Non-controlling
interest (NCI) refers to the ownership stake in a subsidiary that is not held by the
parent company. It represents the portion of equity in a subsidiary that is attributable to external shareholders or investors. NCI arises when a company owns less than 100% of another company's outstanding
shares, resulting in shared ownership and control.
The presence of non-controlling interest has several implications on the financial statements of a company. These implications primarily revolve around the consolidation process, where the financial statements of the parent and subsidiary are combined to present a single set of financial statements for the group as a whole. The following sections outline the specific effects of non-controlling interest on the financial statements.
1.
Balance Sheet:
- Non-controlling interest is reported as a separate component of equity on the consolidated balance sheet. It represents the proportionate share of the subsidiary's net assets that belongs to external shareholders.
- The non-controlling interest is presented as a deduction from the consolidated equity, reflecting the portion of equity that does not belong to the parent company.
- The assets and liabilities of the subsidiary are fully consolidated, including those attributable to non-controlling interest.
2.
Income Statement:
- The consolidated income statement includes the revenues, expenses, gains, and losses of both the parent and subsidiary.
- The net income attributable to non-controlling interest is separately disclosed on the income statement, reflecting the portion of profits or losses that belongs to external shareholders.
- The net income attributable to non-controlling interest is deducted from the consolidated net income to arrive at the net income attributable to the parent company.
3.
Cash Flow Statement:
- Non-controlling interest does not have a direct impact on the cash flow statement. However, it indirectly affects cash flows through its impact on net income.
- The cash flows from operating, investing, and financing activities are reported on a consolidated basis, including the cash flows attributable to non-controlling interest.
4. Earnings per Share (EPS):
- Non-controlling interest affects the calculation of earnings per share. The net income attributable to non-controlling interest is deducted from the consolidated net income before calculating EPS.
- This deduction reduces the numerator of the EPS formula, resulting in a higher EPS for the parent company's shareholders.
5. Ratios and
Financial Analysis:
- Non-controlling interest affects various financial ratios and analysis. For example, the return on equity (ROE) is impacted as the net income attributable to non-controlling interest reduces the numerator.
- Similarly, other ratios like earnings per share, price-to-earnings ratio, and debt-to-equity ratio may be influenced by the presence of non-controlling interest.
In summary, non-controlling interest affects the financial statements of a company by necessitating the consolidation of subsidiary financials, reporting a separate component of equity, disclosing net income attributable to non-controlling interest, and impacting various financial ratios. Understanding and appropriately
accounting for non-controlling interest is crucial for accurate financial analysis and decision-making.