Consolidation group

Besides METRO AG, all companies indirectly or directly controlled by METRO AG are included in the consolidated financial statements if these companies individually or as a group are not immaterial to the consolidated financial statements. Control exists if there is a possibility to control a company’s financial and business policy through a majority of voting rights or according to the Articles of Association, company contract or contractual agreement in order to benefit from this company’s business activities.

Including METRO AG, 177 German (30/9/2019: 200) and 174 international (30/9/2019: 223) companies are included in the consolidated financial statements.

The group of consolidated companies changed as follows in financial year 2019/20:

Deconsolidated companies are treated as group companies up to the date of their disposal.

The sales include the disposals from the divestment of METRO China (46 companies) and from the divestment of the hypermarket business (34 companies).

The remaining disposals relate primarily to liquidations. Effects from changes in the consolidation group that are of special significance are explained separately in the notes relating to the respective items.

For materiality reasons, 1 (30/9/2019: 3) affiliated subsidiary is not fully consolidated.

Investments accounted for using the equity method

25 associated companies (30/9/2019: 24) and 9 joint ventures (30/9/2019: 8) are accounted in the consolidated financial statements using the equity method.