Effects of applying IFRS 16 leases on listed Spanish non-financial groups

This note presents the impact that application of International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS) 16 has had on the financial statements of listed Spanish groups. Listed European groups are required to apply IFRS in their consolidated accounts. Specifically, IFRS 16 on the measurement and presentation of leases practically eliminates the dual model approach for finance leases and operating leases for lessees and establishes a single model for all leases. This new way of accounting for leases has a strong impact on some items in groups’ income statements and on metrics such as gross value added (GVA) and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), as they rise as a result of lower lease expenses. The increase in the balance sheet prompted by recognising right-of-use assets and liabilities also has significant repercussions, by pushing up the ratios used to analyse debt levels. Movement in analysed variables and ratios caused by changes in an accounting standard, rather than by conduct attributable to the listed group, must therefore be taken into account by analysts.