LOREAL_Registration_Document_2017

2017 Consolidated Financial Statements* NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Derivatives and exposure to market risks

NOTE 9

ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES Derivative instruments entered into to hedge identifiable foreign exchange and interest rate risks are accounted for in accordance with hedge accounting principles. Forward foreign exchange contracts and options are put in place in order to hedge items recorded in the balance sheet (fair value hedges) and cash flows on highly probable future commercial transactions (cash flow hedges). All foreign exchange hedging instruments are recorded on the balance sheet at their market value, including those which relate to purchases and sales in the next accounting period. Hence changes in the fair value of these hedging instruments is recorded as follows: changes in the market value linked to variations in the s time value of forwards used as hedges are recognised in equity and the amount accumulated in equity impacts the income statement at the date on which the hedged transactions are completed; changes in the market value linked to variations in the s time value of options are recognised in the income statement; changes in the market value linked to variations in the s spot rate between the inception of the hedge and the closing date are charged to equity, and the amount accumulated in equity impacts income statements at the date on which the transactions hedged are

completed. Any remaining hedge ineffectiveness is recognised directly in the income statement. In application of hedge accounting, unrealised exchange gains and losses relating to unsold inventories are deferred in the inventories item in the balance sheet. Similarly, if a currency hedge has been taken out in respect of fixed assets purchased with foreign currency, these assets are valued in the balance sheet on the basis of the hedging rate. The Group may decide to hedge certain investments in foreign companies. Exchange gains or losses relating to these hedges are directly charged to consolidated equity, under the item Cumulative translation adjustments . With regard to interest rate risk, fixed-rate debt and financial loans hedged by interest rate swaps are valued in the balance sheet at their market value. Changes in the fair value of these items are recorded as finance costs and offset by adjustments to the fair value of the related hedging derivatives. Floating-rate debt and financial loans are valued at cost, which corresponds to their market value. The swaps or caps which hedge these items are valued in the balance sheet at their market value, with changes in value recorded directly through equity on the Other comprehensive income line. The fair value of interest rate derivative instruments is their market value. Market value is calculated by the discounted cash flow method at the interest rate effective at the closing date. exposure of each subsidiary. The term of the derivatives is aligned with the Group’s settlements. Exchange rate derivatives are negotiated by REGEFI (the Group’s bank) or, in exceptional cases, directly by the Group’s subsidiaries when required by local regulations. Such operations are supervised by REGEFI. As the Group's bank, REGEFI is subject to European Market Infrastructure Regulations (EMIR). Published by the European Commission in September 2012, EMIR is aimed at moving OTC markets towards a centralised model, thereby enhancing market transparency and regulatory oversight and decreasing systemic risk using a guarantee mechanism. As the Group’s companies must borrow and invest their cash in their own currency, the exchange rate risks generated by managing their own cash and debt are almost non-existent.

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To manage its exposure to currency and interest rate risks arising in the course of its normal operations, the Group uses derivatives negotiated with counterparties rated investment grade. In accordance with Group rules, currency and interest rate derivatives are set up exclusively for hedging purposes. Hedging of currency risk 9.1.

The Group is exposed to currency risk on commercial transactions recorded on the balance sheet and on highly probable future transactions. The Group’s policy regarding its exposure to currency risk on future commercial transactions is to hedge, before the end of the year, a large part of the currency risk for the following year, using derivatives based on operating budgets in each subsidiary. All the Group’s future foreign currency flows are analysed in detailed forecasts for the coming budgetary year. Any currency risks identified are hedged by forward contracts or by options in order to reduce as far as possible the currency

REGISTRATION DOCUMENT / L'ORÉAL 2017

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