Notes to the separate financial statements for HHLA prepared in line with the German Commercial Code (HGB)

Unlike the consolidated financial statements, the annual financial statements for Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (HHLA AG) are not prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (). Instead, they are based on the regulations contained in the German Commercial Code (HGB).

Company Overview

Structure and commercial activities

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik Aktiengesellschaft (HHLA AG) is a leading European port logistics group. HHLA AG is the parent company of the HHLA Group and runs the Group as a strategic management holding company. Its operations are carried out by the 27 domestic and 15 foreign subsidiaries that make up the consolidated group. In the 2018 financial year, HHLA AG acquired the Estonian operator Transiidikeskuse AS, took over the remaining shares in METRANS a.s. in the segment and restructured its Polish rail business. No other significant legal or organisational changes were made.

HHLA AG is a legally independent company and was split into two divisions – the A division and the S division – as part of the initial public offering on 2 November 2007.

The A division represents the Port Logistics subgroup. The class A shares, which are listed on the stock exchange, entitle shareholders merely to participate in the result and net assets of these commercial operations. The performance and economic  of the Real Estate subgroup are attributed to the S division. Class S shares are not traded on the stock exchange and are held solely by the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg (FHH). In the unlikely and unprecedented event of the Real Estate subgroup reporting a loss, this would be indirectly transferred to the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg in line with a separate agreement to assume losses.

Employees

HHLA AG had a total of 1,045 employees as of 31 December 2018 (previous year: 1,073). Of this number, 290 received wages (previous year: 303), 714 received a salary (previous year: 725) and 41 were apprentices (previous year: 45). Of the 1,045 staff members, 481 were assigned to companies within the HHLA Group in the reporting year.

Economic environment

Industry and macroeconomic developments are largely in line with those at the HHLA Group.

Earnings position

Key figures

in € million

 

2018

 

2017

 

Change

Revenue

 

122.8

 

127.6

 

- 3.7 %

Other income and expenses

 

- 156.1

 

- 164.9

 

5.4 %

Operating result

 

- 33.3

 

- 37.3

 

10.8 %

Financial result

 

- 27.2

 

- 22.4

 

- 21.5 %

Result from equity investments

 

125.6

 

93.1

 

34.9 %

Income taxes

 

- 8.9

 

- 9.3

 

4.4 %

Net profit

 

56.2

 

24.1

 

133.1 %

The revenue recorded by HHLA AG resulted mainly from the charging of personnel expenses for holding company staff assigned to the spun-off Container and Logistics segments and from billing administrative services for IT systems which are pooled with HHLA. totalled € 122.8 million in the reporting year (previous year: € 127.6 million). The decrease of € 4.8 million was mainly due to the reduced allocation of personnel expenses for holding company staff assigned to other segments.

Other income and expenses improved earnings by an additional € 8.8 million compared with the previous year. This was largely due to expenses in the previous year relating to the reorganisation of the Container segment.

The year-on-year decrease in the financial result was mainly attributable to interest rate-related changes to provisions.

The development of income from equity investments was mainly due to the performance of the Intermodal segment. The net profits of HHLA AG’s affiliates and equity recognised in profit or loss rose year-on-year by € 32.5 million to € 125.6 million (previous year: € 93.1 million).

The € 0.4 million decline in income taxes stemmed mainly from the decrease in the operating and financial result.

The company’s annual net profit amounted to € 56.2 million in the reporting period (previous year: € 24.1 million). The A division accounted for € 47.7 million of this amount (previous year: € 14.7 million) and the S division for € 8.5 million (previous year: € 9.4 million).

Forecast and actual figures

in € million

 

Actual 2017

 

Forecast 2018

 

Actual 2018

Net profit

 

24.1

 

Significantly improved

 

56.2

The company’s annual net profit was therefore in line with guidance.  Course of business and economic situation

Assets

Balance sheet structure

in € million

 

31.12.2018

 

31.12.2017

Assets

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

 

29.8

 

23.2

Financial assets

 

424.8

 

376.5

Other assets

 

695.7

 

625.9

Balance sheet total

 

1,150.3

 

1,025.6

 

 

 

 

 

Equity and liabilities

 

 

 

 

Equity

 

478.1

 

474.3

Pension provisions

 

323.9

 

309.6

Other liabilities

 

348.3

 

241.7

Balance sheet total

 

1,150.3

 

1,025.6

Equity ratio in %

 

41.6

 

46.2

Intensity of investments in %

 

2.6

 

2.3

The carrying values of intangible assets and property, plant and equipment amounted to € 29.8 million at the end of the reporting period (previous year: € 23.2 million). Capital expenditure totalled € 9.8 million in the reporting period (previous year: € 8.3 million). Capital expenditure focused mainly on expanding the IT landscape.

The increase in financial assets of € 48.3 million to € 424.8 million was primarily due to the above-mentioned takeover of the remaining shares in METRANS a.s.

Development in pension provisions

in € thousand

 

2018

 

2017

*

In the year under review, a transfer amount resulted from the harmonisation of the existing old-age provision systems. In the previous year, HHLA Container Terminals Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung was merged with HHLA AG.

Carrying amount on 1 January

 

309,575

 

303,327

Transfer amount / Merger effect*

 

4,296

 

5,555

Expense recognised in profit and loss

 

29,210

 

19,891

Pension payments

 

- 19,193

 

- 19,198

Carrying amount on 31 December

 

323,888

 

309,575

HHLA AG uses the projected unit credit method to value entitlements associated with existing pension obligations. Future obligations are projected based on past service and possible future service prior to the insured event occurring. Anticipated future pension and pay increases are also taken into account. An average market interest rate for the past ten years of 3.21 % set by Deutsche Bundesbank was applied for the reporting year (previous year: 3.68 %).

In accordance with Section 253 (2) sentence 2 HGB, a remaining term of 15 years is used as a basis. Pension provisions amounted to € 323.9 million at the end of the reporting period (previous year: € 309.6 million).

Financial position

Liquidity analysis

in € million

 

2018

 

2017

*

In the previous year, HHLA Container Terminals Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung and HHLA Logistics GmbH were merged into HHLA AG.

Financial funds as of 01.01.

 

388.4

 

405.3

Merger effect*

 

0.0

 

4.6

Cash flow from operating activities

 

38.2

 

32.3

Cash flow from investing activities

 

- 58.2

 

- 7.1

Cash flow from financing activities

 

47.7

 

- 46.7

Financial funds as of 31.12.

 

416.1

 

388.4

of which receivables from subsidiaries

 

192.3

 

166.4

of which cash and cash equivalents

 

223.8

 

222.0

Cash flow from operating activities totalled € 38.2 million in the reporting year (previous year: € 32.3 million). It was dominated by the operating result. Capital expenditure was funded by using cash flow from operating activities and by taking out a promissory note loan.

In connection with existing cash pooling agreements, financial funds comprised receivables from subsidiaries in the amount of € 192.3 million (previous year: € 166.4 million), cash and cash equivalents in the form of bank balances totalling € 128.8 million (previous year: € 147.9 million) – of which € 20.0 million (previous year: € 20.0 million) was short-term bank deposits – and clearing receivables of € 95.0 million (previous year: € 74.0 million) from HGV Hamburger Gesellschaft für Vermögens- und Beteiligungsmanagement mbH, Hamburg (HGV). The S division of HHLA AG participates in the cash clearing system operated by HGV. The A division also utilises the option of investing surplus liquidity with HGV whenever this is advantageous for HHLA AG.

Risk and opportunity report

Business developments at HHLA AG are mostly subject to the same risks and opportunities as those of the HHLA Group. HHLA AG shares in the risks of its subsidiaries and equity investments in line with its respective shareholding.

As the parent company of the HHLA Group, HHLA AG is incorporated into the Group-wide risk and opportunity management system. The risk and opportunity report contained in the combined management report provides a description of the internal control system as required by Section 289 (5) HGB.  Risk and opportunity report

Business forecast

Outlook

Due to its close ties with the affiliated companies and its weight within the Group, the expectations for HHLA AG are reflected in the business forecast for the Group as a whole. It is anticipated that the statements made for the HHLA Group regarding market and revenue developments will largely be mirrored by the revenue of HHLA AG. Furthermore, the income from equity investments is expected to make a substantial contribution towards HHLA AG’s earnings.  Business forecast

Expected earnings position in 2019

Based on the expected developments, HHLA AG anticipates net profit for the year on a par with the previous year.

Expected financial position in 2019

HHLA AG expects its financial position to remain stable.

Dividend

As in the previous year, HHLA AG’s appropriation of profits is oriented towards the development of earnings in the financial year ended. The distributable profit and stable financial position provide the foundation for a continuation of the company’s consistent dividend policy.

IFRS

International Financial Reporting Standards.

Terminal

In maritime logistics, a terminal is a facility where freight transported by various modes of transport is handled.

Intermodal/Intermodal Systems

Transportation via several modes of transport (water, rail, road) combining the specific advantages of the respective carriers.

Financial Result

Interest income – interest expenses +/– earnings from companies accounted for using the equity method +/– other financial result.

Revenue

Revenue from sales or lettings and from services rendered, less sales deductions and VAT.

Investments

Payments for investments in property, plant and equipment, investment property and intangible assets.