44. Management of financial risks

METRO Treasury manages the financial risks of METRO. Specifically, these include:

• Price risks
• Liquidity risks
• Credit risks
• Cash flow risks

Price risks

For METRO, price risks result from the impact of changes in market interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, share price fluctuations or changes in commodity prices on the value of financial instruments.

Interest rate risks are caused by changes in interest rate levels. Interest rate derivatives are used to cap these risks.

METRO’s remaining interest rate risk is assessed in accordance with IFRS 7 using a sensitivity analysis. In the process, the following assumptions are applied in the consideration of changes in interest rates:

• The total impact determined by the sensitivity analysis relates to the actual balance as of the closing date and reflects the impact for 1 year.
• Primary floating-rate financial instruments whose interest payments are not designated as the underlying transaction in a cash flow hedge against changes in interest rates are recognised in the interest result in the sensitivity analysis. The sensitivity for a change of 10 basis points is determined due to the currently low level of interest rates.
• Primary fixed-interest financial instruments are generally not recognised in the interest result. They are only recognised in other financial result if they are designated as the underlying transaction within a fair value hedge and measured at fair value. In this case, however, the interest-related change in the value of the underlying transaction is offset by the change in the value of the hedging transaction upon full effectiveness of the hedging transaction. The variable interest flows within the group that result from a fair value hedge are recognised in the interest result.
• Financial instruments designated as the hedging transaction within a cash flow hedge to hedge against variable interest flows will only be recognised in the interest result when the payment flows have actually been initiated. However, the measurement of the hedging transaction at fair value is recognised in reserves retained from earnings outside of profit or loss.
• Interest rate derivatives that are not part of a qualified hedging transaction under IAS 39 are recognised at fair value in profit or loss in other financial result and, through resulting interest flows, in the interest result.

As of the closing date, METRO’s remaining interest rate risk is primarily the result of variable interest rate receivables and liabilities to banks as well as other short-term liquid financial assets (shown under cash and cash equivalents) with an aggregate debit balance after consideration of hedging transactions of €688 million (30/9/2017: €608 million).

Given this total balance, an interest rate rise of 10 basis points would result in €1 million (2016/17: €1 million) higher earnings in the interest result per year. An interest rate decrease of 10 basis points would have the opposite effect of €−1 million (2016/17: €−1 million).

METRO faces currency risks in its international procurement of merchandise and because of costs and financings that are incurred in a currency other than the relevant local currency or are pegged to the development of another currency. In accordance with the group guideline Foreign Currency Transactions, resulting foreign currency positions must be hedged. Exceptions to this hedging requirement exist where hedging is not economically reasonable and in the case of legal and regulatory restrictions in the respective countries. Forward currency contracts are used in the hedging.

In line with IFRS 7, the presentation of the currency risk resulting from the exceptions is also based on a sensitivity analysis. In the process, the following assumptions are made in the consideration of a devaluation or revaluation of the euro vis-à-vis other currencies:

In terms of its amount and result characteristic, the total effect presented by the sensitivity analysis relates to the amounts of foreign currency held within the consolidated subsidiaries of METRO and states the effect of a devaluation or revaluation of the euro.

A devaluation of the euro will result in a positive effect if a receivable in the foreign currency exists at a subsidiary which uses the euro as its functional currency and if a liability in euros exists at a subsidiary which does not use the euro as its functional currency. The following table shows the nominal volumes of currency pairs in this category with a positive sign.

A devaluation of the euro will result in a negative effect if a receivable in euros exists at a subsidiary which does not use the euro as its functional currency and if a liability in the foreign currency exists at a subsidiary which uses the euro as its functional currency. Correspondingly, the following table shows the nominal volumes of currency pairs in this category with a negative sign.

By contrast, an appreciation of the euro will have the opposite effect for all currency pairs shown above.

In the sensitivity analysis, the effects of the measurement of non-equity foreign currency positions that are calculated based on the closing date price in line with IAS 21 are recognised in the income statement. In the case of net investments in a foreign operation, the effects of the closing date measurement are recognised in equity (other comprehensive income) outside of profit or loss.

Foreign currency futures/options and interest rate and currency swaps that are not part of a qualified hedge under IAS 39 are recognised through the fair value measurement in the income statement. In fully effective hedging transactions, this effect is offset by the effect from the measurement of the underlying foreign currency transaction.

In the consolidated financial statements, foreign currency future transactions are designated as hedging transactions within a cash flow hedge to hedge merchandise procurement and sales. Changes in the fair value of these hedging instruments are recognised in other comprehensive income until the underlying transaction is recognised through profit or loss.

Effects from the currency translation of financial statements whose functional currency is not the reporting currency of METRO do not affect cash flows in local currency and are therefore not part of the sensitivity analysis.

As of the closing date, the remaining currency risk of METRO, which is essentially due to an inability to hedge certain currencies for legal reasons or due to insufficient market depth, was as follows:

Currency risks existing in addition to these are mainly the result of USD currency holdings in various subsidiaries in which the functional currency is not the US dollar or the euro. At a nominal volume measured in USD of €4 million (30/9/2017: €6 million), a devaluation of the US dollar by 10% would result in positive effects of €0 million in profit or loss for the period (2016/17: €1 million); conversely, a revaluation of the US dollar would have negative effects of €0 million (2016/17: €1 million).

With a nominal volume of €2 million (30/9/2017: €0 million), the currency pair MMK/USD accounts for the main share of this effect, while in the previous year the currency pair TRY/USD accounted for the largest share of this effect.

Interest rate and currency risks are substantially reduced and limited by the principles laid down in the internal treasury guidelines of METRO. These include a regulation that is applicable throughout the group, whereby all hedging operations must adhere to predefined limits and must not lead to increased risk exposure under any circumstances. METRO is aware that this severely limits the opportunities to exploit current or expected interest rate and exchange rate movements to optimise results.

In addition, hedging may be carried out only with standard financial derivative instruments whose correct actuarial and accounting mapping and valuation in the treasury system are guaranteed.

As of the closing date, the following derivative financial instruments were being used for risk reduction:

The nominal volume of forex futures/options and interest limitation agreements results from the net position of the buying and selling values in foreign currency underlying the individual transactions translated at the relevant exchange rate on the closing date. The nominal volume of interest rate swaps or interest rate/currency swaps and interest rate hedging agreements is shown on a gross basis.

All fair values represent the theoretical value of these instruments upon dissolution of the transaction on the closing date. Under the premise that instruments are held until the end of their term, these are unrealised gains and losses that, by the end of the term, will be fully set off by gains and losses from the underlying transactions in the case of fully effective hedging transactions.

In order to appropriately show this reconciliation for the period, relationships are created between hedging transactions and underlying transactions and recognised as follows:

• Within a fair value hedge, both the hedging transaction and the hedged risk of the underlying transaction are recognised at their fair value. The value fluctuations of both transactions are shown in the income statement, where they will be fully set off against each other in the case of full effectiveness.
• Within a cash flow hedge, the hedging transactions are also principally recognised at their fair value. In the case of full effectiveness of the hedging transaction, the value changes will be recognised in equity until the hedged payment flows or expected transactions impact the earnings. Only then will they be recognised in the income statement.
• Hedging transactions that, according to IAS 39, are not part of a hedge are recognised at their fair value. Value changes are recognised directly in the income statement. Even if no formal hedging relationship was created, these are hedging transactions that are closely connected to the underlying transaction and whose impact on earnings will be netted by the underlying transaction (natural hedge).

Currency derivatives are used primarily for Chinese renminbi, Hong Kong dollar, Japanese yen, Polish złoty, Romanian leu, Russian rouble, Swiss franc, Czech koruna, Hungarian forint and US dollar.

The derivative financial instruments have the following maturities:

Listed below the maturities are the fair values of the financial assets and liabilities that are due during these periods.

The repricing dates for variable interest rates are less than 1 year.

Liquidity risks

Liquidity risk describes the risk of being unable to procure or provide funding or being able to only procure or provide funding at a higher cost. Liquidity risks may arise, for example, as a result of temporary capital market disruptions, creditor defaults, insufficient credit facilities or the absence of budgeted incoming payments. METRO AG acts as financial coordinator for METRO companies to ensure that they are provided with the necessary financing to fund their operating and investing activities at all times and in the most cost-efficient manner possible. The necessary information is provided by means of a group financial plan, which is updated monthly and checked monthly for deviations. This financial plan is complemented by a weekly rolling 14-day liquidity plan.

Instruments used for financing purposes include money and capital market products (time deposits, call money, promissory note loans, commercial papers and listed bonds sold as part of ongoing capital market programmes) as well as bilateral and syndicated loans. METRO has a sufficient liquidity reserve so that there is no danger of liquidity risks even if an unexpected event has a negative financial impact on the company’s liquidity situation. For more information about the instruments used for financing purposes and credit facilities, see the explanatory notes to the respective balance sheet items.

Intra-group cash pooling allows the surplus liquidity of individual group companies to be used for providing internal finance to other group companies. This reduces the group’s amount of debt and thus its interest expenses. In addition, METRO AG draws on the financial expertise pooled in the treasury of METRO AG to advise the group companies in all relevant financial matters and provide support. This ranges from the elaboration of investment financing concepts to supporting the responsible financial officers of the individual group companies in their discussions with local banks and financial service providers. This ensures, on the one hand, that the financial resources of METRO are optimally employed, and, on the other, that all group companies benefit from the strength and credit standing of METRO in negotiating their financing terms.

Credit risks

Credit risks arise from the total or partial default by a counterparty, for example, through bankruptcy or in connection with monetary investments and derivative financial instruments with positive market values. METRO’s maximum default exposure as of the closing date is reflected by the carrying amount of financial assets totalling €2,558 million (30/9/2017: €3,102 million).

Cash on hand considered in cash and cash equivalents totalling €25 million (30/9/2017: €55 million) is not exposed to any default risk.

As part of the risk management for financial investments in the total amount of €1,205 million (30/9/2017: €1,407 million) and derivative financial instruments in the total amount of €11 million (30/9/2017: €6 million), minimum creditworthiness requirements and individual maximum exposure limits for the engagement have been defined for all business partners of METRO. Cheques and money in circulation are not considered in the determination of creditworthiness risks. This is based on a system of limits laid down in the treasury guidelines, which are based mainly on the ratings of international rating agencies, developments of credit default swaps or internal credit assessments. An individual limit is allocated to every counterparty of METRO; compliance is constantly monitored by the treasury systems.

The following table shows a breakdown of counterparties by rating class:

The table shows that, as of the closing date, about 98% of the capital investment volume, including the positive market value of derivatives, had been placed with investment-grade counterparties, in other words, those with good or very good credit ratings. Most of the counterparties that do not yet have an internationally accepted rating are respected financial institutions whose creditworthiness can be considered flawless based on analyses. METRO also operates in countries where local financial institutions do not have investment-grade ratings due to the rating of their country. For country-specific reasons as well as cost and efficiency considerations, cooperation with these institutions is unavoidable. These institutions account for about 0.8% of the total volume.

METRO’s level of exposure to creditworthiness risks is thus very low.

Cash flow risks

A future change in interest rates may cause cash flow from variable interest rate asset and liability items to fluctuate. Stress tests are used to determine the potential impact interest rate changes may have on cash flow and how they can be capped through hedging transactions in accordance with the group’s internal treasury guidelines.