2.7 Financial instruments

Financial instruments by category

The carrying value and fair value of financial instruments by categories as of March 31, 2010 were as follows:

(In Rs. crore)
  Loans and
receivables
Financial assets/liabilities
at fair value through
profit and loss
Available for sale Trade and
other payables
Total  carrying
value/fair value
Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents (Refer Note 2.1) 12,111 12,111
Available-for-sale financial assets (Refer Note 2.2) 2,556 2,556
Investment in certificates of deposit 1,190 1,190
Trade receivables 3,494 3,494
Unbilled revenue 841 841
Derivative financial instruments 95 95
Prepayments and other assets (Refer Note 2.4) 557 557
Total 18,193 95 2,556 - 20,844
Liabilities:          
Trade payables 10 10
Client deposits 8 8
Employee benefit obligations (Refer Note 2.8) 302 302
Other liabilities (Refer Note 2.10) 1,492 1,492
Total 1,812 1,812

The carrying value and fair value of financial instruments by categories as of March 31, 2009 were as follows:

(In Rs. crore)
  Loans and
receivables
Financial assets/liabilities
at fair value through
profit and loss
Available for sale Trade and
other payables
Total  carrying
value/fair value
Assets:          
Cash and cash equivalents (Refer Note 2.1) 10,993 10,993
Trade receivables 3,672 3,672
Unbilled revenue 750 750
Prepayments and other assets (Refer Note 2.4) 447 447
Total 15,862 - - - 15,862
Liabilities:          
Trade payables 27 27
Derivative financial instruments 114 114
Client deposits 5 5
Employee benefit obligations (Refer Note 2.8) 291 291
Other liabilities (Refer Note 2.10) 1,280 1,280
Total - 114 - 1,603 1,717

Fair value hierarchy

Level 1 - Quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted prices included within Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices).

Level 3 - Inputs for the assets or liabilities that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).

The following table presents fair value hierarchy of assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2010:

(In Rs. crore)
  As of March 31, 2010
Fair value measurement at end of the reporting year using
     Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets        
Available- for- sale financial asset- Investments in liquid mutual fund units 2,518 2,518 –  – 
Available- for- sale financial asset- Investments in unlisted equity instruments  38 38
Derivative financial instruments- gains on outstanding foreign exchange forward and option contracts 95 95 – 

Income from financial assets or liabilities that are not at fair value through profit or loss is as follows:

(In Rs. crore)
 
Year ended March 31,
  2010 2009
Interest income on deposits 779 871
Income from available-for-sale financial assets 160 5
  939 876

Derivative financial instruments

The Company uses derivative financial instruments such as foreign exchange forward and option contracts to mitigate the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates on trade receivables and forecasted cash flows denominated in certain foreign currencies. The counterparty for these contracts is generally a bank or a financial institution. These derivative financial instruments are valued based on quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets or inputs that are directly or indirectly observable in the marketplace. The following table gives details in respect of outstanding foreign exchange forward and option contracts:

(In millions)
 
As of  March 31,
  2010  2009
Forward contracts    
In U.S. dollars 267 278
In Euro 22 27
In United Kingdom Pound Sterling 11 21
In Australian dollars 3
Option contracts    
In U.S. dollars 200 173

The Company recognized a net gain on derivative financial instruments of Rs. 299 crore during the year ended March 31, 2010, whereas the Company recorded a net loss of Rs. 760 crore on derivative financial instruments during the year ended March 31, 2009, which are included in other income.

The foreign exchange forward and option contracts mature between 1 to 12 months. The table below analyzes the derivative financial instruments into relevant maturity groupings based on the remaining period as of the balance sheet date:

(In Rs. crore)
 
As of March 31,
  2010 2009
Not later than one month 280 342
Later than one month and not later than three months 825 1,000
Later than three months and not later than one year 1,205 1,270
  2,310 2,612

Financial risk management

Financial risk factors

The Company's activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk, credit risk and liquidity risk. The Company's primary focus is to foresee the unpredictability of financial markets and seek to minimize potential adverse effects on its financial performance. The primary market risk to the Company is foreign exchange risk. The Company uses derivative financial instruments to mitigate foreign exchange related risk exposures. The Company's exposure to credit risk is influenced mainly by the individual characteristic of each customer and the concentration of risk from the top few customers. The demographics of the customer including the default risk of the industry and country in which the customer operates also has an influence on credit risk assessment.

Market risk

The Company operates internationally and a major portion of the business is transacted in several currencies and consequently the Company is exposed to foreign exchange risk through its sales and services in the United States and elsewhere, and purchases from overseas suppliers in various foreign currencies. The Company uses derivative financial instruments such as foreign exchange forward and option contracts to mitigate the risk of changes in foreign exchange rates on trade receivables and forecasted cash flows denominated in certain foreign currencies. The exchange rate between the rupee and foreign currencies has changed substantially in recent years and may fluctuate substantially in the future. Consequently, the results of the Company’s operations are adversely affected as the rupee appreciates/ depreciates against these currencies.

The following table gives details in respect of the outstanding foreign exchange forward and option contracts:

(In Rs. crore)
 
As of March 31,
  2010 2009
Aggregate amount of outstanding forward and option contracts 2,310 2,612
Gains / (losses) on outstanding forward and option contracts 95 (114)

The outstanding foreign exchange forward and option contracts as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, mature between one to twelve months.

The following table analyzes foreign currency risk from financial instruments as of March 31, 2010: 

(In Rs. crore)
  U.S. dollars Euro United Kingdom
Pound Sterling
Australian dollars Other currencies Total
Cash and cash equivalents 764 46 31 315 123 1,279
Trade receivables 2,446 254 370 204 177 3,451
Unbilled revenue 567 72 110 32 39 820
Other assets 481 13 11 1 45 551
Trade payables (1) (1) (7) (9)
Client deposits (7) (7)
Accrued expenses (254) (16) (26) (296)
Accrued compensation to employees (149) (2) (48) (199)
Other liabilities (1,128) (137) (56) (36) (1,357)
Net assets / (liabilities) 2,719 229 466 552 267 4,233

The following table analyzes foreign currency risk from financial instruments as of March 31, 2009:

(In Rs. crore)
  U.S. dollars Euro United Kingdom
Pound Sterling
Australian dollars Other currencies Total
Cash and cash equivalents 633 41 71 298 58 1,101
Trade receivables 2,440 295 587 14 310 3,646
Unbilled revenue 392 72 95 12 99 670
Other assets 14 1 2 2 5 24
Trade payables (14) (7) (21)
Client deposits (4) (1) (5)
Accrued expenses (208) (5) (16) (6) (171) (406)
Accrued compensation to employees (157) (10) (22) (189)
Other liabilities (269) (162) (26) (4) (40) (501)
Net assets / (liabilities) 2,827 242 712 306 232 4,319

For the year ended March 31, 2010 and 2009, every percentage point depreciation / appreciation in the exchange rate between the Indian rupee and the U.S. dollar, has affected the Company's operating margins by approximately 0.6% and 0.4% respectively.

Sensitivity analysis is computed based on the changes in the income and expenses in foreign currency upon conversion into functional currency, due to exchange rate fluctuations between the previous reporting period and the current reporting period.

Credit risk

Credit risk refers to the risk of default on its obligation by the counterparty resulting in a financial loss. The maximum exposure to the credit risk at the reporting date is primarily from trade receivables amounting to Rs. 3,494 crore and Rs. 3,672 crore as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Trade receivables are typically unsecured and are derived from revenue earned from customers primarily located in the United States. Credit risk is managed through credit approvals, establishing credit limits and continuously monitoring the creditworthiness of customers to which the Company grants credit terms in the normal course of business.

The following table gives details in respect of percentage of revenues generated from top customer and top five customers:

(In %)

 
Year ended March 31,
  2010 2009
Revenue from top customer 4.6 6.9
Revenue from top five customers 16.4 18.0

Financial assets that are neither past due nor impaired

Cash and cash equivalents, available-for-sale financial assets and investment in certificates of deposits are neither past due nor impaired. Cash and cash equivalents include deposits with banks and corporations with high credit-ratings assigned by international and domestic credit-rating agencies. Available-for-sale financial assets include investment in liquid mutual fund units and unlisted equity instruments. Certificates of deposit represent funds deposited at a bank or other eligible financial institution for a specified time period. Of the total trade receivables, Rs. 2,184 crore and Rs. 2,166 crore as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively, were neither past due nor impaired.

Financial assets that are past due but not impaired

There is no other class of financial assets that is past due but not impaired except for trade receivables of Rs. 6 crore and Rs. 16 crore as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company’s credit period generally ranges from 30-45 days. The age analysis of the trade receivables have been considered from the date of the invoice. The age wise break up of trade receivables, net of allowances that are past due, is given below:

(In Rs. crore)
 
As of March 31,
Period (in days) 2010  2009
31 – 60 1,161 1,256
61 – 90 116 182
More than 90 27 52

The allowance for impairment of trade receivables for the year ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 was less than Rs. 1 crore and Rs. 75 crore, respectively. The movement in the allowance for impairment of trade receivables is as follows:

(In Rs. crore)
 
          Year ended March 31,
  2010 2009
Balance at the beginning 106 41
Translation differences 2 (1)
Impairment loss recognized 75
Trade receivables written off (6) (9)
Balance at the end 102 106

Liquidity risk

As of March 31, 2010, the Company had a working capital of Rs. 17,735 crore including cash and cash equivalents of Rs. 12,111 crore, available-for-sale financial assets of Rs. 2,556 crore and investments in certificates of deposit of Rs. 1,190 crore. As of March 31, 2009, the Company had a working capital of Rs. 13,101 crore including cash and cash equivalents of Rs. 10,993 crore.   

As of March 31, 2010 and 2009, the outstanding employee benefit obligations were Rs. 302 crore and Rs. 291 crore, respectively, which have been fully funded. Further, as of March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had no outstanding bank borrowings. Accordingly, no liquidity risk is perceived.

The table below provides details regarding the contractual maturities of significant financial liabilities as of March 31, 2010:

(In Rs. crore)
 Particulars
Less than 1 year 1-2 years 2-4 years 4-7 years Total
Trade payables 10 10
Client deposits 8 8
Other liabilities (Refer Note 2.10) 1,431 21 1,452
Liability towards acquisition of business on an undiscounted basis (Refer Note 2.10) 9 27 31 67

The table below provides details regarding the contractual maturities of significant financial liabilities as of March 31, 2009:

(In Rs. crore)
 Particulars
Less than 1 year 1-2 years 2-4 years 4-7 years Total
Trade payables 27 27
Client deposits 5 5
Other liabilities (Refer Note 2.10) 1,224 26 30 1,280

As of March 31, 2010 and 2009, the Company had outstanding financial guarantees of Rs. 18 crore and Rs. 17 crore, respectively, towards leased premises. These financial guarantees can be invoked upon breach of any term of the lease agreement. To the Company’s knowledge there has been no breach of any term of the lease agreement as of March 31, 2010 and 2009.

2.8 Employee benefit obligations

Employee benefit obligations comprise the following:

(In Rs. crore)
 
As of March 31,
  2010 2009
Current    
Compensated absence 131 104
  131 104
Non-current    
Compensated absence 171 187
  171 187
  302 291

2.9 Provisions

Provisions comprise the following:

(In Rs. crore)
 
As of March 31,
  2010  2009
Provision for post sales client support 82 92

Provision for post sales client support represents cost associated with providing sales support services which are accrued at the time of recognition of revenues and are expected to be utilized over a period of 6 months to 1 year. The movement in the provision for post sales client support is as follows:

 

(In Rs. crore)
 
Year ended March 31,
  2010 2009
Balance at the beginning 92 53
Provision recognized/ (reversed) (2) 39
Provision utilized (8)
Balance at the end 82 92

Provision for post sales client support for the year ended March 31, 2010 and 2009 is included in cost of sales in the statement of comprehensive income.

2.10 Other liabilities

Other liabilities comprise the following: 

(In Rs. crore)
 
As of March 31,
  2010 2009
Current    
Accrued compensation to employees 667 543
Accrued expenses 606 609
Withholding taxes payable 250 218
Retainage 72 55
Unamortized negative past service cost (Refer Note 2.12.1) 26 29
Liabilities arising on consolidation of trusts 74
Others 12 17
  1,707 1,471
Non-current    
Liability towards acquisition of business (Refer Note 2.3) 40 -
Incentive accruals 21 56
  61 56
  1,768 1527
Financial liabilities included in other liabilities 1,452 1,280
Financial liability towards acquisition of business on an undiscounted basis (Refer Note 2.3) 67 -

Accrued expenses primarily relates to cost of technical sub-contractors, telecommunication charges, legal and professional charges, brand building expenses, overseas travel expenses and office maintenance. Others consist of unclaimed dividends and amount payable towards acquisition of business.

2.11 Expenses by nature

(In Rs. crore)
 
Year ended March 31
  2010 2009
Employee benefit costs (Refer Note 2.12.4) 12,093 11,412
Depreciation and amortization charges (Refer Note 2.5 and 2.6) 942 767
Travelling costs 692 845
Consultancy and professional charges 278 259
Cost of software packages 353 361
Communication costs 225 272
Cost of technical sub-contractors 372 396
Power and fuel 145 147
Office maintenance 165 168
Repairs and maintenance 95 80
Rates and taxes 31 34
Insurance charges 31 26
Commission 16 11
Branding and marketing expenses 73 89
Consumables 25 22
Provision for post-sales client support (Refer Note 2.9) (2) 39
Allowance for impairment of trade receivables (Refer Note 2.7) 75
Postage and courier 12 11
Printing and stationery 12 13
Operating lease payments (Refer Note 2.15) 125 114
Others 149 131
Total cost of sales, selling and marketing expenses and administrative expenses 15,832 15,272