On its December 31, 2017, balance sheet, Estes Co. reported its investment in trading securities, which had cost $500,000, at fair value of $475,000. At December 31, 2018, the fair value of the securities was $492,500. What should Estes report on its 2018 income statement as a result of the increase in fair value of the investments in 2018?

Estes must adjust the Securities Fair Value Adjustment account (which is a contra asset account) by debiting $17,500 ( = $475,000 - $492,500). Since the investment in trading securities is considered an asset but it had lost value, an unrealized loss of $25,000 was reported in its 2017 balance. Since the investment's value has increased, the unrealized loss has to decrease. This is done by crediting an unrealized gain of $17,500 in the Unrealized Gains account (equity account).