Brother International 2012 Annual Report Download - page 47

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15. Financial Instruments and Related Disclosures
(1) Group policy for financial instruments
The Group uses financial instruments, mainly long-term debt including bank loans and bonds, based on its capital financing plan. Cash surpluses, if any, are invested in
low risk financial assets. Short-term bank loans are used to fund its ongoing operations. Derivatives are used, not for speculative purposes, but to manage exposure to
financial risks as described in (2) below.
(2) Nature and extent of risks arising from financial instruments
Receivables such as trade notes and trade accounts are exposed to customer credit risk. Although receivables in foreign currencies are exposed to the market risk of
fluctuation in foreign currency exchange rates, the position, net of payables in foreign currencies, is hedged by using forward foreign currency contracts and currency
option contracts.
Marketable and investment securities, mainly equity instruments of customers and suppliers of the Group, are exposed to the risk of market price fluctuations.
Payment terms of payables, such as trade notes and trade accounts, are less than one year. Payables in foreign currencies are exposed to the market risk of fluctua-
tion in foreign currency exchange rates.
Bank loans are mainly used to fund ongoing operations. The long-term portion of bank loans is borrowed with fixed interest rate. The maturities of bonds are a year
after the balance sheet date at maximum and are mainly used to fund plant and equipment investment.
Derivatives mainly include forward foreign currency contracts, currency option contracts, which are used to manage exposure to market risks from changes in
foreign currency exchange rates of receivables and payables, respectively. Please see Note 16 for more detail about derivatives.
(3) Risk management for financial instruments
Credit risk management
Credit risk is the risk of economic loss arising from counterparty’s failure to repay or service debt according to the contractual terms. The Group manages its credit risk
from receivables on the basis of internal guidelines, which include monitoring of payment terms and balances of major customers by each business administration
department to identify the default risk of customers in the early stage. With respect to held-to-maturity financial investments, the Group manages its exposure to credit
risk by limiting its funding to high credit rated bonds in accordance with its internal guidelines.
The maximum credit risk exposure of financial assets is limited to their carrying amounts as of March 31, 2012.
Market risk management (foreign exchange risk and interest rate risk)
Foreign currency trade receivables and payables are exposed to market risk resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Such foreign exchange risk
of trade receivables is hedged principally by forward foreign currency contracts and currency option contracts. In addition, when foreign currency trade receivables
and payables are expected from a forecasted transaction, forward foreign currency contracts and currency option contracts may be used to hedge foreign exchange
risk resulting from the forecasted transaction expected to occur within one year.
The executions and administration of derivatives have been approved by those who are granted authority based on the internal guidelines which prescribe the
authority and the limit for each transaction.
Liquidity risk management
Liquidity risk comprises the risk that the Group cannot meet its contractual obligations in full on their maturity dates. The Group manages its liquidity risk with ade-
quate financial planning by each company.
(4) Fair values of financial instruments
Fair values of financial instruments are based on quoted prices in active markets. If quoted price is not available, other rational valuation techniques are used instead.
Also, please see Note 16 for the detail of fair value for derivatives.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Brother Industries, Ltd. and Consolidated Subsidiaries
Year ended March 31, 2012