On June 30, 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2022-03, which (1) clarifies existing guidance when measuring the fair value of an equity security subject to contractual restrictions that prohibit the sale of an equity security and (2) introduces new disclosure requirements for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions.
Under current guidance, stakeholders have observed diversity in practice related to whether contractual sale restrictions should be considered in the measurement of the fair value of equity securities that are subject to such restrictions. On the basis of interpretations of existing guidance, some entities use a discount for contractual sale restrictions when measuring fair value, while others view the application of such a discount to be inconsistent with the principles of ASC 820. To reduce the diversity in practice and increase the comparability of reported financial information, ASU 2022-03 clarifies this guidance.
The amendments in this Update affect all entities that have investments in equity securities measured at fair value that are subject to a contractual sale restriction.
Main Provisions
The ASU clarifies that a contractual restriction on the sale of an equity security is not considered part of the unit of account of the equity security. Instead, the contractual sale restriction is a characteristic of the reporting entity. Accordingly, an entity should not consider the contractual sale restriction when measuring the equity security’s fair value. Additionally, the ASU clarifies that an entity cannot, as a separate unit of account, recognize and measure a contractual sale restriction.
The ASU requires the following disclosures for equity securities subject to contractual sale restrictions:
- The fair value of equity securities subject to the contractual sale restriction(s) reflected in the balance sheet
- The nature and remaining duration of the restriction(s)
- The circumstances that could cause a lapse in the restriction(s)
The ASU also clarifies the difference between a contractual sale restriction and a regulatory sale restriction. A contractual sale restriction is imposed on a specific holder or holders of the equity security (that is, it is an entity-specific restriction) and therefore should not be considered in measuring the security\’s fair value. Conversely, a regulatory sale restriction is a characteristic of the equity security itself and thus should be considered when measuring the security\’s fair value.
Effective Dates and Transition
For public business entities, the amendments in this Update are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for both interim and annual financial statements that have not yet been issued or made available for issuance.
For all entities except investment companies as defined under Topic 946, Financial Services—Investment Companies, the amendments in this Update should be applied prospectively with any adjustments from the adoption of the amendments recognized in earnings and disclosed on the date of adoption.
An entity that qualifies as an investment company under Topic 946 should apply the amendments in this Update to an investment in an equity security subject to a contractual sale restriction that is executed or modified on or after the date of adoption. An investment company with an equity security subject to a contractual sale restriction that was executed before the date of adoption should continue to account for the equity security until the contractual restrictions expire or are modified using the accounting policy applied before the adoption of the amendments (that is, if an investment company was incorporating the effects of the restriction in the measurement of fair value, it would continue to do so).
