On 12 July 2017, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) published four new questions in its Questions and Answers (Q&A) document, on the implementation of its Guidelines on the Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) for listed issuers.

The new questions provide information on:

1. the definition of APMs in the context of interim financial statements;
2. the prominence of APMs, i.e, the way they are presented compared to IFRS figures outside financial statements; and
3. the use of the “compliance by reference” principle as set out in the Guidelines.

An alternative performance measure is a financial measure of historical or future financial performance, financial position, or cash flows, other than a financial measure defined or specified in the applicable financial reporting framework. The guidelines apply to alternative performance measures disclosed by issuers or persons responsible for drawing up a prospectus (read ESMA’s one page summary).

The purpose of this Q&A is to promote common supervisory approaches and practices in the implementation of these guidelines.