To account properly for changes in fair value, several adjustments are necessary. The entry on the asset side of the balance sheet will need to adjust to reflect the current value of available-for-sale securities as of the date of the company's financial statements. This will generally appear in the long-term investments portion of the balance sheet.
Because there is no liability linked to available-for-sale assets, the adjustment on the asset side of the balance sheet will require a balancing entry in the stockholders' equity portion of the balance sheet. For available-for-sale securities, this appears in a line item called Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income or Loss. A positive number indicates an overall gain in the value of available-for-sale investments, while a negative number in this line item shows a decline in their value.
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