TIDMINM
RNS Number : 0093A
Independent News & Media PLC
21 March 2017
PROFIT BEFORE TAX GROWTH OF 11.8% TO EUR41.8M
Dublin and London 21 March 2017: Independent News & Media
PLC (INM ID, INM LN) today announces its full year results for the
12 months ended 31 December 2016.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS(1)
(EURm except where 2016(1) 2015 Change
stated)
--------------------------- -------- ------ --------
Total revenue 323.4 321.2 +0.7%
Profit before tax(2) 41.8 37.4 +11.8%
Operating Margin(2) 12.4% 11.8% +60 bps
Basic & Diluted
EPS(2) 2.9c 2.4c +0.5c
Cash and Cash Equivalents 84.8 59.7 +25.1
Net Assets 62.3 44.5 +17.8
--------------------------- -------- ------ --------
-- Total revenue increase of 0.7%
Total revenue of EUR323.4m was up 0.7% on the prior year. This
was driven by a growth in digital revenue (+20.4%) and increased
revenue from distribution, offsetting a continued decline in
publishing advertising revenue, circulation revenue and contract
printing due to the closure of the printing operation in
Belfast.
-- Profit before tax(2) growth of 11.8% to EUR41.8m
Profit before tax(2) growth, including a 53(rd) week, has been
achieved by a significant decrease in pre-distribution operating
costs and a year on year improvement in net interest costs(2) of
EUR2.2m, partially offset by a decline in advertising and
circulation revenue. Earnings per share increased during the year
by 0.5c to 2.9c.
-- Significant decrease in operating costs
A reduction in pre-distribution operating expenses of c.9% was
due to the closure of the printing operation in Belfast, the
continued integration of the Group's operations, the wind up of
GrabOne and operational savings. As a result of the above cost
reductions, operating margin(2) has increased to 12.4%.
-- Balance sheet strength maintained
The cash balance has risen to EUR84.8m, up EUR25.1m year on
year. Net assets currently stand at EUR62.3m, versus net assets of
EUR44.5m as at 31 December 2015, despite an increase in the net
retirement benefit obligation of EUR11.2m.
-- Retirement benefit obligations
The Group notified the Trustees of two of its Republic of
Ireland defined benefit pension schemes of its decision to cease
contributions with effect from 7 November 2016. The Group is
involved in an ongoing process of discussion with the Trustees. The
Group is committed to an outcome that will lead to a more
sustainable pension arrangement, more equitable outcomes between
members and will give all members greater security and control over
their pension savings.
-- Acquisitions
In 2016, the acquisitions of both the remaining 50% shareholding
in CarsIreland.ie and Greer Publications were completed. The Group
continues to actively review potential acquisition opportunities
that generate attractive returns on capital and represent a
strategic fit to the Group. The acquisition of Celtic Media Group
("CMG") is currently in a Phase 2 Review by the Broadcast Authority
of Ireland.
-- Capital Reduction
On 5 December 2016, the shareholders voted to approve the
Capital Reduction resolution at an EGM. The Company has not yet
made an application to the High Court.
1 Results to 31 December 2016 include an extra (53(rd) ) week
and exclude the results of APN - sold in H1 2015.
2 Pre-exceptionals.
3 ABC Jul to Dec 2016.
(4) Per Google Analytics.
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS(1)
-- Total revenue of EUR323.4m, up 0.7% on the prior year.
-- Total advertising revenue declined by 4.7%, driven by a
publishing advertising revenue decrease of 9.2%. Digital revenues
including CarsIreland.ie, continued to grow, increasing 20.4%
throughout the period.
-- Circulation revenue declined by 5.2%.
-- Distribution experienced strong year on year growth due to
new lines of business. The diversification strategy into adjacent
categories continues apace, including entering the Fresh Food
Packaging market through its Reach Retail Services division.
-- Profit before tax(2) growth, including a 53rd week, has been
achieved by a significant decrease in pre-distribution operating
costs and a year on year improvement in net interest costs(2) of
EUR2.2m, partially offset by a decline in advertising and
circulation revenue. Earnings per share increased during the year
by 0.5c to 2.9c.
-- A reduction in pre-distribution operating expenses of c.9%
due to the closure of the printing operation in Belfast, the
continued integration of the Group's operations, the wind up of
GrabOne and operational savings.
-- The Group operating margin(2) is up 0.6% to 12.4%.
-- The cash balance has risen to EUR84.8m, up EUR25.1m year on
year. Net assets currently stand at EUR62.3m, versus net assets of
EUR44.5m as at 31 December 2015.
-- The Group ended the period with an increased cash balance of
EUR84.8m, generated primarily from a strong EBITDA performance,
somewhat offset by exceptional expenditure outflow, acquisition
expenditure including CarsIreland.ie and Greer Publications and a
negative foreign exchange impact.
-- The Group derecognised the net defined benefit obligation
relating to two Republic of Ireland pension schemes with effect
from 7 November 2016. As a consequence, an additional defined
contribution pension provision was created. In 2016, the reduction
in shareholders' equity attributable to the INIL and MSL defined
benefit pension plans amounted to approximately EUR6 million mainly
comprising a deficit on remeasurement of the defined benefit
liabilities in the period from 1 January to 7 November of EUR17.6
million recognised in OCI and a credit to the Group Income
Statement of EUR11.8 million on de-recognition of the defined
benefit plans on 7 November 2016.
-- The Group recorded a total net exceptional gain of EUR10.1m in 2016, which included:
Ø A retirement benefits accounting adjustment of EUR11.8m;
Ø A gain on the disposal of property, plant and equipment in the
Island of Ireland of EUR5.8m; and
Ø A net exceptional charge of EUR7.5m on miscellaneous other
items including tax, impairments, restructuring and acquisition
related expenses in the Group somewhat offset by a EUR2.9m
accounting gain relating to the acquisition of the remaining 50%
interest in Carsireland.ie.
-- The Directors are not proposing a dividend for 2016.
Outlook
The media industry continues to face challenging times with
declining publishing advertising and circulation revenues, and the
current slowdown in digital display advertising. However, despite
these ongoing challenges, the Group anticipates an EBIT performance
in 2017 within market expectations and continued cash
generation.
1 Results to 31 December 2016 include an extra (53(rd) ) week
and exclude the results of APN - sold in H1 2015.
2 Pre-exceptionals.
3 ABC Jul to Dec 2016.
(4) Per Google Analytics.
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Publishing performance
-- The Irish Independent continues to lead the quality daily
market with an ABC(3) of 97,104 maintaining its No.1 position. The
title also experienced a 59% increase in its digital edition
subscriptions and has 50.2% of the daily quality market in the
Republic of Ireland.
-- The Sunday Independent, which recorded an ABC(3) of 191,594,
has c.64% of the Sunday quality market and remains by far the
biggest selling quality Sunday newspaper. Additionally its digital
edition subscriptions saw an increase of 47%. The Sunday
Independent has the largest regular audience on the island of
Ireland across any advertising platform.
-- The Sunday World is the nation's largest tabloid with an
ABC(3) of 149,652 (c.44.7% of the Sunday popular market).
-- The Herald holds the position as the No.1 popular title for
Dubliners, with an ABC(3) of 40,847, and holds 17.9% of the daily
popular market.
-- INM Regional Newspapers are market leaders in every region
they publish (Kerry, Wexford, Sligo and Drogheda/Dundalk).
Advertising revenue locally has remained strong throughout 2016.
Top quality local journalism allied to quality editorial content
continue to drive circulation numbers. The Group's proposed
acquisition of CMG (subject to regulatory approval) will add
further quality regional titles to the Group.
-- The Star is one of Ireland's most popular daily tabloid
newspapers with an ABC(3) of 50,733 and 22.3% of the daily popular
market.
-- In Northern Ireland the Belfast Telegraph, which recorded an
ABC(3) of 40,042, continues to hold a strong No.1 position within
the local daily newspaper market, while the Sunday Life recorded an
ABC(3) of 36,467, performing ahead of local competitors.
-- The strong revenue performance of Newspread, the Group's
wholesale distribution business continued during 2016. Newspread's
diversification strategy into adjacent categories continues apace,
entering the Fresh Food Packaging market through its Reach Retail
Services division.
Digital performance
-- Digital revenues grew by 20.4% year on year driven by the
combined growth in advertising, classifieds and the acquisition of
CarsIreland.ie. As consumers increasingly shift to news consumption
on mobile devices, our newsrooms and technology platforms are well
equipped to meet the always-on expectations of our audiences.
Revenue lines are becoming increasingly diversified with less
dependency on display advertising revenues and growth fuelled by a
combination of native, programmatic audience targeting and
commercial partnerships. The Group is focusing on improving its
capabilities to address the needs of niche audience segments with
several innovations and systems launched during the year.
-- The Group's major publishing portal, independent.ie,
continued to extend its reach throughout 2016, with 25% year on
year growth in traffic. The shift in consumer behaviours towards
always-on mobile news consumption accelerated in 2016 with a 38%
increase in traffic on mobile devices alone. The digital newsroom
is now well equipped to respond to these consumer demands with
virtually 24-hour coverage of breaking news from around the
globe.
-- The relaunch of the mobile app mid-year, helped to deliver a
33% increase in active users in H2. Over 2.2 million unique users
are now consuming content from independent.ie via their mobile
phone each week. The independent.ie platform retains its position
as the leading mobile destination for direct news consumption on
the island.
(1) Results to 31 December 2016 include an extra (53(rd) ) week
and exclude the results of APN - sold in H1 2015.
(2) Pre-exceptionals.
(3) ABC Jul to Dec 2016.
(4) Per Google Analytics.
-- Continued innovation focused on meeting niche audience needs
is at the heart of the successes achieved by Digital during the
year. For example, the FarmIreland (farmireland.ie) platform
emerged from the Innovation Hub which is becoming a central driver
of new product development. Responding to the needs of an
under-served and information hungry agri-business community,
FarmIreland was quickly achieving weekly audiences in excess of
250,000. Further product launches are planned for 2017.
-- belfasttelegraph.co.uk, Northern Ireland's leading commercial
news website, continues to enjoy strong audience and commercial
success, with visits up 13% and page views up 8% year on year.
Mobile usage continues to grow with new users on mobile up 11.3%
which delivered growth in mobile visits of 30% year on year. The
Group's recruitment sites in Northern Ireland nijobfinder.co.uk and
recruitni.com continued to deliver strong audiences and traffic
figures. Despite the entrance of new competition in Northern
Ireland, propertynews.com grew visits to the site by 20% and
introduced new features such as call tracking, which enabled the
business to grow and track lead delivery to estate agents.
-- Following the Groups acquisition of the remaining 50% of the
business, CarsIreland.ie has increased its traffic, engagement rate
and its offering and continues to grow as one of the leading online
classified platforms in the Republic of Ireland for motor vehicles.
2017 plans for the platform centre on increased investment in data
analytics and trend analysis to provide an enhanced consumer
experience. Consumers are increasingly turning to online to inform
themselves about the purchase of a car and CarsIreland.ie is well
positioned to benefit from this trend throughout 2017.
STATEMENTS
Mr Leslie Buckley, Chairman, Independent News & Media PLC,
said: "I am pleased to report that the INM Group performed strongly
in 2016 against the continuing challenging backdrop for the news
publishing sector. The key drivers of our increase in revenue were
growth in digital advertising and in our distribution business.
Profit has been enhanced by a significant decrease in
pre-distribution operating costs.
INM's focus has been on strengthening the overall financial
performance of the Group and the creation of shareholder value. We
have worked to deliver on the company's strategy of maintaining our
leading position in the print publishing market, growing our
existing digital business and seeking acquisitions for further
growth and diversification. Looking at suitable acquisitions for
the business is essential against the backdrop of the consistent,
continued decline in the news publishing sector.
I would like to sincerely thank the Board, management and each
employee in INM for their contribution to the successful outcome
for 2016. Their continuing commitment is an essential ingredient as
the Group progresses in a challenging environment."
Mr Robert Pitt, Group Chief Executive Officer, Independent News
& Media PLC, said: "The full year results for 2016 released
today represent a strong profit performance given the negative
industry conditions. The industry is also challenged by uncertainty
relating to Brexit and other international events.
The Group has recorded a PBT growth year-on-year of 11.8% to
EUR41.8 million. This has been driven by a combination of revenue
growth in both the digital and distribution businesses and cost
containment measures across the entire Group. Pre-distribution
operating expenses have been reduced by 9% owing to a range of
pro-active measures approved by the Board and implemented by Senior
Management, including the wind up of GrabOne and the closure of the
Belfast printing operation. The Group has continued to strengthen
its net asset position and has increased cash reserves at year-end,
positioning it well for future acquisition opportunities.
I give credit and thanks to all the staff in INM for their
efforts in securing the 2016 results. In light of the
aforementioned very challenging industry conditions, the Group does
need to address the structure of its pension obligations. The Group
is involved in ongoing discussions with the Trustees of the two
pension schemes affected by its decision of 7 November 2016 and is
intent on achieving a satisfactory outcome for all concerned,
including pension members, employees and shareholders."
1 Results to 31 December 2016 include an extra (53(rd) ) week
and exclude the results of APN - sold in H1 2015.
2 Pre-exceptionals.
3 ABC Jul to Dec 2016.
(4) Per Google Analytics.
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
The Company is complying with a requirement from the Office of
the Director of Corporate Enforcement ("ODCE") to produce records
in relation to the possible acquisition by the Company of Newstalk
and related matters that were the subject of the Company's
announcement on 28 November 2016. The Company is taking all
necessary steps to meet the ODCE's request.
A requirement from the ODCE to produce books and records is a
procedural matter that does not involve any conclusion that there
has been a breach of law by the Company or its officers.
The Company established in December 2016, before being contacted
by the ODCE, a formal independent review to examine and inquire
into matters concerning the possible acquisition of Newstalk and
related matters. Discussions on the possible acquisition ended at a
preliminary stage and the acquisition was never considered by the
Board. The confidential, independent review is being carried out on
behalf of the Board by senior counsel and a senior independent
governance expert who have been mandated to report to the
Board.
The Company takes its corporate governance responsibilities very
seriously, and seeks to comply at all times with all relevant laws
and regulations.
The Company does not intend to comment further regarding the
ODCE's request and the independent review.
There were no further events since the year end that would
require disclosure or adjustment in the financial statements.
- Ends -
For further information, contact:
MEDIA INVESTORS & ANALYSTS
Nigel Heneghan Robert Pitt
Heneghan PR Group Chief Executive Officer
+353 1 660 7395 (office) Independent News & Media PLC
+353 86 258 7206 (mobile) +353 1 466 3200
nigel@hpr.ie robert.pitt@inmplc.com
Ryan Preston
Group Chief Financial Officer
Independent News & Media PLC
+353 1 466 3200
ryan.preston@inmplc.com
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING-STATEMENTS
Some statements in this announcement are forward-looking. They
represent our expectations for our business and involve risks and
uncertainties. We have based these forward-looking statements on
our current expectations and projections about future events. We
believe that our expectations and assumptions with respect to these
forward-looking statements are reasonable. However, because they
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors,
which are in some cases beyond our control, our actual results or
performance, may differ materially from those expressed or implied
by such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking
statements speak only as of the date of this document and no
obligation is undertaken, save as required by law or by the Listing
Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange and/or the UK Listing Authority,
to reflect new information, future events or otherwise.
ABOUT INDEPENT NEWS & MEDIA PLC
INM is a market-leading media Group in the Republic of Ireland
and Northern Ireland, with a strong newspaper and digital presence.
INM is the largest newspaper contract printer, leading online news
publisher and wholesale newspaper distributor on the island of
Ireland. It manages gross assets of EUR218.6m and employs
approximately 800 people.
INDEPENT NEWS & MEDIA PLC
GROUP INCOME STATEMENT
Year Ended 31 December Year Ended 31 December
2016* (Unaudited) 2015 (Audited)
Before Before
Exceptional Exceptional Exceptional Exceptional
Items Items(**) Total Items Items(**) Total
Notes EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm
------------- -------------- -------- ------------- ---------------- --------
Continuing operations
Revenue 3 323.4 - 323.4 321.2 - 321.2
Operating
(costs)/income (283.2) 12.0 (271.2) (283.2) (5.2) (288.4)
------------- -------------- -------- ------------- ---------------- --------
Operating profit/(loss) 4 40.2 12.0 52.2 38.0 (5.2) 32.8
Share of results of
associates
and joint ventures 10 1.2 - 1.2 1.2 (0.1) 1.1
41.4 12.0 53.4 39.2 (5.3) 33.9
Finance
income/(expense):
- Finance income 7 0.4 2.9 3.3 0.1 - 0.1
- Finance expense 7 - (1.5) (1.5) (1.9) (0.9) (2.8)
------------- -------------- -------- ------------- ---------------- --------
Profit/(loss) before
taxation 41.8 13.4 55.2 37.4 (6.2) 31.2
Taxation charge 8 (1.6) (3.3) (4.9) (5.2) (0.5) (5.7)
------------- -------------- -------- ------------- ---------------- --------
Profit/(loss) for the
year
from continuing
operations 40.2 10.1 50.3 32.2 (6.7) 25.5
Discontinued operations
Profit from
discontinued
operations (net of
tax) 17 - - - 0.5 47.4 47.9
------------- -------------- -------- ------------- ---------------- --------
Profit for the year 40.2 10.1 50.3 32.7 40.7 73.4
------------- -------------- -------- ------------- ---------------- --------
Profit attributable to:
Non-controlling
interests - - - (0.4) 0.9 0.5
Equity holders of the
Company 40.2 10.1 50.3 33.1 39.8 72.9
------------- -------------- -------- ------------- ---------------- --------
40.2 10.1 50.3 32.7 40.7 73.4
------------- -------------- -------- ------------- ---------------- --------
Earnings per ordinary
share
(cent)
Basic - continuing
operations 9 3.6c 1.8c
Basic - discontinued
operations 9 - 3.5c
-------- --------
Basic 9 3.6c 5.3c
-------- --------
Diluted - continuing
operations 9 3.6c 1.8c
Diluted - discontinued
operations 9 - 3.4c
-------- --------
Diluted 9 3.6c 5.2c
-------- --------
* Results to 31 December 2016 include an extra (53(rd) )
week.
** See note 5.
GROUP STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Year Ended Year Ended
31 December 31 December
2016* 2015
(Unaudited) (Audited)
EURm EURm
------------- -------------
Profit for the year 50.3 73.4
------------- -------------
Other comprehensive (expense)/income
Items that will never be reclassified
to profit or loss:
Retirement benefit obligations:
- Remeasurement (losses)/gains** (32.1) 15.8
- Related movement on deferred tax
asset (note 16) 2.6 (1.8)
------------- -------------
(29.5) 14.0
Items that are or may be reclassified
subsequently to profit or loss:
Currency translation adjustments
- subsidiaries (3.1) (0.1)
Currency translation adjustments
- associates (note 10) - 4.3
Currency translation adjustments (0.6) -
- reclassification on disposal of
subsidiary
Currency translation adjustments
- reclassification on disposal of
associate - (3.8)
Fair value reserve - reclassification
on disposal of associate - (0.7)
Profits relating to cash flow hedges 0.1 -
Profits relating to available-for-sale
financial assets
(net change in fair value) - 0.7
------------- -------------
(3.6) 0.4
Other comprehensive (expense)/income
for the year, net of tax (33.1) 14.4
Total comprehensive income for the
year 17.2 87.8
============= =============
Total comprehensive income attributable
to:
Non-controlling interests - 0.5
Equity holders of the Company 17.2 87.3
------------- -------------
17.2 87.8
============= =============
Total comprehensive income attributable
to:
Continuing operations 17.2 40.9
Discontinued operations - 46.9
------------- -------------
17.2 87.8
============= =============
* Results to 31 December 2016 include an extra (53(rd) )
week.
** In 2016, the reduction in shareholders' equity attributable
to the INIL and MSL defined benefit pension plans amounted to
approximately EUR6 million mainly comprising a deficit on
remeasurement of the defined benefit liabilities in the period from
1 January to 7 November of EUR17.6 million recognised in OCI and a
credit to the Group Income Statement of EUR11.8 million on
de-recognition of the defined benefit plans on 7 November 2016.
GROUP STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION
31 December 31 December
2016 2015
(Unaudited) (Audited)
Notes EURm EURm
------------- ------------
Assets
Non-Current Assets
Intangible assets 15 48.2 44.0
Property, plant and equipment 13 41.6 47.8
Investments in associates and
joint ventures 10 1.5 1.6
Deferred tax assets 16 14.2 17.1
Available-for-sale financial
assets 0.2 2.0
105.7 112.5
------------- ------------
Current Assets
Inventories 4.0 2.6
Trade and other receivables 23.7 24.8
Derivative financial instruments 0.1 -
Corporation tax recoverable 0.3 -
Cash and cash equivalents 14 84.8 59.7
------------- ------------
112.9 87.1
------------- ------------
Total Assets 218.6 199.6
------------- ------------
Liabilities
Current Liabilities
Trade and other payables 43.7 45.1
Corporation tax payable - 2.4
Provisions 10.5 16.0
54.2 63.5
------------- ------------
Non-Current Liabilities
Retirement benefit obligations 12 97.3 86.1
Deferred taxation liabilities 16 3.5 3.8
Other payables 0.8 1.1
Provisions 0.5 0.6
------------- ------------
102.1 91.6
------------- ------------
Total Liabilities 156.3 155.1
------------- ------------
Net Assets 62.3 44.5
============= ============
Equity
Equity Attributable to Company's
Equity Holders
Share capital 11 13.9 13.9
Share premium 767.0 767.0
Other reserves 318.0 321.0
Retained losses (1,036.6) (1,057.4)
------------- ------------
Total Equity 62.3 44.5
============= ============
GROUP STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (2016 Unaudited; 2015
Audited)
Share
Based Other Currency Equity Non-Controlling
Share Share Payment Undenominated Translation Retained Interest Interests
Group Capital Premium Reserve Capital Reserve Other(*) Losses of Parent Total
EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm
----------------
At 1 January
2015 13.9 767.0 - 413.2 (93.0) - (1,144.3) (43.2) (0.7) (43.9)
Total Comprehensive
Income for the
year
Profit for the
year - - - - - - 72.9 72.9 0.5 73.4
Other comprehensive
income** - - - - 0.4 0.7 14.0 15.1 - 15.1
Share of other
comprehensive
expense of
associates
- reclassification
on disposal - - - - - (0.7) - (0.7) - (0.7)
------------ --------- ------------- --------------- ------------- ---------- ------------------ ---------------- ----------------- ----------
Total Comprehensive
Income for the
year - - - - 0.4 - 86.9 87.3 0.5 87.8
------------ --------- ------------- --------------- ------------- ---------- ------------------ ---------------- ----------------- ----------
Attributable
to owners of
the Company,
recognised directly
in equity
Equity settled
share based
payments - - 0.4 - - - - 0.4 - 0.4
Elimination
on GrabOne
wind-down - - - - - - - - 0.2 0.2
Total attributable
to owners of
the Company - - 0.4 - - - - 0.4 0.2 0.6
------------ --------- ------------- --------------- ------------- ---------- ------------------ ---------------- ----------------- ----------
At 1 January
2016 13.9 767.0 0.4 413.2 (92.6) - (1,057.4) 44.5 - 44.5
Total Comprehensive
(Expense)/Income
for the year
Profit for the
year - - - - - - 50.3 50.3 - 50.3
Other comprehensive
(expense)/income** - - - - (3.7) 0.1 (29.5) (33.1) - (33.1)
Total Comprehensive
(Expense)/Income
for the year - - - - (3.7) 0.1 20.8 17.2 - 17.2
------------ --------- ------------- --------------- ------------- ---------- ------------------ ---------------- ----------------- ----------
Attributable
to owners of
the Company,
recognised directly
in equity
Equity settled
share based
payments - - 0.6 - - - - 0.6 - 0.6
Total attributable
to owners of
the Company - - 0.6 - - - - 0.6 - 0.6
------------ --------- ------------- --------------- ------------- ---------- ------------------ ---------------- ----------------- ----------
At 31 December
2016 13.9 767.0 1.0 413.2 (96.3) 0.1 (1,036.6) 62.3 - 62.3
------------ --------- ------------- --------------- ------------- ---------- ------------------ ---------------- ----------------- ----------
* 2016: A EUR0.1m movement relates to a movement on cash flow
hedging reserve. (2015: A net EURnil movement relates to a movement
on available-for-sale financial assets
reserve of EUR0.7m and the Group's share of the movement on
APN's fair value reserve of (EUR0.7m)).
**Details can be found in the Group Statement of Comprehensive
Income.
GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 31 December
2016* 2016 2015 2015
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) (Audited)
EURm EURm EURm EURm
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Profit for the year 50.3 73.4
Exceptional items (10.1) (40.7)
------------- -------------
Profit for the year
before exceptional
items 40.2 32.7
Share of results of
associates and joint
ventures (continuing
& discontinued) (1.2) (1.7)
Finance expenses (continuing
& discontinued) - 1.8
Finance income (continuing (0.4) -
& discontinued)
Tax charge (continuing
& discontinued) 1.6 5.2
------------- -------------
Operating profit before
exceptional items (continuing
& discontinued) 40.2 38.0
Depreciation/amortisation 6.4 7.4
------------- -------------
Earnings Before Interest,
Tax, Depreciation and
Amortisation 46.6 45.4
Share based payment
charge 0.6 0.4
Movement in provisions/working
capital (2.3) (4.5)
Retirement benefit
obligations deficit
repair payments (7.7) (8.1)
Defined benefit retirement
benefit obligations
charge recognised in
the Group Income Statement 2.3 3.0
------------- -------------
Cash generated from
operations (before
cash exceptional items) 39.5 36.2
Exceptional expenditure
(see note 5) (8.2) (0.8)
------------- -------------
Cash generated from
operations 31.3 35.4
Income tax paid (3.6) (0.5)
------------- -------------
Cash generated by operating
activities 27.7 34.9
Cash flows from investing
activities
Dividends received
from associates and
joint ventures 1.0 0.8
Purchases of property,
plant and equipment (2.3) (1.9)
Purchases of intangible
assets (3.4) (1.4)
Proceeds from sale
of property, plant
and equipment 7.6 0.1
Proceeds from disposal
of available-for-sale 0.3 -
financial assets
Purchases of/advances
to associates and joint
ventures (0.3) (0.2)
Interest received 0.1 0.1
Decrease in restricted
cash - 10.0
Acquisition of subsidiary, (3.0) -
net of cash acquired
Disposal of APN shareholding - 119.3
Net cash generated
by investing activities - 126.8
GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT
(continued)
Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended Year Ended
31 December 31 December 31 December 31 December
2016 2016 2015 2015
(Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) (Audited)
EURm EURm EURm EURm
------------- ------------- ------------- -------------
Cash flows from financing
activities
Interest paid - (2.1)
Repayment of borrowings** - (125.5)
Net cash used in financing
activities - (127.6)
------------- -------------
Increase in cash and
cash equivalents 27.7 34.1
Foreign exchange losses (2.6) (0.6)
------------- -------------
Net increase in cash
and cash equivalents 25.1 33.5
Balance at beginning
of the year 59.7 26.2
------------- -------------
Cash and cash equivalents
at end of the year 84.8 59.7
------------- -------------
* Results to 31 December 2016 include an extra (53(rd) )
week.
** Repayment of borrowings is comprised of release of Escrow
cash EUR10.0m and EUR115.5m repayment of debt, primarily from
proceeds of disposal of APN shareholding (note 2).
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Information under IFRS
Reporting Entity and Basis of Accounting
Independent News & Media PLC ("the Company") is a company
domiciled in Ireland. These condensed preliminary Group financial
statements as at and for the twelve months ended 31 December 2016
comprise the financial statements of the Company and its
subsidiaries (together referred to as "the Group") and the Group's
interest in associates and joint ventures.
This financial information has been prepared on the going
concern basis, which assumes that the Group will continue to be
able to meet its liabilities as they fall due during the 12 months
from the date of approval of the 2016 Annual Report, the time
period that the Directors have considered in evaluating the
appropriateness of the going concern basis.
Financial Information
The financial information in this announcement does not
constitute the statutory financial statements of the Company and
the Group, a copy of which is required to be annexed to the
Company's annual return to the Companies Registration Office in
Ireland. A copy of the statutory financial statements in respect of
the year ended 31 December 2016 will be annexed to the Company's
annual return for 2016. The annual report and financial statements
will be approved by the Board of Directors by 1 May 2017.
Accordingly, this financial information is unaudited. A copy of the
statutory financial statements required to be annexed to the
Company's annual return in respect of the year ended 31 December
2015 has been annexed to the Company's annual return for 2015 to
the Companies Registration Office. The audit opinion on these
financial statements was unqualified.
The 2016 statutory financial statements of the Company will be
available on the Company's website inmplc.com as of 1 May 2017.
Consistent with prior years, the full financial statements for the
year ended 31 December 2016 and the audit report thereon will be
completed and available to all shareholders at least 20 working
days before the AGM.
General Information
The Group is required to present its annual consolidated
financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2016 in
accordance with EU adopted International Financial Reporting
Standards ("IFRS") and with those parts of the Companies Act 2014,
applicable to companies reporting under IFRS. This financial
information comprises the Group Statements of Financial Position,
Group Income Statements, Cash Flow Statements, Statements of
Comprehensive Income, Statements of Changes in Equity and selected
notes for the years ended 31 December 2016 and 31 December 2015.
This financial information for the years ended 31 December 2016 and
31 December 2015 has been prepared in accordance with the Listing
Rules of the Irish Stock Exchange.
Measurement of Fair Values
A number of the Group's accounting policies and disclosures
require the measurement of fair values, for both financial and
non-financial assets and liabilities.
The Group regularly reviews significant unobservable inputs and
valuation adjustments.
Significant valuation issues are reported to the Group's Audit
and Risk Committee.
When measuring the fair value of an asset or a liability, the
Group uses observable market data as far as possible. Fair values
are categorised into different levels in a fair value hierarchy
based on the inputs used in the valuation techniques as
follows:
- Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
- Level 2: inputs other than quoted prices included in level 1
that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (as
prices) or indirectly (derived from prices); and
- Level 3: inputs for the asset or liability that are not based
on observable market data (unobservable inputs).
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Information under IFRS (continued)
Measurement of Fair Values (continued)
If the inputs used to measure the fair value of an asset or a
liability fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy,
then the fair value measurement is categorised in its entirety in
the same level of the fair value hierarchy as the lowest level
input that is significant to the entire measurement. The Group
recognises transfers between levels of the fair value hierarchy at
the end of the reporting period during which the change has
occurred.
Further information about the assumptions made in measuring fair
values is included in the following notes:
- Note 18 - share-based payment arrangements;
- Note 6 - financial instruments; and
- Note 19 - acquisition of subsidiary.
Except as described below, the accounting policies and methods
of computation and presentation adopted in the preparation of this
financial information are consistent with those applied in the
Annual Report for the year ended 31 December 2015 and are described
in those financial statements on pages 107 to 123.
Except for the changes below, the Group has consistently applied
its accounting policies to all years presented in these
consolidated financial statements.
The following new and amended standards and interpretations are
effective for the Group for the first time for the financial year
beginning 1 January 2016.
-- Amendments to IFRS 11: Accounting for acquisitions of
interests in Joint Operations (6 May 2014)
-- Amendments to IAS 16 and IAS 38: Clarification of acceptable
methods of depreciation and amortisation (12 May 2014)
-- Amendments to IAS 16: Property, Plant and Equipment and IAS
41: Bearer Plants (30 June 2014)
-- Amendments to IAS 27: Equity method in Separate Financial Statements (12 August 2014)
-- Amendments to IAS 1: Disclosure Initiative (18 December 2014)
-- Annual Improvements to IFRSs 2012-2014 Cycle (25 September 2014)
-- Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 28: Investment
entities - exception to consolidation.
The aforementioned did not have a material impact on the
Group.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Information under IFRS (continued)
Risks and Uncertainties
(i) Market Disruption (Print Media)
Maintaining profitability is increasingly challenging due to
market disruption (i.e. shift from print media to digital/mobile)
negatively affecting newspaper circulation and print advertising
revenues giving rise to an increased need to achieve cost
reductions to offset this contraction. This is being managed
through the following:
-- Advertising revenue and circulation volumes and revenue are
closely monitored against budgets and industry benchmarks by senior
management during weekly management meetings.
-- INM operates a continuous programme of product development
and refinement, and periodic readership reviews that are carried
out by third party specialists and which produce a series of
actions or identify potential initiatives. Marketing budgets are
then aligned to target these initiatives.
-- INM has undertaken several initiatives to drive more
effective relationship management between advertising sales
representatives, agents and key customers, including targeted
product and sales training, introduction of campaign sales teams
focused on delivering value to advertising customers and investment
in a cross platform advertising booking and customer relationship
management (CRM) system.
-- Cost containment across all areas of the business to protect
and grow margin remains a key priority of the Group and is
monitored closely by senior management and finance.
(ii) Cyber and Information Security
Maintaining adequate IT systems and infrastructure to support
growth and development may be affected by:
-- accidental exposure or deliberate theft of sensitive information;
-- loss of service or system availability;
-- significant system changes or upgrades; and
-- cybercrime.
Dedicated IT personnel with the appropriate technical expertise
are in place in the INM Group to oversee IT security. IT standards
and policies are subject to internal audit and external reviews
annually to ensure they are in line with appropriate best
practices. Cyber security reviews, including penetration testing
and vulnerability assessments are performed throughout the year by
specialist third party technical experts to provide independent
assurance.
(iii) Talent Management/Succession Planning
A failure to attract, retain or develop high quality staff and
management throughout the Group could impact on the attainment of
strategic objectives.
The Group maintains a constant focus on this area with
structured succession planning, management development and
remuneration programmes in place. Several talent initiatives
launched in 2015 were carried through 2016, including a graduate
recruitment programme, increased focus on and budget for targeted
staff training, and the INM Business Manager Programme and Digital
Journalist Programme in association with National College of
Ireland aiming to further develop management and editorial
capability across the Group. These programmes are reviewed
regularly by Group Human Resources, the Group Chief Executive
Officer and the Board.
(iv) IT Disaster Recovery and Business Continuity
A significant loss of production capability during a disaster
scenario could severely impact revenue and lead to increased
costs.
Business continuity plans ("BCP") and IT disaster recovery plans
("DRP") are in place and tested throughout the year. These plans
are subject to review on an annual basis. Also, individual plans
are in place for individual businesses and locations where
appropriate. These individual plans and testing feed into the
overall Group plan.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Information under IFRS (continued)
Risks and Uncertainties (continued)
(v) Acquisitions and Change Management
A failure to identify, execute or properly integrate
acquisitions, change management programmes or other growth
opportunities could impact on profit targets and impede the
strategic development of the Group.
Dedicated resources are focused on continuous and active review
of potential acquisitions. They are supported by a Mergers &
Acquisitions ("M&A") Board sub-committee made up of Board
members, Executive management and external specialists. All
potential acquisitions are subject to an assessment of their
ability to generate a return on capital employed well in excess of
the cost of capital, and for their strategic fit within the
Group.
The Group conducts a stringent internal evaluation process and
external due diligence prior to completing any acquisition.
Projects and change management programmes are resourced by
dedicated and appropriately qualified internal personnel, supported
by external expertise.
(vi) Digital Revenue Growth
A failure to achieve anticipated growth in digital and
e-commerce revenues, and failure to adequately monitor the return
on investment of the current and future digital investment could
significantly impact revenue and profit targets and impede the
strategic development of the Group.
INM senior management closely monitors performance of digital
and e-commerce through a series of digital specific key performance
indicators, such as revenue per thousand impressions, weekly online
advertising spend reporting, number of unique visitors, page
impressions and average time on site. In addition, weekly and
monthly revenue/cost reporting is submitted to Group Finance to
support monitoring of investment performance. A Digital Board
sub-committee is established and operational, which monitors
progress of the digital strategy. Also, significant leadership
changes were made in Digital in 2016, including the hiring of a
Chief Digital Officer and a Managing Director of New Business
Ventures.
(vii) Litigation
Libel action or other types of litigation taken against the INM
Group or producing published content that lacks trust and
credibility could result in financial loss or reputational
damage.
Libel action claims are actively managed by Editorial senior
management in conjunction with legal support. Rigorous
investigations and disciplinary processes are carried out following
any proven errors (e.g. factual errors, photo errors). In addition,
several functions exist to mitigate the risk of libel actions
occurring.
These include for example:
-- A detailed Editorial Code of Practice was published and
issued to all staff with specific reference to libel and factual
accuracy;
-- Introduction of libel training and exam requirements for all
graduates, as well as training rolled-out to all existing
journalists and contributors; and
-- Introduction of in-house legal support with service level
targets specifically related to libel actions.
(viii) Data Protection Legislation
A breach in data protection legislation could lead to fines as
well as reputational and operational damage to INM.
INM's data protection readiness and processes were subjected to
detailed review in 2015 by third party subject matter specialists.
Several actions and initiatives were undertaken in 2015 following
on from this review, including the designation of a Group Data
Protection Officer, designation and training of a data protection
champion's network consisting of individuals from each function and
business unit, and the development and implementation of an updated
suite of INM Group data protection policies and procedures. Also,
continuous assessment of INM's data protection programme is
underway to ensure preparedness with enactment of the General Data
Protection Regulation in May 2018.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
1. Basis of Preparation of Financial Information under IFRS (continued)
(ix) Economic and Geopolitical uncertainty
General economic conditions can positively or negatively affect
the performance of the Group's businesses. The main geographies
which the Group are directly exposed to are the Republic of Ireland
and Northern Ireland. Following the UK vote to leave the EU, there
is uncertainty surrounding the nature, timing and associated trade
conditions of the UK exit. Given its proximity and close trading
relationship with the Republic of Ireland, the UK exit from the EU
is certain to affect the Irish domestic economy. Other events in
2016, including the US presidential election outcome are likely to
impact the global economy, the affects of which could be felt
locally. A weakening of the Irish economy, particularly if consumer
led, could accelerate the decline in print advertising revenue.
INM executives monitor the macroeconomic and geopolitical
environment by way of regular analysis of business performance
through financial results and KPI's to highlight early trends and
impacts from economic and geopolitical uncertainty.
(x) Compliance with laws and regulations
Increasing regulation, including in the areas of Corporate
Governance such as director's duties and director's compliance
statement requires increased focus and resources to ensure the
Group is compliant with all applicable laws and regulations.
Failure to comply with all relevant laws and regulations could
result in financial penalties and reputational damage.
The Group manages compliance with laws and regulations through
the following:
-- Changes in laws and regulations are monitored and potential
impacts discussed with relevant management team members, Board, or
sub-committees as appropriate.
-- Professional services are retained to support the Group in
key compliance areas, such as Tax, Corporate Governance and Company
Secretarial duties.
-- Developments in the legal and regulatory landscape are
reviewed by the Audit & Risk Committee.
-- Group-wide policies are implemented where required to address
new legislation and regulation.
2. Financial Restructuring
As part of the disposal of South African operations in August
2013, the Group gave standard warranties with a total potential
exposure of R200m (EUR14.3m as at 31 December 2014). EUR10.0m of
the proceeds were retained in an Escrow account (with this amount
classified as restricted cash in the Group Statement of Financial
Position) pending any potential warranty claims for a period of 12
to 24 months post completion (24 months if certain pre-existing
industry wide competition commission enquiries were still open
after 12 months). In early 2015, the Group signed a Settlement
Agreement with the purchasers of the South African business to pay
the euro equivalent of R85m (EUR6.6m) in full and final settlement
of all warranties and industry wide competition commission
enquiries. The residual balance of EUR3.4m in the Escrow account
was paid to the banking syndicate with a consequential reduction of
EUR10.0m in Escrow debt in line with the Escrow Agreement.
On 19 March 2015, the Group announced that it had entered into
an agreement with Credit Suisse (Australia) Limited ("Credit
Suisse") in respect of the sale, by way of an underwritten block
trade, of 191,541,073 ordinary shares in APN, being the entire
holding of the Group in APN (representing 18.61% of the issued
share capital of APN).
Under the terms of the agreement giving effect to the sale (the
"Sale Agreement"), Credit Suisse agreed to acquire, or procure the
acquisition by third party purchasers of, all of the Group
shareholding in APN at a fixed price per APN ordinary share ("APN
Share") of AUD$0.88. All of the net proceeds of the transaction
were applied to repay INM Group indebtedness.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
3. Revenue
An analysis of the Group's revenue from continuing operations
for the year is as follows:
2016 2015
EURm EURm
---------------------------------------------------------- ------ ------
Newspaper advertising revenues 63.9 70.4
Online revenues 15.1 12.5
GrabOne revenues - 1.8
Revenue from sale of newspapers and magazines 95.8 101.1
Revenue from distribution/commercial printing activities 148.6 135.4
---------------------------------------------------------- ------ ------
323.4 321.2
---------------------------------------------------------- ------ ------
4. Segmental Reporting
Segment information is presented on the same basis as that used
for internal reporting purposes. Operating segments are reported in
a manner consistent with the internal reporting provided to the
Chief Operating Decision Maker ("CODM"). The CODM has been
identified as the Board of Directors. The key performance measure
that is reviewed for these segments is operating profit/(loss)
before exceptional items. Exceptional items are reviewed at a level
higher than these operating segments and appear as a reconciling
item from the key performance measure reviewed by the CODM to the
IFRS result. Finance income and expense, share of results of
associates and joint ventures and taxation are reviewed and
considered by the CODM at a Group level only.
The Group continued to report its revenues and operating profit
before exceptional items by geographical areas with a further
analysis of the geographical areas by class of business also
provided.
A number of operating segments are aggregated into one operating
segment on the basis that they exhibit similar long-term financial
performance as they have similar economic characteristics and the
segments are similar in each of the following respects:
-- the nature of the products and services;
-- the nature of the production processes;
-- the type or class of customer for their products and services; and
-- the methods used to distribute their products or provide their services.
INM's entire shareholding in APN was disposed of in 2015.
Consequently, as APN was a major line of business, it was treated
as a discontinued operation in 2015.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
4. Segmental Reporting (continued)
Operating Profit/(Loss)
Revenue (3(rd) Party) (Before Exceptional Items)
--------------------------------- ------------------------------------- ----------------------------------
2016 2016 2015 2015 2016 2016 2015 2015
EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm
--------------------------------- ------ ------ ------------- ------ -------- ------- ------- ------
Continuing Operations:
Island of Ireland - Publishing 323.4 321.2 46.6 44.0
Central Costs - - (6.4) (6.0)
--------------------------------- ------ ------ ------------- ------ -------- ------- ------- ------
Total - continuing operations 323.4 321.2 40.2 38.0
Discontinued Operations:
APN - - - 0.5
--------------------------------- ------ ------ ------------- ------ -------- ------- ------- ------
Total - discontinued operations - - - 0.5
--------------------------------- ------ ------ ------------- ------ -------- ------- ------- ------
323.4 321.2 40.2 38.5
--------------------------------- ------ ------ ------------- ------ -------- ------- ------- ------
Continuing Operations
2016 2015
EURm EURm
----------- -----------
Total operating profit before exceptional items 40.2 38.0
Operating exceptionals 12.0 (5.2)
Share of results of associates and joint ventures (including exceptionals) 1.2 1.1
Net finance income/(costs) (including exceptionals) 1.8 (2.7)
Taxation charge (including exceptionals) (4.9) (5.7)
Profit for the year from continuing operations (including exceptionals) 50.3 25.5
----------- -----------
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
5. Exceptional Items
Exceptional items are those items of income and expense that the
Group considers are material and/or of such a nature that their
separate disclosure is relevant to a better understanding of the
Group's financial performance.
2016 2015
EURm EURm
----------------------------------------- --------- ------- -------------
Included in profit/(loss) before
taxation are the following:
Continuing operations:
Restructuring credit/(charge) (i) 13.8 (0.6)
Impairments (ii) (1.8) (4.6)
----------------------------------------- --------- ------- -----------
12.0 (5.2)
Share of associates' and joint
ventures' exceptional items (net
of tax and non--controlling interests) (iii) - (0.1)
Exceptional finance income (note (iv) 2.9 -
7)
Exceptional finance expense (note
7) (v) (1.5) (0.9)
----------------------------------------- --------- ------- -----------
13.4 (6.2)
Exceptional tax charge (note
8) (vi) (3.3) (0.5)
----------------------------------------- --------- ------- -----------
Continuing operations - exceptional
items net of taxation 10.1 (6.7)
---------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
Discontinued operations:
Gain on sale of associate (vii) - 47.4
Discontinued operations - exceptional
items net of taxation - 47.4
---------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
Total - exceptional items net
of taxation and non-controlling
interests * 10.1 40.7
---------------------------------------------------- ------- -----------
* Of the exceptional gain of EUR10.1m in 2016, EUR8.2m is shown
as an exceptional expenditure outflow in the Group Cash Flow
Statement and primarily relates to miscellaneous restructuring
costs (proceeds received from the sale of property, plant and
equipment are disclosed separately in the Group Cash Flow
Statement). Of the exceptional gain of EUR40.7m in 2015, EUR0.8m is
shown as an exceptional expenditure outflow in the Group Cash Flow
Statement and primarily relates to miscellaneous restructuring
costs partially offset by a termination payment received from the
cessation of a printing contract.
(i) 2016
Primarily relates to the following:
(a) A retirement benefits accounting adjustment of EUR11.8m (see
note 12 for further information) with EUR0.4m of related
professional fees. In 2016, the reduction in shareholders' equity
attributable to the INIL and MSL defined benefit pension plans
amounted to approximately EUR6 million mainly comprising a deficit
on re-measurement of the defined benefit liabilities in the period
from 1 January to 7 November of EUR17.6 million recognised in OCI
and a credit to the Group Income Statement of EUR11.8 million on
de-recognition of the defined benefit plans on 7 November 2016;
(b) A gain on the disposal of property, plant and equipment in the Island of Ireland of EUR5.8m;
(c) A gain of EUR0.6m for a currency translation adjustment due
to the disposal of two Australian subsidiaries;
(d) A charge of EUR3.3m related to miscellaneous restructuring
costs, primarily redundancy costs in the Island of Ireland; and
(e) A charge of EUR0.7m (of which EUR0.2m related to Digital
Odyssey Limited) for acquisition related expenses.
2015
Primarily relates to the following:
(a) A charge of EUR0.9m related to miscellaneous restructuring
costs, primarily redundancy costs in the Island of Ireland; and
(b) A retirement benefits accounting adjustment of EUR0.3m due
to the transfer of certain members from the defined benefit plan to
the Company's defined contribution plan (note 12). This comprises a
EUR0.5m exceptional settlement gain on the transfers out by
members, somewhat offset by an exceptional charge of EUR0.2m on the
booking of a liability for payments to the defined contribution
pension scheme in respect of those members.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
5. Exceptional Items (continued)
(ii) 2016
A charge of EUR1.8m relating to miscellaneous impairments and
write-offs of property, plant and equipment in the Island of
Ireland to its recoverable amount, primarily as a result of a
review of the distribution business. The impairment amount was
quantified by the use of a third party valuation report.
2015
Primarily relates to the following:
(a) A charge of EUR1.7m relating to miscellaneous impairments
and write-offs of property, plant and equipment and intangible
assets in the Republic of Ireland;
(b) A charge of EUR1.7m relating to the write-down of property,
plant and equipment in the Belfast operations; and
(c) A charge of EUR1.2m relating to the impairment of the Belfast Telegraph masthead.
(iii) 2015
The share of associates' and joint ventures' exceptional items
(net of tax and non-controlling interests) charge of EUR0.1m
relates to redundancies in Independent Star Limited.
(iv) 2016
Relates to a gain arising from the remeasurement to fair value
of the Group's pre-existing 50% interest in Digital Odyssey Limited
following the acquisition of the remaining 50% of the shares and
voting rights in that entity (see note 19).
(v) 2016
Relates to a charge of EUR1.5m for the write down of two
available-for-sale financial assets deemed not recoverable.
2015
Relates to a charge of EUR0.9m due to the reclassification to
the Group Income Statement of a negative fair value reserve on an
available-for-sale financial asset. This comprises a
reclassification relating to a EUR0.7m opening balance in fair
value reserve and a EUR0.2m movement during the year.
(vi) 2016
The exceptional tax charge in 2016 primarily relates to a tax
charge of EUR2.1m arising on the release of a deferred tax asset
(see note 16 for further information), a tax charge of EUR1.5m
arising due to the retirement benefit accounting adjustment (see
note 12 for further information) and a tax credit of EUR0.3m
arising on exceptional expenses in the Republic of Ireland.
2015
Relates to a net charge of EUR0.5m classified as exceptional
tax. The exceptional tax charge in 2015 primarily relates to a tax
charge of EUR0.4m arising on the release of a deferred tax asset on
foreign losses and a tax charge of EUR0.1m arising on exceptional
expenses in the Republic of Ireland.
(vii) 2015
Relates to the gain on disposal of the Group's entire
shareholding in APN (see note 17).
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
6. Fair Value
The fair values of quoted available-for-sale financial assets
and derivative financial instruments are measured using market
values. Unquoted available-for-sale financial assets and
derivatives are measured using valuation techniques. The carrying
amount of non interest bearing financial assets and financial
liabilities and cash and cash equivalents approximates their fair
values. The Group has not disclosed the fair value of certain
financial instruments such as other payables, short-term
receivables and short term payables because their carrying amounts
are a reasonable approximation of fair value.
Of the available-for-sale financial assets of EUR0.2m (2015:
EUR2.0m), EURnil (2015: EUR0.9m) are measured at Level 1 of the
fair value hierarchy and EUR0.2m (2015: EUR1.1m) are measured at
Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.
The derivative financial instruments - cash flow hedges of
EUR0.1m (2015: EURnil) are measured at Level 2 of the fair value
hierarchy.
7. Net Finance Income/(Costs)
2016 2015
EURm EURm
----- ------
Finance income 0.4 0.1
Finance costs - (1.9)
----- ------
Net finance income/(costs) (before
exceptional finance items) 0.4 (1.8)
Net exceptional finance income/(costs)
(note 5) 1.4 (0.9)
----- ------
Net finance income/(costs) 1.8 (2.7)
----- ------
The 2016 net exceptional finance income relates to a gain of
EUR2.9m arising from the remeasurement to fair value of the Group's
pre-existing 50% interest in Digital Odyssey Limited (see note 19)
following the acquisition of the remaining 50% of the shares and
voting rights in that entity and a charge of EUR1.5m for the write
down of two available-for-sale financial assets deemed not
recoverable.
During 2015, an exceptional finance charge of EUR0.9m was booked
relating to the reclassification to the Group Income Statement of a
negative fair value reserve on an available-for-sale financial
asset. This was due to a sustained period of negative movements in
the market value of the financial asset.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
8. Taxation
(a) Amounts recognised in profit or loss
2016 2015
EURm EURm
-------- ------
Current tax:
Current year 2.0 2.7
Adjustment for prior year (1.1) (0.1)
-------- ------
0.9 2.6
-------- ------
Deferred tax:
Origination and reversal of temporary
differences 0.3 1.1
Release of deferred tax asset on
defined benefit schemes 7.7 0.6
Deferred tax asset arising on provision
for defined contribution scheme (6.2) -
payments
Charge in respect of tax losses - 0.8
Release of deferred tax asset arising
from a change in tax rates 0.1 0.6
Release of deferred tax asset arising 2.1 -
from a change in accounting estimate
4.0 3.1
-------- ------
Taxation charge on continuing operations 4.9 5.7
-------- ------
(b) Amounts recognised in OCI
2016 2015
EURm EURm
------ --------
Deferred tax credit/(charge) on
retirement benefit obligation remeasurements 2.6 (1.8)
------ --------
(c) Reconciliation of effective tax rate
The total tax charge for the year is different from the standard
rate of Corporation Tax in Ireland of 12.5% (2015: 12.5%). The
differences are explained below:
2016 2015
EURm EURm
------ ------
Profit before taxation 55.2 31.2
Share of results of associates and
joint ventures (1.2) (1.1)
Profit of Company and subsidiary
undertakings before taxation 54.0 30.1
------ ------
Profit of Company and subsidiary
undertakings before taxation multiplied
by standard rate of Corporation
Tax in Ireland of 12.5% (2015: 12.5%) 6.7 3.8
Effects of:
Release of deferred tax asset arising
from a change in tax rates 0.1 0.6
Exceptional items 0.1 0.7
(Recognition)/release of deferred
tax asset (0.1) 2.2
Adjustment in respect of prior
periods (1.1) 0.2
Other differences (2.9) (1.8)
Release of deferred tax asset arising 2.1 -
from a change in accounting
estimate
------ ------
4.9 5.7
------ ------
For further information on movement in deferred tax assets in
2016, see note 16.
Within the total tax charge of EUR4.9m (2015: charge of
EUR5.7m), a net charge of EUR3.3m (2015: net charge of EUR0.5m) is
classified as exceptional tax.
The exceptional tax charge of EUR3.3m in 2016 primarily relates
to a tax charge of EUR2.1m on the release of a deferred tax asset
arising from a change in accounting estimate, a tax charge of
EUR1.5m arising on the retirement benefit accounting adjustment of
EUR11.8m and a tax credit of EUR0.3m arising on exceptional
expenses in the Republic of Ireland.
The exceptional tax charge in 2015 primarily relates to a tax
charge of EUR0.4m arising on the release of a deferred tax asset on
foreign losses and a tax charge of EUR0.1m arising on exceptional
expenses in the Republic of Ireland.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
9. Earnings Per Share
2016 2016 2016 2015 2015 2015
EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm
----------- ------------- ---------------- ----------- ------------- ----------------
Continuing Discontinued Total Continuing Discontinued Total
Profit attributable
to ordinary
shareholders
Profit attributable
to the equity
holders of
the Company
(basic and
diluted) 50.3 - 50.3 25.0 47.9 72.9
Exceptional
items (note
5) (10.1) - (10.1) 7.6 (47.4) (39.8)
Profit before
exceptional
items attributable
to the equity
holders of
the Company
(adjusted) 40.2 - 40.2 32.6 0.5 33.1
----------- ------------- ---------------- ----------- ------------- ----------------
2016 2016 2016 2015 2015 2015
Weighted average
number of
shares
Weighted average
number of
shares outstanding
during the
year (excluding
5,597,077
treasury shares) 1,386,547,375 1,386,547,375
Impact of
share options 3,508,772 3,075,592
----------- ------------- ---------------- ----------- ------------- ----------------
Diluted number
of shares 1,390,056,147 1,389,622,967
Basic earnings
per share 3.6c - 3.6c 1.8c 3.5c 5.3c
----------- ------------- ---------------- ----------- ------------- ----------------
Basic earnings
per share
before exceptional
items 2.9c - 2.9c 2.4c - 2.4c
----------- ------------- ---------------- ----------- ------------- ----------------
Diluted earnings
per share 3.6c - 3.6c 1.8c 3.4c 5.2c
------- ---- ------- ------- ------- -------
Diluted earnings
per share
before exceptional
items 2.9c - 2.9c 2.3c - 2.3c
------- ---- ------- ------- ------- -------
Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing the profit
attributable to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average
number of ordinary shares outstanding during the year.
Diluted earnings per share is calculated by adjusting the
weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding to assume
conversion of all dilutive potential ordinary shares. Share options
are the Company's only category of dilutive potential ordinary
shares.
Employee share options are contingently issuable shares because
of the requirement to satisfy specific performance and service
conditions. These contingently issuable shares are included in the
computation of diluted earnings per ordinary share to the extent
that the conditions would have been satisfied as at the end of the
reporting period if this was the vesting date.
At 31 December 2016, 535,098 options (2015: 581,220) were
excluded from the diluted weighted average number of ordinary
shares calculation because their effect is anti-dilutive.
Basic and diluted earnings per share before exceptional items
are presented in order to give a better understanding of the
Group's underlying financial performance.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
10. Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures
2016 2015
EURm EURm
------------------------------------- ------ -------
Associates
At 1 January 0.6 69.1
Purchases of/advances to associates - 0.2
Disposal - (73.5)
Share of results 0.3 0.5
Exchange movements - 4.3
------------------------------------- ------ -------
At 31 December 0.9 0.6
------------------------------------- ------ -------
2016 2015
EURm EURm
-------------------------------- ------ ------
Joint Ventures
At 1 January 1.0 0.7
Purchases of/advances to joint 0.3 -
ventures
Disposal of joint ventures* (0.6) -
Share of results 0.9 1.1
Dividends (1.0) (0.8)
At 31 December 0.6 1.0
-------------------------------- ------ ------
* On 13 May 2016, the Group acquired the remaining 50% of the
shares and voting interests in Digital Odyssey Limited (trading as
CarsIreland.ie). As a result, the Group is deemed to have disposed
of its 50% interest in the joint venture upon acquiring 100% of the
shares and obtaining control of Digital Odyssey Limited.
(i) Carrying Amount
2016 2015
EURm EURm
---------------- ------ ------
Associates 0.9 0.6
Joint Ventures 0.6 1.0
---------------- ------ ------
1.5 1.6
---------------- ------ ------
The reporting year end dates of the Group's associates and joint
ventures are the same as the Group's reporting year end date.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
10. Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures (continued)
(ii) Associates
The closing balance for year end 31 December 2016 for associates
of EUR0.9m relates to Click & Go. No ownership interests,
assets or liabilities were held in APN as at 31 December 2016
(2015: EURnil). The summarised trading results below relate solely
to APN:
2016 2015
EURm EURm
------------------------------------------ ------- ------
Revenue - 118.3
------------------------------------------ ------- ------
Profit from continuing operations - 3.2
Post tax profit/(loss) from discontinued - -
operations
Other comprehensive income/(expense) - -
Non-controlling interest - (0.6)
------------------------------------------ ------- ------
Total comprehensive income - 2.6
------------------------------------------ ------- ------
Group's share of associates' total
comprehensive income - 0.5
------------------------------------------ ------- ------
.
(iii) Joint Ventures
Summarised financial information in respect of the Group's share
of its joint ventures (The Star and Reachmount) is set out
below:
2016 2015
EURm EURm
----------------------------------- ------ ------
Group
Current assets 4.5 3.3
Non-current assets 0.6 2.5
Current liabilities (3.7) (3.9)
Non-current liabilities (0.3) -
----------------------------------- ------ ------
Net Assets (100%) 1.1 1.9
----------------------------------- ------ ------
Group's share 0.6 1.0
Group's carrying amount of joint
ventures 0.6 1.0
----------------------------------- ------ ------
Revenue 19.1 21.3
----------------------------------- ------ ------
Profit from continuing operations 1.8 2.1
----------------------------------- ------ ------
Total comprehensive income 1.8 2.1
----------------------------------- ------ ------
Group's share of joint ventures'
total comprehensive income 0.9 1.1
----------------------------------- ------ ------
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
11. Share Capital and Share Premium
2016 2015
EURm EURm
---------------------------------------- ------ ------
Group and Company
Authorised:
7,000,000,000 ordinary shares of
EUR0.01 each 70.0 70.0
556,015,358 deferred shares of EUR0.34
each - 189.0
---------------------------------------- ------ ------
70.0 259.0
---------------------------------------- ------ ------
Issued and fully paid:
1,392,144,452 ordinary shares of
EUR0.01 each 13.9 13.9
13.9 13.9
---------------------------------------- ------ ------
At the EGM during 2016 the Company, in accordance with Section
83(1)(f)(ii) of the Companies Act 2014, reduced the authorised
share capital of the Company from EUR259,045,221.72 to
EUR70,000,000 by the cancellation of 556,015,358 deferred shares of
EUR0.34 each, which have not been taken or agreed to be taken by
any person.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
12. Retirement Benefit Obligations
The Group operates defined benefit and defined contribution
pension schemes. The pension scheme assets are held in separate
trustee administered funds. A summary of the Group's net
liabilities in respect of these schemes is set out below:
2016 2016 2016 2015 2015 2015
ROI NIRE Total ROI NIRE Total
EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Net defined
benefit
pension
liability (9.9) (31.8) (41.7) (56.3) (24.0) (80.3)
Present
value of
defined
contribution
scheme
provision (55.6) - (55.6) (5.8) - (5.8)
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Retirement
Benefit
Obligations (65.5) (31.8) (97.3) (62.1) (24.0) (86.1)
-------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------- --------------
Group Income Statement
The amounts recognised in the Group Income Statement in respect
of all pension schemes are as follows:
2016 2015
EURm EURm
-------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Service cost:
* Net interest/administration cost relating to defined
benefit pension schemes (excluding exceptional items) 2.3 3.0
* Interest cost on defined contribution pension scheme
liabilities (excluding exceptional items) 0.1 0.1
* Current service cost relating to defined contribution
pension schemes (excluding exceptional items) 2.9 2.9
Total recognised in Group Income
Statement (excluding exceptional
items)* 5.3 6.0
Accounting adjustments on settlements
(all schemes) (11.8) (0.3)
-------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Total recognised in Group Income
Statement (including exceptional
items) (6.5) 5.7
-------------------------------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
*Charged to administration expenses.
The Group notified the Trustees of two of its Republic of
Ireland defined benefit pension schemes of its decision to cease
contributions to those two schemes with effect from 7 November
2016. The net liability in respect of these two schemes in the
Group's Statement of Financial Position as at 31 December 2016 is
zero. The net liability as at 7 November 2016 in resect of these
two schemes of EUR61.8m was derecognised and a defined contribution
provision of EUR50.0m was created.
It is intended that the contributions that the Group had
previously intended to pay to the two schemes under the terms of
the funding proposals agreed with the Pensions Authority in
September 2013 will now be paid to the Group's defined contribution
pension scheme in respect of the deferred members of the schemes.
This provision will be treated in the same manner as the previously
established defined contribution provision outlined above.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
12. Retirement Benefit Obligations (continued)
The directors reviewed the appropriateness of the derecognition
of the statement of financial position liability in respect of the
two Republic of Ireland defined benefit pension schemes closed with
effect from 7 November 2016. The directors also reviewed the
corresponding additional defined contribution pension scheme
provision created. In regard to both matters, the directors were
satisfied with the appropriateness of the accounting treatment
adopted.
Defined Benefit Pension Schemes
Group Other Comprehensive Income
Remeasurements recognised in Other Comprehensive Income are as
follows:
2016 2015
EURm EURm
----------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Return on scheme assets excluding
interest income - defined benefit
pension schemes (9.5) 3.0
Experience variations - defined benefit
pension schemes (1.7) (3.7)
Actuarial loss/(gain) from changes
in financial assumptions - defined
benefit pension schemes 43.1 (15.1)
Actuarial loss from changes in financial
assumptions - defined contribution
pension schemes 0.2 -
----------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
Total loss/(gain) included in Other
Comprehensive Income* 32.1 (15.8)
----------------------------------------- ------------- -------------
*Of the EUR32.1m remeasurement losses in 2016, EUR17.6m relates
to remeasurement losses in the two Republic of Ireland defined
benefit pension schemes into which the Group ceased making
contributions with effect from 7 November 2016.
Cumulatively since transition to IFRS on 1 April 2004, EUR219.4
million has been recognised as a charge in the Group Statement of
Comprehensive Income in respect of defined benefit pension
schemes.
The discount rates used were as follows:
2016 2015
------------ ------------
ROI schemes 1.90% 2.65%
NIRE scheme 2.70% 3.80%
------------ ----- -----
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
13. Other items
(a) Statement of Comprehensive Income
A negative currency translation adjustment of EUR3.7m (all of
which relates to subsidiaries) has been recognised in the Group
Statement of Comprehensive Income as at 31 December 2016 (2015: a
net gain of EUR0.4m (a gain of EUR0.5m relating to associates and a
loss of EUR0.1m relating to subsidiaries)). The negative currency
translation adjustment has arisen due to the weakening of the
Sterling Pound exchange rate at 31 December 2016 compared to the
rates at 31 December 2015 used in the translation of the Group's
investments in subsidiaries with a functional currency different to
that of the Parent Company (EUR3.1m) and due to the disposal of two
Australian subsidiaries (EUR0.6m).
(b) Property, Plant and Equipment
The carrying amount of the Group's property, plant and equipment
decreased by EUR6.2m from EUR47.8m at 31 December 2015 to EUR41.6m
at 31 December 2016. This decrease is driven primarily by a
depreciation charge of EUR3.5m, impairments of EUR1.8m, disposals
of EUR2.0m and a negative foreign exchange movement of EUR1.2m,
somewhat offset by additions of EUR2.3m.
14. Borrowings
As of 31 December 2016, the Group held no debt and had cash and
cash equivalents of EUR84.8m (EUR59.7m as at 31 December 2015).
During 2015 the Group entered into an agreement to dispose of
all of the Group's shareholding in APN at a fixed price per APN
ordinary share ("APN Share") of AUD$0.88. All of the net proceeds
of the transaction were applied to repay INM Group indebtedness
(being EUR125.5m total borrowings as at 31 December 2014) in
full.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
15. Intangible Assets
Impairment Testing
The Group's indefinite life intangible assets (including
goodwill) are tested annually for impairment or whenever there is
an indication of impairment. When testing for impairment, the
recoverable amounts for the Group's cash-generating units ("CGU"s)
are measured at their value in use by discounting future expected
cash flows. These calculations use cash flow projections for five
years based on management approved forecasts which reflect
management's current experience and future expectations of the
markets in which the CGU operates. A terminal value multiple of
five was applied to year five EBITDA projections. The foregoing
impairment tests did not result in any impairments being recognised
in 2016. There was an impairment charge of EUR1.2m recognised in
2015 in relation to the Northern Ireland - Belfast Publishing CGU.
This arose due to changes in the discount rates and EBITDA forecast
applied in the impairment testing for this CGU. The key assumptions
used in the impairment assessment across CGUs in the regions were
as follows:
(i) Discount Rate - For the purpose of impairment testing,
pre-tax discount rates ranging from 12.4% to 15.2% (from Republic
of Ireland to Northern Ireland) were applied to the CGUs (2015:
12.4% - 15.1%) and;
(ii) Growth Rate - A growth rate of 0.5% was applied for the
Island of Ireland Publishing and Island of Ireland Distribution
CGUs and a growth rate of 0.0% was applied to the Northern Ireland
Belfast Publishing CGU.
The Group's intangible assets were EUR44.0m at 31 December 2015
and EUR48.2m at 31 December 2016. The increase of EUR4.2m is
primarily driven by acquisition through business combination of
EUR6.6m and additions of EUR3.7m partially offset by an
amortisation charge of EUR2.9m, disposals of EUR0.6m (write off of
assets no longer in use) and a negative FX movement of EUR2.6m.
Supplementary Non-IFRS Information
The Statement of Financial Position reports the carrying value
of newspaper mastheads at their acquired cost. Where these assets
have been acquired through a business combination, cost will be the
fair value allocated in acquisition accounting. The value of
internally generated newspaper mastheads or post-acquisition
revaluations are not permitted to be recognised in the Statement of
Financial Position in accordance with IFRS and, as a result, no
values for certain of the Group's internally generated newspaper
mastheads (e.g. three of the main Irish titles, the Irish
Independent, the Herald and the Sunday Independent) are reflected
in the Statement of Financial Position.
The Directors are of the view that the Group has many other
intangible assets which have substantial value that are not
reflected on the Group's Statement of Financial Position. This is
because these intangible assets are carried in the Group's
Statement of Financial Position at a nil value or a value which is
much less than their recoverable amount. The Directors are of the
view that if these intangible assets were allowed to be carried on
the Group's Statement of Financial Position then the Group's
intangible assets would be greater than currently reported.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
16. Analysis of Deferred Taxation Balances
Retirement
Capital Benefit Tax
Allowances Obligations Losses Other Total
EURm EURm EURm EURm EURm
----------------------- ------------- ------------- --------- -------- --------
Group
At 1 January
2015 7.3 10.3 1.3 (1.4) 17.5
Charge to Income
Statement (1.6) (0.6) (0.9) - (3.1)
Recognised in
other comprehensive
income* - (1.8) - - (1.8)
Exchange movements 0.7 - - - 0.7
----------------------- ------------- ------------- --------- -------- --------
Total charge
for the year (0.9) (2.4) (0.9) - (4.2)
----------------------- ------------- ------------- --------- -------- --------
At 31 December
2015 6.4 7.9 0.4 (1.4) 13.3
(Charge)/credit
to Income Statement (1.9) (2.3) - 0.2 (4.0)
Recognised in
other comprehensive
income* - 2.6 - - 2.6
Exchange movements (1.1) - (0.1) - (1.2)
----------------------- ------------- ------------- --------- -------- --------
Total (charge)/credit
for the year (3.0) 0.3 (0.1) 0.2 (2.6)
----------------------- ------------- ------------- --------- -------- --------
At 31 December
2016 3.4 8.2 0.3 (1.2) 10.7
----------------------- ------------- ------------- --------- -------- --------
* Tax effect of retirement benefit obligation
remeasurements.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities require management judgement
in determining the amounts to be recognised.
In particular, significant judgement is used when assessing the
extent to which deferred tax assets should be recognised, with
consideration given to the timing and level of future taxable
income in the relevant tax jurisdiction. The Group has tax losses,
capital allowances and tax credits in relation to retirement
benefit obligations available that have the potential to reduce tax
payments in future years. Deferred tax assets have been recognised
in relation to these to the extent that their recovery is probable
having regard to the projected future taxable profits of the
relevant companies. Deferred tax is measured on an undiscounted
basis in the periods in which the asset is expected to be realised
or the liability expected to be settled, based on tax rates and tax
laws substantively enacted at the Statement of Financial Position
date.
The net deferred tax asset at 31 December 2016 was EUR10.7m and
the Group estimates that the majority of this will be
settled/recovered more than 12 months after the Statement of
Financial Position date.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
16. Analysis of Deferred Taxation Balances (continued)
The above net deferred tax balance is reflected in the Statement
of Financial Position as follows:
2016 2015
EURm EURm
------ ------
Deferred taxation assets 14.2 17.1
Deferred taxation liabilities (3.5) (3.8)
------ ------
10.7 13.3
------ ------
Analysis of deferred taxation assets:
2016 2015
EURm EURm
------ ------
Retirement benefit obligations
- defined benefit schemes 1.3 7.3
Retirement benefit obligations
- defined contribution schemes 6.9 0.6
Capital allowances - property,
plant and equipment 5.5 8.8
Tax losses 0.3 0.4
Other 0.2 -
14.2 17.1
------ ------
Analysis of deferred taxation liabilities:
2016 2015
EURm EURm
------ ------
Capital allowances - property,
plant and equipment (2.1) (2.4)
Other (1.4) (1.4)
------ ------
(3.5) (3.8)
------ ------
The decrease of EUR2.6m in the Group's net deferred tax asset
during the year primarily relates to the change in accounting
estimate of EUR2.1m, the retirement benefits accounting adjustment
of EUR1.5m, and a negative foreign exchange movement of EUR1.2m;
somewhat offset by a movement of EUR2.6m on the actuarial increase
in the pension liability recognised through other comprehensive
income. (2015: The decrease of EUR4.2m in the Group's net deferred
tax asset related to the movement on retirement benefit obligations
remeasurement gains, tax losses and capital allowances).
The Directors have estimated the recoverability of the Group's
deferred tax assets on losses and capital allowances based on their
current assessment of the availability of future taxable profits
against which to utilise the deferred tax assets. The Directors
determine that capital allowances and losses should be available to
shelter a significant portion of the projected profit in the future
periods. The Group recognised deferred tax assets projected to be
realised in the timescale within which the Group believes that it
can assess the likelihood of its profits arising as being more
likely than not. The deferred tax assets recognised represent
approximately five years (2015: seven years) of taxable profits in
the relevant entities.
The Group has unrecognised tax losses as at 31 December 2016 of
EUR254.8m (2015: EUR295.7m) which have a tax value of EUR40.1m
(2015: EUR49.2m). In addition the Group has unrecognised available
capital allowances as at 31 December 2016 of EUR31.8m (2015:
EUR29.1m) which have a tax value of EUR5.4m (2015: EUR5.2m). There
is no expiry date applicable to these unrecognised tax losses or
available capital allowances. In Northern Ireland, the Group has an
unrecognised benefit from future retirement benefits of EUR31.8m
(2015: EUR24.2m) which has a tax value of EUR5.4m (2015:
EUR4.3m).
Deferred income tax assets and liabilities are offset when there
is a legally enforceable right to offset current tax assets against
current tax liabilities and when the deferred income taxes relate
to the same fiscal authority. Deferred income tax has not been
recognised for withholding and other taxes that may be payable on
the unremitted earnings of certain subsidiaries, associates and
joint ventures, as the timing of the reversal of these temporary
differences is controlled by the Group and it is probable that
these temporary differences will not reverse in the foreseeable
future.
As at 31 December 2016, no unremitted earnings were available in
the Group which could have been repatriated to Ireland, which would
have given rise to such a deferred tax liability.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
17. Discontinued Operations
(a) APN
During 2015, the Group disposed of its entire shareholding in
its associate APN. As APN was a separate major line of business,
the APN results are presented as a discontinued operation.
Effects of the disposal of the Group's shareholding in APN:
APN
2015
EURm
-------
Consideration received 119.3
Less:
Carrying amount (see table below) (73.5)
-------
45.8
Foreign currency translation reserve
balance reclassified to profit or
loss on disposal 3.8
Fair value reserve balance reclassified
to profit or loss on disposal 0.7
50.3
Costs of disposal (2.9)
-------
Gain on disposal* 47.4
-------
* No tax charge arose on the disposal as the base cost of the
APN shares (A$0.88) equalled the sale price of the shares
(A$0.88).
Carrying
value
EURm
---------
Carrying amount as at 31 December
2014 68.7
Foreign currency translation in period 4.3
Share of profits of APN in period 0.5
---------
Carrying amount at date of disposal 73.5
---------
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
17. Discontinued Operations (continued)
(b) Results of discontinued operations
2016 2015
APN APN
EURm EURm
------------------------------ ------- -------
Revenue - -
Expenses - -
Share of associated
companies post tax
results - 0.5
------------------------------ ------- -------
Results from operating
activities* - 0.5
Taxation charge - -
------------------------------ ------- -------
Results from operating
activities, net of
tax - 0.5
Gain on sale of discontinued
operation - 47.4
Results of discontinued
operations - post
exceptional items - 47.9
------------------------------ ------- -------
Discontinued operations
-Earnings per ordinary
share (cent) - Basic - 3.5c
------- -------
Discontinued operations
-Earnings per ordinary
share (cent) - Diluted - 3.4c
------- -------
* Results for APN for 2015 relate to the period from January
2015 to the date of disposal in March 2015.
There were no discontinued operations in 2016. Of the profit
from discontinued operations in 2015 of EUR47.9m, all is
attributable to the owners of the Company.
Of the profit from continuing operations of EUR50.3m (2015:
profit of EUR25.5m), EUR50.3m (2015: profit of EUR25.0m) is
attributable to the owners of the Company.
(c) Cash flows generated from/(used in) discontinued operations:
2016 2015
APN APN
EURm EURm
-------------------- ------- --------
Net cash used
in operating
activities - (2.9)
Net cash generated
by investing
activities* - 119.3
Net cash generated
from discontinued
operations - 116.4
-------------------- ------- --------
* EUR116.4m represents net cash disposal proceeds on the sale of
the Group's shareholding in APN.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
18. Share-based payment
The Company operates the following share based schemes which
provides for the grant of share options:
(a) INM Employee Share Scheme 2008; and
(b) INM Long Term Incentive Plan 2014.
(a) INM Employee Share Scheme 2008
Eligibility was restricted to certain employees who agreed to
amend the terms and conditions of their employment to provide for a
permanent reduction in salary (effective 1 January 2009). No option
is exercisable more than ten years from the date it was granted (23
January 2009). No other performance conditions attach to these
options.
The following table shows the number of options outstanding
under the INM Employee Share Scheme 2008 as at 31 December
2016:
2016
---------------------------- ------------------------------------
Weighted
Number average
of exercise
share price Value
options EUR EUR
---------------------------- ----------- ---------- -----------
Outstanding at the
beginning of the
year 581,220 1.321 767,792
Forfeited/cancelled/lapsed
during the year (46,122) 1.321 (60,927)
----------- ---------- -----------
Outstanding at the
end of the year 535,098 1.321 706,865
----------- ---------- -----------
No options have been exercised under this Plan to date. The
options outstanding at 31 December 2016 are exercisable at
EUR1.321.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
18. Share-based payment (continued)
(b) INM Long Term Incentive Scheme 2014
In June 2014, the Remuneration Committee proposed the
introduction of a new share option scheme and this was approved by
the shareholders at the AGM on 6 June 2014.
The following table shows the number of options outstanding
under the INM Long Term Incentive Plan 2014 as at 31 December
2016:
2016 2015
---------------------------- --------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Weighted Weighted
Number average Number average
of exercise Grant of exercise Grant
share price date share price date
options EUR fair options EUR fair
value value
EUR EUR
---------------------------- ------------ ---------- ------------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Outstanding at
the beginning
of the year 9,315,271 0.01 1,164,409* - - -
Granted during
the year 4,335,366 0.01 711,000* 9,315,271 0.01 1,164,409*
Forfeited/cancelled/lapsed
during the year - - - - - -
------------ ------------- ---------- -----------
Outstanding at
the end of the
year 13,650,637 0.01 1,875,409 9,315,271 0.01 1,164,409*
------------ ------------- ---------- -----------
* Total expense is recognised over a 3 year period.
There were no share options exercisable at year end. The share
options have a vesting period of 3 years.
The Group recognised total expenses of EUR0.6m (2015: EUR0.4m)
related to equity-settled share based payment transactions.
Expected volatility is based on the weighted average historic
volatility over a period equal to the weighted average expected
life. The market price of Ordinary Shares of EUR0.01 each was
EUR0.128 at 31 December 2016 and ranged from EUR0.110 to EUR0.178
during the year.
On 1 January 2015 a grant under the scheme, with two separate
and independent sets of vesting conditions, was made to certain
employees. Holders of vested options are entitled to purchase
shares at the nominal value of the share at the grant date.
On 1 January 2016, a further grant on similar terms was offered
to key management personnel and senior employees.
All options are to be settled by physical delivery of shares.
The terms and conditions and the main vesting criteria of the share
options are set out in the tables as follows:
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
18. Share-based payment (continued)
Vesting Grant date/ Number Vesting conditions Contractual
criteria employees of instruments life of
entitled options
------------------ ----------------- ---------------- ------------------------ ------------
Total Shareholder On 1 Jan 4,657,636 3 years service 7 years
Return 2015 to certain (50% of from grant date
("TSR") employees. total and a sliding
criteria grant) TSR condition
(share price
growth and dividends
On 1 Jan of INM compared
2016 to certain 2,167,683 with companies
employees. (50% of in the FTSE 350
total Media Group)
grant)
- Below median:
0% of total grant
- Between median
and 75(th) percentile:
25% - 50% of
total grant pro
rata
- 75(th) percentile
or above: 50%
of total grant
------------------ ----------------- ---------------- ------------------------ ------------
Earnings On 1 Jan 4,657,636 3 years service 7 years
Per Share 2015 to certain (50% of from grant date
("EPS") employees. total and a sliding
criteria grant) EPS condition
(level that INM's
annualised EPS
On 1 Jan growth is in
2016 to certain 2,167,683 excess of the
employees. (50% of annualised change
total in CPI)
grant)
- Less than 5%:
0% of total grant
- Between 5%
and 10%: 20%
- 50% of total
grant pro rata
- Above 10%:
50% of total
grant
In addition,
the annualised
EPS growth must
be positive and
the average 30
day share price
at the end of
the arrangement
must be higher
than at the start
of the arrangement.
------------------ ----------------- ---------------- ------------------------ ------------
The fair value of services received in return for share options
granted is based on the fair value of the share options granted,
measured using the Black-Scholes model.
Measurement of grant date fair values
The following inputs were used in the measure of the fair value
at grant date of the share-based payment arrangement.
Share option Share option
programme for programme for
certain employees certain employees
--------------------- ------------------- -------------------
2016 2015
--------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Fair value at grant
date EUR0.164 EUR0.125
--------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Share price at
grant date EUR0.169 EUR0.13
--------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Exercise price EUR0.01 EUR0.01
--------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Expected volatility
(weighted average
volatility) 35% 39%
--------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Vesting period 3 years 3 years
--------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Expected dividends 0% 0%
--------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Risk free interest
rate (based on
German government
bonds) 0.04% 0.83%
--------------------- ------------------- -------------------
Expected volatility is estimated taking into account historic
average share price volatility.
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
19. Acquisitions
On 13 May 2016, the Group acquired the remaining 50% of the
shares and voting interests in Digital Odyssey Limited (trading as
CarsIreland.ie). As a result of acquiring the remaining 50%
shareholding, the Group obtained control of Digital Odyssey
Limited.
There are clear synergies with INM's existing motoring features
across print and digital. CarsIreland.ie is a prominent destination
for drivers looking to sell their car or buy a new vehicle and
enjoys significant visitor numbers. The site's online position fits
well with INM's strategy for both its online and print titles.
a) Acquisition Related Costs
The Group incurred acquisition-related costs of EUR0.2m on legal
fees and due diligence costs. These costs have been included in
'exceptional items'.
b) Identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed
The following table summarises the recognised amounts of assets
acquired and liabilities assumed at the date of acquisition.
EURm
Intangible assets 1.7
Trade receivables 0.1
Cash and cash equivalents 0.5
Trade and other payables (0.2)
Total identifiable net
assets acquired 2.1
------
The valuation techniques used for measuring the fair value of
material assets acquired were as follows:
Assets acquired Valuation technique
------------------ ----------------------------------------
Intangible The brands were valued using the
Assets relief-from-royalty method. The
relief-from-royalty method considers
the discounted estimated royalty
payments that are expected to
be avoided as a result of the
acquisition.
The customer list was valued using
the multi-period excess earnings
method. The multi-period excess
earnings method considers the
present value of net cash flows
expected to be generated by the
customer relationships, by excluding
any cash flows related to contributory
assets.
------------------ ----------------------------------------
Trade Receivables The trade receivables comprise
gross contractual amounts due
of EUR0.1m.
------------------ ----------------------------------------
Other Assets The carrying value of other assets
acquired equate to their fair
value.
------------------ ----------------------------------------
If new information obtained within one year of the date of
acquisition about facts and circumstances that existed at the date
of acquisition identifies adjustments to the above amounts, or any
additional provisions that existed at the date of acquisition, then
the accounting for the acquisition will be revised.
c) Goodwill
Goodwill arising from the acquisition has been recognised as
follows:
EURm
Consideration transferred
(in the form of cash) 3.5
Fair value of pre-existing
interest in Digital Odyssey
Limited 3.5
Fair value of identifiable
net assets (2.1)
------
Goodwill 4.9
------
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION (continued)
19. Acquisitions (continued)
The remeasurement to fair value of the Group's pre-existing 50%
interest in Digital Odyssey Limited resulted in a gain of EUR2.9m.
This amount has been included in 'exceptional items'. The goodwill
is attributable to synergies that will be realised through the
Group's people, structures and business practices in acquiring the
remaining 50% of Digital Odyssey Limited.
20. Contingencies
Litigation
Given the nature of the Group's business, from time to time, it
is party to various legal proceedings. It is the opinion of the
Directors that INM's share of the losses, if any, arising in
connection with these matters will have no material adverse impact
on the financial position of the Group.
21. Subsequent Events
The Company is complying with a requirement from the Office of
the Director of Corporate Enforcement ("ODCE") to produce records
in relation to the possible acquisition by the Company of Newstalk
and related matters that were the subject of the Company's
announcement on 28 November 2016. The Company is taking all
necessary steps to meet the ODCE's request.
A requirement from the ODCE to produce books and records is a
procedural matter that does not involve any conclusion that there
has been a breach of law by the Company or its officers.
The Company established in December 2016, before being contacted
by the ODCE, a formal independent review to examine and inquire
into matters concerning the possible acquisition of Newstalk and
related matters. Discussions on the possible acquisition ended at a
preliminary stage and the acquisition was never considered by the
Board. The confidential, independent review is being carried out on
behalf of the Board by senior counsel and a senior independent
governance expert who have been mandated to report to the
Board.
The Company takes its corporate governance responsibilities very
seriously, and seeks to comply at all times with all relevant laws
and regulations.
The Company does not intend to comment further regarding the
ODCE's request and the independent review.
There were no further events since the year end that would
require disclosure or adjustment in the financial statements.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
FR SEMFUSFWSEDD
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
March 21, 2017 03:00 ET (07:00 GMT)
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