Goodwill is evaluated for impairment on an annual basis, or more frequently if circumstances require. The Company performs a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the applicable reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the Company determines, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the applicable reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, no further testing is required. If the Company determines, as a result of its qualitative assessment, that it is more-likely-than-not that the fair value of the applicable reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a goodwill impairment assessment is performed using a two-step, fair value-based test. The first step compares the fair value of the applicable reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. If the carrying amount of the applicable reporting unit exceeds its fair value, a second step is performed. The second step requires an allocation of fair value to the individual assets and liabilities using purchase price allocation in order to determine the implied fair value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recorded as a reduction to goodwill and as a charge to results of operations. 

For the year ended December 31, 2013, based on the qualitative assessment performed as at September 30, 2013, the Company has determined that it is not more-likely-than-not that the fair value of each applicable reporting unit assessed is less than its carrying amount. As a result, no further testing was performed, and the Company has concluded that goodwill was not impaired at December 31, 2013. 

## Long-Lived Asset Impairment 

When circumstances indicate the carrying value of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, the Company evaluates whether the carrying value of such assets, excluding goodwill, has been impaired. For such long-lived assets, impairment exists when the carrying value exceeds the sum of the future estimated undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset. When alternative courses of action to recover the carrying amount of a long-lived asset are under consideration, a probability-weighted approach is used to develop estimates of future undiscounted cash flows. If the carrying value of the long-lived asset is not recoverable based on the estimated future undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss is recorded, measured as the excess of the carrying value of the asset over its fair value. As a result, the asset’s carrying value is adjusted to its estimated fair value. 

Within its regulated business, the carrying costs of most of Hydro One’s long-lived assets are included in rate base where they earn an OEB-approved rate of return. Asset carrying values and the related return are recovered through approved rates. As a result, such assets are only tested for impairment in the event that the OEB disallows recovery, in whole or in part, or if such a disallowance is judged to be probable. 

Hydro One regularly monitors the assets of its unregulated Hydro One Telecom subsidiary for indications of impairment. Management assesses the fair value of such long-lived assets using commonly accepted techniques, and may use more than one. Techniques used to determine fair value include, but are not limited to, the use of recent third party comparable sales for reference and internally developed discounted cash flow analysis. Significant changes in market conditions, changes to the condition of an asset, or a change in management’s intent to utilize the asset are generally viewed by management as triggering events to reassess the cash flows related to these long-lived assets. As at December 31, 2013, no asset impairment had been recorded for assets within either the Company’s regulated or unregulated businesses. 

## Costs of Arranging Debt Financing 

For financial liabilities classified as other than held-for-trading, the Company defers the external transaction costs related to obtaining debt financing and presents such amounts as deferred debt costs on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Deferred debt costs are amortized over the contractual life of the related debt on an effective-interest basis and the amortization is included within financing charges in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Transaction costs for items classified as held-for-trading are expensed immediately. 

## Comprehensive Income 

Comprehensive income is comprised of net income and other comprehensive income (OCI). OCI includes the amortization of net unamortized hedging losses on the Company’s discontinued cash flow hedges, and the change in fair value on the existing cash flow hedges to the extent that the hedge is effective. The Company amortizes its unamortized hedging losses on discontinued cash flow hedges to financing charges using the effective-interest method over the term of the allocated hedged debt. Hydro One presents net income and OCI in a single continuous Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. 

