PostNL N.V. is a public limited liability company with its registered seat and head office in The Hague, the Netherlands. PostNL provides businesses and consumers in the Benelux with an extensive range of services for their mail and parcels needs. Through our international sales network Spring, we connect local businesses around the world to consumers globally. PostNL’s services involve collecting, sorting, transporting and delivering letters and parcels for the company’s customers within specific timeframes. The company also provides services in the area of data management, direct marketing and fulfilment.
The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of PostNL N.V. and its consolidated subsidiaries (hereafter referred to as ‘PostNL’, ‘Group’ or ‘the company’). The consolidated financial statements were authorised for issue by PostNL’s Board of Management and Supervisory Board on 24 February 2020 and are subject to adoption at the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders on 14 April 2020.
The consolidated financial statements of PostNL:
have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the European Union (EU), including International Accounting Standards (IAS) and related interpretations of the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRICs), and Dutch law,
have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for financial instruments, and
have been prepared assuming a going concern.
The significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated financial statements are included at the relevant notes to the consolidated financial statements or, in case of more general policies, in note 5.4 to the consolidated financial statements. These policies have been consistently applied to all the years presented, unless stated otherwise. All amounts included in the consolidated financial statements are presented in euros, unless stated otherwise.
In line with PostNL’s strategy to become the logistics and postal solutions provider in the Benelux, PostNL has decided to divest Nexive and Postcon. On 3 August 2018, the classification criteria of IFRS 5 Non-current Assets Held for Sale and Discontinued Operations were met. Accordingly, as of Q3 2018, Nexive and Postcon are reported as ‘held for sale’ and the results and cash flows are reported as ‘discontinued operations’. The sale of Postcon was completed on 31 October 2019. For further details, see note 3.9 Assets classified as held for sale.
Based on the cash flow-generating capability of the company, the current finance structure and the company’s ability to realise its assets and discharge its liabilities in the normal course of business, PostNL’s financial statements have been prepared assuming a going concern. As at 31 December 2019, the balance of cash and cash equivalents amounted to €480 million and the company has an undrawn multi-currency revolving credit facility of €400 million. Its financing arrangements do not include financial covenants. Bond repayments are not due until 2024. Although the company remains vulnerable to interest rate changes in relation to its pension obligations, it can also benefit from an environment of increasing interest rates.
The preparation of PostNL's consolidated financial statements in accordance with IFRS requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. It also requires management to exercise its judgement in the process of applying PostNL’s accounting policies.
Estimates, assumptions and judgements are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. The resulting accounting positions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. On a continuous basis, we evaluate our expectations with the actual results, and include the learnings going forward.
The areas involving a higher degree of judgement or complexity, or areas where assumptions and estimates are significant to the consolidated financial statements, are disclosed below.
Post-employment benefit accounting is intended to reflect the recognition of future benefit costs over the employee’s approximate service period, based on the terms of the plans and the investment and funding decisions made. The accounting requires the company to make assumptions regarding variables such as the discount rate, the rate of benefit increases and future mortality rates. Changes in these key assumptions can have a significant impact on the defined benefit obligations, funding requirements and pension costs incurred. For details of the current funded status and a sensitivity analysis with respect to defined benefit plan assumptions, see note 3.5 to the consolidated financial statements.
Restructuring charges mainly result from restructuring of our operations and overhead, including that of the acquired businesses of Sandd, as a response to declining volumes in Mail in the Netherlands. The scope and measurement of PostNL's related restructuring provision depends highly on the projected cash outflows over the future years, which are mainly driven by the estimated number of staff that will either be made redundant or apply for a mobility arrangement.
Other provisions include expected costs related to other employee benefit obligations (jubilee and long term disability benefits), claims & indemnities, onerous contracts and dilapidation costs. The provisions recorded reflect the present value of management's best estimate of the expenditure required to settle the obligation. Given the uncertain outcome, management must use a certain degree of judgement in this respect. This incudes the thorough analysis and concluding view of our position and that of the third party.
For details on the current restructuring and other provisions, see note 3.6 to the consolidated financial statements.
In determining impairments of intangible assets including goodwill, tangible fixed assets and financial fixed assets, management must make significant judgements and estimates to determine whether the recoverable amount is less than the carrying value. The recoverable amount is the higher of the fair value less costs of disposal and value in use. In assessing the value in use, the estimated future cash flows are discounted to their present value using a pre-tax discount rate that reflects current market assessments of the time value of money and the asset-specific risks. Determining cash flows requires the use of judgements and estimates that have been included in PostNL’s strategic plans and long-term forecasts. The data necessary for the execution of the impairment tests are based on management estimates of future cash flows, which make it necessary to estimate revenue growth rates and profit margins. For details on the mandatory impairment test of goodwill, see note 3.3 to the consolidated financial statements.
PostNL has to estimate the deferred revenues from stamps sold but not yet used by its customers. The company uses a seasonal model based on historical figures in order to account for the seasonal effects on sales from stamps (for example, stamp sales for Christmas greetings in November and December). Additionally, the company handles large quantities of international mail and parcel volumes to and from foreign postal operators. Although the net outstanding accrual positions reflect our best estimate, given the assumptions involved, final settlements might deviate from the outstanding positions. For details on the current positions, see note 3.1 to the consolidated financial statements.
The company is subject to income taxes in a number of jurisdictions. Significant judgement is required in determining the provision and liability for income taxes. PostNL recognises liabilities for potential tax issues based on estimates of whether additional taxes will be due, based on its best interpretation of the relevant tax laws and rules. PostNL recognises deferred tax assets to the extent that it is probable that future taxable profits will allow the deferred tax asset to be recovered. This is based on estimates of taxable income by jurisdiction in which the company operates and the period over which deferred tax assets are recoverable. For details on income taxes and deferred tax assets, see notes 2.2 and 3.8 to the consolidated financial statements.
For assets classified as held for sale, including liabilities related to these assets, management needs to determine the fair value less costs to sell. In assessing this value, management needs to make significant judgements and estimates, influenced by the asset-specific characteristics, market appetite, the envisaged structuring of the sales transaction, and received proposals. For details on the assets classified as held for sale, see note 3.9 to the consolidated financial statements.
Legal proceedings covering a range of matters are pending against the company in various jurisdictions. The cases and claims often raise difficult and complex factual and legal issues that are subject to many uncertainties and complexities, including but not limited to the facts and circumstances of each particular case and claim, the jurisdiction and the differences in applicable law. PostNL consults with legal counsel and certain other experts on matters related to litigation. PostNL recognises a liability when it is determined that an adverse outcome is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. For details on commitments and contingencies, see note 3.10 to the consolidated financial statements.
PostNL determines the lease term as the non-cancellable term of the lease, together with any periods covered by an option to extend the lease if it is reasonably certain to be exercised, or any periods covered by an option to terminate the lease, if it is reasonably certain not to be exercised. PostNL has several lease contracts that include extension and termination options. The company applies judgement in evaluating whether it is reasonably certain whether or not to exercise the option to renew or terminate the lease. That is, it considers all relevant factors that create an economic incentive for it to exercise either the renewal or termination. After the commencement date, PostNL reassesses the lease term if there is a significant event or change in circumstances that is within its control and affects its ability to exercise or not to exercise the option to renew or to terminate. For details on leases, see note 3.4 to the consolidated financial statements.
Following the acquisition of Sandd, management needs to allocate the purchase price into the assets and liabilities of the company acquired in the transaction. A purchase price allocation involves jugdgement in the determination of the average market participant and the identifcation of intangible assets. Management needs to make estimates and assumptions in projecting future results and cash flow for the determination of the fair value of the acquired assets and liabilities. For details on the acquistion of Sandd, see note 5.3 to the consolidated financial statements.
The following provides a brief description of recent issued International Financial Reporting Standards, amendments and/or interpretations, that could have a material impact on our financial statements.
The adoption of the standard impacted the accounting of PostNL’s operating leases, mainly related to rent and lease of buildings and transport fleet. PostNL adopted the new standard per 1 January 2019, using the modified retrospective method with the lease assets set equal to the lease liabilities. As a practical expedient, PostNL elected not to apply the requirements for short-term leases and leases for which the underlying asset is of low value. The comparative figures of 2018 have not been represented.
The impact on the balance sheet per 1 January 2019 is an increase in right-of-use assets and lease liabilities of €132 million within continuing operations. Further, an amount of €37 million was transferred from property, plant and equipment to right-of-use assets relating to finance leases and capitalised leasehold rights and ground rent contracts. The impact on operating income and net profit is non-material, although straight line lease expenses have been replaced by depreciation and interest expenses in 2019 (with a related increase of €72 million and €2 million respectively, including the amounts related to Sandd). The cash flow statement shows a shift from net cash from operating activities to net cash used in financing activities. The assets classified as held for sale and liabilities related to these assets increased by €36 million per 1 January 2019 due to the adoption of IFRS 16.
The Interpretation addresses the accounting for income taxes when tax treatments involve uncertainty that affects the application of IAS 12 Income Taxes. The Group determines whether to consider each uncertain tax treatment separately or together with one or more other uncertain tax treatments and uses the approach that better predicts the resolution of the uncertainty. The Interpretation did not have an impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Group.
There are no other IFRS standards, amended standards or IFRIC interpretations taking effect for the first time for the financial year beginning 1 January 2019 that would be expected to have a material impact on the 2019 accounts of the Group.
The new and amended standards and interpretations that are issued, but not yet effective, up to the date of issuance of the financial statements have been reviewed by the Group. The Group intends to adopt these new and amended standards and interpretations, if applicable, when they become effective. It is not expected that the Group’s consolidated financial statements will be significantly impacted.
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