
1 Statement of accounting policies continued
d) Fair value measurement
Fair value is the price at which an orderly transaction to sell an asset or to transfer a liability would take place between market
participants at the measurement date.
When available, the Group measures the fair value of an instrument using quoted prices in an active market for that instrument.
A market is regarded as active if quoted prices are readily and regularly available as well as representing actual and regularly
occurring market transactions on an arm’s length basis.
If a market for a financial instrument is not active, the Group establishes fair value using a valuation technique. Valuation
techniques include using recent orderly transactions between market participants (if available), reference to the current fair
value of other instruments that are substantially the same, discounted cash flow analyses and option pricing models. The
chosen valuation technique makes maximum use of market inputs, relies as little as possible on estimates specific to the Group,
incorporates all factors that market participants would consider in setting a price, and is consistent with accepted economic
methodologies for pricing financial instruments. Inputs to valuation techniques reasonably represent market expectations and
measures of the risk return factors inherent in the financial instrument. The Group calibrates valuation techniques and tests
them for validity using prices from observable current market transactions in the same instrument or based on other available
observable market data.
Assets and long positions are measured at a bid price; liabilities and short positions are measured at an asking price. These prices
are monitored and deemed to approximate exit price. Where the Group has positions with offsetting risks, mid-market prices
are used to measure the offsetting risk positions and a bid or asking price adjustment is applied only to the net open position as
appropriate. Fair values reflect the credit risk of the instrument and include adjustments to take account of the credit risk of the
Group entity and counterparty where appropriate. Fair value estimates obtained from models are adjusted for any other factors,
such as liquidity risk or model uncertainties, to the extent that the Group believes a third-party market participant would take them
into account in pricing a transaction.
The best evidence of the fair value of a financial instrument at initial recognition is the transaction price, i.e. the fair value of the
consideration given or received, unless the fair value of that instrument is evidenced by comparison with other observable current
market transactions in the same instrument (i.e. without modification or repackaging) or based on a valuation technique whose
variables include only data from observable markets. When the transaction price provides the best evidence of fair value at initial
recognition, the financial instrument is initially measured at the transaction price and any difference between this price and
the value initially obtained from a valuation model is subsequently recognised in profit or loss depending on the individual facts
and circumstances of the transaction but before the valuation is supported wholly by observable market data or the transaction
is closed out.
Upon initial recognition, attributable transaction costs relating to financial instruments at fair value through profit or loss are
recognised in the statement of profit or loss when incurred. Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss are continuously
measured at fair value, and changes therein are recognised in the statement of profit or loss. Net changes in the fair value
of financial assets at fair value through profit or loss exclude interest and dividend income, as these items are accounted for
separately as set out on the next page.
e) Hedge funds, equity funds and illiquid credit assets
The Group invests in a number of hedge funds, equity funds and illiquid credit assets for which there are no available quoted
market prices. The valuation of these assets is based on fair value techniques as described above. The fair value of our hedge
fund and illiquid asset portfolio is calculated by reference to the underlying net asset values (NAVs) of each of the individual funds.
Consideration is also given to adjusting such NAV valuations for any restriction applied to distributions, the existence of side
pocket provisions and the timing of the latest available valuations. At certain times, we will have uncalled unfunded commitments
in relation to our illiquid credit assets. These uncalled unfunded commitments are actively monitored by the Group and are
disclosed in the notes 2 and 16 to the financial statements. The additional investment into our illiquid credit asset portfolio
is recognised on the date that this funding is provided by the Group.
f) Insurance receivables and payables
Insurance receivables and payables are recognised when due. These include amounts due to and from agents, brokers and
insurance contract holders. Insurance receivables are classified as ‘loans and receivables’ as they are non-derivative financial
assets with fixed or determinable payments that are not quoted on an active market. Insurance receivables are measured at
amortised cost less any impairment losses. Insurance payables are stated at amortised cost.
Notes to the financial statements continued
146 Beazley | Annual report 2021 www.beazley.com