Foreign Currency Translation

In the Group companies’ separate financial statements, all of the receivables and liabilities in foreign currencies are translated at the rate prevailing on the reporting date, regardless of whether or not they have been hedged. Forward contracts that, from an economic point of view, are used for hedging are reported at fair value. The resulting translation differences are recognized in profit or loss or, if cash flow hedges are in place, in other equity items.

The financial statements of consolidated companies that are prepared in foreign currencies are translated on the basis of the functional currency principle using the modified reporting date rate method. This means that balances are translated from the functional currency to the reporting currency using the average rates of exchange prevailing on the reporting date, while income statement amounts are translated using the average exchange rates of the period. As the Group’s subsidiaries conduct their business in financial, economic and organizational autonomy, their functional currencies are basically identical to their respective local currencies. Any net gains or losses arising from the translation of equity are recognized in other equity items. Translation differences resulting from divergent exchange rates in the statement of income are likewise included there. If Group companies are removed from the scope of consolidation, any translation difference is reclassified from equity to profit or loss.

The exchange rates between the most important currencies reported in these financial statements and the euro were as follows: