Intercorporate investments:
DI has a 25% interest in a gold mine in the Yukon. They have held this investment for eighteen
months. During this time it has not made any money or discovered any gold. It was purchased as a long term investment by DI. This is especially frustrating to Dwight since he is unable to influence any of the decisions made by the mining company. The initial investment of 15 million dollars remains on the books unchanged. The company is still hoping for a major discovery, but regardless of that possibility, Dwight has made the decision to sell within one year. He is hoping that this potential discovery will increase the market value up from its present estimate of 9 million dollars.DI also owns 30 % of a hotel chain. The chain is modest, with three hotels across Ontario--but it has been profitable. The investment is carried by DI using the equity method--owing to the fact that Dwight sits on the Board. The carrying value of the investments is 4.5 million dollars, effective July/09, the last fiscal year end of DI. The hotel chain has a fiscal year end of December 31. In June of this year a major lawsuit was launched against the hotel chain. It is alleged that they were serving "mad cow" meat to the customers. Right now the suit is small; however, there is a major possibility of a class action suit. This could be as high as 15 million dollars. It is not known whether the chain is responsible. It is known that hundreds of its guests over the past six months did end up in the hospital. They have 2 million in liability insurance. They intend to fight this lawsuit--however, legal fees may also be in the millions. Further, they will have to undergo a major promotional campaign to offset the negative publicity surrounding this tragic event. DI has advanced 2 million dollars and has committed to another 2 million by December if needed. The initial 2 million was set up as a long term receivable by DI. Finally, in December of this past year DI purchased a 40% interest in a nearby amusement park called Crystal Lake. The amusement park was going through a restructuring and Dwight saw this as an opportunity to make some quick cash. It was his intent to hold the investment for less than one year. In fact his plan was to sell in early July/10--right at the peak of busy season. Unfortunately, the Company did not increase in value. Actually, DI's initial investment of 5 million was now worth half of that. Therefore, Dwight decided not to realize this loss. That is, he decided to make this a long term investment. Dwight was hoping that this loss was temporary and that by next year at this time it will have recovered and made a tidy profit.