The financial statements of German and foreign subsidiaries included in the consolidated accounts are prepared using consistent accounting and valuation principles as required by IFRS 10 (Consolidated Financial Statements).
Subsidiaries that, unlike METRO AG, do not close their financial year on 30 September prepared interim financial statements for consolidation purposes.
In accordance with IFRS 3 (Business Combinations), capital consolidation is effected using the purchase method.
Non-controlling interests are initially measured at their proportional share in the identifiable net assets of the acquired company as of the date of acquisition.
Investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method and treated in accordance with the principles applying to full consolidation, with existing goodwill being included in the amount capitalised for such investments. Income from investments in associates, joint ventures and joint operations in the income statement is recognised in earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT).
Any deviating accounting and measurement methods used in the financial statements of entities accounted for by applying the equity method are retained as long as they do not substantially contradict METRO’s uniform accounting and measurement methods.