Capital Structure, Investments, and Financing Activities

(43) Information on fair value measurement

Accounting and measurement policies
Information on fair value measurement

The measurement techniques and main input factors used to determine the fair value of financial instruments are as follows:

Fair value determined by official prices and quoted market values (Level 1)

 

 

Financial instruments concerned

 

Description of the measurement technique

 

Main input factors used to determine fair values

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets

Subsequent measurement at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity instruments

 

Shares

 

Derived from active market

 

Quoted prices in an active market

Other debt instruments

 

Bonds

 

 

 

Other (short-term) cash investments

 

 

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity instruments

 

Shares

 

Derived from active market

 

Quoted prices in an active market

Other debt instruments

 

Publicly-traded funds

 

 

 

Other (short-term) cash investments

 

 

Cash and Cash equivalents

 

Money market funds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

Subsequent measurement at amortized cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial debt

 

Bonds

 

Derived from active market

 

Quoted prices in an active market
Fair value determined using input factors observable in the market (Level 2)

 

 

Financial instruments concerned

 

Description of the measurement technique

 

Main input factors used to determine fair values

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives (without a hedging relationship)

 

Forward exchange contracts and currency options

 

Use of recognized financial methods

 

Spot and forward rates observable on the market as well as exchange rate volatilities

Derivatives (with a hedging relationship)

 

Forward exchange contracts and currency options

 

Use of recognized financial methods

 

Spot and forward rates observable on the market as well as exchange rate volatilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives (without a hedging relationship)

 

Forward exchange contracts and currency options

 

Use of recognized financial methods

 

Spot and forward rates observable on the market as well as exchange rate volatilities

Derivatives (with a hedging relationship)

 

Forward exchange contracts and currency options

 

Use of recognized financial methods

 

Spot and forward rates observable on the market as well as exchange rate volatilities

 

Forward equity contracts

 

 

Share prices available on the market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsequent measurement at amortized cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

 

Liabilities to banks and other loan liabilities

 

Discounting of future cash flows

 

Interest rates observable on the market
Fair value determined using input factors unobservable in the market (Level 3)

 

 

Financial instruments concerned

 

Description of the measurement technique

 

Main input factors used to determine fair values

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial assets

Subsequent measurement at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity instruments

 

Equity investments in unlisted companies

 

Discounting of expected future cash flows

 

Expected cash flows from recent business planning, average cost of capital, expected long-term growth rate

 

 

Derived from observable prices within the scope of equity refinancing sufficiently close to the balance sheet date, considered risk allowances

 

Observable prices derived from equity refinancing

 

 

Cost-based determination

 

Acquisition cost

Trade and other receivables

 

Trade accounts receivable that are intended for sale due to a factoring agreement

 

Nominal value less factoring fees

 

Nominal value of potentially sold trade accounts receivable, average fees for sales of trade accounts receivable

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives (without a hedging relationship)

 

Virtual power purchase agreements

 

Discounting of expected future cash flows

 

Electricity future price curves, expected electricity production volumes, discount factors

Contingent consideration

 

Contingent considerations from the sale of businesses or shares in corporations

 

Discounting of probability-weighted future milestone payments and license fees

 

Sales planning, milestone payments, probabilities of regulatory and commercial events, discount rates

Other debt instruments

 

Loans with variable repayments

 

Discounting of expected future cash flows

 

Expected cash flows from recent business planning, discount rates

 

Interests in unlisted funds

 

Consideration of the fair value of companies in which the funds are invested

 

Net asset values of the fund interests

 

Units with cancellation or redemption options

 

Derived from observable prices in the context of refinancing sufficiently close to the reporting date, considered risk allowances

 

Derived observable prices from similar refinancing transactions

 

Bonds with embedded settlement option for equity in an unlisted company

 

Use of recognized financial methods

 

Interest rates observable on the market

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives (without a hedging relationship)

 

Virtual power purchase agreements and their hedging transaction

 

Discounting of expected future cash flows

 

Electricity future price curves, expected electricity production volumes, discount factors

 

 

Use of recognized financial methods

 

Contingent consideration

 

Contingent considerations from the purchase of businesses

 

Discounting of probability-weighted future milestone payments and license fees

 

Sales planning, milestone payments, probabilities of regulatory and commercial events, discount rates

Counterparty credit risk is taken into consideration for measurements of financial instruments at fair value. In the case of non-derivative financial instruments, such as other liabilities or interest-bearing securities, this is reflected using risk premiums on the discount rate, while discounts on market value (credit valuation adjustments and debit valuation adjustments) are used for derivatives. Transfers between the individual hierarchy levels at fair value are made at the end of the month in which the triggering event – for example, an initial public offering – takes place.

Assets and liabilities from contingent considerations (Level 3)

The fair values of assets and liabilities from contingent considerations are calculated by weighting the expected future cash flows in connection with milestone payments and royalties using their probability of occurrence and discounting them. The main parameters when determining contingent considerations are:

  • The estimated probability of reaching the individual milestone events

  • The underlying sales planning used to derive royalties

  • The discount rate used

When determining the probability of occurrence of the individual milestone events in connection with the development of drug candidates, the focus is on empirically available probabilities of success of development programs in comparable phases of clinical development in the corresponding therapeutic areas. Internal sales plans and sales plans of external industry services are used to determine sales plans. The discount rate (after tax) of 6.6% as of December 31, 2025 (December 31, 2024: 6.0%) was calculated using the weighted average cost of capital.

Significant discretionary decisions and sources of estimation uncertainty
Equity investments in unlisted companies

Determining the parameters that are to be included in discounted cash flow methods and deriving the fair value from observable prices within the scope of equity refinancing are both subject to discretionary decisions and estimation uncertainty.

Assets from contingent consideration

The calculation of the fair value of assets from contingent considerations is subject to significant discretionary judgment.

The most significant contingent consideration was the future purchase price claim from the disposal of the biosimilars business to a subsidiary of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, on August 31, 2017. It was calculated by an external valuation expert upon initial recognition in fiscal 2017 and was subsequently recognized on this basis. As of December 31, 2025, the carrying amount was € 148 million (December 31, 2024: € 126 million).

Following the achievement of the last regulatory milestone in connection with the disposal of the biosimilars business in fiscal 2024, the probability of approval is no longer a factor in determining the fair value of the contingent consideration; instead, this is based solely on the entitlement to sales-based royalties and the discount factor.

The following tables present the carrying amounts and fair values of the individual financial assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024, for each individual financial instrument class pursuant to IFRS 9:

December 31, 2025

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount

 

Fair value1

 

 

€ million

 

Consoli­dated
notes

 

Current

 

Non-current

 

Total

 

Fair value determined by official prices and quoted market values (Level 1)

 

Fair value determined using input factors observable in the market (Level 2)

 

Fair value determined using input factors not observable in the market (Level 3)

 

Total

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsequent measurement at amortized cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

35

 

1,184

 

–

 

1,184

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade and other receivables (excluding leasing receivables)

 

25

 

3,914

 

30

 

3,944

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other debt instruments

 

36

 

591

 

4

 

594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsequent measurement at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity instruments

 

36

 

–

 

622

 

622

 

157

 

–

 

465

 

622

Trade and other receivables

 

25

 

28

 

–

 

28

 

–

 

–

 

28

 

28

Other debt instruments

 

36

 

–

 

1

 

1

 

–

 

–

 

1

 

1

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

35

 

1,556

 

–

 

1,556

 

1,556

 

–

 

–

 

1,556

Contingent considerations

 

36

 

–

 

162

 

162

 

–

 

–

 

162

 

162

Other debt instruments

 

36

 

6

 

146

 

153

 

80

 

–

 

72

 

152

Derivatives without a hedging relationship

 

36, 39

 

17

 

54

 

71

 

–

 

13

 

58

 

71

Derivatives with a hedging relationship

 

36, 39

 

74

 

3

 

76

 

–

 

76

 

–

 

76

Lease receivables (measured in accordance with IFRS 16)2

 

25

 

5

 

2

 

7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

7,375

 

1,024

 

8,399

 

1,793

 

89

 

786

 

2,668

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsequent measurement at amortized cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade payables and other liabilities

 

30

 

2,110

 

–

 

2,110

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial debt

 

37

 

1,098

 

10,206

 

11,303

 

8,964

 

2,262

 

–

 

11,226

Other financial liabilities

 

38

 

977

 

75

 

1,052

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingent considerations

 

38

 

–

 

9

 

9

 

–

 

–

 

9

 

9

Derivatives without a hedging relationship

 

37, 38, 39

 

20

 

19

 

39

 

–

 

17

 

22

 

39

Derivatives with a hedging relationship

 

38, 39

 

19

 

–

 

19

 

–

 

19

 

–

 

19

Refund liabilities

 

9

 

985

 

–

 

985

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lease liabilities (measured in accordance with IFRS 16)2

 

37

 

123

 

525

 

648

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

5,331

 

10,834

 

16,166

 

8,964

 

2,298

 

31

 

11,293

1

The simplification option under IFRS 7.29(a) was used for disclosures of certain fair values. IFRS 7.29(d) explicitly does not require disclosure of the fair value of lease liabilities.

2

Measurements within the scope of IFRS 16 are exempted from the requirements of IFRS 13 (IFRS 13.6(b)).
December 31, 2024

 

 

 

 

Carrying amount

 

Fair value1

 

 

€ million

 

Consoli­dated
notes

 

Current

 

Non-current

 

Total

 

Fair value determined by official prices and quoted market values (Level 1)

 

Fair value determined using input factors observable in the market (Level 2)

 

Fair value determined using input factors not observable in the market (Level 3)

 

Total

Financial assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsequent measurement at amortized cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

35

 

859

 

–

 

859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts receivable and other receivable (excluding leasing receivables)

 

25

 

3,916

 

25

 

3,940

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other debt instruments

 

36

 

559

 

3

 

562

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsequent measurement at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity instruments

 

36

 

–

 

798

 

798

 

243

 

–

 

555

 

798

Trade accounts receivable and other receivable

 

25

 

24

 

–

 

24

 

–

 

–

 

24

 

24

Debt instruments

 

36

 

–

 

1

 

1

 

1

 

–

 

–

 

1

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

35

 

1,658

 

–

 

1,658

 

1,658

 

–

 

–

 

1,658

Contingent consideration

 

36

 

–

 

151

 

151

 

–

 

–

 

151

 

151

Other debt instruments

 

36

 

–

 

162

 

162

 

68

 

–

 

94

 

162

Derivatives without a hedging relationship

 

36, 39

 

75

 

57

 

131

 

–

 

70

 

61

 

131

Derivatives with a hedging relationship

 

36, 39

 

8

 

–

 

8

 

–

 

8

 

–

 

8

Finance lease receivables (to be measured in accordance with IFRS 16)2

 

25

 

6

 

3

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

7,105

 

1,200

 

8,305

 

1,970

 

78

 

885

 

2,933

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsequent measurement at amortized cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trade accounts payable

 

30

 

2,275

 

–

 

2,275

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial debt

 

37

 

3,136

 

6,373

 

9,508

 

7,469

 

1,823

 

–

 

9,292

Other financial liabilities

 

38

 

977

 

112

 

1,089

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Contingent consideration

 

38

 

15

 

5

 

20

 

–

 

–

 

20

 

20

Derivatives without a hedging relationship

 

37, 38, 39

 

34

 

18

 

52

 

–

 

31

 

21

 

52

Derivatives with a hedging relationship

 

38, 39

 

36

 

–

 

36

 

–

 

36

 

–

 

36

Refund liabilities

 

9

 

869

 

–

 

869

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finance lease liabilities (to be measured in accordance with IFRS 16)2

 

37

 

137

 

624

 

761

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

7,478

 

7,132

 

14,610

 

7,469

 

1,890

 

41

 

9,400

1

The simplification option under IFRS 7.29(a) was used for disclosures of certain fair values. IFRS 7.29(d) explicitly does not require disclosure of the fair value of lease liabilities.

2

Measurements within the scope of IFRS 16 are exempted from the requirements of IFRS 13 (IFRS 13.6(b)).

The changes in financial assets and liabilities for each of the individual classes of financial instruments allocated to Level 3 and measured at fair value were as follows in the previous year:

2024

 

 

Financial assets

 

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

Subsequent measurement at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

€ million

 

Other debt instruments

 

Contingent consideration

 

Derivatives without a hedging relationship

 

Equity instruments

 

Trade and other receivables

 

Contingent consideration

 

Derivatives without a hedging relationship

 

Total

Net carrying amounts as of Jan. 1, 2024

 

95

 

125

 

50

 

436

 

25

 

-2

 

-20

 

710

Additions

 

30

 

10

 

–

 

107

 

44

 

-18

 

–

 

173

Transfers into Level 3 from Level 1/Level 2

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

Fair value changes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gains (+)/losses (-) recognized in the Consolidated Income Statement (other operating result)

 

–

 

46

 

8

 

 

 

–

 

1

 

-3

 

52

thereof: attributable to assets/liabilities held as of the balance sheet date

 

–

 

7

 

8

 

 

 

–

 

1

 

-3

 

13

Gains (+)/losses (-) recognized in the Consolidated Income Statement (financial income and expenses)

 

3

 

12

 

1

 

 

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

16

thereof: attributable to assets/liabilities held as of the balance sheet date

 

3

 

12

 

1

 

 

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

16

Gains (+)/losses (-) recognized in other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

-3

 

–

 

 

 

 

 

-2

Currency translation difference

 

3

 

–

 

3

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

6

Disposals

 

-19

 

-42

 

–

 

-4

 

-44

 

–

 

2

 

-108

Transfers out of Level 3 into Level 1/Level 2

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

Other

 

-19

 

–

 

–

 

19

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

Net carrying amounts as of Dec. 31, 2024

 

94

 

151

 

61

 

555

 

24

 

-20

 

-21

 

845

The changes in financial assets and liabilities for each of the individual classes of financial instruments allocated to Level 3 and measured at fair value were as follows in fiscal 2025:

2025

 

 

Financial assets

 

Financial liabilities

 

 

 

 

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

Subsequent measurement at fair value through other comprehensive income

 

Subsequent measurement at fair value through profit or loss

 

 

€ million

 

Other debt instruments

 

Contingent consideration

 

Derivatives without a hedging relationship

 

Equity instruments

 

Trade and other receivables

 

Contingent consideration

 

Derivatives without a hedging relationship

 

Total

Net carrying amounts as of Jan. 1, 2025

 

94

 

151

 

61

 

555

 

24

 

-20

 

-21

 

845

Additions

 

33

 

–

 

–

 

76

 

51

 

-9

 

–

 

151

Transfers into Level 3 from Level 1/Level 2

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

Fair value changes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gains (+)/losses (-) recognized in the Consolidated Income Statement (other operating result)

 

-7

 

34

 

6

 

 

 

–

 

7

 

-3

 

37

thereof: attributable to assets/liabilities held as of the balance sheet date

 

-7

 

34

 

6

 

 

 

–

 

5

 

-3

 

35

Gains (+)/losses (-) recognized in the Consolidated Income Statement (financial income and expenses)

 

1

 

6

 

1

 

 

 

–

 

-1

 

–

 

7

thereof: attributable to assets/liabilities held as of the balance sheet date

 

1

 

6

 

1

 

 

 

–

 

-1

 

–

 

7

Gains (+)/losses (-) recognized in other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

 

–

 

 

 

 

 

6

Currency translation difference

 

-5

 

–

 

-7

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

-12

Disposals

 

-25

 

-29

 

-2

 

-93

 

-48

 

14

 

2

 

-180

Transfers out of Level 3 into Level 1/Level 2

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

–

Other

 

-18

 

–

 

–

 

-79

 

–

 

–

 

–

 

-97

Net carrying amounts as of Dec. 31, 2025

 

72

 

162

 

58

 

465

 

28

 

-9

 

-22

 

755

Disposals in fiscal 2025 related in particular to equity instruments with subsequent measurement at fair value through other comprehensive income (see also Note (36) Other financial assets). In addition, as in the previous year, disposals were made due to payments received in connection with the contingent consideration arising from the disposal of the biosimilars business to a subsidiary of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA, Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, as well as trade accounts receivable under factoring agreements. The “Other” line item includes loans that were converted into equity instruments in fiscal 2025. The reclassification of the fair value of the shares in Celestial AI Inc., United States, to assets held for sale was also presented in the “Other” line item. The gains and losses from Level 3 assets recognized in other comprehensive income were reported in the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income item “Fair value adjustments”.

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