Long Term Equity Investment: Definition & Examples

Long Term Equity Investment represents investments in the equity securities of other entities (stocks, shares in unlisted companies) that the company intends to hold for an extended period, typically more than one year. These are classified as non-current assets and accounted for based on the level of influence: equity method for associates (significant influence) or fair value/cost for other strategic investments.

Definition and Scope

Long Term Equity Investment includes ownership interests in other companies held for strategic reasons, income, or control benefits rather than short-term trading.

• Investments in associates (significant influence, usually 20-50%)
• Investments in joint ventures (joint control)
• Strategic minority stakes in unlisted or listed entities
• Non-controlling interests held long-term

Excludes trading securities or short-term holdings (current assets).

Accounting Methods

“I don’t want a lot of good investments; I want a few outstanding ones.”

— Philip Fisher, Author, Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits (1958)

Equity Method (Significant Influence)

• Initial cost + share of post-acquisition profits/losses
• Dividends reduce carrying amount
• Share of OCI also recognized in investor OCI
• Impairment tested if indicators present

Other Long-Term Equity (No Significant Influence)

• IFRS: Fair value through P&L or OCI (FVOCI election)
• US GAAP: Fair value (if market) or cost minus impairment
• Unlisted: Often cost or NAV

Control (>50%) → Consolidation (not equity method).

Balance Sheet Presentation

Under non-current assets as:

• ‘Long Term Equity Investment’
• ‘Investments in Associates’
• ‘Equity Method Investments’
• ‘Other Long-Term Investments’
• Often detailed by entity in footnotes

Rollforward: beginning balance, additions, share of profit, dividends, impairments, etc.

Common Examples

• 20-40% stake in supplier or partner (equity method)
• Strategic investment in startup or tech firm
• Cross-holdings in joint ventures
• Minority interest in listed company held long-term
• Investments in private equity or venture funds (as limited partner)

Why Companies Hold These Investments

• Strategic alliances or supply chain security
• Access to technology or markets
• Influence without full control
• Diversification of income sources
• Long-term capital appreciation

Analytical Implications

These investments affect analysis by:

• Providing income (equity method share of earnings)
• Off-balance-sheet exposure (only net investment shown)
• Potential volatility from impairments
• Influence on related party transactions
• Strategic insight into partnerships

Equity method earnings are non-cash; focus on underlying investee performance.