the investee, rather than 20 to 50 percent ownership. If the absence of this ability is proven (or control exists), the equity method should not be applied regardless of the percentage of shares held.
For example, the equity method is not appropriate for investments that demonstrate any of the following characteristics regardless of the investor’s degree of ownership
• An agreement exists between investor and investee by which the investor surrenders significant rights as a shareholder.
• A concentration of ownership operates the investee without regard for the views of the investor.
• The investor attempts but fails to obtain representation on the investee’s board of directors.
In each of these situations, because the investor is unable to exercise significant influence over its investee, the equity method is not applied.