Question

How are debt and stock investments reported in financial statements

Answer 1

Debt investments and equity investments recorded using the cost method are classified as trading securities, available‐for‐sale securities, or, in the case of debt investments, held‐to‐maturity securities. The classification is based on the intent of the company as to the length of time it will hold each investment.

A debt investment classified as held‐to‐maturity means the business has the intent and ability to hold the bond until it matures. The balance sheet classification of these investments as short‐term (current) or long‐term is based on their maturity dates.

Debt and equity investments classified as trading securities are those which were bought for the purpose of selling them within a short time of their purchase. These investments are considered short‐term assets and are revalued at each balance sheet date to their current fair market value.Any gains or losses due to changes in fair market value during the period are reported as gains or losses on the income statement because, by definition, a trading security will be sold in the near future at its market value.

Debt and equity investments that are not classified as trading securities or held‐to‐maturity securities are called available‐for‐sale securities. Whereas trading securities are short‐term, available‐for‐sale securities may be classified as either short‐term or long‐term assets based on management's intention of when to sell the securities. Available‐for‐sale securities are also valued at fair market value. Any resulting gain or loss is recorded to an unrealized gain and loss account that is reported as a separate line item in the stockholders' equity section of the balance sheet. The gains and losses for available‐for‐sale securities are not reported on the income statement until the securities are sold. Unlike trading securities that will be sold in the near future, there is a longer time before available‐for‐sale securities will be sold, and therefore, greater potential exists for changes in the fair market value.