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Brookfield Asset Management

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FY2019 Annual Report · Brookfield Asset Management
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Brookfield Asset      
  Management Inc.

2 0 1 9   A N N U A L   R E P O R T

 
This page is intentionally left blank

Five-Year Financial Record

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

PER SHARE

Net income

$  

2.60 $ 

3.40 $ 

1.34 $ 

1.55 $ 

Funds from operations1

4.07

4.35

3.74

3.18

Dividends2

Cash

Special

Market trading price – NYSE

0.64

—

57.80

1.	 See	definition	in	the	MD&A	Glossary	of	Terms	beginning	on	page	115.

2.  See Corporate Dividends on page 47.

CONTENTS

Brookfield at a Glance 

Letter to Shareholders 

Management’s Discussion & Analysis 

PART 1 – Our Business and Strategy 

PART 2 – Review of Consolidated Financial Results 

PART 3 – Operating Segment Results 

PART 4 – Capitalization and Liquidity 

PART 5 – Accounting Policies and Internal Controls 

PART 6 – Business Environment and Risks 

  Glossary of Terms 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

Consolidated Financial Statements 

Shareholder Information 

Board of Directors and Officers 

Throughout our annual report, we use the following icons:

2.26

2.49

0.47

—

0.60

—

0.56

0.11

0.52

0.45

38.35

43.54

33.01

31.53

3

6

20

22

33

50

78

87

96

115

121

128

212

213

Asset 
Management

Real  
Estate

Renewable 
Power

Infrastructure

Private 
Equity

Residential 
Development

Corporate 
Activities

2 019 ANNUAL REPORT       2

 
 
 
 
 
 
Brookfield at a Glance

OUR BUSINESS

We are a leading global alternative asset manager with over $540 billion of assets under management including 

$290 billion in fee-bearing capital. We raise private and public capital from the world’s largest institutional investors, 

sovereign wealth funds and individuals, with a focus on generating attractive investment returns that will allow our 

investors	and	their	stakeholders	to	meet	their	goals	and	protect	their	financial	future.

• 

Investment focus – Real estate, infrastructure, renewable power, private equity and credit

•  Diverse product offering – Core, value-add, opportunistic and credit strategies in both closed-end and 

perpetual vehicles

• 

Focused investment strategies – We invest where we have a competitive advantage, such as our strong 

capabilities as an owner-operator, our large scale capital and our global reach

•  Disciplined financing approach – Debt is carefully employed to enhance returns while preserving capital 

throughout business cycles

In	 addition	 to	 our	 asset	 management	 activities	 outlined	 above,	 we	 invest	 significant	 capital	 from	 our	 balance	

sheet  in  our  managed  entities  alongside  our  investors  as  well  as  in  other  direct  investments.  This  is  intended  to 

generate	 attractive	 financial	 returns	 and	 cash	 flows,	 support	 the	 growth	 of	 our	 asset	 management	 activities	 and	

create	an important	alignment	of	interests	with	our	investors.	We	refer	to	this	as	our	Invested	Capital	and	it	totals	

approximately $47 billion.

ASSET MANAGEMENT

We provide a wide range of investment products, primarily focused on real estate, renewable power, 
infrastructure, private equity and credit

REAL ESTATE

PRIVATE EQUITY

Office, retail, industrial, multifamily, hospitality 
and other properties

Business services, infrastructure services and 
industrials

INFRASTRUCTURE

CREDIT

Utilities, transport, energy, data infrastructure 
and sustainable resource assets

High-yield bonds, corporate debt, distressed 
debt and convertible securities

RENEWABLE POWER

Hydroelectric, wind, solar and other power 
generating facilities

Note: Excludes Residential Development and Corporate Activities which are distinct business segments for IFRS reporting purposes.

“Brookfield,” the “company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. The “Corporation” 
refers to our asset management business which is comprised of our asset management and corporate business segments. Our “invested capital” or 
“listed partnerships” includes our subsidiaries, Brookfield Property Partners L.P., Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P., Brookfield Infrastructure Partners 
L.P. and Brookfield Business Partners L.P., which are separate public issuers included within our Real Estate, Renewable Power, Infrastructure and 
Private Equity segments, respectively. We use “private funds” to refer to our real estate funds, infrastructure funds and private equity funds. Please refer 
to the Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115 which defines our key performance measures that we use to measure our business.

3  

BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Brookfield at a Glance

OUR GLOBAL PRESENCE

CANADA
$42B AUM  
~10,900 operating employees

EUROPE & MIDDLE EAST
$95B AUM  
~36,500 operating employees

LOS ANGELES

LONDON

TORONTO

NEW YORK

DUBAI

MUMBAI

SHANGHAI

HONG KONG

SÃO PAULO

SYDNEY

UNITED STATES
$309B AUM  
~37,100 operating employees

SOUTH AMERICA
$43B AUM  
~26,700 operating employees

ASIA PACIFIC
$56B AUM  
~34,900 operating employees

Brookfield Corporate Offices

Oaktree Corporate Offices

QUICK FACTS

$540B+

ASSETS UNDER  
MANAGEMENT

  $290B

FEE BEARING   
CAPITAL

~1,000 

INVESTMENT 
PROFESSIONALS

 30+

COUNTRIES

~150,000

OPERATING 
EMPLOYEES

E X C H A N G E S         NYSE: BAM    TSX: BAM.A   

2 019 ANNUAL REPORT       4

Core Investment Principles

Our  approach  to  investing  is  disciplined  and  straightforward.  With  a  focus  on  value  creation  and  capital 

preservation, we invest opportunistically in high quality real assets within our areas of expertise, manage them 

proactively	and	finance	them	conservatively	with	a	goal	of	generating	stable,	predictable	and	growing	cash	flows	

for investors	and shareholders.	Our	culture	is	anchored	by a	set	of	core	investment	principles	that	guide	our	

decisions	and	how	we measure	success.

BUSINESS P HILOS O PHY

•  Build our business and all our relationships based on integrity

•  Attract and retain high-caliber individuals who will grow with 

us over the long term

•  Ensure our people think and act like owners in all their decisions

•  Treat our investor and shareholder money like it’s our own

INVESTME NT  GU IDE LINE S

•  Invest where we possess competitive advantages

•  Acquire assets on a value basis with a goal of maximizing return 

on capital

•  Build sustainable cash flows to provide certainty, reduce risk and 

lower our cost of capital

•  Recognize that superior returns often require a contrarian 

approach

MEASUREME NT  OF  O UR 
CORPORATE  S U CCES S

•  Measure success based on total return on capital over the long term

•  Encourage calculated risks, but compare returns with risk

•  Sacrifice short-term profit, if necessary, to achieve long-term capital 

appreciation

•  Seek profitability rather than growth, as size does not necessarily 

add value

5  

BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Letter to Shareholders

OVERVIEW (AS OF FEBRUARY 13TH, 2020)

Stock market performance was very strong in 2019. Our shares in particular generated an overall return of 50% 
during  the  year.  While  this  was  due  in  part  to  the  overall  market  performance,  it  was  also  the  result  of  our 
strong operating results. Fundraising for alternative investments, which are becoming more mainstream every 

day,	remains	strong.	Post	year	end,	we	closed	our	latest	flagship	fund	of	$20 billion for Infrastructure. We also 

continue to fundraise for our  perpetual core-plus funds which today near $8 billion in total size. With interest 
rates continuing	to	be	very	low,	these	funds	should	attract	greater	amounts	of	capital	as	the	strategies	mature.

We invested over $30 billion during 2019 and sold $13 billion of investments. Our investment strategies are focused 
on a few themes: the global build-out of renewables, data infrastructure, high-quality property developments, 
and global businesses where our operating expertise helps generate returns greater than might otherwise be 

expected. With our franchise continuing to globalize and the scale of our capital growing, we see no reason 2020 

won’t be as good a year operationally as 2019.

Much attention is being paid these days to sustainability and carbon footprint. As many of you know, we have 
been very active in this area without much fanfare. The sheer scale of our renewables business and its avoided 
emissions	eclipse	our	estimates	of	emissions	across	all	our	other	businesses.	On	this	basis,	we	believe	Brookfield’s	
overall	carbon	profile	today	is	very	low,	if	not	neutral	or	possibly	even	negative.	We	intend	to	further	enhance	that	
profile	as	we	build	out	our	vast	development	portfolio	of	renewables.

We have decided to split our shares again on a 3-for-2 basis, and in conjunction with this, increase the dividend 

by approximately 12% — which will therefore be 18 cents per share at the end of March, and 12 cents per share 
on	a	quarterly	basis,	post-split.	While	splitting	the	shares	has	no	effect	on	the	value	of	the	company,	it	costs	us	
virtually nothing to do, and it has been our practice to do this, as it keeps the share price within a reasonable 
range	for investors.

STOCK PERFORMANCE

While we manage our underlying business for the long term, we realize that you are also interested in our stock 

performance. Its 50% increase in 2019 was an anomaly; at the same time, the previous year the share price was 

down, which we also viewed as an anomaly. We estimate that we earned approximately 20% annual returns on 
our intrinsic value over the two years. As a result, over the two years combined, our stock had a return that was 
about the same as what we generated in the business.

Most importantly, our view of the intrinsic value of the business continues to increase. This is because most of 
our	businesses	performed	well,	and	because	we	raised	significant	capital	to	deploy	into	new	opportunities.	This	
should enable us to deliver favorable results well into the future.

As  an  indication  of  returns  that  can  be  generated  for  investors,  below  is  our  latest  tabulation  of  annualized 

compound investment returns over the past 25 years. For reference, $1,000 invested 25	years	ago	in	Brookfield	

Asset Management is today worth just over $62,000.

Years

1

10

20

25

Compound Investment Performance

Brookfield NYSE

S&P 500

10-Year U.S. 
Treasuries

53%

17%

20%

18%

31%

14%

6%

10%

9%

4%

6%

4%

2 019 ANNUAL REPORT       6

MARKET ENVIRONMENT

The global economy is still very constructive, in spite of the fact that we are in the later stages of a bull market. With 
interest rates very low around the world, we think this cycle could last longer than anyone expected. Regardless, 
we are ensuring that we are not complacent at this point in the cycle.

Developed  economy  markets  show  no  signs  of  stress.  However,  the  fact  that  equity  markets  have  been  very 
strong  for  the  last  year  in  itself  is  worrisome.  The  corporate  credit  markets  also  are  performing  well,  but  we 
believe this is where the great value will be found in the next downturn. We are positioning ourselves to capitalize 
on	this	—	both	through	our	Brookfield	funds,	and	through	Oaktree.

The United States, Canada, and Australia have strong economies, but assets are more fairly priced. As a result, 
we continue to be selective with opportunities, looking for transactions in out-of-favor sectors and focusing on 
opportunities that play to our operating strengths.

Europe is slower but still resilient. Opportunity lies in the fact that 60% of the capital invested in an acquisition can 
be borrowed at virtually no cost. The United Kingdom seems to have pushed past its Brexit crisis, which should 
be positive for businesses making long-term commitments.

Companies in India and China are under stress (the latter compounded with the recent virus issues) — banks in 
India are dealing with non-performing loans, and in China they are pushing borrowers to sell assets. This has led 
to	significant	investment	opportunities	that	we	think	will	continue	for	the	foreseeable	future.

Brazil looks to be back on track to continued recovery, with interest rates now under 5%, down from close to 15% 
in	its	most	recent	financial	crisis.	As	a	result,	fixed	income	and	equity	investors	have	had	excellent	returns,	and	
private assets have followed suit. 

A SUMMARY OF 2019

Total  assets  under  management  are  now  $545  billion  (including  Oaktree),  as  we  continue  to  raise  and  deploy 
additional capital across our businesses.

AS AT AND FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS
ENDED DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

CAGR

Total assets under management

$ 227,803

$ 239,825

$ 283,141

$ 354,736

$ 544,896

24%

Fee-related earnings (before performance fees)

496

712

754

851

1,201

25%

Gross annual run rate of fees plus target carry

1,489

2,031

2,475

2,975

5,781

40%

Cash available for reinvestment or distribution 
   to BAM shareholders per share

1.38

1.90

2.02

2.56

2.63

17%

Asset Management Activities

We now own 61% of Oaktree, with the balance continuing to be owned by the Oaktree partners. Joining with this 
premier	credit	franchise	deepens	the	capabilities	we	offer	our	clients,	positions	us	even	better	across	market	
cycles,  and  expands  our  breadth  as  one  of  the  world’s  largest  alternative  asset  managers.  While  Oaktree  will 
continue to operate as a standalone business, the world-class management team and credit expertise they bring 
have	already	had	a	positive	impact	on	our	business,	and	the	benefits	should	continue	to	compound	over	time.

Organic growth within our existing asset management business was very strong. In January 2019, we closed our 
latest	flagship	real	estate	fund	at	$15 billion, an increase of over 65% from its predecessor fund. We also held 
the	final	close	of	our	latest	flagship	private	equity	fund	at	$9 billion in October, more than double the size of its 
previous	vintage.	Finally,	we	recently	held	the	final	close	of	our	latest	flagship	infrastructure	fund	at	$20 billion, 
making it one of the largest global infrastructure funds ever raised. 

7  

BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Together,	this	round	of	flagship	fundraising	raised	over	$50 billion, including co-investment capital, and is already 
approximately 45%	deployed.	Our	flagship	Oaktree	distressed	debt	fund	is	also	over	40% deployed, and all of 
the capital committed to it became fee earning as of January 1, 2020. As a result, it will begin to fully contribute to 
results this year. Our focus for 2020 will be on growing our other strategies, while also deploying the latest round 
of	flagship	capital.	If	successful,	we	anticipate	that	we	will	be	back	in	the	markets	with	our	next	launch	of	flagship	
funds late this year or in 2021.

Fundraising for our specialized strategies had strong momentum in 2019. We raised $3 billion of capital within 
our perpetual private fund strategies across our super-core infrastructure and core and mezzanine real estate 
funds. We also recently launched the second vintage of our private infrastructure debt fund in the fourth quarter. 

With  respect  to  fund  distribution,  our  high  net  wealth  channel  is  growing  steadily  and  today  accounts  for 
approximately 10% of funds raised on an annual basis, making a meaningful contribution to our latest round of 
flagship	funds.	While	the	geographical	split	of	capital	raised	across	all	channels	has	remained	largely	consistent	
with the prior year, the number of LPs and total dollar value of capital raised from target geographies, including 
Asia and Europe, is growing. 

Growth in the asset management franchise drove fee-related earnings prior to performance fees to $1.2 billion, 
a 41% increase from the prior year. We also realized a greater level of carried interest in 2019. We recorded in 
income approximately $600	million	of	carried	interest	during	the	year,	reflecting	the	completion	of	a	number	of	
asset	sales	within	our	earlier	vintage	flagship	private	funds,	which	crystalized	investment	gains	and	the	associated	
carried interest. We expect continued realizations in 2020, as we progress planned asset dispositions in each of 
our	flagship	fund	strategies.	

Operating Activities

Despite	the	record	levels	of	capital	flowing	to	alternative	asset	managers	in	2019, we found many opportunities to 
deploy capital for value. We invested over $30 billion of capital across our business groups by leveraging our key 
strengths of access to diverse pools of capital, global scale and operating expertise. We also realized $13 billion 
of proceeds from the sale of mature assets.

Our real estate operations made many investments globally, including an investment in the hospitality sector 
in India, and one in the retail sector in Dubai. We also acquired a business in the senior housing and assisted 
living	sector	in	Australia.	We	progressed	on	our	redevelopment	and	densification	strategy	within	our	core	retail	
portfolio, and completed over 4	million	square	feet	of	office	developments	in	New	York	and	London.	Average	rents	
across	our	office	portfolio	increased	2%	since	this	time	last	year.	With	significant	developments	and	acquisitions	
coming online in the near term, we expect growth to continue in 2020.

Our renewable power operations continued to grow in scale and reach. We partnered to acquire a 50% interest in 
one of the world’s largest solar developers. We doubled both the size of our Asian operations, and our distributed 
generation  businesses.  We  also  made  a  sizable  investment  in  a  utility  company,  with  an  option  to  acquire  an 
interest  in  their  hydro  portfolio.  At  the  same  time,  we  progressed  our  capital  recycling  program,  selling  wind 
portfolios	in	Europe,	as	well	as	the	majority	of	our	South	African	solar	and	wind	assets.	From	a	green	financing	
perspective,  we  issued  in  aggregate  $1	 billion	 of	 green	 financings,	 including	 the	 largest-ever	 corporate	 green	
bond	in	Canada.	Lastly,	since	year	end	we	announced	the	combination	of	Brookfield	Renewable	and	TerraForm	
Power in an all-stock deal.

Our infrastructure operations continued to deliver strong results, increasing normalized FFO by 12% from the 
prior year. Results were driven by organic growth and the acquisition of a number of businesses, including natural 
gas pipelines in North America and India, and data infrastructure businesses in India, South America and New 
Zealand. At the end of December, we also closed on the acquisition of one of the largest short-haul rail operators 
in North America, a cell-tower business in the U.K. and a portfolio of pipeline assets. These latest acquisitions will 
begin	to	contribute	FFO	in	the	first	quarter	of	2020. 

2 019 ANNUAL REPORT       8

Our  private  equity  operations  continued  to  grow  in  scale,  with  the  acquisition  of  a  number  of  high-quality 
businesses.  Most  notably,  we  acquired  a  leading  global  supplier  of  advanced  automotive  batteries  and  the 
second-largest private	healthcare	provider	in	Australia.	We	also	acquired	a	controlling	interest	in	a	residential	
mortgage  insurer  in  Canada  and  announced  an  investment  in  a  leading  provider  of  work  access  solutions  to 
industrial and commercial facilities. On the disposition front, we sold our global facilities management business, 
our executive relocation business, a palladium mining company, and a cold storage business, each for very strong 
returns.

Our	credit	operations	delivered	good	results	during	the	year,	especially	in	the	Oaktree	franchise.	Our	Brookfield	
infrastructure	and	real	estate	debt	funds	also	continued	to	perform	well,	with	significant	capital	deployment.	The	
economic outlook currently warrants a disciplined approach, with a measured pace of lending across the debt 
funds. We continue to deploy capital the same way we always have — with an emphasis on fundamental analysis 
and downside protection of capital.  

Overall, our share of the underlying funds from operations from our invested capital increased 9% over 2018, to 
$1.7 billion before disposition gains. The growth in FFO from our invested capital, combined with the earnings 
from our asset management franchise, generated $2.6	billion	of	free	cash	flow	to	BAM	in	2019. As our free cash 
flow	has	more	than	doubled	over	the	past	five	years,	and	we	expect	it	to	do	so	again	over	the	next	five	years,	we	
continue	to	evaluate	the	best	use	for	this	cash	flow	—	whether	that	be	re-investment	within	our	business;	seeding	
new strategies; opportunistic investments such as the Oaktree acquisition; or returning value to shareholders 
through other means such as share repurchases or increased dividends. Rest assured we think all the time about 
the	best	use	for	your capital.

THE ADVANTAGE OF ASSET-LEVEL NON-RECOURSE FINANCING

Like  many  other  investors,  we  utilize  debt  to  optimize  our  capital  structure  and  fund  our  business.  However, 
unlike	many	others,	as	both	an	asset	manager	and	investor,	how	we	report	the	debt	in	our	financial	statements	is	
different	from	most	other	businesses.	For	that	reason,	we	think	it	important	to	devote	a	few	paragraphs	to	this.

We	take	a	bottom-up	approach	to	financing	the	investments	we	manage.	That	means	that	the	vast	majority	of	our	
debt	is	at	the	individual	asset	(or	portfolio	company)	level.	Each	loan	has	recourse	to	only	the	specific	asset	that	
it	finances	—	and	importantly,	gives	lenders	no	recourse	to	BAM	or	our	listed	partnerships.	As	a	result,	the	risk	of	
anything	going	wrong	with	any	financing	is	limited	solely	to	the	equity	invested	in	that	particular	asset.	No	single	
loan can ever create a forced liquidity event for the broader franchise or even parts of the franchise. 

Despite	the	foregoing,	we	structure	our	financings	to	stand	the	test	of	time	and	withstand	adverse	circumstances,	
and  we  have  a  strong  track  record  that  proves  this  out:  we  fared  well  in  2008/2009,  which  demonstrated  the 
strength	of	our	prudent	approach	to	financing.	We	take	pride	in	being	one	of	the	highest-quality	borrowers	in	
the capital markets. 

As	 a	 Canadian	 firm,	 international	 accounting	 principles	 require	 us	 to	 consolidate	 many	 of	 these	 investments,	
including	 their	 borrowings,	 in	 our	 consolidated	 financial	 statements	 for	 reporting	 purposes	 —	 even	 though	
our proportionate economic ownership of the investment is in most cases well below 50%. The requirement to 
consolidate is due to the combination of (1) the control over these activities that we exert; (2) compensation we 
receive as the manager; and (3)	our	economic	interest	in	the	assets.	This	results	in	the	appearance	that	Brookfield	
has more debt outstanding than it actually has.

The	debt	that	is	most	relevant	to	Brookfield	shareholders	is	the	debt	issued	directly	by	the	Corporation.	This	debt	
currently totals $7	billion	—	a	significant	sum	to	be	sure,	but	it	is	all	very	long-term	in	nature	and	modest	relative	
to	Brookfield’s	$72 billion capitalization of common and preferred equity. 

9  

BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

In a similar vein, each of our listed partnerships utilizes modest amounts of corporate debt to manage its capital 
resources for its unitholders. We manage these entities to have investment grade characteristics which enables 
them	 to	 finance	 their	 activities	 on	 a	 standalone	 basis,	 without	 any	 recourse	 to	 BAM.	 Currently	 our	 four	 listed	
partnerships  combined  have  $6  billion  of  corporate  debt  compared  to  an  aggregate  equity  capitalization  of 
$69 billion.

AS AT DECEMBER 31, 2019 (BILLIONS)

Brookfield Asset Management

Brookfield Listed Partnerships (BPY, BEP, BIP, BBU)

Corporate  
Debt

Equity Market 
Capitalization

Debt to 
Capitalization

$ 

7

6

$ 

72

69

9%

8%

With this context in mind, we encourage you to look at the disclosures in our MD&A that present the corporate, 
listed  partnership  and  asset  level  debt  in  a  way  that  is  more  consistent  with  our  approach  to  leverage,  as 
described above.

THE UNITED KINGDOM IS STRONGER THAN IT SEEMS

Our	view	is	that	the	long-term	effects	of	Brexit	on	the	City	of	London	will	be	negligible.	Despite	that,	we	were	
pleased that the Conservative Government in the U.K. received a clear mandate to leave the E.U., and can now 
proceed with the logistics of the process. While years ago we would not have wished for this, the only scenario 
that was truly negative for the U.K. was the ongoing indecision. 

Overall,	our	businesses	across	the	U.K.	—	which	include	office	buildings,	ports,	utility	businesses	and	student	housing,	
among	others	—	have	performed	well	to	date	despite	the	headlines	and	politics.	A	great	example	of	this is	our	 
100 Bishopsgate development. We acquired 50% of the land at 100 Bishopsgate in 2010, then acquired the remaining 
interests from the partner in 2014, and planned a 950,000-square	foot	office	tower	with	associated	retail.	We	began	
construction in 2015, and our total acquisition and construction costs were approximately £850 million.	

In June 2016, when the Brexit vote occurred, we were 50% complete on construction, with 38% of the space leased 
to tenants. Since Brexit (about 3½ years), we have completed the construction on budget and leased nearly all of 
the balance of the tower on a long-term basis. More importantly, that additional space was leased at or above the 
rental rate levels we expected when we started. 

As	a	result,	we	will	soon	have	annual	cash	flows	from	100 Bishopsgate, net of costs, of £70 million. We recently 
refinanced	the	property	with	a	loan	for	£875 million, essentially our cost. The interest rate on the recourse-only 
mortgage is 3%, or £27 million annually. We now have no remaining equity investment cost, and we enjoy cash 
flows	net	of	interest	of	£40 million annually. Capitalization rates for this type of property would today be between 
3% and 4%. At the low end of this range, the value created is £900 million over our cost. At the high end, it is 
£1.5 billion	of	profit	over	our	cost.	This	was	a	good	outcome	under	any	circumstance,	but	given	the	backdrop	of	
Brexit, is exceptional. Most importantly, this gives an indication of what is occurring in the real economy in the 
United Kingdom.

THE SUN IS SHINING EVEN BRIGHTER

We	have	been	invested	in	renewable	power	in	a	significant	way	for	30 years, as a result of our original ownership 
of  hydro  facilities  associated  with  industrial  facilities  we  owned.  We  expanded  the  operations  into  wind,  and 
more recently into solar, as technological advances and scale manufacturing enabled the costs of production to 
decrease below those of traditional forms of electricity in many parts of the world.

While the renewables sector has had its share of turmoil over the years as it matured, our private clients and 
listed	partnership	investors	have	all	done	extremely	well	financially,	as	we	continued	to	adhere	to	our	investment	
principles.	As	an	indicator	of	these	returns,	our	stock	exchange-listed	partnership,	Brookfield	Renewable	Partners	
(BEP), has generated a compound annual return of 18% over the past 20 years. 

2 019 ANNUAL REPORT       10

Today  we  are  a  leading  renewables  investor  globally  with  $50  billion  of  solar,  wind  and  hydro  facilities  in 
17  countries.	 As	 the	 global	 energy	 supply	 continues	 a	 slow	 shift	 to	 renewables,	 we	 are	 ideally	 positioned	 to	
capitalize on opportunities in the renewable market. 

Since we wrote about this two years ago, the transformation has increased, and today everyone seems to be 
interested.  We  think  we  are  still  in  the  early  stages  of  this  transformation,  and  it  will  require  very  substantial 
capital investment over multiple decades. 

Renewables still account for less than 30%	of	the	global	electricity	production,	of	which	wind	and	solar	account for	
less than 25% of the current renewables in place. Accordingly, even if the world maintains its current $300-$400 billion	
of annual investment into renewables, the level of penetration will remain modest for years.

RETAIL IS EVOLVING

There are many views around the world about how the retail landscape will shake out. Last year we took private 
our  retail  mall  property  business  which  had  been  listed  in  the  public  markets.  In  the  process  we  acquired 
125  incredible	 parcels	 of	 land	 in	 major	 cities	 across	 the	 U.S.	 We	 plan	 on	 developing	 these	 into	 many	 tens	 of	
thousands	of	residential	apartments	and	condominiums,	office	properties,	hotels,	warehouses	and	self-storage	
locations. With these land parcels, we acquired a premier retail business that generates over $2 billion of EBITDA. 

While this is broadly seen as a contrarian investment, our views are very simple. First, the internet and physical 
retail  will  ultimately  merge  into  one  delivery  network  to  customers,  and  as  a  result,  great  retail  will  get  even 
better.  Second,  retail  real  estate  presents  redevelopment  opportunities  —  and  with  our  strong  development 
capabilities, we will be able to add income to these sites for decades to come.

It	is	very	important	to	distinguish	between	the	different	types	of	retail.	Our	view	is	that	good	retail,	focused	on	
‘experiences,’ will only get better — real estate is always about location and what can be done with that location. 
On the other hand, average-to-poor retail will continue to struggle. Our retail mall portfolio is one of the highest 
quality portfolios in America — and as a result, we are 96% leased on a long-term basis. Furthermore, retailers are 
consolidating stores into the best malls. In time, like almost all industries, consolidation will end and the survivors 
will be stronger for it.

Part	of	our	confidence	comes	from	the	fact	that	we	are	dealing	with	a	growing	number	of	retail	brands	that	started	
life online but are now opening stores at a record pace. Even Amazon is opening stores to attract customers. This 
is because the most inexpensive way to attract customers once sales achieve any scale is to open stores. In the 
last year, over one-third of our new leasing activity was completed with emerging retailers. Among these growing 
brands, 60% are retailers that started with online operations only — sometimes referred to as ‘clicks to bricks.’ As 
this plays out, good retail will only get stronger.

Lastly, these retail centers sit on 100+ acre land parcels which happen to be located in the most densely populated 
and	wealthiest	cities	in	the	U.S.	We	are	only	starting	to	redevelop	the	land	around	them	with	offices,	apartments,	
condominiums, hotels and other property uses. The next 50	years	will	offer	us	significant	upside	in	what	we	view	
as one of the highest-quality land redevelopment portfolios ever assembled in the United States.

OUR PARTNERSHIP APPROACH 

As  many  of  you  know,  our  senior  management  team  has  operated  as  a  partnership  for  over  25  years.  This 
approach	has,	first	and	foremost,	provided	important	stability	and	continuity	to	Brookfield	over	the	years	—	and	

we believe is one of the reasons we have been able to generate compound returns of approximately 20% for ALL 
shareholders over that period. We took great care in structuring the partnership, and it has been a driving force in 
how we run the business — and, in turn, has had a very positive impact on our culture. We have always managed 
Brookfield	in	a	non-hierarchical	and	collaborative	way,	working	to	make	the	whole	greater	than	the	sum	of	the	
parts by operating as a team, sharing credit, methodically planning and managing succession, and promoting 
from within wherever possible. 

11   BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Brookfield	 is	 a	 public	 corporation	 that	 has	 many	 important	 benefits	 for	 shareholders	 including	 stock	 market	
liquidity and high levels of governance standards and transparency. At the same time, the capital structure, which 
was established in 1995, facilitates maintaining our partnership approach and enables long-term decision-making. 
Through	this	capital	structure,	a	group	of	current	and	former	executives	of	Brookfield	have	joint	control,	and	are	
key	stewards	of	the	company.	This	control	takes	the	form	of	ownership	of	the	Class	B	shares	of	Brookfield,	which	
entitle the partnership to elect half the Board of Directors. Owners of the Class A shares elect the other half of the 
Directors. Our partnership considers the Class B shares to be essentially held ‘in trust’ for the next generation of 
partners, which makes our focus on teamwork and succession even more important. 

The	 partners	 collectively	 also	 own	 or	 have	 beneficial	 interests	 in	 approximately	 20%  of  the  Class  A  shares  of 
Brookfield.	This	substantial	economic	ownership	interest,	built	up	over	the	last	50 years, today amounts to an 
investment	in	Brookfield	of	over	$10 billion. It ensures that our interests are strongly aligned with yours. We are 
also always working through the planning for the next generation in order to ensure continued and seamless 
succession in the partnership. 

In summary, we are focused on ensuring that control of the company will always rest with partners whose interests 
are	fully	aligned	with	all	Brookfield	shareholders	and	investors.	They	are	the	leaders	of	our	businesses	and	have	
very	meaningful	ownership	interests	in	the	firm.	We	think	this	has	been	—	and	will	continue	to	be	—	critical	to	
our business success. It provides important continuity and stability, and the meaningful equity ownership in turn 
fosters	a	long-term	commitment	to	our	business	by	our	senior	executives,	and	management	of	Brookfield.

CLOSING

We remain committed to being a world-class alternative asset manager, and to investing capital for you and our 
investment partners in high-quality assets that earn solid cash returns on equity, while emphasizing downside 
protection for the capital employed. The primary objective of the company continues to be generating increased 
cash	flows	on	a	per-share	basis	and	as	a	result,	higher	intrinsic	value	per	share	over	the	longer	term.

On  a  more  personal  note,  Brian  Lawson  who  has  been  our  CFO  since  2002,  will  transition  out  of  that  role  to 
become	a	Vice	Chair,	working	a	bit	less	but	still	watching	over	risk	management	for	us.	Brian	has	made	a	significant	
contribution	to	our	business	over	many	years,	so	on	behalf	of	all	of	us	here	at	Brookfield,	I	want	to	thank	him	
for	his	years	of	dedication.	Nick	Goodman,	who	has	been	with	Brookfield	for	nearly	a	decade,	will	replace	Brian	
as	 Brookfield’s	 CFO.	 Nick,	 currently	 Treasurer	 and	 Head	 of	 Capital	 Markets,	 has	 broad	 experience	 across	 our	
businesses and regions and has been working directly with Brian and me for a number of years. We look forward 
to introducing Nick to you.

Please do not hesitate to contact any of us should you have suggestions, questions, comments, or ideas you wish 
to share.

Sincerely, 

Bruce Flatt

Chief	Executive	Officer

February 13, 2020

Note: In addition to the disclosures set forth in the cautionary statements included elsewhere in this Report, there are other important disclosures 
that	must	be	read	in	conjunction	with,	and	that	have	been	incorporated	in,	this	letter	as	posted	on	our	website	at	https://bam.brookfield.com/
en/reports-and-filings.

2 019 ANNUAL REPORT       12

In light of the extreme market volatility triggered by COVID-19 in March, 2020, Brookfield Asset Management 
published an Update for Brookfield Shareholders on March 23, 2020 — included in this year’s Annual Report:

Update for Brookfield Shareholders

AS OF MARCH 23, 2020

Dear Shareholders,

Given all the market volatility of the last few weeks, we thought it would be helpful to provide an update on where 
we stand as a company. No one is immune to the issues we are all dealing with, but as you know from our letters 
over  the  years,  we  have  been  expecting  a  recession  and  market  washout  for  some  time.  Nobody  could  have 
predicted that the coronavirus would be the cause, but the markets sure turned over the last month. 

As to our positioning and readiness for this, we believe we are in very good shape. We think it is important for 
you to know a few points:

•  We have approximately $12	billion	of	bank	lines	in	BAM	and	our	four	listed	affiliates,	all	of	which	are	very	

long-term, and importantly are all virtually 100%	undrawn	with	global	financial	partners	who	we	trust.

•  We have approximately $5	billion	of	financial	and	non-core	assets	that	can	be	liquidated	with	relative	ease	
(even in today’s markets) should we so choose, to fund strategic investments or take care of issues. Many of 
these	are	hedged	with	index	hedges	so	even	if	markets	are	down,	this	should	offset	marks	that	may	come	
about due to the environment.

•  We have only $7 billion of corporate debt (against an equity market cap of $40 to $60 billion — depending 
on the day) and none of that debt is coming due for many years. Similarly, in our private funds and listed 
affiliates,	we	have	very	little	debt	coming	due	over	the	next	few	years.	To	the	extent	that	we	have	debt	due,	
they	are	financings	and	mortgages	secured	by	individual	assets	 (which	confines	any	impact	to	the	asset).	

However, even in 2008/09 we were able to roll those over. 

•  We have no ‘hung purchases’. In fact, it’s the opposite — one way or another, every contested deal we tried to 
do	over	the	past	five	months,	we	lost.	We	remained	disciplined,	which	meant	that	we	did	not	buy	a	number	
of businesses as their price rose. In hindsight, this was good. 

•  We	just	finished	raising	our	latest	funds	and	co-investments,	totaling	over	$50 billion. These are only 40% 
invested, so we have a lot of capital to put to work in this environment. We also have the support of many 
leading sovereign and institutional investors in the world to augment these resources. 

•  We partnered with Oaktree last year in anticipation of the debt markets unwinding. Now it’s taking place. The 
team at Oaktree is accelerating the pace of deployment of their current distressed debt fund and preparing 
to	launch	their	next	fund,	which	we	think	could	significantly	exceed	the	size	of	their	last.	If	this	turns	out	to	be	
the case, the addition of this business to ours will be very additive for us and our clients.

•  Most of our businesses are very resilient, and we therefore don’t foresee major issues. Of course, with people 
staying home, business is slowing everywhere. In our operations, for example, our malls will be operating 
at	a	significantly	reduced	rate	for	a	while	(but	this	is	a	second	derivative	exposure	as	we	collect	rent,	not	
run	the	stores,	and	our	financing	structures	are	in	good	shape),	and	fewer	ships	will	travel	to	our	ports.	The	
bottom	line	is	that	while	there	are	certain	to	be	issues	across	our	portfolio,	our	businesses	are	diversified,	
our	financing	structures	are	time-tested,	and	our	resources	significant	to	deal	with	this.

13   BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

•  Much  of  what  we  own  around  the  world  is  critical  infrastructure  —  across  our  property,  infrastructure, 
renewable  power  and  industrial  businesses.  We  are  working  with  governments  and  our  employees  to 
ensure that these facilities remain operational through this period. While many are at home now, people and 
companies still need corporate premises, infrastructure, power, broadband, utilities and many other critical 
services	that	form	the	backbone	of	the	global	economy,	and	that	Brookfield’s	businesses	provide.	Our	teams	
are doing their best to ensure uninterrupted delivery of these services for our customers, while operating 
under	difficult	circumstances.

As to what we do now, here is how we are approaching this market volatility and uncertainty:

•  Most importantly, we are staying calm and ensuring our people are safe. For us, compared to the direct hit 

we took on 9/11, this uncertainty and volatility feels manageable. In 2008, with the banking system failing, real 
asset owners didn’t know if many lenders were going to exist in the future. Today, the banking system is in 
far better shape. It never feels very good to have this degree of chaos, but this will pass.

•  We are being vigilant and will continue to be disciplined. We will maintain capital for our worst-case scenarios. 

This is always very important, but even more so now.

•  We have switched our focus for investments to the listed stock markets, and through our Oaktree franchise, 
the traded debt market. There are some stocks and debt starting to trade at a large discount to intrinsic value 
and we are focused on these. We are also starting to receive calls from companies in need of capital, and we 
look forward to being helpful to companies in need, where we can.

•  Our	shares	have	sold	off	along	with	everything	else.	We	have	been	acquiring,	and	will	continue	to	acquire	our	

own shares for value when it makes sense — and in time, we are certain they will recover.

• 

Interest rates are now 100 basis points lower than they were a month ago. The value of many real assets is 
therefore	higher,	and	our	clients’	need	for	our	offerings	even	greater.	In	time,	this	will	all	flow	through	to	our	
assets and the valuations of our business.

Finally, a reminder regarding investing in times like these: the underlying value of a business that trades in the 
public	market	does	not	change	on	an	hourly	basis.	Despite	the	fluctuations,	you	own	a	part	of	an	actual	business,	
not a piece of paper or electronic symbol that adjusts on a minute-by-minute basis.

Acknowledging that the value of some businesses has changed, at least in the short term (airlines being the most 
extreme example at the moment), the long-term value of many companies — i.e., the discounted stream of cash 
flows	based	on	an	estimate	of	growth	and	durability	into	the	future	–	has	not	changed	substantially	over	the	past	
few months. The proviso is that a company must be able to pay its liabilities when due (stay solvent), which of 
course will be an issue for numerous companies in the absence of government assistance. Our focus has always 
been	on	structuring	our	affairs	to	ensure	we	can	survive	all	environments,	and	we	are	confident	we	are	in	this	
position today.

Most	of	our	cash	flow	streams	are	of	very	long	duration	with	long-term	property	leases,	long-term	power	sale	
contracts, and long-term regulated utility rates that provide durable business revenues with strong counterparties. 
As a result, the change in value of our businesses in the stock market over a few months has very little to do with 
the underlying businesses that you, as a shareholder, own. Please remember that you each own a portion of the 
investment management fees our business generates, as well as a portion of each of the durable businesses and 
assets we own. 

2 019 ANNUAL REPORT       14

It would be less distracting if we all owned this business together privately. That way you could read our materials, 
look	at	how	each	of	our	businesses	is	doing,	observe	the	cash	flows	projected	for	many	years,	and	not	worry	
about how the stock market, with its short-term focus, values this information. We publish our views of how we 
value this business, and we encourage you to focus on these values over time (adjusted upward or downward 
as	you	see	fit)	and	not	on	the	stock	price	when	volatility	is	at	an	extreme.	In	fact,	the	main	reason	to	consider	
the stock price at moments like these is that it allows you to acquire a portion of our business at a large discount 
from its real value. 

It is very easy to invest in the markets when times are good, but it is in times of market decline that following the 
tenets of value investing matters most. We encourage you to follow them. We know this is a very stressful time 
for everyone. Please know that we are watching out for your capital.

Be safe and please wash your hands, 

Bruce Flatt

Chief	Executive	Officer

March 23, 2020

Note: In addition to the disclosures set forth in the cautionary statements included elsewhere in this Report, there are other important disclosures 
that	must	be	read	in	conjunction	with,	and	that	have	been	incorporated	in,	this	letter	as	posted	on	our	website	at	https://bam.brookfield.com/
en/reports-and-filings.

15   BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

 
 
Value Creation

We create shareholder value by increasing the earnings of our asset management activities and increasing the 

value of our Invested Capital, as follows:

ASSET MANAGEMENT

1. 

Increasing fee-bearing capital, which increases our fee-related earnings. We track the value created by applying 

a multiple to our current fee-related earnings.

2.  Achieving attractive investment returns, which allows us to earn performance income (carried interest). We 

measure the value created by applying a multiple to our target carried interest, net of costs1.

INVESTED CAPITAL

3. 

Increasing the cash income generated by the investments as well as capital appreciation, through operational 

improvements  and  disciplined  recycling  of  the  underlying  assets.  We  measure  the  value  created  using  a 

combination of market values and fair values as determined under IFRS.

Asset Management

Invested Capital

AS AT AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2019  
(MILLIONS)

Actual

Current1

AS AT DEC. 31, 2019 
(MILLIONS)

Fee revenues

Direct costs

Oaktree earnings not 
attributable to BAM

Fee-related earnings, net

Carried interest, gross

Direct costs

Oaktree carried interest not 
attributable to BAM

Carried interest, net6

$ 

2,014 $ 

3,021

(792)

1,222

(21)

1,201

980

(292)

688

(28)

660

(1,481)

1,540

(106)

1,434

2,760

(1,020)

1,740

(186)

1,554

Total

$ 

1,861 $ 

2,988 

BPY

BEP

BIP

BBU 

Other listed5

Quoted2

IFRS3 Blended4

$  9,564 $  15,786 $  15,786

8,784

6,189

3,901

3,111

4,810

2,141

2,389

3,549

8,784

6,189

3,901

3,111

Total listed investments

$ 31,549

28,675

37,771

Unlisted investments and 
working capital, net

Invested capital

Leverage

Invested capital, net

8,494

9,210

37,169

46,981

(11,228)

(11,228)

$  25,941 $  35,753

FEE-RELATED 
EARNINGS VALUE

CARRIED INTEREST 
VALUE

INVESTED CAPITAL 
VALUE

BROOKFIELD ASSET 
MANAGEMENT VALUE

1.	 See	definition	in	the	Notice	to	Readers	on	page	19.

2.  Quoted based on December 31, 2019 public pricing.

3.  Total IFRS invested capital excludes $4.9 billion of common equity in our Asset Management segment.

4.  For  business  planning  purposes,  we  consider  the  value  of  invested  capital  to  be  the  quoted  value  of  listed  investments  and  IFRS  value  of 
unlisted	investments,	subject	to	two	adjustments.	First,	we	reflect	BPY	at	IFRS	values	as	we	believe	that	this	best	reflects	the	fair	value	of	the	
underlying	properties.	Second,	we	reflect	Brookfield	Residential	at	its	privatization	value.

5.	 Includes	$2.2	billion	of	corporate	cash	and	financial	assets.

6.	 For	the	purposes	of	value	creation,	“current”	carried	interest,	net	represents	target	carried	interest,	net.	Target	carried	interest,	net,	is	defined	

in the Notice to Readers on page 19.

2 019 ANNUAL REPORT       16

Financial Profile

We measure value creation for business planning and performance measurement using a consistent set of metrics 

as set	out	in	the	table	below.	This	analysis	is	similar	to	that	used	by	us	and	our	Board	of	Directors	when	assessing	

performance	and	growth	in	our	business. We	believe	it	helps	readers	to	understand	our	business.	These plan	values	

are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to forecast or predict future events or to measure intrinsic value.

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31

Asset management activities
Current fee-related earnings3 
Target carried interest, net3

Accumulated unrealized carried interest, net

Invested Capital, net

   Listed investments

   Unlisted investments and net working capital

Invested capital, gross

Debt and preferred capital 

Total plan value3

Base1

(MILLIONS)

$  1,434

1,554

Plan Value 
Factor2

25x

10x

2019

2018

(BILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR PER SHARE AMOUNT)

$    35.9

$    23.2

15.5

2.4

53.8

37.8

9.2

47.0

(11.2)

35.8
$    89.6

10.0

1.7

34.9

31.1

8.4

39.5

(10.6)

28.9

$    63.8

Total plan value (per share)

$  85.10

$  63.98

100

80

60

40

20

0

Plan Value
AS AT DEC. 31 (BILLIONS) 

$62

$31

$31

$64

$29

$35

$52

$28

$24

$44

$25

$19

$90

$36

$54

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Asset Manager

Invested Capital

1.  Base fee-related earnings and carried interest represent our annualized fee revenues and target carried interest, as at December 31, 2019. We  
assume	a	fee-related	earnings	margin	of	60%	and	30%	for	Brookfield	and	Oaktree,	respectively.	We	assume	a	70%	and	50%	margin	on	gross	
target	carried	interest	for	Brookfield	and	Oaktree,	respectively.

2.	 Reflects	 our	 estimates	 of	 appropriate	 multiples	 applied	 to	 fee-related	 earnings	 and	 carried	 interest	 in	 the	 alternative	 asset	 management	
industry  based  on,  among  other  things,  current  industry  reports.  These  factors  are  used  to  translate  earnings  metrics  into  value  in  order 
to  measure  performance  and  value  creation  for  business  planning  purposes.  The  December  31,  2018  fee-related  earnings  plan  value  was 
restated	to	be	presented	using	a	multiple	of	25.	These	factors	may	differ	from	those	used	by	other	alternative	asset	management	companies	
and other industry experts in determining value. 

3.	 See	definition	of	Plan	Value	in	the	Notice	to	Readers	on	page	19.

17   BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Performance Highlights

Fee-Bearing Capital1

AS AT DEC. 31 (BILLIONS)

Fee-Related Earnings1

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31 (MILLIONS)

$1,201

320.00

241.25

162.50

83.75

5.00

$94

$43

$34

2015

$290

$110

$79

$86

$110

$49

$50

$126

$62

$51

$138

$58

$66

$712

$754

$851

1201.00

925.75

650.50

375.25

100.00

$494

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Long-term private funds

Perpetual strategies

Fee-related earnings, excluding performance fees

Public Securities 

Oaktree

Carry Eligible Capital1

AS AT DEC. 31 (BILLIONS)

Accumulated Unrealized Carried Interest1

AS AT DEC. 31 (MILLIONS)

$120

$80

$58

$40

$42

120

90

60

30

$25

0

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Brookfield

Oaktree

3650

2940

2230

1520

810

$658

100

$435

2015

$898

$576

2016

$3,647

$2,389

$2,486

$1,732

$2,079

$1,430

2017

2018

2019

Accumulated unrealized carried interest, net

Accumulated unrealized carried interest, gross

Cash Available for Distribution and/or Reinvestment1,2

Distributions to Common Shareholders3

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31 (MILLIONS)

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31 (MILLIONS)

2700

2180

1660

$1,851

$1,344

$1,702

$1,975

$1,759

$2,503

$2,611

$2,225

$2,037

1140

$1,310

620

100

670.0

527.5

385.0

242.5

100.0

$620

$575

$540

$500

$450

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

Excluding realized carried interest, net, and 
performance fees

Realized carried interest, net, and performance fees

1.	 See	definition	in	MD&A	Glossary	of	Terms	beginning	on	page	115.

2.	 Comparative	numbers	have	been	revised	to	reflect	new	definition.

3.  Excludes special dividends.

2 019 ANNUAL REPORT       18

NOTICE TO READERS

Pages 1 through 18 of the 2019 Annual Report must be read in conjunction with the cautionary statements included 
elsewhere in the 2019 Annual Report. Except where otherwise indicated, the information provided herein is based on 
matters as they exist as of December 31, 2019 and not as any future date.

In addition, for pages 1 through 18 of the 2019 Annual Report, the following terms have the definitions provided below:

Current fee-related earnings is annualized fee revenues net of associated direct costs. Annualized fee revenues are 
the sum of (i) base management fees on current fee-bearing capital based on the associated contractual fee rates; (ii) 
incentive distributions based on BEP, BIP and BPY’s current annual distribution policies; (iii) performance fees from 
BBU assuming a 10% annualized unit price appreciation; and (iv) transaction and public securities performance fees 
equal to a simple average of the last two years’ revenues. We assume that direct costs represent 40% of current fee 
revenues from Brookfield funds and 70% on Oaktree funds.

Plan value is used to measure value creation for business planning and performance measurement. The metrics used 
in  the  measurement  of  plan  value  include  current  fee-related  earnings,  target  carried  interest,  net,  accumulated 
unrealized carried interest, net and invested capital, net. The multiples applied to current fee-related earnings and 
target carried interest, net to determine plan value reflect Brookfield’s estimates of appropriate multiples used in the 
alternative asset management industry based on, among other things, industry reports.

Target carried interest, net is target carried interest net of associated direct costs. Target carried interest represents 
the carried interest we will earn, straight-lined over the life of the fund, assuming that we achieve the target fund 
returns. This is calculated by multiplying carry eligible fund capital by the net target return of a fund and the fund’s 
carried interest percentage. Target gross returns are typically 20%+ for opportunistic funds; 13% to 15% for value add 
funds; 12% to 15% for credit and core funds.  Fee terms vary by investment strategy (carried interest is approximately 
15% to 20% subject to a preferred return and catch-up) and may change over time. Target carried interest on uncalled 
fund commitments is discounted for two years at 10%. We assume that direct costs represent 30% of target carried 
interest on Brookfield funds and 50% on Oaktree funds. There can be no assurance that targeted returns will be met.

19    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Management’s Discussion and Analysis

ORGANIZATION OF THE MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS (“MD&A”)

PART 1 – OUR BUSINESS AND STRATEGY

Infrastructure........................................................................

Overview..............................................................................

Organizational Structure......................................................

PART 2 – REVIEW OF CONSOLIDATED

FINANCIAL RESULTS

Overview..............................................................................

Income Statement Analysis..................................................

Balance Sheet Analysis........................................................

Consolidation and Fair Value Accounting ...........................

Foreign Currency Translation..............................................

Corporate Dividends............................................................

Summary of Quarterly Results ............................................

PART 3 – OPERATING SEGMENT RESULTS

Basis of Presentation............................................................

Summary of Results by Operating Segment........................

Asset Management...............................................................

Real Estate ...........................................................................

Renewable Power ................................................................

22

24

33

34

40

45

46

47

48

50

51

52

58

62

Private Equity ......................................................................

Residential Development.....................................................

Corporate Activities.............................................................

PART 4 – CAPITALIZATION AND LIQUIDITY

Capitalization.......................................................................

Liquidity ..............................................................................

Review of Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows..............

Contractual Obligations .......................................................

Exposures to Selected Financial Information ......................

PART 5 – ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND INTERNAL

CONTROLS

Accounting Policies, Estimates and Judgments...................

Management Representations and Internal Controls...........

Related Party Transactions ..................................................

PART 6 – BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND RISKS........

GLOSSARY OF TERMS.......................................................

115

66

70

74

76

78

81

84

85

86

87

95

95

96

“Brookfield,” the “company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. 
The “Corporation” refers to our asset management business which is comprised of our asset management and corporate business 
segments. Our “invested capital” includes our “listed partnerships,” Brookfield Property Partners L.P., Brookfield Renewable 
Partners L.P., Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. and Brookfield Business Partners L.P., which are separate public issuers 
included within our Real Estate, Renewable Power, Infrastructure and Private Equity segments, respectively. Additional discussion 
of  their  businesses  and  results  can  be  found  in  their  public  filings.  We  use  “private  funds”  to  refer  to  our  real  estate  funds, 
infrastructure funds and private equity funds. 

Please refer to the Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115 which defines our key performance measures that we use to measure 
our business. Other businesses include Residential Development and Corporate.

Additional  information  about  the  company,  including  our  Annual  Information  Form,  is  available  on  our  website  at 
www.brookfield.com, on the Canadian Securities Administrators’ website at www.sedar.com and on the EDGAR section of the 
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (“SEC”) website at www.sec.gov.

We are incorporated in Ontario, Canada, and qualify as an eligible Canadian issuer under the Multijurisdictional Disclosure 
System and as a “foreign private issuer” as such term is defined in Rule 405 under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, 
and Rule 3b-4 under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. As a result, we comply with U.S. continuous reporting 
requirements by filing our Canadian disclosure documents with the SEC; our MD&A is filed under Form 40-F and we furnish 
our quarterly interim reports under Form 6-K.

Information contained in or otherwise accessible through the websites mentioned throughout this report does not form part of this report. 
All references in this report to websites are inactive textual references and are not incorporated by reference. Any other reports of the 
Company referred to herein are not incorporated by reference unless explicitly stated otherwise. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    20

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND INFORMATION

This Report contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of Canadian provincial securities laws and “forward-
looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the U.S. 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform 
Act of 1995 and in any applicable Canadian securities regulations. We may provide such information and make such statements 
in the Report, in other filings with Canadian regulators or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or in other communications. 
Forward-looking statements include statements that are predictive in nature, depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, 
include statements regarding the operations, business, financial condition, expected financial results, performance, prospects, 
opportunities, priorities, targets, goals, ongoing objectives, strategies and outlook of the Corporation and its subsidiaries, as well 
as the outlook for North American and international economies for the current fiscal year and subsequent periods, and include 
words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “seeks,” “intends,” “targets,” “projects,” “forecasts” or 
negative versions thereof and other similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “would” 
and “could.”

Although we believe that our anticipated future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking 
statements and information are based upon reasonable assumptions and expectations, the reader should not place undue reliance 
on forward-looking statements and information contained in this Report.  The statements and information involve known and 
unknown  risks,  uncertainties  and  other  factors,  many  of  which  are  beyond  our  control,  which  may  cause  the  actual  results, 
performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from anticipated future results, performance or achievement 
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and information.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated or implied by forward-looking statements 
include, but are not limited to: (i) investment returns that are lower than target; (ii) the impact or unanticipated impact of general 
economic, political and market factors in the countries in which we do business; (iii) the behavior of financial markets, including 
fluctuations in interest and foreign exchange rates; (iv) global equity and capital markets and the availability of equity and debt 
financing and refinancing within these markets; (v) strategic actions including dispositions; the ability to complete and effectively 
integrate acquisitions into existing operations and the ability to attain expected benefits; (vi) changes in accounting policies and 
methods used to report financial condition (including uncertainties associated with critical accounting assumptions and estimates); 
(vii) the  ability  to  appropriately  manage  human  capital;  (viii) the  effect  of  applying  future  accounting  changes;  (ix) business 
competition;  (x) operational  and  reputational  risks;  (xi) technological  change;  (xii) changes  in  government  regulation  and 
legislation within the countries in which we operate; (xiii) governmental investigations; (xiv) litigation; (xv) changes in tax laws; 
(xvi) ability  to  collect  amounts  owed;  (xvii) catastrophic  events,  such  as  earthquakes,  hurricanes,  or  pandemics/epidemics; 
(xviii) the possible impact of international conflicts and other developments including terrorist acts and cyberterrorism; (xix) the 
introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies; (xx) the failure of effective disclosure controls 
and procedures and internal controls over financial reporting and other risks; (xxi) health, safety and environmental risks; (xxii) the 
maintenance of adequate insurance coverage; (xxiii) the existence of information barriers between certain businesses within our 
asset  management  operations;  (xxiv) risks  specific  to  our  business  segments  including  our  real  estate,  renewable  power, 
infrastructure, private equity, and residential development activities; and (xxv) factors detailed from time to time in our documents 
filed with the securities regulators in Canada and the United States.

We caution that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-
looking statements, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential 
events. Except as required by law, the Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking 
statements or information, whether written or oral, that may be as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

STATEMENT REGARDING USE OF NON-IFRS MEASURES

We disclose a number of financial measures in this Report that are calculated and presented using methodologies other than in 
accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board 
(“IASB”). We utilize these measures in managing the business, including for performance measurement, capital allocation and 
valuation purposes and believe that providing these performance measures on a supplemental basis to our IFRS results is helpful 
to investors in assessing the overall performance of our businesses. These financial measures should not be considered as the sole 
measure of our performance and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, similar financial measures 
calculated in accordance with IFRS. We caution readers that these non-IFRS financial measures or other financial metrics may 
differ from the calculations disclosed by other businesses and, as a result, may not be comparable to similar measures presented 
by other issuers and entities. Reconciliations of these non-IFRS financial measures to the most directly comparable financial 
measures calculated and presented in accordance with IFRS, where applicable, are included within this Report. Please refer to our 
Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115 for all non-IFRS measures.

21    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

PART 1 – OUR BUSINESS AND STRATEGY

OVERVIEW

We are a leading global alternative asset manager with a 120-year history and over $540 billion of assets under management1
across  a  broad  portfolio  of  real  estate,  infrastructure,  renewable  power,  private  equity  and  credit  assets.  Our  $290  billion  in                     
fee-bearing capital1 is invested on behalf of some of the world’s largest institutional investors, sovereign wealth funds and pension 
plans, along with thousands of individuals.

We provide a diverse product mix of flagship private funds1 and dedicated public vehicles, which allow investors to invest in our 
five key asset classes and participate in the strong performance of the underlying portfolio. We invest in a disciplined manner, 
targeting 12-15% returns with strong downside protection, allowing our investors and their stakeholders to meet their goals and 
protect their financial futures. 

Investment focus

  We predominantly invest in real assets across real estate, infrastructure, renewable power and private equity, and hold a 
significant  investment  in  Oaktree  Capital  Management  (“Oaktree1”),  which  is  a  leading  global  alternative  investment 
management firm with an expertise in credit.

Diverse products offering

  We offer public and private vehicles to invest across a number of product lines, including core, value-add, opportunistic and 

credit in both closed-end and perpetual vehicles.

Focused investment strategies 

  We invest where we can bring our competitive advantages to bear, such as our strong capabilities as an owner-operator, our 

large-scale capital and our global reach.

Disciplined financing approach 

  We employ leverage1 in a prudent manner to enhance returns while preserving capital throughout business cycles. Underlying 
investments are typically funded on a standalone, non-recourse, basis, providing a stable capitalization, with the vast majority 
of these borrowings done at investment-grade levels. Only 5% of the total leverage reported in our consolidated financial 
statements has recourse to the Corporation.

In addition, we maintain significant invested capital1 on the Corporation’s balance sheet where we invest alongside our investors. 
This capital generates annual cash flows that enhance the returns we earn as an asset manager, creates a strong alignment of interest, 
and allows us to bring the following strengths to bear on all our investments.

1.  Large-scale capital
  We have over $540 billion in assets under management and $290 billion in fee-bearing capital1.

2.  Operating expertise 
  We have approximately 150,000 operating employees worldwide who maximize value and cash flows from our operations.

3.  Global presence 
  We operate in more than 30 countries around the world.

Our financial returns are represented by the combination of the earnings of our asset manager as well as capital appreciation and 
distributions from our invested capital. Our primary performance measure is funds from operations (“FFO”)1 which we use to 
evaluate the performance of our segments.

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    22

Asset Management

Our asset management activities encompass $290 billion of fee-bearing capital across long-term private funds, perpetual strategies 
and public securities1. Together with our investment in Oaktree, we have over 1,800 unique institutional investors across our 
private funds business.

Long-term Private Funds – $86 billion fee-bearing capital 

We manage and earn fees on a diverse range of real estate, renewable power, infrastructure, private equity and credit funds. These 
funds are long duration in nature and include closed-end value-add, credit and opportunistic strategies. On long-term private fund 
capital we earn:

1.  Diversified and long-term base management fees1 on capital that is typically committed for 10 years with two one-year 

extension options. 

2.  Carried interest1, which enables us to receive a portion of overall fund profits provided that investors receive a minimum 

prescribed preferred return. Carried interest is recognized once it is no longer subject to clawback. 

Perpetual Strategies – $79 billion fee-bearing capital 

We manage perpetual capital in our publicly listed partnerships1 BPY1, BEP1, BIP1, BBU1, and TERP1 as well as core and core 
plus private funds, which can continually raise new capital. On our perpetual strategies, we earn:

1.  Long-term perpetual base management fees, which are based on total capitalization for our listed partnerships and net asset 

value for our perpetual private funds.  

2.  Stable incentive distribution1 fees which are linked to cash distributions from listed partnerships (BPY, BEP and BIP) that 
exceed pre-determined thresholds. These cash distributions have a historical track record of growing annually and each of 
the listed partnership targets annual distribution growth rates within a range of 5-9%.

3.  Performance fees1 based on unit price performance (BBU) and carried interest on our perpetual private funds. 

Oaktree – $110 billion fee-bearing capital 

On September 30, 2019, we purchased approximately 61% of Oaktree and broadened our product offering. Oaktree provides a 
diverse range of long-term private fund and perpetual strategies to its investor base. Similar to our long-term private funds, we 
earn base management fees and carried interest on Oaktree’s fund capital.

Public Securities – $15 billion fee-bearing capital 

We manage public funds and separately managed accounts, focused on fixed income and equity securities within the real estate, 
infrastructure and natural resources asset classes. We earn management fees, which are based on committed capital and fund net 
asset values, and performance income based on investment returns.

Invested Capital1

We have approximately $47 billion of invested capital on the Corporation’s balance sheet as a result of our history as an owner 
and operator of real assets, which provides attractive financial returns and important flexibility to our asset management business. 

Key attributes of our invested capital:

• 

Transparent – approximately 80% of our invested capital is in our listed partnerships (BPY, BEP, BIP, BBU) and other smaller 
publicly traded investments. The remaining is primarily held in a residential homebuilding business, and a few other directly 
held investments. 

•  Diversified, long-term, stable cash flows – received from our underlying public investments. These cash flows are underpinned 
by investments in real assets which should provide inflation protection and less volatility compared to traditional equities, 
and higher yields compared to fixed income. 

• 

Strong alignment of interests – the Corporation is the largest investor into each of our listed partnerships, and in turn, the 
listed partnerships are typically the largest investor in each of our private funds. 

Refer to Parts 2 and 3 of this MD&A for more information on our operations and performance.

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.
23    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE

Our  asset  management  business  is  organized  across  a  wide  range  of  investment  products,  primarily  focused  on  real  estate, 
infrastructure, renewable power, private equity and credit, and employs approximately 1,900 employees. In addition, we utilize 
our vast network of approximately 150,000 employees across our high-quality assets and businesses, largely owned through our 
affiliates and private funds.

Includes Oaktree and other alternative investments. Oaktree also has real estate and infrastructure products.

1. 
2.  Economic ownership interest on a fully diluted basis.

Our global presence spans over 30 countries and covers major economies around the world.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    24

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES

We have three distinct competitive advantages that allow us to consistently identify and acquire high quality assets and create 
significant value in the assets that we own and operate. 

Large-Scale Capital 

We have over $540 billion in assets under management.

We offer our investors a large portfolio of private funds which have global mandates and diversified strategies. Our access to 
large-scale capital from our private funds and co-investors enables us to pursue transactions where there is less competition. In 
addition, investing significant amounts of our own capital either through our listed partnerships or through the Corporation’s 
balance sheet ensures alignment of interest with our investors and additional flexible capital to fund larger investments. 

Operating Expertise

We have approximately 150,000 operating employees worldwide who are instrumental in maximizing the value and cash flows 
from our operations.

We believe that real operating experience is essential in maximizing efficiency and productivity – and ultimately, returns. We do 
this by maintaining a culture of long-term focus, alignment of interest and collaboration through the people we hire and our 
operating philosophy. This in-house operating expertise developed through our heritage as an owner-operator is invaluable in 
underwriting acquisitions and executing value-creating development and capital projects.

Global Presence

We operate in more than 30 countries around the world.

Our global reach allows us to diversify and identify a broad range of opportunities. We are able to invest where capital is scarce, 
and our scale enables us to move quickly and pursue multiple opportunities across different markets. Our global reach also allows 
us to operate our assets more effectively: we believe that a strong local presence is critical to operating successfully in many of 
our markets, and many of our businesses are truly local. Furthermore, the combination of our strong local presence and global 
reach allows us to bring global relationships and operating practices to bear across markets to enhance returns. 

25    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

OPERATING CYCLE

Raise Capital

As an asset manager, the starting point is forming new funds and other investment products to which investors are willing to 
commit capital. This in turn will provide us with capital to invest and the opportunity to earn base management fees, incentive 
distributions and performance-based returns such as carried interest. Accordingly, we create value by increasing the amount of 
fee-bearing capital and by achieving strong investment performance that leads to increased cash flows and asset values.

Identify and Acquire High-Quality Assets

We follow a value-based approach to investing and allocating capital. We believe our disciplined approach, global reach and 
our expertise in recapitalizations and operational turnarounds enable us to identify a wide range of potential opportunities, some 
of which are challenging for others to pursue, and allow us to invest at attractive valuations and generate superior risk-adjusted 
returns.  We  also  have  considerable  expertise  in  executing  large  development  and  capital  projects,  providing  additional 
opportunities to deploy capital. 

Secure Long-Term Financing

We finance our operations predominantly on a long-term, investment-grade basis, and most of our capital consists of equity and 
standalone asset-by-asset financing with minimal recourse to other parts of the organization. We utilize relatively modest levels 
of corporate debt to provide operational flexibility and optimize returns. This provides us with considerable stability, improves 
our  ability  to  withstand  financial  downturns  and  enables  our  management  teams  to  focus  on  operations  and  other 
growth initiatives.

Enhance Value and Cash Flows Through Operating Expertise

Our operating capabilities enable us to increase the value of the assets within our businesses and the cash flows they produce, 
and they protect capital better in adverse conditions. Our operating expertise, development capabilities and effective financing 
can help ensure that an investment’s full value creation potential is realized by optimizing operations and development projects. 
We believe this is one of our most important competitive advantages as an asset manager.

Realize Capital from Asset Sales or Refinancings

We actively monitor opportunities to sell or refinance assets to generate proceeds that we return to investors in the case of limited 
life funds and redeploy to enhance returns in the case of perpetual entities. In many cases, returning capital from private funds 
completes the investment process locking in investor returns and giving rise to performance income.

Our Operating Cycle Leads to Value Creation 

We create value from earning robust returns on our investments 
that compound over time and grow our fee-bearing capital. By 
generating value for our investors and shareholders, we increase 
fees  and  carried  interest  received  in  our  asset  management 
business  and  grow  cash  flows  that  compound  value  in  our 
invested capital.  

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    26

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Unlike many other alternative asset managers, much of the debt issued within our managed entities is included in our consolidated 
balance sheet not withstanding that virtually none of this debt has any recourse to the Corporation. This is due in large part to the 
amount of capital that we invest in our funds relative to other managers, which causes us to consolidate these entities in our 
Consolidated Balance Sheets. As at December 31, 2019, only $7 billion of the $143 billion of long-term financing debt reported 
on our Consolidated Balance Sheet has recourse to the Corporation.

We manage our liquidity and capitalization on a group-wide basis; however it is organized into three principal tiers: 

i)  The Corporation: 

• 

Strong levels of liquidity are maintained to support growth and ongoing operations.

•  Capitalization consists of a large common equity base, supplemented with perpetual preferred shares, long-dated corporate 

bonds and, from time to time, draws on our corporate credit facilities.

•  Negligible guarantees are provided on the financial obligations of listed partnerships and managed funds.

•  High levels of cash flows are available after common share dividends.

ii)  Our listed partnerships (BPY, BEP, BIP and BBU):

• 

• 

• 

Strong levels of liquidity are maintained at each of the listed partnerships to support their growth and ongoing operations.

Listed partnerships are intended to be self-funding with stable capitalization through market cycles.

Financial obligations have no recourse to the Corporation.

iii)  Managed funds, or investments, either held directly or within listed partnerships:  

• 

• 

• 

Each underlying investment is typically funded on a standalone basis.

Fund level borrowings are generally limited to subscription facilities backed by the capital commitments to the fund.

Financial obligations have no recourse to the Corporation.

Approach to Capitalization

Our overall approach is to maintain appropriate levels of liquidity throughout the organization to fund operating, development 
and investment activities as well as unforeseen requirements. The following are key elements of our capital strategy:

•  Maintain  significant  liquidity  at  the  corporate  level,  primarily  in  the  form  of  cash,  financial  assets  and  undrawn  credit 
lines. Ensure  our  listed  partnerships  can  finance  their  operations  on  a  standalone  basis  without  recourse  to  or  reliance 
on the Corporation.

• 

• 

Structure our borrowings, which are predominantly at the asset or portfolio company level, and other financial obligations 
to provide a stable capitalization at levels that are attractive to investors, are sustainable on a long-term basis and can withstand 
business cycles.

The vast majority of this debt is at investment-grade levels, however, periodically, we may borrow at sub-investment grade 
levels in certain parts of our business where the borrowings are carefully structured and monitored. 

• 

Provide recourse only to the specific businesses or assets being financed, without cross-collateralization or parental guarantees. 

•  Match the duration of our debt to the underlying leases or contracts and match the currency of our debt to that of the assets 

such that our remaining exposure is on the net equity of the investment.

We maintain a prudent level of capitalization at the Corporation with 75% of our book capitalization in the form of common and 
preferred  equity.  Consistent  with  our  conservative  approach,  our  corporate  borrowings  represent  only  15%  of  our  corporate 
capitalization1 and equate to just 5% of our consolidated debt. The remaining 95% of consolidated debt obligations have no recourse 
to the Corporation, are held within managed entities and have virtually no cross-collateralization or parental guarantees. 

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.
27    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Our corporate capitalization is now approximately $47 billion and our debt to book capitalization level remains at 15%. Based on 
our market capitalization the corporate debt to capitalization level is considerably lower at 9%.

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Corporate borrowings............................................................................................................................... $
Accounts payable and other liabilities ........................................................................................................
Preferred equity ...........................................................................................................................................
Common equity – book value .....................................................................................................................
Corporate capitalization ........................................................................................................................... $

2019 % of Total
15%
7,083
10 %
4,708
9 %
4,145
66 %
30,868
100%
46,804

Liquidity 

The Corporation has very few capital requirements. Nevertheless, we maintain significant liquidity ($4.7 billion in the form of 
cash  and  financial  assets  and  undrawn  credit  facilities  as  at  December  31,  2019)  at  the  corporate  level  to  bridge  larger  fund 
transactions, seed new fund products or participate in equity issuances by our listed partnerships.

On a group basis, we have over $64 billion of liquidity, which includes corporate liquidity, listed partnership liquidity and uncalled 
private  fund  commitments.  Uncalled  private  fund  commitments  are  third-party  commitments  available  for  drawdown  in  our 
private funds. 

AS AT DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)
Cash and financial assets, net...................................................................................................................... $
Undrawn committed credit facilities ...........................................................................................................
Core liquidity1 .............................................................................................................................................
Third-party uncalled private fund commitments.........................................................................................
Total liquidity1 ........................................................................................................................................... $

Corporate
Liquidity
2,181
2,524
4,705
—
4,705

Group
Liquidity
3,575
9,808
13,383
50,735
64,118

$

$

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

Cash Flow Generation

We generate significant, recurring cash flows at the corporate level, which may be used for (i) reinvestment into the business; or 
(ii) returning cash to shareholders. These cash flows are underpinned by:

• 

Fee-related earnings1 that are supported by long-term and perpetual contractual agreements. 

•  Distributions from listed investments that are stable and backed by high-quality operating assets.

These cash flows are supplemented with carried interest as we monetize mature investments and return capital to our investors.

Cash available for distribution and/or reinvestment1 was $2.6 billion for 2019, and over the past five years has grown at an 18% 
compound annual growth rate.

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Fee-related earnings ....................................................................................................................................... $
Realized carried interest, net1 ........................................................................................................................
Our share of Oaktree’s distributable earnings................................................................................................
Distributions from investments......................................................................................................................
Other invested capital earnings
Corporate activities ......................................................................................................................................
Other wholly-owned investments ................................................................................................................

Preferred share dividends...............................................................................................................................
Add back: equity-based compensation costs .................................................................................................
Total cash available for distribution and/or reinvestment1...................................................................... $

2019
1,169
386
42
1,598

(483)
(36)
2,676
(152)
87
2,611

$

$

2018
1,129
188
—
1,698

(486)
41
2,570
(151)
84
2,503

1.  Excludes $32 million and $10 million of fee-related earnings and realized carried interest, net from Oaktree, respectively. See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning 

on page 115.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    28

RISK MANAGEMENT 

Our Approach

Managing risk is an integral part of our business. We have a well-established and disciplined risk management approach that is 
based on clear operating methods and a strong risk culture. Brookfield’s risk management program emphasizes the proactive 
management of risks, ensuring that we have the necessary capacity and resilience to respond to changing environments by evaluating 
both current and emerging risks. We have implemented a risk management framework and methodology that is designed to enable 
comprehensive and consistent management of risk across the organization. 

We use a thorough and integrated risk assessment process to identify and evaluate risk areas across the business such as human 
capital,  climate  change,  foreign  exchange  and  other  strategic,  financial,  regulatory  and  operational  risks.  Management  and 
mitigation approaches and practices are tailored to the specific risk areas and executed by business and functional groups for their 
businesses, with appropriate coordination and oversight through monitoring and reporting processes.

29    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Focus on Risk Culture 

A strong risk culture is the cornerstone of our risk management program: one that promotes conservative risk-taking, addresses 
current and emerging risks and ensures employees conduct business with a long-term perspective and in a sustainable and ethical 
manner. This culture is reinforced by the strong commitment and leadership from our senior executives, as well as the policies 
and practices we have implemented, including our compensation approach.

Shared Execution

Given the diversified and decentralized nature of our operations, we seek to ensure that risk is managed as close to its source 
as possible  and  by  the  management  teams  that  have  the  most  knowledge  and  expertise  in  the  specific  business  or  risk  area. 
As such, business  specific  risks  overall  such  as  safety,  environment  and  other  operational  risks  are  generally  managed  at  the 
operating business group level, as the risks vary based on the nature of each business. At the same time, we monitor many of 
these risks organization-wide to ensure adequacy of risk management, adherence to applicable Brookfield policies, and sharing 
of best practices.

For risks that are more pervasive and correlated in their impact across the organization, such as liquidity, foreign exchange and 
interest rate or where we can bring specialized knowledge, we utilize a centralized approach amongst our corporate and our 
operating business groups. Management of strategic, reputational and regulatory compliance risks is similarly coordinated to 
ensure consistent focus and implementation across the organization.

Oversight & Coordination

We have implemented strong governance practices to monitor and oversee our risk management program. Management committees 
have been formed to bring together required expertise to manage key risk areas, ensuring appropriate application and coordination 
of approaches and practices across our business and functional groups:

•  Risk Management Steering Committee to coordinate the risk management program on an enterprise-wide basis;

• 

Investment Committees to oversee the investment process, as well as monitor the ongoing performance of investments;

•  Conflicts Committee to resolve potential conflict situations in the investment process and other corporate transactions;

• 

Financial Risk Oversight Committee to review and monitor financial exposures;

•  Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) Committee to coordinate ESG initiatives; 

• 

Safety Steering Committee to focus on health, safety and security matters; and

•  Disclosure Committee to oversee the public disclosure of material information.

Brookfield’s Board of Directors oversees risk management with a focus on more significant risks and leverages management’s 
monitoring processes. The Board has delegated responsibility for oversight of specific risks to the following board committees:

•  Risk  Management  Committee  oversees  the  management  of  Brookfield’s  significant  financial  and  non-financial  risk 
exposures, including review of risk assessment and risk management practices and confirming that the company has an 
appropriate risk-taking philosophy and suitable risk capacity.

•  Audit Committee oversees the management of risks related to Brookfield’s systems and procedures for financial reporting, 

as well as for associated audit processes (internal and external).

•  Management Resources and Compensation Committee oversees the risks related to Brookfield’s management resource 

planning, including succession planning, executive compensation and senior executives’ performance.

•  Governance and Nominating Committee oversees the risks related to Brookfield’s governance structure, including the 

effectiveness of board and committee activities and potential conflicts of interest.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    30

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE MANAGEMENT

At Brookfield, we have a long history of owning and operating real assets that form the backbone of the global economy, from 
real  estate  and  renewable  power  plants  to  transportation  and  communication  infrastructure  networks.  We  understand  that 
maintaining a disciplined focus on integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors into our business model is 
integral to building resilient businesses and creating long-term value for our investors and other stakeholders. 

As an asset manager, we hold our operating businesses and portfolio companies accountable for implementing strong ESG practices, 
and we set up appropriate support through ongoing reporting, portfolio company board oversight, and other mechanisms. For 
example, safety is an integral part of our approach to the companies in which we invest. While safety is managed at the portfolio 
company level, we have established a Safety Steering Committee at the Brookfield level, which comprises the CEOs of each of 
our business groups, whose mandate is to promote a strong safety culture across our operating businesses and portfolio companies.

We also recognize that strong governance is essential to sustainable business operations. The Corporation’s Board of Directors is 
formally charged with oversight of the Corporation’s ESG strategy and, through its Governance and Nominating Committee, is 
responsible for reviewing and approving the Corporation’s material ESG initiatives and ESG disclosures and reports. Within 
Brookfield, ESG strategy is directed by our ESG Steering Committee, which comprises senior executives across each of our major 
business groups. The ESG Steering Committee’s mandate is to set and implement ESG strategy, oversee and coordinate firm-wide 
ESG initiatives, share best practices across businesses, and improve our ESG performance. 

Recent Highlights

In 2019 and early 2020, we made progress on a number of initiatives to strengthen our ESG practices, some of which are noted 
below. 

i.  Principles for Responsible Investment (“PRI”)

We became a signatory to the PRI in early 2020. The PRI is one of the world’s leading proponents of responsible investing, with 
an emphasis on understanding the investment implications of ESG considerations as well as supporting an international network 
of investor signatories in incorporating these ESG factors into their investment and ownership decisions. While we believe that 
we have always been aligned with the PRI principles, becoming a signatory formalizes our ongoing commitment to ESG best 
practices. 

ii.  Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (“TCFD”)

We continue to work to align to the TCFD, the preeminent framework for assessing climate change risks and opportunities. This 
alignment process is expected to take several years and will give us a deeper understanding of the physical and transition risks 
and  opportunities  related  to  climate  change.  We  initiated  this  effort  by  undertaking  a  review  to  ensure  that  climate  change 
implications are adequately considered in our governance and risk management protocols, and will continue to address the TCFD 
recommendations in the four areas of governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets, with incremental disclosures 
published annually. 

iii.  Greenhouse Gas (“GHG”) Measurement

We completed the first inventory of GHG emissions for our asset management activities. The results of this inventory can be found 
in  our  2018  ESG  Report. We  also  completed  the  second  annual  assessment  of  the  carbon  footprint  of  our  renewable  power 
operations. The energy generated by our solar, wind and hydroelectric facilities helped avoid approximately 27 million metric 
tons of carbon emissions on a net basis in 2019. This is equivalent to removing six million vehicles from the road annually or 
nearly all of London, England’s emissions in one year. In addition, our renewable power business managed to reduce its 2019 
Scope 1 and 2 emissions by approximately 20% year over year, and its global gross carbon intensity continues to be one of the 
lowest among comparable power companies.

31    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

iv.  Sustainable Financing

We also have been active in the sustainable finance market, with total issuance reaching approximately $2.7 billion across green 
bonds, sustainability-linked debt and green preferred shares in 2019, up from $1.4 billion last year. In our renewable power business, 
we also completed our first sustainability-linked corporate revolving credit facility, that will allow us to reduce our cost of borrowing 
as we continue to accelerate the decarbonization of global electricity grids. Many of our assets and investments are well-suited 
for sustainable financing, and we continue to look for opportunities to access capital in this manner. 

v.  Diversity and Inclusion

Brookfield is committed to diversity and inclusion. We have a Board Diversity Policy, which reflects the Corporation’s focus on 
ensuring that its Board promotes diversity of thought, background and opinions. This includes such factors as diversity of business 
expertise and international experience, in addition to geographic and gender diversity. We target having women comprise 30% of 
independent directors. In 2019, females represented 25% of the members of the Board of Directors and 44% of the independent 
directors. In addition, female representation within the management team has been steadily increasing. Currently, females represent 
27% of the management team (titles of vice president and above) and 11% of our senior management team (titles of Managing 
Director and Managing Partner). This is an increase over the last four years from 20% and 6% respectively.  These increases are 
particularly notable when considering that they were achieved over a period during which our workforce increased by 150%, 
further demonstrating our commitment to diversity.

In addition, Brookfield is focused on creating an inclusive environment where each of our team members can achieve their potential. 
2019 initiatives include 360-degree feedback for senior management, training for people leaders, and clear performance criteria 
for the talent assessment and performance review process.

vi.  Cybersecurity

In  2019,  Brookfield  continued  to  make  a  significant  investment  in  its  cybersecurity  program  to  improve  resiliency  against 
cyberattacks. These improvements and the overall maturity of the program were validated through an independent third-party 
assessment of the program against all components of the National Institute of Standards & Technology Cybersecurity Framework 
(“NIST Framework”). The assessment confirmed a significant improvement over the previous assessment, and noted that the 
Brookfield cybersecurity program’s maturity level was above average within our peer group.

Notable improvements per the 2019 assessment include (i) the implementation of additional security technologies and processes 
to enhance threat detection and response capabilities across the organization; (ii) proactive risk reduction through data analytics, 
enhanced vulnerability scanning and penetration testing; and (iii) increased employee training and testing to improve cybersecurity 
awareness.  In 2020, we will continue to focus on additional improvements in order to further mitigate the risks of the ever-evolving 
threat landscape.

As part of Brookfield’s continued effort to enhance communications with our stakeholder community, we publish an annual ESG 
report, which can be accessed on the Responsibility page of our website at www.brookfield.com/responsibility. The report details 
our continued progress in key focus areas, including climate change and significant governance issues, and addresses current and 
future initiatives we are committed to undertaking as part of our broader ESG strategy. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    32

PART 2 – REVIEW OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS

The following section contains a discussion and analysis of line items presented within our consolidated financial statements. The 
financial data in this section has been prepared in accordance with IFRS. Starting on page 46 we provide an overview of our fair 
value accounting process and why we believe it provides useful information for investors about our performance. We also provide 
an overview of our application of the control-based model under IFRS used to determine whether or not an investment should be 
consolidated.

OVERVIEW

Net income was $5.4 billion in the current year, with $2.8 billion attributable to common shareholders ($2.60 per share) and the 
remainder attributable to non-controlling interests. 

During 2019, we benefited from a number of recent acquisitions across our segments, which together contributed $14.9 billion
of additional revenues and $287 million of net income during the year. This was partially offset by recent asset sales. 

Besides the impact of recent acquisitions, the $2.1 billion decrease in consolidated net income and the $777 million decrease in 
net income attributable to common shareholders compared to the prior year were primarily attributable to:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

the absence of one-time gains recorded in the prior year, including the impact of completing step-up acquisitions in our real 
estate and private equity operations;

an income tax expense of $495 million relating to lower amount of loss carryforwards recognized in the year, compared to 
a 2018 income tax recovery of $248 million; and

higher depreciation and interest expense primarily as a result of recent acquisitions; partially offset by

same-store1 growth across our operations; and

higher equity accounted income as a result of valuation gains on some of our core retail and core office properties.

Additionally, our consolidated balance sheet was impacted by acquisitions and dispositions since the beginning of the year. We 
acquired $50.8 billion of assets through business combinations, including Genesee & Wyoming1, a short-haul rail operator in North 
America; Genworth1, a mortgage insurance services business; Clarios1, a global automotive battery business and Healthscope1, 
an Australian-based private healthcare provider. Corporate borrowings increased from the prior year end due to the issuance of 
$1.0 billion of corporate debt in the first quarter, partially offset by the repayment of a $450 million (C$600 million) bond in 
the second quarter. We also sold a number of assets during the year, including BGIS1, a global provider of facilities management  
services and BGRS1, an executive relocation services business, in our Private Equity segment, as well as a residential management 
services company and various investment properties in our Real Estate segment.

The adoption of IFRS 16 Leases (“IFRS 16”) impacted our balance sheet as operating leases which were previously reported as 
off-balance sheet commitments are now capitalized. This has resulted in higher investment properties and property, plant and 
equipment balances, as well as offsetting lease liabilities within accounts payable and other recorded on our consolidated balance 
sheet. There was no impact to total equity from the adoption of the new standard. Refer to Note 2 of the consolidated financial 
statements for further information on the impact of IFRS 16 on our consolidated financial statements.

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.
33    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

INCOME STATEMENT ANALYSIS

The following table summarizes the financial results of the company for 2019, 2018 and 2017:

2019

2018

2017

2019 vs. 2018

2018 vs. 2017

67,826

$

56,771

$

40,786

$

11,055

$

15,985

Change

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Revenues .................................................................... $

Direct costs.................................................................

Other income and gains .............................................

Equity accounted income...........................................

Expenses

Interest.....................................................................

Corporate costs........................................................

Fair value changes......................................................

Depreciation and amortization...................................

Income tax recovery (expense) ..................................

Net income ................................................................

Non-controlling interests ...........................................

(52,728)

15,098

1,285

2,498

(7,227)

(98)

(831)

(4,876)

(495)

5,354

(2,547)

(45,519)

11,252

1,166

1,088

(4,854)

(104)

1,794

(3,102)

248

7,488

(3,904)

(32,388)

(7,209)

(13,131)

8,398

1,180

1,213

3,846

119

1,410

2,854

(14)

(125)

(3,608)

(2,373)

(1,246)

(95)

421

(2,345)

(613)

4,551

(3,089)

6

(2,625)

(1,774)

(743)

(2,134)

1,357

(9)

1,373

(757)

861

2,937

(815)

2,122

2.06

Net income attributable to shareholders................ $

Net income per share ............................................... $

2,807

2.60

$

$

3,584

3.40

$

$

1,462

1.34

$

$

(777) $

(0.80) $

2019 vs. 2018

Revenues for the year were $67.8 billion, an increase of $11.1 billion compared to 2018, primarily due to:

• 

• 

• 

$14.9 billion of additional revenues from acquisitions during the current and prior year across each of our listed partnerships1, 
most notably the purchase  of  Clarios in the second  quarter of  the current  year, which added $5.8 billion  of incremental 
revenues, and the purchase of Westinghouse1, a leading supplier of infrastructure services to the power industry, in the third 
quarter of the previous year, which contributed $2.1 billion of incremental revenue; and

same-store growth attributable largely to the utilities and transport operations in our Infrastructure segment, strong leasing 
activity in our core office assets held by the Real Estate segment and higher realized pricing in our Renewable Power segment; 
partially offset by

lower revenue from our road fuel distribution business and the absence of $2.0 billion of revenues from businesses sold in 
the current and prior year.

A discussion of the impact on revenues and net income from recent acquisitions and dispositions can be found on pages 36 and 37.

Direct costs increased by 16% or $7.2 billion compared to a 19% increase in revenues. The increase relates primarily to:

• 

• 

the recent acquisitions and growth initiatives as discussed above; partially offset by 

the impact of adopting IFRS 16, the new lease accounting standard, which reallocated operating lease expenses previously 
reported through direct costs to interest expense and depreciation and amortization. Please refer to Note 2 of the consolidated 
financial statements for further information on the impact of IFRS 16 on our financial results.

Other income and gains of $1.3 billion relate primarily to portfolio premiums as we sold a number of assets for more than their 
IFRS carrying values. The most significant gains reported during the year were the sale of BGIS, BGRS and our residential 
management services company all in the second quarter of 2019.

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    34

Equity accounted income increased from $1.1 billion to $2.5 billion primarily due to:

• 

• 

valuation gains at certain BPR1 properties and our Canary Wharf investment, where we continue to benefit from strong leasing 
activity and rental growth; partially offset by

decreases in earnings from our investment in Norbord1 due to lower product pricing compared to the prior year.

Interest expense increased by $2.4 billion largely due to additional borrowings associated with acquisitions across our portfolio, 
debts assumed from acquired businesses, and additional interest expense from lease liabilities recognized on adoption of IFRS 16. 

We recorded fair value losses of $831 million, compared to gains of $1.8 billion in the prior year, primarily as a result of: 

• 

• 

• 

higher transaction related expenses, primarily attributable to a number of acquisitions across our portfolios; 

higher impairment and provisions related to businesses within our Private Equity segment; and

the absence of large step-up gains reported in the prior year related to the acquisition and consolidation of both GGP1 and 
Teekay Offshore1, a service provider to the offshore oil production industry; partially offset by

• 

higher appraisal gains on investment properties in our Real Estate segment.

Refer to pages 37 and 38 for discussion on fair value changes.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $1.8 billion to $4.9 billion due to businesses acquired in the last twelve 
months, as well as the impact of revaluation gains in the fourth quarter of 2018, which increased the carrying value of our property, 
plant and equipment (“PP&E”) from which depreciation is determined. The adoption of IFRS 16 also increased depreciation 
charges during the year.

We recorded an income tax expense of $495 million this year compared to an income tax recovery of $248 million in the prior 
year. The increase in income tax expense primarily relates to higher amount of taxable income in flow-through entities attributed 
to Brookfield compared to the prior year and a lower amount of loss carryforwards recognized in the year. 

2018 vs. 2017

Revenues in 2018 increased by $16.0 billion compared to 2017 primarily due to the acquisition of new businesses and assets 
across all of our listed partnerships, most notably our first full year of contributions from Greenergy1, our road fuel distribution 
business, which we acquired in the second quarter of 2017. Included in this business’ revenues and direct costs are significant 
flow-through duty amounts that are passed through to the customers and recorded gross in both accounts, without impact to margin 
generated by the business. Same-store growth from existing operations, including in our infrastructure transport businesses and 
improved performance at GrafTech1, our graphite electrode manufacturing business, also contributed to the increase. These were 
partially offset by the absence of revenues from businesses sold and the deconsolidation of Norbord in the fourth quarter of 2017.

Direct costs increased by $13.1 billion in 2018 due to recent acquisitions as well as higher costs to support same-store growth 
within existing operations. These increases were partially offset by the absence of direct costs from assets sold and the impact of 
the Norbord deconsolidation.

Other income and gains of $1.2 billion in 2018 include gains from the sale of our businesses in the prior year, including our Chilean 
electricity transmission business in the first quarter of 2018, a portfolio of self-storage properties in the third quarter of 2018, our 
U.S. logistics portfolio and our Australian energy operations in the fourth quarter of 2018.

Equity accounted income decreased by $125 million to $1.1 billion primarily related to valuation losses at GGP, higher depreciation 
costs relating to recent acquisitions and the consolidation of previously equity accounted entities. These were partially offset by 
contributions  from  recently  acquired  equity  accounted  investments,  particularly  the  contribution  from  Norbord  which  was 
consolidated up to the fourth quarter of 2017. 

Interest expense increased by $1.2 billion as a result of additional borrowings associated with acquisitions across our portfolio 
and the addition of debt within newly acquired businesses. We also issued additional debt in certain listed partnerships, increasing 
total interest expense.

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.
35    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

We recorded fair value gains of $1.8 billion, compared to $421 million in 2017, primarily as a result of:

• 

• 

• 

the impact of step-up acquisitions of GGP in our Real Estate segment and Teekay Offshore in our Private Equity segment, 
partially offset by successful deal costs;

valuation gains on properties in our core office and LP investments portfolios; and

gains related to the acquisitions and restructuring of businesses within our U.S. operations that resulted in the recognition of 
deferred tax assets; partially offset by

• 

net unrealized losses on financial contracts entered into to manage foreign currency, interest rates and pricing exposures.

Depreciation and amortization expense increased by $757 million to $3.1 billion primarily from the impact of recent acquisitions, 
as well as the impact of revaluation gains in the fourth quarter of 2017, which increased the carrying value of our property, plant 
and equipment from which depreciation is determined.

Income tax recovery was $248 million, compared to a $613 million expense in 2017. This was primarily due to a deferred tax 
recovery on the recognition of previously unrecognized loss carryforwards that will offset future projected taxable income.

Significant Acquisitions and Dispositions

We have summarized below the impact of recent significant acquisitions and dispositions on our results for 2019:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)

Acquisitions

Dispositions

Revenue

Net
Income

Revenue

Net
Income

Real estate................................................................................................................ $

2,568

$

844

$

(528) $

(443)

Renewable power.....................................................................................................

Infrastructure............................................................................................................

259

1,977

75

(14)

(48)

(41)

Private equity and other ...........................................................................................

10,133

(618)

(1,347)

(5)

(20)

(57)

$ 14,937

$

287

$

(1,964) $

(525)

Acquisitions

Real Estate

Recent acquisitions contributed incremental revenues and net income of $2.6 billion and $844 million, respectively, in 2019. The 
most significant contributor was the consolidation of BPR towards the end of the third quarter of 2018, which added $1.0 billion
of revenues and $207 million of net income in the year. Previously, we reported our 34% proportionate share of the core retail 
business’s results as equity accounted income. 

The other recent acquisition with a significant impact on current period revenues and net income is Forest City1, a diversified U.S. 
REIT, that we acquired in the fourth quarter of 2018, which added incremental revenues and net income of $997 million and 
$502 million in the current year, respectively. A number of other acquisitions in our LP investments’ portfolio during the year also 
contributed to our results. 

Renewable Power

Within our Renewable Power segment, the acquisition of a portfolio of European wind and solar assets through TERP in June of 
2018 added incremental contributions to revenues and net income of $205 million and $71 million in the current year, respectively. 
Other acquisitions include wind farms in India and China during the third quarter of 2019.

Infrastructure

Recent acquisitions in our utilities, energy and data infrastructure businesses contributed incremental revenues of $2.0 billion
and a net loss of $14 million. In 2019, we acquired a natural gas pipeline in India, contributing incremental revenues and a net 
loss of $267 million and $51 million, respectively. There were also acquisitions that we completed part way in 2018, which added 
significant contributions in the current year, including Enercare1, a North American provider of residential energy infrastructure 
services, a Colombian natural gas distribution and commercialization business, a portfolio of data centers in North America and 
a Canadian natural gas midstream business that collectively contributed $1.6 billion of revenues and $25 million of net income 
in the current year. 

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    36

Private Equity

The current year’s results included impacts from Clarios and Healthscope acquired in the second quarter of 2019. These two 
businesses together contributed $6.8 billion of revenue and a $212 million net loss for the year. Our results this year also benefited 
from Westinghouse acquired during the third quarter of 2018, which contributed additional revenues of $2.1 billion and a net loss 
of $2 million.

The overall contribution to our revenues and net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 from acquisitions in our Private 
Equity segment were revenues of $10.1 billion and a net loss of $618 million, respectively.

Further  details  relating  to  the  significant  acquisitions  described  above  that  were  completed  during  the  year  ended 
December 31, 2019 are provided in Note 5 of the consolidated financial statements.

Dispositions

Recent  asset  sales  reduced  revenues  and  net  income  by  $2.0  billion  and  $525  million  in  the  current  year,  respectively.  The 
assets sold that most significantly impacted our results were BGIS and BGRS in our Private Equity segment.

Fair Value Changes

The following table disaggregates fair value changes into major components to facilitate analysis: 

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Investment properties................................................................................................................... $

2019

2018

Change

1,710

$

1,610

$

100

Transaction related (losses) gains, net of deal costs ....................................................................

Financial contracts .......................................................................................................................

Impairment and provisions ..........................................................................................................

Other fair value changes ..............................................................................................................

(895)

(140)

(825)

(681)

1,132

(2,027)

(189)

(309)

(450)

49

(516)

(231)

Total fair value changes ............................................................................................................... $

(831) $

1,794

$

(2,625)

Investment Properties

Investment properties are recorded at fair value with changes recorded in net income. The following table disaggregates investment 
property fair value changes by asset type:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Core office ................................................................................................................................... $

Core retail ....................................................................................................................................

LP investments and other.............................................................................................................

2019

2018

Change

946

$

150

$

(683)

1,447

(12)

1,472

$

1,710

$

1,610

$

796

(671)

(25)

100

We discuss the key valuation inputs of our investment properties on page 88. 

Core Office

Valuation gains in the current year totaled $946 million. The gains relate primarily to:

• 

• 

improved leasing assumptions on development properties in the U.K. and U.S as they near substantial completion;

strong occupancy and compression of terminal capitalization rates in our Canadian portfolio to reflect recent comparable 
market transactions; and

• 

rate compression from improved rental markets in Australia.

Valuation gains of $150 million in the prior year were primarily attributable to strong leasing activity in our Sydney and Toronto 
portfolios and an increase in value on properties in the U.K. as they neared completion, partially offset by fair value adjustments 
in our downtown New York properties.

37    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Core Retail

The appraisal losses in the current year were $683 million as a result of  lower assumed future cash flows on certain consolidated 
retail assets and adjustments to the timing of when those cash flows are received, partially offset by a decrease in capitalization 
and discount rates. The prior year had lesser impact in fair value changes as our core retail portfolio was an equity accounted 
investment prior to its privatization in the third quarter of the prior year, with changes in the fair value of the investment properties 
previously reported through equity accounted income.

LP Investments and Other

Valuation gains of $1.4 billion relate primarily to: 

• 

• 

• 

rate compression as a result of lower interest rates in Brazil and improved market conditions in Brazil and India, which 
benefited our real estate investments in those countries;

a decrease in terminal capitalization rates and higher projected cash flows at our U.K. student housing portfolio; and

strong leasing activity in our directly held portfolios.

In the prior year, valuation gains of $1.5 billion were primarily related to strong leasing activity and the completion of several 
developments in our India office and U.S. logistics portfolios as well as strengthened conditions in several markets.

Transaction Related Expenses, Net of Gains

Transaction related expenses, net of gains, totaled $895 million for the year. We incurred transaction related expenses across a 
number of acquisitions within our Asset Management, Private Equity, Infrastructure and Real Estate segments, most notably, the 
acquisitions of Oaktree, Clarios, Genesee & Wyoming and Aveo Group1, a portfolio of retirement homes in Australia.

The prior year net transaction related gain relates to the privatization of GGP and an extinguishment of outstanding debt related 
to a hospitality asset, partially offset by higher deal costs across the business.

Financial Contracts

Financial contracts include mark-to-market gains and losses on financial contracts related to foreign currency, interest rate and 
pricing exposures that are not designated as hedges. 

Unrealized losses of $140 million in the current year primarily relate to mark-to-market movements on our interest rate and cross-
currency swaps and fair value changes on our currency hedges, which do not qualify for hedge accounting.

The prior year loss relate to similar factors as the current year.

Impairment and Provisions

Impairment expense for the year of $825 million mainly relates to charges taken on operating businesses within our Private Equity 
segment, where we adjusted the value of PP&E and goodwill to reflect a lower estimated recoverable amount.

Other Fair Value Changes

Other fair value losses of $681 million were reported for the year. Included in this balance are various one-time charges at our 
Infrastructure, Renewable Power and Real Estate segments.

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    38

Income Taxes

We recorded an aggregate income tax expense of $495 million in 2019, including current tax expenses of $970 million (2018 – 
$861  million)  and  deferred  tax  recoveries  of  $475  million  (2018 –  $1.1 billion),  compared  to  a  $248  million  recovery  in 
the prior year.

The increase in income tax expense primarily relates to a higher taxable income in flow-through entities attributed to Brookfield 
compared to the prior year and a lower amount of loss carryforwards recognized in the year. 

Our effective income tax rate is different from the Canadian domestic statutory income tax rate due to the following differences:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31

Statutory income tax rate....................................................................................................................

2019

26%

2018

26 %

Change

—%

Increase (reduction) in rate resulting from:

Portion of gains subject to different tax rates ..................................................................................

Change in tax rates and new legislation ..........................................................................................

Taxable income attributed to non-controlling interests ...................................................................

International operations subject to different tax rates......................................................................

Recognition of deferred tax assets...................................................................................................

Non-recognition of the benefit of current year’s tax losses.............................................................

Other ................................................................................................................................................

(1)

(2)

(4)

(7)

(9)

4

1

(4)

(4)

(8)

(3)

(12)

1

1

3

2

4

(4)

3

3

—

Effective income tax rate....................................................................................................................

8%

(3)%

11%

Our income tax provision does not include a number of non-income taxes paid that are recorded elsewhere in our consolidated 
financial statements. For example, a number of our operations in Brazil are required to pay non-recoverable taxes on revenue, 
which are included in direct costs as opposed to income taxes. In addition, we pay considerable property, payroll and other taxes 
that represent an important component of the tax base in the jurisdictions in which we operate, which are also predominantly 
recorded in direct costs.

As an asset manager, many of our operations are held in partially owned “flow-through” entities, such as partnerships, and any 
tax liability is incurred by the investors as opposed to the entity. As a result, while our consolidated earnings includes income 
attributable to non-controlling ownership interests in these entities, our consolidated tax provision includes only our proportionate 
share of the associated tax provision of these entities. In other words, we are consolidating all of the net income, but only our 
share of the associated tax provision. This gave rise to a 4% and 8% reduction in the effective tax rate relative to the statutory tax 
rate in 2019 and 2018, respectively.

We operate in countries with different tax rates, most of which vary from our domestic statutory rate, and we also benefit from 
tax incentives introduced in various countries to encourage economic activity. Differences in global tax rates gave rise to a 7%
decrease in our effective tax rate in the current year, compared to a 3% decrease in the prior year. The difference will vary from 
period to period depending on the relative proportion of income in each country.

39    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

BALANCE SHEET ANALYSIS

The following table summarizes the statement of financial position of the company as at December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017:

2019

2018

2017

Change

2019 vs.
2018

2018 vs.
2017

96,686

$

84,309

$

56,870

$

12,377

$

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Assets

Investment properties1 ............................................................... $
Property, plant and equipment1 ..................................................
Equity accounted investments....................................................
Cash and cash equivalents2 ........................................................
Accounts receivable and other2..................................................
Intangible assets .........................................................................

Goodwill ....................................................................................

Other assets ................................................................................

89,264

40,698

6,778

18,469

27,710

14,550

29,814

67,294

33,647

8,390

16,931

18,762

8,815

18,133

53,005

31,994

5,139

11,973

14,242

5,317

14,180

Total assets................................................................................... $ 323,969

$ 256,281

$

192,720

Liabilities

Corporate borrowings2 ............................................................... $
Non-recourse borrowings of managed entities2.........................
Other non-current financial liabilities1,2.....................................
Other liabilities...........................................................................

Equity

Preferred equity..........................................................................

Non-controlling interests ...........................................................

Common equity..........................................................................

23,997

39,751

4,145

81,833

30,868

Total equity..................................................................................

116,846

7,083

$

6,409

$

136,292

111,809

5,659

72,730

10,478

23,981

4,192

51,628

24,052

79,872

13,528

27,385

4,168

67,335

25,647

97,150

21,970

7,051

(1,612)

1,538

8,948

5,735

11,681

67,688

674

24,483

10,469

12,366

$

$

$

$

27,439

14,289

1,653

3,251

4,958

4,520

3,498

3,953

63,561

750

39,079

3,050

3,404

15,707

1,595

17,278

63,561

(23)

(24)

14,498

5,221

19,696

$ 323,969

$ 256,281

$

192,720

$

67,688

$

1.  The amounts for December 31, 2019 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS 16. Prior period amounts have not been restated (refer to Note 2 of the consolidated 

financial statements).

2.  The amounts for December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 have been prepared in accordance with IFRS 9. Prior period 2017 amounts have not been restated (refer to 

Note 2 of the consolidated financial statements).

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    40

2019 vs. 2018

Total assets increased by $67.7 billion since December 31, 2018 to $324.0 billion as at December 31, 2019. The increase is driven 
by  both  business  combinations  and  asset  acquisitions,  which  totaled  $74.2  billion  for  the  year.  Recently  completed  business 
combinations added $50.8 billion of total assets, whereas asset additions contributed $23.4 billion of the increase. In addition to 
business combinations completed in the year, our acquisition of Oaktree added a further $5.3 billion of assets in our equity accounted 
investment. The adoption of IFRS 16 increased our property, plant and equipment and investment properties through the recognition 
of right-of-use (“ROU”) assets. These increases were partially offset by assets sold during the year.

We have summarized the impact of business combinations as well as equity accounted investment, investment properties and 
property, plant and equipment additions for the year ended December 31, 2019 in the table below:

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)
Cash and cash equivalents ..................... $

Private Equity
344

Infrastructure
94

$

$

Real Estate
31

$

Accounts receivable and other...............

Assets held for sale................................

Inventory................................................
Equity accounted investments ...............

Investment properties ............................

Property, plant and equipment...............

Intangible assets.....................................

Goodwill ................................................
Deferred income tax assets....................

6,706

—

2,230
863

—

8,178

7,057

3,479
363

553

1,584

74
1,517

221

9,518

3,248

2,644
46

114

—

46
1,066

15,084

1,438

28

2
—

$

Other
6

110

—

13
5,645

2

1,914

—

—
—

Total assets.............................................

29,220

19,499

17,809

7,690

Less:

Accounts payable and other................
Non-recourse borrowings ...................

Deferred income tax liabilities............
Non-controlling interests1 ...................

(5,025)
(1,084)

(1,142)

(1,749)

(9,000)

(2,425)
(1,980)

(1,248)

(828)

(6,481)

(2,394)
(537)

—

(88)

(3,019)

(101)
(319)

(36)

—

(456)

Net assets acquired ................................ $

20,220

$

13,018

$

14,790

$

7,234

$

Total 
475

7,483

1,584

2,363
9,091

15,307

21,048

10,333

6,125
409

74,218

50,789

(9,945)
(3,920)

(2,426)

(2,665)

(18,956)

55,262

1. 

Includes non-controlling interests recognized on business combinations measured as the proportionate share of fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities on the 
date of acquisition. 

Investment properties consist primarily of the company’s real estate assets. The balance as at December 31, 2019 increased by 
$12.4 billion, primarily due to: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

additions  of  $15.3  billion  primarily  through  acquisitions  and  purchases  of  investment  properties  during  the  year  and 
enhancement or expansion of numerous properties through capital expenditures. Our fourth quarter acquisition of Aveo Group
and the step-up to a controlling interest of a portfolio of retail malls, which previously were equity accounted in our Real 
Estate segment, collectively contributed $3.5 billion to investment properties; 

the  recognition  of  $928  million  of  ROU  investment  properties,  primarily  land  leases  on  which  some  of  our  investment 
properties are built, on the adoption of IFRS 16;

net valuation gains of $1.7 billion, largely driven by revaluations of certain core office developments as they near completion 
and by our LP investments and directly held portfolios, where properties benefited from improved market conditions in Brazil 
and India in addition to valuation gains at Forest City due to strong leasing activity. These gains were partially offset by losses 
in our core retail portfolio; and

the positive impact of foreign currency translation of $461 million; partially offset by

asset sales and reclassifications to assets held for sale of $6.0 billion, including multiple investment properties held within 
Forest City, Australian and North American office properties and various multifamily assets.

We provide a continuity of investment properties in Note 11 of the consolidated financial statements.

41    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Property, plant and equipment increased by $22.0 billion primarily as a result of: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

acquisitions of $17.5 billion, most notably Genesee & Wyoming and a natural gas pipeline in India within our Infrastructure 
segment, Clarios, Healthscope and a Brazilian heavy equipment and light vehicle fleet management company in our Private 
Equity segment, and a North American solar portfolio within our Renewable Power segment; 

recognition of property, plant and equipment ROU assets which increased our balance by $3.4 billion upon adopting IFRS 16; 

additions of $3.6 billion primarily related to capital expenditures across our operating segments; 

revaluation  surplus  of  $3.3  billion  mostly  within  our  Renewable  Power  segment,  attributed  to  lower  discount  rates  and 
continued successful cost savings initiatives; and

the impact of foreign currency translation of $323 million; partially offset by

dispositions and reclassification to assets held for sale of $2.1 billion, in particular, the Colombian regulated distribution 
business within our Infrastructure segment; and

• 

depreciation of $3.8 billion in the year. 

We provide a continuity of property, plant and equipment in Note 12 of the consolidated financial statements.

Equity accounted investments increased from $33.6 billion as at December 31, 2018 to $40.7 billion in the current year, mainly 
due to:

• 

• 

• 

additions of $9.1 billion, which included the acquisition of a $5.3 billion interest in Oaktree and other businesses within 
our other operating segments, primarily a Brazilian data center operation and a New Zealand telecommunications company 
in  our Infrastructure  segment,  as  well  as  equity  accounted  investments  assumed  within  the  acquisition  of  Clarios  in  our 
Private Equity segment;

our proportionate share of the comprehensive income reported by our investees; partially offset by 

the aforementioned step-up to a controlling interest of a portfolio of retail malls, which previously were equity accounted in 
our Real Estate segment; and

• 

dispositions and reclassifications to held for sale.

We provide a continuity of equity accounted investments in Note 10 of the consolidated financial statements.

Cash and cash equivalents decreased by $1.6 billion as at December 31, 2019 compared to the prior year primarily due to the 
impact of cash used in business combinations, net of cash acquired, and the timing of recent asset sales and debt refinancings. For 
further information, refer to our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and to the Review of Consolidated Statements of Cash 
Flows within Part 4 – Capitalization and Liquidity. 

Increases of $8.9 billion and $5.7 billion in our intangible assets and goodwill balances, respectively, are related to the acquisitions 
completed  in  our  Private  Equity  and  Infrastructure  segments,  partially  offset  by  the  impact  of  amortization,  impairment  and 
foreign exchange.

Other assets are comprised of inventory, deferred income tax assets, assets classified as held for sale and other financial assets. 
The increase of $11.7 billion is primarily a result of: 

• 

• 

• 

a $3.3 billion increase in inventory primarily due to acquisitions completed in our Private Equity segment;

an increase in assets held for sale of $1.3 billion, primarily attributable to the reclassification of a U.S. electricity transmission 
operation and Colombian regulated distribution business within our Infrastructure segment, partially offset by assets sold 
during the year, including an equity accounted investment within the LP investments portfolio and core office properties 
within our Real Estate segment as well as the sale of our South African wind portfolio in our Renewable Power segment; and 

a  $6.2  billion  increase  in  other  financial  assets  primarily  due  to  the  acquisition  of  Genworth,  adding  $4.7  billion  to  our 
consolidated financial assets, as well as additions and appreciation of our existing financial asset portfolios as the stock market 
recovered since December of the prior year.

Corporate borrowings increased by $674 million due to a $1.0 billion 10-year note issuance during the first quarter, as well as the 
impact of strengthened foreign exchange rates. This was partially offset by a repayment of a $450 million (C$600 million) note 
in the second quarter.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    42

Non-recourse borrowings increased by $24.5 billion as a result of:

• 

• 

asset-level debt raised to fund our acquisition of Genesee & Wyoming in our Infrastructure segment, Aveo Group in our Real 
Estate segment, Clarios, Healthscope and the Brazilian heavy equipment and light vehicle fleet management company in our 
Private Equity segment; partially offset by

the  partial  repayment  of  credit  facilities  within  our  Real  Estate  segment  as  well  as  dispositions  and  reclassification  of 
businesses to held for sale.

Other non-current financial liabilities consist of our subsidiary equity obligations, non-current accounts payable and other long-
term  financial  liabilities  that  are  due  after  one  year.  Non-current  accounts  payable  and  other  increased  primarily  due  to  the 
recognition of non-current lease liabilities on adoption of IFRS 16, aforementioned acquisitions, higher insurance liabilities within 
our  annuities  business  and  a  higher  stock  compensation  liability  due  to  share  price  appreciation.  Please  see  Note  17  of  the 
consolidated financial statements for a further breakdown. 

The increase of other liabilities of $12.4 billion is primarily attributable to liabilities assumed on acquisitions completed during 
the year, current lease liabilities recognized on adoption of IFRS 16, an increase in deferred income tax liabilities primarily from 
the acquisitions  of  the  global  automotive  battery  business  and  our  short-haul  rail  operator  in  North America, and  liabilities 
associated with assets held for sale. Please see Note 9 of the consolidated financial statements for further information.

Refer to Part 4 – Capitalization and Liquidity for more information.

2018 vs. 2017

Consolidated assets as at December 31, 2018 were $256.3 billion, compared to $192.7 billion as at December 31, 2017. Year-
over-year increases were primarily due to acquisitions completed in 2018, increases in the fair value of our investment properties 
and property, plant and equipment, and additions to our fixed asset portfolios, including ongoing construction of existing assets 
and asset purchases. This was partially offset by foreign exchange as the majority of foreign currencies depreciated against the 
U.S. dollar.

Investment properties were $27.4 billion higher at the end of 2018 compared to the prior year primarily due to the impact of 
various real  estate  investments  completed  during  the  year,  in  particular  our  acquisition  of  GGP  and  Forest  City.  In  addition, 
the impact of capital expenditures and valuation gains were partially offset by numerous asset sales across our core office and LP 
investments portfolios.

Property, plant and equipment increased by $14.3 billion during 2018. The increase was primarily a result of acquisitions completed 
across our operating segments during the year and revaluation gains largely in our Renewable Power segment. This was partially 
offset by depreciation recorded during the year.

Equity accounted investments were $33.6 billion as at December 31, 2018, an increase of $1.7 billion compared to 2017. The 
increase was primarily due to $5.6 billion of net additions across multiple businesses, including the $2.5 billion net impact of our 
privatization of GGP on August 28, 2018 . The increase from our share of comprehensive income from equity accounted investments 
was partially offset by the sale of our Chilean electricity transmission business as well as distributions and return of capital. 

The increase in intangible assets of $4.5 billion was due to acquisitions completed in 2018, specifically Enercare in our Infrastructure 
segment and Westinghouse in our Private Equity segment.

Goodwill increased by $3.5 billion from acquisitions of $4.2 billion, largely within our Infrastructure segment.

Other assets increased by $4.0 billion as a result of acquisitions completed in the year, increases in deferred tax assets related to 
recognition of net operating losses that can be used to offset future projected taxable income, as well as reclassifying certain assets 
in our Real Estate and Renewable Power segments to assets held for sale.

Corporate borrowings increased by $750 million as the issuance of $1.1 billion of corporate notes during 2018 was partially offset 
by the impact of foreign exchange and the absence of draws on the corporate credit facility.

Non-recourse borrowings increased by $39.1 billion from 2017 to 2018, the majority of the increase relates to debt assumed on 
acquisitions, increased borrowings to finance these acquisitions and the impact of debt refinancings. These increases were partially 
offset by the repayment of amounts previously drawn on revolving or term bank facilities.

Other non-current financial liabilities increased by $3.1 billion primarily due to liabilities assumed on acquiring businesses during 
the year. 

43    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Equity

The significant variances in common equity and non-controlling interests are discussed below. Preferred equity is discussed in 
Part 4 of this MD&A. 

Common Equity

The following table presents the major contributors to the year-over-year variances for common equity:

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Common equity, beginning of year................................................................................................................. $

2019

2018

25,647

$

24,052

Changes in period

Net income attributable to shareholders.......................................................................................................

2,807

3,584

Common dividends ......................................................................................................................................

Preferred dividends ......................................................................................................................................

Other comprehensive income.......................................................................................................................

(620)

(152)

524

Share issuances, net of repurchases .............................................................................................................

2,477

Changes in accounting policy ......................................................................................................................

Ownership changes and other ......................................................................................................................

—

185

5,221

(575)

(151)

406

(359)

(218)

(1,092)

1,595

Common equity, end of year........................................................................................................................... $

30,868

$

25,647

Common equity increased by $5.2 billion to $30.9 billion during the year. The change includes:

• 

• 

• 

• 

net income attributable to shareholders of $2.8 billion;

other comprehensive income of $524 million relates to the net impact of  $714 million of gains from revaluation surplus and 
other, partially offset by foreign currency translation losses of $190 million as the average foreign currency rates weakened 
relative to the U.S. dollar along with losses on our cash flow hedges;

share issuances, net of repurchases, of $2.5 billion, which included $2.8 billion of common equity issued on the acquisition 
of Oaktree during the third quarter. This issuance was netted against the impact of share purchases for our escrowed stock 
plan, repurchases through our normal course issuer bid and our restricted share plans; and

ownership changes and other which are primarily related to gains on the partial sale of interests in a Chilean toll road operation 
and GrafTech, as well as a dilution gain from our reduced ownership in BBU after their equity issuance in the second quarter; 
partially offset by

• 

distributions of $772 million to shareholders as common and preferred share dividends.

Non-controlling Interests

Non-controlling interests in our consolidated results primarily consist of third-party interests in BPY, BEP, BIP, BBU, and their 
consolidated entities as well as co-investors and other participating interests in our consolidated investments as follows:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Brookfield Property Partners L.P....................................................................................................................... $

2019

2018

29,165

$

31,580

Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P...................................................................................................................

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P...............................................................................................................

Brookfield Business Partners L.P. .....................................................................................................................

Other participating interests ..............................................................................................................................

13,321

20,036

8,664

10,647

12,457

12,752

4,477

6,069

$

81,833

$

67,335

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    44

Non-controlling interests increased by $14.5 billion during the year, primarily due to:

• 

• 

• 

• 

net equity issuances to non-controlling interests totaling $16.6 billion; 

comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interests which totaled $4.7 billion; this is inclusive of foreign currency 
translation gains as average foreign currency rates in the jurisdictions where we hold the majority of our non-U.S. dollar 
investments strengthened relative to the U.S. dollar; and

ownership changes attributable to non-controlling interests of $1.7 billion; partially offset by

$8.6 billion of distributions to non-controlling interests.

The increase in other participating interests relates primarily to our direct investment in the third flagship real estate fund, resulting 
in Brookfield consolidating the fund and investments that are controlled by the fund. The fund was previously consolidated by BPY.

CONSOLIDATION AND FAIR VALUE ACCOUNTING

As a Canadian domiciled public corporation, we report under IFRS, while many of our alternative asset manager peers report 
under U.S. GAAP. There are many differences between U.S. GAAP and IFRS, but the two principal differences affecting our 
consolidated financial statements compared to those of our peers are consolidation and fair value accounting.

In particular, U.S. GAAP allows some of our alternative asset manager peers to report their investments at fair value on one line 
in their balance sheet on a net basis as opposed to consolidating the funds. This approach is not available under IFRS. This can 
create significant differences in the presentation of our financial statements as compared to our alternative asset manager peers.

Consolidation

Our consolidation conclusions under IFRS may differ from our peers who report under U.S. GAAP for two primary reasons:

•  U.S. GAAP uses a voting interest model or a variable interest model to determine consolidation requirements, depending on 
the circumstances, whereas IFRS uses a control-based model. We generally have the contractual ability to unilaterally direct 
the relevant activities of our funds; and 

•  we generally invest significant amounts of capital alongside our investors and partners, which, in addition to our customary 
management fees and incentive fees, means that we earn meaningful returns as a principal investor in addition to our asset 
management returns compared to a manager who acts solely as an agent.

As a result, in many cases, we control entities in which we hold only a minority economic interest. For example, a Brookfield-
sponsored private fund to which we have committed 30% of the capital may acquire 60% of the voting interest in an investee 
company. The contractual arrangements generally provide us with the irrevocable ability to direct the funds’ activities. Based on 
these facts, we would control the investment because we exercise decision-making power over a controlling interest of that business 
and our 18% economic interest provides us with exposure to the variable returns of a principal. 

All entities that we control are consolidated for financial reporting purposes. As a result, we include 100% of these entities’ revenues 
and expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Operations, even though a substantial portion of their net income is attributable 
to non-controlling interests. Furthermore, we include all of the assets and liabilities of these entities in our Consolidated Balance 
Sheets, and include the portion of equity held by others as non-controlling interests.

Intercompany revenues and expenses between Brookfield and its subsidiaries, such as asset management fees, are eliminated in 
our Consolidated Statements of Operations; however, these items affect the attribution of net income between shareholders and 
non-controlling interests. For example, asset management fees paid by our listed partnerships to the Corporation are eliminated 
from consolidated revenues and expenses. However, as the common shareholders are attributed all of the fee revenues1 while only 
attributed  their  proportionate  share  of  the  listed  partnerships’  expenses,  the  amount  of  net  income  attributable  to  common 
shareholders is increased with a corresponding decrease in net income attributable to non-controlling interests.

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

45    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Fair Value Accounting

Under U.S. GAAP, many of our alternative asset manager peers account for their funds as investment companies and reflect their 
investments at fair value. 

Under IFRS, as a parent company, we are required to look through our consolidated and equity accounted investments and account 
for their assets and liabilities under the applicable IFRS guidance. We reflect a large number of assets at fair value, namely our 
commercial properties, renewable power facilities and certain infrastructure assets which are typically recorded at amortized cost 
under U.S. GAAP. However, there are other assets that are not subject to fair value accounting under IFRS and are therefore carried 
at amortized cost, which would be more consistent with U.S. GAAP. 

Under both IFRS and U.S. GAAP, the value of asset management activities is generally not reflected on the balance sheet despite 
being material components of the value of these businesses.

For additional details on the valuation approach for the relevant segments, critical assumptions and related sensitivities, refer to 
Part 5 of this MD&A.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION

Approximately half of our capital is invested in non-U.S. currencies and the cash flows generated from these businesses, as well 
as our equity, are subject to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. From time to time, we utilize financial contracts to adjust 
these exposures. The most significant currency exchange rates that impact our business are shown in the following table:

Year-End Spot Rate

Change

Average Rate

Change

AS AT DEC. 31

Australian dollar....
Brazilian real1........
British pound.........

2019

0.7018

4.0306

1.3255

Canadian dollar .....

0.7699

2018

0.7050

3.8745

1.2760

0.7331

2017

0.7809

3.3080

1.3521

0.7953

1.  Using Brazilian real as the price currency.

2019 vs.
2018
— %

2018 vs.
2017
(10)% 0.6953

2019

(4)%

4 %

5 %

(15)% 3.9463

(6)% 1.2767

(8)% 0.7538

2018

0.7475

3.6550

1.3350

0.7718

2017

0.7669

3.1928

1.2889

0.7711

2019 vs.
2018
(7)%

2018 vs.
2017
(3)%

(7)%

(4)%

(2)%

(13)%

4 %

— %

As at December 31, 2019, our common equity of $30.9 billion was invested in the following currencies: United States dollars – 
54% (2018 – 56%); Brazilian reais – 12% (2018 – 13%); British pounds – 13% (2018 – 12%); Canadian dollars – 8% (2018 – 
7%); Australian dollars – 6% (2018 – 6%); and other currencies – 7% (2018 – 6%). Currency exchange rates relative to the U.S. 
dollar at the end of 2019 were higher than December 31, 2018 for all of our significant non-U.S. dollar investments with the 
exception of the Brazilian real.

The  following  table  disaggregates  the  impact  of  foreign  currency  translation  on  our  equity  by  the  most  significant  non-U.S. 
currencies:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Australian dollar ........................................................................................................................ $

2019

2018

Change

66

$

(629) $

Brazilian real .............................................................................................................................

(547)

(2,162)

British pound .............................................................................................................................

Canadian dollar..........................................................................................................................

Other ..........................................................................................................................................

Total cumulative translation adjustments ..................................................................................
Currency hedges1.......................................................................................................................
Total cumulative translation adjustments net of currency hedges............................................. $

Attributable to:

400

282

(114)

87

(482)

(539)

(644)

(714)

(4,688)

1,365

(395) $

(3,323) $

2,928

695

1,615

939

926

600

4,775

(1,847)

Shareholders............................................................................................................................ $

(190) $

(959) $

Non-controlling interests ........................................................................................................

(205)

(2,364)

$

(395) $

(3,323) $

769

2,159

2,928

1.  Net of deferred income tax expense of $8 million (2018 – $69 million).

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    46

The  foreign  currency  translation  of  our  equity,  net  of  currency  hedges,  for  the  year  ended  December 31,  2019  was  a  loss  of 
$395 million. This was primarily attributable to lower period end rates for our non-U.S. dollar investments, particularly the Brazilian 
real, the Colombian peso and the euro, partially offset by gains on the higher period end rates for our investments in the British 
pound and the Canadian dollar. During the year, losses on our hedges relate to those against the Canadian and British currencies, 
for which financial contracts and foreign currency debt are used to reduce exposures.

CORPORATE DIVIDENDS

The dividends paid by Brookfield on outstanding securities during the past three years are summarized in the following table:

Class A and B1 Limited Voting Shares (“Class A and B shares”)................................................ $
Special distribution to Class A and B shares2 ..............................................................................
Class A Preferred Shares

Series 2 ...................................................................................................................................

Series 4 ...................................................................................................................................

Series 8 ...................................................................................................................................

Series 9 ...................................................................................................................................

Series 13 .................................................................................................................................

Series 15 .................................................................................................................................

Series 17 .................................................................................................................................

Series 18 .................................................................................................................................

Series 24 .................................................................................................................................
Series 253................................................................................................................................
Series 264................................................................................................................................
Series 285................................................................................................................................
Series 306................................................................................................................................
Series 327................................................................................................................................
Series 348................................................................................................................................
Series 36 .................................................................................................................................

Series 37 .................................................................................................................................

Series 38 .................................................................................................................................
Series 409................................................................................................................................
Series 42 .................................................................................................................................

Series 44 .................................................................................................................................
Series 4610...............................................................................................................................
Series 4811...............................................................................................................................

Distribution per Security

2019

2018

0.64

$

0.60

$

—

0.52

0.52

0.74

0.52

0.52

0.46

0.89

0.89

0.57

0.75

0.65

0.51

0.88

0.95

0.82

0.91

0.92

0.83

0.83

0.85

0.94

0.90

0.90

—

0.48

0.48

0.68

0.53

0.48

0.40

0.92

0.92

0.58

0.68

0.67

0.53

0.90

0.89

0.81

0.94

0.95

0.85

0.87

0.87

0.96

0.93

0.92

2017

0.56

0.11

0.39

0.39

0.55

0.53

0.39

0.28

0.92

0.92

0.58

0.56

0.72

0.70

0.93

0.87

0.81

0.94

0.95

0.85

0.87

0.87

0.97

1.03

0.28

1.  Class B Limited Voting Shares (“Class B shares”).
2.  Distribution of one common share of Trisura Group Ltd. for every 170 Class A Shares and Class B Shares held as of the close of business on June 1, 2017.
3.  Dividend rate reset commenced the last day of each quarter.
4.  Dividend rate reset commenced March 31, 2017.
5.  Dividend rate reset commenced June 30, 2017.
6.  Dividend rate reset commenced December 31, 2017.
7.  Dividend rate reset commenced September 30, 2018.
8.  Dividend rate reset commenced March 31, 2019.
9.  Dividend rate reset commenced September 30, 2019.
10.  Issued November 18, 2016.
11.  Issued September 13, 2017.

Dividends on the Class A and B shares are declared in U.S. dollars whereas Class A Preferred share dividends are declared in 
Canadian dollars.

47    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

 
 
SUMMARY OF QUARTERLY RESULTS

In the past two years, the quarterly variances in revenues are due primarily to acquisitions and dispositions. Variances in net 
income to shareholders relate primarily to the timing and amount of fair value changes and deferred tax provisions, as well as 
seasonality  and  cyclical  influences  in  certain  businesses.  Changes  in  ownership  have  resulted  in  the  consolidation  and 
deconsolidation of revenues from some of our assets, particularly in our real estate and private equity businesses. Other factors 
include the impact of foreign currency on non-U.S. revenues and net income attributable to non-controlling interests.

Our real estate operations typically generate consistent results on a quarterly basis due to the long-term nature of contractual lease 
arrangements subject to the intermittent recognition of disposition and lease termination gains. Our retail properties typically 
experience seasonally higher retail sales during the fourth quarter, and our resort hotels tend to experience higher revenues and 
costs as a result of increased visits during the first quarter. We fair value our real estate assets on a quarterly basis which results 
in variations in net income based on changes in the value.

Renewable power hydroelectric operations are seasonal in nature. Generation tends to be higher during the winter rainy season 
in Brazil and spring thaws in North America; however, this is mitigated to an extent by prices, which tend not to be as strong as 
they are in the summer and winter seasons due to the more moderate weather conditions and reductions in demand for electricity. 
Water and wind conditions may also vary from year to year. Our infrastructure operations are generally stable in nature as a result 
of regulation or long-term sales contracts with our investors, certain of which guarantee minimum volumes. 

Revenues and direct costs in our private equity operations vary from quarter to quarter primarily due to acquisitions and dispositions 
of businesses, fluctuations in foreign exchange rates, business and economic cycles and weather and seasonality in underlying 
operations. Broader economic factors and commodity market volatility may have a significant impact on a number of our businesses, 
in particular within our industrials portfolio. For example, seasonality affects our contract drilling and well-servicing operations 
as the ability to move heavy equipment safely and efficiently in western Canadian oil and gas fields is dependent on weather 
conditions. Within our infrastructure services, the core operating plants business of our service provider to the power generation 
industry generates the majority of its revenue during the fall and spring, when power plants go offline to perform maintenance 
and replenish their fuel. Some of our business services operations will typically have stronger performance in the latter half of the 
year whereas  others,  such  as  our  fuel  marketing and road  fuel distribution  businesses,  will  generate stronger performance  in 
the second and third quarters. Net income is impacted by periodic gains and losses on acquisitions, monetization and impairments.

Our residential development operations are seasonal in nature and a large portion is correlated with the ongoing U.S. housing 
recovery and, to a lesser extent, economic conditions in Brazil. Results in these businesses are typically higher in the third and 
fourth quarters compared to the first half of the year, as weather conditions are more favorable in the latter half of the year which 
tends to increase construction activity levels.

Our condensed statements of operations for the eight most recent quarters are as follows:

2019

2018

FOR THE PERIODS ENDED
(MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Revenues........................................... $ 17,819

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

Q4

Q3

Q2

Q1

$ 17,875

$ 16,924

$ 15,208

$ 16,006

$ 14,858

$ 13,276

$ 12,631

Net income........................................

Net income to shareholders ..............

1,638

846

1,756

947

704

399

1,256

615

3,028

1,884

941

163

1,664

680

1,855

857

Per share

– diluted ......................................... $

– basic ............................................

$

0.74

0.76

$

0.91

0.93

$

0.36

0.37

$

0.58

0.59

$

1.87

1.91

$

0.11

0.11

$

0.62

0.64

0.84

0.85

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    48

 
The following table shows fair value changes and income taxes for the last eight quarters, as well as their combined impact on 
net income:

FOR THE PERIODS ENDED
(MILLIONS)
Fair value changes ............................ $

Q4

4

$

Income taxes .....................................

(200)

Net impact......................................... $

(196) $

Q3

394

180

574

Q2

Q1

$ (1,398) $

169

$

(239)

(236)

Q4

257

884

$ (1,637) $

(67) $

1,141

$

$

2019

2018

Q3

132

$

Q2

833

(144)

(339)

(12) $

494

Q1

572

(153)

419

$

$

Over the last eight completed quarters, the factors discussed below caused variations in revenues and net income to shareholders 
on a quarterly basis:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

In the fourth quarter of 2019, revenues remained consistent with the prior quarter as we continued to benefit from contributions 
from  recently  acquired  businesses  and  strong  same-store  growth  across  our  operating  segments.  Net  income  decreased 
primarily due to lower fair value gains and the absence of a deferred tax recovery, partially offset by an increase in equity 
accounted income. 

In the third quarter of 2019, revenues increased from a full quarter contribution from Clarios and Healthscope, which we 
acquired in the second quarter of 2019. In addition, net income increased from the prior quarter due to the recognition of 
deferred income tax recoveries and valuation gains in our core office and LP investment properties.

In  the  second  quarter  of  2019,  revenues  increased  due  to  recent  acquisitions  across  a  number  of  segments,  in  particular 
industrials and infrastructure services in the Private Equity segment. The increase in revenue was offset by higher direct 
operating costs, interest expense from incremental borrowing, as well as valuation losses on some of our core retail properties 
and our service provider to the offshore oil production industry in the Private Equity segment. 

In the first quarter of 2019, revenues decreased slightly from the prior quarter primarily due to seasonality at our residential 
homebuilding business and certain of our private equity operations as well as a decrease in sales volumes at our road fuel 
distribution  business.  In  addition,  the  absence  of  a  deferred  tax  recovery  in  our  Corporate  segment,  as  well  as  higher 
depreciation and amortization expenses due to the impact of revaluation gains reported in the fourth quarter contributed to 
the decrease in net income.

The increase in revenues in the fourth quarter of 2018 is due primarily to recent acquisitions, including a full quarter of 
revenues from GGP following the privatization, as well as the impact of same-store growth across the business. Consolidated 
net income is higher than prior period due to gains on sales of businesses, fair value valuation gains on investment properties 
and a deferred tax recovery in our Corporate segment. These increases were partially offset by higher interest expense from 
new borrowings to fund acquisitions and debts assumed from acquired businesses.

•  Revenues  increased  in  the  third  quarter  of  2018  primarily  due  to  recent  acquisitions  across  all  segments,  including  the 
privatization of GGP, and same-store growth, in particular improved pricing at our graphite electrode manufacturing business. 
Higher interest and depreciation expenses associated with recent acquisitions, and the recognition of a deferred tax expense 
associated with the GGP privatization, more than offset the increase in revenues.

• 

• 

The increase in revenues in the second quarter of 2018 is primarily attributable to acquisitions, additional home closings in 
our North American residential business and improved pricing at our graphite electrodes manufacturing business. Increases 
in direct costs offset these changes in revenue. While net income also benefited from strong performance at Norbord and 
valuation and transaction-related gains in our Real Estate segment, results were more than offset by higher income tax expenses 
and the absence of a one-time gain recognized on the sale of a business in the first quarter.

In the first quarter of 2018, revenues decreased due to the seasonality of our residential homebuilding and construction services 
businesses, partially offset by a full quarter of revenues contributed by recent acquisitions in our Renewable Power segment. 
Net income benefited from investment property valuation gains and other fair value gains recognized. 

49    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

 
PART 3 – OPERATING SEGMENT RESULTS 

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

How We Measure and Report Our Operating Segments

Our  operations  are  organized  into  our  asset  management  business,  five  operating  groups  and  our  corporate  activities,  which 
collectively represent seven operating segments for internal and external reporting purposes. We measure operating performance 
primarily using FFO generated by each operating segment and the amount of capital invested by the Corporation in each segment 
using  common  equity.  Common  equity  relates  to  invested  capital  allocated  to  a  particular  business  segment  which  we  use 
interchangeably with segment common equity. To further assess operating performance for our Asset Management segment we 
also provide unrealized carried interest1 which represents carried interest generated on unrealized changes in value of our private 
fund investment portfolios.

Our operating segments are global in scope and are as follows:

i.  Asset management operations include managing our listed partnerships, private funds and public securities on behalf of our 
investors and ourselves, as well as our share of the asset management activities of Oaktree. We generate contractual base 
management fees for these activities as well as incentive distributions and performance income, including performance fees, 
transaction fees and carried interest.   

ii.  Real estate operations include the ownership, operation and development of core office, core retail, LP investments and other 

properties. 

iii.  Renewable power operations include the ownership, operation and development of hydroelectric, wind, solar, storage and 

other power generating facilities. 

iv. 

Infrastructure operations include the ownership, operation and development of utilities, transport, energy, data infrastructure 
and sustainable resource assets. 

v.  Private equity operations include a broad range of industries, and are mostly focused on business services, infrastructure 

services and industrials. 

vi.  Residential development operations consist of homebuilding, condominium development and land development. 

vii.  Corporate activities include the investment of cash and financial assets, as well as the management of our corporate leverage, 
including corporate borrowings and preferred equity, which fund a portion of the capital invested in our other operations. 
Certain corporate costs such as technology and operations are incurred on behalf of our operating segments and allocated to 
each operating segment based on an internal pricing framework. 

In assessing results, we separately identify the portion of FFO and common equity within our segments that relate to our primary 
listed partnerships: BPY, BEP, BIP and BBU. We believe that identifying the FFO and common equity attributable to our listed 
partnerships enables investors to understand how the results of these public entities are integrated into our financial results and is 
helpful in analyzing variances in FFO between reporting periods. Additional information with respect to these listed partnerships 
is available in their public filings. We also separately identify the components of our asset management FFO and realized disposition 
gains1 included within the FFO of each segment in order to facilitate analysis of variances in FFO between reporting periods.

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    50

SUMMARY OF RESULTS BY OPERATING SEGMENT

The following table presents revenues, FFO and common equity by segment on a year-over-year basis for comparative purposes:

Revenues1

FFO2

Common Equity

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

2019

2018 Change 

2019

2018 Change 

2019

2018 Change 

Asset Management........................ $ 2,614

$ 1,947

$

667

$ 1,597

$ 1,317

$

280

$ 4,927

$

328

$ 4,599

Real Estate.....................................

10,475

Renewable Power..........................

Infrastructure.................................

3,974

7,093

8,116

3,762

5,018

Private Equity................................

43,578

37,270

Residential Development ..............

2,456

Corporate Activities ......................

459

2,683

188

2,359

1,185

1,786

(601)

18,781

17,423

1,358

212

2,075

6,308

(227)

271

333

464

844

125

328

602

795

49

5

(138)

49

76

5,320

2,792

4,086

2,859

5,302

2,887

4,279

2,606

(359)

(476)

117

(7,897)

(7,178)

18

(95)

(193)

253

(719)

Total segments............................... $70,649

$58,984

$11,665

$ 4,189

$ 4,401

$

(212) $30,868

$25,647

$ 5,221

1.  Revenues  include  inter-segment  revenues  which  are  adjusted  to  arrive  at  external  revenues  for  IFRS  purposes.  Please  refer  to  Note  3(c)  of  the  consolidated 

financial statements.

2.  Total FFO is a non-IFRS measure – see definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

Total revenues and FFO were $70.6 billion and $4.2 billion in 2019 compared to $59.0 billion and $4.4 billion in the prior year, 
respectively. FFO includes realized disposition gains of $882 million in 2019, compared to $1.5 billion in the prior year. Excluding 
disposition gains, FFO increased by $422 million from the prior year.

Revenues increased primarily from the impact of recent acquisitions at our Private Equity segment and the consolidation of GGP’s 
results after privatizing the business during the third quarter of the prior year. These increases were partially offset by sales of 
operating businesses since the prior year.

The increases to FFO excluding disposition gains is primarily as a result of:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

strong performance in our Asset Management segment where we benefited from fees earned on new capital raised within the 
latest series of flagship fund closes and higher market capitalization of our listed partnerships. Excluding the impact of a 
$278 million performance fee recognized in the prior year, our total fee-related earnings increased by 41% to $1.2 billion;

realized carried interest, net of direct costs, of $396 million recognized in the year, compared to $188 million recognized in 
the prior year; 

contributions from recent acquisitions across all business groups, in particular the acquisitions of Clarios and Healthscope 
in our private equity operations and the full year FFO contribution from BPR in our real estate operations; and

same-store growth from higher pricing at our Infrastructure segment, improved pricing and strong generation in our Renewable 
Power  segment,  decreased  operating  costs  at  Westinghouse  within  our  Private  Equity  segment  and  improved  corporate 
financial asset performance; partially offset by

a reduced ownership interest in BPY following the privatization of GGP in the third quarter of 2018; 

absence of contributions from assets sold during the year, most notably BGRS and BGIS in our private equity operations; 
and 

• 

lower product pricing from Norbord and our energy contracts.

We recognized $882 million of disposition gains during 2019 as we continue to monetize mature assets to fund new investments 
and return capital to investors. At our real estate operations, we recognized disposition gains of $404 million from the sale of our 
core office properties and our directly held investment in the residential management services company. In our private equity 
operation, we completed the sale of BGIS, BGRS, a partial interest in GrafTech and other assets for a combined gain of $293 million. 
Our infrastructure and renewable power operations generated gains from the completed sale of a partial interest in a Chilean toll 
road and a partial interest in a portfolio of North American hydro assets, respectively. 

Common equity increased by $5.2 billion to $30.9 billion primarily from a $2.8 billion equity issuance in connection with our 
acquisition of a 61% interest in Oaktree and $3.3 billion of comprehensive income recognized during the year. For segment 
reporting purposes, the value of Oaktree’s asset management business was allocated to our Asset Management segment while 
Oaktree’s balance sheet investments are allocated to our Corporate segment. The aforementioned contributions were partially 
offset by dividends paid during the year.

51    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Business Overview

•  We manage $290 billion of fee-bearing capital, including $86 billion in long-term private funds, $79 billion in perpetual 
strategies, $110 billion in funds managed by Oaktree and $15 billion within our public securities group. We earn recurring 
long-term fee revenues from this fee-bearing capital, in the form of:

–  Long-term, diversified base management fee revenues from third-party capital in our closed-end funds and perpetual 
fee revenues based on the total capitalization of our perpetual listed vehicles and net asset value of our perpetual private 
funds;

– 

– 

Incentive distributions from BIP, BEP and BPY, all of which have exceeded pre-determined thresholds; and

Performance fees, linked to the unit price performance of BBU, and other transaction and advisory fees.

• 

Included within our private fund fee-bearing capital is $120 billion of carry eligible capital1. We earn carried interest from 
this capital when fund performance achieves its preferred return, allowing us to receive a portion of fund profits returned to 
investors. We recognize this carried interest once it is no longer subject to clawback. 

Fee-Bearing Capital1

AS AT DEC. 31 (BILLIONS)

Fee-Related Earnings1

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31 (MILLIONS)

Carry Eligible Capital1

AS AT DEC. 31 (BILLIONS)

Accumulated Unrealized Carried Interest1

AS AT DEC. 31 (MILLIONS)

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    52

Five-Year Review

Asset Management FFO has increased over the past five years primarily due to the steady growth in fee-bearing capital from our 
flagship  funds  and  our  perpetual  strategies.  This  has  contributed  to  higher  base  fees  and  a  corresponding  increase  in  asset 
management FFO. Our long-term private funds have grown considerably, almost doubling in size over the last five years, when 
factoring  in  co-investments,  and  in  September  2019  we  completed  the  acquisition  of  a  61%  interest  in  Oaktree.  Increased 
capitalization from higher unit prices and capital markets activity within our perpetual strategies, along with the expiry of the 12-
month fee waiver in the third quarter on BPY/BPR capital issued as part of the acquisition of GGP, further contributed to increases 
in fee-related earnings year over year. The result has been a 14% and 19% cumulative annual growth rate in fee-bearing capital 
and total fee-related earnings, respectively excluding Oaktree, over the last five years.

Our accumulated unrealized carried interest has increased each of the past five years due to the growth in long-term private funds 
fee-bearing capital discussed above, and the investment performance in many of our funds. The acquisition of Oaktree in the 
current year and significant dispositions within our flagship funds also contributed to an increase in generated unrealized carried 
interest across all of our major funds. We expect to recognize a growing amount of realized carried interest into FFO and net 
income as our earlier vintage funds begin to monetize investments and return significant capital to investors. 

Outlook and Growth Initiatives

Alternative assets provide an attractive investment opportunity to institutional and high net worth investors. In periods when global 
interest rates are lower than they have ever been, alternatives continue to be an attractive investment as they have demonstrated 
the ability to provide attractive risk adjusted returns and retain their value across cycles. These asset classes also provide investors 
with alternatives to fixed income investments by providing a strong yield profile. Institutional investors, in particular pension 
funds, must earn and generate returns to meet their long-term obligations while protecting their capital. As a result, inflows to 
alternative asset managers are continuing to grow and managers are focused on new product development to meet this demand. 

We recently completed the final close of our fourth flagship infrastructure fund, bringing the total fund size to $20 billion and 
making it one of the largest infrastructure funds ever raised. Including co-investment capital, this round of flagship fundraising 
closed with more than $50 billion in commitments. The acquisition of Oaktree, a firm with expertise in credit strategies, further 
diversifies our fee streams and expands the product offerings available to our private fund investors. Our focus for 2020 will be 
on growing our other strategies, including our private perpetual funds, while continuing to deploy capital in a prudent manner.

We continue to expand our investor base through existing relationships and new channels. As of the final close of our fourth 
infrastructure fund, and with the addition of Oaktree, we have more than 1,800 investors. With respect to our investor base, our 
high  net  worth  channel  continues  to  grow  and  accounts  for  approximately  10%  of  the  funds  raised  for  the  year.  While  the 
geographical split of capital raised across all channels has remained largely consistent with the prior year, we continue to grow 
the number of LPs and total dollar value of capital raised from target geographies, including Asia and Europe.

Operations

Long-Term Private Funds ($86 billion of fee-bearing capital)

•  We manage our fee-bearing capital through 40 active private funds across our major asset classes: real estate, infrastructure/
renewable power, private equity and credit. These funds include co-investment, value-add and opportunistic closed-end funds 
which are primarily invested in the equity of private companies, or in certain cases, publicly traded equities. 

•  We refer to our largest long-term private fund series as our flagship funds. We have flagship funds within each of our major 
asset classes: Real Estate (BSREP series), Infrastructure (BIF series, which includes infrastructure and renewable power 
investments) and Private Equity (BCP series).

•  Closed-end private fund capital is typically committed for 10 years from the inception of the fund with two one-year extension 

options. 

•  We are compensated for managing these private funds through base management fees, which are generally determined on 
committed capital during the investment period and invested capital thereafter. We are entitled to receive carried interest 
on these funds, which represents a portion of total fund profits if the fund performance exceeds the preferred return to investors. 

Perpetual Strategies ($79 billion of fee-bearing capital)

•  We manage fee-bearing capital through publicly listed perpetual capital entities, including BPY, BEP, BIP, BBU and TERP, 

along with core, core plus and credit perpetual private funds. 

• 

Perpetual private funds are able to continually raise capital as new investments arise. 

53    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

•  We are compensated for managing our publicly listed perpetual capital entities through (i) base management fees, which are 
primarily determined by the market capitalization of these entities; and (ii) incentive distributions or performance fees.

• 

Incentive distributions for BPY, BEP, BIP and TERP are a portion of the increases in distributions above predetermined 
hurdles. Performance fees for BBU are based on increases in the unit price of BBU above a high-water mark threshold.

Oaktree ($110 billion of fee-bearing capital)

•  Oaktree continues to operate and manage their respective investment business, earning management fees on fee-bearing 

capital within their long-term closed-end, open-end and evergreen funds. 

• 

• 

Long-term private funds, which have an investment period generally ranging from three to five years from inception of the 
fund, typically pay management fees based on committed capital, drawn capital, gross assets, net asset value (“NAV”) or cost 
basis during the investment period. 

Perpetual strategies, which include open-end funds that do not have an investment period and do not distribute proceeds of 
realized investments to clients, and evergreen funds, which invests in marketable securities, private debt and equity on a long 
or short-term basis, generally without distributing proceeds of realized investments to clients. Perpetual strategies typically 
pay management fees based on NAV.

Public Securities ($15 billion of fee-bearing capital)

•  We manage our fee-bearing capital through numerous funds and separately managed accounts, focused on fixed income and 

equity securities. 

•  We act as advisor and sub-advisor, earning both base and performance fees. 

Fee-Bearing Capital

The following table summarizes fee-bearing capital:

Real estate.......................... $

$

— $

— $

56,056

$

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Long-Term
Private Funds
30,898

Renewable power ..............

Infrastructure .....................

Private equity.....................

Oaktree ..............................

Diversified .........................

12,018

28,432

14,477

—

—

Perpetual
Strategies
25,158

$

21,502

25,788

6,233

—

—

December 31, 2019........... $

December 31, 2018............ $

85,825

65,794

$

$

78,681

58,357

$

$

Oaktree

Public 
Securities 

Total 2019

Total 2018

—

—

—

110,349

—

—

—

—

—

14,957

33,520

54,220

20,710

110,349

14,957

110,349

$

14,957

$

289,812

53,653

21,419

33,712

15,367

—

13,377

n/a

— $

13,377

n/a

$

137,528

Fee-bearing capital increased by $152.3 billion during the year. The principal changes are set out in the following table:

AS AT AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)

Balance, December 31, 2018............................. $

Long-Term
Private Funds
65,794

Perpetual
Strategies
58,357

$

Oaktree

$

— $

Public 
Securities 
13,377

Total 

$

137,528

Inflows...............................................................

Outflows ............................................................

Distributions ......................................................

Market valuation................................................
Other1.................................................................
Change...............................................................

22,943

—

(1,362)

31

(1,581)

20,031

5,770

—

(4,426)

20,448

(1,468)

20,324

10,061

(2,188)

(945)

1,441

101,980

110,349

3,627

(4,629)

—

2,640

(58)

1,580

Balance, December 31, 2019 ........................... $

85,825

$

78,681

$

110,349

$

14,957

$

42,401

(6,817)

(6,733)

24,560

98,873

152,284

289,812

1.  Oaktree – Other for the full year includes $102 billion of initial fee-bearing capital related to the acquisition of our interest in Oaktree on September 30, 2019.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    54

Long-term private funds capital increased by $20.0 billion, primarily due to:

• 

$22.9 billion of inflows, including $14.1 billion of commitments to our fourth flagship infrastructure fund, $1.1 billion to 
our fifth flagship private equity fund, $0.9 billion to our third flagship real estate fund, $4.6 billion of co-investment capital 
and $2.2 billion of additional capital across other strategies; partially offset by

• 

$1.4 billion of distributions and capital returned during the year.

Perpetual strategies capital increased by $20.3 billion, due to:

• 

• 

• 

$20.4 billion market valuation increase, primarily as a result of increased unit prices across our listed partnerships; and

$5.8 billion of inflows, including $3.8 billion as a result of debt and equity issuances at our listed partnerships and an additional 
$2.0 billion from our perpetual infrastructure, real estate and credit funds; partially offset by

$4.4 billion of distributions, including quarterly distributions paid to the listed partnerships’ unitholders and unit repurchases; 
and

• 

$1.5 billion of decreased capitalization as a result of changes in net debt of the listed partnerships during the year.

Oaktree capital increased by $110.3 billion, due to:

• 

• 

$102.1 billion of fee-bearing capital assumed on the acquisition of a 61% interest in Oaktree on September 30, 2019;

$10.1 billion of inflows, including $7.4 billion related to Oaktree’s latest distressed debt fund, which became fee-earning on 
committed capital on January 1, 2020; partially offset by

• 

$2.2 billion of outflows, primarily within closed and open-end funds. 

Public securities capital increased by $1.6 billion, due to:

• 

• 

$3.6 billion of inflows;

 $2.6 billion appreciation in the net asset value of investments across our mutual funds and separately managed accounts; 
partially offset by

• 

$4.6 billion of redemptions, primarily within our real estate and natural resources public funds. 

Carry Eligible Capital

Carry  eligible  capital1  increased  by  $61.5  billion  during  the  year  to  $119.8  billion  as  at  December 31,  2019  (2018  – 
$58.3 billion). This increase is a result of the privatization of Oaktree on September 30, 2019, as well as additional capital raised 
in our flagship infrastructure, private equity and real estate strategies.

As at December 31, 2019, $72.2 billion of carry eligible capital was deployed (2018 – $36.4 billion). This capital is either currently 
earning carried interest or will begin earning carried interest once its related funds have reached their preferred return threshold. 
There is currently $47.6 billion of uncalled fund commitments that will begin to earn carried interest once the capital is deployed 
and fund preferred returns are met (2018 – $21.9 billion).

Operating Results

Asset management FFO includes fee-related earnings and realized carried interest earned by us in respect of capital managed for 
investors, including the capital invested by us in the listed partnerships. This is representative of how we manage the business and 
measure the returns from our asset management activities.

To facilitate analysis, the following table disaggregates our Asset Management segment revenues and FFO into fee-related earnings 
and realized carried interest, net1, as these are the measures that we use to analyze the performance of the Asset Management 
segment. We  also  analyze  unrealized  carried  interest,  net1,  to  provide  insight  into  the  value  our  investments  have  created  in 
the period.

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

55    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

We have provided additional detail, where referenced, to explain significant variances from the prior year.

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Fee-related earnings....................................................................................

Ref
.
i

Realized carried interest..............................................................................

ii

Asset management FFO..............................................................................

Revenues

2019

2,014

600

2,614

$

$

2018

1,693

254

1,947

$

$

FFO

2019

1,201

396

1,597

$

$

$

$

2018

1,129

188

1,317

Unrealized carried interest

Generated .................................................................................................

$

1,001

$

Foreign exchange .....................................................................................

Less: direct costs.........................................................................................

Unrealized carried interest, net ...................................................................

iii

Less: unrealized carried interest not attributable to BAM..........................

(21)

980

(292)

688

(28)

$

660

$

802

(141)

661

(171)

490

—

490

i.  Fee-Related Earnings

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Fee revenues

2019

2018

Base management fees .................................................................................................................................... $

1,708

$

1,195

Incentive distributions .....................................................................................................................................

Performance fees .............................................................................................................................................

Transaction and advisory fees .........................................................................................................................

Less: direct costs................................................................................................................................................

Less: fee-related earnings not attributable to BAM ..........................................................................................

262

—

44

2,014

(792)

1,222

(21)

206

278

14

1,693

(564)

1,129

—

Fee-related earnings........................................................................................................................................... $

1,201

$

1,129

Excluding performance fees, fee-related earnings increased by $350 million due mainly to higher base management fees earned 
during the year. This increase was partially offset by the absence of $278 million of performance fees earned from BBU in the 
prior year. 

Base management fees earned from our long-term private funds, perpetual strategies, Oaktree and public securities businesses 
increased by $513 million to $1.7 billion, a 43% increase from 2018. The increase is predominantly due to:

• 

$162 million increase in long-term private fund fees, primarily due to third-party commitments raised during the year within 
our latest flagship infrastructure, private equity and real estate funds;

•  Acquisition of the 61% interest in Oaktree on September 30, 2019, resulting in $197 million of management fees earned, or 

$121 million at our share; and

• 

• 

$113 million increase in listed partnership fees from unit price appreciation and capital markets activity since the prior year. 
Listed partnership unit prices continued to recover from the volatility at the end of 2018, which has led to higher listed 
partnership fee revenues over the year.

Incentive distributions from BIP, BEP and BPY increased by $56 million to $262 million, a 27% increase from 2018. The 
growth represents our share as manager of increases in per unit distributions by BIP, BEP and BPY of 7%, 5% and 5%, 
respectively, as well as the impact of equity issued by BIP during 2019.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    56

• 

Performance fees in the prior year were earned from BBU. The BBU fee is equal to 20% of the increase in the quarterly 
average unit price over the relevant threshold. The threshold is reset each time a fee is paid (e.g. a high-water mark). The 
current threshold is $41.96 (2018 – $41.96). 

•  Direct costs consist primarily of employee expenses and professional fees, as well as business related technology costs and 
other shared services. Direct costs increased by $228 million year over year as we continue to build our organization to support 
the aforementioned growth in fee-bearing capital. Our investment in Oaktree also contributed to additional increases in direct 
costs of $144 million, or $88 million at our share.  

The margin on our fee-related earnings, including our 61.2% share of Oaktree’s fee-related earnings, was 62% in the current year 
(2018 – 60%). Our fee-related earnings margin, including 100% of Oaktree’s fee-related earnings, was 61% in the current year. 

ii.  Realized Carried Interest

We realize carried interest when a fund’s cumulative returns are in excess of preferred returns and are no longer subject to future 
investment performance (e.g. subject to “clawback”). During the year, we realized $396 million of carried interest, net of direct 
costs (2018 – $188 million). This increase was primarily from return of capital, recapitalization of assets and the sale of our 
Manhattan multifamily portfolio within our first real estate flagship fund, as well as the sale of our facilities management services 
business and partial sale of GrafTech within our fourth private equity flagship fund.

We provide supplemental information and analysis below on the estimated amount of unrealized carried interest (see section iii) 
that has accumulated based on fund performance up to the date of the consolidated financial statements. 

iii.  Unrealized Carried Interest

The amounts of accumulated unrealized carried interest and associated costs are not included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets 
or Consolidated Statements of Operations as they are still subject to clawback. These amounts are shown in the following table:

2019

2018

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Accumulated unrealized, beginning of year............................... $
Oaktree acquisition1 ...................................................................

Unrealized 
Carried 
Interest 
2,486

Direct 
Costs 

Net 

$ (754) $ 1,732

Unrealized 
Carried 
Interest 
2,079

$

1,346

3,832

(704)

642

(1,458)

2,374

In-period change

Unrealized in period ................................................................

1,001

(294)

Foreign currency revaluation...................................................

Less: realized ...........................................................................

(21)

980

(600)

380

2

(292)

197

(95)

707

(19)

688

(403)

285

Accumulated unrealized, end of year .........................................

4,212

(1,553)

2,659

Oaktree carried interest not attributable to BAM shareholders..

(565)

295

(270)

Direct 
Costs 

Net 

$ (649) $ 1,430

—

—

(649)

1,430

(202)

31

(171)

66

(105)

(754)

—

600

(110)

490

(188)

302

1,732

—

—

2,079

802

(141)

661

(254)

407

2,486

—

Accumulated unrealized, end of year, net .................................. $

3,647

$ (1,258) $ 2,389

$

2,486

$ (754) $ 1,732

1.  Represents the amounts, at 100%, assumed on the acquisition of Oaktree.

The acquisition of Oaktree contributed to $1.3 billion of additional accumulated unrealized carried interest. Unrealized carried 
interest  generated  before  foreign  exchange  and  associated  costs  of  $1.0  billion  in  the  current  year,  related  to  unrealized 
carried interest generated across our major funds, including significant amounts from dispositions in our first flagship real estate 
fund and increased valuations within our flagship infrastructure funds. Unrealized carried interest generated also includes amounts 
generated from Oaktree funds. During 2019 we realized $600 million of carried interest, mainly as a result of asset monetizations 
within our BSREP I and BCP IV funds. 

Accumulated unrealized carried interest totaled $3.6 billion at December 31, 2019. We estimate that approximately $1.3 billion
of associated costs will arise on the realization of the amounts accumulated to date, predominantly related to employee long-term 
incentive plans and taxes. We expect to recognize $1.7 billion of this carry, before costs, within the next three years; however, 
realization of this carried interest is dependent on future investment performance.

57    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Business Overview

•  We own and operate real estate assets primarily through a 55% (51% fully diluted) economic ownership interest in BPY, 
a 28% interest in a portfolio of operating and development assets in New York and an 18% direct interest in our third flagship 
real estate fund (“BSREP III”).

•  BPY  is  listed  on  the  Nasdaq  and  Toronto  Stock  Exchange  and  had  a  market  capitalization  of  $18.6 billion  as  at 

December 31, 2019.

•  BPY owns real estate assets directly as well as through private funds that we manage.

Operations

Core Office

•  We  own  interests  in  and  operate  Class A  office  assets  in  gateway  markets  around  the  globe,  consisting  of  136  premier 

properties totaling 93 million square feet of office space. 

• 

The properties are located primarily in the world’s leading commercial markets such as New York City, London, Los Angeles, 
Washington, D.C., Toronto, Berlin, Sydney and Sao Paulo. 

•  We  also  develop  properties  on  a  selective  basis;  active  development  and  redevelopment  projects  consist  of  nine  office, 

seven multifamily and one hotel site, totaling nearly 12 million square feet. 

Core Retail 

•  On August 28, 2018, BPY completed the privatization of GGP, previously a 34%-owned equity accounted investment, and 

began consolidating its results.

•  We own interests in and operate 122 best-in-class malls and urban retail properties in the United States, totaling 120 million 

square feet.

•  Our portfolio consists of 100 of the top 500 malls in the United States.

•  Our retail mall portfolio has a redevelopment pipeline that exceeds $1 billion of redevelopment costs on a proportionate basis.

LP Investments 

•  We own and operate global portfolios of real estate investments through our opportunistic real estate funds, which are targeted 

to achieve higher returns than our core office and core retail portfolios. 

•  Our LP investment business strategy is to acquire high quality assets at a discount to replacement cost or intrinsic value, 
to execute clearly defined strategies for operational improvement and to achieve opportunistic returns through net operating 
income (“NOI”) growth and realized gains on exit.

•  Our LP investments portfolios consist of high-quality assets with operational upside across the multifamily, triple net lease, 

hospitality, office, retail, mixed-use, self-storage, manufactured housing and student housing sectors. 

Other Real Estate Investments 

•  We own direct interests in BSREP III, which is our third flagship real estate fund, a portfolio of operating and development 

assets in New York acquired in the third quarter of 2018 and a portfolio of residential and multifamily properties.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    58

Outlook and Growth Initiatives

Our real estate group remains focused on increasing the value of our properties through proactive leasing and select redevelopment 
initiatives, as well as recycling capital from mature properties, primarily core office assets, to fund new higher yielding investments, 
particularly  in  our  LP  investments  real  estate  business.  Our  $7.2  billion  capital  backlog  gives  us  the  opportunity  to  deploy 
additional capital throughout our portfolio for planned capital expansion that should continue to increase earnings for the next 
several years as these projects are completed. Our development track record reflects on-time and on-budget completions. This 
includes development projects in progress across our premier office buildings, retail malls and mixed-use complexes located 
primarily in North America and Europe. 

In our core retail operations, we are focused on operating and developing high-quality shopping centers as these destinations 
continue to provide an attractive physical location for retailers and continue to demonstrate meaningful outperformance, relative 
to lower tier malls, despite a changing retail landscape. 

In our LP investments operations, we will continue to acquire high-quality properties through our global opportunistic private 
funds as these generally produce higher returns relative to core strategies. These funds have a wide scope in terms of real estate 
asset classes and geographic reach. We target an average gross 20% total return in our portfolio and a 2.0x multiple of capital on 
the equity that we invest into these vehicles. These investments have a defined hold period and typically generate the majority of 
profits from gains recognized from realization events, including the sale of an asset or portfolio of assets, or exit of the entire 
investment. Funding for these transactions will continue to include proceeds from asset sales as part of our capital recycling program.

Summary of Operating Results

The following table disaggregates segment revenues and our share of FFO and common equity of entities in our Real Estate 
segment, and summarizes realized disposition gains. We have provided additional detail, where referenced, to explain significant 
movements from the prior year. 

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Brookfield Property Partners

Equity units1 ....................................................
Preferred shares ...............................................

Other real estate investments .............................

Realized disposition gains..................................

ii

iii

Revenues

FFO

Common Equity

Ref.

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

i

$

8,196

$

7,164

$

699

$

736

$

15,770

$

15,160

11

8,207

2,268

—

64

7,228

888

—

11

710

71

404

64

800

47

939

16

15,786

2,995

—

435

15,595

1,828

—

$

10,475

$

8,116

$

1,185

$

1,786

$

18,781

$

17,423

1.  Brookfield’s equity units in BPY consist of 432.6 million redemption-exchange units, 81.7 million Class A limited partnership units, 4.8 million special limited partnership 

units, 0.1 million general partnership units, and 3.0 million BPR Class A shares, together representing an effective economic interest2 of 55% of BPY.

2.  See “Economic ownership interest” in the Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

Revenues from our real estate operations increased by $2.4 billion, primarily from a full year of contributions from the acquisition 
of Forest City,  as well as the privatization and step up in ownership of GGP (now known as BPR), a previously equity accounted 
investment, in the third quarter of 2018. FFO prior to realized disposition gains decreased by $66 million, as FFO increases from
lease commencements and same-store growth, were more than offset by our reduced ownership interest in BPY following the 
GGP privatization as well as lower dividends from the preferred shares following their redemption. 

59    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

i.  Brookfield Property Partners

The following table disaggregates BPY’s FFO by business line to facilitate analysis of the year-over-year variances in FFO: 

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Core office ...................................................................................................................................................... $

Core retail .......................................................................................................................................................

LP investments................................................................................................................................................

Corporate ........................................................................................................................................................

Attributable to unitholders ..............................................................................................................................

Non-controlling interests ................................................................................................................................
Segment reallocation and other1 .....................................................................................................................
Brookfield’s interest........................................................................................................................................ $

$

2019

662

772

309

(398)

1,345

(611)

(35)

699

$

2018

608

651

330

(410)

1,179

(444)

1

736

1.  Reflects preferred dividend distributions as well as fee-related earnings, net carried interest and associated asset management expenses not included in FFO reclassified 

to the Asset Management segment.

BPY’s FFO for 2019 was $1.3 billion, of which our share was $699 million, compared to $736 million in the prior year. 

Core Office

FFO increased by $54 million to $662 million primarily due to same-store leasing growth driven by lease commencements, a one-
time fee of $51 million earned at Five Manhattan West and higher development management fees earned. This increase was 
partially offset by asset sales, as well as the impact of foreign currency translation. 

Core Retail

FFO increased by $121 million from the prior year to $772 million as a result of the incremental contribution from our step-up 
acquisition of GGP in August 2018.

LP Investments

BPY’s share of the FFO from its LP investments decreased by $21 million from the prior year due to the absence of FFO from 
assets sold in our BSREP I fund, including our U.S. industrial portfolio and a portfolio of self-storage properties, and the impact 
of foreign currency translation.

Corporate

BPY’s  corporate  expenses  include  interest  expense,  management  fees  and  other  costs.  Corporate  expenses  of  $398  million
decreased from the prior year due to lower interest cost from decreased corporate borrowings, partially offset by an increase in 
management fees due to higher year-over-year capitalization.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    60

ii.  Other Real Estate Investments

FFO was $71 million in the current year, $24 million higher than the prior year due to a full year of contribution from our direct 
interest in a portfolio of operating and development assets in New York and from our direct investments in BSREP III.

iii.  Realized Disposition Gains

Realized disposition gains of $404 million relate to sales of properties across our portfolios. Most significantly, we sold:

• 

• 

• 

a directly held residential management services company, contributing a net gain of $101 million;

certain core office properties in Australia and North America with gains totaling $67 million; and

a number of multifamily and other LP investment properties.

Disposition gains of $939 million in the prior year primarily relate to the sale of properties across our portfolios including the sale 
of core office buildings within the U.S., Canada, and Australia, certain core retail properties prior to the GGP privatization, as 
well as a U.S. logistics portfolio.

Common Equity

Common equity in our Real Estate segment increased to $18.8 billion as at December 31, 2019 from $17.4 billion as at December 31, 
2018. The increase is primarily from as a result of the contribution from positive comprehensive income as well as gains reported 
in equity on the repurchase of shares at a discount to book value. These increases were partially offset by distributions and share 
cancellations made during the year.

61    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Business Overview

•  We own and operate renewable power assets primarily through a 61% ownership interest in BEP, which is listed on the 

New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges and had a market capitalization of $14.5 billion at December 31, 2019.

•  BEP owns one of the world’s largest publicly traded renewable power portfolios.

Operations

Hydroelectric

•  We own, operate and invest in 219 hydroelectric generating stations on 82 river systems in North America, Brazil and Colombia. 
Our hydroelectric operations have 7,924 megawatts (“MW”) of installed capacity and long-term average (“LTA”)1 generation 
of 19,661 gigawatt hours (“GWh”) on a proportionate basis1.

Wind

•  Our  wind  operations  include  102  wind  facilities  globally  with  4,638 MW  of  installed  capacity  and  LTA  generation  of 

5,447 GWh on a proportionate basis.

Solar

•  Our solar operations include 4,934 solar facilities globally with 3,033 MW of installed capacity and 1,323 GWh of LTA 

generation on a proportionate basis.

Storage 

•  Our storage operations have 2,698 MW of installed capacity at four pumped storage facilities in North America and Europe.

Energy Contracts

•  We purchase 25% of BEP’s power generated in North America pursuant to a long-term contract at a predetermined price, 

thereby increasing the stability of BEP’s revenue profile. 

•  We sell the power into the open market and also earn ancillary revenues, such as capacity fees and renewable power credits 

and premiums. This provides us with increased participation in future increases or decreases in power prices. 

•  Based on LTA, we will purchase approximately 3,600 GWh of power each year. The fixed price that we are required to pay 
BEP will gradually step down over time resulting in an approximate $20 per megawatt hour (“MWh”) reduction by 2026 
until the contract expiry in 2046. Refer to Part 5 of this MD&A for additional information.

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    62

Outlook and Growth Initiatives

Revenues in our Renewable Power segment are 95% contracted over an average contract term of 13 years, on a proportionate 
basis, with pricing that is inflation linked. Combining this with a stable cost profile, we are able to achieve consistent growth year 
over year within our existing business. In addition, we consistently identify capital development projects that enable us to put 
capital to work to provide an additional source of same-store growth. Our development pipeline represents over 13,000 MW of 
potential  capacity  globally,  of  which  717  MW  are  currently  under  construction  that  we  expect  to  contribute  an  incremental 
$16 million to BEP’s FFO when commissioned. We also have a strong track record of adding to our renewable power business 
through acquisitions and will continue to seek out these opportunities.

We believe that the growing global demand for low-carbon energy will lead to continued growth opportunities for us in the future. 
In 2020, we intend to remain focused on progressing our key priorities, which includes surfacing margin expansion opportunities, 
progressing our development pipeline and assessing select contracting opportunities across the portfolio. We believe the investment 
environment for renewable power remains favorable and we expect to continue to advance our pipeline of opportunities.

Summary of Operating Results

The following table disaggregates segment revenues and our share of FFO and common equity of entities in our Renewable Power 
segment, and summarizes realized disposition gains. We have provided additional detail, where referenced, to explain significant 
movements from the prior year. 

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Brookfield Renewable Partners1 ..................
Energy contracts2..........................................
Realized disposition gains............................

Ref.

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

i

ii

iii

$

4,152

$

3,864

$

430

$

381

$

4,810

$

(178)

—

(102)

—

(194)

97

(91)

38

510

—

2018

4,749

553

—

Revenues

FFO

Common Equity

$

3,974

$

3,762

$

333

$

328

$

5,320

$

5,302

1.  Brookfield’s interest in BEP consists of 129.7 million redemption-exchange units, 56.1 million Class A limited partnership units and 2.7 million general partnership units; 

together representing an economic interest of 61% of BEP. Segment revenues at BEP include $1.0 billion (2018 – $840 million) revenue from TERP.

2.  Known as Brookfield Energy Marketing prior to the internalization of the function by BEP effective October 31, 2018. Refer to Reference ii below for more information.

Compared to the prior year, revenues generated by our renewable power operations increased by $212 million while FFO, excluding 
disposition  gains,  decreased  by  $54  million.  Revenues  and  FFO  were  both  positively  impacted  by  contributions  from  recent 
acquisitions and higher realized pricing at BEP; however, the overall decrease in FFO was largely a result of lower realized margins 
on generation sold within our directly held energy contracts.

63    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

i.  Brookfield Renewable Partners

The following table disaggregates BEP’s generation and FFO by business line to facilitate analysis of the year-over-year variances 
in FFO: 

Actual
Generation (GWh)1

Long-Term
Average (GWh)1

FFO

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(GIGAWATT HOURS AND MILLIONS)
Hydroelectric.............................................................

Wind..........................................................................

Solar ..........................................................................

Storage and other ......................................................

Corporate...................................................................

Attributable to unitholders ........................................
Non-controlling interests and other2 .........................
Segment reallocation3 ...............................................
Brookfield’s interest..................................................

2019

19,921

4,794

949

374

—

2018

20,305

4,176

753

519

—

2019

19,722

5,489

978

—

—

20,389

$

4,731

724

—

—

26,038

25,753

26,189

25,844

2018

2019

2018

$

720

171

103

27

(260)

761

(331)

—

$

430

$

671

160

72

32

(259)

676

(290)

(5)

381

1.  Proportionate to BEP; see “Proportionate basis generation” in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.
2. 
3.  Segment reallocation refers to disposition gains, net of NCI, included in BEP’s operating FFO that we reclassify to realized disposition gains. This allows us to present 

Includes incentive distributions paid to Brookfield of $48 million (2018 – $40 million) as the general partner of BEP.

FFO attributable to unitholders on the same basis as BEP.

BEP’s FFO for 2019 was $761 million, of which our share was $430 million, compared to $381 million in the prior year. Generation 
for the year totaled 26,038 GWh, largely in line with the long-term average (“LTA”). This represents a 1% increase compared to 
the prior year, or a 3% decrease on a same-store basis excluding the impact of acquisitions.

Hydroelectric

The primary contributors to the $49 million increase in FFO were:

• 

• 

• 

$26 million increase in North American FFO as average realized revenue per MWh was higher due to inflation indexation 
and strong same-store generation. This increase was partially offset by the sale of a further 25% interest in certain of our 
Canadian assets;

$15 million increase in our Colombian business due to cost reduction initiatives and an increase in average revenue per MWh, 
partially offset by lower generation; and

$8 million increase in our Brazilian operations primarily from higher same-store generation and the release of a regulatory 
provision as the historical generation of our facilities was positively reaffirmed.

Wind

Wind operations’ FFO increased by $11 million to $171 million due to:

• 

our increased ownership in TERP and a portfolio of European wind assets acquired in June of 2018, acquisitions in Asia as 
well as recently commissioned development projects; partially offset by

• 

below average generation at our North American and Brazilian businesses.

Solar 

FFO from our solar operations increased by $31 million over the prior year due to growth of our portfolio and our increased 
ownership in TERP. 

Storage and Other

Storage and other activities contributed $27 million of FFO this year compared to $32 million in the prior year due to lower realized 
capacity prices in the northeast United States and lower generation at our biomass facilities in Brazil.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    64

 
Corporate

The corporate FFO deficit was consistent with the prior year due to higher management service costs resulting from growth in 
our business offset by lower interest expense due to a lower level of debt outstanding and refinancing initiatives. 

ii.  Energy Contracts

In the fourth quarter of 2018, we transferred our North American energy marketing function to BEP, along with our long-term 
power contract in Ontario (refer to page 62 and Part 5 of Management’s Discussion and Analysis for more information). As a 
result of the transfer, the New York power contract is the only power contract that remains in place between BAM and BEP.

During the year, we purchased 4,066 GWh from BEP at $79 per MWh and sold the purchased generation at an average selling 
price of $31 per MWh. The prior year results benefited from contracted sales which have now been internalized within BEP. The 
internalization has also reduced the level of generation we have committed to purchase from BEP. 

As a result of the negative margins on a per MWh basis realized on the sale of power purchased in certain markets, we incurred 
an FFO deficit of $194 million in 2019 compared to a deficit of $91 million in the prior year. 

iii.  Realized Disposition Gains

Disposition gains of $97 million for the year relate to the sale of interests in certain hydro and wind assets, particularly within 
North America. 

Prior year disposition gains relate to the sale of a 25% interest in select Canadian hydroelectric assets in Ontario and British 
Columbia as well as a development asset in Europe.

Common Equity

Common equity in our Renewable Power segment is $5.3 billion at December 31, 2019, consistent with the prior year. Revaluation 
gains  on  our  property,  plant  and  equipment  and  contributions  from  FFO  were  offset  by  foreign  exchange,  depreciation  and 
distributions paid to investors.

65    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Business Overview

•  We own and operate infrastructure assets primarily through our 30% economic ownership interest in BIP, which is listed on 

the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges and had a market capitalization of $20.9 billion at December 31, 2019.

•  BIP is one of the largest globally diversified owners and operators of infrastructure in the world.

•  We also have direct investments in sustainable resource operations.

Principal Operations

Utilities

•  Our regulated transmission business includes ~2,700 km of natural gas pipelines and ~2,200 km of transmission lines in North 

and South America, and ~3,600 km of greenfield electricity transmission under development in South America.

•  We own and operate ~6.6 million connections, predominantly electricity and natural gas connections, and approximately 

1.3 million smart meters in our regulated distribution business.

• 

These businesses typically generate long-term returns on a regulated or contractual asset base which increase with capital we 
invest to upgrade and/or expand our systems. 

Transport

•  We operate ~22,000 km of railroad track in North America and Europe, ~5,500 km of railroad track in Western Australia and 

~4,800 km of railroad track in South America.

•  Our toll road operations include ~4,000 km of motorways in Brazil, Chile, Peru and India.

•  Our ports operations include 13 terminals in North America, the U.K., and Australia.

• 

These operations are comprised of networks that provide transportation for freight, bulk commodities and passengers, for 
which we are paid an access fee. This includes businesses with price ceilings as a result of regulation, such as our rail and 
toll road operations, as well as unregulated businesses, such as our ports. 

Energy

•  We own and operate ~16,500 km of natural gas transmission pipelines, primarily in the U.S., and 600 billion cubic feet of 

natural gas storage in the U.S. and Canada. 

• 

• 

In our district energy business we deliver ~3.2 million pounds per hour of heating and 305,000 tons of cooling capacity, and 
provide residential energy infrastructure services to ~1.6 million customers in the U.S. and Canada. 

These  operations  are  comprised  of  businesses,  typically  unregulated  or  subject  to  price  ceilings,  that  provide  energy 
transmission and storage services, with profitability based on the volume and price achieved for the provision of these services.

Data Infrastructure

•  We own and operate ~7,000 multi-purpose communication towers and active rooftop sites in France and over 10,000 km of 
fiber backbone in France and Brazil. In addition, we own ~1,600 cell sites and 10,000 km of fiber optic cable in New Zealand 
as well as ~2,100 active telecom towers and 70 distributed antenna systems primarily located in the U.K.

• 

• 

In our data storage business, we manage 51 data centers with ~1.6 million square feet of raised floors and 176 MW of critical 
load capacity.

These businesses provide essential services and critical infrastructure to media broadcasting and telecom sectors and are 
secured by long-term inflation-linked contracts.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    66

Outlook and Growth Initiatives

Our  infrastructure  business  owns  and  operates  assets  that  are  critical  to  the  global  economy.  Our  expertise  in  managing  and 
developing such assets make us ideal partners for the stakeholders who rely on these assets. Our goal is to continue demonstrating 
our stewardship of critical infrastructure which should enable us to participate in future opportunities to acquire high-quality 
infrastructure assets.

FFO in our Infrastructure segment is approximately 95% contracted or regulated with pricing that is inflation-linked. Approximately 
75% of FFO should capture inflationary tariff increases and 40% should benefit from GDP growth by capturing increased volumes. 
As a result, we are able to achieve consistent growth year to year within our existing business. In addition, we have been consistently 
able to identify capital development projects that enable us to put capital to work to provide an additional source of growth. At 
the end of 2019, total capital to be commissioned in the next three years is ~$2.2 billion. Our backlog, coupled with inflation-
indexation and higher volumes from our GDP sensitive businesses, should result in another year of same-store growth at the high 
end of our 6 to 9% target range. Furthermore, we are focused on executing the next phase of our capital recycling program and it 
is on track to raise a further $1.5 billion. We plan to redeploy this capital into higher yielding new investments which should 
provide for another period of outsized FFO growth. While quarterly results this year may be impacted by the timing of new 
investments and sales, we anticipate that our run-rate exit FFO per unit in 2020 will be 12-15% higher than current levels.

Summary of Operating Results

The following table disaggregates segment revenues and our share of FFO and common equity of entities in our Infrastructure 
segment, and summarizes realized disposition gains. We have provided additional detail, where referenced, to explain significant 
movements from the prior year. 

Revenues

FFO

Common Equity

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Brookfield Infrastructure Partners1 ..............
Sustainable resources and other ...................

Realized disposition gains............................

i

ii

iii

Ref.

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

$

6,805

$

4,752

$

354

$

327

$

2,141

$

288

—

266

—

22

88

$

7,093

$

5,018

$

464

$

31

244

602

651

—

$

2,792

$

2,887

2018

1,916

971

—

1.  Brookfield’s interest in BIP consists of 122.0 million redemption-exchange units, 0.2 million limited partnership units and 1.6 million general partnership units together 

representing an economic interest of approximately 30% of BIP.

Revenues generated by our Infrastructure segment increased by $2.1 billion and FFO excluding realized disposition gains increased
by $18 million compared to the prior year. We benefited from contributions from capital deployed across the operations and solid 
same-store growth.

67    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

i.  Brookfield Infrastructure Partners

The following table disaggregates BIP’s FFO excluding realized gains by business line to facilitate analysis of the year-over-year 
variances:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Utilities .............................................................................................................................................................. $

Transport............................................................................................................................................................

Energy................................................................................................................................................................

Data infrastructure .............................................................................................................................................

Corporate ...........................................................................................................................................................

Attributable to unitholders.................................................................................................................................
Segment reallocation1........................................................................................................................................
Non-controlling interests and other2..................................................................................................................
Brookfield’s interest .......................................................................................................................................... $

2019

2018

$

577

530

412

136

(271)

1,384

(6)

(1,024)

354

$

576

518

269

77

(209)

1,231

—

(904)

327

1.  Segment reallocation refers to certain items, net of NCI, included in BIP’s operating FFO that we reclassify. This allows us to present FFO attributable to unitholders on 

the same basis as BIP.
Includes incentive distributions paid to Brookfield of $158 million (2018 – $136 million) as the general partner of BIP.

2. 

BIP’s FFO in 2019 was $1.4 billion, of which our share was $354 million compared to $327 million in the prior year. Key variances 
for our businesses are described below.

Utilities

FFO of $577 million was largely in line with the prior year though impacted by:

• 

• 

• 

inflation-indexation  and  additions  to  rate  base  in  our  regulated  transmission  business,  which  includes  an  incremental 
contribution from acquiring the remaining 50% interest in 800 km of operating electricity lines in Brazil; and

same-store growth in our regulated distribution business primarily due to inflation-indexation across our portfolio and strong 
connections activity at our U.K. operations; partially offset by

the absence of FFO from the sale of our Chilean electricity transmission business in the prior year and incremental interest 
expense associated with the financing at our Brazilian regulated transmission business.

Transport

FFO in our transport segment of $530 million was $12 million higher than the prior year. The increase is primarily due to:

• 

• 

• 

same-store growth from increased volumes in our rail and port operations; and 

inflationary tariff increases and traffic growth at our toll road portfolio; partially offset by

the sale of a partial interest in our Chilean toll road operation and the sale of a European port operation.

Energy

FFO from our energy operations of $412 million was $143 million higher than the prior year due to:

• 

• 

full year contributions from two North American energy businesses acquired in 2018 and a recently acquired natural gas 
pipeline in India; and

strong transportation volumes and the commissioning of the Gulf Coast expansion project at our North American natural 
gas transmission business; partially offset by

• 

lower spreads at our gas storage operations and the impact of the recent sale of our Australian district energy business.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    68

Data Infrastructure

FFO from our data infrastructure operations of $136 million was $59 million higher than the prior year due to:

• 

• 

contributions from capital deployed in an integrated telecommunications business in New Zealand, as well as in our global 
data center portfolio; and

same-store growth contributions from capital expenditure projects commissioned and inflationary price increases at our French 
telecommunications business.

Corporate

The Corporate FFO deficit increased from $209 million in the prior year to $271 million due to:

• 

• 

increase in management fees due to a higher market capitalization; and

increase in interest expense on corporate credit facility draws and incremental debt raised over the year.

ii.  Sustainable Resources and Other

FFO at our agriculture operations decreased in the current year due to the sale of Acadian1.

iii.  Realized Disposition Gains

In 2019, we recognized disposition gains of $88 million relating to the sale of Acadian and our partial interest in a Chilean toll 
road business. This gain was partially offset by a loss on the sale of a European port business. 

Common Equity

Common equity in our Infrastructure segment was fairly consistent at $2.8 billion as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – $2.9 billion) 
as the impact of contributions from earnings, our participation in BIP’s equity offering and annual revaluation gains on our property, 
plant and equipment were more than offset by depreciation, distributions to unitholders and the sale of Acadian.

This equity is primarily our investment in property, plant and equipment and certain concessions, which are recorded as intangible 
assets. Our PP&E is recorded at fair value and revalued annually while concessions are considered intangible assets under IFRS 
and therefore recorded at historical cost and amortized over the life of the concession. Accordingly, a smaller portion of our equity 
is impacted by revaluation compared to our Real Estate and Renewable Power segments, where a larger portion of the balance sheet 
is subject to revaluations.

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

69    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Business Overview

•  We own and operate private equity assets primarily through our 63% interest in BBU. BBU is listed on the New York and 

Toronto Stock Exchanges and had a market capitalization of $6.2 billion at December 31, 2019.

•  BBU focuses on owning and operating high-quality businesses that benefit from barriers to entry and/or low production costs.

•  We also own certain businesses directly, including a 43% interest in Norbord which is one of the world’s largest producers 

of oriented strand board (“OSB”).

Operations

Business Services

•  We own and operate a road fuel distribution and marketing business with significant import and storage infrastructure and 
provide services to residential real estate brokers through franchise arrangements under a number of brands in Canada.

•  We provide contracting services with a focus on high-quality construction of large-scale and complex landmark buildings 
and social infrastructure. Construction projects are generally delivered through contracts, whereby we take responsibility for 
design, program, procurement and construction at a defined price.

•  Healthscope operates or manages a network of acute, psychiatric and rehabilitation and extended care facilities in Australia.

•  Genworth, which is the largest private sector residential mortgage insurer in Canada, provides mortgage default insurance to 

Canadian residential mortgage lenders.

•  Our Brazilian fleet management business  is one of the leading providers in the country of heavy equipment and light vehicle 

leasing with value-added services.

•  Other operations in our business services include entertainment facilities in the Greater Toronto Area and other financial 

advisory, logistics and wireless broadband services.

Infrastructure Services

•  We are the leading provider of services to the global power generation industry, though our investment in Westinghouse, 
which includes providing original equipment or technology for approximately 50% of global nuclear capacity and servicing 
two thirds of the world’s nuclear reactors. 

•  We also provide services to the offshore oil production industry, through our investment in Teekay Offshore, operating in the 

North Sea, Canada and Brazil. 

Industrials

•  Our industrial portfolio is comprised of capital intensive businesses with significant barriers to entry that require technical 

operating expertise. 

•  We own Clarios, which supplies more than one third of the world’s automotive batteries.

•  We own a water distribution, collection and treatment business, which operates through long-term concessions and public-

private partnerships, and services 15 million customers in Brazil.

•  We own and operate a leading manufacturer of a broad range of high quality graphite electrodes, GrafTech and a manufacturer 

of returnable plastics packaging.

•  We also own and operate a natural gas exploration and production business, and a contract drilling and well servicing business 

in western Canada.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    70

Outlook and Growth Initiatives

Our private equity business utilizes our expertise in evaluating investments, operating and financing businesses as well as turnaround 
execution. BBU has made excellent progress since listing as a publicly listed partnership in 2016 with most of its value today 
generated from diverse services and industrial operations. We expect this trend to continue as we move forward with recently 
announced initiatives and continue to expand our operations.

Within our business services operations, we closed a number of acquisitions, including Healthscope, Genworth and Ouro Verde 
in 2019. At Healthscope we are working to address many of the challenges we identified during our due diligence process to 
improve the company’s operational discipline, achieve labor savings and optimize the occupancy of our private hospital network. 
In December, we closed the acquisition of Genworth, where we hope to enhance returns over time by leveraging Brookfield’s 
residential real estate expertise and relationships to grow market share. Going forward, we are seeking opportunities to optimize 
the  capital  structure  and  improve  the  returns  earned  on  its  investment  portfolio. At  our  road  fuel  distribution  and  marketing 
business we  are  focused  on  our  growth  strategy  and  leveraging  synergies  between  our  network  of  gas  stations  and  our  fuel 
distribution operations to enhance the competitive position of our business. We also continue to seek monetization opportunities 
within this portfolio. Subsequent to year-end, we sold our cold storage warehousing business for proceeds to BBU of approximately 
$45 million.

Within  our  infrastructure  services  operations,  we  continue  to  generate  productivity  gains  at Westinghouse  from  our  business 
improvement initiatives aimed at further enhancing the value of the business over the longer-term. During the year, Westinghouse 
completed several bolt-on acquisitions that should support the growth of Westinghouse’s global presence and enhance its service 
offering capabilities. On January 22, 2020, together with institutional partners, we completed the privatization of Teekay Offshore 
for an aggregate investment of $165 million, of which we funded approximately $75 million. The shuttle tanker renewal program 
at Teekay Offshore remains on track with seven shuttle tankers under construction, all of which are expected to be delivered over 
the next two-year period.

Within our industrials operations, we completed the acquisition of Clarios, our global manufacturer of automotive batteries in 
2019. The business is performing well and carve-out activities are progressing on plan with a focus on setting up new corporate 
functions. Going forward, we plan to optimize the manufacturing footprint and supply chain and are considering alternatives 
related to non-core activities and joint ventures. During 2019, Clarios closed the acquisition of Robert Bosch GmbH’s 20% interest 
in our European battery manufacturing and sales joint venture. This acquisition positions Clarios well to take advantage of growth 
opportunities in the European market.

Given the significant liquidity and flexible investment approach, we believe BBU is well positioned for further growth in any 
economic environment. In January 2020, together with institutional partners, we announced the acquisition of a 40% interest in 
IndoStar for approximately $220 million, of which BBU’s share is expected to be approximately $75 million. IndoStar is an Indian 
financing company that primarily services the used commercial vehicle segment. The transaction is expected to close in the second 
quarter of 2020 subject to certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. India is an attractive market; the 
ongoing Indian credit crisis which has resulted from an increase in the number of non-performing loans by state banks has given 
rise to more distressed valuations within India’s financing sector today.

71    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Summary of Operating Results

The following table disaggregates segment revenues and our share of FFO and common equity of entities in our Private Equity 
segment, and summarizes realized disposition gains. We have provided additional detail, where referenced, to explain significant 
movements from the prior year. 

Revenues

FFO

Common Equity

 AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Brookfield Business Partners1......................
Other investments.........................................

Realized disposition gains............................

Ref.

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

i

ii

iii

$ 43,420

$

36,982

$

494

$

158

—

288

—

$ 43,578

$

37,270

$

57

293

844

$

223

277

295

795

$

2,389

$

1,697

—

$

4,086

$

4,279

2018

2,017

2,262

—

1.  Brookfield’s  interest  in  BBU  consists  of  69.7  million  redemption-exchange  units,  24.8  million  limited  partnership  units  and  eight  general  partnership  units  together 

representing an economic interest of 63% of BBU.

Revenues generated from our private equity operations increased by $6.3 billion primarily as a result of the acquisitions of Clarios 
and Healthscope during the second quarter of 2019, the consolidation of Teekay Offshore beginning from the third quarter of 2018 
and a full year of contributions from Westinghouse. The increase was partially offset by absence of contributions from our facilities 
management business and our executive relocation business, which were sold in the second quarter of 2019.

FFO, prior to disposition gains, increased by $51 million to $551 million primarily due to the factors described above in addition 
to the absence of a performance fee expense in the current year. The increase in FFO was partially offset by weaker results from 
our directly held investments.

i.  Brookfield Business Partners

The following table disaggregates BBU’s FFO by business line to facilitate analysis of the year-over-year variances in FFO: 

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Business services ............................................................................................................................................... $

Infrastructure services .......................................................................................................................................

Industrials ..........................................................................................................................................................

Corporate ...........................................................................................................................................................

$

2019

432

314

393

(37)

Attributable to unitholders.................................................................................................................................

1,102

Performance fees ...............................................................................................................................................

Non-controlling interests ...................................................................................................................................
Segment reallocation and other1........................................................................................................................
Brookfield’s interest .......................................................................................................................................... $

—

(379)

(229)

494

$

2018

131

195

470

(63)

733

(278)

(146)

(86)

223

1.  Segment reallocation and other refers to disposition gains, net of NCI, included in BBU’s operating FFO that we reclassify to realized disposition gains. This allows us to 

present FFO attributable to unitholders on the same basis as BBU.

BBU generated $1.1 billion of FFO in 2019, including realized gains. Excluding these gains, our share was $494 million, compared 
to $223 million in the prior year.

Business Services

Business services’ FFO increased by $301 million to $432 million for the year ended December 31, 2019 primarily due to greater 
realized disposition gains on the sale of BGIS and BGRS during the second quarter of the year. Excluding gains on assets sold 
that we reclassify to realized disposition gains, FFO increased primarily due to:

• 

• 

• 

contributions from the acquisitions of Healthscope and our Brazilian fleet management business; and

increased margins from our construction services business due to higher project activity in Australia; partially offset by

the loss of contribution from the dispositions of BGIS and BGRS in the second quarter of 2019.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    72

Infrastructure Services

Within our infrastructure services operations, we generated $314 million of FFO, compared to $195 million in the prior year, 
primarily due to:

• 

• 

full year of contributions from Westinghouse; and 

increased ownership interest in Teekay Offshore, which took place during the third quarter of the previous year; partially 
offset by

• 

higher interest expense and the absence of a one-time customer settlement received during the prior year.

Industrials

FFO from our industrials portfolio decreased by $77 million to $393 million. Excluding disposition gains that are reclassified out 
of our operating results, FFO decreased by $37 million. The decrease is due to:

• 

• 

lower volumes from GrafTech;

the absence of contributions from an Australian oil and natural gas business sold during the fourth quarter of the prior year; 
partially offset by

• 

contributions from the acquisition of Clarios.

Corporate

The Corporate FFO deficit decreased by $26 million as interest earned on deposits and a current tax recovery recognized during 
the year were partially offset by increased management fees due to higher capitalization.

Performance Fees

BBU pays performance fees quarterly based on the volume-weighted average increase in BBU’s unit price above the previous 
threshold on which fees were paid. During the year, BBU did not pay a performance fee, compared to $278 million in the prior 
year, which was recorded as income in our Asset Management segment.

ii.  Other Investments

FFO from other investments decreased by $220 million to $57 million primarily as a result of losses at a manufacturer of automotive 
parts and a decrease in average OSB pricing at Norbord compared to the prior year. This decrease was partially offset by higher 
income from the direct investment in our service provider to the offshore oil production industry and distributions we received 
from Vistra.

iii.  Realized Disposition Gains

Realized disposition gains were $293 million in the year, compared to $295 million in the prior year. During the current year, we 
sold BGRS, BGIS, several industrial assets at our wastewater and industrial water treatment business in Brazil, our controlling 
interest in a palladium mining operations and a partial interest in GrafTech.

In the prior year, we recognized disposition gains relating to the sale of our Australian energy operations, the sale of a joint venture 
interest in a real estate brokerage services business and the partial sell down of our graphite electrode manufacturing business 
through a series of public offerings and a share buyback.

Common Equity 

Common equity in our Private Equity segment was $4.1 billion as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – $4.3 billion). The decrease is 
primarily attributable to a partial sale of our interest in Vistra, distributions to unit holders and depreciation expense. These decreases 
were partially offset by contributions from operating performance and an equity offering by BBU in the second quarter of the 
year. The assets held in these operations are recorded at amortized cost, with depreciation recorded on a quarterly basis, with 
the exception of investments in financial assets, which are carried at fair value based predominantly on quoted prices.

73    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Business Overview

•  Our residential development businesses operate predominantly in North America and Brazil.

•  Our North American business is conducted through Brookfield Residential Properties Inc., is active in 12 principal markets 

in Canada and the U.S. and controls over 87,000 lots. 

•  Our Brazilian business includes construction, sales and marketing of a broad range of residential and commercial office units, 

with a primary focus on middle income residential units in Brazil’s largest markets of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Outlook and Growth Initiatives

In our North American residential business, we are actively working on closing our backlog of $603 million while growing our 
mixed-use development business and evaluating other built forms to keep us in step with the changing preferences and requirements 
of our consumer base. Our operations saw a reasonable 2019 year, but performance was varied market by market.  

Residential real estate development in Brazil remains challenging following years of industry over development. However, the 
combination of the lowest level of the Selic rate, competition among banks in mortgage lending and rising consumer confidence 
should lead to recovery in the housing market. We remain focused on developing high margin projects in select key markets and 
excelling in all operational areas.

Summary of Operating Results

The following table disaggregates segment revenues, FFO and common equity into the amounts attributable to the two principal 
operating regions of our wholly owned residential development businesses:

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

North America ......................................................... $

Brazil and other........................................................

2019

1,987

469

$

2,456

2018

2,213

470

2,683

$

$

$

$

Revenues

FFO

2019

146

(21)

125

$

$

Common Equity

2018

161

(112)

49

$

$

2019

2,083

776

2,859

$

$

2018

1,758

848

2,606

North America

FFO from our North American operations of $146 million was $15 million lower than the prior year.

Housing operations contributed less FFO than the prior year as:

•  U.S. housing operations margin decreased primarily due to fewer home closings and a 1% decrease in gross margin; and

•  Canadian housing operations margin decreased due to fewer home closings and a 4% decrease in the housing gross margin 

percentage.

FFO from our land development operations decreased due to fewer single family, multifamily and commercial lot sales, offset by 
additional raw and partially finished acre closings. Land gross margin decreased by 4% due to the mix of land sold. These decreases 
were  partially  offset  by  incremental  contributions  from  cost  savings,  a  decrease  to  share-based  compensation  costs,  FFO 
contribution from our joint ventures and lower current tax expense.

As at December 31, 2019, we had 93 active housing communities (2018 – 88) and 28 active land communities (2018 – 30). 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    74

Brazil and Other

FFO from our Brazilian operations improved by $91 million to a loss of $21 million in the current year due to:

• 

• 

• 

higher margins on projects delivered during the year; 

a one-time gain on reversal of a previously accrued tax charge; partially offset by

an increase to selling expenses from the higher number of projects delivered during the year when compared to last year.

Our focus over the past few years has been delivering projects and selling remaining inventory of units associated with projects 
launched prior to the economic downturn. During 2019, we completed and delivered 10 projects, compared to six projects in the 
prior year. We continued to sell down inventory from our legacy projects this year, and overall contributions from these sales were 
below the level required to cover fixed costs, including marketing expenses. 

We began 2019 with 22 projects under construction and as of December 31, 2019, we have 23 projects under construction, of 
which 21 relate to new projects launched since late 2016 which command higher margins than older projects.

Common Equity

Common  equity  was  $2.9  billion  at  December 31,  2019  (2018  –  $2.6  billion)  and  consists  largely  of  residential  
development inventory which is carried at historical cost, or the lower of cost and market, notwithstanding the length of time that 
we may have held these assets and created value through the development process. The increase in equity is primarily attributable 
to contributions from operations, partially offset by the weakening of the Brazilian real compared to the U.S. dollar.

75    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Business Overview

•  Our corporate activities provide support to the overall business, including both our asset management franchise and our 
invested capital. These activities include the development, and seeding, of new fund strategies, supporting the growth in 
our listed partnerships, and providing liquidity to the organization, when needed. In addition, we will make direct investments 
on an opportunistic basis.

•  We also hold cash and financial assets as part of our liquidity management operations and enter into financial contracts to 

manage residual foreign exchange and other risks, as appropriate.

Summary of Operating Results 

The following table disaggregates segment revenues, FFO and common equity into the principal assets and liabilities within our 
corporate operations and associated FFO to facilitate analysis:

Revenues

FFO

Common Equity

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

Corporate cash and financial assets, net................... $

112

$

Corporate borrowings...............................................
Preferred equity1.......................................................
Other corporate investments ....................................

Corporate costs and taxes/net working capital.........

—

—

347

—

17

—

—

171

—

$

123

$

11

$

2,181

$

(348)

—

1

(135)

(323)

—

(1)

(163)

(7,083)

(4,145)

680

470

2018

2,275

(6,409)

(4,168)

43

1,081

$

459

$

188

$

(359) $

(476) $

(7,897) $

(7,178)

1.  FFO excludes preferred share distributions of $152 million (2018 – $151 million).

Our portfolio of corporate cash and financial assets is generally recorded at fair value with changes recognized through net income, 
unless  the  underlying  financial  investments  are  classified  as  fair  value  through  other  comprehensive  income,  in  which  case 
changes in value are recognized in other comprehensive income. Loans and receivables are typically carried at amortized cost. 
As at December 31, 2019, our portfolio of corporate cash and financial assets includes $789 million of cash and cash equivalents 
(2018 – $1.3 billion), which decreased primarily due to the cash outlay on the investment in Oaktree in the third quarter of the 
year and the repayment of $450 million (C$600 million) of corporate debt, partially offset by $1.0 billion of corporate debt issued 
during the first quarter of 2019.

Our corporate cash and financial assets generated FFO of $123 million in 2019, which was $112 million higher than the prior 
year, primarily due to mark-to-market gains and distributions received within our financial assets portfolio for the year, and income 
earned on the settlement of certain derivative transactions, particularly our cross currency swaps. 

Corporate borrowings are generally issued with fixed interest rates. Many of these borrowings are denominated in Canadian dollars 
and therefore the carrying value fluctuates with changes in the exchange rate. A number of these borrowings have been designated 
as hedges of our Canadian dollar net investments within our other segments, resulting in the majority of the currency revaluation 
being recognized in other comprehensive income. The $348 million FFO expense reported through corporate borrowings reflects 
the interest expense on those borrowings. This increased from the prior year primarily as a result of the aforementioned net increase 
in our borrowings.

Preferred equity does not revalue under IFRS. In 2019, we purchased approximately one million preferred shares across different 
series through the normal-course issuer bid program, resulting in a $23 million decrease.

We describe cash and financial assets, corporate borrowings and preferred equity in more detail within Part 4 – Capitalization 
and Liquidity.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    76

Other corporate investments historically included our insurance and pension businesses. The current year increase relates to our 
investment  in  Oaktree,  as  the  portion  of  the  business  related  to  non-asset  management  activities  has  been  classified  in  the 
Corporate segment. 

Net working capital includes accounts receivable, accounts payable, other assets and other liabilities, and was in an asset position 
of $470 million as at December 31, 2019, a decrease from the prior year balance of $1.1 billion. Included within this balance are 
net  deferred  income  tax  assets  of  $2.2 billion  (2018  –  $1.9 billion).  The  increase  relates  to  the  recognition  of  previously 
unrecognized net operating losses. The FFO deficit also includes corporate costs and cash taxes which decreased compared to the 
prior year due to a release of a previously recorded tax reserve in the third quarter of the current year.

The common equity deficit in our Corporate segment of $7.9 billion at December 31, 2019 is higher than the prior year deficit of 
$7.2 billion primarily due to cash paid on acquiring the asset management business of Oaktree and higher corporate borrowings. 
This was partially offset by gains in our investments portfolio, cash repatriated from the redemption of BPY’s preferred shares 
that were issued to us on the formation of the listed partnership, as well as the impact of the proceeds that we received for syndicating 
an investment to third parties that we were warehousing on behalf of our long-life core infrastructure fund.

77    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

PART 4 – CAPITALIZATION AND LIQUIDITY

CAPITALIZATION

We review key components of our capitalization in the following sections. In several instances we have disaggregated the balances 
into the amounts attributable to our operating segments in order to facilitate discussion and analysis. 

Corporate Capitalization1 – reflects the amount of debt held in the Corporate segment and our issued and outstanding common 
and  preferred  shares.  Corporate  debt  includes  unsecured  bonds  and,  from  time  to  time,  draws  on  revolving  credit  facilities. 
At December 31, 2019, our corporate capitalization was $47.1 billion (2018 – $38.7 billion) with a debt to capitalization of 15% 
(2018 – 17%). 

Consolidated Capitalization1 – reflects the full capitalization of wholly owned and partially owned entities that we consolidate in 
our financial statements. At December 31, 2019, consolidated capitalization increased compared to the prior year largely due to 
acquisitions, which resulted in additional associated borrowings, working capital balances and non-controlling interests. Much of 
the borrowings issued within our managed entities are included in our consolidated balance sheet not withstanding that virtually 
none of this debt has any recourse to the Corporation.

Our Share of Capitalization1 – reflects our proportionate exposure of debt and equity balances in consolidated entities and our 
share of the debt and equity in our equity accounted investments. 

The following table presents our capitalization on a consolidated, corporate and our share basis:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Corporate borrowings....................................

Non-recourse borrowings

Subsidiary borrowings ................................

Property-specific borrowings......................

i

i

i

Accounts payable and other...........................

Deferred income tax liabilities ......................

Subsidiary equity obligations ........................
Liabilities associated with assets classified

as held for sale ...........................................

Equity

Non-controlling interests ...........................

Preferred equity .........................................

Common equity .........................................

ii

iii

Corporate

Consolidated

Our Share

Ref.

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

$

7,083

$

6,409

$

7,083

$

6,409

$

7,083

$

2018

6,409

5,174

35,943

47,526

10,297

4,425

1,658

—

—

7,083

4,708

279

—

—

—

4,145

30,868

35,013

—

—

6,409

2,299

197

—

—

—

4,168

25,647

29,815

8,423

127,869

143,375

43,077

14,849

4,132

8,600

103,209

118,218

23,989

12,236

3,876

5,382

44,436

56,901

13,617

4,541

1,896

1,690

812

212

262

81,833

4,145

30,868

116,846

67,335

4,168

25,647

97,150

—

4,145

30,868

35,013

—

4,168

25,647

29,815

Total capitalization ........................................

$

47,083

$

38,720

$ 323,969

$ 256,281

$ 112,180

$

93,983

Debt to capitalization.....................................

15%

17%

44%

46%

51%

51%

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    78

i.  Borrowings

Corporate Borrowings

AS AT DEC. 31
($ MILLIONS)
Term debt....................................................................

Revolving facilities.....................................................

Deferred financing costs.............................................

Total............................................................................

Average Rate

Average Term (Years)

Consolidated

2019

4.6%

—%

n/a

2018

4.5%

—%

n/a

2019

2018

2019

10

4

n/a

10

4

n/a

$

7,128

$

—

(45)

2018

6,450

—

(41)

$

7,083

$

6,409

As at December 31, 2019, corporate borrowings included term debt of $7.1 billion (2018 – $6.5 billion) which had an average 
term to maturity of 10 years (2018 – 10 years). Term debt consists of public and private bonds, all of which are fixed rate and 
have maturities ranging from March 2021 until 2047. These financings provide an important source of long-term capital and are 
appropriately matched to our long-term asset profile.

The increase in term debt compared to the prior year is due to the issuance of $1.0 billion of 4.85% notes with maturity of 2029, 
as well as $120 million of foreign currency appreciation, partially offset by the repayment of $450 million (C$600 million) of 
term debt on April 9, 2019.

Subsequent to December 31, 2019, we issued $600 million of 3.45% notes with a 2050 maturity, and redeemed $269 million
(C$350 million) of 5.30% notes due on March 1, 2021.

We had no commercial paper or bank borrowings outstanding at December 31, 2019 (2018 – $nil). Our commercial paper program 
is  supplemented  by  our  $2.6 billion  revolving  term  credit  facilities  with  maturities ranging  from  2022  to  2024.  As  at 
December 31, 2019, $66 million of the facilities were utilized for letters of credit (2018 – $68 million). 

Subsidiary Borrowings

We  endeavor  to  capitalize  our  principal  subsidiaries  to  enable  continuous  access  to  the  debt  capital  markets,  usually  on  an 
investment-grade basis, thereby reducing the demand for capital from the Corporation.

Average Rate

Average Term (Years)

Consolidated

AS AT DEC. 31
($ MILLIONS)
Real estate...................................................................

Renewable power .......................................................

Infrastructure ..............................................................

Private equity..............................................................
Residential development1 ...........................................
Total............................................................................

2019

3.9%

4.0%

3.4%

—%

6.2%

4.2%

2018

2019

2018

2019

4.4%

4.0%

3.6%

3.9%

6.2%

4.5%

4

9

6

—

5

6

2

5

5

1

4

4

$

2,024

$

2,098

2,470

—

1,831

$

8,423

$

2018

2,504

2,328

1,993

52

1,723

8,600

1.  Subsequent to year end, Residential development refinanced their $500 million 6.13% notes due 2022 with newly issued $500 million 10-year notes due 2030 with a 

coupon of 4.88%. With this refinance, Residential development’s average rate decreased to 5.8% and the average term increased to 7 years.

Subsidiary borrowings include listed partnership’s recourse term debt and credit facility draws. It generally has no recourse to the 
Corporation but are recourse to its principal subsidiaries (primarily BPY, BEP, BIP and BBU).

79    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Property-Specific Borrowings

As  part of our financing strategy, the majority of our debt capital is in the form of  property-specific borrowings  and project 
financings and is denominated in local currencies that have recourse only to the assets being financed and have no recourse to 
the Corporation or the listed partnerships.

Average Rate

Average Term (Years)

Consolidated

AS AT DEC. 31
($ MILLIONS)
Real estate...................................................................

Renewable power .......................................................

Infrastructure ..............................................................

Private equity and other..............................................

Residential development ............................................

Total............................................................................

2019

4.4%

5.0%

4.7%

5.4%

5.4%

4.7%

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

4.7%

5.4%

5.2%

6.2%

8.0%

5.0%

4

9

7

6

3

6

4

10

6

6

2

6

$

67,909

$

63,494

15,787

20,776

23,105

292

14,233

14,334

10,820

328

$ 127,869

$ 103,209

Property-specific  borrowings  have  increased  by  $24.7  billion  since  December 31,  2018.  The  additional  borrowings  in  our 
private equity operations are primarily related to the acquisition of the global automotive battery business and the Australian 
private  healthcare provider. The additional borrowings in our infrastructure operations are primarily related to the acquisition of 
the  natural  gas  pipeline  business  in  India  and  additional  borrowings at  our  South American  toll  road  business.  In  addition 
to acquisitions, the remainder of the increase in consolidated borrowings is driven by drawings on new or existing subscription 
facilities. These increases were partially offset by asset sales across the business.

Fixed and Floating Interest Rate Exposure

Many of our borrowings, including all corporate borrowings recourse to the Corporation, are fixed rate, long-term financings. The 
remainder of our borrowings are at floating rates; however, from time to time, we enter into interest rate contracts to swap our 
floating rate debt to fixed rates.

As at December 31, 2019, 70% of our share of debt outstanding, reflecting swaps, was fixed rate. Accordingly, changes in interest 
rates are typically limited to the impact of refinancing borrowings at prevailing market rates or changes in the level of debt as a 
result of acquisitions and dispositions.

The following table presents the fixed and floating rates of interest expense:

Fixed Rate

Floating Rate

2019

2018

2019

2018

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Average Rate

Consolidated

Average Rate

Consolidated

Average Rate

Consolidated

Average Rate

Consolidated

Corporate borrowings .............

4.6% $

Subsidiary borrowings ............

Property-specific borrowings..

4.6%

5.2%

7,083

6,152

49,614

4.5% $

6,409

—% $

—

—% $

—

4.8%

4.9%

5,296

39,318

3.4%

4.4%

2,271

78,255

4.0%

5.1%

3,304

63,891

Total ........................................

5.0% $ 62,849

4.9% $ 51,023

4.4% $ 80,526

5.0% $ 67,195

ii.  Preferred Equity

Preferred  equity  is  comprised  of  perpetual  preferred  shares  and  represents  permanent  non-participating  equity  that  provides 
leverage to our common equity. The shares are categorized by their principal characteristics in the following table:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Fixed rate-reset ....................................................................................... Perpetual
Fixed rate................................................................................................ Perpetual
Floating rate............................................................................................ Perpetual
Total........................................................................................................

Term

Average Rate

2019
4.3%
4.8%
2.9%
4.2%

2018
4.3% $
4.8%
2.9%
4.2% $

2019
2,875
739
531
4,145

$

$

2018
2,893
744
531
4,168

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    80

Fixed rate-reset preferred shares are issued with an initial fixed rate coupon that is reset after an initial period, typically five years, 
at a predetermined spread over the Canadian five-year government bond yield. The average reset spread as at December 31, 2019
was 284 basis points.

During 2019, we repurchased 231,608 and 775,111 of our perpetual fixed rate and fixed rate-reset preferred shares, respectively, 
with a face value of $23 million.

iii.  Common Equity

Issued and Outstanding Shares

Changes in the number of issued and outstanding common shares during the years are as follows:

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Outstanding at beginning of year ......................................................................................................................

2019

955.1

Issued (repurchased)

Issuances .........................................................................................................................................................

Repurchases ....................................................................................................................................................
Long-term share ownership plans1 .................................................................................................................
Dividend reinvestment plan and others ..........................................................................................................

52.8

(7.2)

5.4

0.1

Outstanding at end of year.................................................................................................................................
Unexercised options and other share-based plans1............................................................................................
Total diluted shares at end of year .....................................................................................................................

1,006.2

46.7

1,052.9

1. 

Includes management share option plan and restricted stock plan.

2018

958.8

—

(9.6)

5.7

0.2

955.1

42.1

997.2

The company holds 42.3 million Class A shares (2018 – 37.5 million) purchased by consolidated entities in respect of long-term 
share ownership programs, which have been deducted from the total amount of shares outstanding at the date acquired. Diluted 
shares outstanding include 12.2 million (2018 – 3.9 million) shares issuable in respect of these plans based on the market value 
of the Class A shares at December 31, 2019 and 2018, resulting in a net reduction of 30.1 million (2018 – 33.6 million) diluted 
shares outstanding.

During 2019, 52.8 million Class A shares were issued in connection with the acquisition of an approximate 61% interest in Oaktree. 
In addition, 8.6 million options were exercised, of which 3.8 million and 0.3 million were issued on a net-settled and gross basis, 
respectively, resulting in the cancellation of 4.5 million vested options.

The cash value of unexercised options was $1.2 billion as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – $1.1 billion) based on the proceeds that 
would be paid on exercise of the options.

As of March 25, 2020, the Corporation had outstanding 1,009,355,628 Class A shares and 85,120 Class B shares. Refer to Note 21 
of the consolidated financial statements for additional information on equity.

LIQUIDITY

Corporate Liquidity

We maintain significant liquidity at the corporate level. Our primary sources of liquidity, which we refer to as core liquidity, 
consist of:

•  Cash and financial assets, net of deposits and other associated liabilities; and

•  Undrawn committed credit facilities.

We further assess overall liquidity inclusive of our principal subsidiaries BPY, BEP, BIP and BBU because of their role in funding 
acquisitions both directly and through our managed funds. Overall core liquidity at year end was $13.4 billion, or inclusive of 
investor commitments to our private funds, was $64.1 billion at the end of the year, as we continue to pursue a number of attractive 
investment opportunities.

81    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Capital Requirements 

The Corporation has very few non-discretionary capital requirements. Our largest normal course capital requirement is our debt 
maturities. Periodically, we will also fund acquisitions and seed new investment strategies. 

At the listed partnership level, the largest normal course capital requirements are debt maturities and the pro-rata share of private 
fund capital calls. New acquisitions are primarily funded through the private funds or listed partnerships that we manage. We 
endeavor to structure these entities so that they are predominantly self-funding, preferably on an investment-grade basis, and in 
almost all circumstances do not rely on financial support from the Corporation. 

In the case of private funds, the necessary equity capital is obtained by calling on commitments made by the limited partners in 
each  fund,  which  include  commitments  made  by  our  listed  partnerships.  In  the  case  of  our  real  estate,  infrastructure  and 
private equity  funds,  these  commitments  are  expected  to  be  funded  by  BPY,  BEP,  BIP  and  BBU.  On  January  31,  2019,  the 
Corporation  committed  $2.75  billion  to  our  third  flagship  real  estate  fund  alongside  BPY’s  $1  billion  commitment. As  of 
December 31, 2019, the Corporation has funded $866 million of our $2.75 billion commitment. In the case of listed partnerships, 
capital requirements are funded through their own resources and access to capital markets, which may be supported by us from 
time to time through participation in equity offerings or bridge financings. 

At the asset level, we schedule ongoing capital expenditure programs to maintain the operating capacity of our assets at existing 
levels. We refer to this as sustaining capital expenditures. The sustaining capital expenditure program are typically funded by, and 
represent a relatively small proportion of, the operating cash flows within each business. The timing of these expenditures is 
discretionary; however, we believe it is important to maintain the productivity of our assets in order to optimize cash flows and 
value accretion.

Core and Total Liquidity

The following table presents core liquidity of the Corporation and operating segments:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

 Corporate

Real
Estate

Renewable
Power

Infrastructure

 Private
Equity

Oaktree

Total
2019

Total
2018

Cash and financial assets, net ........ $

2,181

$

40

$

238

$

273

$

274

$

569

$

3,575

$

3,752

Undrawn committed credit

facilities.....................................
Core liquidity1..............................
Uncalled private fund

commitments.............................
Total liquidity1.............................. $

2,524

4,705

2,523

2,563

—

13,113

1,585

1,823

3,264

1,101

1,374

1,575

1,849

500

1,069

9,808

13,383

7,061

10,813

10,855

7,597

15,906

50,735

23,575

4,705

$

15,676

$

5,087

$

12,229

$

9,446

$

16,975

$

64,118

$

34,388

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

As at December 31, 2019, the Corporation’s core liquidity was $4.7 billion, consisting of $2.2 billion in cash and financial assets, 
net of deposits and other liabilities and $2.5 billion in undrawn credit facilities. The Corporation’s liquidity is readily available 
for use without any material tax consequences. We utilize this liquidity to support our asset management business which includes 
supporting the activities of our listed partnerships and private funds, as well as seeding new investment products.

The  Corporation  also  has  the  ability  to  raise  additional  liquidity  through  the  issuance  of  securities  and  sale  of  holdings  of 
listed investments in our principal subsidiaries and other holdings including from those listed on page 84. However, this is not 
included in our core liquidity as we are generally able to finance our operations and capital requirements through other means. 

The  Corporation  generates  significant  cash  available  for  distribution  and/or  reinvestment.  Our  primary  sources  of  recurring 
cash flows include:

• 

Fee-related earnings from our asset management activities and proceeds in the form of realized carried interest from asset 
sales within private funds.

•  Distributions from invested capital, in particular our listed partnerships. 

•  Other invested capital earnings: comprised of our wholly owned investments offset by corporate interest expense, corporate 

costs and taxes and dividends paid on preferred shares.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    82

During 2019, we generated $2.6 billion of cash available for distribution and/or reinvestment, inclusive of:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

$1.2 billion fee-related earnings;

$386 million realized carried interest, net; 

$42 million of distributable earnings from our investment in Oaktree; and

$1.6 billion of distributions from our listed partnerships and other investments; partially offset by

other invested capital earnings, including preferred share dividends paid, which resulted in expenses of $584 million.

The Corporation paid $620 million in cash dividends on its common equity during the year ended December 31, 2019.

Earnings and distributions received by the Corporation are available for distribution and/or reinvestment and are as follows:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
1) Asset management FFO

2019

2018

Fee revenues .................................................................................................................................................. $

1,817

$

1,693

Direct costs ....................................................................................................................................................
Fee-related earnings1 .....................................................................................................................................
Realized carried interest, net1 ........................................................................................................................

(648)

1,169

386

1,555

(564)

1,129

188

1,317

Our share of Oaktree’s distributable earnings ...............................................................................................

42

—

2) Distributions from investments

Listed partnerships.........................................................................................................................................

1,359

Corporate cash and financial assets...............................................................................................................

Other investments..........................................................................................................................................

3) Other invested capital earnings

Corporate borrowings....................................................................................................................................

Corporate costs and taxes ..............................................................................................................................

Other wholly owned investments ..................................................................................................................

Preferred share dividends ..............................................................................................................................

Add back: equity-based compensation costs.................................................................................................

132

107

1,598

(348)

(135)

(36)

(519)

(152)

87

1,339

156

203

1,698

(323)

(163)

41

(445)

(151)

84

Cash available for distribution and/or reinvestment.......................................................................................... $

2,611

$

2,503

1.  Excludes $32 million and $10 million of fee-related earnings and realized carried interest, net from Oaktree, respectively.

83    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

$

695

409

266

24

1,394

235

21

67

88

699

390

247

23

1,359

132

37

70

107

The following table shows the quoted market value of the company’s listed securities and annual cash distributions based on 
current distribution policies for each entity:

Ownership
%

Brookfield
Owned Units 

Distributions 
Per Unit1 

Quoted 
Value2

Current 
Distributions 
(Current Rate)3

YTD
Distributions
(Actual)

AS AT AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER UNIT AMOUNTS)

Distributions from investments

Listed partnerships

Brookfield Property Partners4 .........
Brookfield Renewable Partners.......

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners...

Brookfield Business Partners ..........

Corporate cash and financial assets5 ..
Other investments

55%

61%

30%

63%

522.3

$

188.4

123.8

94.5

1.33

2.17

2.15

0.25

$

9,564

$

8,784

6,189

3,901

various

various

various

2,181

Norbord ...........................................
Other6 ..............................................

43%

various

34.8

various

0.60

930

various

various

Total ....................................................................................................................................................... $

1,717

$

1,598

1.  Based on current distribution policies.
2.  Quoted value represents the value of Brookfield owned units as at market close on December 31, 2019.
3.  Distributions (current rate) are calculated by multiplying units held as at December 31, 2019 by distributions per unit. Actual dividends may differ due to timing of dividend 

increases and payment of special dividends, which are not factored into the current rate calculation. See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

4.  BPY’s quoted value includes $16 million of preferred shares. Fully diluted ownership is 51%, assuming conversion of convertible preferred shares held by a third party. 

For the year ended December 31, 2019, BPY’s distributions include $11 million of preferred share dividends received by the Corporation (2018 – $64 million)
Includes cash and cash equivalents and financial assets net of deposits.

5. 
6.  Other includes cash distributions from Acadian prior to the sale in the third quarter of 2019, our 27.5% interest in a BAM-sponsored real estate venture in New York and 

a listed investment in our Private Equity segment.

REVIEW OF CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

The following table summarizes the consolidated statements of cash flows within our consolidated financial statements:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Operating activities............................................................................................................................................ $

2019

6,328

$

Financing activities............................................................................................................................................

28,746

2018

5,159

18,136

Investing activities.............................................................................................................................................

(36,674)

(19,833)

Change in cash and cash equivalents................................................................................................................. $

(1,600) $

3,462

This statement reflects activities within our consolidated operations and therefore excludes activities within non-consolidated 
entities.

Operating Activities

Cash flows from operating activities totaled $6.3 billion in 2019, a $1.2 billion increase from 2018. Operating cash flows prior to 
non-cash working capital and residential inventory were $7.6 billion this year, $1.4 billion higher than the prior year due to the 
benefits of same-store growth from our existing operations and the contributions from assets acquired during the year, partially 
offset by the negative impact of foreign currency translation.

Financing Activities

The company had a net cash inflow of $28.7 billion from financing activities during 2019, compared to $18.1 billion in 2018. Our 
subsidiaries issued $64.6 billion (2018 – $43.5 billion) and repaid $42.2 billion (2018 – $28.2 billion) of non-recourse borrowings, 
for a net issuance of $22.4 billion (2018 – $15.3 billion) during the year. We raised $19.4 billion of capital from our institutional 
private fund partners and other investors to fund their portion of acquisitions, repaid $926 million of short-term borrowings backed 
by private fund commitments and returned $11.4 billion to our investors in the form of either distributions or returns of capital. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    84

Investing Activities

During 2019, we invested $57.4 billion and generated proceeds of $20.3 billion from dispositions for net cash deployed in investing 
activities of $37.1 billion. This compares to net cash deployed of $19.9 billion in 2018. We paid cash of $31.1 billion to acquire 
consolidated  subsidiaries,  primarily  within  our  private  equity  and  infrastructure  operations,  as  well  as  $5.5  billion  of  equity 
accounted investments during the year driven by our 61% acquisition of Oaktree in the third quarter. Refer to our Acquisitions of 
Consolidated Entities in Note 5 and Equity Accounted Investments in Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements for further 
details. We continued to acquire and sell financial assets, which represent a net inflow of $373 million, relating to investments in 
debt and equity securities as well as contract assets associated with managing currency risk.

Sustaining  capital  expenditures  in  the  company’s  renewable  power  operations  were  $160  million  (2018  –  $181  million),  in 
its real estate operations were $767 million (2018 – $434 million), in its infrastructure operations were $180 million (2018 – 
$110 million) and in its private equity operations were $482 million (2018 – $211 million). 

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS

The following table presents the contractual obligations of the company by payment periods:

AS AT DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)

Recourse Obligations

Payments Due by Period

Less than 1
Year

1 – 3 
Years

4 – 5
Years 

After 5
Years 

1,597

$

5,217

$

1,695

Total 

7,083

4,708

Corporate borrowings ............................................ $
Accounts payable and other2..................................
Interest expense3

— $

2,662

269 1 $
347

Corporate borrowings..........................................

327

629

Non-recourse Obligations

Principal repayments

Non-recourse borrowings of managed entities

Property-specific borrowings ...........................

15,546

Subsidiary borrowings......................................

Subsidiary equity obligations ..............................

Accounts payable and other

Lease obligations.................................................
Accounts payable and other2 ...............................
Commitments.........................................................
Interest expense3,4

Non-recourse borrowings....................................

Subsidiary equity obligations ..............................

17

188

766

19,897

1,906

5,210

151

26,727

1,669

1,677

1,171

3,615

1,407

8,524

261

1.  Redeemed subsequent to year end and replaced with the issuance of $600 million 30-year notes due 2050.
2.  Excludes lease obligations and provisions.
3.  Represents the aggregate interest expense expected to be paid over the term of the obligations.
4.  Variable interest rate payments have been calculated based on current rates.

4

551

31,071

3,531

745

992

2,251

264

6,641

212

1,714

3,221

54,525

3,206

1,522

11,064

3,008

499

7,749

107

127,869

8,423

4,132

13,993

28,771

4,076

28,124

731

The  recourse  obligations,  those  amounts  that  have  recourse  to  the  Corporation,  which  are  due  in  less  than  one  year  totaled 
$3.0 billion (2018 – $1.8 billion). 

85    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

The Corporation entered into arrangements in 2014 with respect to $1.8 billion of exchangeable preferred equity units issued by 
BPY, which are redeemable in equal tranches of $600 million in 2021, 2024 and 2026, respectively. The preferred equity units 
are exchangeable into equity units of BPY at $25.70 per unit, at the option of the holder, at any time up to and including the 
maturity date. BPY may redeem the preferred equity units after specified periods if the BPY equity unit price exceeds predetermined 
amounts. At maturity, the preferred equity units will be converted into BPY equity units at the lower of $25.70 or the then market 
price of a BPY equity unit. In order to provide the purchaser with enhanced liquidity, the Corporation has agreed to purchase the 
preferred equity units for cash at the option of the holder, for the initial purchase price plus accrued and unpaid dividends. In order 
to decrease dilution risk to BPY, the Corporation has agreed with the holder and BPY that if the price of a BPY equity unit is less 
than 80% of the exchange price of $25.70 at the redemption date of the 2021 and 2024 tranches, the Corporation will acquire the 
preferred equity units subject to redemption, at the redemption price, and to exchange these preferred equity units for preferred 
equity units with similar terms and conditions, including redemption date, as the 2026 tranche. Accordingly, commitments in 2019
include $178 million, which represents the carrying value of the exchange option at the time of issuance in respect of BPY’s 
subsidiary preferred units, and the remaining $1.6 billion was recorded within subsidiary equity obligations.

Commitments of $4.1 billion (2018 – $3.1 billion) represent various contractual obligations assumed in the normal course of 
business by our various operating subsidiaries. These included commitments to provide bridge financing and letters of credit and 
guarantees provided in respect of power sales contracts and reinsurance obligations. These commitments shall be funded through 
the cash flows of the company’s subsidiaries.

The company and its consolidated subsidiaries execute agreements that provide for indemnifications and guarantees to third parties 
in transactions or dealings such as business dispositions, business acquisitions, sales of assets, provision of services, securitization 
agreements and underwriting and agency agreements. The company has also agreed to indemnify its directors and certain of its 
officers and employees. The nature of substantially all of the indemnification undertakings prevents the company from making a 
reasonable estimate of the maximum potential amount the company could be required to pay third parties, as in most cases the 
agreements do not specify a maximum amount, and the amounts are dependent upon the outcome of future contingent events, 
the nature and likelihood of which cannot be determined at this time. Neither the company nor its consolidated subsidiaries have 
made significant payments in the past, nor do they expect at this time to make any significant payments under such indemnification 
agreements in the future. 

The company periodically enters into joint venture, consortium or other arrangements that have contingent liquidity rights in favor 
of the company or its counterparties. These include buy sell arrangements, registration rights and other customary arrangements. 
These agreements generally have embedded protective terms that mitigate the risk to us. The amount, timing and likelihood of 
any  payments  by  the  company  under  these  arrangements  is,  in  most  cases,  dependent  on  either  future  contingent  events  or 
circumstances applicable to the counterparty and therefore cannot be determined at this time. 

We have also committed to purchase power produced by certain of BEP’s hydroelectric assets as previously described on page 62. 

EXPOSURES TO SELECTED FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 

As discussed elsewhere in this MD&A, we utilize various financial instruments in our business to manage risk and make better 
use of our capital. The fair values of these instruments that are reflected on our balance sheets are disclosed in Note 6 to our 
consolidated financial statements.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    86

PART 5 – ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND INTERNAL CONTROLS

ACCOUNTING POLICIES, ESTIMATES AND JUDGMENTS

Overview

We are a Canadian corporation and, as such, we prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS. 

We present our consolidated balance sheets on a non-classified basis, meaning that we do not distinguish between current and 
long-term assets or liabilities. We believe this classification is appropriate given the nature of our business strategy.

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires management to select appropriate accounting policies and to 
make judgments and estimates that affect the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and 
liabilities  at  the  date  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the 
reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates.

In  making  judgments  and  estimates,  management  relies  on  external  information  and  observable  conditions,  where  possible, 
supplemented by internal analysis, as required. These estimates have been applied in a manner consistent with the prior year and 
there  are  no  known  trends,  commitments,  events  or  uncertainties  that  we  believe  will  materially  affect  the  methodology  or 
assumptions utilized in this report. As we update the fair values of our investment property portfolios quarterly, with gains reflected 
in net income, we discuss judgments and estimates relating to the key valuation metrics below.

For further reference on accounting policies, including new and revised standards issued by the IASB and judgments and estimates, 
see our significant accounting policies contained in Note 2 of the December 31, 2019 consolidated financial statements.

Adoption of New Accounting Standards

We adopted IFRS 16 Leases (“IFRS 16”) effective January 1, 2019.

The adoption of IFRS 16 eliminates the distinction between operating and finance leases and brings onto the balance sheet the 
discounted lease liabilities and corresponding ROU assets. We adopted the standard using a modified retrospective approach, 
whereby any transitional impact is recorded in equity as at January 1, 2019 and comparative periods are not restated. The opening 
adjustment resulted in the capitalization of approximately $4.4 billion of lease liabilities and corresponding ROU assets, with no 
impact on our total equity. IFRS 16 substantially carries forward lessor accounting requirements.

IFRS 16 requires us to exercise significant judgment, including determining whether a contract is, or contains, a lease, determining 
what payments are to be included, including whether or not a lease extension or termination option is likely to be exercised, and 
determining if variable lease payments are in-substance fixed, which would require them to be included in the determination of 
the lease liability. Estimates used in applying the standard include estimating the total lease term of each contract that is in the 
scope of the standard as well as determining the appropriate rate at which to discount the lease payments. 

We also adopted IFRIC 23, published in June 2017, the amendments IFRS 3, issued on October 2019, as well as the amendments 
to IFRS 9 and 7, issued in September 2019. There were no material impacts on the company’s consolidated financial statements 
as a result of these adoptions.

Consolidated Financial Information

IFRS uses a control-based model to determine if consolidation is required. Therefore, we are deemed to control an investment if 
we: (1) exercise power over the investee; (2) are exposed to variable returns from our involvement with the investee; and (3) have 
the ability to use our power to affect the amount of the returns. Due to the ownership structure of many of our subsidiaries, we 
control entities in which we hold only a minority economic interest. Please refer to Part 2 of Management’s Discussion and Analysis 
in the December 31, 2019 Annual Report for additional information.

87    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

i. 

Investment Properties

We classify the majority of the property assets within our Real Estate segment as investment properties. Our valuations are prepared 
at the individual property level by internal investment professionals with the appropriate expertise in the respective industry, 
geography and asset type. These valuations are updated at each balance sheet date with gains or losses recognized in net income. 

The majority of underlying cash flows in the models are comprised of contracted leases, many of which are long term, with our 
core office portfolio having a combined 93% occupancy level and an average 8.5-year lease life, while our core retail portfolio 
has an occupancy rate of 96%. The models also include property-level assumptions for renewal probabilities, future leasing rates 
and capital expenditures. These are reviewed as part of the business planning process and external market data is utilized when 
determining the cash flows associated with lease renewals.

The valuation models must also be updated to reflect the appropriate discount rates and capitalization rates at the asset level. We 
verify our discount and terminal rate inputs by comparing to market data, third-party reports, research material and broker opinions. 
In certain circumstances, these rates are prepared by third-party consultants. For core retail properties, we utilize discount rates 
and capitalization rates provided by an independent third party. When using a direct capitalization method, we use an industry-
supported market capitalization rate and apply that to individual property cash flows on a forward-looking basis up to twelve 
months, a back-looking basis, or a combination of the two to determine investment property values. Additionally, each year we 
sell a number of assets, which also provides support for our valuations, as we typically contract at prices comparable to IFRS values.

Once complete, the valuations are subject to various layers of review at the regional and business group senior management level, 
including an in-depth quantitative and qualitative review by the portfolio manager of the respective asset class. Once approved 
by the investment teams, the respective portfolio managers present the valuations to the real estate group senior management for 
final approval.

We test the outcome of our process by having a number of our properties externally appraised each year, including appraisals for 
core office properties, at least on a three-year rotating basis. We compare the results of the external appraisals to our internally 
prepared values and reconcile significant differences when they arise. During 2019, 203 of our properties were externally appraised, 
representing $55 billion of assets; external appraisals were within 1% of management’s valuations.

The valuations are most sensitive to changes in cash flows, which include assumptions relating to lease renewal probabilities, 
downtime, capital expenditures, future leasing rates and associated leasing costs, discount rates and terminal capitalization rates. 
The key valuation metrics of our real estate assets at the end of 2019 and 2018 are summarized below.

AS AT DEC. 31

Discount rate............................................

Terminal capitalization rate .....................

Investment horizon (years) ......................

Core Office

Core Retail

2019

6.7%

5.5%

11

2018

6.8%

5.7%

11

2019

6.7%

5.4%

10

2018

7.1%

6.0%

12

LP Investments 
and Other

2019

8.1%

6.6%

14

2018

7.5%

6.9%

8

Weighted Average

2019

7.3%

5.9%

12

2018

7.2%

6.1%

10

The determination of fair value requires the use of estimates which have been applied in a manner consistent with that in the 
prior year. There  are  currently  no  known  trends,  events  or  uncertainties  that  we  reasonably  believe  could  have  a  sufficiently 
pervasive  impact  across  our  businesses,  which  are  diversified  by  asset  class,  geography  and  market,  to  materially  affect  the 
methodologies or assumptions used to determine the estimated fair values. Discount rates and capitalization rates are inherently 
uncertain and may be impacted by, among other things, movements in interest rates in the geographies and markets in which the 
assets are located. Changes in estimates across different geographies and markets, such as discount rates and terminal capitalization 
rates, often move independently of one another and not necessarily in the same direction or to the same degree. Furthermore, 
impacts on our estimated values from changes in discount rates, terminal capitalization rates and cash flows are usually inversely 
correlated as the circumstances that typically give rise to increased interest rates (e.g., strong economic growth, inflation) usually 
give rise to increased cash flows at the asset level.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    88

 
The following table presents the impact on the fair value of our consolidated investment properties as at December 31, 2019 from 
a 25-basis point change to the relevant unobservable inputs. For properties valued using the discounted cash flow method, the 
basis point change in valuation metrics relates to a change in discount and terminal capitalization rates. For properties valued using 
the direct capitalization approach, the basis point change in valuation metrics relates to a change in the overall capitalization rate.

AS AT DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)
Core office

Fair Value

Sensitivity

United States.................................................................................................................................................. $

15,748

$

Canada ...........................................................................................................................................................

Australia ........................................................................................................................................................

Europe............................................................................................................................................................

Brazil .............................................................................................................................................................

4,806

2,300

2,867

361

764

223

174

20

13

Core retail.........................................................................................................................................................

21,561

1,112

LP investments and other

LP investments office ....................................................................................................................................

LP investments retail .....................................................................................................................................

Logistics ........................................................................................................................................................

Mixed-use ......................................................................................................................................................

Multifamily....................................................................................................................................................

Triple net lease...............................................................................................................................................

Self-storage....................................................................................................................................................

Student housing .............................................................................................................................................

Manufactured housing ...................................................................................................................................
Other investment properties1 .........................................................................................................................
Total .................................................................................................................................................................. $

8,756

2,812

94

2,703

2,937

4,508

1,007

2,605

2,446

21,175

363

108

3

112

130

160

38

101

107

973

96,686

$

4,401

1. 

Includes  investments  in  office,  mixed-use  and  student  housing  properties  which  are  held  through  our  direct  investment  in  BSREP  III  as  well  as  other  directly  held 
investment properties.

ii.  Revaluation Method for PP&E

Within our Infrastructure and Renewable Power segments, we revalue our PP&E using a discounted cash flow (“DCF”) approach; 
our Real Estate hospitality assets are valued using the depreciated replacement cost method. PP&E within our Private Equity 
segment is recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairment losses. 

Assets subject to the revaluation approach are revalued annually following a bottom-up approach, starting at the operating level 
with local professionals, and involving multiple levels of review, including by senior management. Changes in fair value are 
reported through other comprehensive income as revaluation surplus. Underlying cash flows used in DCF models are subject to 
detailed reviews as part of the business planning, with discount rates and other key variable inputs reviewed for reasonability and 
the models reviewed for mathematical accuracy. Key inputs are frequently compared to third-party reports commissioned by the 
respective entities to assess reasonability. In addition, comparable market transactions are analyzed to consider for benchmarking. 
Additional information about the revaluation methodology and current year results is provided below.

When determining the carrying value of PP&E using the revaluation method, the company uses the following assumptions and 
estimates: the timing of forecasted revenues; future sales prices and associated expenses; future sales volumes; future regulatory 
rates; maintenance and other capital expenditures; discount rates; terminal capitalization rates; terminal valuation dates; useful 
lives; and residual values. Determination of the fair value of PP&E under development includes estimates in respect of the timing 
and cost to complete the development. This process is further discussed in Part 2 of this MD&A.

89    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Renewable Power

Perpetual renewable power assets, such as many of our hydroelectric facilities, are revalued using 20-year discounted cash flow 
models with a terminal value that is determined, where appropriate, using the Gordon growth model. For assets with finite lives, 
such as wind and solar farms, the cash flow model is based on the estimated remaining service life and the residual asset value is 
used to represent the terminal value. Key inputs into the models, which include forward merchant power prices, energy generation 
estimates, operating and capital expenditures, tax rates, terminal capitalization rates and discount rates are assessed on an asset-
by-asset  basis  as  part  of  the  bottom-up  preparation  and  review  process. The  key  inputs  that  affect  cash  flow  projections  are 
outlined below:

• 

• 

• 

To determine estimated future energy pricing, we consider the contract pricing for the proportion of our revenue that is subject 
to power purchase agreements. Long-term pricing is driven by the economics required to support new entrants into the various 
power markets in which we operate. Our long-term view is anchored to the cost of securing new energy from renewable 
sources to meet future demand growth by the years 2026 to 2035 in North America, 2027 in Colombia and 2023 in Europe 
and Brazil. The year of new entry is viewed as the point when generators must build additional capacity to maintain system 
reliability  and  provide  an  adequate  level  of  reserve  generation  with  the  retirement  of  older  coal-fired  plants  and  rising 
environmental compliance costs in North America and Europe, and overall increasing demand in Colombia and Brazil. Once 
the year of new entrant is determined, data from industry sources, as well as inputs from our development teams, is used to 
model the all-in cost of the expected technology mix of new construction, and the resulting market price required to support 
its  development. For  the  North American  and  European  businesses,  we  have  estimated  our  renewable  power  assets  will 
contract at discount to new-build wind prices (the most likely source of new renewable generation in those regions). In Brazil 
and Colombia, the estimate of future electricity prices is based on a similar approach as applied in North America using a 
forecast of the all-in cost of development. For the remaining pricing, referred to as merchant pricing, we use a mix of external 
data and our own estimates to derive the price curves.

Short-term merchant revenue forecasts consist of four years of externally sourced broker quotes in North America, two years 
of gas pricing in Europe and a combination of short-term contracts and local market pricing in South America. Short-term 
pricing is linked by linear extrapolation to long-term power views.

Energy generation forecasts are based on LTA for which we have significant historical data. LTA for hydroelectric facilities 
is based on third-party engineering reports commissioned during asset acquisitions and financing activities. These studies 
are based on statistical models supported by decades of historical river flow data. Similarly, LTA for wind facilities is based 
on third-party wind resource studies completed prior to construction or acquisition. LTA for solar facilities is based on third-
party irradiance level studies at the location of our project sites during construction or acquisition. 

•  Capital expenditure forecasts rely on independent engineering reports commissioned from reputable third-party firms during 

underwriting or financings.

Our discount rates, which are adjusted based on asset level and regional considerations, are compared to those used by third-party 
valuators for reasonability.

Review of our models also includes assessing comparable market transactions and reviewing third-party valuator reports. We 
compare EBITDA multiples and value per megawatt at the asset level to recent market transactions, and on a portfolio basis, 
we compare the valuation multiples to our most comparable competitors in the market and the resulting book value of our equity 
after revaluation to our share price in the market. Specifically, we have noted from reviews of market transactions in the U.S. 
northeast that the multiples paid for the asset indicate that market participants likely share our view on escalating power prices in 
the region. We also confirm the reasonability of our values through the use of a third-party valuator which provides an opinion 
on the valuation method and results. Each year we have a valuation report provided on approximately one-third of the assets, 
providing a reasonableness opinion in the range of +/– 10%. We compare our valuations to this report, along with other inputs, 
ensuring that they are within the reasonable range.

In 2019, the fair value of the PP&E in our Renewable Power segment increased by $2.2 billion, primarily attributable to the benefit 
of lower cost of capital across all classes of assets, as we observed a lowering of both interest rates and cost of equity in the market. 
Valuations also benefited from our continued cost savings and revenue enhancing initiatives.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    90

The key valuation metrics of our hydroelectric, wind and solar generating facilities at the end of 2019 and 2018 are summarized 
below:

AS AT DEC. 31
Discount rate

North America
2019

Brazil

Colombia

Europe

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Contracted...............................
Uncontracted...........................
Terminal capitalization rate1......
Exit date.....................................

4.6 – 4.9% 4.8 – 5.6%
6.2 – 6.4% 6.4 – 7.2%
6.2 – 6.4% 6.1 – 7.1%
2039

2040

9.0%

9.0%

8.2%
9.6%
9.5% 10.3% 10.3% 10.9%
9.8% 10.4%
2039
2038

n/a
2047

n/a
2047

3.5% 4.0 – 4.3%
5.3% 5.8 – 6.1%
n/a
2033

n/a
2034

1.  The terminal capitalization rate applies only to hydroelectric assets in North America and Colombia.

The following table presents the impact on fair value of property, plant and equipment in our Renewable Power segment as at 
December 31,  2019  from  a  25-basis  point  change  in  discount  and  terminal  capitalization  rates,  as  well  as  a  5%  change  in 
electricity prices:

AS AT DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)
25 bps change in discount and terminal capitalization rates1

North America................................................................................................................................................................. $
Colombia.........................................................................................................................................................................
Brazil...............................................................................................................................................................................
Europe.............................................................................................................................................................................

5% change in electricity prices

North America.................................................................................................................................................................
Colombia.........................................................................................................................................................................
Brazil...............................................................................................................................................................................
Europe.............................................................................................................................................................................

1.  Terminal capitalization rate applies only to hydroelectric assets in North America and Colombia.

1,305
260
80
10

1,160
400
80
10

Terminal values are included in the valuation of hydroelectric assets in the United States and Canada. For the hydroelectric assets 
in Brazil, cash flows have been included based on the duration of the authorization or useful life of a concession asset plus a one-
time  30-year  renewal  term  for  the  majority  of  the  hydroelectric  assets.  The  weighted-average  remaining  duration  at 
December 31, 2019,  including  a  one-time  30-year  renewal  for  applicable hydroelectric  assets,  is  32  years  (2018  –  29  years). 
Consequently, there is no terminal value attributed to the hydroelectric assets in Brazil.

Energy Contracts

We  substantially  transferred  our  North American  energy  marketing  function  (formerly  Brookfield  Energy  Marketing  Inc.,  or 
BEMI1) to BEP on October 31, 2018 along with our long-term power contract in Ontario. BEP will assume all the benefits of the 
contract, some of which previously accrued to us. The value of the net benefits transferred to BEP was paid for by a reduction of 
the price paid by us to BEP on the New York contract which we continue to hold. Under the New York contract, we are required 
to purchase power that BEP generates at certain of its New York assets at a fixed price. Based on LTA, we purchase approximately 
3,632GWh of power each year. The fixed price that BAM is required to pay BEP will gradually step down over time by $3/MWh 
from 2021 to 2025 and $5/MWh in 2026 resulting in an approximate $20/MWh reduction by 2026 which will continue until the 
contract expires in 2046.

As a result of the transfer described above, the New York power contract is the only power contract that remains in place between 
BAM and BEP. The contract is valued annually based on price curves as at December 31 incorporating revised discount rates as 
required. As at December 31, 2019, the contract was valued using weighted-average forward power price estimates of approximately 
$63/MWh in years 1-10 and $142/MWh in years 11-20, using a discount rate of approximately 6.7%. 

1.  See definition in Glossary of Terms beginning on page 115.

91    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Infrastructure

Our infrastructure assets, revalued using DCF models, are generally subject to contractual and regulatory frameworks that underpin 
the cash flows. We also include the benefits of development projects for existing in-place assets to the extent that they have been 
determined to be feasible, typically by external parties, and have received the appropriate approvals. We are unable to include the 
benefits of development projects within our business that are not considered improvements to existing PP&E.

The underlying cash flow models supporting the revaluation process include a number of different inputs and variables with risks 
mitigated through controls incorporated in the bottom-up preparation and review process. Inputs are reviewed for qualitative and 
quantitative  considerations  and  the  mechanical  accuracy  is  tested  by  appropriate  finance  and  investment  professionals.  Once 
complete, the portfolio management team presents the valuations to the infrastructure CEO, COO and CFO for approval.

As part of our process, we analyze comparable market transactions that we can consider for the purposes of benchmarking our 
analysis. Metrics such as the implied current year or forward-looking EBITDA multiples are reviewed against market transactions 
to assess whether our valuations are appropriate. On an overall segment level, we also assess whether the inputs used in the models 
are consistent amongst asset classes and geographies, where applicable, or that asset specific differences are supportable considering 
transactions in a given asset class or market.

We obtain third-party appraisals on the assets that are held through private funds on a three-year rotating basis. These appraisals 
are not directly utilized in the financial statements, rather they are used to confirm that management’s assumptions in determining 
fair value are within a reasonable range.

On  an  aggregate  basis,  the  value  of  the  appraised  assets  is  greater  than  the  book  value  because  a  significant  portion  of  our 
infrastructure operations assets such as public service concessions are classified as intangible assets. These intangible assets are 
carried at amortized cost, subject to impairment tests, and are amortized over their useful lives. In addition, we have contracted 
growth  projects  within  our  businesses  that  cannot  be  included  in  IFRS  fair  value  unless  these  relate  to  improvements  on 
existing PP&E.

Within  our  Infrastructure  segment,  we  reported  valuation  gains  of  $715  million  in  2019. The  increase  was  primarily  due  to 
revaluation gains reflecting growing cash flows and strong underlying performance at a number of businesses.

The key valuation metrics of our utilities, transport, energy and data infrastructure operations are summarized below:

Utilities

Transport

Energy

Data Infrastructure

AS AT DEC. 31

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Discount rate ...............................

7 – 14% 7 – 14% 9 – 14% 10 – 13% 12 – 15% 12 – 15% 13 – 15% 13 – 15%

Terminal capitalization multiples

 8x – 21x

8x – 22x

 9x – 14x

9x – 14x

 10x – 17x

10x – 14x

 11x – 17x

10x – 11x

Investment horizon /

Termination valuation date
(years) .......................................

Real Estate 

10 – 20

10 – 20

10 – 20

10 – 20

5 – 10

10

 10 – 11

10

Fair  values  of  our  hospitality  properties,  primarily  hotel  and  resort  operations,  are  assessed  annually  using  the  depreciated 
replacement cost method, which factors in age, physical condition and construction costs of the properties. Fair values of hospitality 
properties are also reviewed in reference to each asset’s enterprise value which is determined using a discounted cash flow model. 
These  valuations  are  generally  prepared  by  external  valuation  professionals  using  information  provided  by  management  of 
the operating business. The fair value estimates for hospitality properties represent the estimated fair value of the PP&E of the 
hospitality business only and do not include, for example, any associated intangible assets.

Revaluation within our real estate PP&E increased the fair value of our hospitality assets by $323 million. The increase was due 
to capital improvements completed during the year which improved the physical condition and replacement cost of the properties.

iii.  Sustainable Resources 

The  fair  value  of  standing  timber  and  agricultural  assets  is  based  on  the  following  estimates  and  assumptions:  the  timing  of 
forecasted revenues and prices; estimated selling costs; sustainable felling plans; growth assumptions; silviculture costs; discount 
rates; terminal capitalization rates; and terminal valuation dates. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    92

iv.  Financial Instruments 

Financial assets, financial contracts and other contractual arrangements that are treated as derivatives are recorded at fair value in 
our financial statements and changes in their value are recorded in net income or other comprehensive income, depending on their 
nature and business purpose. The more significant and more common financial contracts and contractual arrangements employed 
in our business that are fair valued include: interest rate contracts, foreign exchange contracts and agreements for the sale of 
electricity. Financial assets and liabilities may be classified as level 1, 2 or 3 in the fair value hierarchy. Refer to Note 6 – Fair 
Value of Financial Instruments within the notes to the consolidated financial statements for additional information.

Estimates and assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments are: equity and commodity prices; future 
interest rates; the credit worthiness of the company relative to its counterparties; the credit risk of the company’s counterparties; 
estimated future cash flows; the amount of the liability and equity components of compound financial instruments; discount rates 
and volatility utilized in option valuations.

v. 

Inventory 

The company estimates the net realizable value of its inventory using estimates and assumptions about future selling prices and 
future development costs. 

vi.  Other 

Other estimates and assumptions utilized in the preparation of the company’s consolidated financial statements are: the assessment 
or determination of net recoverable amount; oil and gas reserves; depreciation and amortization rates and useful lives; estimation 
of recoverable amounts of cash-generating units for impairment assessments of goodwill and intangible assets; ability to utilize 
tax losses and other tax measurements; fair value of assets held as collateral and the percentage of completion for construction 
contracts. Equity accounted investment, which follow the same accounting principles as our consolidated operations, include 
amounts recorded at fair value and amounts recorded at amortized cost or cost, depending on the nature of the underlying assets.

Accounting Judgments 

Management is required to make critical judgments when applying its accounting policies. The following judgments have the 
most significant effect on the consolidated financial statements:

i.  Control or Level of Influence 

When determining the appropriate basis of accounting for the company’s investees, the company makes judgments about the 
degree of influence that it exerts directly or through an arrangement over the investees’ relevant activities. This may include 
the ability to elect investee directors or appoint management. Control is obtained when the company has the power to direct the 
relevant investing, financing and operating decisions of an entity and does so in its capacity as principal of the operations, rather 
than as an agent for other investors. Operating as a principal includes having sufficient capital at risk in any investee and exposure 
to the variability of the returns generated as a result of the decisions of the company as principal. Judgment is used in determining 
the sufficiency of the capital at risk or variability of returns. In making these judgments, the company considers the ability of other 
investors to remove the company as a manager or general partner in a controlled partnership. Refer to Part 2 of this MD&A for 
additional information.

ii.  Investment Properties

When applying the company’s accounting policy for investment properties, judgment is applied in determining whether certain 
costs are additions to the carrying amount of the property and, for properties under development, identifying the point at which 
practical completion of the property occurs and identifying the directly attributable borrowing costs to be included in the carrying 
value of the development property. 

iii.  Property, Plant and Equipment 

The company’s accounting policy for its property, plant and equipment requires critical judgments over the assessment of carrying 
value, whether certain costs are additions to the carrying amount of the property, plant and equipment as opposed to repairs and 
maintenance,  and  for  assets  under  development  the  identification  of  when  the  asset  is  capable  of  being  used  as  intended 
and identifying the directly attributable borrowing costs to be included in the asset’s carrying value.

For assets that are measured using the revaluation method, judgment is required when estimating future prices, volumes, discount 
and capitalization rates. Judgment is applied when determining future electricity prices considering broker quotes for the years in 
which there is a liquid market available and, for the subsequent years, our best estimate of electricity prices from renewable sources 
that would allow new entrants into the market.

93    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

iv.  Identifying Performance Obligations for Revenue Recognition

Management is required to identify performance obligations relating to contracts with customers at the inception of each contract. 
IFRS 15, the current revenue recognition standard, requires a contract’s transaction price to be allocated to each distinct performance 
obligation when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Judgment is used when assessing the pattern of delivery of the 
product or service to determine if revenue should be recognized at a point in time or over time. For certain service contracts 
recognized over time, judgment is required to determine if revenue from variable consideration such as incentives, claims and 
variations from contract modifications has met the required probability threshold to be recognized.

Management also uses judgment to determine whether contracts for the sale of products and services have distinct performance 
obligations that should be accounted for separately or as a single performance obligation. Goods and services are considered 
distinct if: (1) a customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily 
available to the customer; and (2) the entity’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable 
from other promises in the contract.

Additional details about revenue recognition policies across our operating segments are included in Note 2(b) of the consolidated 
financial statements.

v.  Common Control Transactions 

The purchase and sale of businesses or subsidiaries between entities under common control are not specifically addressed in IFRS 
and accordingly, management uses judgment when determining a policy to account for such transactions taking into consideration 
other guidance in the IFRS framework and pronouncements of other standard-setting bodies. The company’s policy is to record 
assets and liabilities recognized as a result of transfers of businesses or subsidiaries between entities under common control at 
carrying value. Differences between the carrying amount of the consideration given or received and the carrying amount of the 
assets and liabilities transferred are recorded directly in equity. 

vi.  Indicators of Impairment 

Judgment is applied when determining whether indicators of impairment exist when assessing the carrying values of the company’s 
assets, including: the determination of the company’s ability to hold financial assets; the estimation of a cash-generating unit’s future 
revenues and direct costs; the determination of discount and capitalization rates; and when an asset’s carrying value is above the 
value derived using publicly traded prices which are quoted in a liquid market.

vii.  Income Taxes 

The company makes judgments when determining the future tax rates applicable to subsidiaries and identifying the temporary 
differences that relate to each subsidiary. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected 
to apply during the period when the assets are realized or the liabilities settled, using the tax rates and laws enacted or substantively 
enacted at the consolidated balance sheet dates. The company measures deferred income taxes associated with its investment 
properties based on its specific intention with respect to each asset at the end of the reporting period. Where the company has a 
specific intention to sell a property in the foreseeable future, deferred taxes on the building portion of an investment property are 
measured based on the tax consequences that would follow the disposition of the property. Otherwise, deferred taxes are measured 
on the basis that the carrying value of the investment property will be recovered substantially through use.

viii. Classification of Non-Controlling Interests in Limited-Life Funds 

Non-controlling interests in limited-life funds are classified as liabilities (subsidiary equity obligations) or equity (non-controlling 
interests) depending on whether an obligation exists to distribute residual net assets to non-controlling interests on liquidation in 
the form of cash or another financial asset or assets delivered in kind. Judgment is required to determine what the governing 
documents of each entity require or permit in this regard. 

ix.  Other 

Other critical judgments include the determination of effectiveness of financial hedges for accounting purposes, the likelihood 
and timing of anticipated transactions for hedge accounting and the determination of functional currency.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    94

Consolidated Financial Information

We report our financial results under IFRS while many of our peers report under U.S. GAAP. These GAAPs are aligned in many 
areas,  but  as  it  relates  to  asset  management  and  investment  companies,  there  is  a  significant  difference  between  IFRS  and 
U.S. GAAP. Under IFRS, while investment companies can account for their investments at fair value and report them on one line 
in their balance sheet on a net basis, a parent of an investment company cannot maintain that accounting and must look to whether 
it controls the underlying investments individually. For our peers under U.S. GAAP, investment companies can use the same 
treatment as in IFRS but the parent of an investment company would keep the same reporting as the subsidiary investment company. 
Therefore, the same investment could be fully consolidated under IFRS or shown as one line on a net basis under U.S. GAAP.

IFRS uses a control-based model to determine if consolidation is required. Therefore, we are deemed to control an investment if 
we: (1) exercise power over the investee; (2) are exposed to variable returns from our involvement with the investee; and (3) have 
the ability to use our power to affect the amount of the returns. Our consolidation conclusions may differ from certain of our peers 
who report under U.S. GAAP as they are required to evaluate consolidation requirements using a voting interest model or a variable 
interest model depending on the circumstances.

MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIONS AND INTERNAL CONTROLS

Assessment and Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

Management has evaluated the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019
and based on that assessment concluded that, as of December 31, 2019, our internal control over financial reporting was effective. 
Refer to Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control 
over financial reporting during the quarter or year ended December 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely 
to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

Management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure 
controls and procedures (as defined in the applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws) as of December 31, 2019. Based on that 
evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that such disclosure controls and procedures were 
effective as of December 31, 2019 in providing reasonable assurance that material information relating to the company and our 
consolidated subsidiaries would be made known to them by others within those entities. 

Declarations Under the Dutch Act of Financial Supervision

The members of the Corporate Executive Board, as defined in the Dutch Act of Financial Supervision (“Dutch Act”), as required 
by section 5:25c, paragraph 2, under c of the Dutch Act confirm that to the best of their knowledge: 

• 

• 

The consolidated financial statements accompanied by this MD&A give a true and fair view of the assets, liabilities, financial 
position, and profit or loss of the company and the undertakings included in the consolidated financial statements taken as a 
whole; and

The  management  report  included  in  this  MD&A  gives  a  true  and  fair  review  of  the  information  required  under  the 
Dutch Act regarding the company and the undertakings included in the consolidated financial statements taken as a whole as 
of December 31, 2019, and of the development and performance of the business for the year then ended.

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 

In the normal course of operations, we enter into transactions on market terms with related parties, including consolidated and 
equity accounted entities, which have been measured at exchange value and are recognized in the consolidated financial statements, 
including,  but  not  limited  to:  manager  or  partnership  agreements;  base  management  fees,  performance  fees  and  incentive 
distributions; loans, interest and non-interest bearing deposits; power purchase and sale agreements; capital commitments to private 
funds; the acquisition and disposition of assets and businesses; derivative contracts; and the construction and development of assets. 

There were no significant related party transactions during the years ended December 31, 2019 or December 31, 2018.

95    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

PART 6 – BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND RISKS 

For purposes of Part 6 of this Report, references to the “company”, “we”, “us” or “our” refers to Brookfield Asset Management 
Inc., its consolidated subsidiaries, and Oaktree.

This section contains a review of certain aspects of the business environment and risks that could materially adversely impact our 
business, performance, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and the value of our securities. Additional risks and 
uncertainties not previously known to the company, or that the company currently deems immaterial, may also impact our operations 
and financial results.

a)  Volatility in the Trading Price of Our Class A Shares

The trading price of our Class A shares is subject to volatility due to market conditions and other factors and cannot be predicted.

Our shareholders may not be able to sell their Class A shares at or above the price at which they purchased such shares due to 
trading price fluctuations in the capital markets. The trading price could fluctuate significantly in response to factors both related 
and unrelated to our operating performance and/or future prospects, including, but not limited to: (i) variations in our operating 
results and financial condition; (ii) actual or prospective changes in government laws, rules or regulations affecting our businesses; 
(iii) material announcements by us, our affiliates or our competitors; (iv) the general state of the securities markets; (v) market 
conditions and events specific to the industries in which we operate; (vi) changes and developments in general economic, political, 
or social conditions, including as a result of the recent coronavirus outbreak (referred to as COVID-19); (vii) changes in the values 
of our investments (including in the market price of our listed partnerships and other publicly traded affiliates) or changes in the 
amount of distributions, dividends or interest paid in respect of investments; (viii) differences between our actual financial and 
operating results and those expected by investors and analysts; (ix) changes in analysts’ recommendations or earnings projections; 
(x) changes in the extent of analysts’ interest in covering the Corporation and its publicly traded affiliates; (xi) the depth and 
liquidity of the market for our Class A shares; (xii) dilution from the issuance of additional equity; (xiii) investor perception of 
our businesses and the industries in which we operate; (xiv) investment restrictions; (xv) our dividend policy; (xvi) the departure 
of key executives; (xvii) sales of Class A shares by senior management or significant shareholders; and (xviii) the materialization 
of other risks described in this section.

b)  Reputation

Actions or conduct that have a negative impact on investors’ or stakeholders’ perception of us could adversely impact our ability 
to attract and/or retain investor capital and generate fee revenue.

The growth of our asset management business relies on continuous fundraising for various private and public investment products, 
and retention of capital raised from third-party investors. We depend on our business relationships and our global reputation for 
integrity and high-caliber asset management services to attract and retain investors and advisory clients, and to pursue investment 
opportunities for us and the public and private entities we manage. Our business relationships and reputation could be negatively 
impacted by a number of factors including poor performance; actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest; misconduct or 
alleged misconduct by employees; rumors or innuendos; or failed or ineffective implementation of new investments or strategies. 
If we are unable to continue to raise and retain capital from third-party investors, either privately, publicly or both, or otherwise 
are unable to pursue our investment opportunities, this could materially reduce our revenue and cash flow and adversely affect 
our financial condition.

Poor performance of any kind could damage our reputation with current and potential investors in our managed entities, making 
it more difficult for us to raise new capital. Investors may decline to invest in current and future managed entities and may withdraw 
their investments from our managed entities as a result of poor performance in the entity in which they are invested, and investors 
in our private funds may demand lower fees for new or existing funds, all of which would decrease our revenue.

As a global alternative asset manager with various lines of business and investment products, some of which have overlapping 
mandates, we may be subject to a number of actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest greater than that to which we would 
otherwise be subject if we had just one line of business or investment product. These conflicts may be magnified for an asset 
manager that has many different capital sources available to pursue investment opportunities, including investor capital and the 
Corporation’s own capital. In addition, the senior management team of the Corporation and its affiliates has their own capital 
invested in Class A shares, directly and indirectly, and may have financial exposures with respect to their own investments which 
could lead to potential conflicts if such investments are similar to those made by the Corporation or on behalf of investors in 
entities managed by the Corporation. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    96

In addressing these conflicts, we have implemented certain policies and procedures that may be ineffective at mitigating actual, 
potential or perceived conflicts of interest, or reduce the positive synergies that we cultivate across our businesses. It is also possible 
that actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest could give rise to investor dissatisfaction, litigation, regulatory enforcement 
actions or other detrimental outcomes.

Appropriately dealing with conflicts of interest for an asset manager like us is complex and difficult and our reputation could be 
damaged if we fail, or appear to fail, to deal appropriately with actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest. Asset manager 
conflicts are subject to enhanced regulatory scrutiny in the markets in which we operate and in the U.S. in particular. Such regulatory 
scrutiny can lead to fines, penalties and other negative consequences. Regulatory scrutiny of, or litigation in connection with, 
conflicts of interest could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition or results of operations 
in a number of ways, including an inability to adequately capitalize existing managed entities or raise new managed entities, 
including private funds, and a reluctance of counterparties to do business with us. For information regarding conflicts of interests 
between the businesses within our asset management operations that operate on opposite sides of an information barrier, see Item 
(v) herein. 

Our reputation also could be negatively impacted if there is misconduct or alleged misconduct by our personnel or those of our 
portfolio companies in which we and our managed entities invest, including historical misconduct prior to our investment. Risks 
associated with misconduct at our portfolio companies is heightened in cases where we do not have legal control or significant 
influence over a particular portfolio company or are not otherwise involved in actively managing a portfolio company. In such 
situations, given our ownership position and affiliation with the portfolio company, we may still be negatively impacted from a 
reputational perspective through this association. In addition, even where we have control over a portfolio company, if it is a newly 
acquired portfolio company that we are in the process of integrating then we may face reputational risks related to historical or 
current misconduct or alleged misconduct at such portfolio company for a period of time. We may also face increased risk of 
misconduct to the extent our capital allocated to emerging markets and distressed companies increases. If we face allegations 
of improper conduct by private litigants or regulators, whether the allegations are valid or invalid or whether the ultimate outcome 
is favorable or unfavorable to us, such allegations may result in negative publicity and press speculation about us, our investment 
activities or the asset management industry in general, which could harm our reputation and may be more damaging to our business 
than to other types of businesses.

We are subject to a number of obligations and standards arising from our asset management business and our authority over the 
assets we manage. The violation of these obligations and standards by any of our employees may adversely affect our partners 
and our business and reputation. Our business often requires that we deal with confidential matters of great significance to the 
companies in which we may invest and to other third parties. If our employees were to improperly use or disclose confidential 
information, or a security breach results in an inadvertent disclosure of such information, we could suffer serious harm to our 
reputation, financial position and current and future business relationships. It is not always possible to detect or deter employee 
misconduct or security breaches, and the precautions we take in this regard may not be effective.

Implementation of new investment and growth strategies involves a number of risks that could result in losses and harm to our 
professional reputation, including the risk that the expected results are not achieved, that new strategies are not appropriately 
planned for or integrated, that new strategies may conflict with, detract from or compete against our existing businesses, and that 
the investment process, controls and procedures that we have developed will prove insufficient or inadequate. Furthermore, our 
strategic initiatives may include joint ventures, in which case we will be subject to additional risks and uncertainties in that we 
may be dependent upon and subject to liability, losses or reputational damage relating to systems, controls and personnel that are 
not under our complete control or under the control of another.

In addition to impacting our ability to raise and retain third-party capital and pursue investment opportunities, certain of the risks 
identified herein that may have a negative impact on our reputation also could, in extreme cases, result in our removal as general 
partner or an acceleration of the liquidation date of the private funds that we manage. The governing agreements of our private 
funds provide that, subject to certain conditions (which may, particularly in the case of our removal as general partner, include 
final legal adjudications of the merits of the particular issue), third-party investors in these funds will have the right to remove us 
as general partner or to accelerate the liquidation date of the fund. Additionally, at any time, investors may terminate a fund and 
accelerate the liquidation date upon the vote of a supra-majority of investors in such fund. A significant negative impact to our 
reputation would be expected to increase the likelihood that investors could seek to terminate a private fund. This effect would 
be magnified if, as is often the case, an investor is invested in more than one fund. Such an event, were it to occur, would result 
in a reduction in the fees we would earn from such fund, particularly if we are unable to maximize the value of the fund’s investments 
during the liquidation process or in the event of the triggering of a “claw-back” for fees already paid out to us as general partner.

97    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

c)  Asset Management

Growth  in  fee-bearing  capital  could  be  adversely  impacted  by  poor  product  development  or  marketing  efforts.  In  addition, 
investment  returns  could  be  lower  than  target  returns  due  to  inappropriate  allocation  of  capital  or  ineffective  investment 
management. 

Our asset management business depends on our ability to fundraise third-party capital, deploy that capital effectively, and produce 
targeted investment returns. 

Our ability to raise third-party capital depends on a number of factors, including many that are outside our control such as the 
general  economic  environment  and  the  number  of  other  investment  funds  being  raised  at  the  same  time  by  our  competitors. 
Investors may reduce (or even eliminate) their investment allocations to alternative investments, including closed-ended private 
funds. Investors that are required to maintain specific asset class allocations within their portfolio may be required to reduce their 
investment allocations to alternative investments, particularly during periods when other asset classes such as public securities 
are decreasing in value. In addition, investors may prefer to in source and make direct investments; therefore, becoming competitors 
and ceasing to be clients and/or make new capital commitments. 

Competition from other asset managers for raising public and private capital is intense, with competition based on a variety of 
factors, including investment performance, the quality of service provided to investors, the quality and availability of investment 
products, marketing efforts, investor liquidity and willingness to invest, and reputation. Poor investment performance could hamper 
our ability to compete for these sources of capital or force us to reduce our management fees. Our investors and potential investors 
continually assess investment performance and our ability to raise capital for existing and future funds depends on our funds’ 
relative and absolute performance. If poor investment returns or changes in investment mandates prevent us from raising further 
capital from our existing partners, we may need to identify and attract new investors in order to maintain or increase the size of 
our private funds, and there are no assurances that we will be able to find new investors. Further, as competition and disintermediation 
in the asset management industry increases, we may face pressure to reduce or modify our asset management fees, including base 
management fees and/or carried interest, or modify other terms governing our current asset management fee structure, in order to 
attract and retain investors. 

The successful execution of our investing strategy is uncertain as it requires suitable opportunities, careful timing and business 
judgment, as well as the resources to complete asset purchases and restructure them, if required, notwithstanding difficulties 
experienced in a particular industry.

There is no certainty that we will be able to identify suitable or sufficient opportunities that meet our investment criteria and be 
able to acquire additional high-quality assets at attractive prices to supplement our growth in a timely manner, or at all. In pursuing 
investment opportunities and returns, we and our managed entities face competition from other investment managers and investors 
worldwide. Each of our businesses is subject to competition in varying degrees and our competitors may have certain competitive 
advantages over us when pursuing investment opportunities. Some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances, different 
risk assessments, lower return thresholds, a lower cost of capital, or a lower effective tax rate (or no tax rate at all), all of which 
could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and to bid more aggressively than us for investments. We may lose 
investment opportunities in the future if we do not match investment prices, structures and terms offered by our competitors, some 
of whom may have synergistic businesses which allow them to consider bidding a higher price than we can reasonably offer. While 
we attempt to deal with competitive pressures by leveraging our asset management strengths and operating capabilities and compete 
on  more  than  just  price,  there  is  no  guarantee  these  measures  will  be  successful,  and  we  may  have  difficulty  competing  for 
investment opportunities, particularly those offered through auction or other competitive processes. If we are unable to successfully 
raise, retain, and deploy third-party capital into investments, we may be unable to collect management fees, carried interest or 
transaction fees, which would materially reduce our revenue and cash flows and adversely affect our financial condition. 

Our approach to investing often entails adding assets to our existing businesses when the competition for assets is weakest; typically, 
when depressed economic conditions exist in the market relating to a particular entity or industry. Such an investing style carries 
with it inherent risks when investments are made in either markets or industries that are undergoing some form of dislocation. We 
may fail to value opportunities accurately or to consider all relevant factors that may be necessary or helpful in evaluating an 
opportunity, may underestimate the costs necessary to bring an acquisition up to standards established for its intended market 
position, may be exposed to unexpected risks and costs associated with our investments, including risks arising from alternative 
technologies that could impair or eliminate the competitive advantage of our business in a particular industry, and/or may be unable 
to quickly and effectively integrate new acquisitions into our existing operations or exit from the investment on favorable terms. 
In addition, liabilities may exist that we or our managed entities do not discover in due diligence prior to the consummation of an 
acquisition, or circumstances may exist with respect to the entities or assets acquired that could lead to future liabilities and, in 
each case, we or our managed entities may not be entitled to sufficient, or any, recourse against the contractual counterparties 
to an acquisition. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    98

We generally pursue investment opportunities that involve business, regulatory, legal and other complexities. Our tolerance for 
complexity presents risks, as such transactions can be more difficult, expensive and time consuming to finance and execute, and 
have a higher risk of execution failure. It can also be more difficult to manage or realize value from the assets acquired in such 
transactions and such transactions sometimes entail a higher level of regulatory scrutiny or a greater risk of contingent liabilities. 

At times, we make investments in companies that we do not control. These investments are subject to the risk that the company 
in which the investment is made may make business, financial or management decisions with which we do not agree or that the 
majority stakeholders or the management of the company may take risks or otherwise act in a manner that does not serve our 
interests. 

Certain  of  our  investments  may  be  concentrated  in  particular  asset  types  or  geographic  regions,  which  could  exacerbate  any 
negative performance of one or more of our managed entities to the extent those concentrated investments are in assets or regions 
that experience a market dislocation. In addition, certain of our funds hold publicly traded securities the price of which will be 
volatile and are likely to fluctuate due to a number of factors beyond our control, including actual or anticipated changes in the 
profitability of the issuers of such securities; general economic, social, or political developments; changes in industry conditions; 
changes in governance regulation; inflation; the general state of the securities markets; and other material events.

Some of our competitors may be more successful than us in the development and implementation of new or alternative technology 
that impacts the demand for, or use of, the businesses or assets that we own and operate. These pressures could reduce investment 
returns and negatively affect our overall results of operations, cash flows and financial condition. 

The failure of a newly acquired business to perform according to expectations could have a material adverse effect on our assets, 
liabilities, business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Alternatively, we may be required to sell a business 
before it has realized our expected level of returns for such business. 

If any of our managed investments perform poorly or experience prolonged periods of volatility, or we are unable to deploy capital 
effectively,  our  fee-based  revenue,  cash  available  for  distribution  and/or  carried  interest  would  decline.  Moreover,  we  could 
experience losses on our capital invested in our managed entities. Accordingly, our expected returns on these investments may be 
less than we have assumed in forecasting the value of our business. 

d)  Laws, Rules and Regulations

We  are  subject  to  numerous  laws,  rules,  and  regulatory  requirements  which  may  impact  our  business,  including  resulting  in 
financial penalties, loss of business, and/or damage to our reputation in instances of non-compliance.

There are many laws, governmental rules and regulations and listing exchange rules that apply to us, our affiliates, our assets and 
our businesses. Changes in these laws, rules and regulations, or their interpretation by governmental agencies or the courts, could 
adversely affect our business, assets or prospects, or those of our affiliates, customers, clients or partners. The failure of us, our 
publicly listed affiliates, or the entities that we manage to comply with these laws, rules and regulations, or with the rules and 
registration requirements of the respective stock exchanges on which we and they are listed could adversely affect our reputation 
and financial condition.

Our  asset  management  business,  including  our  investment  advisory  and  broker-dealer  business,  is  subject  to  substantial  and 
increasing  regulatory  compliance  obligations  and  oversight,  and  this  higher  level  of  scrutiny  may  lead  to  more  regulatory 
enforcement  actions.  There  continues  to  be  uncertainty  regarding  the  appropriate  level  of  regulation  and  oversight  of  asset 
management businesses in a number of jurisdictions in which we operate. The financial services industry has been the subject of 
heightened  scrutiny,  and  the  SEC  has  specifically  focused  on  asset  managers  in  recent  enforcement  actions.  Regulatory 
investigations and/or enforcement actions by our regulators could have a material adverse effect on our business and/or reputation. 
In  addition,  the  introduction  of  new  legislation  and  increased  regulation  may  result  in  increased  compliance  costs  and  could 
materially affect the manner in which we conduct our business and adversely affect our profitability. Although there may be some 
areas where governments in certain jurisdictions have proposed deregulation, it is difficult to predict the timing and impact of any 
such deregulation, and we may not materially benefit from any such changes. 

Our asset management business is not only regulated in the United States, but also in other jurisdictions where we conduct operations 
including  the E.U.,  the  U.K.,  Canada, Brazil, Australia,  and  Hong  Kong.  Similar to  the  environment  in  the U.S.,  the  current 
environment in jurisdictions outside the U.S. in which we operate has become subject to further regulation. Governmental agencies 
around the world have proposed or implemented a number of initiatives and additional rules and regulations that could adversely 
affect our asset management business, and governmental agencies may propose or implement further rules and regulations in the 
future. These rules and regulations may impact how we market our managed entities in these jurisdictions and introduce compliance 
obligations with respect to disclosure and transparency, as well as restrictions on investor distributions. Such regulations may also 
prescribe certain capital requirements on our managed entities, and conditions on the leverage our managed entities may employ 
and the liquidity these managed entities must have. Compliance with additional regulatory requirements will impose additional 
compliance burdens and expense for us and could reduce our operating flexibility and fundraising opportunities.

99    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Our broker-dealer business is regulated by the SEC, the various Canadian provincial securities commissions, as well as self-
regulatory  organizations. These  regulatory  bodies  may  conduct  administrative  or  enforcement  proceedings  that  can  result  in 
censure, fine, suspension or expulsion of a broker-dealer, its directors, officers or employees. Such proceedings, whether or not 
resulting  in  adverse  findings,  can  require  substantial  expenditures  and  can  have  an  adverse  impact  on  the  reputation  of  a 
broker dealer.

The advisors of certain of our managed entities are registered as investment advisors with the SEC. Registered investment advisors 
are subject to the requirements and regulations of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, which grants U.S. supervisory agencies 
broad administrative powers, including the power to limit or restrict the carrying on of business for failure to comply with laws 
or regulations. If such powers are exercised, the possible sanctions that may be imposed include the suspension of individual 
employees, limitations on the activities in which the investment advisor may engage, suspension or revocation of the investment 
advisor’s registration, censure and fines. Compliance with these requirements and regulations results in the expenditure of resources, 
and a failure to comply could result in investigations, financial or other sanctions, and reputational damage.

The Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) and the rules promulgated thereunder provide certain protections to investors 
and impose certain restrictions on entities that are deemed “investment companies” under the 40 Act. We are not currently, nor 
do we intend to become, registered as an investment company under the 40 Act. To ensure that we are not deemed to be an 
investment company, we may be required to materially restrict or limit the scope of our operations or plans and the types of 
acquisitions that we may make, and we may need to modify our organizational structure or dispose of assets that we would not 
otherwise dispose of. If we were required to register as an investment company, we would, among other things, be restricted from 
engaging in certain business activities (or have conditions placed on our business activities) and issuing certain securities, be 
required to limit the amount of investments that we make as principal and face other limitations on our activities.

We  have  and  may  become  subject  to  additional  regulatory  and  compliance  burdens  as  we  expand  our  product  offerings  and 
investment platform which likely will carry additional legal and compliance costs, as well as additional operating requirements 
that may also increase costs. 

We acquire and develop primarily real estate, renewable power, infrastructure, business services and industrial assets. In doing 
so, we must comply with extensive and complex municipal, state or provincial, national and international regulations. These 
regulations can result in uncertainty and delays, and impose on us additional costs, which may adversely affect our results of 
operations. Changes in these laws may negatively impact us and our businesses or may benefit our competitors or their businesses.

Additionally, liability under such laws, rules and regulations may occur without our fault. In certain cases, parties can pursue legal 
actions against us to enforce compliance as well as seek damages for non-compliance or for personal injury or property damage. 
Our insurance may not provide sufficient coverage in the event that a successful claim is made against us.

e)  Governmental Investigations and Anti-Bribery and Corruption

Our policies and procedures designed to ensure compliance with applicable laws, including anti-bribery and corruption laws, 
may not be effective in all instances to prevent violations and as a result we may be subject to related governmental investigations.

We are from time to time subject to various governmental investigations, audits and inquiries, both formal and informal. These 
investigations, regardless of their outcome, can be costly, divert management attention, and damage our reputation. The unfavorable 
resolution of such investigations could result in criminal liability, fines, penalties or other monetary or non-monetary sanctions 
and could materially affect our business or results of operations.

There is an increasing global focus on the implementation and enforcement of anti-bribery and corruption legislation, and this 
focus has heightened the risks that we face in this area, particularly as we continue to expand our operations globally. We are 
subject to a number of laws and regulations governing payments and contributions to public officials or other third parties, including 
restrictions imposed by the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar laws in non-U.S. jurisdictions, such as the U.K. Bribery 
Act, the Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, and the Brazilian Clean Company Act. This increased global focus 
on anti-bribery and corruption enforcement may also lead to more investigations, both formal and informal, in this area, the results 
of which cannot be predicted.

Different laws and regulations that are applicable to us may contain conflicting provisions, making our compliance more difficult. 
If we fail to comply with such laws and regulations, we could be exposed to claims for damages, financial penalties, reputational 
harm, incarceration of our employees, restrictions on our operations and other liabilities, which could negatively affect our operating 
results and financial condition. In addition, we may be subject to successor liability for violations under these laws and regulations 
or other acts of bribery committed by entities in which we or our managed entities invest.

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Instances of bribery, fraud, accounting irregularities and other improper, illegal or corrupt practices can be difficult to detect, in 
particular when conducting due diligence in connection with acquisitions, and fraud and other deceptive practices can be widespread 
in certain jurisdictions. We invest in emerging market countries that may not have established stringent anti-bribery and corruption 
laws and regulations, where existing laws and regulations may not be consistently enforced, or that are perceived to have materially 
higher  levels  of  corruption  according  to  international  rating  standards.  Due  diligence  on  investment  opportunities  in  these 
jurisdictions is frequently more challenging because consistent and uniform commercial practices in such locations may not have 
developed or do not meet international standards. Bribery, fraud, accounting irregularities and corrupt practices can be especially 
difficult to detect in such locations. When acquiring assets in distress, the quality of financial information of the target may also 
make it difficult to identify irregularities.

f)  Foreign Exchange and Other Financial Exposures

Foreign exchange rate fluctuations could adversely impact our aggregate foreign currency exposure and hedging strategies may 
not be effective.

We have pursued and intend to continue to pursue growth opportunities in international markets, and often invest in countries 
where the U.S. dollar is not the local currency. As a result, we are subject to foreign currency risk due to potential fluctuations in 
exchange rates between foreign currencies and the U.S. dollar. A significant depreciation in the value of the currency utilized 
in one or more countries where we have a significant presence may have a material adverse effect on the results of our operations 
and financial position. In addition, we are active in certain markets whose economic growth is dependent on the price of commodities 
and the currencies in these markets can be more volatile as a result.

Our businesses are impacted by changes in currency rates, interest rates, commodity prices and other financial exposures. We 
selectively utilize financial instruments to manage these exposures, including credit default swaps and other derivatives to hedge 
certain of our financial positions. However, a significant portion of these risks may remain unhedged. We may also choose to 
establish unhedged positions in the ordinary course of business.

There is no assurance that hedging strategies, to the extent they are used, will fully mitigate the risks they are intended to offset. 
Additionally, derivatives that we use are also subject to their own unique set of risks, including counterparty risk with respect to 
the financial well-being of the party on the other side of these transactions and a potential requirement to fund mark-to-market 
adjustments. Our financial risk management policies may not ultimately be effective at managing these risks.

The Dodd-Frank Act and similar laws in other jurisdictions impose rules and regulations governing oversight of the over-the-
counter derivatives market and its participants. These regulations may impose additional costs and regulatory scrutiny on us. If 
our derivative transactions are required to be executed through exchanges or regulated facilities, we will face incremental collateral 
requirements in the form of initial margin and require variation margin to be cash settled on a daily basis. Such an increase in 
margin requirements (relative to bilateral agreements), were it to occur, perhaps combined with a more restricted list of securities 
that qualify as eligible collateral, would require us to hold larger positions in cash and treasuries, which could reduce income. We 
cannot predict the effect of changing derivatives legislation on our hedging costs, our hedging strategy or its implementation, or 
the  risks  that  we  hedge.  Regulation  of  derivatives  may  increase  the  cost  of  derivative  contracts,  reduce  the  availability  of 
derivatives to protect against operational risk and reduce the liquidity of the derivatives market, all of which may reduce our use 
of derivatives  and result in the increased volatility and decreased predictability of our cash flows.

g)  Temporary Investments

We may be unable to syndicate, assign or transfer financial commitments entered into in support of our asset management franchise.

We periodically enter into agreements that commit us to acquire assets or securities in order to support our asset management 
franchise with the expectation that our commitment is temporary. For example, we may acquire an asset suitable for a particular 
managed entity that we are fundraising and warehouse that asset through the fundraising period before transferring the asset to 
the managed entity for which it was intended. Or, as another example, for a particular acquisition transaction we may commit 
capital as part of a consortium alongside certain of our managed entities with the expectation that we will syndicate or assign all 
or a portion of our own commitment to other investors prior to, at the same time as, or subsequent to, the anticipated closing of 
the transaction. In all of these cases, our support is intended to be of a temporary nature and we engage in this activity in order to 
further the growth and development of our asset management franchise. By leveraging the Corporation’s financial position to make 
temporary investments, we can execute on investment opportunities prior to obtaining all third-party equity financing that we 
seek, and these opportunities may otherwise not be available without the Corporation’s initial equity participation.

While it is often our intention in these arrangements that the Corporation’s direct participation be of a temporary nature, we may 
be unable to syndicate, assign or transfer our interest as we intended and therefore may be required to take or keep ownership of 
an asset for an extended period. This would increase the amount of our own capital deployed to certain assets and could have an 
adverse impact on our liquidity, which may reduce our ability to pursue further acquisitions or meet other financial commitments.

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h)  Interest Rates

Rising interest rates could increase our interest costs and adversely affect our financial performance.

A number of our long-life assets are interest rate sensitive. Increases in interest rates will, other things being equal, decrease the 
value of an asset by reducing the present value of the cash flows expected to be produced by such asset. As the value of an asset 
declines  as  a  result  of  interest  rate  increases,  certain  financial  and  other  covenants  under  credit  agreements  governing  such 
asset could be breached, even if we have satisfied and continue to satisfy our payment obligations thereunder. Such a breach could 
result in negative consequences on our financial performance and results of operations.

Additionally, any of our debt or preferred shares that are subject to variable interest rates, either as an obligation with a variable 
interest rate or as an obligation with a fixed interest rate that resets into a variable interest rate in the future, are subject to interest 
rate risk. Further, the value of any debt or preferred share that is subject to a fixed interest rate will be determined based on the 
prevailing interest rates and, accordingly, this type of debt or preferred share is also subject to interest rate risk.

In addition, interest rates currently remain at low levels in many jurisdictions in which we operate. These rates may remain relatively 
low, but they may rise significantly at some point in the future, either gradually or abruptly. A sudden or unexpected increase in 
interest rates may cause certain market dislocations that could negatively impact our financial performance. Interest rate increases 
would also increase the amount of cash required to service our obligations and our earnings could be adversely impacted as a 
result thereof.

The Financial Conduct Authority in the U.K. has announced that it will cease to compel banks to participate in LIBOR after 2021. 
LIBOR is widely used as a benchmark rate around the world for derivative financial instruments, bonds, and other floating-rate 
instruments. This change to the administration of LIBOR, and any other reforms to benchmark interest rates, could create risks 
and challenges for us, the entities that we manage, and our portfolio companies. For example, the gradual elimination of LIBOR 
rates  may  have  an  impact  on  over-the-counter  derivative  transactions  including  potential  contract  repricing.  In  addition,  the 
discontinuance of, or changes to, benchmark interest rates may require adjustments to agreements to which we and other market 
participants are parties, as well as to related systems and processes. This may result in market uncertainty until a new benchmark 
rate is established and potentially increased costs under such agreements. 

i)  Financial and Liquidity

Cash may not be available to meet our financial obligations when due or enable us to capitalize on investment opportunities when 
they arise.

We employ debt and other forms of leverage in the ordinary course of business to enhance returns to our investors and finance 
our operations. We are therefore subject to the risks associated with debt financing and refinancing, including but not limited to 
the following: (i) our cash flow may be insufficient to meet required payments of principal and interest; (ii) payments of principal 
and interest on borrowings may leave us with insufficient cash resources to pay operating expenses and dividends; (iii) if we are 
unable to obtain committed debt financing for potential acquisitions or can only obtain debt at high interest rates or on other 
unfavorable terms, we may have difficulty completing acquisitions or may generate profits that are lower than would otherwise 
be the case; (iv) we may not be able to refinance indebtedness at maturity due to company and market factors such as the estimated 
cash flow produced by our assets, the value of our assets, liquidity in the debt markets, and/or financial, competitive, business and 
other factors; and (v) if we are able to refinance our indebtedness, the terms of a refinancing may not be as favorable as the original 
terms for such indebtedness. If we are unable to refinance our indebtedness on acceptable terms, or at all, we may need to utilize 
available liquidity, which would reduce our ability to pursue new investment opportunities, or we may need to dispose of one or 
more of our assets on disadvantageous terms, or raise equity, thereby causing dilution to existing shareholders. Regulatory changes 
may also result in higher borrowing costs and reduced access to credit. 

The terms of our various credit agreements and other financing documents require us to comply with a number of customary 
financial and other covenants, such as maintaining debt service coverage and leverage ratios, adequate insurance coverage and 
certain credit ratings. These covenants may limit our flexibility in conducting our operations and breaches of these covenants 
could result in defaults under the instruments governing the applicable indebtedness, even if we have satisfied and continue to 
satisfy our payment obligations.

A large proportion of our capital is invested in physical assets and securities that can be hard to sell, especially if market conditions 
are poor. Further, because our investment strategy can entail our having representation on public portfolio company boards, we 
may be restricted in our ability to effect sales during certain time periods. A lack of liquidity could limit our ability to vary our 
portfolio or assets promptly in response to changing economic or investment conditions. Additionally, if financial or operating 
difficulties of other owners result in distress sales, such sales could depress asset values in the markets in which we operate. The 
restrictions inherent in owning physical assets could reduce our ability to respond to changes in market conditions and could 
adversely affect the performance of our investments, our financial condition and results of operations.

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Because there is significant uncertainty in the valuation of, or in the stability of the value of illiquid or non-public investments, 
the fair values of such investments do not necessarily reflect the prices that would actually be obtained when such investments 
are realized. Realizations at values significantly lower than the values at which investments have been recorded would result in 
losses, a decline in asset management fees and the potential loss of carried interest and incentive fees.

We enter into financing commitments in the normal course of business, which we may be required to fund. Additionally, from 
time to time, we may guarantee the obligations of other entities that we manage and/or invest in. If we are required to fund these 
commitments and are unable to do so, this could result in damages being pursued against us or a loss of opportunity through default 
under contracts that are otherwise to our benefit.

j)  Human Capital

Ineffective maintenance of our culture, or ineffective management of human capital could adversely impact our asset management 
business and financial performance.

Our ability to compete effectively in our businesses will depend upon our ability to attract new employees and retain and motivate 
our existing employees. Our senior management team has a significant role in our success and oversees the execution of our value 
investing strategy. If we are unable to attract and retain qualified employees this could limit our ability to compete successfully 
and achieve our business objectives, which could negatively impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Our ability to retain and motivate our management team, attract suitable replacements should any members of our management 
team leave, or attract new investment professionals as our business grows, is dependent on, among other things, the competitive 
nature of the employment market and the career opportunities and compensation that we can offer. In all of our markets, we face 
intense competition in connection with the attraction and retention of qualified employees. 

We may experience departures of key professionals in the future. We cannot predict the impact that any such departures will have 
on our ability to achieve our objectives. Our senior management team possesses substantial experience and expertise and has 
strong business relationships with investors in our managed entities and other members of the business communities and industries 
in which we operate. As a result, the loss of these personnel could jeopardize our relationships with investors in our managed 
entities and other members of the business communities and industries in which we operate and result in the reduction of our 
assets under management or fewer investment opportunities. Accordingly, the loss of services from key professionals or a limitation 
in their availability could adversely impact our financial condition and cash flow. Furthermore, such a loss could be negatively 
perceived in the capital markets. 

Additionally, the departure of certain individuals could trigger certain “key person” provisions in the documentation governing 
certain of our private funds, which would permit the limited partners of those funds to suspend or terminate the funds’ investment 
periods or withdraw their capital prior to the expiration of the applicable lock-up date. Our key person provisions vary by both 
strategy and fund and, with respect to each strategy and fund, are typically tied to multiple individuals, meaning that it would 
require the departure of more than one individual to trigger the key person provisions. Our human capital risks may be exacerbated 
by the fact that we do not maintain any key person insurance. 

The conduct of our businesses and the execution of our strategy rely heavily on teamwork. Our continued ability to respond 
promptly to opportunities and challenges as they arise depends on co-operation and co-ordination across our organization and our 
team-oriented management structure, which may not materialize in the way we expect.

A portion of the workforce in some of our businesses is unionized. If we are unable to negotiate acceptable collective bargaining 
agreements with any of our unions as existing agreements expire we could experience a work stoppage, which could result in a 
significant disruption to the affected operations, higher ongoing labor costs and restrictions on our ability to maximize the efficiency 
of our operations, all of which could have an adverse effect on our financial results.

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k)  Geopolitical

Political  instability,  changes  in  government  policy,  or  unfamiliar  cultural  factors  could  adversely  impact  the  value  of  our 
investments.

We are subject to geopolitical uncertainties in all jurisdictions in which we operate. We make investments in businesses that are 
based outside of North America and we may pursue investments in unfamiliar markets, which may expose us to additional risks 
not typically associated with investing in North America. We may not properly adjust to the local culture and business practices 
in such markets, and there is the prospect that we may hire personnel or partner with local persons who might not comply with 
our culture and ethical business practices; either scenario could result in the failure of our initiatives in new or existing markets 
and lead to financial losses for us and our managed entities. There are risks of political instability in several of our major markets and 
in other parts of the world in which we conduct business from factors such as political conflict, income inequality, refugee migration, 
terrorism, the potential break-up of political-economic unions (or the departure of a union member – e.g., Brexit) and political 
corruption; the materialization of one or more of these risks could negatively affect our financial performance. 

It is unclear how the withdrawal of the U.K. from the E.U. (“Brexit”) may impact the economies of the U.K., the E.U. countries 
and other nations where we have clients, as well as operations. Brexit could significantly disrupt the free movement of goods, 
services, and people between the U.K. and the E.U. and result in increased legal and regulatory complexities, as well as potential 
higher costs of conducting business in Europe, which may adversely affect our financial position, results of operations or cash 
flows. While we have not experienced any material financial impact from Brexit on our business to date, we cannot predict its 
future implications.

Any existing or new operations may be subject to significant political, economic and financial risks, which vary by country, and 
may include: (i) changes in government policies, including protectionist policies, or personnel; (ii) changes in general economic 
or social conditions; (iii) restrictions on currency transfer or convertibility; (iv) changes in labor relations; (v) political instability 
and civil unrest; (vi) less developed or efficient financial markets than in North America; (vii) the absence of uniform accounting, 
auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and disclosure requirements; (viii) less government supervision and regulation; 
(ix)  a  less  developed  legal  or  regulatory  environment;  (x)  heightened  exposure  to  corruption  risk;  (xi)  political  hostility  to 
investments by foreign investors; (xii) less publicly available information in respect of companies in non-North American markets; 
(xiii) adversely higher or lower rates of inflation; (xiv) higher transaction costs; (xv) difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations 
and expropriation or confiscation of assets; and (xvi) fewer investor protections.

Unforeseen political events in markets where we have significant investors and/or where we own and operate assets or may look 
to for further growth of our businesses, such as the U.S., Canadian, Brazilian, Australian, European, Middle Eastern and Asian 
markets, may create economic uncertainty that has a negative impact on our financial performance. Such uncertainty could cause 
disruptions  to  our  businesses,  including  affecting  the  business  of  and/or  our  relationships  with  our  investors,  customers  and 
suppliers, as well as altering the relationship among tariffs and currencies, including the value of the British pound and the Euro 
relative to the U.S. dollar. Disruptions and uncertainties could adversely affect our financial condition, operating results and cash 
flows. In addition, political outcomes in the markets in which we operate may also result in legal uncertainty and potentially 
divergent national laws and regulations, which can contribute to general economic uncertainty. Economic uncertainty impacting 
us and our managed entities could be exacerbated by near-term political events, including those in the U.S., Canada, Brazil, Europe, 
Middle East, Australia, Asia and elsewhere.

l)  Economic Conditions

Unfavorable  economic  conditions  or  changes  in  the  industries  in  which  we  operate  could  adversely  impact  our  financial 
performance.

We are exposed to local, regional, national and international economic conditions and other events and occurrences beyond our 
control, including, but not limited to, the following: credit and capital market volatility; business investment levels; government 
spending levels; consumer spending levels; changes in laws, rules or regulations; trade barriers; commodity prices; currency 
exchange rates and controls; national and international political circumstances (including wars, terrorist acts, or security operations); 
catastrophic events (including pandemics/epidemics such as the recent coronavirus outbreak COVID-19, earthquakes, tornadoes, 
or floods); changes in interest rates; inflation rates; the rate and direction of economic growth; and general economic uncertainty. 
On a global basis, certain industries and sectors have created capacity that anticipated higher growth, which has caused volatility 
across all markets, including commodity markets, which may have a negative impact on our financial performance. Unfavorable 
economic conditions could affect the jurisdictions in which our entities are formed and where we own assets and operate businesses, 
and may cause a reduction in: (i) securities prices; (ii) the liquidity of investments made by us and our managed entities; (iii) the 
value or performance of the investments made by us and our managed entities; and (iv) the ability of us and our managed entities 
to raise or deploy capital, each of which could adversely impact our financial condition.

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In general, a decline in economic conditions, either in the markets or industries in which we participate, or both, will result in 
downward pressure on our operating margins and asset values as a result of lower demand and increased price competition for 
the services and products that we provide. In particular, given the importance of the U.S. to our operations, an economic downturn 
in this market could have a significant adverse effect on our operating margins and asset values.

Many of our private funds have a finite life that may require us to exit an investment made in a fund at an inopportune time. 
Volatility in the exit markets for these investments, increasing levels of capital required to finance companies to exit and rising 
enterprise value thresholds to go public or complete a strategic sale can all contribute to the risk that we will not be able to exit a 
private fund investment successfully. We cannot always control the timing of our private fund investment exits or our realizations 
upon exit.

If global economic conditions deteriorate, our investment performance could suffer, resulting in, for example, the payment of less 
or no carried interest to us. The payment of less or no carried interest to us could cause our cash flow from operations to decrease, 
which could materially adversely affect our liquidity position and the amount of cash we have on hand to conduct our operations. 
A reduction in our cash flow from operations could, in turn, require us to rely on other sources of cash such as the capital markets 
which may not be available to us on acceptable terms, or debt and other forms of leverage.

In addition, in an economic downturn, there is an increased risk of default by counterparties to our investments and other transactions. 
In these circumstances, it is more likely that such transactions will fail or perform poorly, which may in turn have a material 
adverse effect on our business, results of operation and financial condition.

m)  Catastrophic Event/Loss, Climate Change, and Terrorism 

Catastrophic events (or combination of events), such as earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, pandemics/epidemics, terrorism/sabotage, 
or fire, could adversely impact our financial performance.

Our  assets  under  management could  be  exposed  to  effects  of  catastrophic  events,  such  as  severe  weather  conditions,  natural 
disasters, major accidents, pandemics/epidemics, acts of malicious destruction, sabotage, war or terrorism, which could materially 
adversely impact our operations.

A local, regional, national or international outbreak of a contagious disease, such as COVID-19 which has spread across the globe 
at a rapid pace impacting global commercial activity and travel, may adversely affect trade and global and local economies, and 
could negatively impact clients and our businesses. 

The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 to be a pandemic on March 11, 2020. COVID-19 has spread globally, and 
actions taken in response to COVID-19 have interrupted business activities and supply chains; disrupted travel; contributed to 
significant volatility in the financial markets, resulting in a general decline in equity prices and lower interest rates; impacted 
social conditions; and adversely impacted local, regional, national and international economic conditions, as well as the labor 
market. As a result of the rapid spread of COVID-19, many companies and various governments have imposed restrictions on 
business activity and travel which may continue and could expand. By March 2020, our asset management operations, as well as 
many of our portfolio companies, were operating in accordance with their business continuity plans, including, in many instances, 
transitioning employees to work remotely. Business has slowed around the globe including in certain of our operations, such as 
our malls and ports, and there can be no assurance that strategies to address potential disruptions in operations will mitigate the 
adverse impacts related to the outbreak. Given the ongoing and dynamic nature of the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, it 
is difficult to predict how significant the impact of this coronavirus outbreak, including any responses to it, will be on the global 
economy, our clients, and our businesses or for how long disruptions are likely to continue. The extent of such impact will depend 
on future developments, which are highly uncertain, rapidly evolving and cannot be predicted, including new information which 
may emerge concerning the severity of this coronavirus and actions taken to contain the COVID-19 or its impact, among others. 
Such developments, depending on their nature, duration, and intensity, could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 

Ongoing changes to the physical climate in which we operate may have an impact on our businesses. Changes in weather patterns 
or extreme weather (such as floods, hurricanes and other storms) may impact hydrology and/or wind levels, thereby influencing 
power generation levels, affect other of our businesses or damage our assets. Further, rising sea levels could, in the future, affect 
the value of any low-lying coastal real assets that we may own or develop, result in the imposition of new property taxes or increase 
property insurance rates. Climate change may also give rise to changes in regulations and consumer sentiment that could have a 
negative impact on our operations by increasing the costs of operating our business. The adverse effects of climate change and 
related regulation at provincial or state, federal and international levels could have a material adverse effect on our business, 
financial position, results of operations or cash flows. 

105    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Our commercial office portfolio is concentrated in large metropolitan areas, some of which have been or may be perceived to be 
threatened by terrorist attacks or acts of war. Furthermore, many of our properties consist of high-rise buildings which may also 
be subject to this actual or perceived threat. The perceived threat of a terrorist attack or outbreak of war could negatively impact 
our ability to lease office space in our real estate portfolio. Renewable power and infrastructure assets such as roads, railways, 
power generation facilities and ports, may also be targeted by terrorist organizations or in acts of war. Any damage or business 
interruption costs as a result of uninsured or underinsured acts of terrorism or war could result in a material cost to us and could 
adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operation. Adequate terrorism insurance may not be available at 
rates we believe to be reasonable in the future. These risks could be heightened by foreign policy decisions of the U.S. (where we 
have significant operations) and other influential countries or general geopolitical conditions.

Additionally, our businesses rely on free movement of goods, services, and capital from around the globe. Any slowdown in 
international investment, business, or trade as a result of catastrophic events, including COVID-19, also could have a material 
adverse effect on our business, financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

n)  Tax

Reassessments by tax authorities or changes in tax laws could create additional tax costs for us.

Our  structure  is  based  on  prevailing  taxation  law  and  practice  in  the  local  jurisdictions  in  which  we  operate. Any  change  in 
tax policy, tax legislation (including in relation to taxation rates), the interpretation of tax policy or legislation or practice in these 
jurisdictions could adversely affect the return we earn on our investments, the level of capital available to be invested by us or 
our managed entities and the willingness of investors to invest in our managed entities. This risk would include any reassessments 
by tax authorities on our tax returns if we were to incorrectly interpret or apply any tax policy, legislation or practice.

Taxes and other constraints that would apply to our operating entities in such jurisdictions may not apply to local institutions or 
other parties such as state-owned enterprises, and such parties may therefore have a significantly lower effective cost of capital 
and a corresponding competitive advantage in pursuing acquisitions. There are a number of factors that could increase our effective 
tax rates, which would have a negative impact on our net income, including, but not limited to, changes in the valuation of our 
deferred tax assets and liabilities and any reassessment of taxes by a taxation authority.

Governments around the world are increasingly seeking to regulate multinational companies and their use of differential tax rates 
between jurisdictions. This effort includes a greater emphasis by various nations to co-ordinate and share information regarding 
companies and the taxes they pay. Governmental taxation policies and practices could adversely affect us and, depending on the 
nature of such policies and practices, could have a greater impact on us than on other companies. As a result of this increased 
focus on the use of tax planning by multinational companies, our tax planning could be subject to negative media coverage which 
may adversely impact our reputation.

The Corporation endeavors to be considered a “qualified foreign corporation” for U.S. federal income tax purposes and for the 
Corporation’s  dividends  to  therefore  be  considered  generally  eligible  for  “qualified  dividend”  treatment  in  the  U.S. Whether 
dividends paid by the Corporation will in fact be treated as “qualified dividends” for U.S. federal income tax purposes for a 
particular shareholder of the Corporation will depend on that shareholder’s specific circumstances, including, but not limited to, 
the shareholder’s holding period for shares of the Corporation on which dividends are received. The Corporation provides no 
assurances that any or all of its dividends paid to shareholders will be treated as “qualified dividends” for U.S. federal income tax 
purposes.

o)  Financial Reporting and Disclosures

Deficiencies in our public company financial reporting and disclosures could adversely impact our reputation.

As we expand the size and scope of our business, there is a greater susceptibility that our financial reporting and other public 
disclosure documents may contain material misstatements and that the controls we maintain to attempt to ensure the complete 
accuracy of our public disclosures may fail to operate as intended. The occurrence of such events could adversely impact our 
reputation and financial condition. In addition, we disclose certain metrics that do not have standardized meaning and are based 
on our own methodologies and assumptions, and which may not properly convey the information they purport to reflect.

Management  is  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  adequate  internal  controls  over  financial  reporting  to  give  our 
stakeholders assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external 
purposes in accordance with IFRS. However, the process for establishing and maintaining adequate internal controls over financial 
reporting has inherent limitations, including the possibility of human error. Our internal controls over financial reporting may not 
prevent or detect misstatements in our financial disclosures on a timely basis, or at all. Some of these processes may be new for 
certain subsidiaries in our structure and in the case of acquisitions may take time to be fully implemented.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    106

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in reports 
filed or submitted under Canadian and U.S. securities laws is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods 
specified. Our policies and procedures governing disclosures may not ensure that all material information regarding us is disclosed 
in a proper and timely fashion, or that we will be successful in preventing the disclosure of material information to a single person 
or a limited group of people before such information is generally disseminated.

p)  Health, Safety and the Environment

Inadequate or ineffective health and safety programs could result in injuries to employees or the public and, as with ineffective 
management of environmental and sustainability issues, could damage our reputation, adversely impact our financial performance 
and may lead to regulatory action.

The ownership and operation of some of the assets held in our portfolio companies carry varying degrees of inherent risk or liability 
related to worker health and safety and the environment, including the risk of government-imposed orders to remedy unsafe 
conditions and contaminated lands and potential civil liability. Compliance with health, safety and environmental standards and 
the requirements set out in the relevant licenses, permits and other approvals obtained by the portfolio companies is crucial.

Our portfolio companies have incurred and will continue to incur significant capital and operating expenditures to comply with 
health, safety and environmental standards, to obtain and comply with licenses, permits and other approvals, and to assess and 
manage potential liability exposure. Nevertheless, they may be unsuccessful in obtaining or maintaining an important license, 
permit or other approval or become subject to government orders, investigations, inquiries or other proceedings (including civil 
claims) relating to health, safety and environmental matters, any of which could have a material adverse effect on us.

Health, safety and environmental laws and regulations can change rapidly and significantly, and we and/or our portfolio companies 
may  become  subject  to  more  stringent  laws  and  regulations  in  the  future.  The  occurrence  of  any  adverse  health,  safety  or 
environmental event, or any changes, additions to, or more rigorous enforcement of, health, safety and environmental standards, 
licenses, permits or other approvals could have a significant impact on operations and/or result in material expenditures.

Owners and operators of real assets may become liable for the costs of removal and remediation of certain hazardous substances 
released or deposited on or in their properties, or at other locations regardless of whether or not the owner and operator caused 
the  release  or  deposit  of  such  hazardous  materials. These  costs  could  be  significant  and  could  reduce  cash  available  for  our 
businesses. The failure to remove or remediate such substances, if any, could adversely affect our ability to sell our assets or to 
borrow using these assets as collateral, and could potentially result in claims or other proceedings.

Certain of our businesses are involved in using, handling or transporting substances that are toxic, combustible or otherwise 
hazardous to the environment and may be in close proximity to environmentally sensitive areas or densely populated communities. 
If a leak, spill or other environmental incident occurred, it could result in substantial fines or penalties being imposed by regulatory 
authorities, revocation of licenses or permits required to operate the business, the imposition of more stringent conditions in those 
licenses or permits or legal claims for compensation (including punitive damages) by affected stakeholders.

There is increasing stakeholder interest in environment, social and governance (“ESG”) factors and how they are managed. ESG 
factors include carbon footprints, human capital and labor management, corporate governance, gender diversity and privacy and 
data security, among others. Increasingly, investors and lenders are incorporating ESG factors into their investment or lending 
process, respectively, alongside traditional financial considerations. Investors or potential investors in our managed entities or in 
Brookfield may not invest given certain industries in which we operate. If we are unable to successfully integrate ESG factors 
into our practices, we may incur a higher cost of capital or lower interest in our debt and/or equity securities.

Global ESG challenges such as carbon footprints, privacy and data security, demographic shifts and regulatory pressures are 
introducing new risk factors for us that we may not have dealt with previously. If we are unable to successfully manage our ESG 
compliance, this could have a negative impact on our reputation and our ability to raise future public and private capital, and could 
be detrimental to our economic value and the value of our managed entities.

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q)  Data Security, Privacy, and Cyber-Terrorism 

Failure to maintain the security of our information and technology systems could have a material adverse effect on us. 

We rely on certain information and technology systems, including the systems of others with whom we do business, which may 
be subject to security breaches or cyber-terrorism intended to obtain unauthorized access to proprietary information or personally 
identifiable information, destroy data or disable, degrade or sabotage these systems, through the introduction of computer viruses, 
fraudulent emails, cyber-attacks or other means. Such acts of cyber-terrorism could originate from a variety of sources including 
our  own  employees  or  unknown  third  parties.  In  the  ordinary  course  of  our  business,  we  collect  and  store  sensitive  data, 
including personally identifiable information of our employees and our clients. Data protection and privacy rules have become a 
focus for regulators globally. For instance, the European General Data Protection Regulation (“GDPR”) amended data protection 
rules for individuals that are residents of the E.U. GDPR imposes more stringent rules and greater penalties for non-compliance, 
which could have an adverse effect on our business.

Although we take various measures to ensure the integrity of our systems and to safeguard against failures or security breaches, 
there can be no assurance that these measures will provide adequate protection, and a compromise in these systems could go 
undetected for a significant period of time. If these information and technology systems are compromised, we could suffer a 
disruption in one or more of our businesses and experience, among other things, financial loss; a loss of business opportunities; 
misappropriation or unauthorized release of confidential or personal information; damage to our systems and those with whom 
we do business; violations of privacy and other laws, litigation, regulatory penalties or remediation and restoration costs (particularly 
in light of increased regulatory focus on cyber-security by regulators around the world); as well as increased costs to maintain our 
systems. This could have a negative impact on our operating results and cash flows and result in reputational damage.

r)  Dependence on Information Technology Systems

The failure of our information technology systems, or those of our third-party service providers, could adversely impact our 
reputation and financial performance.

We operate in businesses that are dependent on information systems and technology, and we rely on third-party service providers 
to manage certain aspects of our businesses, including for certain information systems and technology, data processing systems, 
and the secure processing, storage and transmission of information. In particular, our financial, accounting and communications 
processes are all conducted through data processing systems. Our information technology and communications systems and those 
of our third-party service providers are vulnerable to damages or disruption from fire, power loss, telecommunications failure, 
system malfunctions, natural disasters, acts of war or terrorism, employee errors or malfeasance, computer viruses, cyber-attacks 
or other events which are beyond our control. 

Our information systems and technology and those of our third-party vendors may not continue to be able to accommodate our 
growth and the cost of maintaining such systems may increase from its current level, either of which could have a material adverse 
effect on us.

Any interruption or deterioration in the performance or failures of the information systems and technology that are necessary for 
our businesses, including for business continuity purposes, could impair the quality of our operations and could adversely affect 
our business, financial condition and reputation.

s)  Litigation

We and our affiliates may become involved in legal disputes in Canada, the U.S. and internationally that could adversely impact 
our financial performance and reputation.

In the normal course of our operations, we become involved in various legal actions, including claims relating to personal injury, 
property damage, property taxes, land rights and contract and other commercial disputes. The investment decisions we make in 
our asset management business and the activities of our investment professionals on behalf of the portfolio companies of our 
managed entities may subject us, our managed entities and our portfolio companies to the risk of third-party litigation. Further, 
we have significant operations in the U.S. which may, as a result of the prevalence of litigation in the U.S., be more susceptible 
to legal action than certain of our other operations.

Management of our litigation matters is generally handled by legal counsel in the business unit most directly impacted by the 
litigation, and not by a centralized legal department. As a result, the management of litigation that we face may not always be 
appropriate or effective.

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The final outcome with respect to outstanding, pending or future litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, and the resolution 
of such actions may have an adverse effect on our financial position or results of our operations in a particular quarter or fiscal 
year. Any litigation may consume substantial amounts of our management’s time and attention, and that time and the devotion of 
these resources to litigation may, at times, be disproportionate to the amounts at stake in the litigation. Even if ultimately unsuccessful 
against us, any litigation has the potential to adversely affect our business, including by damaging our reputation.

t) 

Insurance

Losses not covered by insurance may be large, which could adversely impact our financial performance.

We carry various insurance policies on our assets. These policies contain policy specifications, limits and deductibles that may 
mean that such policies do not provide coverage or sufficient coverage against all potential material losses. We may also self-
insure a portion of certain of these risks, and therefore the company may not be able to recover from a third-party insurer in the 
event that the company, if it had asset insurance coverage from a third party, could make a claim for recovery. There are certain 
types of risk (generally of a catastrophic nature such as war or environmental contamination) that are either uninsurable or not 
economically insurable. Further, there are certain types of risk for which insurance coverage is not equal to the full replacement 
cost of the insured assets. Should any uninsured or underinsured loss occur, we could lose our investment in, and anticipated 
profits and cash flows from, one or more of our assets or operations.

We also carry directors’ and officers’ liability insurance (D&O insurance) for losses or advancement of defense costs in the event 
a legal action is brought against the company’s directors, officers or employees for alleged wrongful acts in their capacity as 
directors, officers or employees. Our D&O insurance contains certain customary exclusions that may make it unavailable for the 
company in the event it is needed; and in any case our D&O insurance may not be adequate to fully protect the company against 
liability for the conduct of its directors, officers or employees. We may also self-insure a portion of our D&O insurance, and 
therefore the company may not be able to recover from a third-party insurer in the event that the company, if it had D&O insurance 
from a third-party insurer, could make a claim for recovery.

For economic efficiency and other reasons, the Corporation and its affiliates may enter into insurance policies as a group which 
are intended to provide coverage for the entire group. Where group policies are in place, any payments under such policy could 
have a negative impact on other entities covered under the policy as they may not be able to access adequate insurance in the 
event it is needed. While management attempts to design coverage limits under group policies to ensure that all entities covered 
under a policy have access to sufficient insurance coverage, there are no guarantees that these efforts will be effective in obtaining 
this result.

u)  Credit and Counterparty Risk

Inability to collect amounts owing to us could adversely impact financial performance.

Third parties may not fulfill their payment obligations to us, which could include money, securities or other assets, thereby impacting 
our  operations  and  financial  results.  These  parties  include  deal  and  trading  counterparties,  governmental  agencies,  portfolio 
company customers and financial intermediaries. Third parties may default on their obligations to us due to bankruptcy, lack of 
liquidity, operational failure, general economic conditions or other reasons.

We have business lines whose models are to earn investment returns by loaning money to distressed companies, either privately 
or via an investment in publicly traded debt securities. As a result, we actively take heightened credit risk in other entities from 
time to time and whether we realize satisfactory investment returns on these loans is uncertain and may be beyond our control. If 
some of these debt investments fail, our financial performance could be negatively impacted.

Investors in our private funds make capital commitments to these vehicles through the execution of subscription agreements. 
When a private fund makes an investment, these capital commitments are then satisfied by our investors via capital contributions. 
Investors in our private funds may default on their capital commitment obligations, which could have an adverse impact on our 
earnings or result in other negative implications to our businesses such as the requirement to redeploy our own capital to cover 
such obligations. This impact would be magnified if the investor that does so is in multiple funds.

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v)  Information Barriers

Certain businesses within our asset management operations operate largely independently of one another pursuant to an information 
barrier. The information barrier restricts businesses on opposite sides from coordinating or consulting with one another with respect 
to investment activities and/or decisions. Accordingly, these businesses manage their investment operations independently of each 
other. The investment activities and decisions made by a business on one side of an information barrier are not expected to be 
subject to any internal approvals by any person who would have knowledge and/or decision-making control of the investment 
activities and decisions made by a business on the other side of the information barrier. This absence of coordination and consultation 
will give rise to certain conflicts and risks in connection with the activities of the businesses within our asset management operations 
and their portfolio companies, and make it more difficult to mitigate, ameliorate or avoid such situations. These conflicts (and 
potential conflicts) of interests may include: (i) competing from time to time for the same investment opportunities, (ii) the pursuit 
by a business on one side of the information barrier of investment opportunities suitable for a business on the other side of the 
information barrier, without making such opportunities available to such business, and (iii) the formation or establishment of new 
strategies or products that could compete or otherwise conduct their affairs without regard as to whether or not they adversely 
impact the strategies or products of our businesses operating on the other side of the information barrier. Investment teams managing 
the activities of businesses that operate on opposite sides of an information barrier are not expected to be aware of, and will not 
have the ability to manage, such conflicts which may impact the investment strategy, performance, and investment returns of 
certain businesses within our asset management operations and their portfolio companies. 

The asset management businesses that operate on opposite sides of an information barrier are likely to be deemed affiliates for 
purposes of certain laws and regulations notwithstanding that such businesses may be operationally independent from one another. 
The information barrier does not eliminate the requirement that such businesses aggregate certain investment holdings for certain 
securities laws and other regulatory purposes. This may result in, among other things, earlier public disclosure of investments; 
restrictions on transactions (including the ability to make or dispose of certain investments at certain times); potential short-swing 
profit disgorgement; penalties and/or regulatory remedies; or adverse effects on the prices of investments for our asset management 
businesses that operate on the other side of such information barrier. 

Although these information barriers were implemented to address the potential conflicts of interests and regulatory, legal and 
contractual requirements applicable to our asset management business, we may decide, at any time and without notice to our 
company or our shareholders, to remove or modify the information barriers within our asset management business. In addition, 
there may be breaches (including inadvertent breaches) of the information barriers and related internal controls. In the event that 
the information barrier is removed or modified, it would be expected that we will adopt certain protocols designed to address 
potential  conflicts  and  other  considerations  relating  to  the  management  of  the  investment  activities  of  those  businesses  that 
previously operated on opposite sides of an information barrier. 

The breach or failure of our information barriers could result in the sharing of material non-public information between asset 
management businesses that operate on opposite sides of an information barrier, which may restrict the acquisition or disposition 
activities of one of our businesses and ultimately impact the returns generated for our investors. In addition, any such breach or 
failure could also result in potential regulatory investigations and claims for securities laws violations in connection with our direct 
and/or indirect investment activities. Any inadvertent trading on material non-public information, or perception of trading on 
material non-public information by one of our businesses or our personnel, could have a significant adverse effect on our reputation, 
result in the imposition of regulatory or financial sanctions, and negatively impact our ability to raise third-party capital and provide 
investment management services to our clients, all of which could result in negative financial impact to our investment activities. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    110

w)  Real Estate

We face risks specific to our real estate activities.

We invest in commercial properties and are therefore exposed to certain risks inherent in the commercial real estate business. 
Commercial real estate investments are subject to varying degrees of risk depending on the nature of the property. These risks 
include changes in general economic conditions (such as the availability and cost of mortgage capital), local conditions (such as 
an oversupply of space or a reduction in demand for real estate in the markets in which we operate), the attractiveness of the 
properties to tenants, competition from other landlords and our ability to provide adequate maintenance at an economical cost.

Certain expenditures, including property taxes, maintenance costs, mortgage payments, insurance costs and related charges, must 
be made whether or not a property is producing sufficient income to service these expenses. Our commercial properties are typically 
subject to mortgages which require debt service payments. If we become unable or unwilling to meet mortgage payments on any 
property, losses could be sustained as a result of the mortgagee’s exercise of its rights of foreclosure or of sale.

Continuation of rental income is dependent on favorable leasing markets to ensure expiring leases are renewed and new tenants 
are found promptly to fill vacancies. It is possible that we may face a disproportionate amount of space expiring in any one year. 
Additionally, rental rates could decline, tenant bankruptcies could increase and tenant renewals may not be achieved, particularly 
in the event of an economic slowdown.

Our retail real estate operations are susceptible to any economic factors that have a negative impact on consumer spending. Lower 
consumer spending would have an unfavorable effect on the sales of our retail tenants, which could result in their inability or 
unwillingness to make all payments owing to us, and on our ability to keep existing tenants and attract new tenants. Significant 
expenditures  associated  with  each  equity  investment  in  real  estate  assets,  such  as  mortgage  payments,  property  taxes  and 
maintenance costs, are generally not reduced when there is a reduction in income from the investment, so our income and cash 
flow would be adversely affected by a decline in income from our retail properties. In addition, low occupancy or sales at our 
retail properties, as a result of competition or otherwise, could result in termination of or reduced rent payable under certain of 
our retail leases, which could adversely affect our retail property revenues.

Our hospitality and multifamily businesses are subject to a range of operating risks common to these industries. The profitability 
of our investments in these industries may be adversely affected by a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. 
For example, our hospitality business faces risks relating to climate change; hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural 
and man-made disasters; the potential spread of contagious diseases such as COVID-19; and insect infestations more common to 
rental accommodations. Such factors could limit or reduce the demand for or the prices our hospitality properties are able to obtain 
for their accommodations or could increase our costs and therefore reduce the profitability of our hospitality businesses. There 
are numerous housing alternatives which compete with our multifamily properties, including other multifamily properties as well 
as condominiums and single-family homes. This competitive environment could have a material adverse effect on our ability to 
lease apartment homes at our present properties or any newly developed or acquired real estate, as well as on the rents realized.

x)  Renewable Power

We face risks specific to our renewable power activities.

Our renewable power operations are subject to changes in the weather, hydrology and price, but also include risks related to 
equipment or dam failure, counterparty performance, water rental costs, land rental costs, changes in regulatory requirements and 
other material disruptions.

The revenues generated by our power facilities are correlated to the amount of electricity generated, which in turn is dependent 
upon available water flows, wind, irradiance and other elements beyond our control. Hydrology, wind and irradiance levels vary 
naturally from year to year and may also change permanently because of climate change or other factors. It is therefore possible 
that low water, wind and irradiance levels at certain of our power generating operations could occur at any time and potentially 
continue for indefinite periods.

A portion of our renewable power revenue is tied, either directly or indirectly, to the wholesale market price for electricity, which 
is impacted by a number of external factors beyond our control. Additionally, a portion of the power we generate is sold under 
long-term power purchase agreements, shorter-term financial instruments and physical electricity contracts which are intended to 
mitigate the impact of fluctuations in wholesale electricity prices; however, they may not be effective in achieving this outcome. 
Certain of our power purchase agreements will be subject to re-contracting in the future. If the price of electricity in power markets 
is declining at the time of such re-contracting, it may impact our ability to re-negotiate or replace these contracts on terms that are 
acceptable to us.

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In our renewable power operations there is a risk of equipment failure due to wear and tear, latent defect, design error or operator 
error, among other things. The occurrence of such failures could result in a loss of generating capacity and repairing such failures 
could require the expenditure of significant capital and other resources. Failures could also result in exposure to significant liability 
for damages due to harm to the environment, to the public generally or to specific third parties.

In certain cases, some catastrophic events may not excuse us from performing our obligations pursuant to agreements with third 
parties and we may be liable for damages or suffer further losses as a result.

Our ability to develop greenfield renewable power projects in our development pipeline may be affected by a number of factors, 
including the ability to secure approvals, licenses and permits and the ability to secure a long-term power purchase agreement or 
other sales contracts on reasonable terms. The development of our pipeline of greenfield renewable power projects is also subject 
to environmental, engineering and construction risks that could result in cost-overruns, delays and reduced performance. 

y)  Infrastructure

We face risks specific to our infrastructure activities.

Our infrastructure operations include utilities, transport, energy, data infrastructure, timberlands and agriculture operations. Our 
infrastructure  assets  include  toll  roads,  telecommunication  towers,  electricity  transmission  systems,  coal  terminal  operations, 
electricity and gas  distribution companies, rail networks,  ports and data centers. The  principal risks  facing the regulated and 
unregulated businesses comprising our infrastructure operations relate to government regulation, general economic conditions 
and other material disruptions, counterparty performance, capital expenditure requirements and land use.

Many of our infrastructure operations are subject to forms of economic regulation, including with respect to revenues. If any of 
the respective regulators in the jurisdictions in which we operate decide to change the tolls or rates we are allowed to charge, or 
the amounts of the provisions we are allowed to collect, we may not be able to earn the rate of return on our investments that we 
had planned, or we may not be able to recover our initial cost.

General economic conditions affect international demand for the commodities handled and services provided by our infrastructure 
operations and the goods produced and sold by our timberlands and agriculture businesses. A downturn in the economy generally, 
including as a result of the current pandemic resulting from COVID-19, or specific to any of our infrastructure businesses, may 
lead to bankruptcies or liquidations of one or more large customers, which could reduce our revenues, increase our bad debt 
expense, reduce our ability to make capital expenditures or have other adverse effects on us.

Some of our infrastructure operations have customer contracts as well as concession agreements in place with public and private 
sector clients. Our operations with customer contracts could be adversely affected by any material change in the assets, financial 
condition or results of operations of such customers. Protecting the quality of our revenue streams through the inclusion of take-
or-pay or guaranteed minimum volume provisions into our contracts, is not always possible or fully effective.

Our infrastructure operations may require substantial capital expenditures to maintain our asset base. Any failure to make necessary 
expenditures to maintain our operations could impair our ability to serve existing customers or accommodate increased volumes. 
In addition, we may not be able to recover investments in capital expenditures based upon the rates our operations are able to charge.

z)  Private Equity

We face risks specific to our private equity activities.

The principal risks for our private equity businesses are potential loss of invested capital as well as insufficient investment or fee 
income to cover operating expenses and cost of capital. These investments are typically cyclical and illiquid and therefore may 
be difficult to monetize, limiting our flexibility to react to changing economic or investment conditions. In addition, increasingly 
we have certain private equity businesses that provide goods and services directly to consumers across a variety of industries. 
These businesses are prone to greater liabilities, as well as reputational, litigation and other risks by virtue of being more public-
facing and reliant on their ability to develop and preserve consumer relationships and achieve consumer satisfaction.

Unfavorable economic conditions could negatively impact the ability of investee companies to repay debt. Even with our support, 
adverse economic conditions facing our investee companies may adversely impact the value of our investments or deplete our 
financial or management resources. These investments are also subject to the risks inherent in the underlying businesses, some of 
which are facing difficult business conditions and may continue to do so for the foreseeable future. These risks are compounded 
by recent growth, as new acquisitions have increased the scale and scope of our operations, including in new geographic areas 
and industry sectors, and we may have difficulty managing these additional operations. 

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We may invest in companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in 
work-outs, liquidations, spin-offs, reorganizations, bankruptcies and similar transactions. Such an investment entails the risk that 
the transaction will be unsuccessful, will take considerable time or will result in a distribution of cash or new securities the value 
of which may be less than the purchase price of the securities in respect of which such distribution is received. In addition, if an 
anticipated transaction does not occur, we may be required to sell our investment at a loss. Investments in businesses we target 
may become subject to legal and/or regulatory proceedings and our investment may be adversely affected by external events 
beyond our control, leading to legal, indemnification or other expenses.

We have several companies that operate in the highly competitive service industry. A wide variety of micro and macroeconomic 
factors  affecting  our  clients  and  over  which  we  have  no  control  can  impact  how  these  companies  operate.  For  example,  our 
mortgage insurance services business is subject to significant regulation and may be adversely affected by changes in government 
policy. The majority of the revenue from our health services business is derived from private health insurance funds, which may 
be affected by a deterioration in the economic climate, a change in economic incentives, increases in private health insurance 
premiums, any sudden changes in Australia and New Zealand’s disease burden and other factors. Alternative technologies could 
impact the demand for, or use of, our services and could impair or eliminate the competitive advantage of our businesses in this 
industry.

Our infrastructure services operations include investments in nuclear servicing and marine transportation. The nuclear power 
generation industry is politically sensitive and opposition to particular projects could lead to increased regulation and/or more 
onerous operating requirements. A future accident at a nuclear reactor could result in the shutdown of existing plants or impact 
the continued acceptance by the public and regulatory authorities of nuclear energy and the future prospects for nuclear generators. 
Accidents, terrorism, natural disasters or other incidents occurring at nuclear facilities or involving shipments of nuclear materials 
could reduce the demand for nuclear services. Marine transportation and oil production is inherently risky, particularly in the 
extreme conditions in which many of our vessels operate. An incident involving significant loss of product or environmental 
contamination by any of our vessels could harm our reputation and business.

We have industrial operations that are substantially dependent upon the prices we receive for the resources we produce. Those 
prices  depend  on  factors  beyond  our  control,  and  commodity  price  declines  can  have  a  significant  negative  impact  on  these 
operations. Sustained depressed levels, declines or high volatility of the price of resources such as lead, oil, gas and limestone, as 
well as changes in the industries upon which our industrial operations are dependent, including the automotive, water, wastewater 
and oil and gas industries, may adversely affect our operating results and cash flows. For these types of businesses, it can be 
difficult or expensive to obtain insurance. Our industrial operations can face labour disruptions and economically unfavorable 
collective bargaining agreements, as well as exposure to occupational health and safety and accident risks.

Unforeseen political events in markets where we own and operate assets and may look to for further growth, such as the U.S., 
Brazil, Australia, Europe and Asia, may create economic uncertainty. Such uncertainty could cause disruptions to our businesses, 
including affecting the business of and/or our relationships with our customers and suppliers, as well as altering the relationship 
among tariffs and currencies. In addition, political outcomes in the markets in which we operate may also result in legal uncertainty 
and  potentially  divergent  national  laws  and  regulations,  which  can  contribute  to  general  economic  uncertainty.  Economic 
uncertainty impacting us and our managed entities could be exacerbated by near-term political events, including those in the U.S., 
Brazil, Australia, Europe, Asia and elsewhere.

aa)  Residential Development

We face risks specific to our residential development and mixed-use activities.

Our residential homebuilding and land development operations are cyclical and significantly affected by changes in general and 
local economic and industry conditions, such as consumer confidence, employment levels, availability of financing for homebuyers, 
household debt, levels of new and existing homes for sale, demographic trends and housing demand. Competition from rental 
properties and resale homes, including homes held for sale by investors and foreclosed homes, may reduce our ability to sell new 
homes, depress prices and reduce margins for the sale of new homes.

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Virtually all of our homebuilding customers finance their home acquisitions through mortgages. Even if potential customers do 
not need financing, changes in interest rates or the unavailability of mortgage capital could make it harder for them to sell their 
homes to potential buyers who need financing, resulting in a reduced demand for new homes. Rising mortgage rates or reduced 
mortgage availability could adversely affect our ability to sell new homes and the prices at which we can sell them. Our Canadian 
markets continue to be  materially impacted by  recent changes to  mortgage qualification rules that introduced  stress tests  for 
homebuyers and government policies relating to the Ontario real estate market and the Alberta energy sector surrounding pipeline 
approval. In the United States, significant expenses incurred for purposes of owning a home, including mortgage interest expense 
and real estate taxes, generally are deductible expenses for an individual’s U.S. federal and, in some cases, state income taxes. 
However, in 2017 mortgage interest deductibility was reduced significantly for both federal and state taxes, which may adversely 
impact demand for and sales prices of new homes.

The current economic environment also continues to impact the industry for retail and office properties in our mixed-use projects. 
As we depend on office, retail, and apartment tenants to generate income from these mixed-use projects, our results of operations 
and cash flows may be adversely affected by vacancies and tenant defaults or bankruptcy in our mixed-use properties, and we 
may be unable to renew leases or re-lease space in our mixed-use properties as leases expire.

We hold land for future development and may in the future acquire additional land holdings. The risks inherent in purchasing, 
owning and developing land increase as the demand for new homes decreases. Real estate markets are highly uncertain, and the 
value of undeveloped land has fluctuated significantly and may continue to fluctuate. In addition, land carrying costs can be 
significant and can result in losses or reduced profitability. As a result, we hold certain land, and may acquire additional land, in 
our development pipeline at a cost we may not be able to fully recover or at a cost which precludes profitable development.

Our residential development and mixed-use business is susceptible to adverse weather conditions, other environmental conditions, 
and natural disasters, as well as pandemics/epidemics such as COVID-19, each of which could adversely affect our business and 
results of operations. For example, while none of our U.S. properties were materially adversely affected by the recent significant 
wildfires throughout Southern California, we could experience labor shortages, construction delays, or utility company delays, 
which in turn could impact our results.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    114

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

The below summarizes certain terms relating to our business that are made throughout the MD&A and it defines IFRS performance 
measures, non-IFRS performance measures and key operating measures that we use to analyze and discuss our results.

References 

“Brookfield,” the “company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refers to Brookfield Asset Management Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. 
The  “Corporation”  refers  to  our  asset  management  business  which  is  comprised  of  our  asset  management  and  corporate 
business segments.

We refer to investors in the Corporation as shareholders and we refer to investors in our private funds and listed partnerships 
as investors.

We use asset manager to refer to our Asset Management segment which offers a variety of investment products to our investors:

•  We have 40 active funds across major asset classes: real estate, infrastructure/renewable power and private equity. These 
funds include core, credit, value-add and opportunistic closed-end funds and core long-life funds. We refer to these funds as 
our private funds.

•  We refer to BPY, BEP, BIP and BBU as our listed partnerships. 

•  We refer to our public securities group as public securities. This group manages fee-bearing capital through numerous funds 

and separately managed accounts, focused on fixed income and equity securities.

Throughout the MD&A and consolidated financial statements, the following operating companies, joint ventures and associates, 
and their respective subsidiaries, will be referenced as follows:

•  Acadian – Acadian Timber Corp.
•  Aveo Group – Aveo Group Limited
•  BBU – Brookfield Business Partners L.P.
•  BEMI – Brookfield Energy Marketing Inc.
•  BEP – Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P.
•  BGIS – Brookfield Global Integrated Solutions Canada L.P.
•  BGRS – Brookfield Global Relocation Services
•  BIP – Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P.
•  BPR – Brookfield Property REIT Inc. (formerly GGP Inc.)
•  BPY – Brookfield Property Partners L.P.
•  Clarios – Clarios (formerly Johnson Controls Power Solutions)
•  Enercare – Enercare Inc.

Performance Measures

•  Forest City – Forest City Realty Trust, Inc.
•  Genworth – Genworth MI Canada Inc.
•  Genesee & Wyoming – Genesee & Wyoming Inc.
•  GGP – GGP Inc.
•  GrafTech – GrafTech International Ltd.
•  Greenergy – Greenergy Fuels Holdings Ltd.
•  Healthscope – Healthscope Limited
•  Norbord – Norbord Inc.
•  Oaktree – Oaktree Capital Management, L.P.
•  Teekay Offshore – Teekay Offshore
•  TERP – TerraForm Power, Inc.
•  Westinghouse – Westinghouse Electric Company

Definitions of performance measures, including IFRS, non-IFRS and operating measures, are presented below in alphabetical 
order. We have specifically identified those measures which are IFRS or non-IFRS measures; the remainder are operating measures.

Assets under management (“AUM”) refers to the total fair value of assets that we manage, on a gross asset value basis, including 
assets for which we earn management fees and those for which we do not. AUM is calculated as follows: (i) for investments that 
Brookfield consolidates for accounting purposes or actively manages, including investments of which Brookfield or a controlled 
investment vehicle is the largest shareholder or the primary operator or manager, at 100% of the investment’s total assets on a fair 
value basis; and (ii) for all other investments, at Brookfield’s or its controlled investment vehicle’s, as applicable, proportionate 
share of the investment’s total assets on a fair value basis. Brookfield’s methodology for determining AUM may differ from the 
methodology employed by other alternative asset managers and Brookfield’s AUM presented herein may differ from our AUM 
reflected in other public filings and/or our Form ADV and Form PF.

Base management fees, which are determined by contractual arrangements, are typically equal to a percentage of fee-bearing 
capital and  are  accrued  quarterly.  Base  management  fees,  including  private  fund  base  fees  and  listed  partnership  base  fees, 
are IFRS measures.

Private fund base fees are typically earned on fee-bearing capital from third-party investors only and are earned on invested and/
or uninvested fund capital, depending on the stage of the fund life.

115    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Listed  partnership  base  fees  are  earned  on  the  total  capitalization,  including  debt  and  market  capitalization,  of  the  listed 
partnerships,  which  includes  our  investment.  Base  fees  for  BPY,  BEP  and  TERP  include  a  quarterly  fixed  fee  amount 
of $12.5 million, $5 million and $3 million, respectively. BPY and BEP each pay additional fees of 1.25% on the increase in 
market capitalization above their initial capitalization of $11.5 billion and $8 billion, respectively. TERP pays an additional fee 
of 1.25% on the increase above initial per unit price at the time of acquisition. Base fees for BPR, BIP and BBU are 1.25% of 
total capitalization. BPR capital was subject to a 12-month fee waiver which expired at the end of August 2019.

Capitalization at “our share” is a non-IFRS measure and presents our share of debt and other obligations based on our ownership 
percentage of the related investments. We use this measure to provide insight into the extent to which our capital is leveraged 
in each investment, which is an important component of enhancing shareholders returns. This may differ from our consolidated 
leverage because of the varying levels of ownership that we have in consolidated and equity accounted investments, that in turn 
have  different  degrees  of  leverage.  We  also  use  capitalization  at  our  share  to  make  financial  risk  management  decisions 
at the Corporation.

A reconciliation of consolidated liabilities and equity to capitalization at our share is provided below:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Total consolidated liabilities and equity............................................................................................................ $ 323,969

2019

2018

$ 256,281

Add: our share of debt of investments in associates..........................................................................................

11,234

9,533

Less: non-controlling interests’ share of liabilities

Non-recourse borrowings ...............................................................................................................................

(97,708)

(80,225)

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale................................................................................................

Accounts payable and other............................................................................................................................

Deferred tax liabilities ....................................................................................................................................

Subsidiary equity obligations..........................................................................................................................

(1,478)

(29,460)

(10,308)

(2,236)

(550)

(13,692)

(7,811)

(2,218)

Non-controlling interests ...................................................................................................................................

(81,833)

(67,335)

Total capitalization at our share......................................................................................................................... $ 112,180

$

93,983

Carried interest is an IFRS measure that is a contractual arrangement whereby we receive a fixed percentage of investment gains 
generated within a private fund provided that the investors receive a pre-determined minimum return. Carried interest is typically 
paid towards the end of the life of a fund after the capital has been returned to investors and may be subject to clawback until all 
investments have been monetized and minimum investment returns are sufficiently assured.

Realized carried interest is an IFRS measure and represents our share of investment returns based on realized gains within a 
private fund. Realized carried interest earned is recognized when an underlying investment is profitably disposed of and the fund’s 
cumulative returns are in excess of preferred returns, in accordance with the respective terms set out in the fund’s governing 
agreements,  and  when  the  probability  of  clawback  is  remote.  We  include  realized  carried  interest  when  determining  our 
Asset Management segment results within our consolidated financial statements.

Realized carried interest, net is a non-IFRS measure and represents realized carried interest after direct costs, which include 
employee expenses and cash taxes. A reconciliation of realized carried interest to realized carried interest, net, is shown below:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Realized carried interest1................................................................................................................................... $
Less: direct costs associated with realized carried interest ...............................................................................

Less: realized carried interest not attributable to BAM.....................................................................................

600

$

(197)

403

(7)

2019

2018

Realized carried interest, net ............................................................................................................................. $

396

$

1. 

Includes $35 million of realized carried interest related to Oaktree. For segment reporting, Oaktree’s revenue is shown on a 100% basis.

254

(66)

188

—

188

Carry eligible capital represents the capital committed, pledged or invested in the private funds that we manage and which entitle 
us to earn carried interest. Carry eligible capital includes both invested and uninvested (i.e. uncalled) private fund amounts as well 
as those amounts invested directly by investors (co-investments) if those entitle us to earn carried interest. We believe this measure 
is useful to investors as it provides additional insight into the capital base upon which we have potential to earn carried interest 
once minimum investment returns are sufficiently assured.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    116

Adjusted carry eligible capital excludes uncalled fund commitments and funds that have not yet reached their preferred return, 
as well as co-investments and separately managed accounts that are subject to lower carried interest than our standard funds.

A reconciliation from carry eligible capital to adjusted carry eligible capital is provided below:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Carry eligible capital1 ........................................................................................................................................ $
Less:

2019

2018

79,822

$

58,309

Uncalled private fund commitments...............................................................................................................

(33,897)

(21,883)

Co-investments and other ...............................................................................................................................

(7,646)

Funds not yet at target preferred return ..........................................................................................................

(15,759)

(6,108)

(9,442)

Adjusted carry eligible capital........................................................................................................................... $

22,520

$

20,876

1.  Excludes carry eligible capital related to Oaktree.

Cash available for distribution and/or reinvestment is a non-IFRS measure that provides insight into earnings received by 
the Corporation that are available for distribution to common shareholders or to be reinvested into the business. It is calculated 
as the sum of our Asset Management segment FFO (i.e., fee-related earnings and realized carried interest, net); distributions from 
our listed partnerships, other investments that pay regular cash distributions and distributions from our corporate cash and financial 
assets; other invested capital earnings, which include FFO from our residential operations, energy contracts, sustainable resources 
and other real estate, private equity, corporate investments that do not pay regular cash distributions, corporate costs and corporate 
interest expense; excluding equity-based compensation costs and net of preferred share dividend payments.

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Asset management FFO .................................................................................................................................... $

2019

1,555

$

Our share of Oaktree’s distributable earnings...................................................................................................

Distributions from investments.........................................................................................................................

Other invested capital earnings

Corporate borrowings.....................................................................................................................................

Corporate costs and taxes ...............................................................................................................................

Other wholly owned investments ...................................................................................................................

Preferred share dividends..................................................................................................................................

Add back: equity-based compensation costs ....................................................................................................

42

1,598

(348)

(135)

(36)

(519)

(152)

87

2018

1,317

—

1,698

(323)

(163)

41

(445)

(151)

84

Cash available for distribution and/or reinvestment ......................................................................................... $

2,611

$

2,503

Consolidated capitalization reflects the full capitalization of wholly owned and partially owned entities that we consolidate in 
our  financial  statements.  Our  consolidated  capitalization  includes  100%  of  the  debt  of  the  consolidated  entities  even  though 
in many cases  we  only  own  a  portion  of  the  entity  and  therefore  our  pro-rata  exposure  to  this  debt  is  much  lower.  In  other 
cases, this basis of presentation excludes the debt of partially owned entities that are accounted for following the equity method, 
such as our investments in Canary Wharf and several of our infrastructure businesses.

Core liquidity represents the amount of cash, financial assets and undrawn credit lines at the Corporation, listed partnerships and 
directly-held investments. We use core liquidity as a key measure of our ability to fund future transactions and capitalize quickly 
on opportunities as they arise. Our core liquidity also allows us to backstop the transactions of our various businesses as necessary 
and fund the development of new activities that are not yet suitable for our investors.

Total liquidity represents the sum of core liquidity and uncalled private fund commitments and is used to pursue new transactions.

Corporate capitalization represents the amount of debt issued by the Corporation, accounts payable and deferred tax liability in 
our Corporate segment as well as our issued and outstanding common and preferred shares.

Distributions (current rate) represents the distributions that we would receive during the next twelve months based on the current 
distribution rates of the investments that we currently hold. The dividends from our listed investments are calculated by multiplying 
the number of shares held by the most recently announced distribution policy. The yield on cash and financial assets portfolio 
is equal to 8% of the weighted-average balance of the last four quarters of our corporate cash and financial assets. Distributions 
on our unlisted investments are calculated based on the quarterly distributions received in the most recent fiscal year.

117    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Economic ownership interest represents the company’s proportionate equity interest in our listed partnerships which can include 
redemption-exchange units (“REUs”), Class A limited partnership units, special limited partnership units and general partnership 
units in each subsidiary, where applicable, as well as any units or shares issued in subsidiaries that are exchangeable for units in 
our listed partnerships (“exchange units”). REUs and exchange units share the same economic attributes as the Class A limited 
partnership units in all respects except for our redemption right, which the listed partnership can satisfy through the issuance of 
Class A limited partnership units. The REUs, general partnership units and exchange units participate in earnings and distributions 
on a per unit basis equivalent to the per unit participation of the Class A limited partnership units of the subsidiary.

Fee-bearing capital represents the capital committed, pledged or invested in the listed partnerships, private funds and public 
securities that we manage which entitles us to earn fee revenues. Fee-bearing capital includes both called (“invested”) and uncalled 
(“pledged” or “committed”) amounts. When reconciling period amounts we utilize the following definitions:

• 

Inflows include capital commitments and contributions to our private and public securities funds and equity issuances in our 
listed partnerships.

•  Outflows represent distributions and redemptions of capital from within the public securities capital.

•  Distributions represent quarterly distributions from listed partnerships as well as returns of committed capital (excluding 

market valuation adjustments), redemptions and expiry of uncalled commitments within our private funds.

•  Market  valuation  includes  gains  (losses)  on  portfolio  investments,  listed  partnerships  and  public  securities  based  on 

market prices.

•  Other includes changes in net non-recourse leverage included in the determination of listed partnership capitalization and 

the impact of foreign exchange fluctuations on non-U.S. dollar commitments.

Fee-related earnings is an IFRS measure that is comprised of fee revenues less direct costs associated with earning those fees, 
which include employee expenses and professional fees as well as business related technology costs, other shared services and 
taxes. We use this measure to provide additional insight into the operating profitability of our asset management activities.

Fee revenues is an IFRS measure and includes base management fees, incentive distributions, performance fees and transaction 
fees presented within our Asset Management segment. Many of these items do not appear in consolidated revenues because they 
are earned from consolidated entities and are eliminated on consolidation.

Funds from operations (“FFO”) is a key measure of our financial performance. We use FFO to assess operating results and the 
performance of our businesses on a segmented basis. While we use segment FFO as our segment measure of profit and loss 
(see Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements), the sum of FFO for all our segments, or total FFO, is a non-IFRS measure. 
The following table reconciles total FFO to net income:

Total

Per Share

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
Net income ......................................................................................................................... $ 5,354

2019

2018

$ 7,488

$

Realized disposition gains recorded as fair value changes or equity .................................

621

1,445

2019

5.24

0.63

$

2018

7.51

1.48

Non-controlling interest in FFO .........................................................................................

(7,161)

(6,015)

(7.22)

(6.15)

Financial statement components not included in FFO

Equity accounted fair value changes and other non-FFO items ......................................

Fair value changes ...........................................................................................................

143

831

Depreciation and amortization.........................................................................................

4,876

1,284

(1,794)

3,102

0.14

0.84

4.91

Deferred income taxes .....................................................................................................

(475)

(1,109)

(0.47)

1.31

(1.84)

3.17

(1.13)

Total FFO ........................................................................................................................... $ 4,189

$ 4,401

$

4.07

$

4.35

We use FFO to assess our performance as an asset manager and separately as an investor in our assets. FFO includes the fees that 
we earn from managing capital as well as our share of revenues earned and costs incurred within our operations, which include 
interest expense and other costs. Specifically, FFO includes the impact of contracts that we enter into to generate revenue, including 
asset management agreements, power sales agreements, contracts that our operating businesses enter into such as leases and take 
or pay contracts and sales of inventory. FFO also includes the impact of changes in borrowings or the cost of borrowings as well 
as other costs incurred to operate our business.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    118

 
We use realized disposition gains and losses within FFO in order to provide additional insight regarding the performance of 
investments on a cumulative realized basis, including any unrealized fair value adjustments that were recorded in equity and not 
otherwise reflected in current period FFO, and believe it is useful to investors to better understand variances between reporting 
periods. We exclude depreciation and amortization from FFO as we believe that the value of most of our assets typically increases 
over time, provided we make the necessary maintenance expenditures, the timing and magnitude of which may differ from the 
amount of depreciation recorded in any given period. In addition, the depreciated cost base of our assets is reflected in the ultimate 
realized disposition gain or loss on disposal. As noted above, unrealized fair value changes are excluded from FFO until the period 
in which the asset is sold. We also exclude deferred income taxes from FFO because the vast majority of the company’s deferred 
income tax assets and liabilities are a result of the revaluation of our assets under IFRS.

Our definition of FFO may differ from the definition used by other organizations, as well as the definition of FFO used by the 
Real  Property  Association  of  Canada  (“REALPAC”)  and  the  National  Association  of  Real  Estate  Investment  Trusts,  Inc. 
(“NAREIT”), in part because the NAREIT definition is based on U.S. GAAP, as opposed to IFRS. The key differences between 
our definition of FFO and the determination of FFO by REALPAC and/or NAREIT are that we include the following: realized 
disposition gains or losses and cash taxes payable or receivable on those gains or losses, if any; foreign exchange gains or losses 
on monetary items not forming part of our net investment in foreign operations; and foreign exchange gains or losses on the sale 
of an investment in a foreign operation. We do not use FFO as a measure of cash generated from our operations.

Incentive distributions is an IFRS measure that is determined by contractual arrangements; incentive distributions are paid to us 
by BPY, BEP, BIP and TERP and represent a portion of distributions paid by listed partnerships above a predetermined hurdle. 
Incentive distributions are accrued on the record date of the associated distributions of the entity.

A summary of our distribution hurdles and current distribution rates is as follows:

AS AT DEC. 31, 2019

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners (BIP).......................................... $

Current 
Distribution Rate1
2.15

Distribution Hurdles 
(per unit)2
0.88

0.81 / $

$

Brookfield Renewable Partners (BEP).............................................

Brookfield Property Partners (BPY) ................................................

2.17

1.33

1.50 /

1.10 /

1.69

1.20

Incentive
Distributions

15% / 25%

15% / 25%

15% / 25%

1.  Current rate based on most recently announced distribution rates.
2.  We are also entitled to earn a portion of increases in distributions by TERP, based on distribution hurdles of $0.93 and $1.05. TERP’s current annual distribution has not 

yet reached the first hurdle.

Invested capital consists of investments in our listed partnerships, other listed securities, unlisted investments and corporate 
working capital. Our invested capital provides us with FFO and cash distributions.

Invested capital, net consists of invested capital and leverage.

Leverage represents the amount of corporate borrowings and perpetual preferred shares held by the company.

Long-term average (“LTA”) generation is used in our Renewable Power segment and is determined based on expected electrical 
generation from its assets in commercial operation during the year. For assets acquired or reaching commercial operation during 
the year, LTA generation is calculated from the acquisition or commercial operation date. In Brazil, assured generation levels are 
used as a proxy for LTA. We compare LTA generation to actual generation levels to assess the impact on revenues and FFO of 
hydrology, wind generation levels and irradiance, which vary from one period to the next.

Performance fees is an IFRS measure. Performance fees are paid to us when we exceed predetermined investment returns within 
BBU and on certain public securities portfolios. BBU performance fees are accrued quarterly based on the volume-weighted 
average increase in BBU unit price over the previous threshold, whereas performance fees within public securities funds are 
typically determined on an annual basis. Performance fees are not subject to clawback.

Proportionate basis generation is used in our Renewable Power segment to describe the total amount of power generated by 
facilities held by BEP, at BEP’s respective economic ownership interest percentage.

Realized disposition gains/losses is a component of FFO and includes gains or losses arising from transactions during the reporting 
period together with any fair value changes and revaluation surplus recorded in prior periods, presented net of cash taxes payable 
or receivable. Realized disposition gains include amounts that are recorded in net income, other comprehensive income and as 
ownership changes in our consolidated statements of equity, and exclude amounts attributable to non-controlling interests unless 
otherwise noted. We use realized disposition gains/losses to provide additional insight regarding the performance of investments 
on a cumulative realized basis, including any unrealized fair value adjustments that were recorded in prior periods and not otherwise 
reflected in current period FFO, and believe it is useful to investors to better understand variances between reporting periods.

119    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Same-store or same-property represents the earnings contribution from assets or investments held throughout both the current 
and  prior  reporting  period  on  a  constant  ownership  basis. We  utilize  same-store  analysis  to  illustrate  the  growth  in  earnings 
excluding the impact of acquisitions or dispositions.

Unrealized carried interest is the change in accumulated unrealized carried interest from prior period and represents the amount 
of carried interest generated during the period. We use this measure to provide insight into the value our investments have created 
in the period.

Accumulated unrealized carried interest is based on carried interest that would be receivable under the contractual formula at 
the period end date as if a fund was liquidated and all investments had been monetized at the values recorded on that date. We use 
this measure to provide insight into our potential to realize carried interest in the future. Details of components of our accumulated 
unrealized carried interest are included in the definition of unrealized carried interest below.

Accumulated unrealized carried interest, net is after direct costs, which include employee expenses and taxes.

The following table identifies the inputs of accumulated unrealized carried interest to arrive at unrealized carried interest generated 
in the period:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

2019

Adjusted Carry 
Eligible 
Capital1

Adjusted 
Multiple of 
Capital2

Fund Target 
Carried 
Interest3

Current 
Carried 
Interest4

Real Estate.............................................................................. $

Infrastructure.........................................................................

Private Equity ........................................................................

$

2018

Real Estate ............................................................................... $

Infrastructure............................................................................

Private Equity ..........................................................................

$

6,758

13,397

2,365

22,520

8,534

10,022

2,320

20,876

1.7x

1.5x

2.7x

1.8x

1.4x

2.5x

20%

20%

20%

20%

20%

20%

20%

18%

15%

17 %

17 %

20 %

1.  Excludes uncalled private fund commitments, co-investment capital and funds that have not met their preferred return.
2.  Adjusted Multiple of Capital represents the ratio of total distributions plus estimates of remaining value to the equity invested, and reflects performance net of fund 
management fees and expenses, before carried interest. Our core, credit and value add funds pay management fees of 0.90-1.50% and our opportunistic and private equity 
funds pay fees of 1.50-2.00%. Funds typically incur fund expenses of approximately 0.35% of carry eligible capital annually.

3.  Fund target carried interest percentage is the target carry average of the funds within adjusted carry eligible capital as at each period end.
4.  When a fund has achieved its preferred return, we earn an accelerated percentage of the additional fund profit until we have earned the fund target carried interest percentage. 

Funds in their early stage of earning carry will not yet have earned the full percentage of total fund profit to which we are entitled.

The following table summarizes the unrealized carried interest generated in the current and prior year periods:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Real Estate...................................................................... $

Infrastructure ..................................................................

Private Equity .................................................................

Oaktree ...........................................................................

Accumulated unrealized carried interest ........................
Less: associated expenses1 .............................................
Accumulated unrealized carry, net ................................. $

Add: realized carried interest, net...................................

Unrealized carried interest, net.......................................

Accumulated Unrealized Carried Interest

Change

2019

2018

2017

2019 vs. 2018

2018 vs. 2017

986

$

1,087

$

1,175

596

890

3,647

(1,258)

725

674

—

2,486

(754)

2,389

$

1,732

$

904

559

616

—

2,079

(649)

1,430

$

(101) $

450

(78)

890

1,161

(504)

657

142

799

$

$

183

166

58

—

407

(105)

302

188

490

1.  Carried interest generated is subject to taxes and long-term incentive expenses to investment professionals. These expenses are typically 30-35% of carried interest generated.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    120

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

MANAGEMENT’S REPORT ON INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL REPORTING 

Management of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (Brookfield) is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal 
control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the 
Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer and effected by the Board of Directors, management and other personnel 
to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for 
external  purposes  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards  as  issued  by  the  International Accounting 
Standards Board as defined in Regulation 240.13a-15(f) or 240.15d-15(f). 

Management assessed the effectiveness of Brookfield’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based 
on the criteria set forth in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations 
of the Treadway Commission. Based on this assessment, management concludes that, as of December 31, 2019, Brookfield’s 
internal control over financial reporting is effective. Management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial 
reporting for Aveo Group, Hotel Leelaventure Limited, East-West Pipeline Limited, Genesee & Wyoming Inc., DCI Data Centers, 
Wireless Infrastructure Group, NorthRiver Midstream Inc. (the federally regulated portion of Enbridge Inc.’s Canadian natural 
gas midstream business), Clarios Global LP, Healthscope Limited, Genworth MI Canada Inc., Ouro Verde Locação e Seviços 
S.A., and the 320 MW distributed generation portfolio, which were acquired during 2019, and whose total assets, net assets, 
revenues and net income constitute approximately 15%, 14%, 11% and -9% respectively, of the consolidated financial statement 
amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019. 

Brookfield’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, has been audited by Deloitte LLP, the Independent 
Registered  Public  Accounting  Firm,  who  also  audited  Brookfield’s  consolidated  financial  statements  for  the  year  ended 
December 31,  2019. As  stated  in  the  Report  of  Independent  Registered  Public Accounting  Firm,  Deloitte  LLP  expressed  an 
unqualified opinion on the effectiveness of Brookfield’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019. 

Bruce Flatt
Chief Executive Officer

March 26, 2020

Toronto, Canada

Nicholas Goodman
Chief Financial Officer

121    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. 

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

We  have  audited  the  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  of  Brookfield  Asset  Management  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  (the 
“Company”) as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued 
by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, 
in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established 
in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO. 

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
(PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 of the Company and our report 
dated March 26, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements. 

As described in Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment 
the internal control over financial reporting at Aveo Group, Hotel Leelaventure Limited, East-West Pipeline Limited, Genesee & 
Wyoming Inc., DCI Data Centers, Wireless Infrastructure Group, NorthRiver Midstream Inc. (the federally regulated portion of 
Enbridge Inc.’s Canadian natural gas midstream business), Clarios Global LP, Healthscope Limited, Genworth MI Canada Inc., 
Ouro Verde Locação e Seviços S.A., and the 320 MW distributed generation portfolio, which were acquired during 2019 and 
whose financial statements constitute, in aggregate, 15% of total assets, 14% of net assets, 11% of revenues and -9% of net income 
of the consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019. Accordingly, our audit did not 
include the internal control over financial reporting at Aveo Group, Hotel Leelaventure Limited, East-West Pipeline Limited, 
Genesee & Wyoming Inc., DCI Data Centers, Wireless Infrastructure Group, NorthRiver Midstream Inc. (the federally regulated 
portion of Enbridge Inc.’s Canadian natural gas midstream business), Clarios Global LP, Healthscope Limited, Genworth MI 
Canada Inc., Ouro Verde Locação e Seviços S.A., and the 320 MW distributed generation portfolio. 

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment 
of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal 
Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial 
reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with 
respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities 
and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the 
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material 
respects.  Our  audit  included  obtaining  an  understanding  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  assessing  the  risk  that  a 
material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed 
risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides 
a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    122

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability 
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain 
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets 
of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are 
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that 
could have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. 

/s/ Deloitte LLP

Chartered Professional Accountants
Licensed Public Accountants

Toronto, Canada
March 26, 2020

123    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENT’S RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

The accompanying consolidated financial statements and other financial information in this Annual Report have been prepared 
by  the  company’s  management  which  is  responsible  for  their  integrity,  consistency,  objectivity  and  reliability. To  fulfill  this 
responsibility, the company maintains policies, procedures and systems of internal control to ensure that its reporting practices 
and accounting and administrative procedures are appropriate to provide a high degree of assurance that is relevant and reliable 
financial information is produced and assets are safeguarded. These controls include the careful selection and training of employees, 
the establishment of well-defined areas of responsibility and accountability for performance, and the communication of policies 
and code of conduct throughout the company. In addition, the company maintains an internal audit group that conducts periodic 
audits of the company’s operations. The Chief Internal Auditor has full access to the Audit Committee. 

These consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as 
issued by the International Accounting Standards Board and, where appropriate, reflect estimates based on management’s judgment. 
The  financial  information  presented  throughout  this  Annual  Report  is  consistent  with  the  information  contained  in  the 
accompanying consolidated financial statements. 

Deloitte LLP, the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm appointed by the shareholders, have audited the consolidated 
financial  statements  set  out  on  pages  128  through  211  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company Accounting 
Oversight Board (United States) to enable them to express to the shareholders and the board of directors their opinion on the 
consolidated financial statements. Their report is set out on the following page. 

The consolidated financial statements have been further reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors acting through its Audit 
Committee, which is comprised of directors who are neither officers nor employees of the company. The Audit Committee, which 
meets  with  the  auditors  and  management  to  review  the  activities  of  each  and  reports  to  the  Board  of  Directors,  oversees 
management’s responsibilities for the financial reporting and internal control systems. The auditors have full and direct access to 
the Audit Committee and meet periodically with the committee both with and without management present to discuss their audit 
and related findings. 

Bruce Flatt
Chief Executive Officer

March 26, 2020

Toronto, Canada

Nicholas Goodman
Chief Financial Officer

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    124

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM 

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We  have  audited  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  Brookfield Asset  Management  Inc.  and  subsidiaries  (the 
“Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, changes 
in equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes (collectively 
referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial 
position of the Company as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, and its financial performance and its cash flows for each of the two 
years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the 
International Accounting Standards Board.

We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) 
(PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019, based on criteria established in 
Internal  Control  –  Integrated  Framework  (2013)  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission and our report dated March 26, 2020, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company’s internal control over 
financial reporting.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on 
the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are 
required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable 
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the 
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error 
or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether 
due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, 
evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting 
principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial 
statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Critical Audit Matters

The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that 
were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are 
material  to  the  financial  statements;  and  (2)  involved  our  especially  challenging,  subjective,  or  complex  judgments.  The 
communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and 
we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the 
accounts or disclosures to which they relate. 

Fair Value of Investment Properties and Property, Plant and Equipment – Refer to Notes 2(h)(i), 2(h)(ii), 11 and 
12 to the financial statements 

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company has elected the fair value model for investment properties and the revaluation model for certain classes of property, 
plant  and  equipment,  namely  the  Company’s  renewable  power  generating,  utilities,  transport,  communication,  energy,  and 
hospitality operating assets. The Company measures these assets at fair value or revalued amount subsequent to initial recognition 
on the balance sheet. 

The investment properties and certain classes of property, plant and equipment have limited observable market activity, which 
requires  management  to  make  significant  estimates  and  assumptions  in  the  determination  of  fair  value.  The  estimates  and 
assumptions with the highest degree of subjectivity and impact on fair values are future expected market rents and revenues, 
operating  margins,  terminal  value  multiples,  terminal  capitalization  rates,  and  discount  rates. Auditing  these  estimates  and 
assumptions required a high degree of auditor judgment as the estimations made by management contains significant measurement 
uncertainty. This resulted in an increased extent of audit effort, including the need to involve fair value specialists.

125    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit 

Our audit procedures related to future expected market rents and revenues, operating margins, terminal value multiples, terminal 
capitalization rates, and discount rates of investment properties and certain classes of property, plant and equipment included the 
following, among others:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Evaluated the effectiveness of controls, including those related to management’s process for determining investment properties 
and certain classes of property, plant and equipment fair values including those over determining future expected market rents 
and revenues, operating margins, terminal value multiples, terminal capitalization rates, and discount rates. 

Tested  management’s  future  expected  market  rents  and  revenues,  operating  margins,  terminal  value  multiples,  terminal 
capitalization rates, and discount rates through independent analysis and comparison to external sources including objective 
contractual information, and observable economic indicators, where applicable.

Evaluated management’s ability to accurately estimate fair value and future expected market rents and revenues and operating 
margins by comparing management’s historical fair value estimates to market transactions and forecasts to actual results. 

Evaluated the impact of current market events and conditions, including relevant comparable transactions, on the assumptions 
used by management.

•  With the assistance of fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of management’s determination of terminal 
value  multiples,  terminal  capitalization  rates,  and  discount  rates  by  (1)  testing  the  source  information  underlying  the 
determination  of  terminal  value  multiples,  terminal  capitalization  rates,  and  discount  rates;  (2)  developing  a  range  of 
independent estimates and comparing those to the terminal value multiples, terminal capitalization rates, and discount rates 
selected by management; and (3) considering recent market transactions and industry surveys.

Acquisitions and Equity Accounted Investments – Refer to Notes 2(d)(i), 2(d)(ii), 2(k), 2(r), 5 and 10 to the 
financial statements

Critical Audit Matter Description

The Company made a number of acquisitions of entities during the year. When each entity was acquired, the Company assessed 
the degree of influence it exerted and whether it had control.  Once it was established that control was obtained, the Company 
accounted for the transaction using the acquisition method of accounting.  When control was not obtained, the Company evaluated 
whether it exercised significant influence over the entity and accounted for it as an equity accounted investment, further considering 
whether there was joint control. The purchase price of each acquisition (under the acquisition method) was allocated to the assets 
acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values at the acquisition date. This allocation required numerous 
estimates that affect the fair value of certain assets and liabilities acquired including discount rates, estimates for future revenues, 
operating costs and other expenditures, in addition to other factors. 

For the Company to assess whether control was obtained, management made judgments to evaluate whether it had power over 
the investee, exposure, or rights, to variable returns from its involvement with the entity and the ability to use that power to affect 
their returns.  In addition, while there were many judgments made by management in the determination of the fair value of the 
assets acquired and the liabilities assumed, the estimates with the greatest uncertainty for the largest acquisition (Clarios Global 
LP) were forecasted revenue, EBITDA, and discount rates in the valuation of intangible assets. Auditing these estimates and 
judgments required a high degree of auditor judgment as the estimations made by management contained significant measurement 
uncertainty.  This resulted in an increased extent of audit effort, including the involvement of fair value specialists.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    126

How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit 

Our audit procedures related to the estimates and judgments made by management in the acquisitions of entities included the 
following, among others:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Evaluated the effectiveness of controls over management’s process for determining the basis of accounting for the Company’s 
investees.

Evaluated the reasonableness of management’s judgments in the determination that control existed through the review of 
partnership and other agreements.

Evaluated  the  effectiveness  of  controls  over  the  valuation  of  intangible  assets,  including  those  over  forecasted  revenue, 
EBITDA and the discount rate.

Evaluated the reasonableness of management’s forecasted revenue and EBITDA used in the valuation of intangible assets by 
comparing the projections to historical results, analyst industry reports and evidence obtained in other areas of the audit.

•  With  the  assistance  of  fair  value  specialists,  evaluated  the  reasonableness  of  the  discount  rates  used  in  the  valuation  of 
intangible assets, including testing the source information underlying the determination of the discount rates, testing the 
mathematical accuracy of the calculations, and developing a range of independent estimates, comparing it to the discount 
rates selected by management. 

/s/ Deloitte LLP

Chartered Professional Accountants
Licensed Public Accountants

Toronto, Canada
March 26, 2020

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1971. 

127    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Consolidated Financial Statements

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Assets

Note  

2019

2018

Cash and cash equivalents..................................................................................................

Other financial assets..........................................................................................................

Accounts receivable and other ...........................................................................................

Inventory ............................................................................................................................

Assets classified as held for sale ........................................................................................

Equity accounted investments ............................................................................................

Investment properties .........................................................................................................

Property, plant and equipment............................................................................................

Intangible assets .................................................................................................................

Goodwill.............................................................................................................................

Deferred income tax assets.................................................................................................

Total assets ...........................................................................................................................

Liabilities and equity

Corporate borrowings.........................................................................................................

Accounts payable and other ...............................................................................................

Liabilities associated with assets classified as held for sale...............................................

Non-recourse borrowings of managed entities...................................................................

Deferred income tax liabilities ...........................................................................................

Subsidiary equity obligations .............................................................................................

Equity

Preferred equity ..................................................................................................................

Non-controlling interests....................................................................................................

Common equity ..................................................................................................................

Total equity ...........................................................................................................................

6

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

9

18

15

19

21

21

21

$

6,778

$

12,468

18,469

10,272

3,502

40,698

96,686

89,264

27,710

14,550

3,572

8,390

6,227

16,931

6,989

2,185

33,647

84,309

67,294

18,762

8,815

2,732

$

$

323,969

$

256,281

7,083

$

43,077

1,690

136,292

14,849

4,132

4,145

81,833

30,868

116,846

6,409

23,989

812

111,809

12,236

3,876

4,168

67,335

25,647

97,150

Total liabilities and equity ..................................................................................................

$

323,969

$

256,281

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    128

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS 

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

Revenues ...............................................................................................................................

Direct costs............................................................................................................................

Other income and gains.........................................................................................................

Note

22

23

Equity accounted income ......................................................................................................

10

Expenses

Interest ................................................................................................................................

Corporate costs ...................................................................................................................

Fair value changes.................................................................................................................

24

Depreciation and amortization ..............................................................................................

Income taxes .........................................................................................................................

15

Net income ............................................................................................................................

Net income attributable to:

Shareholders .......................................................................................................................

Non-controlling interests....................................................................................................

Net income per share:

Diluted ................................................................................................................................

Basic ...................................................................................................................................

21

21

2019

$

67,826

$

(52,728)

1,285

2,498

(7,227)

(98)

(831)

(4,876)

(495)

5,354

2,807

2,547

5,354

2.60

2.66

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

2018

56,771

(45,519)

1,166

1,088

(4,854)

(104)

1,794

(3,102)

248

7,488

3,584

3,904

7,488

3.40

3.47

129    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Net income....................................................................................................................

Note

2019

$

5,354

$

2018

7,488

Other comprehensive income (loss)

Items that may be reclassified to net income

Financial contracts and power sale agreements ......................................................

Marketable securities...............................................................................................

Equity accounted investments.................................................................................

10

Foreign currency translation....................................................................................

Income taxes............................................................................................................

15

Items that will not be reclassified to net income

Revaluations of property, plant and equipment.......................................................

Revaluation of pension obligations .........................................................................

Equity accounted investments.................................................................................

12

17

10

Marketable securities...............................................................................................

Income taxes............................................................................................................

15

Other comprehensive income .......................................................................................

Comprehensive income ................................................................................................

Attributable to:

Shareholders

Net income ..............................................................................................................

Other comprehensive income..................................................................................

Comprehensive income ...........................................................................................

Non-controlling interests

Net income ..............................................................................................................

Other comprehensive income..................................................................................

Comprehensive income ...........................................................................................

$

$

$

$

$

(52)

75

(37)

(403)

(15)

(432)

3,328

(149)

354

299

(688)

3,144

2,712

8,066

$

2,807

524

3,331

2,547

2,188

4,735

$

$

$

$

(20)

(34)

(29)

(3,254)

(90)

(3,427)

6,290

(19)

547

94

(1,324)

5,588

2,161

9,649

3,584

406

3,990

3,904

1,755

5,659

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    130

AS AT AND FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)

Balance as at

December 31, 2018 .......

Changes in period:

Net income .......................

Other comprehensive

income (loss).................

Comprehensive income

(loss)..............................

Shareholder distributions

Common equity............

Preferred equity............

Non-controlling

interests .....................

Other items

Equity issuances, net of
redemptions ...............

Share-based

compensation ............

Ownership changes ......

AS AT AND FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DEC. 31, 2018
(MILLIONS)

Balance as at

December 31, 2017 .......

Changes in accounting 

policies3.........................

Adjusted balance as at

January 1, 2018 .............

Changes in period:

Net income .......................

Other comprehensive

income (loss).................

Comprehensive income

(loss)..............................

Shareholder distributions

Common equity............

Preferred equity............

Non-controlling

interests .....................

Other items

Equity issuances, net of
redemptions ...............

Share-based

compensation ............

Ownership changes ......

Total change in year .........

Balance as at

December 31, 2018 .......

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY 

Common
Share
Capital

Contributed
Surplus

Retained
Earnings

Ownership     
Changes1 

Revaluation
Surplus

Currency
Translation

Other
Reserves2

Common
Equity

Preferred
Equity

Non-
controlling
Interests

Total
Equity

$

4,457

$

271

$

14,244

$

645

$

7,556

$

(1,833)

$

307

$

25,647

$

4,168

$

67,335

$

97,150

Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

2,807

—

2,807

(620)

(152)

—

2,848

(40)

(331)

—

—

55

—

15

(68)

146

1,782

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

365

365

—

591

591

—

—

—

—

—

(271)

320

—

(190)

(190)

—

—

—

—

—

6

(184)

—

123

123

—

—

—

—

—

(48)

75

2,807

524

3,331

(620)

(152)

—

2,477

(13)

198

5,221

—

—

—

—

—

—

2,547

2,188

4,735

—

—

5,354

2,712

8,066

(620)

(152)

(8,568)

(8,568)

(23)

16,636

19,090

—

—

(23)

—

1,695

14,498

(13)

1,893

19,696

Total change in year .........

2,848

Balance as at

December 31, 2019 .......

$

7,305

$

286

$

16,026

$

1,010

$

7,876

$

(2,017)

$

382

$

30,868

$

4,145

$

81,833

$

116,846

1. 
2. 

Includes gains or losses on changes in ownership interests of consolidated subsidiaries.
Includes changes in fair value of marketable securities, cash flow hedges, actuarial changes on pension plans and equity accounted other comprehensive income, net of 
associated income taxes.

Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income

Common
Share
Capital

Contributed
Surplus

Retained
Earnings

Ownership
Changes1 

Revaluation
Surplus

Currency
Translation

Other
Reserves2

Total
Common
Equity

Preferred
Equity

Non-
controlling
Interests

Total
Equity

$

4,428

$

263

$

11,864

$

1,459

$

6,881

$

(878)

$

35

$

24,052

$

4,192

$

51,628

$

79,872

(215)

—

—

—

11,649

1,459

6,881

(878)

—

4,428

—

—

—

—

—

—

29

—

—

29

—

263

—

—

—

—

—

—

3,584

—

3,584

(575)

(151)

—

(44)

(344)

52

—

8

(33)

114

2,595

(3)

32

—

305

305

—

—

—

—

—

(30)

275

(218)

—

(84)

(302)

23,834

4,192

51,544

79,570

3,584

406

3,990

(575)

(151)

—

(359)

19

(1,111)

1,813

—

—

—

—

—

—

(24)

—

—

(24)

3,904

1,755

5,659

—

—

7,488

2,161

9,649

(575)

(151)

(6,709)

(6,709)

6,663

6,280

7

10,171

15,791

26

9,060

17,580

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,060

1,060

—

—

—

—

—

(814)

(814)

(385)

675

—

(959)

(959)

—

—

—

—

—

4

(955)

$

4,457

$

271

$

14,244

$

645

$

7,556

$

(1,833)

$

307

$

25,647

$

4,168

$

67,335

$

97,150

1. 
2. 

Includes gains or losses on changes in ownership interests of consolidated subsidiaries.
Includes changes in fair value of marketable securities, cash flow hedges, actuarial changes on pension plans and equity accounted other comprehensive income, net of 
associated income taxes.

3.  Relates to adoption of IFRS 9 Financial Instruments and IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers.

131    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Operating activities

Note

2019

2018

Net income...............................................................................................................................
Other income and gains ...........................................................................................................
Share of undistributed equity accounted earnings ...................................................................
Fair value changes ...................................................................................................................
Depreciation and amortization.................................................................................................
Deferred income taxes .............................................................................................................
Investments in residential inventory........................................................................................
Net change in non-cash working capital balances...................................................................

24

15

$

Financing activities

Corporate borrowings arranged ...............................................................................................
Corporate borrowings repaid ...................................................................................................
Commercial paper and bank borrowings, net ..........................................................................
Non-recourse borrowings arranged .........................................................................................
Non-recourse borrowings repaid .............................................................................................
Non-recourse credit facilities, net............................................................................................
Subsidiary equity obligations issued .......................................................................................
Subsidiary equity obligations redeemed..................................................................................
Capital provided from non-controlling interests......................................................................
Capital repaid to non-controlling interests ..............................................................................
Repayment of lease liabilities..................................................................................................
Preferred equity redemptions...................................................................................................
Common shares issued ............................................................................................................
Common shares repurchased ...................................................................................................
Distributions to non-controlling interests ................................................................................
Distributions to shareholders ...................................................................................................

Investing activities

Acquisitions

Investment properties............................................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment ..............................................................................................
Equity accounted investments...............................................................................................
Financial assets and other .....................................................................................................
Acquisition of subsidiaries....................................................................................................

Dispositions

Investment properties............................................................................................................
Property, plant and equipment ..............................................................................................
Equity accounted investments...............................................................................................
Financial assets and other .....................................................................................................
Disposition of subsidiaries ....................................................................................................
Restricted cash and deposits ....................................................................................................

Cash and cash equivalents

Change in cash and cash equivalents.......................................................................................
Net change in cash classified within assets held for sale.........................................................
Foreign exchange revaluation..................................................................................................
Balance, beginning of year ......................................................................................................
Balance, end of year ................................................................................................................

Supplemental cash flow disclosures

Income taxes paid ....................................................................................................................
Interest paid .............................................................................................................................

$

$

5,354
(1,285)
(1,654)
831
4,876
(475)
(319)
(1,000)
6,328

992
(450)
—
64,576
(42,215)
(926)
212
(45)
19,447
(2,811)
(424)
(16)
13
(267)
(8,568)
(772)
28,746

(6,921)
(3,053)
(5,534)
(10,830)
(31,088)

5,239
140
1,725
10,850
2,336
462
(36,674)

(1,600)
(7)
(5)
8,390
6,778

504
6,323

$

$

$

7,488
(1,166)
(294)
(1,794)
3,102
(1,109)
258
(1,326)
5,159

1,090
—
(103)
43,541
(28,243)
3,291
212
(485)
9,306
(2,643)
—
(17)
11
(389)
(6,709)
(726)
18,136

(2,879)
(1,962)
(953)
(5,288)
(22,269)

4,311
787
2,163
4,523
1,729
5
(19,833)

3,462
(1)
(210)
5,139
8,390

980
4,712  

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    132

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 

1.  CORPORATE INFORMATION

Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (the “Corporation”) is a global alternative asset management company. References in these 
financial statements to “Brookfield,” “us,” “we,” “our” or “the company” refer to the Corporation and its direct and indirect 
subsidiaries  and  consolidated  entities. The  company  owns  and  operates  assets  with  a  focus  on  real  estate,  renewable  power, 
infrastructure and private equity. The Corporation is listed on the New York and Toronto stock exchanges under the symbols BAM 
and BAM.A, respectively. The Corporation was formed by articles of amalgamation under the Business Corporations Act (Ontario) 
and is registered in Ontario, Canada. The registered office of the Corporation is Brookfield Place, 181 Bay Street, Suite 300, 
Toronto, Ontario, M5J 2T3.

2.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

a)  Statement of Compliance

These  consolidated  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  accordance  with  International  Financial  Reporting  Standards 
(“IFRS”) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”).

These financial statements were authorized for issuance by the Board of Directors of the company on March 26, 2020.

b)  Adoption of Accounting Standards

The company has applied new and revised standards issued by the IASB that are effective for the period beginning on or after 
January 1, 2019. The new standards were applied as follows:

i.  Leases

The  company  adopted  IFRS  16  Leases  (“IFRS  16”)  effective  January  1,  2019.  IFRS  16  gives  prescriptive  guidance  on  the 
recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases. This standard supersedes IAS 17 Leases (“IAS 17”) and related 
interpretations. The company adopted the standard using a modified retrospective approach, whereby any transitional impact is 
recorded in equity as at January 1, 2019 and comparative periods are not restated. Please refer to the Transition Impact below for 
more information. 

Under IFRS 16, the company must assess whether a contract is, or contains, a lease at inception of the contract. A contract is, or 
contains, a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of an identified asset for a period of time in exchange for consideration. 
Control exists if a customer can make the important decisions governing the use of an asset specified in a contract similar to 
decisions made over assets owned by the business. The company has elected to not allocate contract consideration between lease 
and non-lease components, but rather account for each lease and non-lease component as a single lease component. This election 
is made by asset class.

Accounting for lessors remains largely unchanged and the distinction between operating and finance leases is retained. For lessors, 
a lease shall be classified as either a finance or operating lease on commencement of the lease contract. If the contract represents 
a finance lease in which the risk and rewards of ownership have transferred to the lessee, a lessor shall recognize a finance lease 
receivable at an amount equal to the net investment in the lease discounted using the interest rate implicit in the lease. Subsequently, 
finance income is recognized at a constant rate on the net investment of the finance lease. Lease payments received from operating 
leases shall be recognized into income on a straight-line or other systematic basis.

For lessees, the distinction between operating and finance leases is eliminated. The company recognizes a right-of-use (“ROU”) 
asset and lease liability at the lease commencement date. The ROU asset is initially measured based on the calculated lease liability 
plus initial direct costs incurred by the lessee, estimates to dismantle and restore the underlying asset at the end of the lease term 
and lease payments made net of incentives received at or before the lease commencement date. It is classified as either investment 
property, property, plant and equipment (“PP&E”), or inventory depending on the nature of the asset and is subsequently accounted 
for consistently with owned assets within the respective asset classes with the exception of PP&E. Unlike most of the company’s 
owned assets within PP&E, lease assets classified within PP&E are subsequently measured applying the cost method rather than 
the revaluation method. The ROU asset is depreciated applying a straight-line method or other systematic basis over the shorter 
of the useful life of the underlying asset or the term of the lease. Lease contracts often include an option to extend the term of the 
lease and such extensions are factored into the lease term if the company is reasonably certain to exercise that option. ROU assets 
are tested for impairment in accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets. Refer to section (d) below for additional details of our 
accounting policies governing investment property, PP&E and inventory.

133    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Lease  liabilities  are  classified  within  accounts  payable  and  other  and  are  recognized  at  the  commencement  of  the  lease, 
initially measured at the present value of future lease payments not paid as at the commencement date, discounted using the 
interest rate implicit in the lease, or the lessee’s incremental borrowing rate if the implicit rate cannot be readily determined. 
Lease liabilities  are  subsequently  measured  at  amortized  cost  by  applying  the  effective  interest  method.  Lease  liabilities  are 
remeasured if there is reassessment of the timing or amount of future lease payments arising from a change in an index or rate, 
revisions to estimates of the lease term or residual value guarantee, or a change in the assessment of an option to purchase the 
underlying asset. Such remeasurements of the lease liability are generally recognized as an adjustment to the ROU asset unless 
further reduction in the measurement of the lease liability would reduce a ROU asset below zero in which case it is recorded in 
the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

We  are  applying  certain  practical  expedients  as  permitted  by  the  standard;  specifically,  we  have  elected  to  apply  practical 
expedients associated with short-term and low-value leases that allow the company to record operating expenses on such leases 
on  a  straight-line  basis  without  having  to  capitalize  the  lease  arrangement.  In  addition,  as  required  by  the  standard,  variable 
lease payments that are not dependent on an index or rate are expensed as incurred.

We have also applied a number of critical judgments in applying this standard, including: i) identifying whether a contract (or part 
of a contract) includes a lease; ii) determining whether it is reasonably certain that lease extension or termination options will be 
exercised in determining the lease term; and iii) determining whether variable payments are in-substance fixed. Critical estimates 
used in the application of IFRS 16 include estimating the lease term and determining the appropriate rate at which to discount the 
lease payments.

Transition Impact

The company adopted IFRS 16 using the modified retrospective approach, whereby any transitional impact is recorded in equity 
as at January 1, 2019, and comparative periods are not restated and comply with the legacy IAS 17 and related standards. 

The company has measured the opening ROU assets at an amount equal to the corresponding lease liabilities, adjusted by any 
prepaid or accrued lease payments relating to that lease recognized prior to the adoption. In addition, the company has applied 
certain transition expedients as permitted by the standard, including the application of a single discount rate to a portfolio of leases 
with reasonably similar characteristics, adjusting the ROU assets by the amount of any provision for onerous leases recognized 
under IAS 37 and accounting for leases with remaining terms of less than 12 months as of January 1, 2019, regardless of the full 
life of the lease, as short-term leases. There are no adjustments to opening equity.

The difference between the operating lease commitments disclosed applying IAS 17 as at December 31, 2018 and the amount 
recorded as a transition adjustment relates primarily to the impact of discounting the future lease payments to their present value 
using incremental borrowing rates, short-term and low-value leases which are expensed as incurred, adjustments as a result of 
different treatment for extension and termination options and variable lease payments relating to changes in indices or rates. The 
weighted-average incremental borrowing rate as at January 1, 2019 used to measure lease liabilities is approximately 5%.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    134

The impact of adopting IFRS 16 on our balance sheet is as follows:

(MILLIONS)

Assets

Balance at 
Dec. 31, 2018

IFRS 16
Adjustments

Balance at 
Jan. 1, 2019

Inventory ............................................................................................................... $

6,989

$

22

$

Investment properties............................................................................................

Property, plant and equipment ..............................................................................

Other assets ...........................................................................................................

84,309

67,294

97,689

928

3,416

—

7,011

85,237

70,710

97,689

Total assets............................................................................................................... $

256,281

$

4,366

$

260,647

Liabilities

Accounts payable and other .................................................................................. $

23,989

$

4,366

$

Other liabilities......................................................................................................

Total liabilities .........................................................................................................

135,142

159,131

—

4,366

Equity

Preferred equity.....................................................................................................

Non-controlling interests.......................................................................................

Common equity.....................................................................................................

Total equity ..............................................................................................................

4,168

67,335

25,647

97,150

—

—

—

—

28,355

135,142

163,497

4,168

67,335

25,647

97,150

Total liabilities and equity ....................................................................................... $

256,281

$

4,366

$

260,647

The company recognized ROU assets and lease liabilities of approximately $4.4 billion as at January 1, 2019. The changes relate 
primarily to:

• 

• 

investment  property  ground  leases  of  $928  million  on  certain  buildings  classified  as  investment  properties  within  our 
Real Estate segment; and

leases of ROU property, plant and equipment of $3.4 billion across our operating segments, including wind farm ground 
leases in our renewable power operations, ports in our infrastructure operations, hospitality assets in our real estate operations, 
fuel tanks and other equipment leases in certain of our private equity operations as well as various corporate office leases.

Included in our interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $206 million related to interest on lease liabilities. 
We  also  reported  depreciation  of  $459  million  on  our  ROU  assets  as  well  as  $63  million  of  fair  value  gains  on  ROU 
investment properties.

ii.  Uncertainty Over Income Tax Treatments

In  June  2017,  the  IASB  published  IFRIC  23  Uncertainty  over  Income  Tax  Treatments  (“IFRIC  23”),  effective  for  annual 
periods beginning on or after January 1, 2019. The interpretation requires an entity to assess whether it is probable that a tax 
authority will accept an uncertain tax treatment used, or proposed to be used, by an entity in its income tax filings and to exercise 
judgment in determining whether each tax treatment should be considered independently or whether some tax treatments should 
be considered together. The decision should be based on which approach provides better predictions of the resolution of the 
uncertainty. An entity also has to consider whether it is probable that the relevant authority will accept each tax treatment, or group 
of tax treatments, assuming that the taxation authority with the right to examine any amounts reported to it will examine those 
amounts and will have full knowledge of all relevant information when doing so. The interpretation has been applied on a modified 
retrospective  basis  without  restatement  of  comparative  information.  There  was  no  material  impact  on  the  company’s  2019 
consolidated financial statements.

135    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

iii.  Business Combinations

In October 2018, the IASB issued an amendment to IFRS 3 Business Combinations (“IFRS 3”), effective for annual periods 
beginning on or after January 1, 2020 with early adoption permitted. The amendment clarifies that a business must include, at 
minimum, an input and a substantive process that together contribute to the ability to create outputs, and assists companies in 
determining whether an acquisition is a business combination or an acquisition of a group of assets by providing supplemental 
guidance for assessing whether an acquired process is substantive. The company has decided to early adopt the amendments to 
IFRS 3 effective January 1, 2019 and applied the amended standard in assessing business combinations on a prospective basis. 
For acquisitions that are determined to be acquisitions of assets as opposed to business combinations, the company allocates the 
transaction price to the individual identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed on the basis of their relative fair values, and 
no goodwill is recognized. Acquisitions that continue to meet the definition of a business combination are accounted for under 
the acquisition method, without any changes to the company’s accounting policy. There was no material impact on the company’s 
2019 consolidated financial statements.

iv.  Interest Rate Benchmark Reform

The company adopted Interest Rate Benchmark Reform – Amendments to IFRS 9 and IFRS 7, issued in September 2019, (“IBOR 
Amendments”) effective October 1, 2019 in advance of its mandatory effective date. The IBOR Amendments have been applied 
retrospectively  to  hedging  relationships  existing  at  October  1,  2019  or  were  designated  subsequently,  and  to  the  amount 
accumulated in the cash flow hedge reserve at that date. The IBOR Amendments provide temporary relief from applying specific 
hedge accounting requirements to the company’s hedging relationships which are directly affected by IBOR reform, which primarily 
include US$ LIBOR, £ LIBOR, and €  EURIBOR. The reliefs have the effect that IBOR reform should not generally cause hedge 
accounting to terminate. In assessing whether a hedge is expected to be highly effective on a forward-looking basis, the company 
assumes the interest rate benchmark on which the cash flows of the derivative which hedges borrowings is not altered by IBOR 
reform. These reliefs cease to apply to a hedged item or hedging instrument as applicable at the earlier of: (i) when the uncertainty 
arising from IBOR reform is no longer present with respect to the timing and amount of the interest rate benchmark-based future 
cash  flows;  and  (ii)  when  the  hedging  relationship  is  discontinued.  There  was  no  material  impact  on  the  company’s  2019 
consolidated financial statements.

It is currently expected that Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) will replace US$ LIBOR, Sterling Overnight Index 
Average (“SONIA”) will replace £ LIBOR, and Euro Short-term Rate (“€STR”)  will replace EURIBOR. All of these are expected 
to become effective prior to December 31, 2021. The company is currently finalizing and implementing its transition plan to 
address  the  impact  and  effect  changes  as  a  result  of  amendments  to  the  contractual  terms  of  IBOR  referenced  floating-rate 
borrowings, interest rate swaps, and interest rate caps.

c)  Future Changes in Accounting Standards

i. 

Insurance Contracts

In May 2017, the IASB published IFRS 17, Insurance Contracts (“IFRS 17”), which establishes principles for the recognition, 
measurement,  presentation  and  disclosure  of  insurance  contracts.  IFRS  17  will  replace  IFRS  4,  Insurance  Contracts.  In 
November 2018, the IASB proposed to defer the effective date of IFRS 17 for insurers that elected the temporary exemption to 
be annual periods  beginning on  or  after  January 1, 2022. IFRS  17 requires  insurance  contract liabilities to  be measured  at  a 
current fulfillment value and provides a more uniform measurement and presentation approach for all insurance contracts. 

The company is currently assessing the impact of IFRS 17 on its operations.

d)  Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements are prepared on a going concern basis. 

i.  Subsidiaries 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and its subsidiaries, which are the entities over which 
the company exercises control. Control exists when the company is able to exercise power over the investee, is exposed to variable 
returns from its involvement with the investee and has the ability to use its power over the investee to affect the amount of its 
returns. Subsidiaries are consolidated from the date control is obtained and continue to be consolidated until the date when control 
is lost. The company includes 100% of its subsidiaries’ revenues and expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and 
100% of its subsidiaries’ assets and liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets, with non-controlling interests in the equity of 
the company’s subsidiaries included within the company’s equity. All intercompany balances, transactions, unrealized gains and 
losses are eliminated in full.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    136

The company continually reassesses whether or not it controls an investee, particularly if facts and circumstances indicate there 
is a change to one or more of the control criteria previously mentioned. In certain circumstances when the company has less than 
a majority of the voting rights of an investee, it has power over the investee when the voting rights are sufficient to give it the 
practical  ability  to  direct  the  relevant  activities  of  the  investee  unilaterally.  The  company  considers  all  relevant  facts  and 
circumstances in assessing whether or not the company’s voting rights are sufficient to give it control of an investee. 

Certain of the company’s subsidiaries are subject to profit sharing arrangements, such as carried interest, between the company 
and the non-controlling equity holders, whereby the company is entitled to a participation in profits, as determined under the 
agreements. The attribution of net income amongst equity holders in these subsidiaries reflects the impact of these profit sharing 
arrangements when the attribution of profits as determined in the agreement is no longer subject to adjustment based on future 
events and correspondingly reduces non-controlling interests’ attributable share of those profits. 

Gains or losses resulting from changes in the company’s ownership interest of a subsidiary that do not result in a loss of control 
are accounted for as equity transactions and are recorded within ownership changes as a component of equity. When we dispose 
of all or part of a subsidiary resulting in a loss of control, the difference between the carrying value of what is sold and the proceeds 
from disposition is recognized within other income and gains in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

Refer to Note 2(r) for an explanation of the company’s accounting policy for business combinations and to Note 4 for additional 
information on subsidiaries of the company with significant non-controlling interests. 

ii.  Associates and Joint Ventures 

Associates are entities over which the company exercises significant influence. Significant influence is the power to participate 
in the financial and operating policy decisions of the investee but without control or joint control over those policies. Joint ventures 
are joint arrangements whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have the rights to the net assets of the joint 
arrangement. Joint control is the contractually agreed sharing of control over an arrangement, which exists only when decisions 
about the relevant activities require unanimous consent of the parties sharing control. The company accounts for associates and 
joint ventures using the equity method of accounting within equity accounted investments on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. 

Interests in associates and joint ventures accounted for using the equity method are initially recognized at cost. At the time of 
initial recognition, if the cost of the associate or joint venture is lower than the proportionate share of the investment’s underlying 
fair value, the company records a gain on the difference between the cost and the underlying fair value of the investment in net 
income. If the cost of the associate or joint venture is greater than the company’s proportionate share of the underlying fair value, 
goodwill relating to the associate or joint venture is included in the carrying amount of the investment. Subsequent to initial 
recognition, the carrying value of the company’s interest in an associate or joint venture is adjusted for the company’s share of 
comprehensive income and distributions of the investee. Profit and losses resulting from transactions with an associate or joint 
venture are recognized in the consolidated financial statements based on the interests of unrelated investors in the investee. The 
carrying value of associates or joint ventures is assessed for impairment at each balance sheet date. Impairment losses on equity 
accounted investments may be subsequently reversed in net income. Further information on the impairment of long-lived assets 
is available in Note 2(m).

iii.  Joint Operations 

A joint operation is a joint arrangement whereby the parties that have joint control of the arrangement have rights to the assets, 
and  obligations  for  the  liabilities,  related  to  the  arrangement.  Joint  control  is  the  contractually  agreed  sharing  of  control  of 
an arrangement which exists only when decisions about the relevant activities require unanimous consent of parties sharing control. 
The  company  recognizes  only  its  assets,  liabilities  and  share  of  the  results  of  operations  of  the  joint  operation.  The  assets, 
liabilities and  results  of  joint  operations  are  included  within  the  respective  line  items  of  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets, 
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. 

e)  Foreign Currency Translation 

The U.S. dollar is the functional and presentation currency of the company. Each of the company’s subsidiaries, associates, joint 
ventures and joint operations determines its own functional currency and items included in the consolidated financial statements 
of each subsidiary, associate, joint venture and joint operation are measured using that functional currency. 

Assets and liabilities of foreign operations having a functional currency other than the U.S. dollar are translated at the rate of 
exchange prevailing at the reporting date and revenues and expenses at average rates during the period. Gains or losses on translation 
are accumulated as a component of equity. On the disposal of a foreign operation, or the loss of control, joint control or significant 
influence, the component of accumulated other comprehensive income relating to that foreign operation is reclassified to net 
income. Gains or losses on foreign currency denominated balances and transactions that are designated as hedges of net investments 
in these operations are reported in the same manner. 

137    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Foreign currency denominated monetary assets and liabilities of the company are translated using the rate of exchange prevailing at 
the reporting date and non-monetary assets and liabilities measured at fair value are translated at the rate of exchange prevailing 
at the date when the fair value was determined. Revenues and expenses are measured at average rates during the period. Gains or 
losses on translation of these items are included in net income. Gains or losses on transactions which hedge these items are also 
included in net income. Foreign currency denominated non-monetary assets and liabilities, measured at historic cost, are translated 
at the rate of exchange at the transaction date. 

f)  Cash and Cash Equivalents 

Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and highly liquid short-term investments with original maturities 
of three months or less. 

g)  Related Party Transactions 

In the normal course of operations, the company enters into various transactions on market terms with related parties. The majority of 
transactions with related parties are between consolidated entities and eliminate on consolidation. The company and its subsidiaries 
may also transact with entities over which the company has significant influence or joint control. Amounts owed to and by associates 
and joint ventures are not eliminated on consolidation. The company’s subsidiaries with significant non-controlling interests are 
described in Note 4 and its associates and joint ventures are described in Note 10.

In addition to our subsidiaries and equity accounted investments, we consider key management personnel, the Board of Directors 
and material shareholders to be related parties. See additional details in Note 28.

h)  Operating Assets 

i. 

Investment Properties 

The company uses the fair value method to account for real estate classified as investment properties. A property is determined 
to be an investment property when it is principally held either to earn rental income or for capital appreciation, or both. Investment 
properties  also  include  properties  that  are  under  development  or  redevelopment  for  future  use  as  investment  property. 
Investment properties are initially measured at cost including transaction costs, or at fair value if acquired in a business combination. 
Subsequent to initial recognition, investment properties are carried at fair value. Gains or losses arising from changes in fair value 
are included in net income during the period in which they arise.

Fair values are completed by undertaking one of two accepted approaches: (i) discounting the expected future cash flows, generally 
over a term of 10 years including a terminal value based on the application of a capitalization rate to estimated year 11 net operating 
income, typically used for our office, retail and logistics assets; or (ii) undertaking a direct capitalization approach for certain of 
our LP investments and directly held multifamily assets whereby a capitalization rate is applied to estimated stabilized annual net 
operating income. The future cash flows of each property are based upon, among other things, rental income from current leases 
and assumptions about rental income from future leases reflecting current conditions, less future cash outflows relating to such 
current and future leases. 

Commercial developments are also measured using a discounted cash flow model, net of costs to complete, as of the balance sheet 
date. Development sites in the planning phases are carried at cost.

ii.  Property, Plant and Equipment 

The company uses the revaluation method of accounting for certain classes of property, plant and equipment as well as certain 
assets which are under development for future use as property, plant and equipment. Property, plant and equipment measured 
using the revaluation method is initially measured at cost, or at fair value if acquired in a business combination, and subsequently 
carried at its revalued amount, being the fair value at the date of the revaluation less any subsequent accumulated depreciation 
and any accumulated impairment losses. Revaluations are performed on an annual basis at the end of each fiscal year, commencing 
in the first year subsequent to the date of acquisition, unless there is an indication that assets are impaired. Where the carrying 
amount of an asset increases as a result of a revaluation, the increase is recognized in other comprehensive income and accumulated 
in equity in revaluation surplus, unless the increase reverses a previously recognized revaluation loss recorded through net income, 
in which case that portion of the increase is recognized in net income. 

Where the carrying amount of an asset decreases, the decrease is recognized in other comprehensive income to the extent of any 
balance  existing  in  revaluation  surplus  in  respect  of  the  asset,  with  the  remainder  of  the  decrease  recognized  in  net  income. 
Depreciation of an asset commences when it is available for use. On loss of control or partial disposition of an asset measured 
using the revaluation method, all accumulated revaluation surplus or the portion disposed of, respectively, is transferred into 
retained earnings or ownership changes, respectively.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    138

Property, plant and equipment held in our Private Equity segment is measured at cost. Land is carried at cost whereas finite-life 
assets such as buildings and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses, if 
any. Depreciation is calculated on a systematic basis over the assets’ useful life.

Depreciation methods and useful lives are reassessed at least annually regardless of the measurement method used. 

Renewable Power 

Renewable power generating assets, including assets under development, are classified as property, plant and equipment and are 
accounted for using the revaluation method. The company determines the fair value of its renewable power generating assets using 
discounted cash flow analysis, which includes estimates of forecasted revenue, operating costs, maintenance and other capital 
expenditures.  Discount  rates  are  selected  for  each  facility  giving  consideration  to  the  expected  proportion  of  contracted  to 
uncontracted revenue and markets into which power is sold. 

For perpetual assets, such as many of our hydroelectric facilities, the first 20 years of cash flow are discounted with a residual 
value based on the terminal value cash flows. For assets with finite lives, which include wind and solar farms, the company 
discounts projected cash flows over the assets’ estimated remaining service lives. The fair value and estimated remaining service 
lives are reassessed on an annual basis.

Depreciation on renewable power generating assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated service lives of the 
assets, which are as follows: 

(YEARS)

Useful Lives

Dams ...................................................................................................................................................................................

Up to 115

Penstocks ............................................................................................................................................................................

Powerhouses .......................................................................................................................................................................

Hydroelectric generating units............................................................................................................................................

Wind generating units .........................................................................................................................................................

Solar generating units .........................................................................................................................................................

Gas-fired cogenerating (“Cogeneration”) units ..................................................................................................................

Other assets .........................................................................................................................................................................

Up to 60

Up to 115

Up to 115

Up to 41

Up to 30

Up to 40

Up to 60

Cost is allocated to the significant components of power generating assets and each component is depreciated separately. 

The  depreciation  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  in  our  Brazilian  renewable  power  operations  is  based  on  the  duration  of 
the authorization or the useful life of a concession. The weighted-average remaining duration at December 31, 2019 is 32 years
(2018 – 29 years). Land rights are included as part of the concession or authorization and are subject to depreciation.

Infrastructure 

Utilities, transport, communication and energy assets within our infrastructure operations as well as assets under development 
classified as property, plant and equipment on the Consolidated Balance Sheets are accounted for using the revaluation method. 
The company determines the fair value of its utilities, transport, energy and data infrastructure assets using discounted cash flow 
analyses, which include estimates of forecasted revenue, operating costs, maintenance and other capital expenditures. Valuations 
are performed internally on an annual basis. Discount rates are selected for each asset, giving consideration to the volatility and 
geography of its revenue streams.

139    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Depreciation on utilities, transport, energy and data infrastructure assets is calculated on a straight-line or declining balance basis 
over the estimated service lives of the components of the assets, which are as follows: 

(YEARS)

Buildings.............................................................................................................................................................................

Transmission stations, towers and related fixtures .............................................................................................................

Leasehold improvements ....................................................................................................................................................

Plant and equipment............................................................................................................................................................

Network systems.................................................................................................................................................................

Track ...................................................................................................................................................................................

District energy systems.......................................................................................................................................................

Gas storage assets ...............................................................................................................................................................

Useful Lives

Up to 75

Up to 40

Up to 50

Up to 40

Up to 65

Up to 40

Up to 50

Up to 50

The fair value and the estimated remaining service lives are reassessed annually. 

Public service concessions that provide the right to charge users for a service in which the service and fee is regulated by the 
grantor are accounted for as intangible assets. 

In our sustainable resources operations, land used in the production of standing timber, as well as bridges and roads used in 
sustainable resources production, are accounted for using the revaluation method and included in property, plant and equipment. 
Bridges, roads and equipment are depreciated over their useful lives, generally 3 to 30 years. 

Real Estate – Hospitality Assets 

Hospitality operating assets within our real estate operations are classified as property, plant and equipment and are accounted for 
using the revaluation method. The company determines the fair value for these assets by using a depreciated replacement cost 
method based on the age, physical condition and the construction costs of the assets. Fair value of hospitality properties are also 
reviewed in reference to each hospitality asset’s enterprise value which is determined using a discounted cash flow model. 

Depreciation on hospitality assets is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of each component of the 
asset as follows: 

(YEARS)

Building and building improvements .................................................................................................................................

Land improvements ............................................................................................................................................................

Furniture, fixtures and equipment.......................................................................................................................................

Useful Lives

5 to 60

14 to 15

2 to 15

Private Equity

The company accounts for its private equity property, plant and equipment using the cost model. Costs include expenditures that 
are directly attributable to the acquisition of the asset. Depreciation of an asset commences when it is available for use. PP&E is 
depreciated for each component of the following asset classes as follows:

On a straight-line basis (YEARS)

Buildings.............................................................................................................................................................................

Leasehold improvements ....................................................................................................................................................

Machinery and equipment ..................................................................................................................................................

Vessels.................................................................................................................................................................................

Not on a straight-line basis

Useful Lives

Up to 50

Up to 40

Up to 20

Up to 35

Useful Lives

Oil and gas related equipment ................................................................................................................................ Units of production

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    140

iii.  Inventory

Private Equity

Fuel inventories within our Private Equity segment are traded in active markets and are purchased with the view to resell in the 
near future, generating a profit from fluctuations in prices or margins. As a result, fuel inventories are carried at market value by 
reference to prices in a quoted active market, in accordance with the commodity broker-trader exemption granted by IAS 2, 
Inventories. Changes in fair value less costs to sell are recognized in direct costs. Fuel products that are held for extended periods 
in  order  to  benefit  from  future  anticipated  increases  in  fuel  prices  or  located  in  territories  where  no  active  market  exists  are 
recognized at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Products and chemicals used in the production of biofuels are valued at 
the lower of cost and net realizable value.

Real Estate 

Residential development lots, homes and residential condominium projects are recorded in inventory. Residential development 
lots are recorded at the lower of cost, which includes pre-development expenditures and capitalized borrowing costs and net 
realizable value, which the company determines as the estimated selling price of the inventory in the ordinary course of business 
in its completed state, less estimated expenses, including holding costs, costs to complete and costs to sell. 

Homes and other properties held for sale, which include properties subject to sale agreements, are recorded at the lower of cost 
and net realizable value in inventory. Costs are allocated to the salable acreage of each project or subdivision in proportion to the 
anticipated revenue. 

Residential Development

Inventories consist of land held for development, land under development, homes under construction, completed homes and model 
homes. In addition to direct land acquisitions, land development and improvement costs and home construction costs, costs also 
include interest, real estate taxes and direct overhead related to development and construction, which are capitalized to inventory 
during  the  period  beginning  with  the  commencement  of  development  and  ending  with  the  completion  of  construction  or 
development. Indirect costs are allocated to homes or lots based on the number of units in a community.

Land and housing assets are recorded at the lower of cost and net realizable value, which the company determines as the estimated 
selling price of the inventory in the ordinary course of business in its completed state, less estimated expenses, including holding 
costs, costs to complete and costs to sell.

i)  Fair Value Measurement 

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market 
participants at the measurement date, regardless of whether that price is directly observable or estimated using another valuation 
technique. In estimating the fair value of an asset or a liability, the company takes into account the characteristics of the asset or 
liability  if  market  participants  would  take  those  characteristics  into  account  when  pricing  the  asset  or  liability  at  the 
measurement date. 

Fair value measurement is disaggregated into three hierarchical levels: Level 1, 2 or 3. Fair value hierarchical levels are directly 
based on the degree to which the inputs to the fair value measurement are observable. The levels are as follows: 

Level 1 –  Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. 

Level 2 –  Inputs (other than quoted prices included in Level 1) are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability 
through correlation with market data at the measurement date and for the duration of the asset or liability’s anticipated 
life. 

Level 3 –  Inputs are unobservable and reflect management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the 
asset or liability at the measurement date. Consideration is given to the risk inherent in the valuation technique and 
the risk inherent in the inputs in determining the estimate. 

Refer to the investment properties and revaluation of property, plant and equipment explanations for the approach taken to determine 
the fair value of these operating assets.

Further information on fair value measurements is available in Notes 6, 7, 11 and 12. 

141    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

j)  Accounts Receivable 

Trade receivables are recognized initially at fair value and subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest 
method, less an allowance for expected credit losses for uncollectability. 

k)  Intangible Assets 

Finite life intangible assets are carried at cost less any accumulated amortization and any accumulated impairment losses and are 
amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. Amortization is recorded within depreciation and amortization 
in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

Certain of the company’s intangible assets have an indefinite life as there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which the asset 
is expected to generate cash flows. Indefinite life intangible assets are recorded at cost unless an impairment is identified which 
requires a write-down to its recoverable amount. 

Indefinite life intangible assets are evaluated for impairment annually or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may 
be an impairment. Any impairment of the company’s indefinite life intangible assets is recorded in net income in the period in 
which the impairment is identified. Impairment losses on intangible assets may be subsequently reversed in net income. 

Infrastructure

Intangible assets within our Infrastructure segment primarily consist of service concession arrangements that are accounted for 
as intangible assets under IFRIC 12, Service Concession Arrangements (“IFRIC 12”). Concession arrangements were mostly 
acquired through acquisitions of gas transmission, electricity transmission and toll road businesses and are amortized on a straight-
line basis over the term of the arrangement.

The intangible asset at the Australian regulated terminal operation relates to use of a specific steel and coal port terminal for a 
contractual length of time and is amortized over the life of the contractual arrangement with 81 years remaining on a straight-line 
basis. The intangible assets at the Brazilian regulated gas transmission operation relate to pipeline concession contracts, amortized 
on a straight-line basis over the life of the contractual arrangement. The intangible assets at the Brazilian electricity transmission 
operation relate to electricity transmission line concession contracts, amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the contractual 
agreement. The intangible assets at the Chilean, Indian and Peruvian toll roads relate to the right to operate a road and charge users 
a specified tariff for a contractual length of time and is amortized over the life of the contractual arrangement with an average of 
14, 17 and 23 years remaining, respectively.

Refer to Note 13 of the consolidated financial statements for additional information on these concession arrangements.

The intangible assets at our residential infrastructure operation comprise contractual customer relationships, customer contracts, 
proprietary technology and brands. The contractual customer relationships and customer contracts represent ongoing economic 
benefits  from  leasing  customers  and  annuity-based  management  agreements.  Proprietary  technology  is  recognized  for  the 
development of new metering technology, which allows the business to generate revenue through its sub-metering business. Brands 
represent the intrinsic value customers place on the operation’s various brand names. Brands are classified as having an indefinite 
life and are subject to annual impairment reviews. The remaining intangible assets are amortized straight-line over 10 to 20 years.

Private Equity

Our  private  equity  operations  include  intangible  assets  across  a  number  of  operating  companies. The  majority  are  finite  life 
intangibles with the following useful lives:

(YEARS)

Water and sewage concession agreements..........................................................................................................................

Brand names .......................................................................................................................................................................

Computer software..............................................................................................................................................................

Customer relationships .......................................................................................................................................................

Value of insurance contracts acquired ................................................................................................................................

Patents and trademarks .......................................................................................................................................................

Proprietary technology........................................................................................................................................................

Product development costs .................................................................................................................................................

Distribution networks .........................................................................................................................................................

Loyalty program .................................................................................................................................................................

Useful Lives

Up to 40

Up to 20

Up to 10

Up to 30

Up to 15

Up to 40

Up to 20

Up to 5

Up to 25

Up to 15

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    142

Real Estate

Intangible  assets  in  our  Real  Estate  segment  are  primarily  trademarks  associated  with  hospitality  assets.  These  assets  have 
indefinite lives.

l)  Goodwill 

Goodwill represents the excess of the price paid for the acquisition of an entity over the fair value of the net identifiable tangible 
and intangible assets and liabilities acquired. Goodwill is allocated to the cash-generating unit to which it relates. The company 
identifies cash-generating units as identifiable groups of assets that are largely independent of the cash inflows from other assets 
or groups of assets.

Goodwill is evaluated for impairment annually or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be an impairment. 
Impairment is determined for goodwill by assessing if the carrying value of a cash-generating unit, including the allocated goodwill, 
exceeds its recoverable amount determined as the greater of the estimated fair value less costs to sell and the value in use. Impairment 
losses recognized in respect of a cash-generating unit are first allocated to the carrying value of goodwill and any excess is allocated 
to the carrying amount of assets in the cash-generating unit. Any goodwill impairment is recorded in income in the period in which 
the  impairment  is  identified.  Impairment  losses  on  goodwill  are  not  subsequently  reversed.  On  disposal  of  a  subsidiary,  any 
attributable amount of goodwill is included in determination of the gain or loss on disposal. 

m)  Impairment of Long-Lived Assets 

At each balance sheet date or more often if events or circumstances indicate there may be impairment, the company assesses 
whether its assets, other than those measured at fair value with changes in value recorded in net income, have any indication of 
impairment. An impairment is recognized if the recoverable amount, determined as the higher of the estimated fair value less costs 
of disposal and the discounted future cash flows generated from use and eventual disposal from an asset or cash-generating unit, 
is less than their carrying value. Impairment losses are recorded as fair value changes within the Consolidated Statements of 
Operations. The projections of future cash flows take into account the relevant operating plans and management’s best estimate 
of the most probable set of conditions anticipated to prevail. Where an impairment loss subsequently reverses, the carrying amount 
of the asset or cash-generating unit is increased to the lesser of the revised estimate of its recoverable amount and the carrying 
amount that would have been recorded had no impairment loss been recognized previously. 

n)  Subsidiary Equity Obligations 

Subsidiary equity obligations include subsidiary preferred equity units, subsidiary preferred shares and capital securities as well 
as limited-life funds and redeemable fund units. 

Subsidiary preferred equity units and capital securities are preferred shares that may be settled by a variable number of common 
equity units upon their conversion by the holders or the company. These instruments, as well as the related accrued distributions, 
are  classified  as  liabilities  at  amortized  cost  on  the  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets.  Dividends  or  yield  distributions  on  these 
instruments are recorded as interest expense. To the extent conversion features are not closely related to the underlying liability 
the instruments are bifurcated into debt and equity components. 

Limited-life funds represent the interests of others in the company’s consolidated funds that have a defined maximum fixed life 
where the company has an obligation to distribute the residual interests of the fund to fund partners based on their proportionate 
share of the fund’s equity in the form of cash or other financial assets at cessation of the fund’s life. 

Redeemable fund units represent interests of others in consolidated subsidiaries that have a redemption feature that requires the 
company to deliver cash or other financial assets to the holders of the units upon receiving a redemption notice. 

Limited-life  funds  and  redeemable  fund  units  are  classified  as  liabilities  and  recorded  at  fair  value  within  subsidiary  equity 
obligations on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Changes in the fair value are recorded in net income in the period of the change. 

o)  Revenue from Contracts with Customers 

IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“IFRS 15”), specifies how and when revenue should be recognized and requires 
disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues and cash flows arising from customer contracts. 

Where available, the company has elected the practical expedient available under IFRS 15 for measuring progress toward complete 
satisfaction of a performance obligation and for disclosure requirements of remaining performance obligations. This permits the 
company  to  recognize  revenue  in  the  amount  to  which  we  have  the  right  to  invoice  such  that  the  company  has  a  right  to 
the consideration in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer for performance completed to date.

143    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Revenue Recognition Policies by Segment

Revenue is measured based on the consideration specified in a contract with a customer and excludes amounts collected on behalf 
of third parties. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service (or a bundle of goods and 
services) to the customer and is the unit of account in IFRS 15. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct performance 
obligation and recognized as revenue, as, or when, the performance obligation is satisfied. The company recognizes revenue when 
it transfers control of a product or service to a customer. 

The company recognizes revenue from the following major sources: 

Asset Management

The  company’s  primary  asset  management  revenue  streams,  which  include  base  management  fees,  incentive  fees  (including 
incentive distributions and performance fees) and realized carried interest, are satisfied over time. A significant portion of our 
asset management revenue is inter-segment in nature and thus eliminated on consolidation; that which survives is recorded as 
revenue in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The company earns base management fees in accordance with contractual arrangements with our long-term private funds, perpetual 
strategies and public securities’ investment vehicles. Fees are typically equal to a percentage of fee-bearing capital within the 
respective fund or entity and are accrued quarterly. These fees are earned over the period of time that the management services 
are provided and are allocated to the distinct services provided by the company during the reporting period.

Incentive distributions and performance fees are incentive payments to reward the company for meeting or exceeding certain 
performance  thresholds  of  managed  entities.  Incentive  distributions,  paid  to  us  by  our  listed  partnerships,  are  determined  by 
contractual arrangements and represent a portion of distributions paid by the listed partnerships above a predetermined hurdle. 
They are accrued as revenue on the respective partnerships’ distribution record dates if that hurdle has been achieved. BBU pays 
performance fees if the growth in its unit price exceeds a predetermined threshold, with the unit price based on the quarterly 
volume-weighted average price of publicly traded units. These fees are accrued on a quarterly basis subject to the performance 
of the listed vehicle.

Carried interest is a performance fee arrangement in which we receive a percentage of investment returns, generated within a 
private fund on carry eligible capital, based on a contractual formula. We are eligible to earn carried interest from a fund once 
returns exceed the fund’s contractually defined performance hurdles at which point we earn an accelerated percentage of the 
additional fund profit until we have earned the percentage of total fund profit, net of fees and expenses, to which we are entitled. 
We defer recognition of carried interest as revenue until the fund’s cumulative returns exceed its preferred returns and when the 
probability of clawback is remote, which is generally met when an underlying fund investment is profitably disposed of. Typically 
carried interest is not recognized as revenue until the fund is near the end of its life.

Real Estate

Revenue from hospitality operations is generated by providing accommodation, food and beverage and leisure facilities to hotel 
guests. Revenue from accommodation is recognized over the period that the guest stays at the hotel; food and beverage revenue 
as well as revenue from leisure activities is recognized when goods and services are provided.

Real estate rental income is recognized in accordance with IFRS 16, Leases. As the company retains substantially all the risks and 
benefits of ownership of its investment properties, it accounts for leases with its tenants as operating leases and begins recognizing 
revenue when the tenant has a right to use the leased asset. The total amount of contractual rent to be received from operating 
leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease; a straight-line or free rent receivable, as applicable, is 
recorded as a component of investment property representing the difference between rental revenue recorded and the contractual 
amount received. Percentage participating rents are recognized when tenants’ specified sales targets have been met. 

Renewable Power

Revenue is earned by selling electricity sourced from our power generating facilities. It is derived from the output delivered and 
capacity provided at rates specified under contract terms or at prevailing market rates if the sale is uncontracted. Performance 
obligations are satisfied over time as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes benefits as we deliver electricity and 
related products. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    144

We also sell power and related products under bundled arrangements. Energy, capacity and renewable credits within power purchase 
agreements (“PPA”) are considered to be distinct performance obligations. A contract’s transaction price is allocated to each distinct 
performance obligation and recognized as revenue over time as the performance obligation is satisfied. The sale of energy and 
capacity are distinct goods that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer as measured by the output method. 
Renewable credits are performance obligations satisfied at a point in time. Measurement of satisfaction and transfer of control to 
the customer of renewable credits in a bundled arrangement coincides with the pattern of revenue recognition of the underlying 
energy generation.

Infrastructure

Our infrastructure revenue is predominantly recognized over time as services are rendered. Performance obligations are satisfied 
based on actual usage or throughput depending on the terms of the arrangement. Contract progress is determined using a cost-to-
cost input method. Any upfront payments that are separable from the recurring revenue are recognized over time for the period 
the services are provided.

In addition, we have certain contracts where we earn revenue at a point in time when control of the product ultimately transfers 
to the customer, which for our sustainable resources operations coincides with product delivery.

Private Equity

Revenue from our private equity operations primarily consists of: (i) sales of goods or products which are recognized as revenue 
when the product is shipped and title passes to the customer; and (ii) the provision of services which are recognized as revenue over 
the period of time that they are provided. 

Revenue recognized over a period of time is determined using the cost-to-cost input method to measure progress towards satisfaction 
of the performance obligations as the work performed on the contracts creates or enhances an asset that is controlled by the 
customer. A contract asset is recognized as costs are incurred and reclassified to accounts receivable when invoiced. A contract 
liability is recognized if payments are received before work is completed. Variable consideration, such as claims, incentives and 
variations resulting from contract modifications, is included in the transaction price when it is highly probable that such revenue 
will not reverse, which is when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.

Residential Development

Revenue from residential land sales, sales of homes and the completion of residential condominium projects is recognized at the 
point in time when our performance obligations are met. Performance obligations are satisfied when we transfer title over a product 
to a customer and all material conditions of the sales contract have been met. If title of a property transfers but material future 
development is required, revenue will be delayed until the point in time at which the remaining performance obligations are satisfied.

Corporate Activities and Other

Dividend and interest income from other financial assets are recognized as revenue when declared or on an accrual basis using 
the effective interest method, in accordance with IFRS 9 Financial Instruments (“IFRS 9”).

Interest revenue from loans and notes receivable, less a provision for uncollectable amounts, is recorded on the accrual basis using 
the effective interest method, in accordance with IFRS 9.

p)  Financial Instruments 

Classification of Financial Instruments

The company classifies its financial assets as fair value through profit and loss (“FVTPL”), fair value through other comprehensive 
income (“FVTOCI”) and amortized cost according to the company’s business objectives for managing the financial assets and 
based on the contractual cash flow characteristics of the financial assets. The company classifies its financial liabilities as amortized 
cost or FVTPL. 

• 

Financial instruments that are not held for the sole purpose of collecting contractual cash flows are classified as FVTPL and 
are initially recognized at their fair value and are subsequently measured at fair value at each reporting date. Gains and losses 
recorded on each revaluation date are recognized within net earnings. Transaction costs of financial assets classified as FVTPL 
are expensed in profit or loss.

145    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

• 

• 

Financial assets classified as FVTOCI are initially recognized at their fair value and are subsequently measured at fair value 
at each reporting date. The cumulative gains or losses related to FVTOCI equity instruments are not reclassified to profit or 
loss on disposal, whereas the cumulative gains or losses on all other FVTOCI assets are reclassified to profit or loss on 
disposal, when there is a significant or prolonged decline in fair value or when the company acquires a controlling or significant 
interest in the underlying investment and commences equity accounting or consolidating the investment. The cumulative 
gains or losses on all FVTOCI liabilities are reclassified to profit or loss on disposal.

Financial instruments that are held for the purpose of collecting contractual cash flows that are solely payments of principal 
and interest are classified as amortized cost and are initially recognized at their fair value and are subsequently measured at 
amortized cost using the effective interest rate method. Transaction costs of financial instruments classified as amortized cost 
are capitalized and amortized in profit or loss on the same basis as the financial instrument.

Expected credit losses associated with debt instruments carried at amortized cost and FVOCI are assessed on a forward-looking 
basis. The impairment methodology applied depends on whether there has been a significant increase in credit risk since initial 
recognition. Impairment charges are recognized in profit or loss based on the expected credit loss model.

The following table presents the types of financial instruments held by the company within each financial instrument classification:

Financial Instrument Type

Financial Assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Other financial assets

Government bonds

Corporate bonds

Fixed income securities and other

Common shares and warrants

Loan and notes receivable
Accounts receivable and other1

Financial Liabilities

Corporate borrowings

Property-specific borrowings

Subsidiary borrowings
Accounts payable and other1
Subsidiary equity obligations

1. 

Includes derivative instruments.

Other Financial Assets

Measurement

Amortized cost

FVTPL, FVTOCI

FVTPL, FVTOCI

FVTPL, FVTOCI

FVTPL, FVTOCI

FVTPL, Amortized cost

FVTPL, FVTOCI, Amortized cost

Amortized cost

Amortized cost

Amortized cost

FVTPL, Amortized cost

FVTPL, Amortized cost

Other financial assets are recognized on their trade date and initially recorded at fair value with changes in fair value recorded in 
net  income  or  other  comprehensive  income  in  accordance  with  their  classification.  Fair  values  of  financial  instruments  are 
determined by reference to quoted bid or ask prices, as appropriate. Where bid and ask prices are unavailable, the closing price 
of the most recent transaction of that instrument is used. 

Other financial assets also include loans and notes receivable which are recorded initially at fair value and, with the exception of 
loans and notes receivable designated as FVTPL, are subsequently measured at amortized cost using the effective interest method, 
less any applicable provision for impairment. A provision for impairment is established when there is objective evidence that the 
company will not be able to collect all amounts due according to the original terms of the receivables. Loans and receivables 
designated as FVTPL are recorded at fair value, with changes in fair value recorded in net income in the period in which they arise.

Allowance for Credit Losses

For financial assets classified as amortized cost or debt instruments as FVTOCI, at each reporting period, the company assesses 
if there has been a significant increase in credit risk since the asset was originated to determine if a 12-month expected credit loss 
or a life-time expected credit loss should be recorded regardless of whether there has been an actual loss event. The company uses 
unbiased, probability-weighted loss scenarios which consider multiple loss scenarios based on reasonable and supportable forecasts 
in order to calculate the expected credit losses. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    146

The company assesses the carrying value of FVTOCI and amortized cost securities for impairment when there is objective evidence 
that the asset is impaired such as when an asset is in default. Impaired financial assets continue to record life-time expected credit 
losses; however interest revenue is calculated based on the net amortized carrying amount after deducting the loss allowance. 
When  objective  evidence  of  impairment  exists,  losses  arising  from  impairment  are  reclassified  from  accumulated  other 
comprehensive income to net income.

Derivative Financial Instruments and Hedge Accounting 

The company selectively utilizes derivative financial instruments primarily to manage financial risks,  including interest rate, 
commodity  and  foreign  exchange  risks.  Derivative  financial  instruments  are  recorded  at  fair  value  within  the  company’s 
consolidated financial statements. Hedge accounting is applied when the derivative is designated as a hedge of a specific exposure 
and there is assurance that it will continue to be effective as a hedge based on an expectation of offsetting cash flows or fair values. 
Hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively when the derivative no longer qualifies as a hedge or the hedging relationship is 
terminated.  Once  discontinued,  the  cumulative  change  in  fair  value  of  a  derivative  that  was  previously  recorded  in  other 
comprehensive income by the application of hedge accounting is recognized in net income over the remaining term of the original 
hedging  relationship.  The  assets  or  liabilities  relating  to  unrealized  mark-to-market  gains  and  losses  on  derivative  financial 
instruments are recorded in accounts receivable and other or accounts payable and other, respectively. 

Items Classified as Hedges 

Realized and unrealized gains and losses on foreign exchange contracts designated as hedges of currency risks relating to a net 
investment in a subsidiary or an associate are included in equity. Gains or losses are reclassified into net income in the period in 
which the subsidiary or associate is disposed of or to the extent that the hedges are ineffective. Where a subsidiary is partially 
disposed, and control is retained, any associated gains or costs are reclassified within equity to ownership changes. Derivative 
financial instruments that are designated as hedges to offset corresponding changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities and 
cash flows are measured at their estimated fair value with changes in fair value recorded in net income or as a component of equity, 
as applicable. Unrealized gains and losses on interest rate contracts designated as hedges of future variable interest payments are 
included in equity as a cash flow hedge when the interest rate risk relates to an anticipated variable interest payment. The periodic 
exchanges of payments on interest rate swap contracts designated as hedges of debt are recorded on an accrual basis as an adjustment 
to interest expense. The periodic exchanges of payments on interest rate contracts designated as hedges of future interest payments 
are amortized into net income over the term of the corresponding interest payments. Unrealized gains and losses on electricity 
contracts  designated  as  cash  flow  hedges  of  future  power  generation  revenue  are  included  in  equity  as  a  cash  flow  hedge. 
The periodic exchanges of payments on power generation commodity swap contracts designated as hedges are recorded on a 
settlement basis as an adjustment to power generation revenue.

Items Not Classified as Hedges 

Derivative financial instruments that are not designated as hedges are carried at their estimated fair value, and gains and losses 
arising from changes in fair value are recognized in net income in the period in which the change occurs. Realized and unrealized 
gains and losses on equity derivatives used to offset changes in share prices in respect of vested deferred share units and restricted 
share units are recorded together with the corresponding compensation expense. Realized and unrealized gains on other derivatives 
not designated as hedges are recorded in revenues, direct costs or corporate costs, as applicable. Realized and unrealized gains 
and losses on derivatives which are considered economic hedges, and where hedge accounting is not able to be elected, are recorded 
in fair value changes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

q)  Income Taxes 

Current income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amount expected to be paid to tax authorities, net of recoveries, based 
on the tax rates and laws enacted or substantively enacted at the balance sheet date. Current and deferred income tax relating to 
items recognized directly in equity are also recognized in equity. Deferred income tax liabilities are provided for using the liability 
method on temporary differences between the tax bases and carrying amounts of assets and liabilities. Deferred income tax assets 
are recognized for all deductible temporary differences and for the carry forward of unused tax credits and unused tax losses, to 
the extent that it is probable that deductions, tax credits and tax losses can be utilized. The carrying amount of deferred income 
tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent it is no longer probable that the income tax assets will 
be recovered. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured using the tax rates that are expected to apply to the year 
when the asset is realized or the liability settled, based on the tax rates and laws that have been enacted or substantively enacted 
at the balance sheet date. 

147    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

r)  Business Combinations 

Business combinations are accounted for using the acquisition method. The cost of a business acquisition is measured at the 
aggregate of the fair values at the date of exchange of assets given, liabilities incurred or assumed, and equity instruments issued 
in exchange for control of the acquiree. The acquiree’s identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are recognized at 
their fair values at the acquisition date, except for non-current assets that are classified as held for sale which are recognized and 
measured at fair value less costs to sell. The interest of non-controlling shareholders in the acquiree is initially measured at the 
non-controlling  shareholders’  proportion  of  the  net  fair  value  of  the  identifiable  assets,  liabilities  and  contingent  liabilities 
recognized. 

To the extent the fair value of consideration paid exceeds the fair value of the net identifiable tangible and intangible assets, the 
excess is recorded as goodwill. To the extent the fair value of consideration paid is less than the fair value of net identifiable 
tangible and intangible assets, the excess is recognized in net income. 

When a business combination is achieved in stages, previously held interests in the acquired entity are re-measured to fair value 
at the acquisition date, which is the date control is obtained, and the resulting gain or loss, if any, is recognized in net income, 
other than amounts transferred directly to retained earnings. Amounts arising from interests in the acquiree prior to the acquisition 
date that have previously been recognized in other comprehensive income are reclassified to net income. Transaction costs are 
recorded as an expense within fair value changes in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

s)  Other Items 

i.  Capitalized Costs 

Capitalized costs related to assets under development and redevelopment include all eligible expenditures incurred in connection 
with the acquisition, development and construction of the asset until it is available for its intended use. These expenditures consist 
of costs that are directly attributable to these assets.

Borrowing costs are capitalized when such costs are directly attributable to the acquisition, construction or production of a qualifying 
asset. A qualifying asset is an asset that takes a substantial period of time to prepare for its intended use. 

ii.  Share-based Payments 

The company issues share-based awards to certain employees and non-employee directors. The cost of equity-settled share-based 
transactions, comprised of share options, restricted shares and escrowed shares, is determined as the fair value of the award on 
the grant date using a fair value model. The cost of equity-settled share-based transactions is recognized as each tranche vests and 
is  recorded  in  contributed  surplus  as  a  component  of  equity. The  cost  of  cash-settled  share-based  transactions,  comprised  of 
Deferred Share Units (“DSUs”) and Restricted Share Units (“RSUs”), is measured as the fair value at the grant date, and expensed 
on a proportionate basis consistent with the vesting features over the vesting period with the recognition of a corresponding liability. 
The liability is recorded as a provision within accounts payable and other and measured at each reporting date at fair value with 
changes in fair value recognized in net income. 

iii.  Provisions 

A provision is a liability of uncertain timing that is recognized when the company has a present obligation as a result of a past 
event, it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle the obligation and a reliable estimate can be made of 
the amount of the obligation. The company’s significant provisions consist of pensions and other long-term and post-employment 
benefits, warranties on some products or services, obligations to retire or decommission tangible long-lived assets and the cost of 
legal claims arising in the normal course of operations. 

a.  Pensions and Other Post-Employment Benefits 

The company offers pension and other post-employment benefit plans to employees of certain of its subsidiaries, with certain of 
these subsidiaries offering defined benefit plans. Defined benefit pension expenses, which include the current year’s service cost, 
are included in direct costs. For each defined benefit plan, we recognize the present value of our defined benefit obligations less 
the fair value of the plan assets as a defined benefit liability reported in accounts payable and other on our Consolidated Balance 
Sheets. The company’s obligations under its defined benefit pension plans are determined periodically through the preparation of 
actuarial valuations. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    148

b.  Other Long-Term Incentive Plans 

The company provides long-term incentive plans to certain employees whereby the company allocates a portion of the amounts 
realized through subsidiary profit-sharing agreements to its employees. The cost of these plans is recognized over the requisite 
service period, provided it is probable that the vesting conditions will be achieved, based on the underlying subsidiary profit 
sharing arrangement. The liability is recorded within accounts payable and other and measured at each reporting date with the 
corresponding expense recognized in direct costs. 

c.  Warranties, Asset Retirement, Legal and Other 

Certain consolidated entities offer warranties on the sale of products or services. A provision is recorded to provide for future 
warranty costs based on management’s best estimate of probable warranty claims. 

Certain consolidated entities have legal obligations to retire tangible long-lived assets. A provision is recorded at each reporting 
date to provide for the estimated fair value of the asset retirement obligation upon decommissioning of the asset period. 

In the normal course of operations, the company may become involved in legal proceedings. Management analyzes information 
about these legal matters and provides provisions for probable contingent losses, including estimated legal expenses to resolve 
the matters. Internal and external legal counsel are used in order to estimate the probability of an unfavorable outcome and the 
amount of loss. 

t)  Critical Estimates and Judgments

The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the carried amounts of 
certain assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses 
recorded during the period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

In  making  estimates  and  judgments,  management  relies  on  external  information  and  observable  conditions,  where  possible, 
supplemented by internal analysis as required. These estimates and judgments have been applied in a manner consistent with prior 
periods and there are no known trends, commitments, events or uncertainties that the company believes will materially affect the 
methodology or assumptions utilized in making estimates and judgments in these consolidated financial statements. 

i.  Critical Estimates 

The significant estimates used in determining the recorded amount for assets and liabilities in the consolidated financial statements 
include the following:

a. 

Investment Properties 

The critical assumptions and estimates used when determining the fair value of commercial properties are: discount rates and 
terminal capitalization rates for properties valued using a discounted cash flow model and capitalization rates for properties valued 
using a direct capitalization approach. Management also uses assumptions and estimates in determining expected future cash flows 
in discounted cash flow models and stabilized net operating income used in values determined using the direct capitalization 
approach. Properties under development are recorded at fair value using a discounted cash flow model which includes estimates 
in respect of the timing and cost to complete the development. 

Further information on investment property estimates is provided in Note 11. 

b.  Revaluation Method for Property, Plant and Equipment 

When  determining  the  carrying  value  of  property,  plant  and  equipment  using  the  revaluation  method,  the  company  uses  the 
following critical assumptions and estimates: the timing of forecasted revenues; future sales prices and associated expenses; future 
sales volumes; future regulatory rates; maintenance and other capital expenditures; discount rates; terminal capitalization rates; 
terminal valuation dates; useful lives; and residual values. Determination of the fair value of property, plant and equipment under 
development includes estimates in respect of the timing and cost to complete the development. 

Further information on estimates used in the revaluation method for property, plant and equipment is provided in Note 12. 

c.  Financial Instruments 

Estimates and assumptions used in determining the fair value of financial instruments are: equity and commodity prices; future 
interest rates; the credit worthiness of the company relative to its counterparties; the credit risk of the company’s counterparties; 
estimated future cash flows; the amount of the liability and equity components of compound financial instruments; discount rates 
and volatility utilized in option valuations. 

149    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Further information on estimates used in determining the carrying value of financial instruments is provided in Notes 6, 26 and 27. 

d. 

Inventory 

The company estimates the net realizable value of its inventory using estimates and assumptions about future development costs, 
costs to hold and future selling costs. 

e.  Sustainable Resources 

The  fair  value  of  standing  timber  and  agricultural  assets  is  based  on  the  following  estimates  and  assumptions:  the  timing  of 
forecasted revenues and prices; estimated selling costs; sustainable felling plans; growth assumptions; silviculture costs; discount 
rates; terminal capitalization rates; and terminal valuation dates. 

f.  Other 

Other estimates and assumptions utilized in the preparation of the company’s consolidated financial statements are: the assessment 
or determination of net recoverable amount; oil and gas reserves; depreciation and amortization rates and useful lives; estimation 
of recoverable amounts of cash-generating units for impairment assessments of goodwill and intangible assets; ability to utilize tax 
losses and other tax measurements; fair value of assets held as collateral and the percentage of completion for construction contracts. 

ii.  Critical Judgments 

Management is required to make critical judgments when applying its accounting policies. The following judgments have the 
most significant effect on the consolidated financial statements: 

a.  Control or Level of Influence 

When determining the appropriate basis of accounting for the company’s investees, the company makes judgments about the 
degree of influence that it exerts directly or through an arrangement over the investees’ relevant activities. This may include 
the ability to elect investee directors or appoint management. Control is obtained when the company has the power to direct the 
relevant investing, financing and operating decisions of an entity and does so in its capacity as principal of the operations, rather 
than as an agent for other investors. Operating as a principal includes having sufficient capital at risk in any investee and exposure 
to the variability of the returns generated as a result of the decisions of the company as principal. Judgment is used in determining 
the sufficiency of the capital at risk or variability of returns. In making these judgments, the company considers the ability of other 
investors to remove the company as a manager or general partner in a controlled partnership. 

b. 

Investment Properties 

When applying the company’s accounting policy for investment properties, judgment is applied in determining whether certain 
costs are additions to the carrying amount of the property and, for properties under development, identifying the point at which 
practical completion of the property occurs and identifying the directly attributable borrowing costs to be included in the carrying 
value of the development property. 

c.  Property, Plant and Equipment 

The company’s accounting policy for its property, plant and equipment requires critical judgments over the assessment of carrying 
value, whether certain costs are additions to the carrying amount of the property, plant and equipment as opposed to repairs and 
maintenance,  and  for  assets  under  development  the  identification  of  when  the  asset  is  capable  of  being  used  as  intended 
and identifying the directly attributable borrowing costs to be included in the asset’s carrying value. 

For assets that are measured using the revaluation method, judgment is required when estimating future prices, volumes, discount 
and capitalization rates. Judgment is applied when determining future electricity prices considering broker quotes for the years in 
which there is a liquid market available and, for the subsequent years, our best estimate of electricity prices from renewable sources
that would allow new entrants into the market. 

d. 

Identifying Performance Obligations for Revenue Recognition 

Management is required to identify performance obligations relating to contracts with customers at the inception of each contract. 
IFRS 15 requires a contract’s transaction price to be allocated to each distinct performance obligation and subsequently recognized 
into income when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Judgment is used when assessing the pattern of delivery of the 
product or service to determine if revenue should be recognized at a point in time or over time. For certain service contracts 
recognized over time, judgment is required to determine if revenue from variable consideration such as incentives, claims and 
variations from contract modifications has met the required probability threshold to be recognized.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    150

Management also uses judgment to determine whether contracts for the sale of products and services have distinct performance 
obligations that should be accounted for separately or as a single performance obligation. Goods and services are considered 
distinct if: (1) a customer can benefit from the good or service either on its own or together with other resources that are readily 
available to the customer; and (2) the entity’s promise to transfer the good or service to the customer is separately identifiable 
from other promises in the contract.

Additional details about revenue recognition policies across our operating segments are included in Note 2(o) of the consolidated 
financial statements.

e.  Common Control Transactions 

The purchase and sale of businesses or subsidiaries between entities under common control are not specifically addressed in IFRS 
and accordingly, management uses judgment when determining a policy to account for such transactions taking into consideration 
other guidance in the IFRS framework and pronouncements of other standard-setting bodies. The company’s policy is to record 
assets and liabilities recognized as a result of transfers of businesses or subsidiaries between entities under common control at 
carrying value. Differences between the carrying amount of the consideration given or received and the carrying amount of the 
assets and liabilities transferred are recorded directly in equity. 

f. 

Indicators of Impairment 

Judgment is applied when determining whether indicators of impairment exist when assessing the carrying values of the company’s 
assets, including: the determination of the company’s ability to hold financial assets; the estimation of a cash-generating unit’s future 
revenues and direct costs; the determination of discount and capitalization rates; and when an asset’s carrying value is above the 
value derived using publicly traded prices which are quoted in a liquid market. 

g. 

Income Taxes 

The company makes judgments when determining the future tax rates applicable to subsidiaries and identifying the temporary 
differences that relate to each subsidiary. Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the tax rates that are expected 
to apply during the period when the assets are realized or the liabilities settled, using the tax rates and laws enacted or substantively 
enacted at the consolidated balance sheet dates. The company measures deferred income taxes associated with its investment 
properties based on its specific intention with respect to each asset at the end of the reporting period. Where the company has a 
specific intention to sell a property in the foreseeable future, deferred taxes on the building portion of an investment property are 
measured based on the tax consequences that would follow the disposition of the property. Otherwise, deferred taxes are measured 
on the basis the carrying value of the investment property will be recovered substantially through use.

h.  Classification of Non-Controlling Interests in Limited-Life Funds 

Non-controlling interests in limited-life funds are classified as liabilities (subsidiary equity obligations) or equity (non-controlling 
interests) depending on whether an obligation exists to distribute residual net assets to non-controlling interests on liquidation in 
the form of cash or another financial asset or assets delivered in kind. Judgment is required to determine what the governing 
documents of each entity require or permit in this regard. 

i.  Other 

Other critical judgments include the determination of effectiveness of financial hedges for accounting purposes; the likelihood 
and timing of anticipated transactions for hedge accounting; and the determination of functional currency.

3.  SEGMENTED INFORMATION

a)  Operating Segments 

Our operations are organized into five operating business groups in addition to our corporate and asset management activities, 
which collectively represent seven operating segments for internal and external reporting purposes. We measure performance 
primarily  using  funds  from  operations  (“FFO”)  generated  by  each  operating  segment  and  the  amount  of  capital  invested  by 
the Corporation in each segment using common equity by segment.

Our operating segments are as follows:

i.  Asset management operations include managing our long-term private funds, perpetual strategies and public securities on 
behalf of our investors and ourselves, as well as our share of the asset management activities of Oaktree Capital Management 
(“Oaktree”).  We  generate  contractual  base  management  fees  for  these  activities  as  well  as  incentive  distributions  and 
performance income, including performance fees, transaction fees and carried interest.   

151    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

ii.  Real estate operations include the ownership, operation and development of core office, core retail, LP investments and other 

properties. 

iii.  Renewable power operations include the ownership, operation and development of hydroelectric, wind, solar, storage and 

other power generating facilities. 

iv. 

Infrastructure operations include the ownership, operation and development of utilities, transport, energy, data infrastructure 
and sustainable resource assets. 

v.  Private equity operations include a broad range of industries, and are mostly focused on business services, infrastructure 

services and industrials. 

vi.  Residential development operations consist of homebuilding, condominium development and land development. 

vii.  Corporate activities include the investment of cash and financial assets, as well as the management of our corporate leverage, 
including corporate borrowings and preferred equity, which fund a portion of the capital invested in our other operations. 
Certain corporate costs such as technology and operations are incurred on behalf of our operating segments and allocated to 
each operating segment based on an internal pricing framework. 

b)  Segment Financial Measures

FFO is a key measure of our financial performance and our segment measure of profit and loss. It is utilized by our Chief Operating 
Decision Maker in assessing operating results and the performance of our businesses on a segmented basis. We define FFO as net 
income excluding fair value changes, depreciation and amortization and deferred income taxes, net of non-controlling interests. 
When determining FFO, we include our proportionate share of the FFO from equity accounted investments on a fully diluted 
basis. FFO also includes realized disposition gains and losses, which are gains or losses arising from transactions during the 
reporting period, adjusted to include associated fair value changes and revaluation surplus recorded in prior periods, taxes payable 
or receivable in connection with those transactions and amounts that are recorded directly in equity, such as ownership changes. 

We use FFO to assess our performance as an asset manager and as an investor in our assets. FFO from our Asset Management 
segment includes fees, net of the associated costs, that we earn from managing capital in our listed partnerships, private funds and 
public securities accounts. We are also eligible to earn incentive payments in the form of incentive distributions, performance fees 
or carried interest. As an investor in our assets, our FFO represents the company’s share of revenues less costs incurred within our 
operations, which include interest expenses and other costs. Specifically, it includes the impact of contracts that we enter into to 
generate revenues, including power sales agreements, contracts that our operating businesses enter into such as leases and take or 
pay contracts and sales of inventory. FFO includes the impact of changes in leverage or the cost of that financial leverage and 
other costs incurred to operate our business. 

We use realized disposition gains and losses within FFO in order to provide additional insight regarding the performance of 
investments on a cumulative realized basis, including any unrealized fair value adjustments that were recorded in equity and not 
otherwise reflected in current period FFO, and believe it is useful to investors to better understand variances between reporting 
periods. We exclude depreciation and amortization from FFO as we believe that the value of most of our assets typically increases 
over time, provided we make the necessary maintenance expenditures, the timing and magnitude of which may differ from the 
amount of depreciation recorded in any given period. In addition, the depreciated cost base of our assets is reflected in the ultimate 
realized disposition gain or loss on disposal. As noted above, unrealized fair value changes are excluded from FFO until the period 
in which the asset is sold. We also exclude deferred income taxes from FFO because the vast majority of the company’s deferred 
income tax assets and liabilities are a result of the revaluation of our assets under IFRS.   

Our definition of FFO may differ from the definition used by other organizations, as well as the definition of FFO used by the 
Real  Property  Association  of  Canada  (“REALPAC”)  and  the  National  Association  of  Real  Estate  Investment  Trusts,  Inc. 
(“NAREIT”), in part because the NAREIT definition is based on U.S. GAAP, as opposed to IFRS. The key differences between 
our definition of FFO and the determination of FFO by REALPAC and/or NAREIT are that we include the following: realized 
disposition gains or losses and cash taxes payable or receivable on those gains or losses, if any; foreign exchange gains or losses 
on monetary items not forming part of our net investment in foreign operations; and foreign exchange gains or losses on the sale 
of an investment in a foreign operation. We do not use FFO as a measure of cash generated from our operations. 

We  illustrate  how  we  derive  FFO  for  each  operating  segment  and  reconcile  total  FFO  to  net  income  in  Note  3(c)(v)  of  the 
consolidated financial statements. 

Segment Balance Sheet Information

We use common equity by segment as our measure of segment assets when reviewing our deconsolidated balance sheet because 
it is utilized by our Chief Operating Decision Maker for capital allocation decisions.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    152

Segment Allocation and Measurement

Segment measures include amounts earned from consolidated entities that are eliminated on consolidation. The principal adjustment 
is to include asset management revenues charged to consolidated entities as revenues within the company’s Asset Management 
segment with the corresponding expense recorded as corporate costs within the relevant segment. These amounts are based on 
the in-place terms of the asset management contracts between the consolidated entities. Inter-segment revenues are determined 
under terms that approximate market value.

The company allocates the costs of shared functions that would otherwise be included within its Corporate Activities segment, 
such as information technology and internal audit, pursuant to formal policies.

c)  Reportable Segment Measures

AS AT AND FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)
External revenues ............... $

Asset
Management

Real Estate

Renewable
Power

Infrastructure

Private
Equity

271

$

10,442

$

3,959

$

7,091

$

43,099

Residential
Developmen
t
2,456

$

Corporate
Activities

Total
Segments

Note

$

508

$

67,826

Inter-segment and other 

revenues1 ..........................
Segmented revenues ...........

FFO from equity accounted 
investments1 .....................
Interest expense ..................

Current income taxes..........
Funds from operations1.......

Common equity ..................

Equity accounted

investments ......................

Additions to non-current 

assets2...............................

2,343

2,614

43

—

—

1,597

4,927

4,599

4,654

33

10,475

1,049

(3,469)

(165)

1,185

18,781

22,314

17,915

15

3,974

74

(923)

(73)

333

5,320

1,154

2,207

2

7,093

1,100

(937)

(255)

464

2,792

479

43,578

320

(1,536)

(326)

844

4,086

—

2,456

41

(66)

(37)

125

(49)

459

14

(349)

(114)

(359)

2,859

(7,897)

8,972

2,596

17,352

19,825

382

88

681

617

i

ii

iii

iv

v

2,823

70,649

2,641

(7,280)

(970)

4,189

30,868

40,698

62,658

1.  We equity account for our investment in Oaktree and include our share of the FFO and FFO from equity accounted investments at 61%. However, for segment reporting, 
Oaktree’s revenue is shown on a 100% basis. For the year ended December 31, 2019, $231 million of Oaktree’s revenues was included in our Asset Management segment 
revenue.
Includes equity accounted investments, investment properties, property, plant and equipment, sustainable resources, intangible assets and goodwill. Excludes non-current 
assets recognized on adoption of IFRS 16. 

2. 

AS AT AND FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DEC. 31, 2018
(MILLIONS)

Asset
Management

Real Estate

Renewable
Power

Infrastructure

Private
Equity

Residential
Development

Corporate
Activities

Total
Segments

Note

External revenues................ $

187

$

8,075

$

3,751

$

5,013

$

36,828

$

2,683

$

234

$

Inter-segment revenues .......

Segmented revenues............

FFO from equity accounted
investments .......................
Interest expense...................

Current income taxes ..........

Funds from operations ........

Common equity...................

Equity accounted

investments .......................

Additions to non-current 

assets1 ...............................

1,760

1,947

—

—

—

1,317

328

—

—

41

8,116

945

(2,464)

(213)

1,786

17,423

22,949

51,111

11

3,762

46

(930)

(32)

328

5,302

685

3,729

5

5,018

846

(586)

(326)

602

2,887

7,636

442

37,270

526

(520)

(186)

795

4,279

1,943

10,524

10,139

—

2,683

15

(57)

(45)

49

(46)

188

(6)

(323)

(59)

(476)

2,606

(7,178)

395

124

39

190

i

ii

iii

iv

v

56,771

2,213

58,984

2,372

(4,880)

(861)

4,401

25,647

33,647

75,817

1. 

Includes equity accounted investments, investment properties, property, plant and equipment, sustainable resources, intangible assets and goodwill.

i. 

Inter-Segment Revenues

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the adjustment to external revenues when determining segmented revenues consists of 
asset  management  revenues  earned  from  consolidated  entities  and  our  investment  in  Oaktree  totaling  $2.3  billion  (2018  – 
$1.8 billion), revenues earned on construction projects between consolidated entities totaling $450 million (2018 – $430 million), 
and interest income and other revenues totaling $30 million (2018 – $23 million), which were eliminated on consolidation to 
arrive at the company’s consolidated revenues.

153    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

ii.  FFO from Equity Accounted Investments

The company determines FFO from its equity accounted investments by applying the same methodology utilized in adjusting net 
income of consolidated entities. The following table reconciles the company’s consolidated equity accounted income to FFO from 
equity accounted investments:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Consolidated equity accounted income ............................................................................................................. $
Non-FFO items from equity accounted investments1 .......................................................................................
FFO from equity accounted investments........................................................................................................... $

2019

2,498

143

2,641

$

$

2018

1,088

1,284

2,372

1.  Adjustment to back out non-FFO expenses (income) that are included in consolidated equity accounted income including depreciation and amortization, deferred taxes 

and fair value changes from equity accounted investments.

iii.  Interest Expense

For the year ended December 31, 2019, the adjustment to interest expense consists of interest on loans between consolidated 
entities totaling $53 million (2018 – $26 million) that is eliminated on consolidation, along with the associated revenue.

iv.  Current Income Taxes

Current income taxes are included in FFO but are aggregated with deferred income taxes in income tax expense on the company’s 
Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations.  The  following  table  reconciles  consolidated  income  taxes  to  current  and  deferred 
income taxes: 

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Current income tax expense .............................................................................................................................. $

2019

(970) $

Deferred income tax recovery ...........................................................................................................................

475

Income tax (expense) recovery.......................................................................................................................... $

(495) $

v.  Reconciliation of Net Income to Total FFO

The following table reconciles net income to total FFO:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Net income .........................................................................................................................................

Note

2019

$

5,354

$

Realized disposition gains in fair value changes or equity ................................................................

vi

621

2018

(861)

1,109

248

2018

7,488

1,445

Non-controlling interests in FFO .......................................................................................................

(7,161)

(6,015)

Financial statement components not included in FFO

Equity accounted fair value changes and other non-FFO items ......................................................

Fair value changes ...........................................................................................................................

Depreciation and amortization.........................................................................................................

Deferred income taxes .....................................................................................................................

143

831

4,876

(475)

1,284

(1,794)

3,102

(1,109)

Total FFO ...........................................................................................................................................

$

4,189

$

4,401

vi.  Realized Disposition Gains

Realized disposition gains include gains and losses recorded in net income arising from transactions during the current period, 
adjusted to include fair value changes and revaluation surplus recorded in prior periods in connection with the assets sold. Realized 
disposition gains also include amounts that are recorded directly in equity as changes in ownership, as opposed to net income, 
because they result from a change in ownership of a consolidated entity.

The realized disposition gains recorded in fair value changes, revaluation surplus or directly in equity were $621 million for the 
year  ended  December 31,  2019  (2018  –  $1.4  billion),  of  which  $284  million  relates  to  prior  periods  (2018  –  $1.1  billion), 
$258 million has been recorded directly in equity as changes in ownership (2018 – $242 million) and $79 million has been recorded 
in fair value changes (2018 – $95 million). 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    154

d)  Geographic Allocation

The company’s revenues by location of operations are as follows:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
United States...................................................................................................................................................... $

2019

16,584

$

Canada ...............................................................................................................................................................

United Kingdom ................................................................................................................................................

Europe................................................................................................................................................................

Australia ............................................................................................................................................................

Brazil .................................................................................................................................................................

Asia....................................................................................................................................................................

Colombia ...........................................................................................................................................................

Other ..................................................................................................................................................................

6,202

21,847

6,285

5,522

4,099

2,402

2,095

2,790

2018

9,756

6,422

23,684

3,275

4,968

4,048

1,643

1,594

1,381

$

67,826

$

56,771

The company’s consolidated assets by location are as follows:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
United States...................................................................................................................................................... $ 149,687

2019

2018

$ 128,808

Canada ...............................................................................................................................................................

United Kingdom ................................................................................................................................................

Brazil .................................................................................................................................................................

Europe................................................................................................................................................................

Australia ............................................................................................................................................................

Asia....................................................................................................................................................................

Colombia ...........................................................................................................................................................

Other ..................................................................................................................................................................

35,840

30,184

24,354

19,404

22,971

17,468

10,819

13,242

27,850

23,093

22,539

13,250

13,309

10,479

9,862

7,091

$ 323,969

$ 256,281

4.  SUBSIDIARIES 

The following table presents the details of the company’s subsidiaries with significant non-controlling interests: 

AS AT DEC. 31

Jurisdiction of
Formation

Brookfield Property Partners L.P. (“BPY”).............................................................

Bermuda

Brookfield Renewable Partners L.P. (“BEP”) .........................................................

Bermuda

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (“BIP”) ......................................................

Bermuda

Brookfield Business Partners L.P. (“BBU”) ............................................................

Bermuda

Ownership Interest Held by 
Non-Controlling Interests1, 2

2019

44.8%

39.5%

70.4%

37.3%

2018

46.2%

39.5%

70.5%

32.0%

1.  Control and associated voting rights of the limited partnerships (BPY, BEP, BIP and BBU) resides with their respective general partners which are wholly owned subsidiaries 
of the company. The company’s general partner interest is entitled to earn base management fees and incentive payments in the form of incentive distribution rights or 
performance fees.

2.  The company’s ownership interest in BPY, BEP, BIP and BBU includes a combination of redemption-exchange units (REUs), Class A limited partnership units, special 
limited partnership units, general partnership units and units or shares that are exchangeable for units in our listed partnerships, in each subsidiary, where applicable. Each 
of BPY, BEP, BIP and BBU’s partnership capital includes its Class A limited partnership units whereas REUs and general partnership units are considered non-controlling 
interests for the respective partnerships. REUs share the same economic attributes in all respects except for the redemption right attached thereto. The REUs and general 
partnership units participate in earnings and distributions on a per unit basis equivalent to the per unit participation of the Class A limited partnership units of the subsidiary.

155    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

The  table  below  presents  the  exchanges  on  which  the  company’s  subsidiaries  with  significant  non-controlling  interests  were 
publicly listed as of December 31, 2019: 

BPY..............................................................................................................................................

BPY.UN

BEP ..............................................................................................................................................

BEP.UN

BIP ...............................................................................................................................................

BIP.UN

BBU ............................................................................................................................................. BBU.UN

N/A

BEP

BIP

BBU

BPY

N/A

N/A

N/A

TSX

NYSE

Nasdaq

The following table outlines the composition of accumulated non-controlling interests presented within the company’s consolidated 
financial statements: 

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
BPY ................................................................................................................................................................... $

2019

2018

29,165

$

31,580

BEP....................................................................................................................................................................

BIP.....................................................................................................................................................................

BBU...................................................................................................................................................................

Individually immaterial subsidiaries with non-controlling interests .................................................................

13,321

20,036

8,664

10,647

12,457

12,752

4,477

6,069

$

81,833

$

67,335

All publicly listed entities are subject to independent governance. Accordingly, the company has no direct access to the assets of 
these subsidiaries. Summarized financial information with respect to the company’s subsidiaries with significant non-controlling 
interests is set out below. The summarized financial information represents amounts before intra-group eliminations: 

BPY

BEP

BIP

BBU

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Current assets........................................... $ 3,289

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

$ 7,114

$ 1,474

$ 1,961

$ 5,841

$ 2,276

$ 12,795

$ 9,781

Non-current assets ................................... 108,354

115,406

34,217

32,142

50,467

34,304

38,956

17,537

Current liabilities .....................................

(12,466)

(10,306)

(1,678)

(1,689)

(5,439)

(2,417)

(11,024)

(9,016)

Non-current liabilities..............................

(54,242)

(65,474)

(15,882)

(15,208)

(28,692)

(19,495)

(29,674)

(11,808)

Non-controlling interests .........................

(29,165)

(31,580)

(13,321)

(12,457)

(20,036)

(12,752)

(8,664)

(4,477)

Equity attributable to Brookfield ............. $ 15,770

$ 15,160

$ 4,810

$ 4,749

$ 2,141

$ 1,916

$ 2,389

$ 2,017

Revenues.................................................. $ 8,203

$ 7,239

$ 2,980

$ 2,982

$ 6,597

$ 4,652

$ 43,032

$ 37,168

Net income (loss) attributable to:

Non-controlling interests....................... $ 2,091

$ 2,356

Shareholders..........................................

1,066

1,298

$ 3,157

$ 3,654

$

$

348

(75)

273

$

$

401

2

403

Other comprehensive income (loss)
attributable to:

Non-controlling interests....................... $

Shareholders..........................................

$

234

89

323

$

$

(122) $ 1,179

$ 2,292

(294)

546

972

(416) $ 1,725

$ 3,264

$

$

$

$

636

14

650

486

104

590

$

$

$

$

724

82

806

$

$

353

$ 1,106

81

97

434

$ 1,203

(859) $

(159) $

(292)

(86)

(39)

(96)

(945) $

(198) $

(388)

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    156

The summarized cash flows of the company’s subsidiaries with material non-controlling interests are as follows: 

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Cash flows from (used in):

BPY

BEP

BIP

BBU

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Operating activities ............................... $

624

$ 1,357

$ 1,212

$ 1,103

$ 2,143

$ 1,362

$ 2,163

$ 1,341

Financing activities ...............................

(892)

8,873

(1,010)

(1,080)

9,542

4,418

15,925

3,561

Investing activities ................................

(1,611)

(8,406)

(251)

(624)

(11,372)

(5,564)

(17,939)

(3,999)

Distributions paid to non-controlling
interests in common equity.................... $

576

$

427

$

254

$

244

$

628

$

558

$

13

$

11

5.  ACQUISITIONS OF CONSOLIDATED ENTITIES

a)  Completed During 2019 

The following table summarizes the balance sheet impact as a result of business combinations that occurred in the year ended 
December 31, 2019. The valuations of the assets acquired are still under evaluation and as such the business combinations have 
been accounted for on a provisional basis:

(MILLIONS)
Cash and cash equivalents........................ $

Private Equity
344

Infrastructure
94

$

$

Real Estate
31

$

Accounts receivable and other .................

Assets classified as held for sale ..............

Inventory ..................................................
Equity accounted investments..................

Investment properties ...............................

Property, plant and equipment..................

Intangible assets .......................................

Goodwill...................................................
Deferred income tax assets.......................

6,706

—

2,230
847

—

6,650

7,057

3,479
363

553

1,584

74
48

211

8,710

3,248

2,644
46

114

—

46
—

3,458

785

28

2
—

Renewable
Power and
Other
6

$

110

—

13
—

—

1,308

—

—
—

Total assets ...............................................

27,676

17,212

4,464

1,437

Less:

Accounts payable and other...................
Non-recourse borrowings ......................

Deferred income tax liabilities ..............
Non-controlling interests1......................

(5,025)
(1,084)

(1,142)

(1,749)

(9,000)

Net assets acquired................................... $

18,676

Consideration2 .......................................... $

18,672

(2,425)
(1,980)

(1,248)

(828)

(6,481)

10,731

10,731

$

$

(2,394)
(537)

—

(88)

(3,019)

1,445

1,445

$

$

$

$

(101)
(319)

(36)

—

(456)

981

981

$

$

Total 
475

7,483

1,584

2,363
895

3,669

17,453

10,333

6,125
409

50,789

(9,945)
(3,920)

(2,426)

(2,665)

(18,956)

31,833

31,829

1. 

Includes non-controlling interests recognized on business combinations measured as the proportionate share of fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities on the 
date of acquisition. 

2.  Total  consideration,  including  amounts  paid  by  non-controlling  interests  that  participated  in  the  acquisition  as  investors  in  Brookfield-sponsored  private  funds  or  as                      

co-investors. 

Brookfield recorded $7.6 billion of revenue and $635 million of net losses in 2019 from the acquired operations as a result of the 
acquisitions made during the year. If the acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of the year, they would have contributed 
$14.7 billion and $189 million to total revenue and net income, respectively. The difference in our net losses since acquisition 
date compared to net income had we held our investments since January 1 primarily relate to the timing of acquisitions during the 
year as those with large contributors to net income were purchased in late 2019. In addition, our post-acquisition margins were 
reduced from the step-up in inventory costs resulting from purchase price allocations as well as restructuring costs in certain of 
our acquisitions. 

157    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

The following table summarizes the balance sheet impact as a result of significant business combinations that occurred in 2019. 
The valuations of the assets acquired are still under evaluation and as such the business combinations have been accounted for on 
a provisional basis.

(MILLIONS)

Clarios Healthscope

Genworth

Private Equity

Infrastructure
Genesee & 
Wyoming NorthRiver

East-West
Pipeline

Real
Estate
Aveo 
Group

Renewable
Power

Arcadia

11

$

25

$

253

$

— $

67

$

2

$

27

$

Cash and cash equivalents ..... $
Accounts receivable and
other .....................................
Assets classified as held for
sale .......................................

—

Inventory ................................

1,775

Equity accounted investments

Investment properties.............
Property, plant and
equipment.............................
Intangible assets .....................

Goodwill ................................

Deferred income tax assets ....

838

—

3,582

6,420

1,894

181

Total assets.............................

16,204

Less:

1,503

196

4,796

66

—

28

—

—

2,134

295

—

—

461

1,584

43

48

—

5,283

1,992

2,042

5

—

—

3

—

—

1,198

74

218

41

92

—

43

—

3,458

95

2

—

—

—

—

—

—

10

243

—

—

5,302

2,523

11,525

1,536

3,717

—

41

9

—

2,590

280

1,548

136

4,825

3

31

—

7

—

—

759

—

—

—

800

Accounts payable and other

(1,998)

(691)

(1,954)

Non-recourse borrowings....

—

Deferred income tax
liabilities ............................
Non-controlling interests1 ...

(967)

(469)

(3,434)

Net assets acquired................. $ 12,770

Consideration2........................ $ 12,770

—

(79)

—

(770)

4,055

4,055

$

$

$

$

(342)

(49)

(1,279)

(3,624)

1,678

1,674

$

$

(66)

—

—

(578)

(644)

1,879

1,879

$

$

(2,071)

(1,567)

(1,111)

(250)

(4,999)

6,526

6,526

(218)

(2,368)

(65)

—

—

—

(537)

—

(88)

(218)

(2,993)

$

$

1,318

1,318

$

$

724

724

$

$

—

—

—

(65)

735

735

1. 

Includes non-controlling interests recognized on business combinations measured as the proportionate share of fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities on the 
date of acquisition. 

2.  Total  consideration,  including  amounts  paid  by  non-controlling  interests  that  participated  in  the  acquisition  as  investors  in  Brookfield-sponsored  private  funds  or  as                      

co-investors. 

Private Equity

On April 30, 2019, a subsidiary of the company, along with institutional partners, acquired a 100% interest in Clarios, a global 
automotive battery business, for total consideration of $12.8 billion. Total consideration paid was funded with $2.9 billion of cash 
on hand, with $9.9 billion funded through non-recourse borrowings raised concurrently on closing. The acquisition resulted in 
recognition of $1.9 billion of goodwill, which is largely reflective of  potential to innovate and grow the business. Approximately 
$20 million of the goodwill recognized is deductible for tax purposes. Total revenues and net loss that would have been recorded 
if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year are $8.3 billion and $74 million, respectively.

On June 6, 2019, a subsidiary of the company, along with institutional partners, acquired a 100% interest in Healthscope Limited, 
an Australian  private  healthcare  provider,  for  a  total  consideration  of  $4.1  billion. Total  consideration  paid  was  funded  with  
$1.2 billion  of  cash  on  hand,  with  $2.9  billion  funded  through  non-recourse  borrowings  raised  concurrently  on  closing. The 
acquisition resulted in recognition of $1.5 billion of goodwill, which is largely reflective of potential growth from integration of 
the operations. None of the goodwill recognized is deductible for tax purposes. Total revenues and net loss that would have been 
recorded if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year are $1.6 billion and $81 million, respectively.

On December 12, 2019, a subsidiary of the company, along with institutional partners, acquired a 57% interest in Genworth, a 
Canadian mortgage insurance services business, for total consideration of $1.7 billion, which was funded with cash on hand. The 
acquisition  generated  a  bargain  purchase  gain  of  $4  million.  Total  revenues  and  net  loss  that  would  have  been  recorded  if 
the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year are $677 million and $321 million, respectively.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    158

Infrastructure

On March 22, 2019, a subsidiary of the company, along with institutional partners, acquired a 100% interest in East-West Pipeline 
Limited,  an  Indian  natural  gas  pipeline  business,  for  total  consideration  of  $1.9  billion.  Consideration  paid  was  funded  with 
$959 million of cash on hand and the remainder funded through non-recourse borrowings raised concurrently on closing. Total 
revenues and net loss that would have been recorded if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year are $359 million
and $65 million, respectively.

On December 30, 2019, a subsidiary of the company, along with institutional partners, acquired a 100% interest in Genesee & 
Wyoming Inc., a short-haul rail operator in North America, for a total consideration of $6.5 billion. Consideration paid funded 
with $5.4 billion of cash on hand and the remainder funded through non-recourse borrowings raised concurrently on closing. The 
acquisition resulted in recognition of $2.0 billion of goodwill, which is largely reflective of potential growth prospects and strong 
market position. None of the goodwill recognized is deductible for tax purposes. Total revenues and net income that would have 
been recorded if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year are $2.3 billion and $235 million, respectively.

On December 31, 2019, a subsidiary of the company, along with institutional partners, acquired a 100% interest in NorthRiver 
Midstream Inc., the federally regulated portion of Enbridge Inc.’s Canadian natural gas midstream business to be operated alongside 
the provincial assets acquired in 2018, for a total consideration of $1.3 billion. Consideration paid funded with $861 million of 
cash on hand and the remainder funded through non-recourse borrowings raised concurrently on closing. The acquisition resulted 
in recognition of $218 million of goodwill, which is largely reflective of potential growth prospects and strong market position. 
The goodwill recognized is deductible for tax purposes. Total revenues and net income that would have been recorded if the 
transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year are $271 million and $121 million, respectively.

Real Estate

On November 29, 2019, a subsidiary of the company, along with institutional partners, acquired an 84% interest in Aveo Group, 
a real estate company that develops, owns and operates a portfolio of retirement homes in Australia, for total consideration of 
$724 million.  Consideration  paid  funded  with  $658  million  of  cash  on  hand  and  the  remainder  funded  through  non-recourse 
borrowings  raised concurrently on closing. Total revenues  and net loss that would have been recorded if  the transaction had 
occurred at the beginning of the year are $174 million and $4 million, respectively.

Renewable Power

On September 26, 2019, a subsidiary of the company acquired a 100% interest in Arcadia, a distributed generation portfolio of 
renewable energy facilities in the United States, for total consideration of $735 million funded by non-recourse borrowings raised 
concurrently on closing. Total revenues and net income that would have been recorded if the transaction had occurred at the 
beginning of the year are $67 million and $22 million, respectively.

159    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

b)  Completed During 2018 

The following table summarizes the balance sheet impact as a result of business combinations that occurred in 2018. No material 
changes were made to those allocations disclosed in the 2018 consolidated financial statements:

(MILLIONS)

Real Estate

Infrastructure

Private
Equity

Cash and cash equivalents.................................................... $

1,056

$

71

$

658

$

Renewable
Power and
Other
388

$

Accounts receivable and other .............................................

Inventory ..............................................................................

Equity accounted investments..............................................

Investment properties ...........................................................

Property, plant and equipment..............................................

Intangible assets ...................................................................

Goodwill...............................................................................

Deferred income tax assets...................................................

2,247

150

12,379

33,024

1,748

54

96

220

Total assets ...........................................................................

50,974

511

23

15

—

2,945

3,208

2,905

—

9,678

2,267

686

329

—

4,913

2,942

971

38

623

5

29

—

2,970

386

186

582

Total

2,173

5,648

864

12,752

33,024

12,576

6,590

4,158

840

12,804

5,169

78,625

Less:

Accounts payable and other .................................................

Non-recourse borrowings ..................................................

Deferred income tax liabilities ..........................................
Non-controlling interests1..................................................

(2,177)

(18,218)

(58)

(2,603)

(23,056)

Net assets acquired............................................................... $

27,918

Consideration2 ...................................................................... $

26,759

(591)

(1,484)

(839)

(544)

(3,458)

6,220

6,220

$

$

(3,654)

(3,668)

(157)

(515)

(7,994)

4,810

4,810

$

$

(715)

(2,023)

(210)

(22)

(2,970)

2,199

1,807

$

$

(7,137)

(25,393)

(1,264)

(3,684)

(37,478)

41,147

39,596

$

$

1. 

Includes non-controlling interests recognized on business combinations measured as the proportionate share of fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities on the 
date of acquisition. 

2.  Total  consideration,  including  amounts  paid  by  non-controlling  interests  that  participated  in  the  acquisition  as  investors  in  Brookfield-sponsored  private  funds  or  as                      

co-investors. 

Brookfield recorded $5.1 billion of revenue and $711 million of net income in 2018 from the acquired operations as a result of 
the acquisitions made during the year. If the acquisitions had occurred at the beginning of the year, they would have contributed 
$12.6 billion and $1.8 billion to total revenue and net income, respectively.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    160

The following table summarizes the balance sheet impact as a result of significant business combinations that occurred in 2018. 
No material changes were made to those allocations disclosed in the 2018 consolidated financial statements.

Real Estate

Private
Equity

Infrastructure

Renewable
Power

666 Fifth

GGP

Forest City Westinghouse

NorthRiver

Enercare

Evoque

Saeta Yield

— $

424

$

451

$

250

$

10

$

24

$

— $

11

—

—

1,292

—

—

—

—

592

—

10,829

17,991

56

—

—

—

960

89

1,467

9,397

—

—

—

—

1,303

29,892

12,364

1,854

626

7

—

931

2,683

213

7

6,571

55

—

—

—

1,442

157

524

—

2,188

187

—

—

—

669

1,863

1,260

23

4,026

3

—

—

—

440

221

463

—

1,127

187

216

—

14

—

2,724

258

115

—

3,514

(4)

—

—

—

(4)

(691)

(1,119)

(2,645)

(13,147)

(3,664)

(11)

—

(1,882)

(15,731)

14,161

13,240

$

$

$

$

(633)

(5,416)

6,948

6,948

$

$

(3)

(81)

(7)

(2,736)

3,835

3,835

$

$

(46)

—

(235)

(877)

(186)

(472)

—

(232)

1,956

1,956

$

$

—

(1,584)

2,442

2,442

$

$

(24)

(320)

—

—

—

(24)

1,103

1,103

$

$

(1,906)

(174)

—

(2,400)

1,114

1,114

(MILLIONS)
Cash and cash
equivalents................. $
Accounts receivable
and other....................
Inventory .....................
Equity accounted
investments................
Investment properties ..
Property, plant and
equipment ..................
Intangible assets ..........

Goodwill......................
Deferred income tax
assets..........................
Total assets ..................

Less:

Accounts payable
and other .................
Non-recourse
borrowings ..............
Deferred income tax
liabilities .................
Non-controlling 
interests1..................

Net assets acquired ...... $

1,299

Consideration2 ............. $
1. 

1,299

Includes non-controlling interests recognized on business combinations measured as the proportionate share of fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities on the 
date of acquisition. 

2.  Total  consideration,  including  amounts  paid  by  non-controlling  interests  that  participated  in  the  acquisition  as  investors  in  Brookfield-sponsored  private  funds  or  as                      

co-investors. 

On June 12, 2018, a subsidiary of the company, along with institutional investors, acquired a 95% interest in Saeta Yield, S.A. 
(“Saeta Yield”) for total cash consideration of $1.1 billion, funded through an equity issuance at the subsidiary, amounts drawn 
on a non-recourse credit facility and available cash on hand. The acquisition resulted in $115 million of goodwill due to the 
recognition of a deferred tax liability because the tax bases of the net assets are lower than their acquisition date fair value. None 
of the goodwill recognized is deductible for income tax purposes. Total revenues and net income that would have been recorded 
if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year are $407 million and $63 million, respectively.

On August 1, 2018, a subsidiary of the company, together with institutional investors, acquired a 100% interest in Westinghouse 
Electric Company (“Westinghouse”). Total consideration paid was $3.8 billion in cash, with $886 million provided by the subsidiary 
and  its  partners  and  the  balance  funded  through  asset  level  debt  raised  concurrently  on  closing.  On  acquisition,  goodwill 
of $213 million  was  recognized,  which  represents  future  growth  the  subsidiary  expects  to  receive  from  the  integration 
of Westinghouse’s operations; this goodwill is not deductible for income tax purposes. Total revenues and net losses that would 
have been recorded if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year are $3.9 billion and $239 million, respectively.

161    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

On August 3, 2018, a subsidiary of the company, together with institutional investors, acquired a 100% leasehold interest in 
666 Fifth Avenue, a commercial office asset in New York, for total consideration of $1.3 billion. Total revenues and net income 
that  would  have  been  recorded  if  the  transaction  had  occurred  at  the  beginning  of  the  year  are  $84  million  and 
$85 million, respectively.

On August 28, 2018, a subsidiary of the company acquired all outstanding shares of GGP other than those shares already held by 
the subsidiary for total consideration of $13.2 billion, plus the payment of a pre-closing dividend of $9.05 billion. The pre-closing 
dividend was funded by financing activity and proceeds from the sales of partial interests in certain properties within GGP. 

•  A new entity, Brookfield Property REIT (“BPR”), was formed to hold the GGP assets; BPR issued 161 million shares to GGP 
shareholders as consideration. BPR shares, which are structured to provide an economic return equivalent to that of BPY 
units, are presented as non-controlling interests within equity.

• 

• 

The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination achieved in stages. Our existing equity interest in GGP was 
remeasured to its fair value of $7.8 billion immediately prior to the completion of the transaction based on our interest in the 
fair value of GGP’s identifiable net assets and liabilities. As a result of this remeasurement, a loss of approximately $502 million
was recognized in fair value changes.

Total consideration of $13.2 billion is made up of our existing equity investment of $7.8 billion, new equity, in the form of 
88  million  BPY  LP  units  and  161  million  BPR  Class A  shares,  issued  to  GGP’s  shareholders  totaling  $5.2  billion,  cash 
consideration of $200 million and share-based payment awards to GGP employees with a fair value of $28 million. On 
acquisition, we recognized a bargain purchase gain of $921 million in fair value changes as the agreed upon transaction price 
and the fair value of the consideration transferred was less than the aggregate fair value of the assets acquired net of the 
liabilities assumed.

• 

Total revenues and net income that would have been recorded if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year are 
$1.8 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively.

On October 1, 2018, a subsidiary of the company, together with institutional investors, acquired a 100% interest in NorthRiver 
Midstream Inc. (“NorthRiver”), a western Canadian natural gas gathering and processing business, for total cash consideration 
of $2.0 billion. The acquisition was funded through cash on hand and asset level debt raised concurrently on closing. On acquisition, 
goodwill  of  $524  million  was  recognized,  which  represents  the  potential  for  obtaining  long-term  contracts  for  the  business’ 
unutilized capacity and production growth in certain locations. None of the goodwill acquired is deductible for tax purposes. Total 
revenues and net income that would have been recorded if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year are $246 million
and $16 million, respectively.

On October 16, 2018, a subsidiary of the company, together with institutional investors, acquired a 100% interest in Enercare Inc. 
(“Enercare”), a North American residential energy infrastructure business, for total consideration of $2.4 billion. The acquisition 
was funded through $2.2 billion of cash with the remainder through equity issued to certain Enercare shareholders. On acquisition, 
goodwill of $1.3 billion was recognized, which represents potential growth prospects and a strong market position as a key provider 
of residential energy infrastructure in North America. None of the goodwill recognized is deductible for tax purposes. Total revenues 
and net income that would have been recorded if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year are $949 million and 
$5 million, respectively.

On December 7, 2018, a subsidiary of the company, together with institutional investors, acquired a 100% interest in Forest City 
Realty Trust, Inc. (“Forest City”) for total cash consideration of $6.9 billion. The acquisition was funded through cash on hand 
and asset level debt raised concurrently on closing. The non-controlling interest acquired represents equity in partially owned and 
consolidated operations which are not attributable to Forest City. Total revenues and net income that would have been recorded 
if the transaction had occurred at the beginning of the year are $1.1 billion and $381 million, respectively.

On December 31, 2018, a subsidiary of the company, together with institutional investors, acquired a 100% interest in Evoque 
Data  Center  Solutions  (“Evoque”), AT&T’s  large-scale  data  center  business,  for  total  cash  consideration  of  $1.1  billion. The 
acquisition was funded through cash on hand and asset level debt raised concurrently on closing. On acquisition, goodwill of 
$463 million was recognized, which is largely reflective of potential customer growth, arising from the business’ position as one 
of the largest colocation providers in the United States and the increasing rate of worldwide data consumption. All of the goodwill 
is deductible for income tax purposes. Total revenues and net income that would have been recorded if the transaction had occurred 
at the beginning of the year are $321 million and $6 million, respectively.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    162

6.  FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

a)  Financial Instrument Classification 

The following tables list the company’s financial instruments by their respective classification as at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

—

310

—

—

1,804

2,114

12,078

20,970

2,403

3,267

1,750

3,189

1,859

12,468

14,035

33,281

7,083

127,869

8,423

136,292

36,724

4,132

$

$

Fair Value 
Through 
Profit or Loss

Fair Value
Through OCI

Amortized
Cost

Total

— $

— $

6,778

$

6,778

AS AT DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)
Financial assets1
Cash and cash equivalents........................................................... $

Other financial assets

Government bonds....................................................................

Corporate bonds........................................................................

Fixed income securities and other ............................................

Common shares and warrants...................................................

Loans and notes receivable.......................................................

Accounts receivable and other2 ...................................................

156

1,118

1,131

1,791

55

4,251

1,957

2,247

1,839

619

1,398

—

6,103

—

$

6,208

$

6,103

$

Financial liabilities

Corporate borrowings.................................................................. $

— $

— $

7,083

Non-recourse borrowings of managed entities

Property-specific borrowings ...................................................

Subsidiary borrowings..............................................................

Accounts payable and other2 .......................................................
Subsidiary equity obligations ......................................................

—

—

—

4,528

1,896

—

—

—

—

—

127,869

8,423

136,292

32,196

2,236

1.  Financial assets include $7.0 billion of assets pledged as collateral.
2. 

Includes derivative instruments which are elected for hedge accounting, totaling $950 million included in accounts receivable and other and $1.3 billion included in accounts 
payable and other, for which changes in fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income.

$

6,424

$

— $

177,807

$

184,231

163    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

AS AT DEC. 31, 2018
(MILLIONS)
Financial assets1

Fair Value 
Through 
Profit or Loss

Fair Value
Through OCI

Amortized
Cost

Total

Cash and cash equivalents ......................................................... $

— $

— $

8,390

$

8,390

Other financial assets

Government bonds ..................................................................

Corporate bonds ......................................................................

Fixed income securities and other...........................................

Common shares and warrants .................................................

Loans and notes receivable .....................................................

Accounts receivable and other2..................................................

Financial liabilities

68

536

570

689

50

1,913

2,113

20

96

311

1,690

—

2,117

—

—

273

156

—

1,768

2,197

10,449

$

4,026

$

2,117

$

21,036

$

88

905

1,037

2,379

1,818

6,227

12,562

27,179

Corporate borrowings ................................................................ $

— $

— $

6,409

$

6,409

Non-recourse borrowings of managed entities

Property-specific borrowings ..................................................

Subsidiary borrowings.............................................................

Accounts payable and other2......................................................

Subsidiary equity obligations.....................................................

—

—

—

3,362

1,725

—

—

—

—

—

103,209

8,600

111,809

20,627

2,151

103,209

8,600

111,809

23,989

3,876

$

5,087

$

— $

140,996

$

146,083

1.  Financial assets include $7.2 billion of assets pledged as collateral.
2. 

Includes derivative instruments which are elected for hedge accounting, totaling $1.5 billion included in accounts receivable and other and $465 million included in accounts 
payable and other, for which changes in fair value are recorded in other comprehensive income.

Gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value through profit or loss (“FVTPL”) financial assets are presented in the 
Consolidated Statements of Operations in the period in which they arise. Dividends from FVTPL and fair value through other 
comprehensive  income  (“FVTOCI”)  financial  assets  are  recognized  in  the  Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations  when  the 
company’s right to receive payment is established. Interest on FVTOCI financial assets is calculated using the effective interest 
method and reported in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. 

FVTOCI debt and equity securities are recorded on the balance sheet at fair value with changes in fair value recorded through 
other comprehensive income. As at December 31, 2019, the unrealized gains and losses relating to the fair value of FVTOCI 
securities amounted to $479 million (2018 – $212 million) and $108 million (2018 – $152 million), respectively. 

During the year ended December 31, 2019, $3 million of net deferred losses (2018 – $nil) previously recognized in accumulated 
other comprehensive income were reclassified to net income as a result of the disposition or impairment of certain of our FVTOCI 
financial assets that are not equity instruments. 

Included in cash and cash equivalents is $5.7 billion (2018 – $7.7 billion) of cash and $1.1 billion (2018 – $685 million) of short-
term deposits as at December 31, 2019.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    164

b)  Carrying and Fair Value

The  following  table  lists  the  company’s  financial  instruments  by  their  respective  classification  as  at  December 31,  2019  and 
December 31, 2018:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Financial assets

2019

2018

Carrying 

Value  Fair Value 

Carrying 
Value 

Fair Value 

Cash and cash equivalents.................................................................................. $

6,778

$

6,778

$

8,390

$

8,390

Other financial assets

Government bonds...........................................................................................

Corporate bonds...............................................................................................

Fixed income securities and other ...................................................................

Common shares and warrants..........................................................................

Loans and notes receivable..............................................................................

Accounts receivable and other ...........................................................................

2,403

3,267

1,750

3,189

1,859

12,468

14,035

$

33,281

Financial liabilities

Corporate borrowings......................................................................................... $

7,083

Non-recourse borrowings of managed entities

2,403

3,267

1,750

3,189

1,859

12,468

14,035

33,281

7,933

$

$

88

905

1,037

2,379

1,818

6,227

12,562

27,179

6,409

$

$

88

905

1,037

2,379

1,818

6,227

12,562

27,179

6,467

$

$

Property-specific borrowings...........................................................................

127,869

129,728

103,209

104,291

Subsidiary borrowings .....................................................................................

8,423

8,632

8,600

8,557

Accounts payable and other ...............................................................................

Subsidiary equity obligations .............................................................................

136,292

138,360

111,809

112,848

36,724

4,132

36,724

4,139

23,989

3,876

23,989

3,876

$ 184,231

$ 187,156

$ 146,083

$ 147,180

The current and non-current balances of other financial assets are as follows: 

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Current............................................................................................................................................................... $

Non-current........................................................................................................................................................

2019

3,605

8,863

Total................................................................................................................................................................... $

12,468

2018

3,382

2,845

6,227

$

$

165    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

c)  Fair Value Hierarchy Levels

The  following  table  categorizes  financial  assets  and  liabilities,  which  are  carried  at  fair  value,  based  upon  the  fair  value 
hierarchy levels:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Financial assets

Other financial assets

2019

2018

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Government bonds................................................... $

— $

2,403

$

— $

— $

88

$

Corporate bonds.......................................................

Fixed income securities and other ...........................

—

419

Common shares and warrants..................................

1,966

Loans and notes receivables ....................................

Accounts receivable and other ...................................

—

1

$

2,386

Financial liabilities

Accounts payable and other ....................................... $

Subsidiary equity obligations .....................................

$

93

—

93

2,682

851

421

51

1,737

8,145

3,749

40

3,789

$

$

$

275

480

802

4

219

1,780

686

1,856

2,542

$

$

$

—

22

1,928

—

44

1,994

81

—

81

$

$

$

632

369

229

46

1,990

3,354

2,622

85

$

$

2,707

$

$

$

$

—

—

490

222

4

79

795

659

1,640

2,299

During the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, there were no transfers between Level 1, 2 or 3.

Fair values of financial instruments are determined by reference to quoted bid or ask prices, as appropriate. If bid and ask prices 
are unavailable, the closing price of the most recent transaction of that instrument is used. In the absence of an active market, fair 
values are determined based on prevailing market rates for instruments with similar characteristics and risk profiles or internal or 
external valuation models, such as option pricing models and discounted cash flow analysis, using observable market inputs.

The  following  table  summarizes  the  valuation  techniques  and  key  inputs  used  in  the  fair  value  measurement  of  Level  2 
financial instruments:

(MILLIONS)
Type of Asset/Liability
Derivative assets/Derivative

liabilities (accounts receivable/
accounts payable) ......................

Carrying Value
Dec. 31, 2019
$

Valuation Techniques and Key Inputs

1,737/ Foreign currency forward contracts – discounted cash flow model – forward 
exchange rates (from observable forward exchange rates at the end of the 
reporting period) and discounted at credit adjusted rate

(3,749)

Interest rate contracts – discounted cash flow model – forward interest rates 
(from observable yield curves) and applicable credit spreads discounted at a 
credit adjusted rate

Energy  derivatives  –  quoted  market  prices,  or  in  their  absence  internal 
valuation models, corroborated with observable market data

Other financial assets.....................

6,408 Valuation models based on observable market data

Redeemable fund units

(subsidiary equity obligations) ..

(40) Aggregated market prices of underlying investments

Fair values determined using valuation models requiring the use of unobservable inputs (Level 3 financial assets and liabilities) 
include assumptions concerning the amount and timing of estimated future cash flows and discount rates. In determining those 
unobservable inputs, the company uses observable external market inputs such as interest rate yield curves, currency rates and 
price and rate volatilities, as applicable, to develop assumptions regarding those unobservable inputs.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    166

 
 
 
The following table summarizes the valuation techniques and significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement 
of Level 3 financial instruments:

(MILLIONS)
Type of Asset/Liability
Fixed income securities and

other .....................................

Carrying Value
Dec. 31, 2019
$

Valuation
Techniques
480 Discounted cash

Significant
Unobservable Inputs
•  Future cash flows

flows

•  Discount rate

Corporate bonds.......................

275 Discounted cash

•  Future cash flows

flows

•  Discount rate

Common shares (common

shares and warrants) ............

802 Black-Scholes
model

•  Volatility

Relationship of Unobservable
Inputs to Fair Value
•  Increases (decreases) in

future cash flows increase
(decrease) fair value

•  Increases (decreases) in 
discount rate decrease 
(increase) fair value

•  Increases (decreases) in

future cash flows increase
(decrease) fair value
•  Increases (decreases) in
discount rate decrease
(increase) fair value

•  Increases (decreases) in

volatility increase (decreases)
fair value

•  Term to maturity

•  Increases (decreases) in term

to maturity increase
(decrease) fair value

•  Future cash flows

•  Increases (decreases) in

Limited-life funds (subsidiary
equity obligations) ...............

(1,856) Discounted cash
flows

•  Discount rate

•  Terminal

capitalization rate

•  Investment horizon

Derivative assets/Derivative

liabilities (accounts
receivable/payable) ..............

219/   Discounted cash

  •  Future cash flows

flows

(686)

•  Discount rate

future cash flows increase
(decrease) fair value

•  Increases (decreases) in 
discount rate decrease 
(increase) fair value

•  Increases (decreases) in
terminal capitalization
rate decrease (increase) fair
value

•  Increases (decreases) in the

investment horizon decrease
(increase) fair value
  •  Increases (decreases) in

future cash flows increase
(decrease) fair value

•  Increases (decreases) in
discount rate decrease
(increase) fair value

The following table presents the changes in the balance of financial assets and liabilities classified as Level 3 for the years ended 
December 31, 2019 and 2018:

2019

2018

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Balance, beginning of year .................................................................................... $

Financial 
Assets 
795

Financial 
Liabilities 
2,299
$

Financial 
Assets 
869

$

Financial 
Liabilities 
2,263
$

Fair value changes in net income...........................................................................
Fair value changes in other comprehensive income1.............................................
Additions, net of disposals.....................................................................................

278

(10)

717

(27)

6

264

(113)

(2)

41

(89)

(48)

173

Balance, end of year............................................................................................... $

1,780

$

2,542

$

795

$

2,299

1. 

Includes foreign currency translation.

167    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

 
The following table categorizes liabilities measured at amortized cost, but for which fair values are disclosed based upon the fair 
value hierarchy levels: 

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Corporate borrowings................................................. $

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

7,841

$

92

$

— $

6,376

$

91

$

—

Property-specific borrowings .....................................

Subsidiary borrowings................................................

Subsidiary equity obligations .....................................

6,467

6,111

—

52,386

70,875

299

73

2,222

2,170

6,918

3,640

—

30,214

2,355

—

67,159

2,562

2,151

2019

2018

Fair values of Level 2 and Level 3 liabilities measured at amortized cost but for which fair values are disclosed are determined 
using valuation techniques such as adjusted public pricing and discounted cash flows. 

d)  Hedging Activities 

The company uses derivatives and non-derivative financial instruments to manage or maintain exposures to interest, currency, 
credit and other market risks. Derivative financial instruments are recorded at fair value. For certain derivatives which are used 
to manage exposures, the company determines whether hedge accounting can be applied. Hedge accounting is applied when the 
derivative is designated as a hedge of a specific exposure and there is assurance that it will continue to be highly effective as a 
hedge based on an expectation of offsetting cash flows or fair value. Hedge accounting is discontinued prospectively when the 
derivative no longer qualifies as a hedge or the hedging relationship is terminated. Once discontinued, the cumulative change in 
fair value of a derivative that was previously recorded in other comprehensive income by the application of hedge accounting is 
recognized in profit or loss over the remaining term of the original hedging relationship as amounts related to the hedged item are 
recognized in profit or loss. The assets or liabilities relating to unrealized mark-to-market gains and losses on derivative financial 
instruments are recorded in financial assets and financial liabilities, respectively.

i.  Cash Flow Hedges 

The company uses the following cash flow hedges: energy derivative contracts to hedge the sale of power; interest rate swaps to 
hedge  the  variability  in  cash  flows  or  future  cash  flows  related  to  a  variable  rate  asset  or  liability;  and  equity  derivatives 
to hedge long-term  compensation  arrangements.  For  the  year  ended  December 31,  2019,  pre-tax  net  unrealized  losses  of 
$89 million (2018 – gains of $38 million) were recorded in other comprehensive income for the effective portion of the cash flow 
hedges. As at December 31, 2019, there was an unrealized derivative asset balance of $210 million relating to derivative contracts 
designated as cash flow hedges (2018 – $468 million). 

ii.  Net Investment Hedges 

The company uses foreign exchange contracts and foreign currency denominated debt instruments to manage its foreign currency 
exposures arising from net investments in foreign operations. For the year ended December 31, 2019, unrealized pre-tax net losses 
of $433 million  (2018 – gains of $999 million) were recorded in other comprehensive income for the effective portion of hedges 
of  net  investments  in  foreign  operations. As  at  December 31,  2019,  there  was  an  unrealized  derivative  liability  balance  of 
$551 million relating to derivative contracts designated as net investment hedges (2018 – asset balance of $523 million).

e)  Netting of Financial Instruments

Financial assets and liabilities are offset with the net amount reported in the Consolidated Balance Sheets where the company 
currently has a legally enforceable right to offset and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or realize the asset and settle the 
liability simultaneously. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    168

 
The company enters into derivative transactions under International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) master netting 
agreements. In general, under such agreements the amounts owed by each counterparty on a single day are aggregated into a single 
net amount that is payable by one party to the other. The agreements provide the company with the legal and enforceable right to 
offset these amounts and accordingly the following balances are presented net in the consolidated financial statements: 

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Gross amounts of financial instruments before netting ......................................... $
Gross amounts of financial instruments set-off in Consolidated Balance Sheets..

2019

2,380

(423)

Net amount of financial instruments in Consolidated Balance Sheets .................. $

1,957

2018

2,367

(254)

2,113

$

$

2019

2,853

(366)

2,487

$

$

2018

1,873

(250)

1,623

$

$

Accounts Receivable 
and Other

Accounts Payable 
and Other

7.   ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND OTHER 

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Accounts receivable ...........................................................................................................................

Prepaid expenses and other assets ......................................................................................................

Restricted cash....................................................................................................................................

Sustainable resources .........................................................................................................................

Note

2019

(a)

(a)

(b)

(c)

$

11,129

$

5,636

1,595

109

2018

9,167

5,508

1,923

333

Total....................................................................................................................................................

$

18,469

$

16,931

The current and non-current balances of accounts receivable and other are as follows: 

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Current............................................................................................................................................................... $
Non-current........................................................................................................................................................

2019

13,862

4,607

Total................................................................................................................................................................... $

18,469

2018

11,911

5,020

16,931

$

$

a)  Accounts Receivable and Other Assets

Accounts receivable includes contract assets of  $682 million (2018 – $641 million). Contract assets relate primarily to work-in-
progress on our long-term construction services contracts for which customers have not yet been billed.

b)  Restricted Cash 

Restricted cash primarily relates to the company’s real estate, renewable power and private equity financing arrangements including 
defeasement of debt obligations, debt service accounts and deposits held by the company’s insurance operations. 

c)  Sustainable Resources 

Dispositions of $270 million during the year related to the sale of our investment in Acadian, which owned 1.7 million acres of 
consumable  freehold  timberlands,  representing  40.3  million  cubic  metres  of  mature  timber  and  timber  available  for  harvest. 
Additions of $77 million is attributable to the plantation of soybeans throughout the year.

The following table presents the change in the balance of timberlands and other agricultural assets: 

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Balance, beginning of year ................................................................................................................................ $
Additions ...........................................................................................................................................................

Dispositions .......................................................................................................................................................

Fair value adjustments.......................................................................................................................................

Decrease due to harvest .....................................................................................................................................

Foreign currency changes..................................................................................................................................

77

(270)

12

(39)

(4)

2019

333

$

2018

390

Balance, end of year .......................................................................................................................................... $

109

$

169    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

21

—

42

(89)

(31)

333

 
The carrying values are based on external appraisals completed annually as at December 31. The appraisals utilize a combination 
of the discounted cash flow and sales comparison approaches to arrive at the estimated value. The significant unobservable inputs 
(Level 3) included in the discounted cash flow models used when determining the fair value of standing timber and agricultural 
assets include: 

Valuation
Techniques
Discounted
cash flow
analysis

Significant
Unobservable Inputs
•  Future cash flows 

Relationship of Unobservable Inputs
to Fair Value
•  Increases  (decreases)  in  future  cash 
flows increase (decrease) fair value

•  Timber / agricultural 

•  Increases (decreases) in price increase 

prices

(decrease) fair value

•  Discount rate /

terminal
capitalization rate

•  Increases (decreases) in discount rate or 
terminal  capitalization  rate  decrease 
(increase) fair value

•  Exit Date

•  Increases  (decreases) 

in  exit  date 

decrease (increase) fair value

Mitigating Factors
•  Increases (decreases) in cash flows tend to 
be accompanied by increases (decreases) in 
discount  rates  that  may  offset  changes 
in fair value from cash flows

•  Increases  (decreases)  in  price  tend  to  be 
accompanied  by  increases  (decreases)  in 
discount  rates  that  may  offset  changes 
in fair value from price

•  Decreases (increases) in discount rates or 
terminal  capitalization  rates  tend  to  be 
accompanied  by  increases  (decreases)  in 
cash flows that may offset changes in fair 
value from rates

•  Increases (decreases) in the exit date tend 
to  be  the  result  of  changing  cash  flow 
profiles  that  may  result  in  higher  (lower) 
growth in cash flows prior to stabilizing in 
the terminal year

Key valuation assumptions include a weighted-average discount and terminal capitalization rate of 6.1% (2018 – 5.7%), and 
terminal valuation dates of up to 21 years (2018 – 30 years). Timber and agricultural asset prices were based on a combination of 
forward prices available in the market and price forecasts. 

8.   INVENTORY 

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Residential properties under development ........................................................................................................ $

2019

3,007

$

Land held for development................................................................................................................................

Completed residential properties.......................................................................................................................

Industrial products .............................................................................................................................................
Other1.................................................................................................................................................................
Total................................................................................................................................................................... $

1.  Other includes fuel inventory of $690 million (2018 – $585 million).

The current and non-current balances of inventory are as follows: 

1,781

998

2,816

1,670

2018

2,001

1,794

1,398

914

882

10,272

$

6,989

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Current............................................................................................................................................................... $

Non-current........................................................................................................................................................

2019

7,054

3,218

Total................................................................................................................................................................... $

10,272

2018

4,578

2,411

6,989

$

$

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the company recognized $26.5 billion (2018 – $25.7 billion) of inventory relating to 
cost of goods sold and a $38 million expense of impaired inventory (2018 – $22 million recovery of previously impaired inventory). 
The carrying amount of inventory pledged as collateral at December 31, 2019 was $4.7 billion (2018 – $3.5 billion).

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    170

9.  HELD FOR SALE

The following is a summary of the assets and liabilities classified as held for sale as at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Assets

Infrastructure

Real Estate

Renewable
Power and
Other

 2019 Total 

2018 Total

Cash and cash equivalents................................ $

42

$

Accounts receivable and other .........................

Investment properties .......................................

Property, plant and equipment..........................

Equity accounted investments..........................

Other long-term assets......................................

Deferred income tax assets...............................

120

—

1,307

190

872

1

Assets classified as held for sale......................... $

2,532

Liabilities

Accounts payable and other ............................. $

Non-recourse borrowings of managed entities

Deferred income tax liabilities .........................

Liabilities associated with assets classified as
held for sale....................................................... $

$

$

182

774

364

$

$

$

1

5

251

—

223

—

—

480

2

138

—

15

49

—

423

—

—

3

490

39

159

32

$

58

$

174

251

1,730

413

872

4

3,502

223

1,071

396

$

$

$

$

21

112

617

779

568

88

—

2,185

193

619

—

812

1,320

$

140

$

230

$

1,690

$

As at December 31, 2019, assets held for sale within our Infrastructure segment include a Texas electricity transmission business, 
a Colombian regulated distribution business and the Australian operations of a North American based rail business. 

Assets held for sale within the company’s Real Estate segment include six triple net lease assets, one office asset and an equity 
accounted investment in the U.S.

Within our Renewable Power segment, we are currently holding for sale solar assets in South Africa and Asia. Our Private Equity 
segment has assets and liabilities from its cold storage logistics business in their business services segment being classified as 
held for sale.

During the 2019 fiscal year, we disposed of $6.9 billion and $2.8 billion of assets and liabilities held for sale, respectively. The 
majority of disposals related to our Real Estate segment, with $5.8 billion of assets held for sale and $2.1 billion of liabilities held 
for sale being disposed of. 

171    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

10.  EQUITY ACCOUNTED INVESTMENTS 

The following table presents the ownership interests and carrying values of the company’s investments in associates and joint 
ventures, all of which are accounted for using the equity method: 

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Oaktree...................................................................................................................

2019

61%

2018

2019

n/a

$

5,231

$

2018

—

Ownership Interest1

Carrying Value

Real estate

Associates

Core office ........................................................................................................

n/a

LP investments and other..................................................................................

30 – 90%

7 – 23%

6 – 90%

Joint ventures

Core office ........................................................................................................
Core retail2........................................................................................................
LP investments and other..................................................................................

14 – 56% 15 – 56%

12 – 68% 12 – 68%

18 – 80% 12 – 90%

Infrastructure

Associates

Utilities .............................................................................................................

11 – 50% 11 – 50%

Transport...........................................................................................................

26 – 58% 26 – 58%

Data infrastructure ............................................................................................

45 – 50%

45%

Other .................................................................................................................

22 – 50% 22 – 50%

Joint ventures

Energy...............................................................................................................

Other .................................................................................................................

50%

50%

50%

50%

—

307

9,440

10,555

2,012

22,314

962

4,033

2,920

156

716

185

8,972

Private equity

Associates

Norbord.............................................................................................................

43%

42%

1,185

Industrial operations .........................................................................................

24 – 54% 24 – 50%

Other .................................................................................................................

25 – 90% 13 – 90%

Renewable power and other

Renewable power associates ...............................................................................
Other equity accounted investments2 ..................................................................

14 – 60% 14 – 60%

16 – 85% 18 – 85%

854

557

2,596

1,154

431

1,585

107

1,173

8,258

11,159

2,252

22,949

339

4,100

1,705

232

1,121

139

7,636

1,287

73

583

1,943

685

434

1,119

Total................................................................................................................................................................... $

40,698

$

33,647

1. 

Joint ventures or associates in which the ownership interest is greater than 50% represent investments for which control is either shared or does not exist resulting in the 
investment being equity accounted.

2.  Carrying value of joint ventures in other equity accounted investments is $383 million (2018 – $395 million).

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    172

The following tables presents the change in the balance of investments in associates and joint ventures: 

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED 
DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Oaktree

Real Estate

Infrastructure

Private
Equity

Renewable
Power and
Other

2019 Total

2018 Total

Balance, beginning of year .. $

— $

22,949

$

7,636

$

1,943

$

1,119

$

33,647

$

31,994

Net additions (disposals)......
Acquisitions through
business combinations .......
Share of comprehensive
income................................

Distributions received..........

Foreign exchange.................

5,251

(1,932)

1,067

—

26

(45)

(1)

—

1,986

(810)

121

48

537

(166)

(150)

(150)

847

97

(122)

(19)

440

—

169

(157)

14

4,676

(9,772)

895

12,752

2,815

(1,300)

(35)

1,606

(1,903)

(1,030)

Balance, end of year........... $

5,231

$

22,314

$

8,972

$

2,596

$

1,585

$

40,698

$

33,647

Additions, net of disposals, of $4.7 billion in 2019 relate primarily to the acquisition of a $5.3 billion interest in Oaktree. As part 
of the Oaktree transaction, we received a distribution on closing from Oaktree for $306 million, and recognized deferred 
consideration of $365 million related to the settlement of certain pre-existing agreements.

In addition, we acquired an equity accounted interest in a Brazilian data center operation, a New Zealand integrated data provider 
and a natural gas transmission business in Mexico within our Infrastructure segment.  This was partially offset by the consolidation 
of a previously equity-accounted portfolio of retail malls within our Real Estate segment. 

173    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

The  following  table  presents  current  and  non-current  assets,  as  well  as  current  and  non-current  liabilities  of  the  company’s 
investments in associates and joint ventures: 

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Current
Assets

Non-
Current
Assets

Current
Liabilities

Non-
Current
Liabilities

Current
Assets

Non-
Current
Assets

Current
Liabilities

Non-
Current
Liabilities

Oaktree.............................................. $ 1,497

$ 16,870

$

1,172

$

7,434

$ — $

— $

— $

—

2019

2018

Real estate

Associates

Core office...................................

LP investments and other ............

1

31

Joint ventures

Core office...................................

2,790

Core retail....................................

LP investments and other ............

992

648

Infrastructure

Associates

Utilities ........................................

869

Transport .....................................

1,199

Data infrastructure.......................

Other............................................

Joint ventures

Energy .........................................

Other............................................

912

21

154

35

—

955

36,861

35,726

9,559

6,500

18,028

11,636

374

5,455

299

Private equity

Associates

Norbord .......................................

462

Industrial operations....................

1,038

Other............................................

793

3,911

743

2,362

Renewable power and other

Renewable power associates..........
Other equity accounted
investments ..................................

539

5,967

1,022

—

—

15

4,824

615

648

687

1,953

1,042

27

249

6

260

485

697

535

118

—

390

15

86

1,998

3,430

13,987

14,334

5,247

1,789

832

686

33,245

40,136

11,645

4,152

8,359

4,908

133

3,927

93

289

1,507

447

118

165

13

2,227

15,676

6,692

659

5,034

216

1,355

256

1,562

509

38

892

4,574

277

1,910

2,530

182

2,845

113

1,081

53

12

56

2,766

734

776

325

1,871

438

117

144

5

363

27

601

93

142

457

966

13,998

16,537

5,256

1,391

6,358

2,902

117

2,813

89

1,204

136

1,004

974

152

$13,003

$ 155,246

$ 13,333

$ 68,780

$ 8,649

$ 130,617

$

8,470

$ 54,354

Certain of the company’s investments in associates are subject to restrictions on the extent to which they can remit funds to 
the company in the form of cash dividends or repay loans and advances as a result of borrowing arrangements, regulatory restrictions 
and other contractual requirements.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    174

The following table presents total revenues, net income and other comprehensive income (“OCI”) of the company’s investments 
in associates and joint ventures:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Revenue

Oaktree ....................................................................... $

295

$

2019

Net
Income
12

OCI

Revenue

2018

Net
Income

$

(6)

— $

— $

Real estate

Associates

Core office.............................................................

Core retail..............................................................

LP investments and other ......................................

Joint ventures

Core office.............................................................

Core retail..............................................................

LP investments and other ......................................

Infrastructure

Associates

Utilities..................................................................

Transport ...............................................................

Data infrastructure.................................................

Other......................................................................

Joint ventures

Energy ...................................................................

Other......................................................................

Private equity

Associates

Norbord .................................................................

Industrial operations..............................................

Other......................................................................

Renewable power and other .......................................

Renewable power associates....................................

Other equity accounted investments........................

—

—

423

2,386

2,430

714

1,046

3,277

1,447

55

696

74

1,731

1,770

1,007

431

400

1

—

126

1,869

2,114

23

354

3

(38)

(45)

358

19

(165)

122

247

88

104

—

—

50

60

1,536

545

(105)

1,559

—

—

889

342

71

(1,013)

301

1,544

449

487

26

363

57

(210)

—

—

13

—

26

541

3,673

804

84

695

75

2,424

445

1,502

242

1

491

133

92

(309)

64

83

92

19

248

62

86

79

44

$

18,182

$

5,192

$

457

$

15,798

$

2,399

$

OCI

—

—

(15)

191

(34)

—

(2)

110

(826)

244

363

—

(29)

(21)

(21)

(15)

469

(3)

411

Certain of the company’s investments are publicly listed entities with active pricing in a liquid market. The fair value based on 
the publicly listed price of these equity accounted investments in comparison to the company’s carrying value is as follows: 

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Norbord .................................................................................................................. $

Other ......................................................................................................................

Public
Price
930

38

Carrying
Value
1,185

$

—

$

968

$

1,185

Public
Price
925

36

961

Carrying
Value
1,287

—

1,287

$

$

$

$

2019

2018

175    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

11.  INVESTMENT PROPERTIES 

The following table presents the change in the fair value of the company’s investment properties: 

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Fair value, beginning of year................................................................................................................................ $ 84,309

2019

2018

$ 56,870

Additions ..............................................................................................................................................................

11,638

Acquisitions through business combinations .......................................................................................................
Increase attributable to adoption of accounting standards1 ..................................................................................
Dispositions2.........................................................................................................................................................
Fair value changes ................................................................................................................................................

3,669

928

1,710

(6,029)

(8,555)

Foreign currency translation and other.................................................................................................................
461
Fair value, end of year3......................................................................................................................................... $ 96,686

3,069

33,024

—

1,610

(1,709)

$ 84,309

1.  The  company’s  adoption  of  IFRS  16  resulted  in  the  recognition  of  ROU  investment  properties  that  were  previously  off-balance  sheet  items.  Refer  to  Note  2  for 

additional information.
Includes amounts reclassified to held for sale.

2. 
3.  As at December 31, 2019, the ending balance includes $88.5 billion of investment properties leased to third parties. Also included in the ending balance is approximately 

$2.6 billion of ROU investment property balances.

Investment properties include the company’s office, retail, multifamily, logistics and other properties as well as highest and best-
use land within the company’s sustainable resources operations. Additions of $11.6 billion primarily relates to the purchases of 
investment properties and enhancement of existing assets during the year.

Dispositions of $6.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2019 included the sale of multiple investment properties held within 
Forest City, several Australian and New York office properties and various multifamily assets.

Investment properties generated $5.8 billion (2018 – $5.4 billion) in rental income and incurred $2.4 billion (2018 – $2.1 billion) 
in direct operating expenses. Most of our investment properties are pledged as collateral for the non-recourse borrowings at their 
respective properties. 

The following table presents our investment properties measured at fair value: 

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Core office

2019

2018

United States ................................................................................................................................................... $

15,748

$

15,237

Canada ............................................................................................................................................................

Australia..........................................................................................................................................................

Europe.............................................................................................................................................................

Brazil...............................................................................................................................................................

4,806

2,300

2,867

361

4,245

2,391

1,331

329

Core retail ..........................................................................................................................................................

21,561

17,607

LP investments and other

LP investments office......................................................................................................................................

LP investments retail.......................................................................................................................................

Logistics..........................................................................................................................................................

Multifamily .....................................................................................................................................................

Triple net lease................................................................................................................................................

Self-storage .....................................................................................................................................................

Student housing ..............................................................................................................................................

Manufactured housing ....................................................................................................................................

Mixed-Use ......................................................................................................................................................

Directly-held real estate properties....................................................................................................................

Other investment properties ..............................................................................................................................

8,756

2,812

94

2,937

4,508

1,007

2,605

2,446

2,703

19,814

1,361

8,438

3,414

183

4,151

5,067

931

2,417

2,369

12,086

2,750

1,363

$

96,686

$

84,309

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    176

Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) are utilized when determining the fair value of investment properties. The significant 
Level 3 inputs include:

Valuation
Technique
Discounted 
cash flow 
analysis1

Significant Unobservable
Inputs
•  Future cash flows – 

primarily driven by net 
operating income

Relationship of Unobservable
Inputs to Fair Value
•  Increases (decreases) in future 
cash flows increase (decrease) 
fair value

•  Discount rate

•   Increases (decreases) in
discount rate decrease
(increase) fair value

•  Terminal capitalization 

•   Increases (decreases) in

rate

terminal capitalization rate
decrease (increase) fair value

•  Investment horizon

•  Increases (decreases) in the 
investment horizon decrease 
(increase) fair value

Mitigating Factors
•  Increases (decreases) in cash flows tend to be 
accompanied  by  increases  (decreases)  in 
discount rates that may offset changes in fair 
value from cash flows

•  Increases (decreases) in discount rates tend to 
be  accompanied  by  increases  (decreases)  in 
cash flows that may offset changes in fair value 
from discount rates

in 

fair  value 

•  Increases (decreases) in terminal capitalization 
rates  tend  to  be  accompanied  by  increases 
(decreases)  in  cash  flows  that  may  offset 
changes 
terminal 
capitalization rates
•  Increases  (decreases) 

investment 
horizon tend to be the result of changing cash 
flow profiles that may result in higher (lower) 
growth in cash flows prior to stabilizing in the 
terminal year

from 

the 

in 

1.  Certain investment properties are valued using the direct capitalization method instead of a discounted cash flow model. Under the direct capitalization method, a capitalization 

rate is applied to estimated current year cash flows. 

The company’s investment properties are diversified by asset type, asset class, geography and markets. Therefore, there may be 
mitigating factors in addition to those noted above such as changes to assumptions that vary in direction and magnitude across 
different geographies and markets.

The following table summarizes the key valuation metrics of the company’s investment properties:

2019

Discount
Rate

Terminal
Capitalization
Rate

Investment
Horizon
(years)

Discount 
Rate

2018
Terminal
Capitalization
Rate

Investment
Horizon
(years)

LP investments office ......................

10.0%

AS AT DEC. 31

Core office

United States ...................................

Canada.............................................

Australia ..........................................

Europe .............................................

Brazil ...............................................

Core retail...........................................

LP investments and other

LP investments retail .......................

Mixed-use........................................
Logistics1.........................................
Multifamily1 ....................................
Triple net lease1 ...............................
Self-storage1 ....................................
Student housing1..............................
Manufactured housing1 ...................

7.0%

5.9%

6.8%

4.6%

7.9%

6.7%

8.8%

7.6%

5.8%

5.1%

6.3%

5.6%

5.8%

5.5%
Directly-held real estate properties2... 5.2% – 9.2%
Other investment properties1..............
8.9%

5.6%

5.2%

5.9%

4.1%

7.4%

5.4%

7.3%

7.3%

5.4%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

6.1%

n/a

12

10

10

11

10

10

7

10

10

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

19

n/a

6.9%

6.0%

7.0%

n/a

9.6%

7.1%

10.2%

8.9%

7.8%

9.3%

4.8%

6.3%

5.7%

5.6%

5.4%

7.4%

9.3%

5.6%

5.4%

6.2%

n/a

7.7%

6.0%

7.0%

7.8%

5.4%

8.3%

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

6.8%

n/a

12

10

10

n/a

6

12

6

9

10

10

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

10

n/a

1.  Multifamily, triple net lease, self-storage, student housing, manufactured housing and other investment properties are valued using the direct capitalization method. The 

rates presented as the discount rate represent the overall implied capitalization rate. The terminal capitalization rate and the investment horizon are not applicable.

2.  We use either the discounted cash flow or the direct capitalization method when valuing our directly-held real estate properties. The rates presented as the discount rate 

represent the overall implied capitalization rates for investment properties that are valued using the direct capitalization approach.

177    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

12.  PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

The company’s property, plant and equipment relates to the operating segments as shown below:

Renewable 
Power (a) 

Infrastructure (b)

Real Estate (c)

Private Equity 
and Other (d)

Total

2019

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Costs ............................ $27,820
Accumulated fair value
changes ......................

20,465

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

$26,108

$22,454

$12,059

$ 9,890

$ 7,713

$17,269

$ 9,027

$77,433

$54,907

18,260

3,777

3,480

1,366

1,045

(643)

(434)

24,965

22,351

Accumulated
depreciation................
(6,690)
Total1,2.......................... $41,595

(5,497)

(2,459)

(1,889)

(1,527)

(1,106)

(2,458)

(1,472)

(13,134)

(9,964)

$38,871

$23,772

$13,650

$ 9,729

$ 7,652

$14,168

$ 7,121

$89,264

$67,294

Includes amounts reclassified to held for sale.

1. 
2.  As at December 31, 2019, the total includes $3.7 billion of property, plant and equipment leased to third parties as operating leases. Our ROU PP&E assets include 
$2.2 billion in our Infrastructure segment, $796 million in our Real Estate segment, $1.1 billion in our Renewable Power segment and $1.3 billion in Private Equity and 
other segments, totaling $5.4 billion of ROU assets. 

Renewable Power, Infrastructure and Real Estate segments carry property, plant and equipment assets at fair value, classified 
as Level  3  in  the  fair  value  hierarchy  due  to  the  use  of  significant  unobservable  inputs  when  determining  fair  value. 
Private Equity and other segments carry property, plant and equipment assets at amortized cost. The carrying amount that would 
have been recognized had our assets been accounted for under the cost model is $51.7 billion. As at December 31, 2019, $66.3 billion
(2018  –  $50.5  billion)  of  property,  plant  and  equipment,  at  cost,  were  pledged  as  collateral  for  the  property  debt  at  their 
respective properties.

a)  Renewable Power

Our renewable power property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

Hydroelectric

Wind

Solar and Other

Total

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Cost, beginning of year .................................... $ 13,868

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

$ 14,667

$ 8,576

$ 7,622

$ 3,664

$ 2,702

$ 26,108

$ 24,991

Changes in basis of accounting ........................
Additions, net of disposals and assets
reclassified as held for sale ............................
Acquisitions through business combinations ...

Foreign currency translation ............................

83

162

—

(14)

—

189

—

(988)

321

—

3

—

407

—

(342)

566

(54)

(21)

1,184

(209)

280

742

(35)

(684)

1,784

(138)

100

1,308

(516)

2,968

(103)

(1,335)

Cost, end of year ..............................................

14,099

13,868

9,067

8,576

4,654

3,664

27,820

26,108

Accumulated fair value changes, beginning
of year.............................................................
Fair value changes............................................
Dispositions and assets reclassified as held
for sale............................................................
Foreign currency translation ............................

15,416

12,176

1,369

3,688

2,079

669

1,053

1,221

—

142

—

(448)

(126)

(34)

—

(195)

Accumulated fair value changes, end of year ..

16,927

15,416

2,588

2,079

765

195

(35)

25

950

51

702

—

12

18,260

13,280

2,233

5,611

(161)

133

—

(631)

765

20,465

18,260

Accumulated depreciation, beginning of year .

(3,879)

(3,564)

(1,358)

(1,008)

(532)

(547)

(502)

(416)

(260)

(245)

(109)

(192)

(5,497)

(1,279)

(4,681)

(1,155)

Depreciation expenses......................................
Dispositions and assets reclassified as held
for sale............................................................
Foreign currency translation ............................

7

(8)

5

227

101

(22)

6

60

9

(1)

35

6

117

(31)

46

293

Accumulated depreciation, end of year............

(4,412)

(3,879)

(1,781)

(1,358)

(497)

(260)

(6,690)

(5,497)

Balance, end of year......................................... $ 26,614

$ 25,405

$ 9,874

$ 9,297

$ 5,107

$ 4,169

$ 41,595

$ 38,871

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    178

The following table presents our renewable power property, plant and equipment measured at fair value by geography:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
North America ................................................................................................................................................... $

2019

2018

25,617

$

24,274

Colombia ...........................................................................................................................................................

Europe................................................................................................................................................................

Brazil .................................................................................................................................................................
Other1.................................................................................................................................................................

7,353

3,770

3,575

1,280

6,665

3,748

3,505

679

$

41,595

$

38,871

1.  Other refers primarily to China, India and Chile in 2019 and China, India, Chile and Uruguay in 2018.

Renewable  power  assets  are  accounted  for  under  the  revaluation  model  and  the  most  recent  date  of  revaluation  was 
December 31, 2019. Valuations utilize significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) when determining the fair value of renewable 
power assets. The significant Level 3 inputs include:

Valuation
Technique
Discounted cash
flow analysis

Significant
Unobservable Inputs
•  Future cash flows – 

primarily impacted by 
future electricity price 
assumptions

Relationship of Unobservable Inputs to 
Fair Value
•  Increases  (decreases)  in  future  cash 
flows increase (decrease) fair value

•  Discount rate

•  Increases  (decreases)  in  discount  rate 

decrease (increase) fair value

 Mitigating Factors
•  Increases  (decreases)  in  cash  flows 
tend to be accompanied by increases 
(decreases) in discount rates that may 
offset changes in fair value from cash 
flows

•  Increases (decreases) in discount rates 
tend to be accompanied by increases 
(decreases)  in  cash  flows  that  may 
offset  changes  in  fair  value  from 
discount rates

•  Terminal 

capitalization rate

•  Increases 

(decreases) 

terminal 
capitalization  rate  decrease  (increase) 
fair value

in 

in 
tend 

•  Increases  (decreases) 

terminal 
to  be 
capitalization 
accompanied 
increases 
(decreases)  in  cash  flows  that  may 
offset  changes  in  fair  value  from 
terminal capitalization rates

rates 
by 

•  Exit date

•  Increases  (decreases)  in  the  exit  date 

decrease (increase) fair value

•  Increases (decreases) in the exit date 
tend to be the result of changing cash 
flow profiles that may result in higher 
(lower) growth in cash flows prior to 
stabilizing in the terminal year

Key  valuation  metrics  of  the  company’s  hydroelectric,  wind  and  solar  generating  facilities  at  the  end  of  2019  and  2018  are 
summarized below.

AS AT DEC. 31

Discount rate

North America

Brazil

Colombia

Europe

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Contracted .............. 4.6 – 4.9% 4.8 – 5.6%
Uncontracted .......... 6.2 – 6.4% 6.4 – 7.2%

Terminal 
capitalization rate1... 6.2 – 6.4% 6.1 – 7.1%
2039
Exit date ....................

2040

8.2%

9.5%

n/a

2047

9.0%

10.3%

n/a

2047

9.0%

10.3%

9.8%

2039

9.6%

10.9%

10.4%

2038

3.5% 4.0 – 4.3%

5.3% 5.8 – 6.1%

n/a

2034

n/a

2033

1.  Terminal capitalization rate applies only to hydroelectric assets in North America and Colombia.

Terminal  values  are  included  in  the  valuation  of  hydroelectric  assets  in  the  United  States,  Canada  and  Colombia.  For  the 
hydroelectric assets in Brazil, cash flows have been included based on the duration of the authorization or useful life of a concession 
asset without consideration of potential renewal value. The weighted-average remaining duration as at December 31, 2019, which 
includes a one-time 30-year renewal for applicable hydroelectric assets completed in the current year, is 32 years (2018 – 29 years). 
Consequently, there is no terminal value attributed to the hydroelectric assets in Brazil. 

179    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Key assumptions on contracted generation and future power pricing are summarized below:

AS AT DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)
North America (prices in US$/MWh).

Brazil (prices in R$/MWh) .................

Colombia (prices in COP$/MWh) ......

Europe (prices in €/MWh) ..................

Total Generation Contracted
under Power Purchase
Agreements

Power Prices from Long-
Term Power Purchase 
Agreements 
(weighted average)

Estimates of Future 
Electricity Prices
(weighted average)

1 – 10 years

11 – 20 years

1 – 10 years

11 – 20 years

1 – 10 years

11 – 20 years

47%

68%

25%

71%

17%

33%

—%

13%

95

295

87

407

62

273

122

411

217,000

272,000

257,000

358,000

82

102

75

84

The company’s estimate of future renewable power pricing is based on management’s estimate of the cost of securing new energy 
from renewable sources to meet future demand between 2023 and 2035 (2018 – between 2022 and 2025), which will maintain 
system reliability and provide adequate levels of reserve generation.

b)  Infrastructure

Our infrastructure property, plant and equipment consists of the following:

Utilities

Transport

Energy

Data
Infrastructure

Sustainable
Resources and
Other

Total

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Cost, beginning of year................................ $4,020

$3,473

$ 2,485

$2,655

$ 4,681

$2,630

$ 444

$ — $ 429

$ 495

$ 12,059

$ 9,253

Changes in basis of accounting ...................

Additions, net of disposals and assets

reclassified as held for sale .......................

Acquisitions through business

combinations .............................................

Foreign currency translation........................

21

7

—

138

—

422

394

(269)

356

171

5,284

—

73

—

3,332

2,111

9

(243)

69

(206)

94

4

197

164

—

633

146

(44)

Cost, end of year..........................................

4,186

4,020

8,305

2,485

8,443

4,681

1,131

Accumulated fair value changes, beginning
of year .......................................................

Disposition and assets reclassified as held

for sale.......................................................

Fair value changes .......................................

Foreign currency translation........................

Accumulated fair value changes, end

of year .......................................................

1,401

1,256

810

873

(416)

347

36

—

218

(73)

—

45

—

18

(6)

(81)

822

—

317

5

629

—

224

(31)

1,368

1,401

849

810

1,144

822

Accumulated depreciation, beginning

of year .......................................................

(613)

(509)

(744)

(687)

(492)

(383)

Depreciation expenses .................................

(171)

(148)

(178)

(147)

(328)

(134)

Dispositions and assets reclassified as held
for sale.......................................................

Foreign currency translation........................

204

(16)

5

39

(25)

(3)

22

68

46

(10)

7

18

—

—

—

—

—

—

(87)

—

(1)

Accumulated depreciation, end of year .......

(596)

(613)

(950)

(744)

(784)

(492)

(88)

—

4

440

—

444

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

1,207

(25)

(2)

273

—

643

—

(15)

389

—

(64)

8,710

205

2,945

(782)

429

22,454

12,059

447

514

3,480

3,272

(37)

6

—

—

12

(79)

(453)

715

35

—

472

(264)

416

447

3,777

3,480

(40)

(10)

7

2

(43)

(1,889)

(1,622)

(8)

(774)

(437)

4

7

232

(28)

38

132

(41)

(40)

(2,459)

(1,889)

Balance, end of year .................................... $4,958

$4,808

$ 8,204

$2,551

$ 8,803

$5,011

$1,043

$ 444

$ 764

$ 836

$ 23,772

$ 13,650

Infrastructure’s  PP&E  assets  are  accounted  for  under  the  revaluation  model,  and  the  most  recent  date  of  revaluation  was 
December 31, 2019. The company’s utilities assets consist of regulated transmission and regulated distribution networks, which 
are operated primarily under regulated rate base arrangements. In the company’s transport operations, the PP&E assets consist of 
railroads, toll roads and ports. PP&E assets in the energy operations are comprised of energy transmission, distribution and storage 
and district energy assets. Data infrastructure PP&E include mainly telecommunications towers, fiber optic networks and data 
storage assets. PP&E within our sustainable resource operations include standing timber, land, roads and other agricultural assets.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    180

Valuations utilize significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) when determining the fair value of infrastructure’s utilities, transport, 
energy, data infrastructure and sustainable resources assets. The significant Level 3 inputs include:

Valuation
Technique
Discounted cash
flow analysis

Significant
Unobservable Inputs
•  Future cash flows

Relationship of Unobservable Inputs to 
Fair Value
•  Increases  (decreases)  in  future  cash 
flows increase (decrease) fair value

•  Discount rate

•  Increases  (decreases)  in  discount  rate 

decrease (increase) fair value

•  Terminal 

capitalization multiple

•  Increases 

(decreases) 

in 

capitalization  multiple 
(decreases) fair value

terminal 
increases 

•  Investment horizon

•  Increases (decreases) in the investment 
horizon decrease (increase) fair value

 Mitigating Factors
•  Increases  (decreases)  in  cash  flows 
tend to be accompanied by increases 
(decreases) in discount rates that may 
offset changes in fair value from cash 
flows

•  Increases (decreases) in discount rates 
tend to be accompanied by increases 
(decreases)  in  cash  flows  that  may 
offset  changes  in  fair  value  from 
discount rates

in 

•  Increases  (decreases) 

terminal 
capitalization  multiple  tend  to  be 
accompanied 
increases 
(decreases)  in  cash  flows  that  may 
offset  changes  in  fair  value  from 
terminal capitalization multiple

by 

•  Increases 

in 

(decreases) 

the 
investment  horizon 
to  be 
the result  of  changing  cash  flow 
profiles  that  may  result  in  higher 
(lower) growth in cash flows prior to 
stabilizing in the terminal year

tend 

Key valuation metrics of the company’s utilities, transport, energy, data infrastructure and sustainable resources assets at the end 
of 2019 and 2018 are summarized below.

Utilities

Transport

Energy

Data Infrastructure

Sustainable Resources

AS AT DEC. 31

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

2019

2018

Discount rates .................................

7 – 14% 7 – 14%

9 – 14% 10 – 13% 12 – 15%

12 – 15% 13 – 15% 13 – 15%

5 – 10%

5 – 8%

Terminal capitalization multiples ...

8x – 21x

8x – 22x

9x – 14x

9x – 14x

10x – 17x

10x – 14x

11x – 17x

10x – 11x

5x – 10x

12x – 23x

Investment horizon / Exit date

(years) ..........................................

c)  Real Estate

10 – 20

10 – 20

10 – 20

10 – 20

5 – 10

10

10 – 11

10

3 – 21

3 – 30

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Balance, beginning of year.............................. $ 7,713

2019

Cost

Accumulated Fair
Value Changes
2019

2018

Accumulated
Depreciation
2019

2018

2018

Total

2019

2018

$ 5,854

$ 1,045

$

798

$ (1,106) $ (873) $ 7,652

$ 5,779

Changes in basis of accounting .......................
Additions/(dispositions)1, net of assets 
reclassified as held for sale............................
Acquisitions through business combinations ..

Foreign currency translation............................

Fair value changes...........................................

Depreciation expenses.....................................

769

514

785

109

—

—

—

352

1,748

(241)

—

—

—

(2)

—

—

323

—

—

5

—

(3)

245

—

—

37

—

(15)

—

—

43

—

27

—

769

549

785

94

323

(443)

(303)

(443)

—

400

1,748

(217)

245

(303)

Balance, end of year ........................................ $ 9,890

$ 7,713

$ 1,366

$ 1,045

$ (1,527) $ (1,106) $ 9,729

$ 7,652

1.  For accumulated depreciation, (additions)/dispositions.

The company’s real estate PP&E assets include hospitality assets accounted for under the revaluation model, with the most recent 
revaluation as at December 31, 2019. The company determined fair value for these assets by using the depreciated replacement 
cost method. Valuations utilize significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) when determining the fair value of real estate assets. The 
significant Level 3 inputs include estimates of assets’ replacement cost and remaining economic life.

181    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

d)  Private Equity and Other

Private equity and other PP&E includes assets owned by the company’s private equity and residential development operations. 
These assets are accounted for under the cost model, which requires the assets to be carried at cost less accumulated depreciation 
and any accumulated impairment losses. The following table presents the changes to the carrying value of the company’s property, 
plant and equipment assets included in these operations:

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Balance, beginning of year.............................. $ 9,027

2019

Cost

Accumulated
Impairment
2019

2018

Accumulated
Depreciation
2019

2018

2018

Total

2019

2018

$ 4,050

$ (434) $

(231) $ (1,472) $ (1,086) $ 7,121

$ 2,733

Changes in basis of accounting .......................
Additions/(dispositions)1, net of assets 
reclassified as held for sale............................
Acquisitions through business combinations ..

Foreign currency translation............................

Depreciation expenses.....................................

Impairment charges .........................................

1,032

477

6,650

83

—

—

—

360

4,915

(298)

—

—

—

—

—

(13)

—

—

1

—

15

—

332

—

(44)

—

72

—

78

1,032

809

6,650

26

— (1,274)

(536)

(1,274)

(196)

(219)

—

—

(196)

—

433

4,915

(205)

(536)

(219)

Balance, end of year ........................................ $17,269

$ 9,027

$ (643) $

(434) $ (2,458) $ (1,472) $14,168

$ 7,121

1.  For accumulated depreciation, (additions)/dispositions.

13.  INTANGIBLE ASSETS

The following table presents the breakdown of, and changes to, the balance of the company’s intangible assets:

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Balance, beginning of year......................................... $
Additions1...................................................................
Disposals ....................................................................

445

(499)

Acquisitions through business combinations .............

10,333

Amortization...............................................................

Foreign currency translation.......................................

—

(351)

Cost

2019

2018

Accumulated
Amortization and
Impairment
2019

2018

Total

2019

2018

20,304

$

15,251

$

(1,542) $

(1,009) $

18,762

$

14,242

288

(22)

6,590

—

(1,803)

—

132

—

(1,141)

29

—

16

—

(659)

110

445

(367)

10,333

(1,141)

(322)

288

(6)

6,590

(659)

(1,693)

Balance, end of year ................................................... $

30,232

$

20,304

$

(2,522) $

(1,542) $

27,710

$

18,762

1. 

Includes assets sold and amounts reclassified to held for sale.

The following table presents intangible assets by geography:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Brazil ................................................................................................................................................................. $

2019

6,413

$

United States......................................................................................................................................................

Canada ...............................................................................................................................................................

Mexico...............................................................................................................................................................

Australia ............................................................................................................................................................

United Kingdom ................................................................................................................................................

Europe................................................................................................................................................................

Peru....................................................................................................................................................................

Chile ..................................................................................................................................................................

India...................................................................................................................................................................

Other ..................................................................................................................................................................

6,826

2,263

1,200

1,985

2,637

2,090

1,161

814

1,045

1,276

2018

6,270

2,986

2,051

—

1,873

1,860

144

1,118

928

843

689

$

27,710

$

18,762

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    182

Intangible assets are allocated to the following operating segments:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................................

Private equity......................................................................................................................................

Real estate...........................................................................................................................................

Renewable power and other ...............................................................................................................

Note

2019

2018

(a)

(b)

(c)

$

14,388

$

11,641

11,650

1,301

371

5,523

1,179

419

$

27,710

$

18,762

a)  Infrastructure 

The intangible assets in our Infrastructure segment are primarily related to:

•  Concession arrangements of $3.9 billion (2018 – $4.2 billion) at the company’s Brazilian regulated gas transmission operation 
that provide the right to charge a tariff over the term of the agreements. The agreements have an expiration date between 
2039 and 2041, which is the basis for the company’s determination of its remaining useful life. Upon expiry of the agreements, 
the asset shall be returned to the government and the concession will be subject to a public bidding process. 

•  Customer relationships, operating network agreements and track access rights of $2.0 billion (2018 – $nil) in our North 

American rail operations. These intangible assets are amortized straight-line over 10 to 20 years.

•  Access agreements of $1.8 billion (2018 – $1.8 billion) with the users of the company’s Australian regulated terminal which 
are 100% take-or-pay contracts at a designated tariff rate based on the asset value. The access arrangements have an expiration 
date of 2051 and the company has an option to extend the arrangement an additional 49 years. The aggregate duration of the 
arrangements and the extension option represents the remaining useful life. 

•  Concession arrangements totaling $2.7 billion (2018 – $2.9 billion) relating to the company’s Peruvian, Chilean and Indian 
toll roads which provide the right to charge a tariff to users of the roads over the terms of the concessions. The Chilean and 
Peruvian concessions have expiration dates of 2033 and 2043 while the Indian concessions have expiration dates of 2026, 
2040 and 2041. The company uses these expiration dates as a basis for determining the assets’ remaining useful lives. 

•  Contractual customer relationships, customer contracts and proprietary technology of $1.4 billion (2018 – $1.4 billion) at 
the company’s North American residential energy infrastructure operations. These assets are amortized straight line over 
10 to 20 years.

• 

Indefinite life intangible assets of $667 million (2018 – $653 million). The increase from 2018 is primarily attributable to 
the brand value at our recently acquired North American residential energy infrastructure operations.

b)  Private Equity

The intangible assets in our Private Equity segment are primarily related to:

•  Customer relationships of $5.3 billion (2018 – $969 million). The increase from 2018 is primarily attributable to customer 
relationships acquired through our acquisition of Clarios. The customer relationships acquired is assessed to have a useful 
life of up to 16 years.

•  Water and sewage concession agreements, the majority of which are arrangements with municipal governments across Brazil, 
of $1.8 billion (2018 – $1.8 billion). The concession agreements provide the company the right to charge fees to users over 
the  terms  of  the  agreements  in  exchange  for  water  treatment  services,  ongoing  and  regular  maintenance  work  on  water 
distribution  assets  and  improvements  to  the  water  treatment  and  distribution  systems.  The  concession  agreements  have 
expiration dates that range from 2037 to 2055 which is the basis for the company’s determination of its remaining useful life. 
Upon expiry of the agreements, the assets shall be returned to the government.

•  Computer software, patents, trademarks and proprietary technology of $3.2 billion (2018 – $2.1 billion). The increase from 
2018 is primarily attributable to proprietary technology acquired from Clarios. The proprietary technology has the potential 
to provide competitive advantages and product differentiation and is assessed to have a useful life of 20 years. 

183    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

c)  Real Estate

The company’s intangible assets in its Real Estate segment are primarily attributable to indefinite life trademarks associated with 
its hospitality assets, Center Parcs U.K. and Atlantis. The Center Parcs and Atlantis trademark assets have been determined to 
have an indefinite useful life as the company has the legal right to operate these trademarks exclusively in certain territories and 
in perpetuity. The business models of Center Parcs and Atlantis are not subject to technological obsolescence or commercial 
innovations in any material way.

Inputs Used to Determine Recoverable Amounts of Intangible Assets

We test finite life intangible assets for impairment when an impairment indicator is identified. Indefinite life intangible assets are 
tested for impairment annually. We use a discounted cash flow valuation to determine the recoverable amount and consider the 
following significant unobservable inputs as part of our valuation:

Valuation
Technique
Discounted cash
flow models

Significant
Unobservable Input(s)
•  Future cash flows

Relationship of Unobservable Input(s) 
to Fair Value
•  Increases  (decreases)  in  future  cash 
the 

(decrease) 

increase 

flows 
recoverable amount

•  Discount rate

•  Increases  (decreases)  in  discount  rate 
decrease  (increase)  the  recoverable 
amount

Mitigating Factor(s)
•  Increases  (decreases)  in  cash  flows 
tend to be accompanied by increases 
(decreases) in discount rates that may 
offset 
recoverable 
changes 
amounts from cash flows

in 

•  Increases  (decreases)  in  discount 
rates  tend  to  be  accompanied  by 
increases  (decreases)  in  cash  flows 
that  may 
in 
offset 
recoverable  amounts  from  discount 
rates

changes 

•  Terminal capitalization 

rate

•  Increases 

(decreases) 

terminal 
capitalization  rate  decrease  (increase) 
the recoverable amount

in 

tend 

•  Increases  (decreases)  in  terminal 
to  be 
rates 
capitalization 
accompanied 
increases 
by 
(decreases)  in  cash  flows  that  may 
recoverable 
offset 
amounts from terminal capitalization 
rates

changes 

in 

•  Exit date

•  Increases  (decreases)  in  the  exit  date 
decrease  (increase)  the  recoverable 
amount

•  Increases (decreases) in the exit date 
tend to be the result of changing cash 
flow profiles that may result in higher 
(lower) growth in cash flows prior to 
stabilizing in the terminal year

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    184

2018

5,317

4,158

—

(660)

14.  GOODWILL

The following table presents the breakdown of, and changes to, the balance of goodwill:

AS AT AND FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Balance, beginning of year......................................... $

Cost

2019

2018

Accumulated
Impairment
2019

Total

2018

2019

9,198

$

5,707

$

(383) $

(390) $

8,815

$

Acquisitions through business combinations .............

6,125

Impairment losses.......................................................
Foreign currency translation and other1 .....................
Balance, end of year ................................................... $

—

89

4,158

—

(667)

—

(453)

(26)

—

—

7

6,125

(453)

63

15,412

$

9,198

$

(862) $

(383) $

14,550

$

8,815

1. 

Includes adjustment to goodwill based on final purchase price allocation.

The following table presents goodwill by geography:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Europe................................................................................................................................................................ $

2019

3,949

$

United States......................................................................................................................................................

Australia ............................................................................................................................................................

Canada ...............................................................................................................................................................

Colombia ...........................................................................................................................................................

Brazil .................................................................................................................................................................

Other ..................................................................................................................................................................

2,843

2,293

2,169

1,428

862

1,006

2018

2,131

1,306

876

1,923

1,384

762

433

$

14,550

$

8,815

Goodwill is allocated to the following operating segments:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Infrastructure ......................................................................................................................................

Private equity......................................................................................................................................

Real estate...........................................................................................................................................

Renewable power ...............................................................................................................................

Asset management..............................................................................................................................

Other...................................................................................................................................................

Note

2019

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

$

6,553

$

5,218

1,357

977

328

117

2018

3,859

2,411

1,157

941

328

119

Total....................................................................................................................................................

$

14,550

$

8,815

a)  Infrastructure

Goodwill in our Infrastructure segment increased primarily from acquisitions completed in 2019, including Genesee & Wyoming 
($2.0 billion), a federally regulated western Canadian natural gas midstream business ($218 million) and a U.K. telecommunication 
business ($301 million). 

In addition to goodwill from acquisitions completed in 2019, we have goodwill attributed to Enercare ($1.3 billion), a Brazilian 
regulated gas transmission operation ($632 million), a portfolio of North American data centers ($486 million) and a Colombian 
natural gas distribution operation ($542 million). 

Goodwill attributable to our Brazilian regulated gas transmission arose from the inclusion of a deferred tax liability as the tax 
bases of the net assets acquired were lower than their fair values. The goodwill is recoverable as long as the tax circumstances 
that gave rise to the goodwill do not change. To date, no such changes have occurred.

The  valuation  assumptions  used  to  determine  the  recoverable  amount  of  goodwill  has  been  determined  using  a  discounted 
cash flow model. The key inputs are discount rates ranging from 12% – 14%, terminal capitalization multiples of  8x – 12x and 
cash flow periods of 7 – 20 years. The recoverable amounts for the years ended 2019 and 2018 were determined to be in excess 
of their carrying values. 

185    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

b)  Private Equity

Goodwill  in  our  Private  Equity  segment  increased  primarily  from  acquisitions  completed  in  2019,  including  Healthscope 
($1.5 billion) and Clarios ($1.9 billion). The purchase price allocations for these acquisitions have been completed on a preliminary 
basis. 

In addition to goodwill from acquisitions completed in 2019, goodwill is primarily attributable to our construction services business 
and Teekay Offshore. 

Goodwill is tested for impairment annually using a discounted cash flow analysis to determine the recoverable amount. During 
the year, we reported an impairment loss of $417 million as the recoverable amounts at our construction services business and 
Teekay Offshore did not exceed the carrying amount.

The valuation assumptions used to determine the recoverable amount for our construction services business are a discount rate of 
9.4% (2018 – 10.0%), terminal growth rate of 1.5% (2018 – 2.8%) and terminal year of 2024 for cash flows included in the 
assumptions (2018 – 2023). 

c)  Real Estate

Goodwill in our Real Estate segment is primarily attributable to Center Parcs and IFC Seoul. The recoverable amounts of the two 
assets for the years ended 2019 and 2018 were determined to be in excess of their carrying values. 

The valuation assumptions used to determine the recoverable amount for Center Parcs are a discount rate of 7.9% (2018 – 7.4%) 
based on a market-based-weighted-average cost of capital, and a long-term growth rate of 2.0% (2018 – 2.0%). 

The valuation assumptions used to determine the recoverable amount for IFC Seoul were a discount rate of 7.5% (2018 –  7.7%) 
based on a market-based-weighted-average cost of capital, and a long-term growth rate of 2.8% (2018 – 2.0%). 

d)  Renewable Power

Goodwill in our Renewable Power segment, which is primarily attributable to a hydroelectric portfolio in Colombia, arose from 
the inclusion of a deferred tax liability as the tax bases of the net assets acquired were lower than their fair values. The goodwill 
is recoverable as long as the tax circumstances that gave rise to the goodwill do not change. To date, no such changes have occurred.

Inputs used to Determine Recoverable Amounts of Goodwill 

The recoverable amounts used in goodwill impairment testing are calculated using discounted cash flow models based on the 
following significant unobservable inputs:

Valuation
Technique
Discounted cash
flow models

Significant
Unobservable Input(s)
•  Future cash flows

Relationship of Unobservable Input(s) 
to Fair Value
•  Increases  (decreases)  in  future  cash 
the 

(decrease) 

increase 

flows 
recoverable amount

•  Discount rate

•  Increases  (decreases)  in  discount  rate 
decrease  (increase)  the  recoverable 
amount

Mitigating Factor(s)
•  Increases  (decreases)  in  cash  flows 
tend to be accompanied by increases 
(decreases) in discount rates that may 
offset 
recoverable 
changes 
amounts from cash flows

in 

•  Increases  (decreases)  in  discount 
rates  tend  to  be  accompanied  by 
increases  (decreases)  in  cash  flows 
that  may 
in 
offset 
recoverable  amounts  from  discount 
rates

changes 

•  Terminal capitalization 

rate / multiple

•  Increases 

(decreases) 

terminal 
capitalization  rate/multiple  decrease 
(increase) the recoverable amount

in 

accompanied  by 

•  Increases  (decreases)  in  terminal 
capitalization  rates/multiple  tend  to 
be 
increases 
(decreases)  in  cash  flows  that  may 
recoverable 
offset 
amounts from terminal capitalization 
rates

changes 

in 

•  Exit date / terminal 
year of cash flows

•  Increases  (decreases)  in  the  exit  date/
terminal  year  of  cash  flows  decrease 
(increase) the recoverable amount

•  Increases (decreases) in the exit date/
terminal year of cash flows tend to be 
the  result  of  changing  cash  flow 
profiles  that  may  result  in  higher 
(lower) growth in cash flows prior to 
stabilizing in the terminal year

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    186

15.  INCOME TAXES

The major components of income tax expense for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are set out below:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Current income tax expense .............................................................................................................................. $

2019

970

$

2018

861

Deferred income tax expense / (recovery)

Origination and reversal of temporary differences .........................................................................................

Expense arising from previously unrecognized tax assets..............................................................................

Change of tax rates and new legislation .........................................................................................................

Total deferred income tax recovery...................................................................................................................

281

(647)

(109)

(475)

143

(955)

(297)

(1,109)

Income tax expense (recovery).......................................................................................................................... $

495

$

(248)

The company’s Canadian domestic statutory income tax rate has remained consistent at 26% throughout both of 2019 and 2018. 
The company’s effective income tax rate is different from the company’s domestic statutory income tax rate due to the following 
differences set out below:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31

Statutory income tax rate...................................................................................................................................

2019

26%

2018

26 %

Increase (reduction) in rate resulting from:

Change in tax rates and new legislation..........................................................................................................

International operations subject to different tax rates.....................................................................................

Taxable income attributable to non-controlling interests ...............................................................................

Portion of gains subject to different tax rates .................................................................................................

Recognition of deferred tax assets ..................................................................................................................

Non-recognition of the benefit of current year’s tax losses............................................................................

Other ...............................................................................................................................................................

(2)

(7)

(4)

(1)

(9)

4

1

(4)

(3)

(8)

(4)

(12)

1

1

Effective income tax rate...................................................................................................................................

8%

(3)%

Deferred income tax assets and liabilities as at December 31, 2019 and 2018 relate to the following:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Non-capital losses (Canada) .............................................................................................................................. $

2019

848

$

Capital losses (Canada) .....................................................................................................................................

Losses (U.S.) .....................................................................................................................................................

Losses (International) ........................................................................................................................................

80

3,102

705

2018

685

108

2,219

645

Difference in basis.............................................................................................................................................

(16,012)

(13,161)

Total net deferred tax liabilities......................................................................................................................... $ (11,277) $

(9,504)

The aggregate amount of temporary differences associated with investments in subsidiaries for which deferred tax liabilities have 
not been recognized as at December 31, 2019 is approximately $5 billion (2018 – approximately $6 billion).

The company regularly assesses the status of open tax examinations and its historical tax filing positions for the potential for 
adverse  outcomes  to  determine  the  adequacy  of  the  provision  for  income  and  other  taxes. The  company  believes  that  it  has 
adequately provided for any tax adjustments that are more likely than not to occur as a result of ongoing tax examinations or 
historical filing positions.

The dividend payment on certain preferred shares of the company results in the payment of cash taxes in Canada and the company 
obtaining a deduction based on the amount of these taxes.

187    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

The following table details the expiry date, if applicable, of the unrecognized deferred tax assets:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
One year from reporting date ............................................................................................................................ $

Two years from reporting date ..........................................................................................................................

Three years from reporting date ........................................................................................................................

After three years from reporting date ................................................................................................................

Do not expire .....................................................................................................................................................

2019

2018

$

22

9

14

1,159

1,632

16

—

2

1,125

1,526

2,669

Total................................................................................................................................................................... $

2,836

$

The components of the income taxes in other comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are set 
out below:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Revaluation of property, plant and equipment .................................................................................................. $

2019

623

$

2018

1,302

Financial contracts and power sale agreements.................................................................................................

Fair value through OCI securities......................................................................................................................

Foreign currency translation..............................................................................................................................

Revaluation of pension obligation.....................................................................................................................

6

88

(8)

(6)

26

10

69

7

Total deferred tax in other comprehensive income ........................................................................................... $

703

$

1,414

16.  CORPORATE BORROWINGS

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Term debt

Maturity

Annual Rate

Currency

2019

2018

Public – Canadian...............................................................

Apr. 9, 2019

Public – Canadian............................................................... Mar. 1, 2021

Public – Canadian............................................................... Mar. 31, 2023

Public – Canadian............................................................... Mar. 8, 2024

Public – U.S........................................................................ Apr. 1 , 2024

Public – U.S........................................................................

Jan. 15, 2025

Public – Canadian...............................................................

Jan. 28, 2026

Public – U.S........................................................................

Jun. 2, 2026

Public – Canadian............................................................... Mar. 16, 2027

Public – U.S........................................................................

Jan. 25, 2028

Public – U.S........................................................................ Mar. 29, 2029

Public – U.S........................................................................ Mar. 1, 2033

Public – Canadian...............................................................

Jun. 14, 2035

Private – Japanese ..............................................................

Dec. 1, 2038

Public – U.S........................................................................

Sep. 20, 2047

3.95%

5.30%

4.54%

5.04%

4.00%

4.00%

4.82%

4.25%

3.80%

3.90%

4.85%

7.38%

5.95%

1.42%

4.70%

C$

C$

C$

C$

US$

US$

C$

US$

C$

US$

US$

US$

C$
JPY 

US$

$

— $

269

463

385

749

500

664

497

385

649

998

250

325

92

902

440

257

441

367

749

500

633

496

366

648

—

250

309

91

903

Deferred financing costs1 ..................................................................................................................................
Total................................................................................................................................................................... $

1.  Deferred financing costs are amortized to interest expense over the term of the borrowing using the effective interest method. 

7,128

(45)

6,450

(41)

7,083

$

6,409

Corporate borrowings have a weighted-average interest rate of 4.6% (2018 – 4.5%) and include $2.5 billion (2018 – $2.8 billion) 
repayable in Canadian dollars of C$3.2 billion (2018 – C$3.8 billion) and $92 million (2018 – $91 million) repayable in Japanese 
Yen of ¥10 billion (2018 – ¥10 billion).

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    188

17.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND OTHER

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Accounts payable............................................................................................................................................... $

2019

9,583

$

Provisions ..........................................................................................................................................................

Lease liabilities..................................................................................................................................................

4,104

5,494

2018

6,873

2,830

—

Other liabilities ..................................................................................................................................................

23,896

14,286

Total................................................................................................................................................................... $

43,077

$

23,989

The current and non-current balances of accounts payable, provisions and other liabilities are as follows:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Current............................................................................................................................................................... $

Non-current........................................................................................................................................................

2019

23,212

19,865

Total................................................................................................................................................................... $

43,077

2018

14,337

9,652

23,989

$

$

Post-Employment Benefits

The company offers pension and other post-employment benefit plans to employees of certain of its subsidiaries. The company’s 
obligations under its defined benefit pension plans are determined periodically through the preparation of actuarial valuations. 
The benefit plans’ in-year valuation change was a decrease of $149 million (2018 – a decrease of $19 million). The discount 
rate used was 3% (2018 – 2%) with an increase in the rate of compensation of 2% (2018 –  2%), and an investment rate of 6%
(2018 – 3%).

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Plan assets.......................................................................................................................................................... $

2019

3,029

$

2018

1,981

Less accrued benefit obligation:

Defined benefit pension plan ..........................................................................................................................

Other post-employment benefits.....................................................................................................................

Net liability........................................................................................................................................................

Less: net actuarial gains (losses) and other .......................................................................................................

(3,995)

(173)

(1,139)

13

Accrued benefit liability .................................................................................................................................... $

(1,126) $

(2,548)

(148)

(715)

(10)

(725)

189    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

18.  NON-RECOURSE BORROWINGS OF MANAGED ENTITIES

AS AT DEC. 31

Subsidiary borrowings........................................................................................................................

Property-specific borrowings .............................................................................................................

Note

(a)

(b)

2019

$

8,423

$

2018

8,600

127,869

103,209

Total....................................................................................................................................................

$ 136,292

$ 111,809

a)  Subsidiary Borrowings 

Principal repayments on subsidiary borrowings due over the next five calendar years and thereafter are as follows:

(MILLIONS)

Real Estate

Renewable
Power

Infrastructure

Private
Equity

Residential
Development

2020 ................................................. $

— $

— $

— $

— $

2021 .................................................

2022 .................................................

2023 .................................................

2024 .................................................

Thereafter.........................................

Total Principal repayments ..............

Deferred financing costs and other ..

443

—

308

1,294

—

2,045

(21)

—

308

—

299

1,501

2,108

(10)

—

347

—

1,359

768

2,474

(4)

—

—

—

—

—

—

—

Total – Dec. 31, 2019 ...................... $

Total – Dec. 31, 2018....................... $

2,024

2,504

$

$

2,098

2,328

$

$

2,470

1,993

$

$

— $

52

$

$

17

36

541

227

57

949

1,827

4

1,831

1,723

$

$

Total

17

479

1,196

535

3,009

3,218

8,454

(31)

8,423

8,600

The weighted-average interest rate on subsidiary borrowings as at December 31, 2019 was 4.3% (2018 – 4.5%).

The current and non-current balances of subsidiary borrowings are as follows:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Current............................................................................................................................................................... $

Non-current........................................................................................................................................................

Total................................................................................................................................................................... $

2019

17

8,406

8,423

$

$

2018

395

8,205

8,600

Subsidiary borrowings by currency include the following:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
U.S. dollars ................................................................. $

Canadian dollars .........................................................

Brazilian reais.............................................................

Australian dollars .......................................................

2019

5,162

3,078

183

—

Local Currency

US$

5,162

$

C$

Rs

A$

3,998

737

—

2018

6,846

1,613

—

141

Local Currency

US$

C$

Rs

A$

6,846

2,200

—

200

Total............................................................................ $

8,423

$

8,600

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    190

b)  Property-Specific Borrowings

Principal repayments on property-specific borrowings due over the next five calendar years and thereafter are as follows:

(MILLIONS)

Real Estate

Renewable
Power

Infrastructure

Private
Equity

Residential
Development

2020 ................................................. $

9,871

$

1,556

$

2,740

$

1,438

$

2021 .................................................

2022 .................................................

2023 .................................................

2024 .................................................

Thereafter.........................................

Total Principal repayments ..............

11,796

7,784

6,876

11,181

20,945

68,453

Deferred financing costs and other ..

(544)

1,073

1,168

1,841

797

9,377

15,812

(25)

1,044

1,707

3,012

3,043

9,365

20,911

(135)

868

1,487

1,524

2,947

15,363

23,627

(522)

Total – Dec. 31, 2019 ...................... $

Total – Dec. 31, 2018....................... $

67,909

63,494

$

$

15,787

14,233

$

$

20,776

14,334

$

$

23,105

10,820

$

$

91

38

19

13

136

—

297

(5)

292

328

$

$

$

Total

15,696

14,819

12,165

13,266

18,104

55,050

129,100

(1,231)

127,869

103,209

The weighted-average interest rate on property-specific borrowings as at December 31, 2019 was 4.7% (2018 – 5.0%). 

The current and non-current balances of property-specific borrowings are as follows:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Current............................................................................................................................................................... $

2019

2018

15,696

$

10,764

Non-current........................................................................................................................................................

112,173

92,445

Total................................................................................................................................................................... $ 127,869

$ 103,209

Property-specific borrowings by currency include the following:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
U.S. dollars ................................................................. $

2019

84,203

British pounds ............................................................

Canadian dollars .........................................................

European Union euros ................................................

Australian dollars .......................................................

Indian rupees ..............................................................

Brazilian reais.............................................................

Colombian pesos ........................................................

Korean won ................................................................

Chilean unidades de fomento .....................................

Other currencies .........................................................

9,812

7,955

6,844

4,815

4,143

3,969

2,029

1,959

1,099

1,041

Local Currency

2018

Local Currency

US$

84,203

$

72,747

£

C$

€

A$

Rs

R$

7,401

10,333

6,103

6,861

295,106

15,998

COP$

6,671,818

2,264,478

UF

n/a

29

n/a

7,200

6,285

3,264

2,968

2,026

3,825

1,855

1,613

837

589

US$

£

C$

A$

Rs

R$

72,747

5,643

8,573

2,846

4,210

140,694

14,820

COP$

6,025,270

1,797,415

UF

n/a

21

n/a

Total............................................................................ $ 127,869

$ 103,209

191    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

€
19.  SUBSIDIARY EQUITY OBLIGATIONS

Subsidiary equity obligations consist of the following:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Subsidiary preferred equity units .......................................................................................................

Limited-life funds and redeemable fund units ...................................................................................

Subsidiary preferred shares and capital..............................................................................................

Note

2019

(a)

(b)

(c)

$

1,650

$

1,896

586

2018

1,622

1,724

530

Total....................................................................................................................................................

$

4,132

$

3,876

a)  Subsidiary Preferred Equity Units

In 2014, BPY issued $1.8 billion of exchangeable preferred equity units in three $600 million tranches redeemable in 2021, 2024 
and 2026, respectively. The preferred equity units are exchangeable into equity units of BPY at $25.70 per unit, at the option of 
the holder, at any time up to and including the maturity date. BPY may redeem the preferred equity units after specified periods 
if the BPY equity unit price exceeds predetermined amounts. At maturity, the preferred equity units that remain outstanding will 
be converted into BPY equity units at the lower of $25.70 or the then market price of a BPY equity unit. The preferred equity 
units represent a compound financial instrument comprised of the financial liability representing the company’s obligations to 
redeem the preferred equity units at maturity for a variable number of BPY units and an equity instrument representing the holder’s 
right to convert the preferred equity units to a fixed number of BPY units. The company is required under certain circumstances 
to purchase the preferred equity units at their redemption value in equal amounts in 2021 and 2024 and may be required to purchase 
the 2026 tranche, as further described in Note 29(a).

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)

Series 1 .........................................................................

Shares
Outstanding
24,000,000

Cumulative
Dividend Rate
6.25%

Local
Currency
US$

$

Series 2 .........................................................................

24,000,000

Series 3 .........................................................................

24,000,000

6.50%

6.75%

US$

US$

$

2019

574

546

530

2018

562

537

523

Total .................................................................................................................................................................

$

1,650

$

1,622

b)  Limited-Life Funds and Redeemable Fund Units

Limited-life funds and redeemable fund units represent interests held in our consolidated funds by third-party investors that have 
been classified as a liability rather than as non-controlling interest, as holders of these interests can cause our funds to redeem 
their interest in the fund for cash equivalents at a specified time. As at December 31, 2019, we have $1.9 billion of subsidiary 
equity obligations arising from limited-life funds and redeemable fund units (2018 – $1.7 billion arising from limited-life funds).

In our real estate business, limited-life fund obligations include $921 million (2018 – $813 million) of equity interests held by 
third-party investors in two consolidated funds that have been classified as a liability, instead of non-controlling interest, as holders 
of these interests can cause the funds to redeem their interests in the fund for cash equivalents at the fair value of the interest at 
a set date.

As at December 31, 2019, we have $934 million (2018 – $826 million) of subsidiary equity obligations arising from limited-life 
fund units in our infrastructure business. These obligations are primarily composed of the portion of the equity interest held by 
third-party investors in our timberland and agriculture funds that are attributed to the value of the land held in the fund. The value 
of this equity interest has been classified as a liability, instead of non-controlling interest, as we are obligated to purchase the land 
from the third-party investors on maturity of the fund.

We also have $41 million of redeemable fund units (2018 –  $85 million) in certain funds managed by our public securities business.

c)  Subsidiary Preferred Shares and Capital

Preferred shares are classified as liabilities if the holders of the preferred shares have the right, after a fixed date, to convert 
the shares into common equity of the issuer based on the market price of the common equity of the issuer at that time unless 
they are previously  redeemed  by  the  issuer.  The  dividends  paid  on  these  securities  are  recorded  in  interest  expense. As  at                             
December 31, 2019 and 2018, the balance related to obligations of BPY and its subsidiaries. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    192

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
Brookfield Property Split Corp 
(“BOP Split”) senior preferred shares
Series 1 ..........................................................................

Series 2 ..........................................................................

Series 3 ..........................................................................

Series 4 ..........................................................................
BSREP II RH B LLC (“Manufactured Housing”)
preferred capital.............................................................
Rouse Series A preferred shares......................................
BSREP II Vintage Estate Partners LLC (“Vintage
Estates”) preferred shares..............................................
BIP Investment Corporation Series 1 Senior preferred 
shares.............................................................................
Forest City Enterprises L.P. (“Forest City”) & Other
Preferred Capital ...........................................................

Shares
Outstanding

Cumulative
Dividend Rate

Local
Currency

2019

2018

924,390

699,165

909,814

940,486

—

5,600,000

10,000

4,000,000

387,079

5.25%

5.75%

5.00%

5.20%

9.00%

5.00%

5.00%

5.85%

2.00%

US$

$

C$

C$

C$

US$

US$

US$

C$

US$

$

23

13

18

18

249

142

40

73

10

23

13

17

17

249

142

40

—

29

530

Total ..................................................................................................................................................................

$

586

$

Each series of the BOP Split senior preferred shares are redeemable at the option of either the issuer or the holder as the redemption 
and conversion option dates have passed.

Subsidiary preferred capital includes $249 million at December 31, 2019 (2018 – $249 million) of preferred equity interests held 
by a third-party investor in Manufactured Housing which has been classified as a liability, rather than as non-controlling interest, 
due to the fact the holders are only entitled to distributions equal to their capital balance plus 9% annual return payable in monthly 
distributions until maturity in December 2025. The preferred capital was issued to partially fund the acquisition of the Manufactured 
Housing portfolio during the first quarter of 2017.

Subsidiary preferred shares include $142 million at December 31, 2019 (2018 – $142 million) of preferred equity interests held 
by a third-party investor in Rouse Properties, L.P., which have been classified as a liability, rather than as non-controlling interests, 
due to the fact that the interests have no voting rights and are mandatorily redeemable on or after November 12, 2025 for a set 
price per unit plus any accrued but unpaid distributions; distributions are capped and accrue regardless of available cash generated.

20.  SUBSIDIARY PUBLIC ISSUERS AND FINANCE SUBSIDIARY

Brookfield Finance Inc. (“BFI”) is an indirect 100% owned subsidiary of the Corporation that may offer and sell debt securities. 
Any debt securities issued by BFI are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Corporation. BFI issued $500 million of 4.25%
notes  due in  2026 on  June  2, 2016,  $550  million and  $350 million  of  4.70% notes  due  in 2047  on September  14,  2017 and 
January 17, 2018, respectively, $650 million of 3.90% notes due in 2028 on January 17, 2018 and $1 billion of 4.85% notes due 
in 2029 on January 29, 2019.

Brookfield Finance LLC (“BFL”) is a Delaware limited liability company formed on February 6, 2017 and an indirect 100%
owned subsidiary of the Corporation. BFL is a “finance subsidiary,” as defined in Rule 3-10 of Regulation S-X. Any debt securities 
issued by BFL are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Corporation. On March 10, 2017, BFL issued $750 million of 
4.00% notes due in 2024. On December 31, 2018, as part of an internal reorganization, the 2024 notes were transferred to BFI. 
BFL has no independent activities, assets or operations other than in connection with any debt securities it may issue.

Subsequent to year-end, the Corporation announced a public offering of $600 million of notes due 2050. The notes were issued 
by BFL and have a coupon of 3.45%.

Brookfield Investments Corporation (“BIC”) is an investment company that holds investments in the real estate and forest products 
sectors, as well as a portfolio of preferred shares issued by the Corporation’s subsidiaries. The Corporation provided a full and 
unconditional guarantee of the Class 1 Senior Preferred Shares, Series A issued by BIC. As at December 31, 2019, C$42 million 
of these senior preferred shares were held by third-party shareholders and are retractable at the option of the holder. 

193    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

The following tables contain summarized financial information of the Corporation, BFI, BFL, BIC and non-guarantor subsidiaries:

AS AT AND FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)

The  
Corporation1 

BFI 

BFL

Revenues......................... $
Net income attributable
to shareholders ..............
Total assets......................

Total liabilities ................

104

$

148

$

— $

2,807

70,976

35,963

40

5,389

3,994

—

—

—

AS AT AND FOR THE YEAR
ENDED DEC. 31, 2018
(MILLIONS)

The  
Corporation1 

BFI 

BFL

Revenues......................... $
Net income attributable
to shareholders ..............
Total assets......................

Total liabilities ................

810

$

43

$

53

$

3,584

59,105

29,290

(46)

4,330

2,909

(1)

13

6

Subsidiaries of 
the Corporation 
Other than BFI, 
BFL and BIC2 

Consolidating 
Adjustments3  

The Company 
Consolidated 

$

73,310

$

(5,841) $

67,826

3,493

331,698

195,586

(3,618)

(87,614)

(30,659)

2,807

323,969

207,123

Subsidiaries of 
the Corporation 
Other than BFI, 
BFL and BIC2 

Consolidating 
Adjustments3  

The Company 
Consolidated 

$

62,984

$

(7,282) $

56,771

4,506

271,534

154,458

(4,604)

(81,997)

(29,730)

3,584

256,281

159,131

BIC

105

85

3,520

2,239

BIC

163

145

3,296

2,198

1.  This column accounts for investments in all subsidiaries of the Corporation under the equity method.
2.  This column accounts for investments in all subsidiaries of the Corporation other than BFI, BFL and BIC on a combined basis.
3.  This column includes the necessary amounts to present the company on a consolidated basis.

21.  EQUITY

Equity consists of the following: 

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Preferred equity ..................................................................................................................................

Non-controlling interests....................................................................................................................

Common equity ..................................................................................................................................

Note

2019

(a)

(b)

(c)

$

4,145

$

81,833

30,868

2018

4,168

67,335

25,647

$ 116,846

$

97,150

a)  Preferred Equity

Preferred equity includes perpetual preferred shares and rate-reset preferred shares and consists of the following:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Perpetual preferred shares

Floating rate.........................................................................................................

Fixed rate.............................................................................................................

Fixed rate-reset preferred shares............................................................................

Average Rate

2019

2018

2019

2018

2.91%

4.82%

4.02%

4.28%

4.20%

2.90% $

4.82%

4.02%

4.26%

$

531

739

1,270

2,875

4.19% $

4,145

$

531

744

1,275

2,893

4,168

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    194

Further details on each series of preferred shares are as follows:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
Class A preferred shares

Perpetual preferred shares

Issued and Outstanding

Rate

2019

2018

2019

2018

70% P
Series 2 ......................................................
70% P/8.5%
Series 4 ......................................................
Variable up to P
Series 8 ......................................................
70% P
Series 13 ....................................................
B.A. + 40 b.p.1
Series 15 ....................................................
4.75%
Series 17 ....................................................
Series 18 ....................................................
4.75%
Series 25 .................................................... 3-Month T-Bill + 230 b.p.
4.85%
Series 36 ....................................................
4.90%
Series 37 ....................................................

Rate-reset preferred shares2

Series 9 ......................................................
Series 24 ....................................................
Series 26 ....................................................
Series 28 ....................................................
Series 30 ....................................................
Series 323 ...................................................
Series 344 ...................................................
Series 38 ....................................................
Series 405 ...................................................
Series 42 ....................................................
Series 44 ....................................................
Series 46 ....................................................
Series 48 ....................................................

2.75%
3.01%
3.47%
2.73%
4.69%
5.06%
4.44%
4.40%
4.03%
4.50%
5.00%
4.80%
4.75%

10,457,685
2,795,910
2,476,185
9,290,096
2,000,000
7,840,204
7,866,749
1,529,133
7,842,909
7,830,091

1,515,981
9,278,894
9,770,928
9,233,927
9,787,090
11,750,299
9,876,735
7,906,132
11,841,025
11,887,500
9,831,929
11,740,797
11,885,972

$

10,457,685
2,795,910
2,476,185
9,290,096
2,000,000
7,901,476
7,921,178
1,529,133
7,900,764
7,888,143

1,515,981
9,338,572
9,840,588
9,289,397
9,852,258
11,849,808
9,926,620
7,955,948
11,914,515
11,943,400
9,882,879
11,810,653
11,961,701

Total .................................................................................................................................................................

$

169
45
42
195
42
171
178
38
197
193
1,270

21
227
240
232
241
297
253
179
271
266
187
217
244
2,875
4,145

$

$

169
45
42
195
42
172
179
38
199
194
1,275

21
228
241
233
243
300
254
180
273
268
188
219
245
2,893
4,168

1.  Rate determined quarterly.
2.  Dividend rates are fixed for 5 to 6 years from the quarter end dates after issuance, June 30, 2011, March 31, 2012, June 30, 2012, December 31, 2012, September 30, 2013, 

March 31, 2014, June 30, 2014, December 31, 2014, December 31, 2015, December 31, 2016 and December 31, 2017, respectively and reset after 5 to 6 years to the              
5-year Government of Canada bond rate plus between 180 and 417 basis points.

3.  Dividend rate reset commenced September 30, 2018. 
4.  Dividend rate reset commenced March 31, 2019.
5.  Dividend rate reset commenced September 30, 2019.
P – Prime Rate, B.A. – Bankers’ Acceptance Rate, b.p. – Basis Points.

The company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Class A preferred shares and an unlimited number of Class AA preferred 
shares, issuable in series. No Class AA preferred shares have been issued.

The Class A preferred shares are entitled to preference over the Class A and Class B Limited Voting Shares (“Class A and B shares”) 
on the declaration of dividends and other distributions to shareholders. All series of the outstanding preferred shares have a par 
value of C$25.00 per share.

195    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

b)  Non-controlling Interests

Non-controlling interests represent the common and preferred equity in consolidated entities that are owned by other shareholders.

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Common equity ................................................................................................................................................. $

Preferred equity .................................................................................................................................................

2019

76,557

5,276

Total................................................................................................................................................................... $

81,833

2018

62,109

5,226

67,335

$

$

Further information on non-controlling interests is provided in Note 4 – Subsidiaries. 

c)  Common Equity

The company’s common equity is comprised of the following:

AS AT DEC. 31, 2019 AND 2018
(MILLIONS)
Common shares ................................................................................................................................................. $

2019

7,305

$

Contributed surplus ...........................................................................................................................................

286

Retained earnings ..............................................................................................................................................

16,026

Ownership changes............................................................................................................................................

Accumulated other comprehensive income.......................................................................................................

1,010

6,241

2018

4,457

271

14,244

645

6,030

Common equity ................................................................................................................................................. $

30,868

$

25,647

The company is authorized to issue an unlimited number of Class A shares and 85,120 Class B shares, together referred to as 
common shares. The company’s common shares have no stated par value. The holders of Class A shares and Class B shares rank 
on par with each other with respect to the payment of dividends and the return of capital on the liquidation, dissolution or winding 
up of the company or any other distribution of the assets of the company among its shareholders for the purpose of winding up 
its affairs. Holders of the Class A shares are entitled to elect half of the Board of Directors of the company and holders of the 
Class B shares are entitled to elect the other half of the Board of Directors. With respect to the Class A and Class B shares, there 
are no dilutive factors, material or otherwise, that would result in different diluted earnings per share between the classes. This 
relationship holds true irrespective of the number of dilutive instruments issued in either one of the respective classes of common 
stock, as both classes of shares participate equally, on a pro rata basis, in the dividends, earnings and net assets of the company, 
whether taken before or after dilutive instruments, regardless of which class of shares is diluted.

The holders of the company’s common shares received cash dividends during 2019 of $0.64 per share (2018 – $0.60 per share). 

The number of issued and outstanding common shares and unexercised options are as follows:

2019
AS AT DEC. 31, 2019 AND 2018
Class A shares1 ..................................................................................................................................... 1,006,110,641
Class B shares ......................................................................................................................................
85,120
Shares outstanding1 .............................................................................................................................. 1,006,195,761
Unexercised options and other share-based plans2 ..............................................................................
46,678,774
Total diluted shares .............................................................................................................................. 1,052,874,535

2018

955,057,721

85,120

955,142,841

42,086,712

997,229,553

1.  Net of 42,278,231 Class A shares held by the company in respect of long-term compensation agreements as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – 37,538,531).
2. 

Includes management share option plan and escrowed stock plan.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    196

The authorized common share capital consists of an unlimited number of Class A shares and 85,120 Class B shares. Shares issued 
and outstanding changed as follows:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
Outstanding, beginning of year1...........................................................................................................
Issued (repurchased)

2019

2018

955,142,841

958,773,120

Issuances ............................................................................................................................................

52,757,437

—

Repurchases........................................................................................................................................
Long-term share ownership plans2.....................................................................................................
Dividend reinvestment plan and others..............................................................................................
137,600
Outstanding, end of year3..................................................................................................................... 1,006,195,761

5,346,417

(7,188,534)

(9,579,740)

5,752,331

197,130

955,142,841

1.  Net of 37,538,531 Class A shares held by the company in respect of long-term compensation agreements as at December 31, 2018 (2017 – 30,569,215). 
2. 
3.  Net of 42,278,231 Class A shares held by the company in respect of long-term compensation agreements as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – 37,538,531).  

Includes management share option plan and restricted stock plan.

In September 2019, the company issued 52.8 million Class A shares in connection with the acquisition of an approximate 61% 
interest in Oaktree.

Earnings Per Share

The components of basic and diluted earnings per share are summarized in the following table:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Net income attributable to shareholders............................................................................................................ $

2019

2,807

$

Preferred share dividends..................................................................................................................................

Dilutive effect of conversion of subsidiary preferred shares ............................................................................

(152)

(74)

2018

3,584

(151)

(105)

Net income available to shareholders ............................................................................................................... $

2,581

$

3,328

Weighted average – common shares.................................................................................................................

Dilutive effect of the conversion of options and escrowed shares using treasury stock method......................

Common shares and common share equivalents ..............................................................................................

968.6

23.7

992.3

957.6

19.8

977.4

Share-Based Compensation 

The expense recognized for share-based compensation is summarized in the following table:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Expense arising from equity-settled share-based payment transactions ........................................................... $

2019

81

$

Expense/(Recovery) arising from cash-settled share-based payment transactions ...........................................

Total expense arising from share-based payment transactions..........................................................................

Effect of hedging program.................................................................................................................................

506

587

(500)

Total expense included in consolidated income ................................................................................................ $

87

$

2018

73

(64)

9

75

84

The share-based payment plans are described below. There were no cancellations of or modifications to any of the plans during 
2019 and 2018.

Equity-settled Share-based Awards

Management Share Option Plan

Options issued under the company’s Management Share Option Plan (“MSOP”) vest over a period of up to five years, expire 
10 years after the grant date and are settled through issuance of Class A shares. The exercise price is equal to the market price 
at the grant date. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the total expense incurred with respect to MSOP totaled $31 million 
(2018 – $28 million).

197    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

The changes in the number of options during 2019 and 2018 were as follows:

Outstanding at January 1, 2019..........................................................

Granted...............................................................................................

Exercised............................................................................................

Canceled.............................................................................................

Number 
of Options 
(000’s)1
790

—

(790)

—

Outstanding at December 31, 2019....................................................

— C$

1.  Options to acquire TSX listed Class A shares. 
2.  Options to acquire NYSE listed Class A shares.

TSX

NYSE

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

C$

Number 
of Options 
(000’s)2
36,742 US$

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

11.77

—

11.77

—

—

12.35

—

12.59

—

11.77

5,077

(7,831)

(186)

33,802 US$

4,538

(2,492)

(197)

36,742 US$

29.52

45.63

20.26

40.02

34.03

27.71

40.42

23.58

34.81

29.52

Outstanding at January 1, 2018 ..........................................................

Number 
of Options 
(000’s)1
2,797

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

C$

Number 
of Options 
(000’s)2
34,893 US$

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

TSX

NYSE

Granted ...............................................................................................

—

Exercised ............................................................................................

(2,007)

Canceled .............................................................................................

Outstanding at December 31, 2018 ....................................................

—

790

C$

1.  Options to acquire TSX listed Class A shares. 
2.  Options to acquire NYSE listed Class A shares.

The weighted-average fair value of options granted for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $5.89 (2018 – $5.38), and was 
determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, with inputs to the model as follows:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31

Weighted-average share price......................................................................................................

Average term to exercise .............................................................................................................
Share price volatility1 ..................................................................................................................
Liquidity discount........................................................................................................................

Weighted-average annual dividend yield.....................................................................................

Risk-free rate ...............................................................................................................................

Unit

US$

Years

%

%

%

%

2019

45.63

7.5

16.9

25.0

2.0

2.5

2018

40.42

7.5

16.3

25.0

1.9

2.8

1.  Share price volatility was determined based on historical share prices over a similar period to the average term to exercise.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    198

At December 31, 2019, the following options to purchase Class A shares were outstanding:

Exercise Price

US$15.45 – US$23.02 .............................................................................

US$23.37 – US$30.59 .............................................................................

US$33.75 – US$40.39 .............................................................................

US$44.24 – US$57.96 .............................................................................

Weighted-Average
Remaining Life
1.6 years

4.7 years

6.8 years

9.2 years

At December 31, 2018, the following options to purchase Class A shares were outstanding:

Exercise Price

C$11.77 ....................................................................................................

US$15.45..................................................................................................

US$16.83 – US$23.37 .............................................................................

US$25.21 – US$30.59 .............................................................................

US$33.75 – US$36.32 .............................................................................

US$36.88 – US$37.75 .............................................................................

Weighted-Average
Remaining Life
0.2 years

1.2 years

2.8 years

5.5 years

6.1 years

8.6 years

Options Outstanding (000’s)

Vested

Unvested

3,746

8,348

7,581

409

—

1,542

7,514

4,662

20,084

13,718

Total

3,746

9,890

15,095

5,071

33,802

Options Outstanding (000’s)

Vested

Unvested

790

4,255

5,160

8,410

2,873

1,197

—

—

—

3,293

2,115

9,439

22,685

14,847

Total

790

4,255

5,160

11,703

4,988

10,636

37,532

Escrowed Stock Plan

The Escrowed Stock Plan (the “ES Plan”) provides executives with indirect ownership of Class A shares. Under the ES Plan, 
executives  are  granted  common  shares  (the  “ES  Shares”)  in  one  or  more  private  companies  that  own  Class A  shares.  The 
Class A shares are purchased on the open market with the purchase cost funded by the company. The ES shares generally vest 
over five years and must be held to the fifth anniversary of the grant date. At a date no more than ten years from the grant date, 
all outstanding ES shares will be exchanged for Class A shares issued by the company based on the market value of Class A shares 
at the time of the exchange. The number of Class A shares issued on exchange will be less than the Class A shares purchased under 
the ES Plan resulting in a net reduction in the number of Class A shares issued by the company.

During 2019, 10.7 million Class A shares were purchased in respect of ES shares granted to executives under the ES Plan (2018 – 
5.8 million Class A shares) during the year. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the total expense incurred with respect to the 
ES Plan totaled $25 million (2018 – $25 million).

The weighted-average fair value of escrowed shares granted for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $6.81 (2018 – $5.38), 
and was determined using the Black-Scholes model of valuation with inputs to the model as follows:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31

Weighted-average share price......................................................................................................

Average term to exercise .............................................................................................................
Share price volatility1 ..................................................................................................................
Liquidity discount........................................................................................................................

Weighted-average annual dividend yield.....................................................................................

Risk-free rate ...............................................................................................................................

Unit

US$

Years

%

%

%

%

2019

51.11

8.5

17.3

25

1.8

2.1

2018

40.39

7.5

16.3

25

1.9

2.8

1.  Share price volatility was determined based on historical share prices over a similar period to the average term to exercise.

199    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

The change in the number of ES shares during 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

Outstanding at January 1, 2019............................................................................................................

27,103

$

Granted.................................................................................................................................................

Exercised ..............................................................................................................................................

Canceled...............................................................................................................................................

10,650

(1,075)

(151)

Outstanding at December 31, 2019......................................................................................................

36,527

$

33.27

51.11

23.66

39.48

38.73

Number of 
Units (000’s)

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

Number of 
Units (000’s)

Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price

Outstanding at January 1, 2018............................................................................................................

27,772

$

Granted.................................................................................................................................................

Exercised ..............................................................................................................................................

5,815

(6,484)

Outstanding at December 31, 2018......................................................................................................

27,103

$

29.01

40.39

21.40

33.27

Restricted Stock Plan

The Restricted Stock Plan awards executives with Class A shares purchased on the open market (“Restricted Shares”). Under the 
Restricted Stock Plan, Restricted Shares awarded vest over a period of up to five years, except for Restricted Shares awarded in 
lieu of a cash bonus, which may vest immediately. Vested and unvested Restricted Shares are subject to a hold period of up to 
five years. Holders of Restricted Shares are entitled to vote Restricted Shares and to receive associated dividends. Employee 
compensation expense for the Restricted Stock Plan is charged against income over the vesting period.

During 2019, Brookfield granted 800,493 Class A shares (2018 – 581,051) pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Restricted 
Stock Plan, resulting in the recognition of $25 million (2018 – $20 million) of compensation expense. 

Cash-settled Share-based Awards

Deferred Share Unit Plan and Restricted Share Unit Plan

The Deferred Share Unit Plan and Restricted Share Unit Plan provide for the issuance of DSUs and RSUs, respectively. Under 
these plans, qualifying employees and directors receive varying percentages of their annual incentive bonus or directors’ fees in 
the form of DSUs and RSUs. The DSUs and RSUs vest over periods of up to five years, and DSUs accumulate additional DSUs 
at the same rate as dividends on common shares based on the market value of the common shares at the time of the dividend. 
Participants are not allowed to convert DSUs and RSUs into cash until retirement or cessation of employment. 

The value of the DSUs, when converted to cash, will be equivalent to the market value of the common shares at the time the 
conversion  takes  place.  The  value  of  the  RSUs,  when  converted  into  cash,  will  be  equivalent  to  the  difference  between 
the market price of equivalent number of common shares at the time the conversion takes place and the market price on the date 
the RSUs  are granted. The company uses equity derivative contracts to offset its exposure to the change in share prices in respect 
of vested and unvested DSUs and RSUs. The fair value of the vested DSUs and RSUs as at December 31, 2019 was $1.4 billion
(2018 – $894 million).

Employee  compensation  expense  for  these  plans  is  charged  against  income  over  the  vesting  period  of  the  DSUs  and  RSUs. 
The amount  payable  by  the  company  in  respect  of  vested  DSUs  and  RSUs  changes  as  a  result  of  dividends  and  share  price 
movements.  All  of  the  amounts  attributable  to  changes  in  the  amounts  payable  by  the  company  are  recorded  as  employee 
compensation expense in the period of the change. For the year ended December 31, 2019, employee compensation expense totaled 
$7 million (2018 – $11 million), net of the impact of hedging arrangements.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    200

The change in the number of DSUs and RSUs during 2019 and 2018 was as follows:

DSUs

RSUs

Number 
of Units 
(000’s)

Number 
of Units 
(000’s)

Outstanding at January 1, 2019............................................................................................

14,637

10,540 C$

Granted and reinvested.........................................................................................................

Exercised and canceled ........................................................................................................

Outstanding at December 31, 2019......................................................................................

532

(1,034)

14,135

—

—

10,540 C$

DSUs

RSUs

Number 
of Units 
(000’s)

Number 
of Units 
(000’s)

Outstanding at January 1, 2018............................................................................................

14,944

10,920 C$

Granted and reinvested.........................................................................................................

Exercised and canceled ........................................................................................................

466

(773)

—

(380)

Outstanding at December 31, 2018......................................................................................

14,637

10,540 C$

The fair value of each DSU is equal to the traded price of the company’s common shares.

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

9.21

—

—

9.21

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

9.09

—

5.89

9.21

Share price on date of measurement........................................................................

Share price on date of measurement........................................................................

The fair value of RSUs was determined primarily using the following inputs:

Unit

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

C$

US$

75.03

57.80

52.32

38.35

Share price on date of measurement........................................................................

Weighted-average fair value of a unit......................................................................

Unit

Dec. 31, 2019

Dec. 31, 2018

C$

C$

75.03

65.82

52.32

43.11

201    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

22.  REVENUES

We perform a disaggregated analysis of revenues considering the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenues. This includes 
disclosure of our revenues by segment and type, as well as a breakdown of whether revenues from goods or services are recognized 
at a point in time or delivered over a period of time. 

a)  Revenue by Type

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31,
2019 (MILLIONS)

Asset
Management

Real Estate

Renewable
Power

Infrastructure

Private
Equity

Residential
Development

Corporate
Activities

Total
Revenues

Revenue from contracts

with customers ......................... $

Other revenue .............................

$

271

—

271

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31,
2018 (MILLIONS)

Asset
Management

Revenue from contracts

with customers ......................... $

Other revenue .............................

$

187

—

187

$

$

$

$

3,833

6,609

10,442

Real Estate

3,107

4,968

8,075

$

$

$

$

3,810

149

3,959

$

$

6,333

758

7,091

Renewable
Power

Infrastructure

3,651

100

3,751

$

$

4,859

154

5,013

$

$

$

$

42,147

952

43,099

$

$

2,396

60

2,456

Private
Equity

Residential
Development

36,693

135

36,828

$

$

2,651

32

2,683

$

$

$

$

9

499

508

Corporate
Activities

13

221

234

$

$

$

$

58,799

9,027

67,826

Total
Revenues

51,161

5,610

56,771

b)  Timing of Recognition of Revenue from Contracts with Customers

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31,
2019 (MILLIONS)

Asset
Management

Real Estate

Renewable
Power

Infrastructure

Private
Equity

Residential
Development

Corporate
Activities

Total
Revenues

Goods and services provided at

a point in time .......................... $

— $

1,193

$

95

$

225

$

34,141

$

2,384

$

9

$

38,047

Services transferred over a

period of time...........................

271

271

$

2,640

3,715

6,108

8,006

12

$

3,833

$

3,810

$

6,333

$

42,147

$

2,396

$

—

9

$

20,752

58,799

FOR THE YEAR ENDED DEC. 31,
2018 (MILLIONS)

Asset
Management

Real Estate

Renewable
Power

Infrastructure

Private
Equity

Residential
Development

Corporate
Activities

Total
Revenues

Goods and services provided at

a point in time .......................... $

— $

1,118

$

79

$

201

$

28,860

$

2,651

$

13

$

32,922

Services transferred over a

period of time...........................

187

187

$

1,989

3,572

4,658

7,833

—

$

3,107

$

3,651

$

4,859

$

36,693

$

2,651

$

—

13

$

18,239

51,161

Remaining Performance Obligations

Private Equity

In our construction services business, backlog is defined as revenue yet to be delivered (i.e. remaining performance obligations) 
on construction projects that have been secured via an executed contract, work order or letter of intent. As at December 31, 2019 
our  backlog  of  construction  projects  was  approximately  $7.0  billion  (2018  –  $8.0  billion),  with  an  overall  weighted-average 
remaining project life of approximately two years (2018 – two years).

In our Brazilian water and wastewater services business, our long-term, inflation-adjusted concession service contracts with various 
municipalities have an average remaining contract duration of 24 years as at December 31, 2019 (2018 – 25 years).

Others

In our asset management, infrastructure and renewable power businesses, revenue is generally recognized as invoiced for contracts 
recognized over a period of time as the amounts invoiced are commensurate with the value provided to the customers.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    202

c)  Lease Income

Our leases in which the Company is a lessor are primarily operating in nature. Total lease income from our assets leased out on 
operating leases totaled $6.8 billion including $67 million of income related to variable lease income that is not dependent on an 
index or rate. 

The following table presents the undiscounted contractual earnings receivable of the company’s leases by expected period of 
receipt:

AS AT DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)

Payments Receivable by Period

Less than 1
Year

1 – 3 
Years

4 – 5
Years 

After 5
Years 

Total 

Receivables from lease contracts ............................... $

4,514

$

8,239

$

6,744

$

15,875

$

35,372

23.  DIRECT COSTS

Direct costs include all attributable expenses except interest, depreciation and amortization, taxes and fair value changes and 
primarily relate to cost of sales and compensation. The following table lists direct costs for 2019 and 2018 by nature:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Cost of sales....................................................................................................................................................... $

2019

2018

41,463

$

37,506

Compensation ....................................................................................................................................................

Selling, general and administrative expenses....................................................................................................

Property taxes, sales taxes and other .................................................................................................................

6,035

2,612

2,618

3,954

1,765

2,294

$

52,728

$

45,519

24.  FAIR VALUE CHANGES

Fair value changes recorded in net income represent gains or losses arising from changes in the fair value of assets and liabilities, 
including derivative financial instruments, accounted for using the fair value method and are comprised of the following:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Investment properties ........................................................................................................................................ $

2019

1,710

$

Transaction related (losses) gains, net of deal costs..........................................................................................

Financial contracts.............................................................................................................................................

Impairment and provisions ................................................................................................................................

Other fair value changes....................................................................................................................................

(895)

(140)

(825)

(681)

2018

1,610

1,132

(189)

(309)

(450)

$

(831) $

1,794

25.  DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The company’s activities expose it to a variety of financial risks, including market risk (i.e. currency risk, interest rate risk and 
other price risk), credit risk and liquidity risk. The company selectively uses derivative financial instruments principally to manage 
these risks.

The aggregate notional amount of the company’s derivative positions at December 31, 2019 and 2018 is as follows:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Foreign exchange ...............................................................................................................................
Interest rates .......................................................................................................................................
Credit default swaps ...........................................................................................................................
Equity derivatives...............................................................................................................................

Commodity instruments .....................................................................................................................
Energy (GWh) .................................................................................................................................
Natural gas (MMBtu – 000’s)..........................................................................................................

203    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

$

Note
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)

(e)

2019
37,334
51,619
39
2,517

2019
25,136
78,364

$

2018
33,298
38,490
56
1,375

2018
14,752
63,076

a)  Foreign Exchange

The company held the following foreign exchange contracts with notional amounts at December 31, 2019 and 2018:

(MILLIONS)
Foreign exchange contracts

Canadian dollars.................................................................................................. $
British pounds .....................................................................................................
European Union euros.........................................................................................
Australian dollars ................................................................................................
Indian rupee.........................................................................................................
Chilean peso ........................................................................................................
Korean won1........................................................................................................
Chinese yuan1......................................................................................................
Japanese yen1.......................................................................................................
Colombian pesos1
Brazilian reais......................................................................................................
Swedish krona .....................................................................................................
Other currencies ..................................................................................................

Cross currency interest rate swaps

Canadian dollars..................................................................................................
European Union euros.........................................................................................
Australian dollars ................................................................................................
Japanese yen1.......................................................................................................
British pounds .....................................................................................................
Colombian pesos1................................................................................................
Other currencies ..................................................................................................

Foreign exchange futures
   Brazilian reais .....................................................................................................
Foreign exchange options

British pounds .....................................................................................................
Chinese yuan .......................................................................................................
Indian rupee.........................................................................................................
European Union euros.........................................................................................
Other currencies ..................................................................................................

1.  Average rate is quoted using USD as base currency.

Notional Amount 
(U.S. Dollars)
2019

2018

Average Exchange Rate
2018

2019

$

6,839
7,874
2,069
3,989
240
548
687
1,862
111
534
484
1,578
584

4,493
103
2,033
18
267
100
—

4,959
4,952
3,829
3,781
697
615
561
543
404
370
78
94
436

4,167
1,914
1,454
750
257
125
15

38

—

1,338
—
—
1,544
—

1,736
500
500
463
98

0.75
1.27
1.16
0.71
73.55
722.08
1,173
5.42
104.58
3,416
0.24
9.10
various

0.77
1.09
0.98
110.00
1.49
3,463
—

0.25

1.43
—
—
1.12
—

0.76
1.32
1.21
0.74
72.73
647.37
1,102
6.85
104.45
2,977
0.24
7.87
various

0.75
1.06
1.00
113.32
1.49
3,056
Various

—

1.31
7.10
67.95
1.15
Various

Included  in  net  income  are  unrealized  net  gains  on  foreign  currency  derivative  contracts  amounting  to  $201  million
(2018 – $457 million) and included in the cumulative translation adjustment account in other comprehensive income are losses 
in respect of foreign currency contracts entered into for hedging purposes amounting to $409 million (2018 – gains of $1.3 billion).

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    204

b)  Interest Rates

At  December 31,  2019,  the  company  held  interest  rate  swap  and  forward  starting  swap  contracts  having  an  aggregate 
notional amount of $25.0 billion (2018 – $13.9 billion), interest rate swaptions with an aggregate notional amount of $nil (2018
– $5.3 billion) and interest rate cap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $26.6 billion (2018 – $19.3 billion).

c)  Credit Default Swaps

As at December 31, 2019, the company held credit default swap contracts with an aggregate notional amount of $39 million 
(2018 – $56 million). Credit default swaps are contracts which are designed to compensate the purchaser for any change in the value 
of an underlying reference asset, based on measurement in credit spreads, upon the occurrence of predetermined credit events. 
The company is entitled to receive payments in the event of a predetermined credit event for up to $nil (2018 – $56 million) of 
the notional amount and could be required to make payments in respect of $nil (2018 – $nil) of the notional amount.

d)  Equity Derivatives

At  December 31,  2019,  the  company  held  equity  derivatives  with  a  notional  amount  of  $2.5  billion  (2018 –  $1.4  billion) 
which includes  $541  million  (2018 – $1.1  billion)  notional  amount  that  hedges  long-term  compensation  arrangements.  The 
balance represents common equity and ETF positions established in connection with the company’s investment activities. The fair 
value of these instruments was reflected in the company’s consolidated financial statements at year end.

e)  Commodity Instruments

The company has entered into energy derivative contracts primarily to hedge the sale of generated power. The company endeavors 
to link forward electricity sale derivatives to specific periods in which it expects to generate electricity for sale. All energy derivative 
contracts are recorded at an amount equal to fair value and are reflected in the company’s consolidated financial statements. The 
company has financial contracts outstanding on 78,364,000 MMBtu’s (2018 – 63,076,000 MMBtu’s) of natural gas as part of its 
electricity sale price risk mitigation strategy.

Other Information Regarding Derivative Financial Instruments

The following table classifies derivatives elected for hedge accounting during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 as 
either cash flow hedges or net investment hedges. Changes in the fair value of the effective portion of the hedge are recorded in 
either other comprehensive income or net income, depending on the hedge classification, whereas changes in the fair value of the 
ineffective portion of the hedge are recorded in net income:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Cash flow hedges1 ..................................................... $
Net investment hedges...............................................

Notional

32,709

22,790

$

55,499

2019

2018

Effective
Portion

Ineffective
Portion

$

$

(89) $

(433)

(522) $

20

16

36

Notional

$

$

24,999

17,319

42,318

Effective
Portion

Ineffective
Portion

$

$

38

999

1,037

$

$

(3)

9

6

1.  Notional amount does not include 14,485 GWh, 12,164 MMBtu – 000’s and 2,273 bbls – millions of commodity derivatives at December 31, 2019 (2018 – 6,040 GWh, 

8,423 MMBtu – 000’s and 3,151 bbls – millions).

205    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

The following table presents the change in fair values of the company’s derivative positions during the years ended December 31, 
2019  and  2018,  for  derivatives  that  are  fair  valued  through  profit  or  loss,  and  derivatives  that  qualify  for  hedge  accounting:

(MILLIONS)

Unrealized
Gains
During 2019

Unrealized
Losses
During 2019

Net Change
During 2019

Net Change
During 2018

Foreign exchange derivatives............................................................... $

419

$

(218) $

201

$

Interest rate derivatives ........................................................................

Credit default swaps.............................................................................

Equity derivatives.................................................................................

Commodity derivatives ........................................................................

43

—

24

56

(264)

(1)

(11)

(29)

$

542

$

(523) $

(221)

(1)

13

27

19

$

457

(17)

3

(129)

(66)

248

The following table presents the notional amounts underlying the company’s derivative instruments by term to maturity as at 
December 31, 2019 and 2018, for derivatives that are classified as fair value through profit or loss, and derivatives that qualify 
for hedge accounting:

AS AT DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)

Fair value through profit or loss

2019

2018

<1 Year

1 to 5 Years

>5 Years

Total Notional
Amount

Total Notional
Amount

Foreign exchange derivatives....................... $

5,986

$

1,803

$

157

$

7,946 $

Interest rate derivatives ................................

Credit default swaps.....................................

Equity derivatives.........................................

Commodity instruments

Energy (GWh) ...........................................

Natural gas (MMBtu – 000’s)....................

Elected for hedge accounting

8,293

10

1,589

1,997

66,200

13,402

29

928

8,655

—

1,036

—

—

—

—

22,731

39

2,517

10,652

66,200

Foreign exchange derivatives....................... $

15,935

$

12,333

$

1,119

$

29,387 $

Interest rate derivatives ................................

Equity derivatives.........................................

Commodity instruments

Energy (GWh) ...........................................

Natural gas (MMBtu – 000’s)....................

6,489

—

7,880

12,164

18,405

—

4,596

—

3,994

—

2,009

—

28,888

—

14,485

12,164

9,303

16,621

56

1,375

8,712

54,653

23,995

21,869

—

6,040

8,423

26.  MANAGEMENT OF RISKS ARISING FROM HOLDING FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The company is exposed to the following risks as a result of holding financial instruments: market risk (i.e., interest rate risk, 
currency exchange risk and other price risk that impact the fair value of financial instruments), credit risk and liquidity risk. The 
following is a description of these risks and how they are managed: 

a)  Market Risk 

Market risk is defined for these purposes as the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument held by the 
company will fluctuate because of changes in market prices. Market risk includes the risk of changes in interest rates, currency 
exchange rates and changes in market prices due to factors other than interest rates or currency exchange rates, such as changes 
in equity prices, commodity prices or credit spreads. 

The company manages market risk from foreign currency assets and liabilities and the impact of changes in currency exchange 
rates and interest rates by funding assets with financial liabilities in the same currency and with similar interest rate characteristics, 
and by holding financial contracts such as interest rate and foreign exchange derivatives to minimize residual exposures. 

Financial instruments held by the company that are subject to market risk include other financial assets, borrowings and derivative 
instruments such as interest rate, currency, equity and commodity contracts. 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    206

i. 

Interest Rate Risk 

The observable impacts on the fair values and future cash flows of financial instruments that can be directly attributable to interest 
rate risk include changes in the net income from financial instruments whose cash flows are determined with reference to floating 
interest rates and changes in the value of financial instruments whose cash flows are fixed in nature. 

The company’s assets largely consist of long-duration interest-sensitive physical assets. Accordingly, the company’s financial 
liabilities consist primarily of long-term fixed-rate debt or floating-rate debt that has been swapped with interest rate derivatives. 
These financial liabilities are, with few exceptions, recorded at their amortized cost. The company also holds interest rate caps to 
limit its exposure to increases in interest rates on floating rate debt that has not been swapped, and holds interest rate contracts 
to lock in fixed rates on anticipated future debt issuances and as an economic hedge against the changes in value of long duration 
interest sensitive physical assets that have not been otherwise matched with fixed rate debt. 

The result of a 50 basis-point increase in interest rates on the company’s net floating rate financial assets and liabilities would 
have resulted in a corresponding decrease in net income before tax of $246 million (2018 – $198 million) on a current basis.

Changes in the value of fair value through profit or loss interest rate contracts are recorded in net income and changes in the value 
of contracts that are elected for hedge accounting are recorded in other comprehensive income. The impact of a 50 basis-point 
parallel increase in the yield curve on the aforementioned financial instruments is estimated to result in a corresponding increase 
in net income before tax of $146 million (2018 – $128 million) and an increase in other comprehensive income of $309 million
(2018 – $149 million), for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

ii.  Currency Exchange Rate Risk

Changes  in  currency  rates  will  impact  the  carrying  value  of  financial  instruments  denominated  in  currencies  other  than  the 
U.S. dollar.

The company holds financial instruments with net unmatched exposures in several currencies, changes in the translated value of 
which are recorded in net income. The impact of a 1% increase in the U.S. dollar against these currencies would have resulted in 
an $74 million (2018 – $80 million) increase in the value of these positions on a combined basis. The impact on cash flows from 
financial instruments would be insignificant. The company holds financial instruments to limit its exposure to the impact of foreign 
currencies on its net investments in foreign operations whose functional and reporting currencies are other than the U.S. dollar. 
A 1% increase in the U.S. dollar would increase the value of these hedging instruments by $259 million (2018 – $240 million) as 
at December 31, 2019, which would be recorded in other comprehensive income and offset by changes in the U.S. dollar carrying 
value of the net investment being hedged.

iii.  Other Price Risk

Other price risk is the risk of variability in fair value due to movements in equity prices or other market prices such as commodity 
prices and credit spreads. 

Financial instruments held by the company that are exposed to equity price risk include equity securities and equity derivatives. 
A 5% decrease in the market price of equity securities and equity derivatives held by the company, excluding equity derivatives that  
hedge compensation arrangements, would have decreased net income by $14 million (2018 – $50 million) and decreased other  
comprehensive income by $70 million (2018 – $85 million), prior to taxes. The company’s liability in respect of equity compensation 
arrangements is subject to variability based on changes in the company’s underlying common share price. The company holds 
equity derivatives to hedge almost all of the variability. A 5% change in the common equity price of the company in respect of 
compensation  agreements  would  increase  the  compensation  liability  and  compensation  expense  by  $75  million  (2018  – 
$53 million). This increase would be offset by a $80 million (2018 – $53 million) change in value of the associated equity derivatives 
of which $75 million (2018 – $51 million) would offset the above-mentioned increase in compensation expense and the remaining 
$5 million (2018 – $2 million) would be recorded in other comprehensive income.

The company sells power and generation capacity under long-term agreements and financial contracts to stabilize future revenues. 
Certain of the contracts are considered financial instruments and are recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements, 
with changes in value being recorded in either net income or other comprehensive income as applicable. A 5% increase in energy 
prices would have decreased net income for the year ended December 31, 2019 by approximately $5 million (2018 – $9 million) 
and decreased other comprehensive income by $nil (2018 – $9 million), prior to taxes. The corresponding increase in the value 
of the revenue or capacity being contracted, however, is not recorded in net income until subsequent periods.

207    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

The company held credit default swap contracts with a total notional amount of $42 million (2018 – $63 million) at December 31, 
2019. The company is exposed to changes in the credit spread of the contracts’ underlying reference assets. A 50 basis-point 
increase in the credit spread of the underlying reference assets would have increased net income by $1 million (2018 – $1 million) 
for the year ended December 31, 2019, prior to taxes.

b)  Credit Risk

Credit risk is the risk of loss due to the failure of a borrower or counterparty to fulfill its contractual obligations. The company’s 
exposure to credit risk in respect of financial instruments relates primarily to counterparty obligations regarding derivative contracts, 
loans receivable and credit investments such as bonds and preferred shares.

The  company  assesses  the  creditworthiness  of  each  counterparty  before  entering  into  contracts  with  a  view  to  ensuring  that 
counterparties  meet  minimum  credit  quality  requirements.  Management  evaluates  and  monitors  counterparty  credit  risk  for 
derivative  financial  instruments  and  endeavors  to  minimize  counterparty  credit  risk  through  diversification,  collateral 
arrangements, and other credit risk mitigation techniques. The credit risk of derivative financial instruments is generally limited 
to the positive fair value of the instruments, which, in general, tends to be a relatively small proportion of the notional value. 
Substantially all of the company’s derivative financial instruments involve either counterparties that are banks or other financial 
institutions in North America, the United Kingdom and Australia, or arrangements that have embedded credit risk mitigation 
features. The company does not expect to incur credit losses in respect of any of these counterparties. The maximum exposure in 
respect of loans receivable and credit investments is equal to the carrying value.

c)  Liquidity Risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the company cannot meet a demand for cash or fund an obligation as it comes due. Liquidity risk 
also includes the risk of not being able to liquidate assets in a timely manner at a reasonable price. 

To help ensure the company is able to react to contingencies and investment opportunities quickly, the company maintains sources 
of liquidity at the corporate and subsidiary levels. The primary source of liquidity consists of cash and other financial assets, net 
of deposits and other associated liabilities, and undrawn committed credit facilities.

The company is subject to the risks associated with debt financing, including the ability to refinance indebtedness at maturity. The 
company believes these risks are mitigated through the use of long-term debt secured by high quality assets, maintaining debt 
levels that are in management’s opinion relatively conservative, and by diversifying maturities over an extended period of time. 
The company also seeks to include in its agreements terms that protect the company from liquidity issues of counterparties that 
might otherwise impact the company’s liquidity.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    208

The following tables present the contractual maturities of the company’s financial liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2018.

AS AT DEC. 31, 2019
(MILLIONS)
Principal repayments

Payments Due by Period

<1 Year

1 to 3 Years

4 to 5 Years

After 5 Years

Total

Corporate borrowings .............................. $

— $

269

$

1,597

$

5,217

$

7,083

Non-recourse borrowings of managed
entities....................................................
Subsidiary equity obligations ..................

Interest expense1

Corporate borrowings ..............................
Non-recourse borrowings ........................
Subsidiary equity obligations ..................
Lease Obligations2......................................

15,563
188

327
5,210
151
766

28,396
1,677

629
8,524
261
1,171

34,602
745

551
6,641
212
992

57,731
1,522

1,714
7,749
107
11,064

136,292
4,132

3,221
28,124
731
13,993

1.  Represents the aggregated interest expense expected to be paid over the term of the obligations. Variable interest rate payments have been calculated based on current rates.
2.  The lease obligations as disclosed in the table above include leases that are classified as finance leases, short-term leases, low-value leases and variable lease payments 

not based on an index or rate, which are immaterial.

AS AT DEC. 31, 2018
(MILLIONS)
Principal repayments

Payments Due by Period

<1 Year

1 to 3 Years

4 to 5 Years

After 5 Years

Total

Corporate borrowings .............................. $

440

$

257

$

441

$

5,271

$

6,409

Non-recourse borrowings of managed
entities....................................................
Subsidiary equity obligations ..................

Interest expense1

Corporate borrowings ..............................
Non-recourse borrowings ........................
Subsidiary equity obligations ..................

11,159
185

278
5,126
151

34,055
1,417

535
8,124
307

24,633
356

504
5,820
218

41,962
1,918

1,697
7,324
209

111,809
3,876

3,014
26,394
885

1.  Represents the aggregated interest expense expected to be paid over the term of the obligations. Variable interest rate payments have been calculated based on current rates.

27.  CAPITAL MANAGEMENT

The capital of the company consists of the components of equity in the company’s consolidated balance sheet (i.e., common and 
preferred equity). As at December 31, 2019, the recorded values of these items in the company’s consolidated financial statements 
totaled $35.0 billion (2018 – $29.8 billion).

The company’s objectives when managing this capital are to maintain an appropriate balance between holding a sufficient amount 
of capital to support its operations, which includes maintaining investment-grade ratings at the corporate level and providing 
shareholders with a prudent amount of corporate debt to enhance returns. Corporate debt, which includes subsidiary obligations 
that are guaranteed by the company or are otherwise considered corporate in nature, totaled $7.1 billion based on carrying values 
at December 31, 2019 (2018 – $6.4 billion). The company monitors its capital base and leverage primarily in the context of its 
deconsolidated debt-to-total capitalization ratios. The ratio as at December 31, 2019 was 15% (2018 – 17%).

The consolidated capitalization of the company includes the capital and financial obligations of consolidated entities, including 
long-term property-specific borrowings, subsidiary borrowings, capital securities as well as common and preferred equity held 
by other investors in these entities. The capital in these entities is managed at the entity level with oversight by management of 
the company. The capital is managed with the objective of maintaining investment-grade levels in most circumstances and is, 
except in limited and carefully managed circumstances, without any recourse to the company. Management of the company also 
takes  into  consideration  capital  requirements  of  consolidated  and  non-consolidated  entities  in  which  it  has  interests  in  when 
considering the appropriate level of capital and liquidity on a deconsolidated basis.

The company is subject to limited covenants in respect of its corporate debt and is in full compliance with all such covenants as 
at December 31, 2019 and 2018. The company is also in compliance with all covenants and other capital requirements related to 
regulatory or contractual obligations of material consequence to the company.

209    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

28.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

a)  Related Parties

Related parties include subsidiaries, associates, joint ventures, key management personnel, the Board of Directors (“Directors”), 
immediate family members of key management personnel and Directors and entities which are directly or indirectly controlled 
by, jointly controlled by or significantly influenced by key management personnel, Directors or their close family members. 

b)  Key Management Personnel and Directors

Key management personnel are those individuals who have the authority and responsibility for planning, directing and controlling 
the company’s activities, directly or indirectly, and consist of the company’s Senior Executives. The company’s Directors do not 
plan, direct or control the activities of the company directly; they provide oversight over the business.

The remuneration of key management personnel and Directors of the company during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 
2018 was as follows:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Salaries, incentives and short-term benefits ...................................................................................................... $

Share-based payments .......................................................................................................................................

$

2019

19

46

65

$

$

2018

21

90

111

The remuneration of key management personnel and Directors is determined by the Management Resources and Compensation 
Committee of the Board of Directors having regard to the performance of individuals and market funds.

c)  Related Party Transactions

In the normal course of operations, the company executes transactions on market terms with related parties that have been measured 
at exchange value and are recognized in the consolidated financial statements, including, but not limited to: base management 
fees, performance fees and incentive distributions; loans, interest and non-interest bearing deposits; power purchase and sale 
agreements; capital commitments to private funds; the acquisition and disposition of assets and businesses; derivative contracts; 
and the construction and development of assets. Transactions and balances between consolidated entities are fully eliminated 
upon consolidation.

The following table lists the related party balances included within the consolidated financial statements for the years ended 
December 31, 2019 and 2018:

FOR THE YEARS ENDED DEC. 31
(MILLIONS)
Management fees received ................................................................................................................................ $

2019

97

$

2018

56

29.  OTHER INFORMATION

a)  Guarantees and Contingencies

In  the  normal  course  of  business,  the  company  enters  into  contractual  obligations  which  include  commitments  to  provide 
bridge financing, letters of credit, guarantees and reinsurance obligations. As at December 31, 2019, the company had $4.1 billion
(2018 – $3.1 billion) of such commitments outstanding. 

In addition, the company executes agreements that provide for indemnifications and guarantees to third parties in transactions or 
dealings such as business dispositions, business acquisitions, sales of assets, provision of services, securitization agreements and 
underwriting  and  agency  agreements.  The  company  has  also  agreed  to  indemnify  its  directors  and  certain  of  its  officers 
and employees. The nature of substantially all of the indemnification undertakings prevents the company from making a reasonable 
estimate of the maximum potential amount the company could be required to pay third parties, as in most cases, the agreements 
do not specify a maximum amount, and the amounts are dependent upon the outcome of future contingent events, the nature and 
likelihood of which cannot be determined at this time. Neither the company nor its consolidated subsidiaries have made significant 
payments in the past nor do they expect at this time to make any significant payments under such indemnification agreements 
in the future.

The company periodically enters into joint ventures, consortium or other arrangements that have contingent liquidity rights in 
favor  of  the  company  or  its  counterparties.  These  include  buy  sell  arrangements,  registration  rights  and  other  customary 
arrangements that generally have embedded protective terms that mitigate the risk to us. The amount, timing and likelihood of 

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    210

any  payments  by  the  company  under  these  arrangements  is,  in  most  cases,  dependent  on  either  further  contingent  events  or 
circumstances applicable to the counterparty and therefore cannot be determined at this time.

The company is contingently liable with respect to litigation and claims that arise in the normal course of business. It is not 
reasonably possible that any of the ongoing litigation as at December 31, 2019 could result in a material settlement liability.

The company has insurance for damage and business interruption costs sustained as a result of an act of terrorism. The amount 
of coverage is reviewed on an individual basis and can range up to $4 billion. However, a terrorist act could have a material effect 
on the company’s assets to the extent damages exceed coverage.

The company, through its subsidiaries within the residential properties operations, is contingently liable for obligations of its 
associates in its land development joint ventures. In each case, all of the assets of the joint venture are available first for the purpose 
of  satisfying  these  obligations,  with  the  balance  shared  among  the  participants  in  accordance  with  predetermined  joint 
venture arrangements.

The Corporation has entered into arrangements with respect to the $1.8 billion of exchangeable preferred equity units issued by 
BPY discussed in Note 19, which are redeemable in equal tranches of $600 million in 2021, 2024 and 2026, respectively. 

The preferred equity units are exchangeable into equity units of BPY at $25.70 per unit, at the option of the holder, at any time 
up to and including the maturity date. BPY may redeem the preferred equity units after specified periods if the BPY equity unit 
price exceeds predetermined amounts. At maturity, the preferred equity units will be converted into BPY equity units at the lower 
of $25.70 or the then market price of a BPY equity unit. In order to provide the purchaser with enhanced liquidity, the Corporation 
has agreed to purchase the preferred equity units for cash at the option of the holder, for the initial purchase price plus accrued 
and unpaid dividends. In order to decrease dilution risk to BPY, the Corporation has agreed with the holder and BPY that if the 
price of a BPY equity unit is less than 80% of the exchange price of $25.70 at the redemption date of the 2021 and 2024 tranches, 
the Corporation will acquire the preferred equity units subject to redemption, at the redemption price, and to exchange these 
preferred equity units for preferred equity units with similar terms and conditions, including redemption date, as the 2026 tranche.

b)  Supplemental Cash Flow Information

During the year, the company capitalized $233 million (2018 – $176 million) of interest primarily to investment properties and 
residential inventory under development.

30.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

On February 21, 2020, the company completed the public offering of $600 million notes due 2050. The notes have a coupon of 
3.45%. The net proceeds from the issuance was partially used in exercising the right to redeem the $269 million (C$350 million), 
5.30% notes outstanding, due on March 1, 2021. 

Subsequent to December 31, 2019, the Board of Directors also approved a three-for-two stock split of the company’s outstanding 
Class A Shares. The stock dividend will be payable on April 1, 2020 to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 28, 
2020. Fractional shares will be paid in cash based on the closing price of the Class A Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange on 
the record date.

Subsequent to December 31, 2019, financial markets have been negatively impacted by the novel Coronavirus or COVID-19 
pandemic, which has resulted in economic uncertainty. The company is not able to predict or forecast the extent and duration of 
the economic uncertainty, and consequently, it is difficult to reliably measure the potential impact of this uncertainty on future 
financial results.

211    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Shareholder Information

Shareholder Enquiries

Investor Relations and Communications

Shareholder enquiries should be directed to our Investor Relations 
group at:
Brookfield Asset Management Inc.
Suite 300, Brookfield Place, Box 762, 181 Bay Street
Toronto, Ontario M5J 2T3
T: 416-363-9491 or toll free in North America: 1-866-989-0311
F: 416-363-2856
E: enquiries@brookfield.com
www.bam.brookfield.com

Shareholder enquiries relating to dividends, address changes and share 
certificates should be directed to our Transfer Agent:
AST Trust Company (Canada)
P.O. Box 700, Station B
Montreal, Quebec H3B 3K3
T: 1-877 715-0498  (North America)

416-682-3860 (Outside North America)

F: 1-888-249-6189
E: inquiries@astfinancial.com
www.astfinancial.com/ca-en

Stock Exchange Listings

Class A Limited Voting Shares

Class A Preference Shares
Series 2
Series 4
Series 8
Series 9
Series 13
Series 17
Series 18
Series 24
Series 25
Series 26
Series 28
Series 30
Series 32
Series 34
Series 36
Series 37
Series 38
Series 40
Series 42
Series 44
Series 46
Series 48

Symbol
BAM
BAM.A

Stock Exchange
New York
Toronto

Toronto
BAM.PR.B
Toronto
BAM.PR.C
Toronto
BAM.PR.E
Toronto
BAM.PR.G
BAM.PR.K
Toronto
BAM.PR.M Toronto
Toronto
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We are committed to informing our shareholders of our progress through 
our comprehensive communications program which includes publication 
of materials such as our annual report, quarterly interim reports and news 
releases. We also maintain a website that provides ready access to these 
materials, as well as statutory filings, stock and dividend information and 
other presentations.

Meeting  with  shareholders  is  an  integral  part  of  our  communications 
program. Directors and management meet with Brookfield’s shareholders 
at  our  annual  meeting  and  are  available  to  respond  to  questions. 
Management is also available to investment analysts, financial advisors 
and media.

The text of our 2019 Annual Report is available in French on request from 
the  company  and  is  filed  with  and  available  through  SEDAR  at 
www.sedar.com.

Dividends

The  quarterly  dividend  payable  on  Class A  shares  is  declared  in  U.S. 
dollars.  Registered  shareholders  who  are  U.S.  residents  receive  their 
dividends  in  U.S.  dollars,  unless  they  request  the  Canadian  dollar 
equivalent. Registered shareholders who are Canadian residents receive 
their dividends in the Canadian dollar equivalent, unless they request to 
receive dividends in U.S. dollars. The Canadian dollar equivalent of the 
quarterly dividend is based on the Bank of Canada daily average exchange 
rate  exactly  two  weeks  (or  14 days)  prior  to  the  payment  date  for  the 
dividend.

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

The  Corporation  has  a  Dividend  Reinvestment  Plan  which  enables 
registered holders of Class A Shares who are resident in Canada and the 
United  States  to  receive  their  dividends  in  the  form  of  newly  issued 
Class A shares.

Registered  shareholders  of  our  Class A  shares  who  are  resident  in  the 
United  States  may  elect  to  receive  their  dividends  in  the  form  of 
newly issued  Class A  shares  at  a  price  equal  to  the  volume-weighted 
average price (in U.S. dollars) at which the shares traded on the New York 
Stock Exchange based on the average closing price during each of the five 
trading days immediately preceding the relevant dividend payment date 
(the “NYSE VWAP”).

Registered  shareholders  of  our  Class A  shares  who  are  resident  in 
Canada may  also  elect  to  receive  their  dividends  in  the  form  of  newly 
issued Class A shares at a price equal to the NYSE VWAP multiplied by 
an exchange factor which is calculated as the average of the daily average 
exchange rates as reported by the Bank of Canada during each of the five 
trading days immediately preceding the relevant dividend payment date.

Our  Dividend  Reinvestment  Plan  allows  current  shareholders  of  the 
Corporation who are resident in Canada and the United States to increase 
their investment in the Corporation free of commissions. Further details 
on  the  Dividend  Reinvestment  Plan  and  a  Participation  Form  can  be 
obtained from our Toronto office, our transfer agent or from our website.

Dividend Record and Payment Dates
Security1

Class A and Class B shares

Class A Preference shares

Series 2, 4, 13, 17, 18, 24, 25, 26, 28, 30

Record Date2

Payment Date3

Last day of February, May, August and November

Last day of March, June, September and December

  32, 34, 36, 37, 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48

15th day of March, June, September and December

Last day of March, June, September and December

Series 8

Series 9

Last day of each month

12th day of following month

15th day of January, April, July and October

First day of February, May, August and November

1.    All dividend payments are subject to declaration by the Board of Directors.
2.    If the Record Date is not a business day, the Record Date will be the previous business day.
3.    If the Payment Date is not a business day, the Payment Date will be the previous business day.

2019 ANNUAL REPORT    212

 
Board of Directors and Officers

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

M. Elyse Allan, C.M. 
Former President and Chief Executive 
Officer, General Electric Canada Company 
Inc. and former Vice-President, General 
Electric Co.

Jeffrey M. Blidner 
Vice Chair, 
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. 

Angela F. Braly 
Former Chair of the Board, President and 
Chief Executive Officer, WellPoint, Inc. 
(now known as Anthem, Inc.)

Jack L. Cockwell, C.M. 
Chair, Brookfield Partners Foundation 

Marcel R. Coutu 
Former President and 
Chief Executive Officer, 
Canadian Oil Sands Limited and
former Chair of Syncrude Canada Ltd.

Note: As at March 26, 2020

Murilo Ferreira 
Former Chief Executive Officer, 
Vale S.A.

Rafael Miranda
Former Chief Executive Officer,
Endesa, S.A.

Timothy R. Price 
Corporate Director

Lord O’Donnell 
Chair, Frontier Economics Limited

Seek Ngee Huat 
Former Chair of the Latin American 
Business Group, Government of Singapore 
Investment Corporation 

Diana L. Taylor 
Former Vice Chair, Solera Capital LLC 

Bruce Flatt 
Chief Executive Officer, 
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. 

Maureen Kempston Darkes, O.C., O.ONT. 
Former President, Latin America, Africa 
and Middle East, General Motors 
Corporation 

Brian D. Lawson 
Vice Chair, 
Brookfield Asset Management Inc. 

Howard Marks
Director and Co-chair, 
Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. 

Hon. Frank J. McKenna, P.C., O.C., O.N.B. 
Chair, Brookfield Asset Management 
Inc. and Deputy Chair, Wholesale, 
TD Bank Group

Details  on  Brookfield’s  directors  are  provided  in  the  Management  Information  Circular  and  on  Brookfield’s  website  at 
www.brookfield.com.

CORPORATE OFFICERS

Bruce Flatt, Chief Executive Officer 

Nicholas Goodman, Chief Financial Officer 

Justin B. Beber, Head of Corporate Strategy and Chief Legal Officer 

213    BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT

Brookfield incorporates sustainable development practices within our corporation. 
This document was printed in Canada using vegetable-based inks on FSC® stock.

This page is intentionally left blank

BROOKFIELD ASSET MANAGEMENT INC.

brookfield.com

NYSE: BAM  
TSX: BAM.A

BROOKFIELD CORPORATE OFFICES

United States
Brookfield Place
250 Vesey Street, 15th Floor
New York, NY 
10281-1023 
+1.212.417.7000

Brazil
Avenida das Nações Unidas, 14.261 
Edifício WT Morumbi  
Ala B - 20º andar  
Morumbi - São Paulo - SP 
CEP 04794-000 
+55 (11) 2540.9150

REGIONAL OFFICES

North America
Calgary
Chicago
Houston
Los Angeles
Mexico City
Vancouver

OAKTREE CORPORATE OFFICES

United States
333 South Grand Avenue  
28th Floor
Los Angeles, CA  90071
+1.213.830.6300

Canada
Brookfield Place 
181 Bay Street, Suite 300
Bay Wellington Tower
Toronto, ON M5J 2T3
+1.416.363.9491

United Arab Emirates
Level 15 
Gate Building, DIFC
P.O. Box 507234
Dubai 
+971.4.401.9211

United Kingdom
One Canada Square
Level 25
Canary Wharf
London  E14 5AA
+44 (0) 20.7659.3500

India 
8th Floor
A Wing, One BKC
Bandra Kurla Complex
Bandra East
Mumbai 400 051
+91.22.6600.0700

Australia
Level 22
135 King Street
Sydney, NSW 2000
+61.2.9158.5100

China
Suite 2101,  
Shui On Plaza 
No. 333 Huai Hai Road
Shanghai 200021
+86.21.2306.0700

South America 
Bogota
Lima
Rio de Janeiro

Europe  
Madrid 
Frankfurt 
Luxembourg

Asia Pacific 
New Delhi 
Hong Kong
Seoul
Singapore
Tokyo

United States
1301 Avenue of the Americas
34th Floor
New York, NY 10019
+1.212.284.1900

United Kingdom
Verde
10 Bressenden Place
London SW1E 5DH
United Kingdom
+44 (0) 20.7201.4600

Hong Kong
Suite 2001, 20/F, 
Champion Tower
3 Garden Road
Central, Hong Kong
+852.3655.6800