Consolidation principles

The financial statements of German and foreign subsidiaries included in the consolidated accounts are prepared using uniform accounting and valuation methods as required by IFRS 10 (Consolidated Financial Statements).

Consolidated companies that, unlike METRO AG, do not close their financial year on 30 September prepared interim financial statements for IFRS consolidation purposes. In principle, subsidiaries are fully consolidated insofar as their consolidation is of material importance to the presentation of a true and fair view of the assets, financial and earnings position.

In accordance with IFRS 3 (Business Combinations), capital consolidation is effected using the purchase method. In the case of business combinations, the carrying amounts of the investments are offset against the revalued pro rata equity of the subsidiaries as of their acquisition dates. Any positive differences remaining after the allocation of hidden reserves and hidden burdens are capitalised as goodwill. Goodwill is tested for impairment regularly once a year – or more frequently if changes in circumstances indicate a possible impairment. If the carrying amount of a unit that was assigned goodwill exceeds the recoverable amount, an impairment loss of the goodwill is recognised to the amount of the difference between both values.

In addition, in the case of company acquisitions, hidden reserves and burdens attributable to non-controlling interests must be disclosed and reported in equity as “non-controlling interests”. METRO does not use the option to recognise the goodwill attributable to non-controlling interests. In accordance with IFRS 3, any negative differences remaining after the allocation of hidden reserves and hidden burdens as well as after another review during the period in which the business combination took place are recognised through profit or loss.

Purchases of additional shareholdings in companies where a controlling interest has already been acquired are recognised as equity transactions. As a result, the assets and liabilities are not remeasured at fair value, nor are any gains or losses recognised. Any differences between the cost of the additional shareholding and the carrying amount of the net assets on the date of acquisition are directly offset against the capital attributable to the buyer.

Any impairment losses and reversals of impairment losses to shares in consolidated subsidiaries carried in the individual financial statements are reversed.

Investments in associates and joint ventures are accounted for using the equity method and treated in accordance with the principles applying to full consolidation, with existing goodwill being included in the amount capitalised for investments. The recognition of income from investments in associates, joint ventures and joint operations in the income statement depends on whether the investee carries out operating or non-operating activities. Operating activities include the retail and wholesale businesses as well as related support activities (for example, renting/leasing of retail properties, procurement, logistics). Income from operating associates, joint ventures and joint operations is recognised in EBIT; income from non-operating entities is recognised in the net financial result. Any deviating accounting and measurement methods used in the financial statements of entities valued at equity are retained as long as they do not substantially contradict METRO’s uniform accounting and valuation methods.

According to IFRS 11, the individual partners in joint arrangements recognise their portion of jointly held assets and jointly incurred liabilities in their own balance sheet.

Intra-group profits and losses are eliminated; sales, expenses and income as well as receivables and liabilities and/or provisions are consolidated. Interim results in fixed assets or inventories resulting from intra-group transactions are eliminated unless they are of minor significance. In accordance with IAS 12 (Income Taxes), deferred taxes are recognised for consolidation procedures.

Unrealised gains from transactions with companies accounted for using the equity method are derecognised against the investment in the amount of the group’s share in the investee.

In joint arrangements, each of the partner companies recognises its own portion of sales, income and expenses resulting from the joint arrangement in its income statement.

A reduction in the holding in a subsidiary must be recognised in reserves retained from earnings as an equity transaction outside of profit or loss as long as the parent company can continue to exercise control. If a reduction in the holding or its complete disposal entails a loss of control, full consolidation of the subsidiary is ended when the parent company has lost its control opportunity over the subsidiary. All assets, liabilities and equity items that were previously fully consolidated will then be derecognised at amortised group carrying amounts. Deconsolidation of the derecognised holdings is carried out in line with the general rules on deconsolidation. Any remaining residual shares are recognised at fair value as a financial instrument according to IAS 39 or as a holding valued using the equity method pursuant to IAS 28.