Available-for-sale

Definition

Available-for-sale refers to a classification of financial assets that are not intended to be held to maturity or traded actively. These securities are typically reported at fair value on the balance sheet, and any unrealized gains or losses from changes in fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income, not directly impacting net income until realized through a sale.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Available-for-sale securities can include stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments that a company does not plan to sell in the near term but is open to selling if favorable conditions arise.
2. Changes in the fair value of available-for-sale securities do not affect net income immediately; instead, they are recorded in other comprehensive income until realized.
3. When available-for-sale securities are sold, the accumulated unrealized gains or losses are reclassified from other comprehensive income to net income at the time of sale.
4. This classification allows for flexibility in investment strategy while still adhering to reporting standards regarding valuation and earnings impact.
5. Available-for-sale is one of three main categories for classifying financial assets, alongside held-to-maturity and trading securities, each with different reporting implications.

Review Questions

• How do available-for-sale securities differ from trading securities in terms of reporting and impact on net income?
  • Available-for-sale securities differ from trading securities mainly in their intent and how they are reported. Trading securities are bought and held primarily for sale in the short term, with unrealized gains or losses recognized in net income immediately. In contrast, available-for-sale securities are reported at fair value but do not impact net income until realized through sale; any unrealized gains or losses are instead recorded in other comprehensive income.
• What is the accounting treatment for unrealized gains and losses associated with available-for-sale securities, and how does this differ from held-to-maturity investments?
  • Unrealized gains and losses for available-for-sale securities are recorded in other comprehensive income rather than affecting net income immediately. This contrasts with held-to-maturity investments, which are recorded at amortized cost and do not recognize unrealized gains or losses because they are intended to be held until maturity. This treatment allows companies to reflect fair value changes without impacting profitability until a sale occurs.
• Evaluate how the classification of financial assets as available-for-sale can influence a company's financial statements and overall financial strategy.
  • Classifying financial assets as available-for-sale influences a company's financial statements by providing a mechanism to report fair value fluctuations without immediate effects on net income. This classification can enhance a company's financial strategy by allowing it to maintain liquidity and flexibility while managing investment risks. By recognizing unrealized gains or losses in other comprehensive income, companies can present a more stable view of earnings while still being able to respond to market opportunities as they arise.

Related terms

fair value: The price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.

unrealized gains and losses: The increases or decreases in the value of an investment that have not yet been realized through sale, impacting the equity section of the balance sheet until the asset is sold.

other comprehensive income: A category of earnings that includes all non-owner changes in equity that are excluded from net income, including certain adjustments for available-for-sale securities.