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Trading Statement

13 Jun 2018 14:00

RNS Number : 2994R
Naspers Limited
13 June 2018
 

Naspers Limited

(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)

(Reg. No 1925/001431/06)

JSE Share Code: NPN ISIN: ZAE000015889

LSE ADS Code: NPSN ISIN: US6315121003

("Naspers")

Trading statement and change in accounting policy

Shareholders are advised that the Naspers group ("the group") is finalising its provisional report and consolidated annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2018.

Compared to the group's published results for the year ended 31 March 2017, it expects core headline earnings per share for the year to be between 40% (162 US cents) and 45% (183 US cents) higher than the prior period's reported 406 US cents. However, as outlined below, the group has amended its calculation of core headline earnings and has restated the comparative period's core headline earnings per share to 337 US cents. Accordingly, we expect core headline earnings per share for the year ended 31 March 2018 to be between 70% (236 US cents) and 75% (253 US cents) higher than the adjusted comparable period's 337 US cents. Shareholders are reminded that the board considers core headline earnings an appropriate indicator of the operating performance of the group, as it adjusts for non-recurring and non-operational items.

Compared to the group's published results for the year ended 31 March 2017, it expects earnings per share for the year to be between 280% (1 895 US cents) and 290% (1 963 US cents) higher than the prior period's reported 677 US cents. However, as outlined below, the group restated the comparative earnings per share figure to 542 US cents as a result of its change in accounting policy. Accordingly, it is expected that earnings per share for the year will be between 380% (2 060 US cents) and 390% (2 114 US cents) higher compared to the adjusted prior period's 542 US cents. The growth in earnings for the year was significantly impacted by the gain recognised on the sale of a 2% interest in Tencent Holdings Limited (Tencent) in March 2018, which is non-recurring.

Compared to the group's published results for the year ended 31 March 2017, it expects headline earnings per share for the year to be between 130% (233 US cents) and 135% (242 US cents) higher than the prior period's reported 179 US cents. However, as outlined below, the group restated the comparative headline earnings per share figure to 44 US cents as a result of its change in accounting policy. Accordingly, headline earnings per share for the year is expected to increase by between 840% (370 US cents) and 850% (374 US cents) from the adjusted prior period's 44 US cents. Headline earnings for the year ended 31 March 2017 was restated and significantly reduced by the change in accounting policy for put options outlined below.

Further details will be provided in the summarised consolidated financial results, due for release on 22 June 2018. Financial information on which this trading statement is based has not been reviewed or reported on by the company's auditors.

Shareholders should note that the group's provisional report and consolidated annual financial statements will contain a change in accounting policy. To assist shareholders in understanding the group's trading update, these changes and their impact on the group's reporting for the comparative year ended 31 March 2017 and six months ended 30 September 2017 have been outlined below.

Change in accounting policy for put option liabilities

As part of our commitment to build shareholder value and prevent dilution, we indicated recently that we are unlikely to issue Naspers N ordinary shares to settle put option liabilities arising from mergers and acquisitions agreements, employee share option obligations or similar arrangements. Instead, the intention is to settle these items in cash, either through purchases of shares on the market or direct cash settlement.

When investing, we frequently partner with founders who remain in the business as non-controlling shareholders. To provide them with liquidity at a later date, agreements sometimes include put options that require the group to purchase the shares of non-controlling shareholders in future, with the option to settle by issuing Naspers N ordinary shares or in cash. In the past we selected to settle some of these by issuing Naspers N ordinary shares.

 

Change in accounting policy for put option liabilities (continued)

The recent change in commercial intent to settle put options in cash rather than Naspers N ordinary shares, has prompted us to reassess our accounting policy to ensure it remains reflective of the underlying settlement expectations. IFRS does not explicitly address accounting for put option liabilities that can be settled by issuing a variable number of an entity's own shares, as evidenced in the IFRS Interpretations Committee November 2016 rejection of this matter. As a result, an accounting policy choice exists - they can either be accounted for as (i) derivative financial instruments (at fair value in terms of IAS 39 Financial Instruments Recognition and Measurement or IFRS 9 Financial Instruments), or (ii) as liabilities equal to the amount payable on settlement (in terms of IAS 32 Financial Instruments: Presentation).

Up to 30 September 2017, put option liabilities were accounted for as derivative financial instruments given the historic intention to settle in Naspers N ordinary shares. All put option liabilities were measured at a fair value of zero as these options are priced at fair value, consequently there was no impact on the statement of financial position or income statement.

Given the intention to now settle in cash, it is more appropriate to recognise them as liabilities in the statement of financial position, at amounts reflecting the gross cash consideration payable on settlement. Consequently, in accordance with IAS 8, we have changed our accounting policy in this respect. Going forward, all remeasurements of these liabilities will be recognised in the income statement. These remeasurements will be included in headline earnings but excluded from core headline earnings.

The group has applied the change in accounting policy retrospectively and has restated the comparative information presented in the provisional report and consolidated annual financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2017, as well as the comparative information to be contained in its interim report for the six months ending 30 September 2018. The summarised impact of the change in accounting policy on prior period results is an increase in liabilities of US$2.23bn and US$2.22bn as at 30 September 2017 and 31 March 2017 respectively, as well as the recognition of remeasurement losses (including foreign exchange translation effects) in the income statement of US$18m for the six months ended 30 September 2017 and US$640m for the year ended 31 March 2017.

The impact of the change is illustrated in the following tables:

 

INCOME STATEMENT AND STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (extract)

30 September

31 March

2017

2017

2017

2017

2017

2017

Change in

Change in

accounting

Previously

accounting

Previously

Restated

policy

reported

Restated

policy

reported

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

Other finance (costs)/income - net

( 65)

( 18)

( 47)

( 899)

( 640)

( 259)

Profit before taxation

1 206

( 18)

1 224

2 412

( 640)

3 052

Taxation

( 148)

-

( 148)

( 244)

-

( 244)

Profit for the year

1 058

( 18)

1 076

2 168

( 640)

2 808

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the group

1 092

( 6)

1 098

2 337

( 584)

2 921

Non-controlling interests

( 34)

( 12)

( 22)

( 169)

( 56)

( 113)

1 058

( 18)

1 076

2 168

( 640)

2 808

Earnings for the period

1 092

( 6)

1 098

2 337

( 584)

2 921

Earnings per N ordinary share (US cents)

253

( 1)

254

542

( 135)

677

Headline earnings for the period

910

( 6)

916

188

( 584)

772

Headline earnings per N ordinary share (US cents)

211

( 1)

212

44

( 135)

179

STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (extract)

Profit for the year

1 058

( 18)

1 076

2 168

( 640)

2 808

Other comprehensive income for the year

842

-

842

1 541

( 4)

1 545

Total comprehensive income for the year

1 900

( 18)

1 918

3 709

( 644)

4 353

Attributable to:

Equity holders of the group

1 968

( 6)

1 974

3 905

( 587)

4 492

Non-controlling interests

( 68)

( 12)

( 56)

( 196)

( 57)

( 139)

1 900

( 18)

1 918

3 709

( 644)

4 353

The group's change in accounting policy regarding put options had no impact on core headline earnings.

STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION (extract)

As at 30 September

2017

2017

2017

Change in

accounting

Previously

Restated

policy

reported

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Capital and reserves attributable to the group's equity holders

14 464

(2 110)

16 574

Share capital and premium

4 954

-

4 954

Other reserves

( 319)

(1 518)

1 199

Retained earnings

9 829

( 592)

10 421

Non-controlling interests

161

( 117)

278

TOTAL EQUITY

14 625

(2 227)

16 852

Non-current liabilities (subtotal)

6 424

1 717

4 707

Other non-current liabilities

1 717

1 717

-

Current liabilities (subtotal)

3 022

510

2 512

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

1 858

510

1 348

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

24 071

-

24 071

As at 31 March

As at 31 March/1 April

2017

2017

2017

2016

2016

2016

Change in

Change in

accounting

Previously

accounting

Previously

Restated

policy

reported

Restated

policy

reported

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

Capital and reserves attributable to the group's equity holders

12 856

(2 102)

14 958

8 771

(1 483)

10 254

Share capital and premium

4 944

-

4 944

4 965

-

4 965

Other reserves

(1 000)

(1 518)

518

(2 304)

(1 483)

( 821)

Retained earnings

8 912

( 584)

9 496

6 110

-

6 110

Non-controlling interests

286

( 117)

403

379

( 21)

400

TOTAL EQUITY

13 142

(2 219)

15 361

9 150

(1 504)

10 654

Non-current liabilities (subtotal)

5 349

1 708

3 641

5 118

1 095

4 023

Other non-current liabilities

1 708

1 708

-

1 098

1 095

3

Current liabilities (subtotal)

3 439

511

2 928

2 455

409

2 046

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

1 768

511

1 257

1 595

409

1 186

TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES

21 930

-

21 930

16 723

-

16 723

Calculation of trading profit and core headline earnings - impact of digital content-related amortisation charges relating to Tencent

The group is required to calculate and present headline earnings (and the related basic and diluted per-share equivalents) in terms of the JSE Listings Requirements. Headline earnings represents an earnings metric that is intended to provide a like-for-like basis on which the earnings of entities can be compared.

In addition to headline earnings, we also calculate and present trading profit and core headline earnings. These are non-IFRS, Naspers-defined metrics and are presented as additional information to shareholders as we consider them more reflective of our operating performance. In arriving at core headline earnings, adjustments are made to the earnings of consolidated businesses, as well as the underlying earnings of associates and joint ventures, to the extent that the information is available.

Ensuring that core headline earnings remains reflective of our future potential operating performance, a review of the items adjusted for in the calculation is required as circumstances change.

We have historically adjusted core headline earnings for all amortisation expenses, excluding software, as these expenses have primarily related to intangible assets resulting from business combinations and other acquisitions. These expenses are not considered operational in nature.

Our associate Tencent has, in recent years, made a strategic decision to develop a number of digital content offerings (including video and music), with significant success. Consequently, content acquired now represents a meaningful part of the overall cost base for the digital content business, resulting in an increase in intangible assets and related amortisation expenses. As a result of this development, we considered it prudent to refine the treatment of amortisation within the core headline earnings calculation and to now include the digital-content element of Tencent's amortisation expenses in core headline earnings. Only amortisation related to intangible assets identified in business combinations and other acquisitions continues to be adjusted for in the core headline earnings calculation. The effect is to adjust core headline earnings downward from US$1.5bn to US$1.2bn for the six months ended 30 September 2017 and from US$1.8bn to US$1.5bn for the year ended 31 March 2017.

IFRS 8 Operating Segments require segmental reporting to reflect the manner in which financial information is communicated internally to management. We therefore report trading profit on an economic-interest basis (i.e. including a proportionate consolidation of the trading profits of associates and joint ventures) in the segmental review which, similar to core headline earnings, excludes amortisation expenses on certain intangible assets. For the reasons outlined above, we will similarly no longer adjust trading profit to exclude the amortisation expenses recognised by Tencent on its digital content. The effect is to adjust trading profit downward from US$2.1bn to US$1.7bn for the six months ended 30 September 2017 and from US$2.7bn to US$2.3bn for the year ended 31 March 2017. Consolidated trading profit is unaffected by this change.

To ensure comparability between reporting periods, we have updated the comparative information for trading profit and core headline earnings (including basic and diluted per-share equivalents) in our provisional report and consolidated annual financial statements. The change to trading profit and core headline earnings had no impact on the group's statement of financial position and income statement presented in accordance with IFRS.

The impact of the change is illustrated in the tables that follow.

 

CALCULATION OF CORE HEADLINE EARNINGS (extract)

Six months ended 30 September

Year ended 31 March

2017

2017

2017

2017

2017

2017

New

Previously

New

Previously

basis

Adjustment

reported

basis

Adjustment

reported

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

Headline earnings(1)

910

( 6)

916

188

( 584)

772

Adjusted for:

 - equity-settled share-based payment expenses

173

-

173

296

-

296

 - amortisation of other intangible assets

84

( 314)

398

169

( 298)

467

 - fair-value adjustments and currency translation differences(1)

19

6

13

756

584

172

 - retention option expense

-

-

-

1

-

1

 - business combination related losses

10

-

10

44

-

44

Core headline earnings

1 196

( 314)

1 510

1 454

( 298)

1 752

Core headline per N ordinary share (US cents)

277

(73)

350

337

(69)

406

(1) Restated for the group's change in accounting policy on put option liabilities as outlined above. Remeasurements of put options are excluded from core headline earnings.

TRADING PROFIT IN THE SEGMENTAL REVIEW (extract)

 

Six months ended 30 September

Year ended 31 March

 

2017

2017

2017

2017

2017

2017

 

New

Previously

New

Previously

 

basis

Adjustment

reported

basis

Adjustment

reported

 

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

US$'m

 

Internet

1 418

( 402)

1 820

2 031

( 423)

2 454

 

Social and internet platforms

1 736

( 402)

2 138

2 762

( 423)

3 185

 

 - Tencent

1 713

( 402)

2 115

2 702

( 423)

3 125

 

 - Mail.ru

23

-

23

60

-

60

 

Ecommerce

( 318)

-

( 318)

( 731)

-

( 731)

 

 

Video entertainment

234

-

234

287

-

287

 

Media

21

-

21

19

-

19

 

Corporate services

( 8)

-

( 8)

( 14)

-

( 14)

 

Economic interest

1 665

( 402)

2 067

2 323

( 423)

2 746

 

Less: Equity-accounted investments

(1 595)

402

(1 997)

(2 537)

423

(2 960)

 

Consolidated

70

-

70

( 214)

-

( 214)

 

 

 

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.
 
END
 
 
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