PSX Clarity
C
Glossary · PSX term

Contingent liability.

A contingent liability is a possible future obligation that depends on an uncertain event.

Definition

Items like lawsuits, guarantees, or tax disputes appear in the notes to accounts rather than the main balance sheet until they become likely. They can become real liabilities that hit future earnings.

Worked example

A pending tax case that could cost a company billions if lost is disclosed as a contingent liability.

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