Derivative instruments represent rights or obligations that meet the definitions of assets or liabilities hence the derivative instruments must be reported in the financial statements.
A derivative instrument is a financial instrument or other contracts that satisfies all three of the following characteristics:
a. It has one or more underlying basic variables and one or more notional amounts or payment conditions or both. Those terms determine the amount of the settlements, and in some cases, determine whether or not a settlement is required;
b. The terms of the agreement do not require initial investment, or initial net investment that is less than the amount which will be required for other types of contracts that is expected to have similar response to changes in market factors;
c. Its terms require or permit net settlements, or the derivative instruments can be settled by a means outside the contract, or the agreement condition causes the asset delivery so the settlement is not substantially different from the net settlement.