An investment income is recorded in the income statement. It’s a credit item that leads to an increase in profit for the business
Most of the time, it’s non-operating income which means the business has not earned investment income through the normal way of earning.
Instead, it’s an income that has been earned via activities that are not a normal part of the business.
Investment Income
Businesses can earn investment income through different means that include but are not limited to interest receivable, dividends, capital gains realized from the sale of stocks and other assets, or any additional profit made through non-operating activities.
Further, profits on the sale of gold coins are also included in investment income.
Likewise, interest income, dividends income, interest earned on bank accounts, and income on stocks owned by mutual funds are also included in the investment income.
When it comes to the treatment of these transactions, different countries apply different rules. However, the countries that comply with international financial reporting standards do similar accounting in terms of recognition and presentation.
Strategy for making investment
Investment in other companies can be motivated by many reasons, including excess cash, diversification, and vertical and horizontal integration.
An organization may consider investing excess cash in money market instruments on a short-term basis instead of keeping it in a bank.
Additionally, companies invest in equity and debt securities of different companies from different sectors of the economy to diversify their sources of profit.
Likewise, there may be strategic reasons to invest in other companies such as acquiring a subsidiary to secure necessary inputs like raw materials, acquiring new technology, patents, etc.
In such cases, the investment made for strategic purposes is typically quite significant, exceeding 50% of the company’s outstanding stock to acquire control.
Income Statement Treatment of investment income
There can be different treatments of investment income depending on the nature and type of investment.
However, it’s a universal rule that income is credited in the income statement that increases profit. Although there can be different terms of recording and classification for the investment income, some are discussed below.
- Dividends Received – (It’s recorded when the dividend is declared on shares)
- Interest Income – (It’s recorded when interest is accrued on the loan receivable )
- Equity Method – (It’s recorded when a company has invested in an associate)
- Subsidiaries – (It’s recorded when the business can control the decision-making of the acquired company)
- Gains and Losses on Investment – (It’s recorded when investment is recorded at fair value)
Following are some of the main types of income recorded in the income statement.
Recognition of Dividends Received
If the business invests in a company for less than a 20% stake, it’s considered to be a normal investment, and dividends earned are recognized as income when declared.
Cash received from such dividends is reported under investing activities in the cash flow statement.
Following double entry is posted in the accounting system when recording the investment income (it’s when a company declares a dividend)
| Particulars | Debit | Credit |
| Investment income receivable | XXX | |
| Investment Income | XXX |
The debit impact is recorded for the receivable as the valid expectation to receive economic benefits has been developed that can be recorded.
On the other contrary, the credit impact of the transaction is the recording of income as it has been earned. It’s in the case of a normal dividend.
Recognition of Interest Income
The accrued amount of interest income is determined by the characteristics of the debt instrument. An investment in securities, bonds, and loans results in interest income.
Further, when it comes to conventional bonds and non-amortizing loans, interest income equals the product of the periodic interest rate and the principal amount.
In contrast, the interest income amount changes over time.
The following journal entry is passed into the accounting system to record interest income.
| Particulars | Debit | Credit |
| Cash | XXX | |
| Interest income | XXX |
The debit impact of the transaction is the receipt of cash and the credit impact is a recording of income. Sometimes, the company may not receive cash; instead, the business has to record interest receivable.
Recognition of income under the equity accounting method
As soon as a company purchases 20%-50% of a company’s outstanding common stock, the investee becomes its associate, requiring the investor to account for such investments using the equity method.
Under the equity method, Investment income is calculated using the equity method as the investor’s proportionate share of the affiliate’s net earnings.
Further, dividends from investments do not count as investment income; rather, they are deducted from carrying value.
Initially, an investment in associates is classified at cost. Subsequently, any changes in the value of the investee are recorded in the books of investors.
The changes taking place in the equity of investees are reflected in the books of investors.
The following journal entry is relevant in the case of investment in associates.
| Particulars | Debit | Credit |
| Investment in associates | XXX | |
| Cash | XXX |
The debit impact of the transaction is recorded for the investment as the investor has paid cash to acquire the same.
| Particulars | Debit | Credit |
| Cash | XXX | |
| Investment in associates | XXX |
Given journal entry is passed when investee announces dividend. It leads to a reduction of equity in the books of investors.
So, an investee has to reduce its proportion as well. Please note that it’s the same as you have paid a dividend, and equity is reduced. However, it’s up to proportionate your share in the associates.
The debit impact of the journal entry is the receipt of cash as the investee has received cash against their investment in the associates.
On the other contrary, the credit impact of the transaction is a reduction of investment in the associate. It’s because of the fact that investors have received extracted their investment in form of dividends.
| Particulars | Debit | Credit |
| Investment in associate | XXX | |
| Investment revenue | XXX |
The journal entry is passed when the investee needs to record their share in the profit. The debit impact increases the investment amount associates have earned, leading to an increase in economic benefits.
On the contrary, the credit impact of the transaction is the recording of income from the profit and loss statement. However, it’s important to note that the recording of income is limited to the proportion of investors.
Overall, investment increases with the profit earned and decreases with the dividend paid. So, the net increase of investment in an associate is when profit is more than the dividend paid.
Debt Investments
Based on management’s intention regarding the holding period, debt securities are classified into amortized cost category and fair value through profit and loss. And fair value through other comprehensive income. (IFRS-9)
There are two conditions to record debt instruments in the amortized cost category. These include business model tests and contractual cash flow tests.
The business model test means that your investment intention is to collect cash flows until maturity. And contractual cash flow test means that repayment constitutes only principal and interest.
The income earned in amortized cost category is recorded at an effective rate of income. The effective rate is applied to the outstanding balance and the resultant figure is taken to the Financial statement.
Fair value through profit and loss is a default category where debt instruments are classified. As It’s a default category, any profit/loss is directly recorded in the income statement.
Fair value through debt instrument is recorded when the business model test and cash flow contractual test are passed. The gain earned on the debt instruments is classified as other comprehensive income.
Recognition of Subsidiaries
It is indicative of a parent-subsidiary relationship when the parent company owns more than a 50% stake of the outstanding stock of the subsidiary company. In fact, it’s about the establishment of control that leads to parent-subsidiary relations.
The parent company prepares consolidated financial statements. Based on the consolidated financial statements, consolidated net income is identified. The parent’s share is separated from the share attributable to the non-controlling interest.
The parent must nevertheless recognize income from its subsidiary in its individual financial statements. Generally, investment income is recognized using the equity method.
An equity method recognizes investment income equal to the product of the parent’s holdings and the subsidiary’s income, minus excess amortization of the difference between the fair value of net identifiable assets and the carrying value of those assets.
Recognition of Gains and Losses on Investment (equity investment)
Gains and losses on periodic revaluations of investments are recognized as investment income when they are accounted for using the fair value method based on profit and loss.
The realized gains and losses are also recorded on income statements.
However, investments held at fair value through other comprehensive income are subject to gains and losses when they adjust from period to period.
As a result of such investments being sold, the unrealized gains or losses, and the unrealized portion held in other comprehensive income, are recognized in investment income.
Conclusion
The business can earn investment income by investing in debt and equity instruments. The income/gain that is usually earned by the business is classified in the profit and loss statement.
Depending on the nature of the investment, there can be different types of income including dividend income and interest income.
The gain earned on the investment can be classified in profit and loss statements and other comprehensive income as well.
If an investment is classified at fair value through profit and loss, it’s recorded in the income statement.
On the other hand, if an investment is recorded at fair value through OCI, the income is taken to the other comprehensive income.
Frequently asked questions
In how many categories can debt instruments be classified?
The debt instrument can be classified into three categories: fair value through profit and loss, fair value through OCI, and amortized cost.
What are the two main types of income?
Two main types of income include dividend income and interest income. Generally, dividend income is earned on the equity instruments, and interest income is earned on the debt instruments.
What’s the impact of investment income on the cash flow statement?
There is no direct impact on the investment income of the cash flow. However, receipt of the cash under investment income leads to an increase in the business’s cash balance.
