The Group’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks: market risk (including currency risk, fair value interest rate risk, cash flow interest rate risk and price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The Group’s overall risk management programmed focuses on the unpredictability of financial markets and seeks to minimize potential adverse effects on the Group’s financial performance. The Group uses derivative financial instruments to hedge certain exposures.
Risk management is carried out by a central treasury department (Group Treasury) under policies approved by the Board of Directors. The Group Treasury identifies, evaluates and hedges financial risks in close cooperation with the Group’s operating units. The Board provides written principles for overall risk management, as well as written policies covering specific areas, such as foreign exchange risk, interest rate risk, credit risk, use of derivative and non-derivative financial instruments, and investment excess liquidity.