Currency translation

Foreign currency transactions

In the subsidiaries’ separate financial statements, transactions in foreign currency are valued at the rate prevailing on the transaction date. Monetary assets and liabilities in foreign currency are valued at the closing date exchange rate. Non-monetary assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value in foreign currency are translated at the rate prevailing at the time the fair value was determined. Non-monetary items measured at historical acquisition or production costs in foreign currency are translated at the rate valid at the transaction date.

In principle, gains and losses from exchange rate fluctuations incurred until the closing date are recognised in profit or loss. Currency translation differences from receivables and liabilities in foreign currency, which must be regarded as a net investment in a foreign operation, equity instruments held for sale and qualified cash flow hedges are reported as reserves retained from earnings outside of profit or loss.

Foreign operations

The annual financial statements of foreign subsidiaries are translated into euros according to the functional currency concept of IAS 21 (The Effects of Changes in Foreign Exchange Rates). The functional currency is defined as the currency of the primary economic environment of the subsidiary. Since all consolidated companies operate as financially, economically and organisationally autonomous entities, their respective local currency is the functional currency. Assets and liabilities are therefore translated at the current exchange rate prevailing on the closing date. As a rule, income statement items are translated at the average exchange rate during the financial year. Differences from the translation of the financial statements of foreign subsidiaries do not affect income and are shown as separate items under reserves retained from earnings. To the extent that foreign subsidiaries are not under the full control of the parent company, the relevant share of currency differences is allocated to the non-controlling interests.

Currency differences are recognised through profit or loss in the net financial result in the year in which the operations of a foreign subsidiary are deconsolidated or terminated. In a partial disposal in which a controlling interest in the foreign subsidiary is retained, the relevant share of cumulated currency differences is allocated to the non-controlling interests. Should foreign associates or jointly controlled entities be partially sold without the loss of significant influence or joint control, the relevant share of the cumulated currency differences is recognised in the income statement.

In financial year 2016/17, no functional currency of a consolidated company was classified as hyperinflationary as defined by IAS 29 (Financial Reporting in Hyperinflationary Economies).

The following exchange rates were applied in the translation of key currencies outside the European Economic and Monetary Union that are of major significance for METRO: