Wrap Text
Trading statement and change in accounting policy
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$'m
(1)
Headline earnings 910 ( 6) 916 188 ( 584) 772
Adjusted for:
- equity-settled share-based payment expenses 173 - 173 296 - 296
- amortisation of other intangible assets 84 ( 314) 398 169 ( 298) 467
- fair-value adjustments and currency translation differences(1) 19 6 13 756 584 172
- retention option expense - - - 1 - 1
- business combination related losses 10 - 10 44 - 44
Core headline earnings 1 196 ( 314) 1 510 1 454 ( 298) 1 752
Core headline per N ordinary share (US cents) 277 (73) 350 337 (69) 406
(1)
Restated for the group's change in accounting policy on put option liabilities as outlined above. Remeasurements of put options are excluded from core
headline earnings.
Naspers Limited
Trading statement and change in accounting policy
TRADING PROFIT IN THE SEGMENTAL REVIEW (extract)
Six months ended 30 September Year ended 31 March
2017 2017 2017 2017 2017 2017
New Previously New Previously
basis Adjustment reported basis Adjustment reported
US$'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)
Cape Town
13 June 2018
Sponsor: Investec Bank Limited
Date: 13/06/2018 03:00:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE').
The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of
the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,
information disseminated through SENS.
Sharenet Sites 
