Virus Accounting Maneuvers Criticized by European Authorities

(Bloomberg) --

Europe’s top markets watchdog is warning companies against getting creative with financial statements that obscure the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on their bottom line.

In guidance ahead of companies’ half-year results, the European Securities and Markets Authority said on Wednesday that firms shouldn’t separate the impact of the virus from overall profits and losses.

Publishing separate statements would “not faithfully present issuers’ overall financial performance, position and/or cash flows, thus being to the detriment of users’ understanding,” ESMA said. Issuers instead should provide information about the impact of the outbreak in an explanatory note, the Paris-based regulator said.

The criticism comes as borrowers have begun reporting a new financial measure dubbed “Ebitdac” -- earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and coronavirus. High-yield investors have protested this development, with the European Leveraged Finance Association warning Ebitdac is “inappropriate” and could lead to “fictitious figures.”

The adjustment to standard reporting could make companies appear more creditworthy than they really are and obscure the impact of the virus on their earnings, the association of institutional fixed-income managers said.

©2020 Bloomberg L.P.