair value of the risk being hedged of the hedged item are also recognized in the statement of income within finance income or costs. If the hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, the adjustment to the carrying amount of a hedged item for which the effective interest method is used is amortized to profit or loss over the original hedge period.

Cash flow hedge

The effective part of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges are recognized in equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective part is recognized in the statement of income within finance income or costs. Amounts accumulated in equity are reclassified to the statement of income in the same periods the hedged item affects profit or loss. The gain or loss relating to the effective part of derivate financial instruments is recognized in the statement of income within the line where the result from the hedged transaction is recognized.

When a hedging instrument matures or is sold, or when a hedge no longer meets the criteria for hedge accounting, any cumulative gain or loss existing in equity at that time remains in equity and is recognized when the hedged transaction is ultimately recognized in the statement of income. When a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the cumulative gain or loss that was reported in equity is transferred to the statement of income.

Net investment hedge

Fair value changes of derivative financial instruments that are used to hedge the net investment in foreign operations, which are determined to be an effective hedge, are recognized directly in shareholders’ equity in the translation reserve. The ineffective part is recognized in the statement of income within finance income or costs. Gains and losses accumulated in equity are included in the statement of income when the foreign operation is disposed of.

Derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting

Certain derivatives do not qualify for hedge accounting. Changes in the fair value of any derivative financial instruments that do not qualify for hedge accounting are recognized in the statement of income within finance income or costs.

Inventories

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. The cost of inventories comprises all cost of purchase and other cost incurred in bringing the inventories to their present location and condition. Cost is determined using the first-in-first-out principle. The cost price of internally produced goods comprises the manufacturing and publishing costs. Trade goods purchased from third parties are valued at the purchase price.

Net realizable value is the estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business less the estimated cost of completion and the estimated cost necessary to complete the sale.

Trade and other receivables

Trade and other receivables are initially carried at their fair value and subsequently measured at cost less any impairment.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances and call deposits. Bank overdrafts are shown within Borrowings and bank overdrafts in current liabilities.

Deferred income

Deferred income represents the part of the amount invoiced to customers that has not yet met the criteria for revenue recognition and thus still has to be earned as revenues by means of the delivery of goods and services in the future. Deferred income is recognized at its nominal value.

Trade and other payables

Trade and other payables are stated at cost.

Interest-bearing debt

Financial liabilities, such as bond loans and other loans from credit institutions are recognized initially at fair value less attributable transaction costs. Subsequent to initial recognition, interest-bearing debt is stated at amortized cost with any difference between cost and redemption value being recognized in the statement of income over the period of the borrowings on an effective interest basis.

Taxation

Income tax on the result for the year comprises current and deferred tax. Income tax is recognized in the statement of income except to the extent that it relates to business combinations and/or items directly recognized in equity or other comprehensive income.

Current tax is the expected tax payable or tax receivable on the taxable income for the year, using the tax rates and tax laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date, and any adjustment to tax payable or tax receivable in respect of previous years.

The Group recognizes deferred tax liabilities for all taxable temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets or liabilities in the balance sheet for financial reporting purposes and its tax base for taxation purposes. Deferred tax liabilities are not recognized for temporary differences arising on:

A deferred tax asset is recognized for deductible temporary differences and for the carry forward of unused tax losses and unused tax credits to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will be available against which these can be utilized. Deferred tax assets are reviewed at each reporting date and are reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that the related tax benefit will be realized.

As of January 1, 2010, tax losses from previous acquisitions and recognized subsequent to the implementation of IFRS 3 (Revised) ‘Business Combinations’ are recognized through the statement of income instead of as an adjustment to goodwill.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected to be applied to the temporary differences when they reverse, based on the laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the reporting date. The effect of changes in tax rates on the deferred taxation is taken to the statement of income if, and to the extent that, this provision was originally formed as a charge to the statement of income.

Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset if there is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax liabilities and assets, and they relate to income taxes levied by the same tax authority on the same taxable entity, or on different tax entities, but they intend to settle current tax liabilities and assets on a net basis or their tax assets and liabilities will be realized simultaneously.

Shareholders’ equity

When share capital recognized as equity is repurchased (treasury shares), the amount of the consideration paid, including directly attributable costs, is recognized as a change in equity. Dividends are recognized as a liability upon being declared.

Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling interests are the portion of the profit or loss and net assets of a subsidiary attributable to equity interests that are not owned, directly or indirectly through subsidiaries, by the Group. Losses applicable to the non-controlling interest in a subsidiary are allocated to the non-controlling interest even if this causes the non-controlling interest to have a debit balance.

Employee benefits

The Group has arranged pension schemes in various countries for most of its employees in accordance with the legal requirements, customs, and the local situation of the countries involved. These pension schemes are partly managed by the Group itself and partly entrusted to external entities, such as industry pension funds, company pension funds, and insurance companies. In addition, the Group also provides certain employees with other benefits upon retirement. These benefits include contributions towards medical health plans in the United States, where the employer refunds part of the insurance premium for retirees, or, in the case of uninsured schemes, bears the medical expenses while deducting the participants’ contributions.

Defined contribution plans

The pension contribution of defined contribution plans is recognized as an expense in the statement of income in the period during which services are rendered by employees. Prepaid contributions are recognized as an asset to the extent that a cash refund or reduction in future payment is available.

Defined benefit plans

The Group’s net obligation in respect of defined benefit pension plans is calculated separately for each plan by estimating the amount of future benefit that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods. That benefit is discounted to determine its present value and the fair value of any plan assets and any unrecognized past service cost are deducted. The discount rate is the yield rate at the balance sheet date on high-quality corporate bonds that have maturity dates approximating the terms of the Group’s obligations and that are denominated in the same currency in which the benefits are expected to be paid. The calculation is performed annually by a qualified actuary using the projected unit credit method.

When the calculation results in a benefit to the Group, the recognized asset is limited to the net total of any unrecognized past service cost and the present value of any future refunds from the plan or reductions in future contributions to the plan.

Past-service cost is recognized immediately in income, unless the changes to the pension plan are conditional on the employees remaining in service for a specified period of time (the vesting period). In this case, the past-service cost is amortized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period.

The Group recognizes all actuarial gains and losses arising from defined benefit plans immediately in the period in which they occur in other comprehensive income. All expenses related to defined benefit plans are presented in the statement of income.

The Group recognizes gains or losses on curtailment or settlement of a defined benefit plan when the curtailment or settlement occurs. The gain or loss comprises any resulting change in the present value of the defined benefit obligations, the change in the fair value of the plan assets, and any past service cost that had not previously been recognized. A curtailment occurs when the Group is demonstrably committed to make a material reduction in the number of employees covered by a plan either as a result of a disposal or restructuring or when the Group amends the terms of a defined benefit plan such that a material element of future service by current employees will no longer qualify for benefits, or will qualify only for reduced benefits.

Long-term service benefits

The Group’s net obligation in respect of long-term service benefits, such as jubilee benefits, is the amount of future benefits that employees have earned in return for their service in the current and prior periods. The obligation is calculated using the projected unit credit method and is discounted to its present value and the fair value of any related assets is deducted.

Provisions

A provision is recognized when: (1) the Group has a present legal or constructive obligation as a result of a past event; (2) it is probable that an outflow of resources embodying economic benefits will be required to settle the obligation; and (3) the amount of the obligation can be reliably estimated.

Restructuring

The provision for restructuring relates to provisions for integration of activities, including acquisitions, and other substantial changes of the organizational structure and onerous contracts. A provision for restructuring is recognized only when the aforementioned general recognition criteria are met. A constructive obligation to restructure arises only when the Group has a detailed formal plan for the restructuring and has raised a valid expectation to those affected that it will carry out the restructuring by starting to implement that plan or announcing its main features to those affected by it.

The short-term commitments relating to expected spending due within one year are presented under other current liabilities.

Principles underlying the cash flow statement

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash flows from operating activities are calculated by the indirect method, by adjusting the consolidated operating income for exceptional items and expenses that are not cash flows (such as amortization and depreciation), and for autonomous movements in consolidated working capital (excluding impact from acquisitions and foreign currency differences). Cash payments to employees and suppliers are all recognized as cash flow from operating activities. Operating cash flows also include the cost of financing of operating activities, income taxes paid on all activities, and spending on restructuring and acquisition provisions.

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash flows from investing activities are those arising from net capital expenditure, from the acquisition and sale of subsidiaries and business activities. Net acquisition spending includes acquisition related costs. Cash and cash equivalents available at the time of acquisition or sale are deducted from the related payments or proceeds.

Net capital expenditure is the balance of purchases of property, plant, and equipment less book value of disposals and expenditure on other intangible assets less book value of disposals.

Dividends received relate to dividend received from equity-accounted investees and other investments.

Cash receipts and payments from derivative financial instruments are classified in the same manner as the cash flows of the hedged items. The Group has primarily used derivatives for the purpose of hedging its net investments in the United States. As a result, cash receipts from derivatives are classified under cash flows from investing activities.

Cash flows from financing activities

The cash flows from financing activities comprise the cash receipts and payments from issued and repurchased shares, dividend, and debt instruments. Cash flows from short-term financing are also included. Movements in share capital due to stock dividend are not classified as cash flows.

Dividends paid relate to dividends paid to the equity holders of the Company and the equity holders of non-controlling interests.

Earnings per share

The Group presents basic and diluted earnings per share data for its ordinary shares. Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit and loss attributable to ordinary shareholders of the Company, by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year, adjusted for own shares held (‘treasury shares’). Diluted earnings per share is determined by adjusting the profit and loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding, adjusted for own shares, for the effects of all dilutive potential ordinary shares which comprise share options and LTIP-shares granted.