This chapter is covered by the Auditors' Report.
The preparation of financial statements and application of accounting standards often involve management’s judgment and the use of estimates and assumptions deemed to be reasonable at the time they are made. However, other results may be derived with different judgments or using different assumptions or estimates, and events may occur that could require a material adjustment to the carrying amount of the asset or liability affected. Following are the accounting policies subject to such judgments and the key sources of estimation uncertainty that the Company believes could have the most significant impact on the reported results and financial position.
The information in this note is grouped as per:
- Key sources of estimation uncertainty
- Judgments management has made in the process of applying the Company’s accounting policies
Revenue recognition
Key sources of estimation uncertainty.
Estimates are necessary in evaluation of contractual performance and estimated total contract costs for assessing whether any loss provisions are to be made or if customers will reach conditional purchase volumes triggering contractual discounts to be given.
Judgments made in relation to accounting policies applied
Parts of the Company’s sales are generated from large and complex customer contracts. Managerial judgment is applied regarding, among other aspects, conformance with acceptance criteria and if transfer of risks and rewards to the buyer has taken place to determine if revenue and costs should be recognized in the current period, degree of completion and the customer credit standing to assess whether payment is likely or not to justify revenue recognition.
Trade and customer finance receivables
Key sources of estimation uncertainty.
The Company monitors the financial stability of its customers and the environment in which they operate to make estimates regarding the likelihood that the individual receivables will be paid. Total allowances for estimated losses as of December 31, 2008, were SEK 1.8 (1.6) billion or 2.2 (2.5) percent of gross trade and customer finance receivables.
Credit risks for outstanding customer finance credits are regularly assessed as well, and allowances are recorded for estimated losses.
Inventory valuation
Key sources of estimation uncertainty.
Inventories are valued at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Estimates are required in relation to forecasted sales volumes and inventory balances. In situations where excess inventory balances are identified, estimates of net realizable values for the excess volumes are made. Inventory allowances for estimated losses as of December 31, 2008, amounted to SEK 3.5 (2.8) billion or 11 (11) percent of gross inventory.
Deferred taxes
Key sources of estimation uncertainty.
Deferred tax assets are recognized for temporary differences between the carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes of assets and liabilities and the amounts used for taxation purposes and for tax loss carry-forwards. The largest amounts of tax loss carry-forwards are reported in Sweden, with an indefinite period of utilization (i.e. with no expiry date). The valuation of tax loss carry-forwards, deferred tax assets and the Company’s ability to utilize tax losses is based upon management’s estimates of future taxable income in different tax jurisdictions. For further detailed information, please refer to note C8, “Taxes”.
At December 31, 2008, the value of deferred tax assets amounted to SEK 14.9 (11.7) billion. The deferred tax assets related to loss carryforwards are reported as non-current assets.
Accounting for income-, value added- and other taxes
Key sources of estimation uncertainty.
Accounting for these items is based upon evaluation of income-, value added- and other tax rules in all jurisdictions where we perform activities. The total complexity of rules related to taxes and the accounting for these require management’s involvement in judgments regarding classification of transactions and in estimates of probable outcomes of claimed deductions and/or disputes.
Capitalized development expenses
Key sources of estimation uncertainty.
Impairment testing is performed after initial recognition whenever there is an indication of impairment. Intangible assets not yet available for use are tested annually. The impairment amounts are based on estimates of future cash flows for the respective products.
At December 31, 2008, the amount of capitalized development expenses amounted to SEK 2.8 (3.7) billion. An impairment charge of SEK 0.5 billion was recognized as a part of the restructuring program. Under this program decisions where taken to phase out certain products. The impairment charge relates to balances for these products.
Judgments made in relation to accounting policies applied
Development costs that meet IFRS’ intangible asset recognition criteria for products that will be sold, leased or otherwise marketed as well as those intended for internal use are capitalized. The starting point for capitalization is based upon management’s judgment that technological and economical feasibility is confirmed, usually when a product development project has reached a defined milestone according to an established project management model. Capitalization ceases and amortization of capitalized development costs begins when the product is available for general release.
The definition of amortization periods as well as the evaluation of impairment indicators also requires management’s judgment.
Acquired intellectual property rights and other intangible assets, including goodwill
Key sources of estimation uncertainty.
At initial recognition, future cash flows are calculated, ensuring that the initial carrying values do not exceed the discounted cash flows for the items of this type of assets. Impairment testing is performed after initial recognition whenever there is an indication of impairment, except for goodwill for which impairment testing is performed at least once per year. Negative deviations in actual cash flows compared to estimated cash flows as well as new estimates that indicate lower future cash flows might result in recognition of impairment charges. One source of uncertainty related to future cash flows is long-term movements in exchange rates.
The market Capitalization of the Company as per year end 2008 well exceeded the value of net assets of the Company.
For further discussion on goodwill, see Note C1, “Significant Accounting Policies” and C10, “Intangible Assets”. Estimates related to acquired intangible assets are based on similar assumptions and risks in assumptions as for goodwill.
At December 31, 2008, the amount of acquired intellectual property rights and other intangible assets amounted to SEK 45.5 (46.8) billion, including goodwill of SEK 24.9 (22.8) billion.
Judgments made in relation to accounting policies applied
At initial recognition and subsequent measurement, management judgments are made, both for key assumptions and regarding impairment indicators. In the purchase price allocation made for each acquisition, the purchase price shall be assigned to the identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities based on fair values for theses net assets. Any remaining excess value is reported as goodwill. This allocation requires management judgment as well as the definition of cash generating units for impairment testing purposes. Other judgments might result in significantly different results and financial position in the future.
Provisions
Pension and other post-employment benefits
Key sources of estimation uncertainty.
Accounting for the costs of defined benefit pension plans and other applicable post-employment benefits is based on actuarial valuations, relying on key estimates for discount rates, expected return on plan assets, future salary increases, turnover rates and mortality tables. The discount rate assumptions are based on rates for high-quality fixed-income investments with durations as close as possible to the Company’s pension plans. Expected returns on plan assets consider long-term historical returns, allocation of assets and estimates of future long-term investment returns. At December 31, 2008 defined benefit obligations for pensions and other post-employment benefits amounted to SEK 28.0 (25.2) billion and fair value of plan assets to SEK 19.0 (20.2) billion. For more information on estimates and assumptions, see Note C17, “Post-Employment Benefits”.
Warranty provisions
Key sources of estimation uncertainty.
Provisions for product warranties are based on current volumes of products sold still under warranty and on historic quality rates for mature products as well as estimates and assumptions on future quality rates for new products and estimates of costs to remedy the various qualitative issues that might occur. Total provisions for product warranties as of December 31, 2008, amounted to SEK 1.9 (1.8) billion.
Provisions other than warranty provisions
Key sources of estimation uncertainty.
Provisions, other than warranty provisions, mainly comprise amounts related to contractual obligations and penalties to customers and estimated losses on customer contracts, restructuring, risks associated with patent and other litigations, supplier or subcontractor claims and/or disputes, as well as provisions for unresolved income tax and value added tax issues. The estimates related to the amounts of provisions for penalties, claims or losses receive special attention from the management. At December 31, 2008, Provisions other than warranty commitments amounted to SEK 12.4 (7.9) billion. For further detailed information, see Note C18, “Provisions”.
Judgments made in relation to accounting policies applied
Whether a present obligation is probable or not requires judgment. The nature and type of risks for these provisions differ and management’s judgment is applied regarding the nature and extent of obligations in deciding if an outflow of resources is probable or not.
Financial instruments and hedge accounting
Hedge accounting and foreign exchange risks
Key sources of estimation uncertainty.
Foreign exchange risk in highly probable sales and purchases in future periods are hedged using foreign exchange derivative instruments designated as cash-flow hedges.
Judgments made in relation to accounting policies applied
Establishing highly probable sales volumes involves gathering and evaluating sales and purchases estimates for future periods as well as analyzing actual outcome to estimates on a regular basis in order to fulfill effectiveness testing requirements for hedge accounting. Changes in estimates of sales and purchases might result in that hedge accounting is discontinued.
For further information regarding risks in financial instruments see, Note C20, “Financial Risk Management and Financial Instruments”.
