Considerations for derivative instruments under ASC 815

In the simplest terms, a derivative is an instrument whose value depends on (or is derived from) the value of an underlying variable or variables, such as the prices of traded assets. Most derivatives are net-settled contracts that allow the holder to benefit from changes in the value of a referenced asset or other market variable while making a smaller initial investment than would be required to own that asset and experience similar gains and losses.

A contract that would otherwise meet the definition of a derivative in ASC 815 but qualifies for a scope exception does not require classification and measurement as a derivative asset or liability. An entity should consider whether a contract meets any of the available scope exceptions before applying the guidance in ASC 815 on classification, recognition, and measurement of derivatives. For more information, see Deloitte’s Roadmap Derivatives.

An instrument that does not meet the definition of a derivative in its entirety may contain contractual terms or features that affect the cash flows, values, or other exchanges required by the terms of the instrument in a manner similar to a derivative. Such terms or features are “embedded” in the overall arrangement or contract and are referred to as “embedded derivatives.”

Under ASC 815-15-25-1, an entity is required to bifurcate and separately account for a feature embedded within another contract (the host contract) if all three of the following conditions are met:

Embedded derivatives are commonly identified in debt and equity instruments, although it is possible for them to exist in other contracts (e.g., leases, service arrangements, insurance contracts). For example, if options allow the holder of a debt or equity instrument to either convert its instrument into shares of the issuer’s equity or redeem its instrument for cash, such options are embedded derivatives in the debt or equity instrument, respectively.

The determination of whether an embedded feature in a debt or equity host meets the definition of a derivative often depends on whether one of the criteria related to net settlement is met. For instance, equity in an entity that is not publicly traded is generally not readily convertible to cash, so redemption or conversion options for a nonpublic entity would generally not meet the definition of a derivative. When assessing whether an embedded feature, if free-standing, would meet the definition of a derivative, an entity should closely evaluate whether the feature provides for net settlement.

If an entity determines that one of the criteria for bifurcation of an embedded derivative is not met, the embedded feature does not need to be bifurcated and further analysis of the remaining criteria is not necessary. For more information, see Deloitte’s Roadmap Derivatives.

A key underlying principle of ASC 815 is that derivatives represent either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position, and those assets or liabilities should be measured initially and subsequently at fair value by applying the concepts of ASC 820. See Deloitte’s Roadmap Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Including the Fair Value Option) for more guidance. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative instrument depends on whether it has been designated as a hedging instrument in a qualified hedging relationship. Derivatives that are designated as a hedging instrument in a qualified hedging relationship are eligible for specialized hedge accounting. See Deloitte’s Roadmap Hedge Accounting for more information. Other than in limited scenarios, the gain or loss on a derivative instrument that has not been designated as a hedging instrument should be recognized in current-period earnings.

In addition, if any feature of an instrument has been identified and bifurcated as an embedded derivative, the entity should apply the accounting in ASC 815 related to measurement and recognition as if that embedded derivative were a free-standing derivative. Therefore, such an embedded derivative should be initially recorded at fair value and remeasured to its fair value in each reporting period. Unless the bifurcated embedded derivative is designated in a qualified hedging relationship, changes in the derivative’s fair value are recognized through earnings in each reporting period.

Derivatives scope refinements (ASC 815) — FASB recognition and measurement project

On July 23, 2024, the FASB issued a proposed ASU that would (1) refine the scope of the guidance on derivatives in ASC 815 and (2) clarify the scope of the guidance on share-based payments from a customer in ASC 606. The proposed ASU is intended to address concerns about the application of derivative accounting to contracts that have features based on the operations or activities of one of the parties to the contract and to reduce diversity in the accounting for share-based payments in revenue contracts. Comments on the proposal are due by October 21, 2024.

The proposed ASU would refine the scope of ASC 815 to exclude certain “contracts with underlyings based on operations or activities specific to one of the parties to the contract.” Contracts that may qualify for this exception would include those in which the underlying is a business operation or an event such as obtaining regulatory approval or achieving specific business milestones. The proposal would also change how the “predominant characteristics” of a contract are assessed when a contract has multiple underlyings, some of which qualify for scope exceptions and some of which do not.

The proposed ASU would also clarify that when an entity has a right to receive a share-based payment from its customer in connection with a contract with that customer, the share-based payment would be accounted for as a noncash consideration in the scope of ASC 606. That is, the proposed ASU provides that “unless and until the share-based payment is recognized as an asset” in accordance with ASC 606, the right to receive the share-based payment would not be in the scope of ASC 815 or ASC 321. Reporting entities would look to ASC 321 or ASC 815, as applicable, for subsequent measurement, which might result in the recognition of an immediate gain or loss once that share-based payment is received.

The Board will discuss feedback on the proposed ASU at future meetings. Entities should monitor this project on derivatives scope refinements with their accounting advisers for any new developments. For more information about the proposed ASU, see Deloitte’s August 2, 2024, Heads Up.

Definition of a derivative — FASB research project

As of the date of this Roadmap, the FASB’s research agenda still includes a project on the definition of a derivative. The objective of the research project is to consider possible refinements to the scope of ASC 815, including potential application guidance specific to certain arrangements such as research and development funding arrangements and sustainability-linked financial instruments (see below). Although this remains a separate research agenda project, some of these objectives may be addressed by the derivatives scope refinements project discussed above.

Entities should monitor this research project with their accounting advisers for any new developments.