Question

On March 25, 2021, Phillips Corporation purchased bonds of Atlas Corporation for $132 million and classified the securities as trading securities. On December 31, 2021, these bonds were valued at $150 million. Three months later, on April 3, 2022, Phillips Corporation sold these bonds for $140 million. As part of the multi-step approach to record the 2019 transaction, Phillips Corporation should first update the fair value adjustment by recording:
Multiple Choice

An unrealized holding gain of $28 million in 2019.

A unrealized holding loss of $10 million in 2019.

An unrealized holding gain of $8 million in 2019.

A gain of $8 million in 2019.

Answer 1

Answer:

An unrealized holding gain of $28 million in 2019.

Explanation:

At the financial year-end, the company have to reevaluate the investment to recognize the gain or loss.  

If the fair value is higher than actual investment, the company gain and vice versa it lost.

In this scenario, the fair value adjustment = the valuation on 31st December – purchased value = $150 million - $132 million = $28 million.

Because this step is just an approach to record new valuation of investment, then it’s consider unrealized.

In short, Phillips Corporation should first update the fair value adjustment of $28 million on December 31 2021