The Group has various financial assets and liabilities such as cash and cash equivalents, receivables, due from related parties, refundable deposits, AFS financial assets. The main purpose of the Group’s financial instruments is to finance its operations. The Group has other financial instruments such as accounts payable and other liabilities which arise directly from its operations.
The Board of Directors (BOD) has overall responsibility for the establishment and oversight of the Group’s risk management framework. The Group’s risk management policies are established to identify and manage the Group’s exposure to financial risks, to set appropriate transaction limits and controls, and to monitor and assess risks and compliance to internal control policies. Risk management policies and structure are reviewed regularly to reflect changes in market conditions and the Group’s activities.
The Group has exposure to credit risk, liquidity risk, equity price risk and foreign exchange risk from the use of its financial instruments. The BOD reviews and approves the policies for managing each of these risks and they are summarized below.
Credit Risk
Credit risk refers to the potential loss arising from any failure by counterparties to fulfill their obligations, as and when they fall due. It is inherent to the business as potential losses may arise due to the failure of its counterparties to fulfill their obligations on maturity dates or due to adverse market conditions.
The Group is exposed to credit risk primarily because of its investing and operating activities. The Group is exposed to credit risk arising from the counterparties to its financial assets.
Credit Risk Management
In managing credit risk on these investments, capital preservation is paramount. The Group trades only with recognized, creditworthy third parties. It is the Group’s policy that all counterparties who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures. For investment in bonds, funds are invested in highly recommended, creditworthy debt instruments that provides satisfactory interest yield and capital appreciation. Investment in equities securities represent investments in companies with good dividend track record, as well as capital appreciation. The investment portfolio mix between debt and equity is reviewed by management.
With respect to credit risk arising from the other financial assets of the Group, which comprise of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, due from related parties and refundable deposits, management monitors these financial assets on an ongoing basis with the result that the Group’s exposure to impairment losses is not significant.
Credit Risk Exposures
The maximum exposure to credit risk for financial assets, which is composed of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, due from related parties, AFS financial assets and refundable deposits, is equivalent to the carrying amount of these financial assets as carried in the consolidated statement of financial position. The maximum exposure to credit risk for due from related parties is equivalent to the carrying amount of these financial assets as carried in the consolidated statement of financial position, which is secured by collateral.
Credit Risk Concentration Profile
Given the Group’s diverse base of counterparties, it is not exposed to large concentrations of credit risk.
Credit Quality of Financial Assets
The credit quality of financial assets is managed by the Group using high quality and standard quality as internal credit ratings.
A high-grade financial asset pertains to a counterparty that is not expected by the Group to default in settling its obligations, thus credit risk exposure is minimal. This normally includes large prime financial institutions, companies and government agencies. Standard grade financial assets pertain to other financial assets not belonging to high quality financial assets. Past due but not impaired financial assets are items with history of frequent default. Nevertheless, the amount due are still collectible.
Liquidity Risk
Liquidity risk is the risk that the Group will not be able to settle or meet its obligations on time or at a reasonable price. Management is responsible for liquidity, funding as well as settlement management. In addition, liquidity and funding risks, related processes and policies are overseen by management. The Group manages its liquidity risk based on business needs, tax, capital or regulatory considerations, if applicable, through numerous sources of finance in order to maintain flexibility.
Equity Price Risk
Equity price risk is the likelihood that the fair values of equities decrease as a result of changes in the levels of the equity indices and the values of individual stocks. The equity price risk exposure arises from the Group’s AFS financial assets in equity securities. The Group measures the sensitivity of its domestic AFS financial assets by using stock market index fluctuations and its effect to respective share prices.
The Group measures the sensitivity of its domestic AFS financial assets by using stock market index fluctuations and its effect to respective share prices.
Foreign Currency Risk
Foreign currency risk is the risk where the value of the Group’s financial instrument diminishes due to changes in foreign exchange rates. The Group’s foreign currency risk relates to its US$-denominated cash. The Group seeks to mitigate the effect of its currency exposure by matching the level of return on investment with the magnitude of foreign exchange fluctuation. Management closely monitors the fluctuations in exchange rates so as to anticipate the impact of foreign currency risks associated with the financial instruments. The Group currently does not enter into derivative transactions to hedge its currency exposure.