A deal contingent forward is a specialised forward foreign exchange (FX) contract. The hedging customer is only obliged to fulfil the contract if a planned major transaction, such as an acquisition, occurs.
A contingent contract is a legal agreement in which the terms and conditions only apply or take effect if a specific event occurs. Essentially, the parties involved agree to perform actions or obligations based on the occurrence or non-occurrence of a particular event in the future.
A "contingent contract" is a contract to do or not to do something, if some event, collateral to such contract, does or does not happen.
Forward Contracts can broadly be classified as 'Fixed Date Forward Contracts' and 'Option Forward Contracts'. In Fixed Date Forward Contracts, the buying/selling of foreign exchange takes place at a specified future date i.e. a fixed maturity date.
While a forward commitment contains an obligation to carry out the transaction as planned, a contingent claim contains the right to carry out the transaction but not the obligation. As a result, the payoff profiles between these derivatives vary, and that affects how the contracts themselves trade.
A Forward FX contract is considered a financial derivative. Under IFRS 9, a derivative must be initially measured at fair value and subsequent value changes are recognized. Unless you are applying hedge accounting then movements must be posted to the profit or loss account.
In recording a forward exchange contract intended for trading or speculation purposes, the premium or discount on the contract is ignored and at each balance sheet date, the value of the contract is marked to its current market value and the gain or loss on the contract is recognised.
A Forward FX contract is considered a financial derivative. Under IFRS 9, a derivative must be initially measured at fair value and subsequent value changes are recognized. Unless you are applying hedge accounting then movements must be posted to the profit or loss account.