The estimates involved are made on a going concern basis in light of the Group’s liquidity and order book. They reflect information available at the time and may be revised if the circumstances on which they were based change or if new information is obtained.
The consolidated financial statements for the period have been prepared with reference to the immediate environment, in particular as regards the estimates given below.
Measurement of revenue from construction and service contracts
For revenue and income or losses on construction and service contracts, the Group applies general revenue recognition rules based on progress towards completion.
Progress towards completion and the revenue to be recognised are determined on the basis of a large number of estimates made by monitoring the work performed. Adjustments may be made to initial estimates throughout contracts and may materially affect future results.
For a given project, incurred costs that do not contribute to its completion (costs of significant inefficiencies such as the unexpected costs of losses of materials, labour hours expended or other resources consumed) are not included in measuring progress towards completion and do not therefore generate revenue.
Measurement of the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations
Business combinations are recognised according to IFRS 3 “Business Combinations” and IFRS 10 “Consolidated Financial Statements”. When the Group acquires control over a company, the impact of the business combination is measured and recognised using the acquisition method.
Assets and liabilities are measured at fair value at the date of acquisition except for those that fall within the scope of IAS 12 “Income Taxes” and IAS 19 “Employee Benefits”. To measure the fair value of identifiable assets and liabilities, assumptions and estimates must be formulated.
Measurement of leases
The assumptions and estimates made to determine the value of right-of-use assets in respect of leases and the associated liabilities relate in particular to discount rates and lease terms.
The Group takes into account all economic facts and circumstances of which it is aware when determining the non-cancellable period of leases and ensures that this period is not shorter than the amortisation period of non-removable leasehold improvements.
Measurement of amortisation calculated using the unit of production method
Amortisation calculated using the unit of production method applies mainly to concession intangible assets at VINCI Airports and VINCI Highways, and to quarrying rights at VINCI Construction. This amortisation method is based on the following physical indicators: passenger numbers at VINCI Airports and traffic levels at VINCI Highways; volumes of aggregates extracted at VINCI Construction.
Values used in impairment tests
The assumptions and estimates made to determine the recoverable amount of goodwill, intangible assets and property, plant and equipment relate in particular to the assessment of market prospects needed to estimate the cash flow, and the discount rates adopted. Any change in these assumptions could have a material effect on the recoverable amount. The main assumptions used by the Group are described in Note E.9, “Goodwill and goodwill impairment tests” and Note H.17, “Other intangible assets and property, plant and equipment”.
Measurement of provisions
The following factors may cause a material change in the amount of provisions:
Measurement at fair value
Fair value is the price that would be received from selling an asset or paid to transfer a liability in a normal transaction. It is recognised on the basis of the asset or liability’s main market (or the most advantageous market if there is no main market), i.e. the one that offers the highest volume and activity levels. The fair value of derivative financial instruments includes a “counterparty risk” component for derivatives carried as assets and an “own credit risk” component for derivatives carried as liabilities.
The Group mainly uses fair value in measuring, on a consistent basis, the derivative instruments, cash and cash equivalents, shares in unconsolidated subsidiaries and affiliates, cash management financial assets and identifiable assets and liabilities acquired in business combinations on its balance sheet. The fair value of other financial instruments (particularly debt instruments and assets measured at amortised cost) is stated in Note J.28, “Book and fair value of financial instruments by accounting category”.
To determine these fair values, the Group uses several measurement methods:
