Accounting for equity investments

Suppose that on January 6, 2018, East Coast Motors paid \(280,000,000 for its 35% investment in Boxcar Motors. East Coast has significant influence over Boxcar after the purchase. Assume Boxcar earned net income of \)90,000,000 and paid cash dividends of $45,000,000 to all outstanding stockholders during 2018. (Assume all outstanding stock is voting stock.)

Requirements

1. What method should East Cost Motors use to account for the investment in Boxcar Motors? Give your reasoning.

Short Answer

Expert verified

East Coast Motors mustaccount for investment using the equity method.

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Equity Method

The method of recording investment in the company’s voting stock under which the investment is recorded at its acquisition cost and adjustments are made for net income, loss and dividend payment is known as the equity method.

02

Accounting for Investment

East Coast Motors company has purchased 35% voting stock of Boxcar Motors. When the investment purchased reflects the purchase of 20% to 50% of the voting stock of the investee company, then it must be accounted for using the equity method.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

Match the key term to the scenario.

1. Available-for-sale debt investments.

a. Jane owns 53% of Richard’s Roses’s voting stock.

2. Controlling interest equity investments.

b. Joe owns debt security in Bones, Inc. and intends to hold it until maturity.

3. Trading debt investments.

c. Jeannie owns a debt security in Cricket, Inc. and plans on selling the debt after one year.

4. Held-to-maturity debt investments.

d. Jimenez owns 5% of Delgado, Inc.’s voting stock but does not have the ability to participate in the decisions of Delgado, Inc.

5. Significant influence on equity investments.

e. Jacob owns 24% of Pay, Inc.’s voting stock and has the ability to exert influence over Pay, Inc.

6. No significant influence on equity investments.

f. Jim owns a debt security in Tag, Inc.’s and plans on holding the debt for only a week.

Question: What method is used for investments in equity securities with more than 50% ownership? Briefly describe this method.

Accounting for debt investments

League Up & Co. owns vast amounts of corporate bonds. Suppose League Up buys $900,000 of CocoCorp bonds at face value on January 2, 2018. The CocoCorp bonds pay interest at the annual rate of 8% on June 30 and December 31 and mature on December 31, 2022. League Up intends to hold the investment until maturity.

Requirements

2. Journalize the following on League Up’s books:

a. Receipt of final interest payment on December 31, 2022.

b. Disposition of the investment at maturity on December 31, 2022

On January 1, 2018, the College Corporation decides to invest in Small Town bonds. The bonds mature on December 31, 2022, and pay interest of 4% on June 30 and December 31. The market rate of interest was 4% on January 1, 2018, so the $20,000 maturity-value bonds sold for face value. College Corporation intends to hold the bonds until maturity. Journalize the transactions related to College Corporation’s investment in Small Town bonds during 2018.

Accounting for equity investments

On January 1, 2018, Bark Company invests \(10,000 in Roots, Inc. stock. Roots pays Bark a \)400 dividend on August 1, 2018. Bark sells the Roots’s stock on August 31, 2018, for $10,450. Assume the investment is categorized as a short-term equity investment and Bark Company does not have significant influence over Roots, Inc.

Requirements

2. What was the net effect of the investment on Bark’s net income for the year ended December 31, 2018?

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Business Studies Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free