Step 1: Analyze the Transaction
When debentures are converted into equity shares, it’s a non-cash transaction. The company doesn’t receive or pay any cash. Instead, it’s an accounting adjustment:
- The debenture liability is removed from the balance sheet.
- The equity share capital increases by the value of the shares issued.
Step 2: Determine the Cash Flow Impact
Since no cash changes hands during the conversion:
- It’s not an inflow of cash (no cash is received).
- It’s not an outflow of cash (no cash is paid out).
- Cash and cash equivalents (like bank balances) are unaffected because there’s no cash movement.
- This is a no flow of cash transaction, as it’s just a book entry adjusting liabilities and equity.
Step 3: Accounting Perspective
In accounting:
- The balance sheet shows a decrease in debentures (liabilities) and an increase in share capital (equity).
- This transaction doesn’t appear in the cash flow statement because it’s a non-cash financing activity.
- It may be disclosed in the notes to the financial statements as a significant non-cash transaction.
Evaluate the Options
Let’s check the options:
- Option 1: Inflow of Cash: Incorrect, as no cash is received.
- Option 2: Cash and Cash Equivalents: Incorrect, as cash and cash equivalents are not impacted (no change in cash occurs).
- Option 3: Outflow of Cash: Incorrect, as no cash is paid out.
- Option 4: No Flow of Cash: Correct, as this is a non-cash transaction.
Final Answer
If debentures are converted into equity shares, it is a No Flow of Cash transaction, which matches Option 4.