dunk01

Mark to Market Accounting: Used with Flexibility, It's a Good Thing

Mark to market, lower of cost or market, these really don't matter--what matters is having a standard that doesn't require a crystal ball or managment estimates of "fair value." Any time there is a standard that requires judgement on the part of the firm, there is going to be trouble. Keep it simple and transparent.

I can't believe the article says "...But merely that a security is at an unrealized loss for several years should not in itself be a reason to mark the security down, if the management concluded that it was “money good.” (they get their principal back.)..."! What better reason to mark it down? The balance sheet and the income statement are snapshots, not forecasts.