Question

Northern Company has bonds with an amortized cost of $600,000. At the end of the first reporting period, the bonds had a fair value of $675,000. 2 days after the end of the first reporting period, the bonds have a fair value of $680,000 and Northern decides to sell the bonds. Northern properly classifies these bonds as trading securities. Prior to recording the sale, the journal entry to adjust the bonds to fair value includes (Select all that apply.)

Answer 1

we are not given any options, so I will show you the adjusting journal entry:

Dr Investment in bonds 75,000

Cr Unrealized holding gains 75,000

Northern actually made a profit by simply holding these bonds since they appreciated from $600,000 to $675,000, but it cannot record the gains immediately until they are sold. That is why unrealized holding gains is credited.