The Group uses derivatives such as swaps and forward contracts to hedge its interest rate, foreign exchange, energy and commodity risks.
In accordance with IFRS 9, hedge accounting can be applied to derivatives when they meet certain eligibility criteria. Some derivatives classified as “own use” are excluded from application of IFRS 9.
Forward purchase and sale contracts for physical delivery of energy or commodities are considered to fall outside the scope of application of IFRS 9 when they are entered into as part of the Group’s normal business activity (“own use”). This is demonstrated to be the case when all the following conditions are fulfilled:
The Group considers that transactions negotiated with a view to balancing the volumes between electricity purchase and sale commitments are part of its normal business as an integrated electricity operator, and are thus outside the scope of IFRS 9.
Derivatives are initially recorded at fair value, based on quoted prices and market data available from external sources. If no quoted prices are available, the Group may refer to recent comparable transactions or, if no such transactions exist, base its valuation on internal models that are recognised by market participants, giving priority to information directly derived from observable data such as over-the-counter listings.
In application of IFRS 13, the fair value of derivatives incorporates the counterparty credit risk for derivative assets and the own credit risk for derivative liabilities.
The EDF group uses derivatives to hedge its foreign exchange and interest rate risks, as well as risks related to certain commodity contracts.
The Group applies the criteria defined by IFRS 9 to identify operations subject to hedge accounting, particularly regarding the existence of formal documentation from their inception and compliance with hedge effectiveness requirements.
The hedging relationship ends when it ceases to satisfy the above criteria. This includes situations in which the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated or exercised, or when the risk management objectives initially defined are no longer met.
Only derivatives external to the Group, and internal derivatives that are matched with similar transactions external to the Group, qualify for hedge accounting.
The Group uses the following categories for hedges:
This is a hedge of exposure to changes in the fair value of an asset or liability recorded in the balance sheet, or a firm commitment to purchase or sell an asset. Changes in the fair value of the hedged item attributable to the hedged component of that item are recorded in profit and loss and offset by corresponding variations in the fair value of the hedging instrument. Only the ineffective portion of the hedge has an impact on profit and loss.
Some loans and financial liabilities are covered by a fair value hedge. In such cases their balance sheet value is adjusted for changes in fair value attributable to the hedged risks (foreign exchange and interest rate risks).
This is a hedge of exposure to variability in cash flows associated with an asset or liability or a highly probable future transaction for which variations in cash flows generated by the hedged item are offset by changes in the value of the hedging instrument.
The effective portion of accumulated changes in the hedging instrument’s fair value is recorded in equity, and the ineffective portion (i.e. changes in the fair value of the hedging instrument in excess of changes in the fair value of the hedged item) is recorded in profit and loss.
When the hedged cash flows materialise, the amounts previously recognised in equity are recycled to profit and loss in the same way as for the hedged item, or are treated as an adjustment to the value of the non-financial asset acquired.
This is a hedge of exposure to the foreign exchange risk related to a net investment in an entity which does not have the same functional currency as the Group. The effective portion of accumulated changes in the hedging instrument’s fair value is recorded in equity until the disposal or liquidation of the net investment, when it is included in the gain or loss on disposal. The ineffective portion (defined in the same way as for cash flow hedges) is recorded directly in profit and loss.
This risk is hedged in the EDF group level either by matching it with debts in the same currency, or by using derivatives.
Trading derivatives comprise:
