34 Fair value measurement

Measurement guidelines

The fair value represents a market-based measurement and not an entity-specific valuation. It is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date on the principal market or the most advantageous market.

As far as possible, the fair value is determined on the basis of the quoted market prices in active markets accessible to the company on the measurement date. An active, accessible market is one in which transactions for the asset or liability take place with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis. The fair value is determined using significant and observable inputs. These are basically available in the case of quoted assets or liabilities. If a market for financial or non-financial assets or liabilities is inactive, or if no observable inputs, or insufficient observable inputs, are available, the LLB Group must employ techniques or processes (valuation methods or models) to determine the fair value. The valuation techniques contain assumptions, including estimates, to enable an exit price on the measurement date from the perspective of the market participant to be determined. However, such assumptions and estimates contain uncertainties, which at a later date can lead to substantial changes in the fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities. In the case of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, for which a valuation technique involving non-observable market data is used to determine the fair value, these are measured at the transaction price. This fair value can differ from the fair value determined on the basis of valuation techniques.

All financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value are categorised into one of the following three fair value hierarchies:

Level 1

The fair value of listed securities and derivatives contained in the trading portfolio and financial investments is determined on the basis of market price quotes on an active market.

Level 2

If no market price quotes are available, the fair value is determined by means of valuation methods or models, which are based on assumptions made on the basis of observable market prices and other market quotes.

Level 3

For the remaining financial instruments neither market price quotes nor valuation methods or models based on market prices are available. Our own valuation methods or models are employed to measure the fair value of these instruments.

Valuation methods

Valuation methods and techniques are employed to determine the fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities for which no observable market prices on an active market are available. These include, in particular, illiquid financial investments. If available, the LLB Group uses market-based assumptions and inputs as the basis for valuation techniques. If such information is not available, assumptions and inputs from comparable assets and liabilities are employed. In the case of complex and very illiquid financial and non-financial assets and liabilities, the fair value is determined using a combination of observable transaction prices and market information.

The LLB Group employs standardised and accepted valuation techniques to determine the fair value of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities which are not actively traded or listed. In general, the LLB Group uses the following valuation methods and techniques as well as the following inputs.

Measurement of fair values by active markets or valuation techniques

The following table shows the classification of fair value hierarchies of financial and non-financial assets and liabilities of the LLB Group. All assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a recurring basis in the statement of financial position. As per 31 December 2016, the LLB Group had no assets or liabilities which were measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis in the balance sheet. In the 2016 business year there were no significant transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 financial instruments.

Measurement of assets and liabilities, classified as Level 3

For the recurring measurement of the fair value of financial investments for which significant, non-observable inputs have been used and which are classified as Level 3, the effects on the income statement in the 2016 business year amounted to CHF 12.2 million. On account of the new assessment of the fair value of financial investments in 2016, there was a reallocation to Level 3. Both at 31 December 2015 and at 31 December 2016, the holdings of financial investments at the LLB Group were unchanged. For the recurring measurement of the fair value of investment property, for which significant, non-observable inputs have been used and which are classified as Level 3, the effects on the income statement in the 2016 business year are immaterial and therefore they are not shown. The measurement or valuation also had no influence on other comprehensive income in 2016.

The measurement process to determine the fair value of recurring and non-recurring Level 3 assets and liabilities, especially the significant non-observable inputs, as shown in the previous table, are explained in the following. The interrelationships between observable and non-observable inputs are not explained in the following, because such interrelationships have no significant influence on the measurement on fair value.

Financial investments at fair value through profit and loss

Financial investments are periodically valued through profit and loss on the basis of market values provided by external experts. The financial investments consist of the non-listed shares of companies, which are periodically revalued on the basis of current company data or by third parties with the aid of valuation models. The valuation is made available to shareholders. An own valuation by shareholders with the aid of a valuation model based on observable or significant non-observable inputs is therefore unnecessary. How changes would affect the fair value, or how sensitively this would react, cannot be quantified or would have to be based on various assumptions to be made by LLB on how the company will develop. Since these are investments having an infrastructure character, whereby basically the fair value has changed in the last few years only by the amount of profit attained, a sensitivity analysis would bring no additional benefit for the reader of the financial statement. The financial investments do not diverge to highest or best use.

Investment property

Investment property is periodically valued by external experts or is valued on the basis of relative values in a market comparison. If no corresponding values for comparable properties are available, on which to base a reliable calculation of the fair value, assumptions are made. These assumptions contain assessments and considerations of such circumstances as the location and condition of the property, as well as the expected costs and revenues with it. Properties are always revalued whenever on the basis of events or changed circumstances the fair value no longer reflects the market price, so that changes in the calculation of the fair value can be promptly determined and recognised in the accounts. Changes in the inputs, on which the measurement of the fair value is based, can lead to significant changes in it. It cannot be quantified to what extent changes influence the fair value and the sensitivity of fair value, because the valuation of a property is based on an individual measurement, which is influenced by various assumptions. Consequently, a significant change in the fair value can occur, which is not quantifiable. Investment properties do not diverge to highest and best use.