Quarterlytics / Industrials / Industrial - Distribution / Abertis Infraestructuras S.A. / FY2003 Annual Report

Abertis Infraestructuras S.A.
Annual Report 2003

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FY2003 Annual Report · Abertis Infraestructuras S.A.
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10.000

8.000

6.000

4.000

2.000

0

250

200

150

100

50

0

What are the
financi al res ources?
Abertis Group - Breakdown of liabilities

Wh a t  is  o bta i ned ?

Profit attributed to parent company

Equity
Provisions for liabilities & expenses
Debt
Other liabilities

400

300

200

100

0

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

Balanced financial structure

Equity, which exceeds 3,000 million euros,
represents 32% of total liabilities, and Debt,
37%. The provisions for liabilities and expenses,
which basically correspond to the reversion
fund, exceed 2,280 million euros.

Profit has increased from 149 million euros
in 1999 to 355 million in 2003

The expansion of the Group is carried out in a
way that is compatible with increasing profits.
The merger with Aurea results in a profit of
355 millon euros for 2003, which represents
an 81.9% increase over 2002 (up 11.2%
compared to the aggregate profit of Acesa and
Aurea for 2002).

How is i t d istributed?

How   is   it  va lu ed?

Total dividends

Evolution abertis vs Íbex-35
(Base 31/12/00 = 100)

200

150

100

50

0

abertis share price
IBEX-35

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2000

2001

2002

2003

One of the highest dividend yields

Outperforming the IBEX-35

Total dividends for 2003 exceed 237 million
Euros. The steady accumulative growth of
5 % per share per annum is maintained.

The Ibex 35 rose 28% in 2003, but remains
below its closing level at the end of 2000.
In contrast, abertis is one of the 4 shares
in the index that closed up in each of the
last three years.

Highlights of the year

1st quarter 2003

• Incorporation of the company Araba Logística (in which abertis logística has a 39.5% holding)

in Vitoria, which will develop Arasur, the Multimodal Platform at Alava.

• abertis strengthens its presence in Autostrade (increasing holding to 7.98%) following the
completion of the Public Takeover Offer  for Autostrade made by the core shareholders,
structured through the company Schemaventotto.

• Incorporation of the company Sevisur Logística (in which abertis logística has a 60% holding),
which will develop the logistic platform for the port of Seville under the name of Zal Sevilla.

2nd quarter 2003

• Inauguration of A-6 Connection with Segovia by Castellana de Autopistas.

• abertis’ shareholding in Saba reaches 99.23% after acquiring 39.91% of the shares for 

 134

million.

• General shareholders’ meeting approves the financial statements for 2002 and agrees to pay

a final dividend of 
Infraestructuras and Aurea Concesiones de Infraestructuras, leading to the creation of abertis.

 0.223 per share. At the same time, it approves the merger of Acesa

• Saba reaches 100% control of its Portuguese subsidiary Spel, with the acquisition of 50% of

the company, involving an investment of 

 17.4 million.

• On 30 May the merger of Acesa and Aurea is effective asot 1 January 2003. abertis is listed

for trading on the Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid and Valencia Stock Exchanges on 2 June.

• abertis telecom increases its shareholding in Xfera from 5.69% to 8.36%. The guarantees

presented as shareholder of Xfera are reduced from 

 153.2 million to 

 39.2 million.

3rd quarter 2003

• The merger of Aucat and Holdaucat is completed (both companies 100% owned by abertis)

effective for accounting purposes asot 1 January 2003.

• abertis increases its presence in international stock exchange indexes and is included in the

Dow Jones Stoxx Sustainability Index.

• The extraordinary general meeting approves the bonus issue of 1 share for every 20 shares

held (for an amount of 
share.

 75 million) and the payment of an interim dividend of 

 0.229 per

• abertis telecom increases its shareholding in Tradia to 100 % on acquiring the outstanding

5 % for the sum of 

 6.6 million.

• Inauguration of the Radial-2 Madrid-Guadalajara of the Henares Highway, in which abertis

holds 22.49%.

4th quarter 2003

• In 2004 abertis is awarded the Alicante Ring Road highway concession, after submitting a

tender as part of a consortium.

• ASF and abertis sign an agreement to collaborate on technical matters related to highway

management and share future projects for the management of car parks and logistic platforms.

• abertis completes, after gaining clearance from the Competition Authorities, its acquisition
of Retevision Audiovisual, the leading company in Spain in the transportation and broadcast
of audiovisual signals.

• The Silleda-Lalín stretch of the Santiago-Alto de Santo Domingo highway is inaugurated,

operated by Autopista Central Gallega, in which abertis holds 18%.

Annual report

summary

Chairman’s letter

Annual report

Governing bodies

Strategy

Structure and activity

Shareholders and stock market

Financial information

Sustainability Report (1)

Social Responsibility, a way of working

Sustainability Indicators

Strategic Plan for Corporate Social Responsibility

Terminology

1

2

3

4

5

1

2

3

4

4

8

11

17

19

47

53

140

145

149

178

191

Corporate Governance Report (2)

(annex)

(1) The criteria of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) have been used to prepare the Sustainability Report.

(2) The Corporate Governance Report is included as an annex.

Chairman’s letter

De ar  s h areho lde rs,

Annual report

5

It is with great satisfaction that I present you with the 2003 results, which represent an
exceptional year worthy of your confidence in the project that we have begun as the new
abertis. Creating value for shareholders with an adequate combination of low risk, growth,
return and service, under management focused on maintaining a steady and sustainable
dividend policy, is the fundamental strategic objective for activity in all the business sectors
in transport and communication infrastructures where we are present.

This has been an excellent year in which two fundamental operations were successfully
completed: firstly, the merger of Acesa and Aurea in May, giving rise to abertis; and secondly,
the acquisition of Retevisión Audiovisual in December to be incorporated into our
telecommunications infrastructure sector of activity, in an operation that gives abertis telecom
a position of leadership in the market.

Together with the priority of creating shareholder value, we promote excellence in the quality
of service to our clients and the development of a business organisation committed to the
country and the different regions in which we have a very direct local presence, where we
continue investing, generating employment and facilitating commercial and industrial activity,
as well as the mobility of citizens.

An essential characteristic of our organisation is to ensure on-going dialogue with the public
administration as our activity includes operating infrastructures under administrative concessions
and operating in heavily regulated sectors.

The Spanish economy has performed strongly during the year with continued strength in
consumption and construction, key elements in the 2.4 % growth in Gross Domestic Product,
in contrast to the scant 0.4% increase across the Euro zone.

Optimism regarding a gradual recovery in the international economy is supported by an
extraordinary improvement in productivity levels in the United States, with a complete lack
of inflationary pressure, at a rate of 2.3%, although the labour market has not improved and
has yet to create employment.

This is the first annual report presented for Abertis Infraestructuras, recording a profit due to
the parent company of 355 million euros, an increase of 11.2% over the aggregate results
of Acesa and Aurea in 2002. abertis proposes to pay total dividends of 237.4 million euros,
52 % more than the previous year after the inclusion of new shares issued in the merger share
exchange and the 5% increase in issued shares following the bonus share issue.

The gross dividend per share of 0.452 euros equates to a dividend yield of 3.8% based on the
year end closing price, a level which continues to give the company one of the highest dividend
yields amongst the main listed companies in Spain.

In 2003 the ordinary shares of abertis revalued by 17%, taking into account the adjustment
for the bonus issue. The merger gave the company a new dimension, with greater visibility in
the investment community, greater weighting in the stock exchange indexes and an improved
position with respect to opportunities for development. This outlook saw the share price mark
annual and historical highs.

Chairman’s letter

6

Annual report

Leadership in distinct sectors

Our business model focuses the organisation on being one of the leading infrastructure
operators in Europe in four key sectors: highways, telecommunication infrastructures, car parks
and the promotion of logistic service areas.

The strategy of diversification initiated five years ago does not prevent our group from being
highly specialised in the sectors where we enjoy a position of leadership in Spain.

In the highway sector abertis has not just consolidated a position of leadership, as indicated
by the total length of the highway networks managed by the country’s three leading operators
- Acesa, Aumar and Iberpistas – but during the year new highways, in which abertis has
shareholdings, have also opened to traffic and they will undoubtedly become key highway
axes in their areas. These are the AP-51 highway connection with Segovia, the Silleda-Lalín
Centre stretch of the Santiago-Alto de Santo Domingo highway, and the opening of the R-2,
R-3 and R-5 radial highways giving access to the city of Madrid.

The portfolio of highway concessions under direct management represents 84% of total group
operating income and therefore contributes to the economic strength that provides support
to the combination of growth projects, both highways that are beginning to operate and
investments in other sectors that have yet to reach maturity.

Internationally, abertis continues to maintain an excellent capacity to work with the leading
European operators in the highway sector such as the Italian company Autostrade and the
Portuguese company Brisa, with cross shareholdings and joint research projects. In a similar
manner, abertis signed an agreement with the French company Autoroutes du Sud de la
France (ASF) in 2003 to collaborate on technical questions related to highway management
and to working together on future projects in France. This situation allows abertis to occupy
a privileged place in the business environment of the new Europe, with the expansion to new
member states and the prospect of new opportunities in the area of infrastructures that,
without doubt, will arise and will require the involvement of private investment.

As a final note on this fundamental sector for our group, special attention should be given
to the development and implementation of the new tele-toll, which now allows one system
to be used on different highways in Spain, with the clear advantages of convenience, safety,
environmental protection and improved traffic flow.  In the area of technology, managed
through the shared services centre serviabertis, the company is leading knowledge on tele-
toll system in Spain and, at the same time, is playing an authoritative role in Europe.

We are now leaders in the sector of telecommunication infrastructures following the acquisition
of Retevisión Audiovisual, the leading company in Spain in transporting radio and television
signals, which was authorised by the Competition Authorities and the Council of Ministers.
With Tradia, a company in which abertis gained 100% control in 2003, leadership in Catalonia
is assured. It also brings innovation and possibilities for new services through a great capacity
for client service.

Annual report

7

In the car park sector, Saba also holds its position and, more importantly, has the best profile
in terms of location, quality and services for its clients. During 2003, abertis acquired a further
40% of Saba to raise its shareholding to almost 100%. Its international expansion has continued
through new projects and the extension of concessions in Italy, as well as increasing its
shareholding in the Portuguese company Spel by 50 % to gain 100% control.

In reference to the area of logistics, work got underway in 2003 on two important projects
in Álava and Seville, which sees this activity expanding beyond Catalonia. We continue to be
interested in investing in new logistic platforms when the opportunities that the market offers
meet the criteria of abertis logística for this sector, characterised by a lack of private operators
like us that are not property development companies. Our objective, as always, is to make
long-term investments and be involved in management together with the local partners whose
knowledge of this field is much greater. A commitment of these characteristics requires
projections of long-term profitability and solvent quality ratios in all the logistic projects that
carry the seal of abertis.

Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility

During 2003, abertis has worked hard to adopt regulatory instruments that provide the best
Corporate Governance, integral management under guidelines of Social Responsibility and,
in general, best practices of transparency with financial markets required by companies in the
21st Century.

In the Annual Report on Corporate Governance, which is included as an annex, abertis provides
extensive information on the shareholding structure of the company, the Board of Directors,
the board committees, and the regulations of the Annual General Meeting, amongst other
matters.

The Strategic Plan for Social Responsibility is also included. Its objective is to establish the
lines of action for the corporation to make available a management system for Social
Responsibility to ensure continuous improvement in all companies of the group.

In any event, beyond the regulation on good governance and strict compliance with it, it is
fundamental for all of us that form part of abertis that, more than ever, we are able to build
an organisation day by day in which the ethical behaviour of people goes beyond the technical
and bureaucratic aspects.

This is our commitment to shareholders, to our employees and to our clients. We thank them
all for their confidence. I would also like to thank the members of the Board of Directors, the
management team and all the employees and collaborators for their commitment and
dedication.

Isidre Fainé, Chairman of abertis

Annual report

10

Annual report

1

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

2

3

3.1

3.2

3.3

Governing bodies

Board of Directors

Delegated board committees

Management team

Business units

Strategy

Structure and activity

Structure

Human resources

Activity for the year

Highways 
Car Parks
Logistic Services
Telecommunications infrastuctures
Airports

3.4

Performance for the year

Consolidated figures
Parent company figures 

Shareholders and stock market

Stock market conditions

Evolution of the share

Evolution of share capital - Increases

Dividend and shareholder yield

Shareholders

Significant shareholdings

Market information

Financial information

Consolidated annual accounts

4

4.1

4.2

4.3

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

5

5.1

5.2

Parent company annual accounts

102

11

12

13

14

15

17

19

20

21

23

25
33
36
39
41

42

42
44

47

48

48

50

50

51

51

51

53

54

1

Governing bodies

1.1

Board of Directors

1.2

Delegated board committees

1.3

Management team

1.4

Business units

1 1

Board of Directors

12

Annual report

The members of the Board of Directors of abertis at the time of preparing the annual accounts
for 2003 are:

Isidro Fainé Casas (Chairman)

Pablo Vallbona Vadell (1st Deputy Chairman)

Carmen Godia Bull (2nd Deputy Chairman)

Ángel García Altozano (3rd Deputy Chairman)

Salvador Alemany Mas (Chief Executive Officer)

Jordi Aristot Mora

Gilberto Benetton

Caixa d’Estalvis de Catalunya, represented by Josep María Loza Xuriach

Enrique Corominas Vila

Dragados Obras y Proyectos, S.A., represented by Demetrio Ullastres Llorente

Maria Isabel Gabarró Miquel

Carlos Godó Valls

Comunidades Gestionadas, S.A., represented by Antonio García Ferrer

Ernesto Mata López

Enric Mata Tarragó

Vasco de Mello

Jordi Mercader Miró

José Luis Olivas Martínez

Ramón Pascual Fontana

Unicaja, represented by Braulio Medel Cámara

Miquel Roca Junyent (Secretary, non-board member)

Juan Arturo Margenat Padrós (Deputy Secretary, non-board member)

In 2004 the following have ceased to act as board members: Dragados Concesiones de Infraestructuras, S.A., Julio
de Miguel Aynat and Grupo Dragados, S.A.

In 2003 Braulio Medel Cámara ceased to act board member, and became the representative of Unicaja.

In 2003, as a result of the merger between Acesa Infraestructuras, S.A. and Áurea Concesiones de Infraestructuras,
S.A., which led to abertis, the following people ceased to act as board members: Enrique Alcántara-García Irazoqui,
Antoni Brufau i Niubó, Jean-Louis Chaussade, Pere Antoni de Dòria i Lagunas, Ricard Pagès i Font and Antoni Vila i
Bertrán.

Annual report

13

1 2

Delegated board committees

Executive Committee

Isidro Fainé Casas (Chairman)

Pablo Vallbona Vadell

Carmen Godia Bull

Ángel García Altozano

Salvador Alemany Mas

Caixa d’Estalvis de Catalunya, represented by Josep María Loza Xuriach

José Luis Olivas Martínez

Miquel Roca Junyent (Secretary)

Juan Arturo Margenat Padrós (Deputy Secretary)

In 2004 the following have ceased to act as committee members:
Dragados Concesiones de Infraestructuras, S.A. and Julio de Miguel Aynat.

During 2003 the following ceased to act as committee members:
Enrique Alcántara-García Irazoqui, Antoni Brufau i Niubó and Enric Mata Tarragó.

Audit  and Control Committe e

Ernesto Mata López (Chairman)

Caixa d’Estalvis de Catalunya, represented by Josep María Loza Xuriach

Enrique Corominas Vila

Juan Arturo Margenat Padrós (Secretary)

During 2003 Enrique Alcántara-García Irazoqui ceased to act as committee member.

N omi nation and  Re mune ration  Co mmi ttee

Jorge Mercader Miró (Chairman)

Maria Isabel Gabarró Miquel

Ángel García Altozano

Juan Arturo Margenat Padrós (Secretary)

1 3

Management team

14

Annual report

Chief Executive Officer: Salvador Alemany Mas

Company Secretary: Juan Arturo Margenat Padrós

Director of Legal Services: Marta Casas Caba

Director of Legal Services Madrid: Jesús Pozo Soler

Managing Director of Corporate Management Officer: Josep Martínez Vila

Director of Investment Analysis: David Díaz Almazán

Director of Tax Planning: José María García Martín

Director of Operational Development: Jordi Graells Ferrández

Director of Corporate Security: Lluís Jiménez Arrebola

Director of Management Planning and Control: Jordi Lagares Puig

Director of Organisational Development: Joan Rafel Herrero

Director of Construction: Rodolfo Vicente Bach

Managing Director of International Highways Officer: Rafael Mourelle Morales

Director of Financial Coordination: Carlos Alberola Fioravanti

Chief  Financial Officer: Miguel Abeniacar Trólez

Director of Finance: Lluís Subirà Laborda

Director of Institutional Relations and Quality: Ricard Maxenchs Roca

Director of Studies and Corporate Communication: Enric Venancio Fillat

Shared services centre

Managing Director of serviabertis: Josep Padrós Busquets

Deputy Managing Director. Director of Infrastructures and Technical Services:
Juan Rodríguez de la Rubia

Deputy Managing Director. Director of serviabertis Madrid: Antonio Rodríguez López

Director of Administration and Purchasing: Manuel Cruces Socasau

Director of Corporate Organisation and Systems: Jordi Pujol-Xicoy Gimferrer

1 4

Business units

Highways

Annual report

15

Managing Director for Catalonia and Aragon (Acesa and Aucat): Lluís Serra Serra

Managing Director for East-South: Rafael Mourelle Morales

Managing Director for Centre-North (Iberpistas): José María Morera Bosch

Managing Director of Aumar: Américo Jiménez Rodríguez

Managing Director of A6: Rubén Fernández Fuentes

Managing Director of Castellana: Jose Antonio López Casas

Managing Director of Aulesa: Manuel Benito Izquierdo

Managing Director of Gco: José Luis Giménez Sevilla

Managing Director of APR: Rafael Acosta Rosario

Managing Director of Iberpistas Chile and Gesa: Enrique Balaguer Ferrer

Car parks

Managing Director of Saba: Joan Font Alegret

Chief Executive Officer of Saba Italia: Mássimo Pastorelli

Chief Executive Officer of Spel: António Henrique de Oliveira Mendes

Chief Executive Officer of Rabat: Vicente Benetito Gimeno

Logistic services

Managing Director of abertis logística: Joaquim Gay de Montellà Ferrer-Vidal

Managing Director of Sevisur: Francisco Rodríguez Piñero

Telecommunication infrastructures

Managing Director of Tradia: Tobías Martínez Gimeno

Managing Director of Retevisión: Josep Canós Ciurana

41 Business units

16

Annual report

Airports

Managing Director of Codad: Gonzalo Iglesias Valdés

Companies under joint control

Chief Executive Officer of Avasa: Santiago Corral y López-Dóriga

Managing Director of Trados 45: Jesús Martínez Pérez

Managing Director of Parc Logístic: Joaquín Zueras Abizanda

2

Strategy

2

Strategy

18

Annual report

abertis is firmly committed to being one of the leading groups in Europe in the management
of infrastructures serving mobility and communications with the objective of continuing to
provide its shareholders a balanced combination of investments that assure:

•  An appropriate combination of low risk, growth and return

• The maintenance of a solid and sustainable dividend policy

• Excellence in the quality of service to our clients

• The development of an organisation that brings wealth and well-being to the surrounding

area

To achieve this its investments are selected on the basis of the following key lines:

• Management of infrastructures

• Commitment to long-term investments gaining a significant presence in the decision making
bodies and providing the management expertise that abertis has accumulated over time

• Involvement in projects where the overall risks and expected cash flow can be clearly 

estimated at the outset

At the same time, in the subsequent management and co-ordination of the projects, special
attention is given to the projection within the organisation and the interaction and awareness
of the environment and the territory, as well as the requirements of transparency in corporate
governance. These issues are covered in the Sustainability Report and the Corporate Governance
Report respectively, as part of this annual report.

3

Structure and activity

3.1

Structure

3.2

Human res ources

3.3

Acctivity for the  year

Highways
Car Parks
Logistic Ser vices
Telecommunications
Airpor ts

3.4

Perfor mance for the ye ar

Cons olidated figures
Parent company figures

3 1

Structure

20

Annual report

ABERTIS INFRAESTRUCTURAS

serviabertis

HI GH WAYS

C A R  PA RKS

Acesa
Aumar
Iberpistas

Autopista A-6

Aucat

Castellana

Aulesa

Proconex

GCO

APR

Gesa

Avasa

Trados 45

Túnel del Cadí

Autema

Concesiones de Madrid

Henarsa

Accesos Madrid

Central Gallega

Brisa

Coviandes

Autostrade

Elqui

Ausol

RMG

AIR P ORTS

Codad

Saba

Parbla

Satsa

Spasa

Saba Italia

Rabat

Spel

L O G I ST I C  S E RV I C E S

abertis logística

Sevisur

Areamed 2000

Parc Logístic de la Zona Franca

Arasur

Cilsa

TELECOMMUN IC ATION
INFRA STRUCTUR ES

abertis telecom

Tradia

Retevisión

Torre de Collserola

Subsidiary companies

Joint venture companies

Other holdings

Annual report

21

3 2

Human Resources

This year has seen a consolidation in the process of developing the new organisational reality. The
support structures and business units have achieved greater levels of coordination and, consequently,
new possibilities are opening for synergies in both knowledge and operations. The experience of
integrating businesses and, at the same time, dealing with change are aspects that have become
part of the employees’ skills base, which are useful in facing situations now and in the future that
require flexibility, agility and the capacity to respond in ambiguous environments.

Development of individuals

Training has continued to be one of the fundamental lines of personnel management policy across
the group’s different businesses. Of special note is the effort made by the different companies in
the area of training in Workplace Health and Safety, an effort rewarded by a decline in workplace
accidents. Work has continued on influencing client culture through the development of different
training initiatives aimed at strengthening this vision.

Evidence of the commitment given to the development of employees is seen in the thousands of
hours of training given and the hundreds of courses organised across the different business units
of the abertis group. The dividends from this commitment can be seen in the fact that a large
number of vacant positions are covered by internal promotions. Notwithstanding this, looking
outwards to maintain the flow of new ideas and renewal has been encouraged through collaboration
programs with universities, leading to the incorporation of young people under scholarships, amongst
other benefits.

Internal communication

In addition to the existing publications Acesa Informa and Flaix Laboral, of Acesa; Lasetze of
Aucat; Hora SABA, and Cuadernos de Autopista, of Iberpistas, a new publication was added in
September 2003, the abertis magazine, which is published quarterly and distributed to all
employees in the group with the aim of uniting them and informing them of the different
realities with the new dimension of the business.

Work has been done during this year on improving and promoting the corporate Intranet, a
project that concluded at the beginning of 2004. Aside from the functional improvements, it
provides a space to share information and knowledge.

Social interaction amongst employees continues to be encouraged with the organisation of
different sporting and cultural activities in which employees from different business areas of
abertis have participated. An event of note at the end of the year was the public presentation
of the abertis Choir, which gave a small concert during the Christmas period.

Health and safety

In general, the levels of workplace accidents have declined in the different companies, with
reductions of over 30% in some cases. The effort made in the area of training (first aid,
emergency plans, fire fighting, accident assistance, risks of moving loads, electrical and
mechanical risks and the risks of height, along with many others) together with the support
given to the Health and Safety Committees, the awareness building campaigns and the

23 Human Resources

22

Annual report

technical work are bearing fruits. However, rather than aiming for the lowest workplace
accident rates in the sector, the objective of our companies should be to achieve an environment
free of accidents.

Labour relations

This year has been especially active with respect to labour relations. Companies such as Acesa,
Aucat and Saba have signed new agreements; until 2005, in the case of Acesa, and until 2006,
for Aucat and Saba. In those companies where no new agreement has been negotiated, the
committee has been renewed, and in the case of Iberpistas, the negotiation of a new agreement
has commenced.

Beyond the difficulties involved in these processes, signing these agreements is a source of
satisfaction, as it is a good indicator of the willingness of the parties to reach an understanding
in the common objective of seeking a balance between improving labour conditions for
employees and the business development.

Evolution of average equivalent workforce

abertis (1) 

serviabertis (2)

Acesa Group (3)

Iberpistas Group

Aumar (4)

Aulesa (4)

Trados 45 (4)

Saba Group

abertis telecom Group

abertis logística Group

Codad (4)

Total (5)

2003

101

74

1,951

669

665

49

1

920

257

11

43

2002

697

-

1,283

725

-

-

-

991

294

5

-

4,741

3,995

(1)

In 2002, the first six months corresponded to concession activity and the second six months to corporate services
as parent of the Group.

(2) Commenced its activity in November 2002.
(3) For comparative purposes we have included the workforce of the company Gco, as the shareholding was transferred

to Acesa in 2003. In addition, the company Acesa began its activity in the second half of 2002.
Incorporated in the Group in 2003.

(4)
(5) The total of the average equivalent workforce does not coincide with the figures given in the annual report due

to the accounting criteria for consolidation (4,617 employees in 2003).

The acquisition of Retevisión Audiovisual was finalised in December 2003, so its employees have
not been included in calculating the average equivalent workforce. If Retevisión Audiovisual were
taken into account, the average equivalent workforce would rise to almost 5,800 employees.

3 3

Activity for the year

Distribution of operating income:

Annual report

23

Contribution by sector

National/International

5 %

7 %

Car Parks

Telecommunications

6 %

International

3 %

Airports

1 %

Logistics

84 %

Highways

94 %

National

Accumulated investment by shareholdings (*)
(million euros)

231 (9%)
Car Parks

46 (2 %)
Airports

57 (2 %)
Logistics

346 (13%)

Telecommunications

1,980 (74%)
Highways

(*) does not include investment in Acesa, Aumar or Iberpistas.

33 Activity for the year

Highways

Annual report

25

The highway concessions business unit continues to be the main activity of abertis and
represents 84% of total operating income. The merger with Aurea during 2003 has clearly
strengthened this activity with the incorporation of Aumar (second national operator), as well
as other highway concessionaires both nationally and internationally.

The current portfolio of concessions provides an excellent combination both geographically
and in terms of the level of maturity of the projects (from well established concessions to
projects under construction or in the initial phase of their activity), which ensures a balanced
combination of future flows for shareholders.

Spain:

In Spain abertis directly manages more than 1,500 km of highways, which represents 63 %
of the national toll highway network in service.

On a national level, the highways business unit is divided into three geographical zones, whose
head companies are the operators that historically have been the leaders in Spain: Catalonia-
Aragon zone through Acesa, Centre-North zone through Iberpistas and East-South zone through
Aumar.

Highways under direct or shared management

Highway

Montgat-Palafolls (C-31/C-32)
Barcelona-La Jonquera (C-33/AP-7)
Barcelona-Tarragona (AP-2/AP-7)
Montmeló-El Papiol (AP-7)
Zaragoza-Mediterráneo (AP-2)

Tarragona-Alicante (AP-7)

Sevilla-Cádiz (AP-4)

Villalba-Adanero (AP-6)

Villacastín-Ávila (AP-51)
San Rafael-Segovia (AP-61)

Castelldefels-El Vendrell (C-32)

León-Astorga (AP-71)

Bilbao-Zaragoza (AP-68)

M-45 Tramo II 

Total

Km

49
150
100
27
216

374

94

70

23
28

58

38

294

15

1,534

Concessionary

% shares

End concession

Acesa

100

2021

Aumar

100

2019

A-6

Castellana

Aucat

Aulesa

Avasa

Trados 45

100

100

100

79.2

50.0

50.0

2031-2036

2031-2036

2039

2055

2026

2029

Highways in Spain

Santiago

5

León

Alto de
Santo
Domingo

Astorga

Bilbao

4

26

Annual report

Adanero

Ávila

Navalcarnero

6

Segovia

Guadalajara

Madrid

Arganda
del Rey

Zaragoza

Valencia

Alicante

3

1

La Jonquera

Palafolls

Barcelona

Tarragona

2

direct or joint management
other shareholdings

b

1

2

a

5

Aulesa
a) León-Astorga (AP-71)

Central Gallega
b) Santiago-Alto Sto. Domingo

(AP-53)

38 km

57 km

Acesa
a) Barcelona-Tarragona

(AP-2/AP-7)

Aucat
b) Castelldefels-El Vendrell

(C-32)

100 km

6

58 km

a

b

g

c

h

f

e

d

A-6
a) Villalba-Adanero (AP-6)

70 km

Castellana

b) Villacastín-Ávila (AP-51)
c) San Rafael-Segovia (AP-61)

23 km
28 km

7

Seville

Cadiz

Acesa
a) Montgat-Palafolls (C-31/C-32) 49 km
b) La Jonquera-Barcelona

(C-33/AP-7) 

c) Montmeló-El Papiol (AP-7)

Túnel del Cadí
d) Túnel del Cadí (C-16)
Autema
e) Sant Cugat-Manresa

150 km
27 km

30 km

48 km

Aumar
a) Tarragona-Alicante (AP-7)

374 km

Acesa
b) Zaragoza-Mediterráneo

(AP-2)

216 km

Concema
d) M-45 Tramo I 

Trados 45
e) M-45 Tramo II 

15 km

15 km

Accesos Madrid
f) Madrid-Arganda del Rey (R-3) 33 km
53 km
g) Madrid-Navalcarnero (R-5)

Henarsa
h) Madrid-Guadalajara (R-2)

Aumar
a) Sevilla-Cádiz (AP-4)

81 km

94 km

a

Avasa
a) Bilbao-Zaragoza (AP-68)

294 km

7

a

d

e

b

c
a

a

b

b

a

1

2

3

4

33 Activity for the year

Activity

Annual report

27

In general, the evolution of the activity of the group's main concessions has been favourable,
with all highways registering traffic growth. The comparable combined average daily traffic
(ADT) (Acesa, Aucat, Aumar, A6 and Avasa) rose to 27,354 vehicles, 3.7 % more than the
previous year.

Key data of the companies that directly manage highways

Thousand euros

Var.

2.9%

4.6%

4.2%

(**)

Operating
income

Var.

EBITDA

Var.

513,095

8.3% (*)

386,219

6.1% (*)

304,663

8.2%

257,297

8.6%

93,195

13.0%

76,547

8.9% (*)

6,279

(**)

2,361

(**)

38,543

23,323

28,781

5,039

27,492

9.3%

72,693

15.3%

60,831

15.5%

Concessionary

ADT 2003

Acesa

Aumar

A6

Castellana

Aucat

Aulesa

Avasa

4,271

(**)

4,306

12,811

3.7%

118,238

(**)

7.2%

Trados 45

73,455

13.4%

19,438

48.7%

1,706

95,545

17,972

(**)

7.5%

56.8%

(*) Figures for 2002. Includes the concessionary activity of the first six months carried out by their respective parent

companies.

(**) Aulesa activities commenced in December 2002, and Castellana in November 2002 and April 2003.

The other concessions under direct management (Castellana, Aulesa and Trados 45) are in the
first phase of their activity, so their data does not reflect the real level of future activity and
is not comparable with the previous year. Castellana inaugurated the Ávila-Villacastín stretch
in November 2002 and the San Rafael-Segovia stretch in April 2003. Likewise, Trados 45 (under
shadow toll) and Aulesa opened to traffic in April and December 2002 respectively.

Volume of business

The national highway concessions managed directly represent 81.5% of all Group operating
income, totalling 1,046 million euros, 71 % more than the previous year. Comparing this
figure with the consolidated income of Acesa and Aurea in 2002, the increase was 16.8%.

This increase is due to the positive evolution in the national highway activity already noted
and the inclusion of Iberpistas for the entire year (only six months in 2002).

EBITDA for these highways totalled 829 million euros, an increase of 16.2 % against the pro
forma 2002 figure.

33 Activity for the year

28

Annual report

Other shareholdings

abertis also has shareholdings in the following concessionary companies, although it does
not have a majority holding.

Highway

Km

Concessionary

% holding

End concession

Túnel del Cadí (C-16)

Tramo I (M-45)

Madrid-Arganda del Rey (R-3)
Madrid-Navalcarnero (R-5)

Madrid-Guadalajara (R-2)

Sant Cugat-Manresa (C-16)

30

14

33
53

81

48

Túnel del Cadí

Concema

Accesos Madrid
Accesos Madrid

Henarsa

Autema

Santiago-Alto Sto. Domingo (AP-53) 57

Central Gallega

37.2

25.0

23.3
23.3

22.5

22.3

18.0

2023

2032

2049
2049

2024

2037

2074

Autema and Túnel del Cadí have continued to show a positive evolution, with increased traffic
and income.

The other companies are in an early phase of operation: Concema commenced its activity in
April 2002, Henarsa in October 2003, the Central Galacian highway, in stages, in December
2002 and December 2003 and Accesos de Madrid in February 2004.

The result for the year in each of these shareholdings is positive, and together they contributed
3 million euros to the consolidated profit of abertis.

In 2004, a consortium in which abertis participates has been awarded the Alicante Ring road
toll highway.

International:

Annual report

29

abertis has shareholdings in a series of international projects as shown in the following
map:

During the year an agreement was signed with ASF to collaborate on technical questions of
highway management and to share future projects in France. Also the existing strategic
international alliances have been strengthened with the main European operators, Brisa and
Autostrade, with which abertis holds crossed shareholdings.

Highways managed directly

Country

Argentina

Puerto Rico

(*) 57.6% voting rights.

Concessionary

% holding

Km End concession

GCO

APR

48.6 (*)

75.0

53

2

2018

2027

International high ways

30

Annual report

United Kingdom
RMG
A1-M Alconbury
22 km

London

RMG
A419/417 Swindon-Gloucester
52 km

Oporto

Lisbon

Portugal
Brisa
1,106 km

Puerto Rico
APR
Puente Teodoro Moscoso
2 km

Colombia
Coviandes
Bogotá-Villavicencio
86 km

Genoa

Rome

Naples

Italy
Autostrade
3,401 km

Chile
Elqui
Los Vilos-La Serena
229 km

Argentina
GCO
Luján-Buenos Aires
53 km

Ausol
Acceso Norte de Buenos Aires
119 km

direct management
other shareholdings

33 Activity for the year

Other shareholdings

Annual report

31

Country

Argentina

Colombia

United Kingdom

United Kingdom

Chile

Portugal

Italy

Concessionary

% holding

Km End concession

Ausol

Coviandes

RMG

RMG

Elqui

Brisa

Autostrade

45.2

39.0

25.0

25.0

25.0

10.0

8.0

119

86

22

52

229

1,106

3,401

2020

2013

2026

2026

2022

2032

2038

In general, the evolution of the activity internationally has been very positive, with significant
increases in traffic and income.

The recovery of the economy in Argentina stands out, having commenced in 2002 and
strengthened during 2003, resulting in a 13 % increase in transits for Gco, with income up
15 %, recording a profit in 2003. This recovery, and the anticipated renegotiation of the
concession contracts with the administrations that awarded the concessions, gives an
optimistic outlook for the evolution of the highway concessions that abertis has in Argentina.

During 2003, following the Public Takeover Offer made by the core shareholders of Autostrade
for the Italian concessionary, abertis has increased its indirect shareholding from 3.85% to
7.98 % without any additional investment.

33 Activity for the year

Car Parks

Annual report

33

Saba Aparcamientos, S.A. (Saba), the leading operator in the car park sector in Spain
and one of the leaders in Europe, is the head company of the business unit for this
activity.

During the year, abertis has acquired a further 40% of Saba, to gain control of almost
100 % of the company.

Key data of car park companies

Company

Country

% holding

No. spaces

Spain

Spain

Portugal

Andorra

Spain

Italy

Morocco

99.2

100

100

90.3

88.0

60.0

51.0

42,763

4,936

15,850

295

947

12,525

3,765

81,081

Saba

Parbla

Spel

Spasa

Satsa

Saba Italia

Rabat

Activity

No. cities
present

25

5

7

1

1

11

1

The Group manages more than 81,000 parking spaces distributed in a total of 141 operating
units and is present in more than 50 cities.

During the year vehicle rotation in the group's car park network has been affected by the
termination of the concessions of the Metered Zone in Rome and Bolzano, registering 44.2
million vehicles, below the 2002 figure. Isolating this effect, there was an increase of 2.3%
thanks to the positive evolution of the activity in the other businesses of the Group.

The number of pass holders also increased by 3.4 %, to 22,444.

Concerning the activity of Saba, the opening in March 2003 of the PA parking building at
Barcelona Airport with 2,470 new spaces was particulady significant, bringing the total number
of parking spaces managed by Saba in that car park to 13,140.

Parbla, S.L. was awarded the operation of 320 spaces in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona).

33 Activity for the year

34

Annual report

During the year, the process of the group's expansion has developed, particularly through Saba
Italia which was awarded new car parks in Genoa (174 spaces), Sassari (1,740 spaces), Milan
(340 spaces) and Pisa (392 spaces), and with the extension of the period of some of its
concessions. Also of note was the opening of some car parks in Milan. It is anticipated that
significant investments will continue to be made in this country, as it is a relatively unexploited
market which offers  business opportunities.

In May 2003, Saba increased its shareholding in Spel by 50 %, taking 100% control of the
company, consolidating its position in Portugal. At 31 December 2003, Spel’s contribution to
the group was management of 19 centres and 15,850 parking spaces. In October this company
began to operate the car park of Leiria, with 140 spaces, a project that involves the construction
of another 309 parking spaces.

In the international area the activity of Rabat Parking, S.A. also stands out with the opening
of a car park with 448 spaces.

Figures

The car park sector represents 7% of the operating income, totalling 91 million euros, an
increase of 5.6% on the previous year. The contribution to consolidated EBITDA is 33 million
euros, 3.8% more than the previous year. During 2003 the results of Saba were influenced
by a combination of three factors: the loss of the blue zone in Rome and Bolzano, for one part;
the improvement in activity at a national level; and lastly, the increased contribution from
Spel to the Group figures, after gaining 100 % control of the Company.

Location of Saba car parks

Annual report

35

Andorra

1
Barcelona

Madrid

Rome

Lisbon

Rabat

1

Location of Saba car parks in Catalonia

Barcelona
Badalona
Blanes
Cadaqués
Cerdanyola
Cornellà
Figueres
Girona
Igualada
Mataró
Platja d’Aro

Puigcerdà
Sabadell
Salou
St. Joan Despí
Sta. Perpètua de Mogoda
Tarragona
Terrassa
Vic
Vilafranca del Penedès
Vilanova i la Geltrú

33 Activity for the year

36

Annual report

Logistic Services

The logistic service business unit is channelled through abertis logística, holder of the Group's
shareholdings in this activity.

This business unit is made up of a combination of projects at different phases of development
in Barcelona, Álava and Seville:

Key data of the logistic services companies

Company

City

% holding

Total
area (m2)

Current state

abertis logística / CIM Vallès

Barcelona

100.0

70,000

Operative

Sevisur

Seville

Parc Logístic Zona Franca

Barcelona

Álava

Barcelona

Barcelona

Arasur

Cilsa

Areamed 2000

 Activity

60.0

50.0

39.5

32.0

50.0

250,000

Under construction

375,000

Operative

2,100,000

Under construction

2,200,000

Operative

-

Operative

abertis logística continues operating the integrated goods area of the Central Integral de
Mercancías (CIM) del Vallès, which increased income by 16 % in 2003, thanks to the positive
evolution of the activity in the majority of services offered (truck parking, service station,
hotel, food services, commercial area and mechanical repairs) and increased occupation in
the leased offices building.

The Parc Logístic de la Zona Franca, company held equally by the Consorcio de la Zona Franca
de Barcelona (50%) and abertis logística, reached 100% occupation during 2003 in more than
100,000 m2 of warehouses and 20,000 m2 of leased offices. As a result, operating income increased
54% to 11 million euros, and EBITDA increased 95% to 8 million euros.

Given the positive evolution of the activity and the full occupation of the logistics area, the
promotion of new office buildings is now underway.

CILSA, Centro Intermodal de Logística, S.A., in which abertis logística holds 32% and the Port
Authority of Barcelona holds 51%, is developing Zal Barcelona and Zal Prat in two phases, a
logistics area of more than 200 hectares in the port zone of Barcelona.

The promotion of Zal Barcelona has been completed during 2003, achieving full occupation,
and the works for the development of Zal Prat have continued. Operating income reached
12 million euros, up 9% on 2002 and EBITDA rose 20% to 4 million euros.

Logistic  infrastructures

1

Álava

3

Seville

Barcelona

2

Annual report

37

1 Álava
Arasur

210 hectares

2 Barcelona
CIM Vallès
PLZF
CILSA (ZAL I + ZAL II)

7 hectares
38 hectares
220 hectares

3 Seville
Sevisur

25 hectares

New projects

Highlights during the year were the start of new logistics projects in Álava and Seville, which
were awarded at the end of 2002.

Sevisur Logística S.A., owned by abertis logística (60 %), several Andalusian savings banks
and the Seville Port Authority, was awarded the Zal Seville Port concession in December 2002.
Sevisur will manage, under a 30 year concession, a 25 hectare site to develop logistics
warehouses to be leased and 10 hectares for the provision of services.

In February 2003 Arasur Logística S.A. was incorporated, in which abertis logística holds a
39.5% share acting as an industrial, technical and management partner, with the other shares
held by the Caja Vital, the Diputación Foral de Álava and the Autonomous Government of the
Basque Country. Arasur will construct and operate an inter-modal logistics platform, that it
will own, in an area of more than 200 hectares in the south of Álava province.

Figures

The logistic services business unit recorded operating income of 15 million euros and
contributed EBITDA of 6 million euros to the consolidated accounts of abertis.

33 Activity for the year

Telecommunication infrastructures

Annual report

39

abertis telecom is the parent company of the telecommunication infrastructures business. In
addition to holding the shareholdings of abertis in this sector, it provides technical assistance
and operates the fibre optic cabling located along the Acesa highways.

In September abertis telecom acquired the outstanding 5% of the shares in Tradia to gain
100% control of the Company.

In December 2003 the acquisition of 100% of Retevisión from the Auna group was finalised.
With this operation, abertis consolidates its line of activity in the management of
telecommunication infrastructures.

Key data of the telecommunication infrastructure companies

Company

abertis telecom

Tradia

Retevisión

Torre de Collserola

%

100

100

100

36.0

No. of sites

-

678

2,400

-

Tradia is one of the main Spanish companies specialised in leasing telecommunication
infrastructures for mobile telephone operators, radio broadcasters and closed user groups.

The provision of Services to Public Administrations (SAP) continues to be one of the Company's
main activities and, in particular, the roll-out of digital trunking networks and communications
consulting. This activity has increased 38%.

Tradia has improved and expanded services in the audiovisual market and, in the sector of
broadcasting radio programs and private television, a 15% increase was recorded.

The services of leasing infrastructure and transporting data for the main mobile telephone
operators and LMDS have increased by 7% compared to the previous year.

The results for the year show the impact of the significant investment program that the
Company has undertaken and the positive evolution of the main activities. As a result, turnover
has increased 25% to 67 million euros, and EBITDA rose to 17 million euros, up 57% on 2002.

Retevisión Audiovisual offers services of transport and broadcasting of television and radio
signals at a national level on analogical and digital networks. It has a network with 2,400 sites,
including the emblematic Torrespaña in Madrid and Torre de Collserola in Barcelona (in which
it has a 36% shareholding).

Tradia  and Retevisión sites

40

Annual report

In 2002, Retevisión spun off the activity of installing and operating fixed telecommunication
networks and services to Auna Telecomunicaciones, S.A., leading to the creation of Retevisión
Audiovisual. Consequently, 2003 is the first full year in which the company has only undertaken
its audiovisual activity. It is expected that the company will register a positive evolution in
both income and EBITDA next year.

The acquisition of Retevisión enables abertis to obtain synergies through complementary
geography and clients, and  in turn, it offers the possibility of expanding the current activities
of Tradia at the national level.

During 2003 abertis telecom has acquired the proportional share of the Vivendi Group's
holding in Xfera without any outlay, increasing its shareholding from 5.69% to 8.36%. abertis
has provisioned 100% of the investment given that the commercial and technical roll-out is
on hold, awaiting the availability of UMTS technology, for which Xfera holds an operating
licence.

33 Activity for the year

Airports

Annual report

41

abertis has an 85% shareholding in Codad, the company holding the concession for the
construction and management of the second runway at Bogotá airport and management of
the first runway, which is already built.

Codad operates under a contract with guaranteed minimum income. Consequently, although
the number of flights has declined by 4%, operating income in Colombian pesos rose 20%
and EBITDA rose 15%, with the contribution to the consolidated accounts of abertis being
21 and 18 million euros respectively.

42

Annual report

3 Performance for the year

4

Consolidated figures for abertis
Balance sheet
(million euros)

Assets

2003

2002

Liabilities

Consolidated

Net fixed assets

Intangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Investments

7,684
262
6,622
800

4,957
87
4,288
582

Equity

Share capital 
Share premium
Reserves
Profit
Interim dividend

Consolidation goodwill fund

Deferred expenses

Current assets

909

632

460

925

274

303

Minority interests

Negative consolidation difference

Deferred income

Consolidated

2003

2002

3,107
1,576
580
716
355
(120)

28

41

96

2,034
1,037
116
765
195
(79)

90

22

24

Provisions for liabilities and expenses 2,285

1,387

Long-term creditors

2,640

1,607

Short-term creditors

1,488

1,295

Total assets

9,685

6,459

Total liabilities

9,685

6,459

The 50% increase in the consolidated balance sheet figures is due to the incorporation of the
Aurea shareholdings in the consolidation scope, as well as the consolidation of Retevisión at
the end of the year.

Consolidated assets total almost 9,700 million. Tangible fixed assets, primarily consisting of
investment in highways and other concession assets, represent 68 % of the total.

The variation of the consolidation goodwill fund is principally due to an increase of 155 million
euros following the merger and the acquisition of shareholdings during the year, and a reduction
of 149 million euros due to the transfer of the consolidation goodwill generated in the merger
of Aucat and Holdaucat during the year to financial investments.

Almost 75% of the deferred expenses are the result of the deferral of financial charges
established in the accounting standard in force for highway concessionary companies.

On the liabilities side, equity now exceeds 3,100 million euros (32% of total liabilities) and
debt totals 3,611 million, representing a debt to equity ratio of 116%. Also of note are the
provisions for liabilities and expenses, which include the reversion fund and represent 24 %
of total liabilities. This financial equilibrium allows abertis to face both its selective investment
policy and the investments in improving the infrastructures managed with guarantees.

Annual report

43

Profit and loss account
(million euros)

Operating income
Operating expenses

EBITDA

Depreciation and reversion fund

Operating profit

Financial result

Profit from associated companies
Amortisation goodwill / Negative consolidation differences

Profit from ordinary activities

Extraordinary profit (loss)

Corporation tax

Minority interests

Profit for the year

Consolidated
2002

2003

1,282
(367)

915

790
(257)

533

(220)

(131)

695

(151)

30
(36)

538

4

(187)

0

355

402

(94)

30
(19)

319

(29)

(99)

4

195

The 2003 profit and loss account of the abertis group is not comparable to the previous year
due to the inclusion of the Aurea group and the incorporation of a full year of the Iberpistas
Group (only six months in 2002).

Consolidated operating income and expenses have increased due to the incorporations
mentioned and the positive performance of the activity of the companies that the Group is
now made up of.

As a result, operating profit rose 73% (up 12 % on aggregate figure of Acesa and Aurea for
2002), maintaining, and even improving slightly, the profit margin of the previous year.

The financial result reflects the effects of the incorporation of the Iberpistas Group midway
through 2002 as well as the companies involved in the merger with Aurea. Taking away these
effects, the result would have remained practically stable with respect to the previous year.

Profit from companies consolidated by equity accounting remained at the same level as the
previous year, although this is due to two factors: the incorporation of the companies under
the ownership of Aurea on one side, and the lower contribution from Autostrade on the other
side, as a result of the Public Takeover Offer made by the core shareholders, which has more
than doubled the shareholding in the company (increased to 8%).

43 Performance for the year

44

Annual report

The amortisation of the goodwill fund has increased significantly for two main reasons: in the
first place, the 2002 accounts only included amortisation of Iberpistas for six months and,
secondly, the impact of acquisitions and incorporations during the year (basically the acquisition
of 40% of Saba).

The impact of all these changes has seen profit from ordinary activities increase 69 %.
Extraordinary profits, obtained basically from the sale of the former head office of abertis,
helped the consolidated profit of the Group reach 355 million euros, a figure that represents
an 82% increase over the previous year (up 11.2 % over the aggregate total for Acesa and
Aurea).

Figures for the parent company abertis infraestructuras

Balance sheet
(million euros)

Assets

2003

2002

Liabilities

Parent Co.

Parent Co.

2003

2002

Net fixed assets

Intangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Investments 

Deferred expenses

Current assets

4,778
6
15
4,757

3,233
1
12
3,220

9

14

588

203

Equity

Share capital 
Share premium
Reserves
Profit
Interim dividend

3,069
1,576
580
704
329
(120)

Provisions for liabilities and expenses

41

Long-term creditors

Short-term creditors

1,369

896

2,010
1,037
116
753
183
(79)

42

606

792

Total assets

5,375

3,450

Total liabilities

5,375

3,450

The merger with Aurea has led to a significant increase in the balance sheet figures, with year
on year growth of 56%.

The position as parent company of the group is reflected in the assets, where investments
(portfolio of shareholdings) represents 88% of the total, and the liabilities side reflects the
financing of these shareholdings through a combination of equity (57 %) and debt (40%).

Of the increase in equity, 928 million corresponds to the increase in capital and the share
premium related to the merger.

Profit for the year of 329 million euros, has enabled an interim dividend of 120 million euros
to be paid (in accordance with the established dividend policy), with a final dividend to be
paid in 2004.

Profit and loss account
(million euros)

Operating income
Operating expenses

EBITDA

Depreciation and reversion fund

Operating profit

Financial result

Profit from ordinary activities

Extraordinary profit (loss)

Corporation tax

Profit for the year

Annual report

45

Parent Co.

2003

2002

18
(29)

(11)

(3)

(14)

332

318

(8)

19

329

226
(62)

164

(33)

131

107

238

(20)

(35)

183

The 2002 and 2003 profit and loss account for the parent company are not comparable due
to the merger already detailed, and because the 2002 accounts include six months of the
concessionary activity before the highway activity was transferred to the current Acesa.

As parent company of the combined shareholdings, the profit and loss account is primarily
concentrated in the financial result, which shows the dividends received from subsidiary and
associated companies as well as the financial expenses related to the structure of the liabilities.
The balance mainly corresponds to structural expenses as parent of the group.

The financial result totalled 332 million euros, enabling net profit to increase by 80% with
respect to 2002 to reach 329 million euros. This represents an 8.3 % increase compared to
the aggregate profit and loss account of Acesa and Aurea for 2002.

46

Annual report

4

Shareholders and stock market

4.1

 Stoc k market conditions

4.2

 Evolution of the share

4.3

 Evolution of share capital - Increases

4.4

 Dividend and shareholder yie ld

4.5

 Shareholders

4.6

 Sign ifican t shareholdin gs

4.7

 Market  information

4 Shareholders and stock market

48

Annual report

1 Stock market conditions

After three consecutive years of heavy losses on stock markets (a period in which our share
was one of the few positive exceptions), 2003 was finally a year of recovery.

The early months of the year were marked by the same doubts that had been hanging over
stock markets in the previous year: the weakness of the economy, which reduced business
profits, and the possibility of imminent war in Iraq at the time, dragging equity indexes down
to their lows in February and March.

From April, investors appeared to enter into a climate of less uncertainty, once the initial phase
of the Iraq conflict had passed, which led to rises on Wall Street and the main European
exchanges.

The good business results, supported by an environment of low interest rates (linked to the
improvement in macroeconomic indicators in the United States and to a lesser extent in
Europe) fed the recovery in the majority of international stock markets.

Within the euro zone, neither the weakness of the recovery in Germany, France or Italy,
nor the drop in the dollar and the resulting historical maximums for the euro, nor the
breaching of the Stability Pact, prevented 2003 from becoming the first year of gains
since 1999.

The better evolution of the Spanish economy with respect to other European countries, and
the resulting increase in investor confidence in the Spanish stock market, saw the Ibex 35
rise 28% in 2003, its best performance in the last five years.

This increase occurred in a climate of lower volatility and greater liquidity, size and presence
of the Spanish stock market amongst all the markets.

2 Evolution of the share

The ordinary shares of abertis rose 17% in 2003, after adjusting for the bonus issue.

In the early part of the year, the share prices of Acesa and Aurea were in a bullish period that
accentuated in the months of April and May, with the prospects of a merger between the
companies being finalised.

In June the exchange of Acesa shares for Aurea shares was made, with the shares in
Aurea becoming abertis shares, with trading under the new name commencing on the
2nd of the month.

The merger gave the company a new dimension, with greater visibility amongst the investment
community, greater weight in the stock market indexes and a better position for development
opportunities. This expectation saw the share price rise to annual and historical highs (adjusting
the price for capital increases).

In the second half of the year, the share price began to decline slightly to the last quarter, when
it received a new boost to reach 12.00 euros, recovering from the adjustment to the share price
related to the bonus share issue in October.

abertis ordinary shares - 2003

Annual report

49

The shares of abertis are listed on the four Spanish Stock Exchanges and traded on the
electronic interconnected market. The ordinary Class A shares are included in the Ibex 35 stock
index. They are also included in relevant international indexes, such as Standard & Poor's
Europe 350, the Eurotop 300 or the Dow Jones Stoxx Sustainability Index, which includes
leading European listed companies that are the most profitable in their sector of activity and
have adopted criteria of sustainability in the management of their growth.

Volume
Unadjusted price
Adjusted price

Close
(euros)

13

12.5

12

11.5

11

10.5

10

6,832

6,300

Volume
(thousand shares)

5,000

4,500

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

J

F

M

A

M

J

J

A

S

O

N

D

Comparison of the evolution of abertis and the main indexes
Evolution over 3 years (2001-2003)

(Base 31/12/00 = 100)

2000
abertis A
Adjusted close: 

 8.04

Variation last 3 years:
abertis A: +49 %
Ibex 35: –15 %
Eurotop 300: –38 %

2003
abertis A
Close: 

 11.99

160

150

140

130

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

31/12/2000

31/12/2001

31/12/2002

31/12/2003

abertis A (*)

abertis B (*)

Ibex 35

Eurotop 300

(*) Adjusted for increases in capital

50

Annual report

4 Shareholders and stock market

The 17% rise in the ordinary shares of abertis in 2003, together with those recorded in the
two previous years, represents an accumulated increase in these three years of 49%. For its
part, the Ibex 35 closed the 2003 year with a rise of 28% which, added to the movement
recorded in the two previous years, represents a decline over the last three years of 15%, as
shown in the graph.

Taking May 2002 as a reference, coinciding with the date when the main shareholders of Acesa and
Aurea announced their agreement to seek a merger of the two companies, the increase in the ordinary
share price of abertis was 25% at the close of 2003.

In the last 3 years, only four companies, including abertis, out of the 35 companies that make up
the Ibex index, recorded a positive annual change, whereas in 2003 all but one company closed with
rises for the year.

On the other hand, the performance of the privileged Class B shares are affected by their characteristics
(they have the right to a preference dividend based on the period they are held), which has meant
that since the shares were listed for trading on 29 July 2002, they have had low liquidity, low volumes
and have traded infrequently.

The market capitalisation of abertis at the end of 2003 was 6,296 million euros, of which 5,853
correspond to Class A shares and 443 to Class B shares. The increase in its market capitalisation
compared to 2002 is due to an increase in the number of shares, with shares issued in the Aurea share
swap, and the good performance of the share price.

3 Evolution of share capital - Increases

At 31 December 2003, the share capital of abertis was 1,576 million euros, represented by
525,220,358 bearer shares with a nominal value of 3 euros each, fully subscribed and paid
up, of which 488,183,992 are ordinary Class A shares and 37,036,366 are Class B preference
shares.

During 2003 there have been two increases in capital:

• May-June
As a result of the merger with Aurea, capital was increased by a nominal sum of 464
million euros by issuing 154,579,950 ordinary Class A shares, with a share premium of
464 million euros, used in the share swap of Aurea shares for Acesa shares at the rate of
93 Acesa shares for every 43 Aurea shares. The new shares had dividend rights from 1
January 2003.

• October
The General Meeting of 16 September approved an increase of capital to be charged
against reserves for a total of 75 million euros, by issuing and circulating 25,010,493
ordinary Class A shares, for all shareholders, whether Class A or Class B, with 1 new share
for every 20 shares held.  Between October 10th and October 24th 61.7 million rights
were traded, with a maximum price of 0.58 euros and a minimum price of 0.56 euros. The
new shares were admitted for trading on 6 November, with dividend rights from 1 January
2003.

4 Dividend and shareholder yield

During the first six months, dividend payments were made by Acesa and Aurea, in accordance
with the terms established in the Merger Operation approved in December 2003.

Annual report

51

Thus, Acesa paid a final dividend for 2002 on 16 April of 0.223 euros gross per share and Aurea
paid a final dividend of 0.4823 euros gross per share on the same date and an extraordinary
dividend of 1 euro per share.

Following the merger, abertis paid an interim dividend for 2003 on 12 November of 0.229
euros gross per share. This amount, together with the final dividend to be paid in the first six
months of 2004, represents a total dividend of 0.452 euros gross per share, charged against
profits for 2003.

The amount set aside by abertis for dividends in 2003 totals 237.4 million euros. This amount
is 52 % more than the previous year, due to new shares issued for the share exchange made
in the merger with Aurea, and also include the 5% increase in the number of shares following
the increase for the bonus share issue.

The dividend yield is 3.8% with respect to the year end closing price; with this figure the
company continues to have one of the highest dividend yields amongst the main listed
companies in Spain.

5 Shareholders

During 2003, abertis has maintained its commitment to communication and transparency,
keeping an open dialogue with shareholders, investors and financial markets.

The company has a website www.abertis.com, to facilitate access to company information
with a complete section dedicated to investor relations.

In addition, abertis also has a Shareholder Telephone Service (902 30 10 15) to answer queries
and provide information to our shareholders.

The company also publishes the abertis magazine, which has become a source of information
for all those who want to know the latest news at abertis.

6 Significant shareholdings

The size of the holdings of the core group of shareholders in the company are provided in
the Corporate Governance Report which is included with this Annual Report.

7 Market information

Information for 2003:

Class A shares

Class B shares

Trading frequency
Trading days
Traded volume (No. shares)
Equivalent percentage of shares
Cash value of trades (million  )
Market capitalisation (30/12/03) (million  )
abertis share options

100%
250
257,902,032
53%
3,045.48
5,853.33
43,731

39%
98
144,130
0.4%
1.76
442.58
0

4 Shareholders and stock market

52

Annual report

Evolution of the last three years:

Ibex 35
Close
Year change
High/Low

Ibex Utilities
Close
Year change
High/Low

Eurotop 300
Close
Year change
High/Low

Class A shares
Close/Adjusted close (1)
Year change/
Adjusted year change (1)
High/Low
High/Low (adjusted) (1)
Weight in Ibex 35

Class B shares
Close/Adjusted close (1)
Year change/
Adjusted year change (1)(2)
High/Low
High/Low (adjusted) (1)

2003

2002

2001

7,737.2
28.2%
7,760.4

15,073.0
31.9%
15,217.0

957.9
11.8%
957.9

/

5,452.4

/

10,992.8

/

682.7

6,036.9
–28.1 %
8,554.7

11,429.2
–32.9 %
17,348.0

857.0
–32.2%
1,279.7

/

5,364.5

/

6,498.4

8,397.6
–7.8 %
10,132.0

17,033.5
–5.5 %

/

10,311.6

/
20,880.3 13,459.7

1,264.9
–17.5%
1,545.5

/

998.9

/

797.2

11.99

/

11.99

10.80

/

10.29

11.19

/

10.15

11.0%
12.90
12.29
2.14

11.95

–2.0%
14.00
13.41

/
/
/
/

/

/
/
/

16.6%
10.80
10.29

/
/
/

–3.5%
11.99
10.88
1.55

1.3%
10.28
9.32

/
/
/

20.2%
11.89
10.27
1.12

26.2%
9.26
8.40

11.95

12.19

/

11.67

2.4% –10.7%
13.65
11.05
12.48
10.58

/
/
/

–0.8%
11.77
10.76

(1) Adjustment for bonus share issues
(2) In 2002, the annual change in B shares is calculated against closing price on first day of issue (29/07/02).

Class A shares
Stock price ratios on consolidated figures
0.68
Earnings per share (EPS) (1)
0.68
Adjusted profit per share (1) (2)
0.45
Dividend per share (DPS)
0.45
Adjusted dividend per share (2)
PER (share price/EPS)
17.7
Adjusted PER
(adjusted price/EPS) (2)
Dividend yield
Pay out (DPS/EPS)

17.7
3.8%
67%

0.60
0.57
0.45
0.43
18.1

17.2
4.1%
76%

0.59
0.53
0.45
0.41
19.0

17.2
4.0%
77%

(1) Figure for 2002 only consider shares from the Takeover Offer share exchange for Iberpistas during six months
(2) Ajustment for bonus share issues.

www.abertis.com

5

Financial information

5.1 Cons olidated annual accounts

Co n s o l i d a t e d  m a n a ge m e n t  re p o r t
Auditor ’s repor t on cons olidated accounts

5.2 Parent company annual accounts

Pa re n t  c o m p a ny  m a n a ge m e n t  re p o r t
Auditor ’s repor t on parent company accounts

5 1

Consolidated annual accounts and management report
of the abertis group for 2003

Consolidated balance sheet
at 31 December
(thousand euros)

54

Annual report

A S S E T S

Fixed assets
Start-up costs
Intangible fixed assets

Research and development expenses
Computer software
Administrative concessions
Goodwill
Studies and projects
Other
Amortisation 
Tangible fixed assets

Highway investments
Land and natural resources
Buildings and other constructions
Machinery and vehicles
Installations, tooling and furniture
Other fixed assets
Other fixed assets under construction
Depreciation

Investments

Investments in subsidiaries consolidated by equity accounting
Loans to subsidiaries consolidated by equity accounting
Long-term securities portfolio
Long-term deposits and guarantees
Other credits
Provisions

Consolidation goodwill
Deferred expenses
Current assets
Inventories
Accounts receivable

Advance payments to creditors
Trade debtors
Debtors – Public Treasury compensation
Sundry debtors
Personnel
Public Treasury
Provisions

Short-term investments

Short-term share portfolio
Interest receivable
Other credits

Treasury
Cash
Banks and credit institutions
Prepayments and accrued income

Total assets

2003
7,684,184
7,654
254,193
6,495
34,140
54,960
209,775
1,101
18,965
(71,243)
6,622,253
6,085,044
13,676
385,273
212,882
659,574
39,284
46,907
(820,387)
800,084
593,123
0
48,642
4,497
188,195
(34,373)
908,943
631,848
459,684
7,096
278,148
230
108,976
95,827
48,013
518
33,499
(8,915)
141,060
14,547
177
126,336
26,293
3,029
23,264
7,087

2002
4,957,359
6,061
80,981
5,427
16,472
54,230
44,000
727
170
(40,045)
4,287,756
4,008,175
4,154
280,789
167,980
68,366
17,654
98,294
(357,656)
582,561
498,237
6,000
33,425
1,425
58,426
(14,952)
924,506
274,284
302,532
6,920
223,126
162
59,848
78,014
34,397
320
54,039
(3,654)
53,363
47,843
349
5,171
17,198
1,971
15,227
1,925

9,684,659

6,458,681

Annual report

55

L I A B I L I T I E S

Equity
Share capital
Share premium
Reserves of parent company
Revaluation reserves
Legal reserve RD 1564/1989
Voluntary reserve

Reserves in fully consolidated companies
Reserves in companies consolidated by equity accounting
Exchange differences
Profit and loss attributed to parent company

Consolidated profits
Profits due to minority interests

Interim dividend paid during year
Minority interests
Negative consolidation differences
Deferred income
Provisions for liabilities and expenses

Reversion fund
Other provisions
Long-term creditors
Bond issues
Loans with credit entities
Disbursement pending on shares in group companies
Other creditors
Short-term creditors
Bond issues
Loans with credit entities

Loans
Interest on loans

Loans with companies consolidated by equity accounting
Trade creditors

Trade creditors
Other creditors
Other non-trade credits
Public Treasury
Accrued payroll expenses
Other debts
Deposits and guarantees received

Accrued expenses

Total liabilities

2003
3,107,354
1,575,661
579,690
896,422
479,495
158,668
258,259
(24,356)
10,200
(165,194)
355,206
355,369
(163)
(120,275)
27,844
40,889
95,573
2,285,414
2,213,112
72,302
2,639,501
656,428
1,846,714
3,353
133,006
1,488,084
12,568
1,118,216
1,107,459
10,757
0
182,258
118,410
63,848
172,730
95,229
12,206
59,001
6,294
2,312

2002
2,033,390
1,036,890
115,553
739,403
554,526
140,387
44,490
25,152
5,047
(4,983)
195,329
191,511
3,818
(79,001)
89,576
22,487
23,862
1,386,685
1,318,029
68,656
1,607,351
60,000
1,443,541
55,598
48,212
1,295,330
553
1,037,263
1,017,437
19,826
22,447
160,239
140,851
19,388
74,180
43,777
7,792
16,319
6,292
648

9,684,659

6,458,681

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

Consolidated profit and loss account
at 31 December
(thousand euros)

56

Annual report

Expenses

Personnel expenses

Salaries and wages
Social security
Pension fund and other personnel-related liabilities

Amortisation and depreciation of fixed assets
Movement in trading provisions
Other operating expenses
External services
Taxes
Charge to reversion fund

Total operating expenses 

Operating profit
Financial costs and related expenses
Total financial expenses

2003
176,174
141,860
33,023
1,291
86,098
2,369
323,260
177,316
13,326
132,618

2002
130,493
102,784
27,097
612
60,579
2,214
198,405
115,783
10,174
72,448

587,901

391,691

695,248
159,137
159,137

402,354
103,046
103,046

Amortisation of consolidation goodwill

36,795

19,964

Profit on ordinary activities
Losses on disposal of fixed assets and extraordinary expenses 

537,808
20,006

318,884
48,007

Extraordinary profits

Consolidated profit before tax 
Corporation tax

Consolidated profit for the year 
Due to minority interests

Profit due to parent company

4,028

-

541,836
186,467

289,886
98,375

355,369
163

191,511
(3,818)

355,206

195,329

Income

Operating revenue
Toll income
Discounts and rebates on toll income
Provision of services

Annual report

57

2003
1,226,299
1,075,176
(32,669)
183,792

2002
761,583
645,441
(26,400)
142,542

Work done by the company on fixed assets

1,346

3,976

Other operating income

Sundry income and other management income

55,504
55,504

28,486
28,486

Total operating income

1,283,149

794,045

Other interests and related income

Total financial income

7,688

9,091

7,688

9,091

Negative financial result
Shere in profit and loss of companies consolidated by equity accounting
Reversion of negative consolidation differences

151,449
29,904
900

93,955
29,569
880

Profits from disposal of fixed assets and extraordinary income

24,034

19,009

Extraordinary loss

-

28,998

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

ABERTIS INFRAESTRUCTURAS, S.A.
NOTES TO THE ANNUAL CONSOLIDATED ACCOUNTS FOR 2003

58

Annual report

NOTE 1. ACTIVITY

a) Activity

ABERTIS INFRAESTRUCTURAS, S.A. (hereinafter abertis or the Company) was incorporated
in Barcelona on 24 February 1967. On 30 May 2003 (date of registering the merger deed
indicated in section b) of this note) the company changed its name from ACESA
INFRAESTRUCTURAS, S.A. to its current name. The registered office of the Company is
Avenida del Parc Logístic, nº 12-20, Barcelona.

abertis is the parent company of a group dedicated to the management of infrastructures
serving mobility and communications operating in four sectors of activity: highway
concessions, car parks, logistic services, and telecommunications.

Its business purpose is the construction, maintenance and operation of highways under
concession; the management of highway concessions in Spain and internationally; the
construction of roads; the complementary activities to construction, maintenance and
operation of highways such as service stations, integrated logistics and/or transport centres
and/or car parks, as well as any other activity related with transport infrastructures and
communication and/or telecommunications serving mobility and the transport of people,
goods and information, with the necessary authorisation, should it be required.

The Company can develop its business purpose, especially the concessionary activity, directly
or indirectly through its shareholding in other companies, being subject, in this respect, to
the legal dispositions in force at the time.

 b) Merger

On 8 April 2003, the extraordinary general meetings of shareholders of ACESA Infraestructuras,
S.A. and AUREA, Concesiones de Infraestructuras, S.A. (AUREA) approved the merger of
both companies by absorption, where the former company was to absorb the latter company,
effective for accounting purposes from 1 January 2003, the date from which it is understood
that AUREA operations were conducted on account of the Company.

The merger was effected through an exchange of AUREA shares for abertis shares
(at the rate of 43 shares in the former for 93 shares in the latter). To cover this share
exchange the Company increased capital as detailed in note 11.

The merger project approved by the respective general meetings of shareholders established
that the difference between the nominal value of the new shares issued by the Company
and the adjusted book value of AUREA will be treated as a premium on issue (see note 11).

The audited balance sheet of the AUREA company accounts at 31 December 2002 that
was included in the Company is as follows:

Assets

Net fixed assets

Start-up costs
Intangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Investments

Current assets

Liabilities

Equity
Provisions for risks and expenses
Long-term creditors
Short-term creditors

Thousand euros

Annual report

59

105
5,294
11,236
1,407,852

1,424,487

43,649

1,468,136

Thousand euros

(*)

1,033,820
6,512
346,839
80,965

1,468,136

(*) Prior to incorporating the value of this company’s patrimony in the accounts of abertis, dividends from Aurea

totalling 105,943 thousand euros were paid out.

In the tables and movements shown in this annual report, the column “Incorporation due to
merger” reflects the consolidated balances included as at 1 January 2003.

NOTE 2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND CONSOLIDATION

The consolidated annual accounts represent the consolidation of the parent company, abertis,
and the subsidiary and associated companies detailed in the Annex.

a) True and fair view

The consolidated annual accounts have been prepared by the administrators of abertis
with the objective of providing a true and fair view of its equity, the financial situation and
the consolidated profit and loss account for the year ended 31 December 2003, based on
the accounting records, both of abertis and its subsidiary companies, in accordance with
the Rules for the Preparation of Consolidated Annual Accounts approved by Royal Decree
1815/91, dated 20 December 1991, and following the General Accounting Plan and the
rules for the adaptation of the General Accounting Plan for highways, tunnels and other
toll routes applicable to highway concessionary companies.

All the companies in the consolidated group work to a financial year end at 31 December.

60

Annual report

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

The necessary adjustments and reclassifications have been made to standardise accounting
policies in those cases where there are significant differences with respect to the parent
company to obtain a true and fair representation of the Group; the companies consolidated
by equity accounting have been standardised, provided the necessary information was
available. All the balances and significant transactions between consolidated companies
have been eliminated in the consolidation process.

b) Comparison of information

The annual accounts for 2003 are not comparable with the 2002 accounts for the following
reasons:

• The 2003 accounts reflect greater activity arising from the merger noted in 1b).

• In the 2003 accounts the Iberpistas group is fully consolidated for the full year (in 2002,

consolidated from June).

c) Accounting principles of consolidation

The consolidation methods applied to obtain the consolidated annual accounts are as
follows:

• Fully consolidated: Used for those companies where abertis holds a majority position
of more than 50% of the share capital or voting rights, or maintains control over
management and administration, and which represent a significant interest with respect
to presenting a true and fair view of the consolidated accounts.

The value of the share of minority shareholders in the capital and profit and loss account
of fully consolidated subsidiary companies are included under “Minority interests in the
liabilities of the consolidated balance sheet”, and “Profits attributed to minority interests
in the consolidated profit and loss account”, respectively.

• Proportional consolidation: Used for those companies where there is joint management

(multi-group companies).

• Consolidated by equity accounting: Used for those companies in which the direct or

indirect shareholding is greater than 20% (3% if publicly listed) and less than 50% of
the share capital; those companies where the holding is less than 20% but there is a
significant influence in the management; and those companies where the holding is 50%
or more, but the interest is not significant with respect to presenting a true and fair view
of the consolidated accounts.

d) Variations in the consolidation perimeter

The most significant variations in the consolidation perimeter and the companies that
make it up during 2003 were as follows:

• As consequence of the merger with Aurea the following companies were incorporated:

Annual report

61

Fully consolidated:
Autopistas Aumar, S.A.U.C.E. (Aumar) (100%)
Compañía de Desarrollo Aeropuerto El Dorado, S.A. (Codad) (85%)

Equity accounting:
Aurea Limited (Aurea Ltd) (100%)
Gestión Integral de Concesiones, S.A. (Gicsa) (100%)
Autopistas de León, S.A.C.E. (Aulesa) (79.2%) (*)
Autopistas de Puerto Rico, S.A. (APR) (75%) (*)
Autopista Trados-45, S.A. (Trados 45) (50%)
Autopistas del Sol, S.A. (Ausol) (45.16%)
Concesionaria Vial de los Andes, S.A. (Coviandes) (39.04%)
Pt Operational Services Limited (PTY) (33.3%)
Road Management Group Limited (RMG) (25%)
Concesiones de Madrid, S.A. (Concema) (25%)
Infraestructuras y Radiales, S.A. (Irasa) (increase of 15%)
Erredosa Infraestructuras, S.A. (Erredosa) (increase of 15%)
Autopista del Henares, S.A.C.E. (Henarsa) (increase of 15%)

(*) fully consolidated during the first nine months of the financial year

• The following companies cease to be fully consolidated and are now consolidated by
equity accounting given that they have little relevance to the consolidated figures of
abertis: serviabertis, Proconex and Iberpistas Chile.

• In March 2003, the shareholding that abertis had in Grupo Concesionario del Oeste
–Gco– (48.6%) was transferred to Autopistas Concesionaria Española, S.A (Acesa).

• Merger of Aucat with Holdaucat with effect from 1 January 2003 for accounting purposes.

• During the year abertis increased its indirect shareholding in the Italian concessionaire
Autostrade, S.p.A. from 3.85% to 7.98%, without any additional direct funding, as a
result of the Public Takeover Offer presented by the company NewCo28 (100% owned
by Schemaventotto, S.p.A.) for Autostrade, S.p.A. and the subsequent merger of these
two companies.

• Following the amortisation of the portfolio of shares proceeding from the compulsory
Public Takeover Offer of Iberpistas in June 2003, abertis owned 99.8% of the shares.

• Increase of the shareholding in Saba after buying an additional 39.91 % in April

2003. With this purchase abertis owned 99.24 % of the shares, taking into account
the effect of the amortisation of the portfolio of shares proceeding from the
compulsory Public Takeover Offer.

• Saba acquired 50% of Spel to gain 100% control of the company. As a result of this
acquisition, Spel is fully consolidated from 1 January 2003, having previously being
consolidated by equity accounting.

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

62

Annual report

• In 2003 it was agreed to dissolve Iniciativa de Serveis de Salou, S.A. with complete cession
of universal title of its assets and liabilities in favour of Parbla, 100% owned by Saba.

• Given the relative importance of the logistic activity in the group, abertis logística is
now fully consolidated and its subsidiary companies Areamed and Parc Logístic de la
Zona Franca, by proportional integration. These companies were previously consolidated
by equity accounting.

• Incorporation of Sevisur Logística, S.A (fully consolidated) and Araba Logística, S.A. (equity

accounting) in which abertis logística holds 60.03% and 39.5% respectively.

• abertis telecom has increased its shareholding in Tradia to 100% after buying the 5%

outstanding in September 2003.

• Acquisition at the end of 2003, by abertis telecom, of 100 % of the company

Retevisión I, S.A.U. (fully consolidated) and inclusion of the associated company Torre
de Collserola (36% under equity accounting). The accounting consolidation is effective
from 31 December 2003, being included in the balance sheet on that date, without
any impact on the profit and loss account for the year.

NOTE 3. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The most significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of these consolidated
annual accounts are as follows:

a) Consolidation goodwill

Corresponds to the difference between cost and book value of parent company share
holdings in subsidiary companies on the date of first consolidation, or the amount of latent
capital gains on acquisition, when applicable.

Goodwill is amortised systematically over a period of twenty years, or, in the case of toll highways
and other concessions, over the maximum remaining period of the life of the concession, given
that this period is a better match for generating the required resources for recovery.

b) Negative differences on first consolidation

In the case of shares whose purchase price at the time of acquisition was below the book
value of the investment, this difference is treated as a negative difference on first consolidation,
being applied over the useful life of the assets of the company where the difference arises.

c) Conversion of financial statements in foreign currencies for foreign companies

The financial statements prepared in foreign currencies corresponding to subsidiary companies
in countries outside of the euro zone are converted to euros using the exchange rate at
close:

• Capital and reserves are converted at the historical exchange rates.

Annual report

63

• Entries in the profit and loss account are converted applying the average exchange rate

for the period.

• The other entries in the balance sheet have been converted at the exchange rate at close.
The differences arising from this conversion are shown separately in the movements of
the distinct balance sheet items detailed in the notes to these annual accounts.

After applying this procedure, exchange differences are shown in the accounts as “Exchange
differences” under equity in the consolidated balance sheet, except in the case of Gco, due
to the existing exchange rate hedge. The exchange rate differences resulting on conversion
with respect to this company (having deducted the part corresponding to minority interests)
is shown directly as an amount to be recovered under “Financial investments - Other
credits” (46,347 thousand euros) as there is an exchange rate hedge (see note 21 d).

d) Start-up costs

Corresponds to expenses incurred on incorporation, establishment and share capital increases,
which are amortised using the straight line method over a maximum period of five years.

e) Intangible fixed assets

The items included in intangible fixed assets are valued at acquisition price or their cost
of production and amortised as follows:

• Goodwill. Amortised on a straight line basis over a period of 20 years, given that this is

the period over which the investment is expected to be recovered.

• Administrative concessions. Correspond to the amounts paid to obtain the right to operate

some car parks and they are amortised over the concession period.

• Other amounts are amortised on a straight line basis over a maximum period of five

years.

Nevertheless, the balance pending amortisation will be carried to profit and loss account
in the event that the asset is found to be obsolete.

f) Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are valued at acquisition cost, revalued in accordance with various
legal measures.

Personnel costs and other expenses, as well as financing costs directly imputable to highway
investments, are capitalised as part of the investment until entry into operation.

Costs of refurbishment, enlargement or improving tangible fixed assets are capitalised only
when they increase capacity, productivity or extend the useful life of the asset, provided
that it is possible to know or estimate the net book value of the assets which are removed
from the list, having been replaced.

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

64

Annual report

The costs of repair and maintenance are charged to the profit and loss account in the year
in which they are incurred.

The amortisation of tangible fixed assets is calculated systematically using the straight line
method, based on the estimated useful life of the assets, taking into consideration wear
and tear derived from normal use.

Of the combined investments represented by highway investments, the major part is
amortised through allocation to the reversion fund, where technically only the installations
and other works of replacement are amortised according to their estimated useful life.

The depreciation rates used to calculate the decline in value of the fixed assets are as
follows:

Buildings and other constructions 
Machinery
Tooling
Other installations
Furniture
Computer equipment
Other fixed assets
Tollgate machinery
Highway investments

g) Financial assets and investments

                Rate

2 - 16%
6 - 30%
7 - 37.5%
7 - 20%
10 - 25%
20 - 37.5%
3 - 30%
5.6 - 12%
2 - 20%

Investments in companies consolidated by equity accounting are stated at book value as
shown in their annual accounts at 31 December.

Other financial investments are valued at acquisition price, or market price if the value has
declined.

h) Deferred expenses

This entry includes:

• Financial expenses incurred in financing the investment in highways which, in accordance
with the rules applicable to the sector, are recorded against profit and loss account based
on the proportion of total toll income projected in the companies financial plans.

• Leases paid in advance that are charged to the profit and loss account over the life of

the respective contracts.

• Expenses derived from hedging operations that are recorded monthly over the period

that the operation is in place (see note 21. d).

• Expenses incurred in raising loans which are amortised on a straight line basis over the

loan period.

i) Inventories

Annual report

65

Inventories consist primarily of spare parts for fixed assets and are valued at cost, calculated
using the average weighted price method, making the necessary valuation adjustments and
raising the corresponding provisions.

j) Minority interests

This account reflects the interest of minority shareholders in the net book value of fully
consolidated companies at 31 December. The interests of the minority shareholders in
results of the year from fully consolidated companies is shown as “Results attributed to
Minority interests”.

k) Reversion fund

The reversion fund of the Group companies is generated annually throughout the concession
period for assets subject to reversion, by means of regular charges to the profit and loss
account until the fund totals the net book value of the assets to be reverted plus the
estimated costs to be incurred in order to hand these over in suitable condition for use,
as provided for under the terms of the concession agreement.

In the case of the Spanish concessionary companies, the allocation to the reversion fund is
calculated on the basis of real toll income each year compared with the projected total in
the respective Financial Plan until the end of the concession, in accordance with the terms
of adaptation of the General Accounting Plan.

l) Other provisions

Pursuant to the prudence principle, the Group companies register the provisions which they
consider necessary in relation to the inherent risks in the business which could affect them.

m) Deferred income

This entry includes:

• Capital grants that are recorded when the requirements for their payment are met, which
are recognised in the profit and loss account from when they are paid and allocated over
the estimated useful life of the assets financed.

• Compensation from the Administration for works done by Aumar that are recognised in
the profit and loss account in proportion to projected toll income until the end of the
concession.

• Income for the cession of the use of assets under concession (parking spaces, fibre optic
cabling) that are recognised in the profit and loss account on a straight line basis over
the life of the concession.

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

66

Annual report

n) Commitments for pensions and other personnel related liabilities

abertis, Acesa, Aumar and Retevisión externalise through an insurance policy the current
value of its future payment obligations to employees in respect of certain retirement
payments and other obligations.

o) Trade and non-trade debtors and creditors

The debits and credits incurred in operations, whether or not produced in the ordinary
course of business, are recorded at nominal value, making the necessary valuation adjustments
to cover bad debt provisions. Amounts due within one year of balance date are classified
as short-term and amounts due after this date are considered long-term.

p) Corporation tax

The consolidated profit and loss account for the year reflects the corporation tax expense
on fully consolidated companies. Its calculation includes tax accrued during the year, the
effect of timing differences between the tax assessment base and book profit, as well as
tax credits and deductions due to Group companies.

abertis pays tax on a consolidated basis, together with those subsidiaries that meet the
requirements established in current legislation (see note 17).

q) Foreign exchange differences

Transactions in currencies other than the euro are recorded at the exchange rate on the
transaction date. Exchange rate differences generated at the close of the financial year on
current transactions are recorded as a loss in the profit and loss account, if negative, or
deferred till maturity in the case of profits.

r) Accounting for income and expenses

Income and expenses are recorded on the accruals basis, that is, when the real transfer of
goods and services takes place, irrespective of when the corresponding financial transaction
occurs.

s) Actions affecting the environment

Annually amounts destined to meeting legal requirements related to the environment are
recorded either as an expense or an investment, depending on their nature. The amounts
recorded as investments are amortised over their useful life.

No allocation has been made for liabilities or expenses of an environmental natural, given
that there are no contingencies related with the protection of the environment.

NOTE 4. INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Annual report

67

The amounts and changes in 2003 in the intangible fixed asset accounts are as follows:

Balance 
31.12.02

Incorporation 
due to merger

Change in 
perimeter

Increase

Decrease

Transfer Exchange 
difference

Balance
31.12.03

R+D expenses

5,427

-

-

1,673

(605)

Computer
applications

Administrative
concessions

Goodwill
fund

Studies and
projects

Other

Total

16,472

800

14,067

2,860

(56)

54,230

-

323

426

(19)

44,000

7,823

-

2

(1,501)

159,451

727

170

-

3

306

18,461

231

331

(163)

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

6,495

(3)

34,140

-

-

-

-

54,960

209,775

1,101

18,965

121,026

8,626

33,157

5,523

(2,344) 159,451

(3)

325,436

The initial goodwill fund of 44,000 thousand euros comes from the company Tradia.

As a consequence of the take-over merger in 2003 of the companies Aucat and Holdaucat,
the goodwill carried under Consolidation goodwill (see note 7) has been transferred to Intangible
fixed assets.

The changes in accumulated amortisation during the year were:

Balance 
31.12.02

Incorporation 
due to merger

Change in 
perimeter

Increase

Decrease

Transfer Exchange 
difference

Balance
31.12.03

R+D expenses

2,004

- 

- 

970

99

Computer
applications

Administrative
concessions

Goodwill
fund

Studies and
projects

Others

Total 

8,098

217

5,432

5,189

(108)

23,889

- 

6,053

2,537 

16

- 

2,793

(4,190)

10,524

- 

- 

1

- 

1

165

5,907

106

1,647

(55)

(50)

40,045

2,755

11,520

21,229

(4,304)

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

3,073

(2)

18,826

- 

- 

- 

- 

22,508

19,114

216

7,506

(2)

71,243

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

68

Annual report

NOTE 5. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

The amounts and changes during 2003 in the tangible fixed assets were as follows:

Balance 
31.12.02

Incorporation 
due to merger

Change in 
perimeter

Increase

Decrease

Transfer Exchange 
difference

Balance
31.12.03

 Highway
investment

Tollgate
machinery

Land and
natural resources

3,947,557

1,884,450

3,464

74,993

(1,654)

121,834 (13,858)  6,016,786

60,618

-

-

7,557

-

4,154

2,355

7,130

55

(18)

83

-

-

-

68,258

13,676

Buildings and other
constructions

280,789

5,052

135,068

4,653

(6,959)

(33,330)

- 385,273

Other
fixed assets

254,000

11,826

630,218

23,366 (16,364)

8,802

(108) 911,740

Other fixed assets
under construction 98,294

15,821

26,972

42,516

(27) (136,522)

(147)

46,907

Total

4,645,412 1,919,504

802,852

153,140 (25,022)

(39,133)

(14,113) 7,442,640

The changes in accumulated depreciation for the year were:

Balance 
31.12.02

Incorporation 
due to merger

Change in 
perimeter

Increase

Decrease

Transfer Exchange 
difference

Balance
31.12.03

Highway
investment

Tollgate
machinery

Buildings and other
constructions

136,244

18,026

358

18,476

38,343

- 

- 

9,647

- 

- 

(49)

36

173,091

- 

- 

47,990

62,301

754

39,926

9,217

(1,783)

(14,838)

(1)

95,576

Other
fixed assets

Provision
fixed assets

120,722

5,800

363,562

22,056

(8,327)

(37)

(46) 503,730

46

- 

- 

- 

(132)

86

- 

-

Total

357,656

24,580

403,846

59,396 (10,242) (14,838)

(11) 820,387

The most significant reductions recorded in “Buildings and other constructions” and “Other
fixed assets” correspond to the sale of the former head office of abertis.

Amongst the transfers in “Buildings and other constructions” the tacit capital gains made
in the purchase of Saba are eliminated, having been recorded in this account at a gross
amount of 39,133 thousand euros with an accumulated depreciation of 14,838 thousand
(see note 7) and they have been transferred at the higher value to the consolidation goodwill
fund.

Investments in fixed assets outside of Spain rose to 222,837 thousand euros (254,111 thousand
euros gross less 31,274 thousand euros recorded as depreciation).

Annual report

69

Included under fixed assets are revertible assets of 6,623 million euros under the terms of the
concession agreement in each case, principally highway investments, including revaluations
and adjustments of 3,212 million euros.

The majority of the buildings and other constructions are linked to the administrative
concessions conceded by distinct public corporations, which must revert to them at the end
of the concession period.

The following assets are fully depreciated:

Highway investment
Tollgate machinery
Buildings and other constructions
Machinery and vehicles
Tooling
Other installations
Furniture
Computer equipment
Other fixed assets

Total gross book value

Amount

14,038
24,374
2,615
50,714
2,196
228,382
3,079
8,987
2,759

337,144

It is the policy of Group companies to contract all the insurance policies considered necessary
to cover any possible risks that could affect tangible fixed assets, with the exception of the
buildings and installations of the service stations, where the concessionary is responsible for
insurance. The Group companies have also taken out the necessary civil liability insurance
policies covering their activities in general.

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

70

Annual report

NOTE 6. INVESTMENTS

The amount and changes in investments were:

Balance 
31.12.02

Incorporation 
due to merger

Change in 
perimeter

Increase

Decrease

Transfer Exchange 
difference

Balance
31.12.03

Holdings
consolidated by
equity accounting

498,237

84,459

883

33,799

(18,201)

(6,054)

593,123

Loans to
companies consolidated
by equity accounting 

Long-term share
portfolio

6,000

-

-

-

(6,000)

-

-

33,425

7,632

6,816

957

(171)

(17)

48,642

Long-term
deposits and
guarantees 

Other credits

Provisions

1,425

58,426

209

1,224

7,571

122,480

2,175

1,018

(536)

(1,300)

(14,952)

(3,576)

-

(15,978)

133

- 

- 

- 

4,497

188,195

(34,373)

Total

582,561

96,295

131,403

21,971

(26,075)

(6,071) 800,084

The changes and breakdown of the companies consolidated by equity accounting were:

Annual report

71

Balance 
31.12.02

Incorporation  Change in 
perimeter
due to merger

Increases

Result Dividend/ Exchange 
for year Decrease difference

Balance
31.12.03

Acesa Italia

182,511

Brisa

129,286

Túnel del Cadí

41,587

Iberacesa

39,696

Aulesa

Aurea Limited

Elqui

Coviandes

Trados 45

Autema

Cilsa

Irasa

Concema

Henarsa

- 

- 

20,572

- 

- 

19,721

- 

- 

- 

4,628

Torre de Collserola

P. Autop. Chile Ltda.

Arasur

PTY

Gicsa

Ibermadrid

Proconex

SGPS

serviabertis

Adesal

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

347

- 

50

- 

3

abertis logística 56,816

3,020

- 

Spel

APR

Total

(85)

200

22,281

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

36,554

31,487

- 

20,414

16,835

- 

- 

10,188

5,240

- 

- 

- 

- 

102

193

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

13,074

- 

- 

- 

4,426

3,498

1,185

- 

- 

- 

398

- 

226

- 

(56,816)

(3,020)

1,358

- 

- 

- 

5

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

656

2,625

609

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(1,188)

15,000 (13,206)

810

(151)

(208)

3,388

1,594

3,070

3,210

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,529

(2,350)

314

103

801

- 

- 

177

(21)

385

270

6

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

1,204

(1,372)

- 

(219)

- 

- 

- 

(1,358)

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

-  181,323

-  131,080

- 

- 

- 

42,397

39,550

36,346

(2,481)

32,394

(2,449)

21,035

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(1,337)

- 

13

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

20,045

18,900

13,388

10,947

8,666

5,237

4,426

2,338

1,164

500

463

353

230

50

7

3

-

-

-

498,237

84,459

883

3,895

29,904 (18,201)

(6,054) 593,123

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

72

Annual report

The consolidated subgroup of abertis logística has changed from being consolidated by equity
accounting to be fully consolidated, separating in this way the shareholding consolidated
under equity accounting in Cilsa. During 2003, Abertis Logística, S.A. incorporated the company
Arasur (39.5%) which is consolidated by equity accounting.

During 2003 Saba acquired the 50% outstanding of Spel, so the company has changed from
being consolidated by equity accounting to being fully consolidated.

The long-term share portfolio is basically comprised of the shareholding in Xfera Móviles, S.A.
of 28,727 thousand euros  which is 100% provisioned and the shareholdings in Terra Mítica
and Port Aventura.

Under “Other credits”, in addition to the balance of 46,347 thousand euros to recover from
the hedge mentioned in note 3. c), the sum of 122 million euros from Retevisión is included,
which corresponds to the tax credit arising from losses and timing differences (see note 17).

NOTE 7. CONSOLIDATION GOODWILL

The movement during the year in consolidation goodwill was as follows:

Balance 
31.12.02

Incorporation 
due to merger

Increase 

Amortisation

Transfer 

Iberpistas Group 

Brisa

Saba Group

Gco

Trados 45

Aucat

Autema

Concema

Cilsa

Tradia

Aulesa

Codad

Coviandes

APR

Total

444,785

182,766

3,295 

72,948

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

31,036

188,656

26,970

- 

- 

5,086

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

14,110

- 

- 

6,277

4,099

157

4,232

82,438

12,554

1,485

(16,657)

(6,092)

(4,697)

(653)

(1,164)

- 

- 

- 

- 

(811)

(159,451)

(817)

(473)

(438)

(306)

(118)

(321)

(16)

(4,232)

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

24,295

105,331

Balance
31.12.03

428,128

176,674

72,295

29,872

28,394

26,153

13,637

12,116

6,265

6,159

3,778

141

-

924,506

59,911

96,477

(36,795)

(135,156)

908,943

The additions to the consolidation goodwill are due to acquisitions or changes in the
consolidation method detailed in note 2d).

Annual report

73

The goodwill fund of Aucat has been transferred to intangible fixed assets following the merger
with Holdaucat (see note 4). Similarly, the tacit capital gains of Saba recorded under “Buildings
and other constructions” have been transferred to the consolidation goodwill, for a net amount
of 24,295 thousand euros (see note 5).

The possible effect of the exchange rate risk on the goodwill of Gco is covered by the exchange
rate hedges detailed in note 21 d).

NOTE 8. DEFERRED EXPENSES

The movement in deferred expenses during the year was as follows:

Expenses
in raising
finance

Deferred expenses
of financing
highways

Other deferred
expenses

Balance 
31.12.02

Incorporation 
due to merger

Change in 
perimeter

Increase

Decrease

Exchange 
difference

Balance
31.12.03

7,208

4,263

104

- 

(1,398)

- 

10,177

215,535

321,069

- 

28,533

(15,496)

(7,073)

542,568

51,541

1,555

36,153

730

(10,649)

(227)

79,103

Total

274,284

326,887

36,257

29,263 (27,543)

(7,300)

631,848

The deferred financial expenses correspond to the companies Aumar, Avasa, Aucat and Codad.

“Other deferred expenses” include expenses incurred for the construction of new buildings
and for carrying out works to adapt the land and buildings owned by the Consorci de la Zona
Franca de Barcelona which are to be operated by Parc Logístic de la Zona Franca (34,215
thousand euros), the anticipated lease of part of the infrastructures of Tradia (19,069 thousand
euros), the counterpart of the Acesa debt pending to the Ministry of Works which is being off-
set by discounts payable by the Ministry (14,589 thousand euros) and the expenses derived
from the hedging operations in the acquisition of 48.6% of Gco (see note 21 d) for an amount
of 9,173 thousand euros.

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

74

Annual report

NOTE 9. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

The breakdown of this account by types of activity is as follows:

Highways
Car Parks
Telecommunications
Logistics
Airports

Total

Amount

163,241
21,164
88,546
1,059
4,138

278,148

NOTE 10. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

The average yield from deposits held by group companies during 2003 was 2.3% per annum.

“Other credits” include 123 million euros from Retevisión that corresponds to deposits in two
financial entities with the sole and irrevocable purpose of paying back the anticipated
amortisation of certain loans.

NOTE 11. EQUITY

Annual report

75

The breakdown and movement in equity in the year ended 31 December 2003 was as follows:

Balance 
31.12.02

Distribution
of results

Incorporations 
due to merger

Increase
in capital

Other 
Profit for
 the year movements

Balance
31.12.03

Share
capital

Share
premium

1,036,890

115,553

Parent company
reserves

Revaluation
reserve
RDL 7/1996

554,526

-

-

-

463,740 

75,031

464,137 

-

(75,031)

Legal reserve 

140,387

18,281

-

Distributable
reserves

Reserves in fully
consolidated
companies 

44,490

54,136

153,864 

25,152

(40,438)

9,994 

Reserves
in companies
consolidated by
equity accounting 5,047

7,274

(3,130)

Conversion
differences

Profit
for year

Interim
dividend

(4,983)

-

(149,645)

195,329

(195,329)

(79,001)

79,001 

-

-

Total

2,033,390

(77,075)

938,960 

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 1,575,661

-

579,690

-

-

479,495

158,668

5,769 

258,259

(19,064)

(24,356)

1,009 

10,200

(10,566)

(165,194)

355,206 

-

355,206

-

(120,275)

(120,275)

355,206 

(143,127) 3,107,354 

The amount “Other movements” under “Reserves in fully consolidated companies” corresponds,
in part, to the amortisation of own shares of Iberpistas acquired through the compulsory
Public Takeover Offer carried out in 2003 (approximately 10 million euros).

a) Share capital

The share capital of abertis is made up of 525,220,358 shares with a nominal value of 3
euros each, being those entered in the share register. The shares are fully subscribed and
paid-up, of which 488,183,992 are class A shares and acciones 37,036,366 are class B
preference shares that, in addition to having the same rights as the ordinary shares, have
the right to a preferential dividend that will be paid once to holders of said shares in 2007.
The maximum amount of the preferential dividend on each preference share will be the

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

76

Annual report

difference at the time between the reference price of 14.87 euros per share and the weighted
average price of the ordinary abertis shares in the quarter prior to the due date, with a
maximum payment of 4.25 euros per share.

At 31 December 2003 the most significant shareholdings were as follows:

Caixa d’Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona (”la Caixa”) (1)
ACS, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. (2)
Caixa d’Estalvis de Catalunya
Sitreba, S.L. (3)

21.05 %
11.82 %
5.69 %
5.50 %

44.06%

(1) Shareholding through the companies Caixa Barcelona Vida, S.A., Seguros y Reaseguros (11.84%),

VidaCaixa, S.A. de Seguros y Reaseguros (0.50%), Inversiones Autopistas, S.L. (7.75%) and CaixaHolding,
S.A. (0.95%).

(2) Shareholding through Dragados Concesiones Infraestructuras (4.33%) and the rest by Inversora de

Infraestructuras, S.A.

(3) Sitreba, S.L. is a company owned by Unicaja (34.38%), Cartera Participaciones Empresariales, S.L. (33.71

%), Banco de Valencia, S.A. (27.27%) and Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo (4.64%).

All the shares of the Company are listed on the stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid
and Valencia, being traded on the SIBE (electronic trading system) and form part of its Ibex
35 and Ibex Utilities indexes. At the same time, options on the shares of the company are
traded on the options market of MEFF Renta Variable (Spanish Equities Futures Exchange).

The Company’s Annual General Meeting on 8 April 2003 agreed to pay a final dividend for
2002 of 0.223 euros gross per share, representing the sum of 77,075 thousand euros. The
general meeting also approved an increase in capital of a nominal amount of 463,740
thousand euros, by issuing 154,579,950 shares to cover the share exchange agreed in the
merger with AUREA (see note 1 b). The share premium totalled 464,137 thousand euros.

By agreement of the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 16 September 2003, the
Company increased capital through a bonus share issue, charged against the Revaluation
Reserve Account of Royal Decree law 7/1996, of 7 June, with one new share for every 20
existing shares, for an amount of 75,031 thousand euros.

The Board of Directors was authorised by the Annual General Meeting of 8 April 2003 to
increase share capital, through one or more capital issues, up to a maximum amount of
518,445 thousand euros, during the period up to 8 April 2008. This power remains fully
operative.

b) Revaluation Reserve of Royal Decree law 7/1996, of 7 June

Annual report

77

This reserve originates from the revaluation of the tangible fixed tangible assets in the
balance sheet of the Company, by virtue of Article 5 in the above legislation.

With three years having passed since the balance date when the revaluation was made
without an examination by the Tax Administration, the revaluation operations are deemed
to be correct and the balance of the account accepted by the Tax Inspection, and
accordingly the balance is available for distribution to:

· Off-set book losses.

· Increase share capital.

· Create reserves freely available for distribution, ten years from the date of the balance
sheet containing the revaluation operations.

The balance of this account cannot be distributed, directly or indirectly, unless the capital
gain has been realised, with the understanding that this is the case when the revalued assets
have been fully amortised, transferred or written off in the books. Given the Activity
Transferred of the subsidiary company ACESA in 2002, the requirement that the capital
gain has been realised can only be understood as such when the company acquiring the
revalued assets as part of the new activity has amortised those assets, transferred or written
them off in the books.

c) Legal reserve

In accordance with the Revised Text of the Companies Law, 10% of the annual profits
should go to the legal reserve so that this reserve reaches at least 20% of the capital. The
legal reserve cannot be distributed to shareholders unless the Company is wound up.

The legal reserve can be used for increases in capital, provided the funds used come from
the balance exceeding 10% of the capital at the increased amount.

Apart from the purpose mentioned above, whilst this reserve does not exceed 20% of the
share capital, it can only be used to compensate losses when there are no other reserves
available for this purpose.

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

78

Annual report

d) Reserves in fully consolidated companies and companies consolidated under equity

accounting

The breakdown of these amounts by company is as follows:

Iberpistas Group
Saba Group
Acesa Group
abertis logística Group
abertis telecom Group
Codad
Aumar

Total reserves in fully consolidated companies

abertis logística Group 
Acesa Group 
Iberpistas Group
Coviandes
Ausol
Aurea Ltd
GICSA
IRASA Group
PTY

Total reserves in companies under equity accounting

Amount

(15,616)
14,088
(513)
2,233
(35,556)
10,970
38

(24,356)

Amount

772
7,419
4,349
14,162
(25,333)
8,234
133
371
93

10,200

The negative reserves of the Iberpistas Group are due partly to the impact of the amortisation
of own shares for 10 million euros in the year following the compulsory Public Takeover
Offer (see beginning of this note) and partly because the amounts distributed as dividends
by Group companies are adjusted in the consolidation process, increasing the reserves of
the parent company and not those of the companies that have paid out.

e) Exchange differences

The breakdown by companies of this entry is as follows:

Annual report

79

Saba Group
Iberpistas Group
Codad
Coviandes
Aurea Ltd
Ausol
PTY

Total exchange differences

Amount

(80)
(4,728)
(20,509)
(12,625)
(5,058)
(122,215)
21

(165,194)

The exchange difference in Ausol reflects the effect of the devaluation of the Argentine
peso.

NOTE 12. MINORITY INTERESTS

The balance of this entry at 31 December corresponds to the shareholding held by minority
shareholders in the book value on that date of the fully consolidated companies, with the
movement during the year as follows:

Incorporation 
due to merger

Increase
holding

Results

Dividend

Exchange 
difference

(54,556)

1,162

Balance 
31.12.02

54,486

1,089

859

31

Saba

Satsa

Rabat

Spasa

Saba Italia

14,383

Iberpistas

Gesa

Gco

Tradia

APR

Codad

Aulesa

Sevisur

Total

4,228

1,921

7,271

5,308

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(466)

6,800

8,108

- 

88

(81)

13

(1,458)

92

- 

1,746

(218)

317

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(5,090)

- 

- 

- 

- 

Other

- 

(50)

- 

- 

- 

(3,727)

(1,921)

- 

- 

149

Balance
31.12.03

1,011

1,056

749

44

12,925

530

-

6,066

-

-

(81)

(71)

- 

- 

- 

(63)

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(29)

- 

- 

- 

- 

(2,951)

- 

- 

(1,385)

(416)

(712)

- 

4,287

(89)

(24)

163

- 

- 

- 

- 

(8,019)

-

1,200

1,176

(631)

(3,692) (12,368) 27,844

89,576

14,442

(59,646)

The amount “Other” mainly corresponds  to changes in the consolidation perimeter or method
of consolidation indicated in note 2.d).

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

80

Annual report

NOTE 13.   NEGATIVE CONSOLIDATION DIFFERENCES

The movement in this entry during 2003 was as follows:

Saba Italia

Túnel del Cadí

Aurea Ltd

Retevisión

Balance 
31.12.02

8,507

13,980

-

-

Incorporation 
due to merger

Increase 

Imputation
in results

-

-

2,467

-

-

-

-

16,835

(201)

(699)

-

-

Balance
31.12.03

8,306

13,281

2,467

16,835

Total

22,487

2,467

16,835

(900)

40,889

NOTE 14. DEFERRED INCOME

The movement during the year was as follows:

Subsidies

Other deferred
income

Balance 
31.12.02

2,704

Incorporation 
due to merger

Change in 
perimeter

Increase

Decrease

- 

36,382

- 

(118)

Balance
31.12.03

38,968

21,158

23,455

55

15,750

(3,813)

56,605

Total

23,862

23,455

36,437

15,750

(3,931)

95,573

The cash subsidies basically correspond to subsidies from the European Regional Development
Fund (FEDER) received by Retevisión.

“Other deferred income” at 31 December 2003 mainly includes:

• Compensation to Aumar from the Public Administration for works carried out in Sagunto,

for 23,139 thousand euros.

•

•

Income from the sale of car parks under Saba concession. The Balance at 31 December
2003 totals 14,114 thousand euros.

Income received by Acesa for the cession of the use of fibre optic cables, of 8,616 thousand
euros.

NOTE 15. PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES AND EXPENSES

Annual report

81

The movements in this entry for the year ended 31 December 2003 were as follows:

Balance 
31.12.02 due to merger

perimeter

the year

Incorporation Change in Charges for Application

Other 

Exchange
difference

Balance
31.12.03

Reversion
fund
(see
note 3 k)

Other
provisions
(see
note 3 l)

1,318,029

765,005

- 

132,618

- 

(1,436)

(1,104)

2,213,112

68,656

6,512

10,252

2,977

(16,102)

- 

7

72,302

Total

1,386,685

771,517

10,252

135,595

(16,102)

(1,436)

(1,097)

2,285,414

NOTE 16. BOND ISSUES AND LOANS WITH CREDIT INSTITUTIONS

The table below shows the balance of outstanding credits at the end of 2003.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Other
 maturities

TOTAL

-

178,529

10,143

11,065

11,065

445,626

656,428

401,766

132,019

127,100

65,335

157,312

97,707

981,239

192,364

85,460

123,041

166,198

152,688

685,606

1,405,357

374,527

24,687

-

-

-

-

399,214

138,802

4,654

2,736

2,690

2,690

16,791

168,363

Bonds
issued

Syndicated
loans

Loans

Credit
policies

Others

Total

1,107,459

425,349

263,020

245,288

323,755 1,245,730 3,610,601

At 31 December, companies of the Group held debts in foreign currencies, principally held by
Codad (US dollars) and Gco (Argentine pesos), for a sum of 73,604 and 46,758 thousand euros
respectively. In the case of the Gco debt, toll income is pledged as guarantee against this debt.

82

Annual report

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

At 31 December companies of the Group have various financial transactions (swaps and collars)
to hedge the financing costs of loans with a nominal value of 1,401,835 thousand euros. Of
these operations, 540,506 thousand euros were arranged with related financial institutions
(shareholders of the Company that hold 5% or more of the share capital).

Part of the loan and credit operations included as debts with credit institutions at 31
December 2003 (225,524 thousand euros long-term and 143,533 thousand euros short-
term) were arranged with credit institutions related to abertis, at market interest rates.

The weighted average annual interest rate for bonds and long-term loans with credit institutions
is approximately 4.05%.

Short-term loans are expected to be refinanced in 2004.

NOTE 17. TAX SITUATION

abertis calculates tax in 2003 on a consolidated fiscal basis, as parent company of the fiscal
group with the following subsidiary companies: abertis logística, abertis telecom, Acesa,
serviabertis, Aucat, Tradia, Adesal, Iberacesa, Isgasa Iberpistas, Autopista A-6, Castellana,
Iberavasa, Proconex, Ibermadrid, Aumar, Aulesa and Gicsa.

The reconciliation of the difference between the reported profit before tax in the accounts
and the profit subject to tax is detailed in the annual report of each company. The reconciliation
of the consolidated results and the aggregate tax assessment base for all the consolidated
companies, including consolidation adjustments, is as follows:

Consolidated profit before tax
Permanent differences (including consolidation adjustments)
Timing differences

- arising during the year
- from previous periods
Tax losses carried forward
Tax assessment base

Amount

541,836
3,633

10,284
(1,629)
(35,674)
518,450

The tax effect of accrued Corporation tax expense during the year off-set against tax losses
carried forward is 344 thousand euros.

Annual report

83

In calculating the tax payable, the companies of the consolidated Group have applied deductions
to avoid the double imposition internally on dividends received, as well as deductions on
investments associated with the realisation of various activities, for a total amount of 4,103
thousand euros.

The balance at 31 December 2003 of prepaid tax totalled 31,123 thousand euros, largely
made up of valuation differences and timing differences between fiscal and accounting criteria
for the recording income and expenses.

The balance at 31 December 2003 of deferred tax totals 120,641 thousand euros, which
largely corresponds to the following items :

· Application of cash criteria for tax purposes with respect to income from operations with

forward price, and similarly profit reinvestment for Spanish companies that set up
internationally; both relate to previous years.

· Deferred taxes recorded in Aumar and Avasa as the result of applying the sole transitory

disposition of the Order of 10 December 1998 approving the Standards for the adaptation
of the General Accounting Plan for concessionaire companies of highways, tunnels, bridges
and other toll routes and in application of the fiscal legislation.

The negative taxable amounts pending to be off-set for the companies of the consolidated
Group at 31 December 2003 totalled 176,182 thousand euros, with due dates from 2004 to
2018. These negative taxable amounts include an amount of 4,029 thousand euros recorded
as a tax credit under “Debtors-Public Treasury” and 110,111 thousand euros in “Other credits
under investments” (see note 6).

During 2003, companies in the abertis Group have been involved in various company operations
in which they have opted for the application of the special fiscal regime of Chapter VIII and
Title VIII of the Company Tax Law. These operations were as follows:

· On 28 May 2003 the merger agreement of the abertis company through the absorption
of Aurea and the consequent dissolution of the latter company without liquidation was
made public (see note 1.b).

· On 31 July 2003 the merger agreement of the Holdaucat company, through the absorption
of Aucat, and the consequent dissolution of the latter company without liquidation, was
made public. Subsequently, the absorbing Company changed its company name to Aucat.

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

84

Annual report

· On 3 June 2003 the agreement to dissolve the company Iniciativa de Serveis Salou, S.L,

without liquidation, by the complete cession of assets and liabilities of the company to the
sole shareholder Parbla, S.L., was made public.

As a consequence of these operations, the entire patrimony of the absorbed company was
attributed to the absorbing company through universal title, assuming all tributary rights and
obligations conveyed in the goods and rights transferred.

In general, the companies that form the abertis Group have tax declarations of the last four
years open to inspection, for all the taxes that they are subject to. abertis has been issued
the corresponding assessments from the inspection based on examinations made between
1989 and 1993 and for 2000, of a partial nature and in a consolidated fiscal regime, which
the company has signed in disagreement. These assessments have been appealed and are
pending the decision of the authorities.

The eventual impact on the Company’s capital that could result, once the outcome of the
appeal is known, is adequately provisioned. Furthermore, due to different possible interpretations
of tax legislation applicable to certain operations, there are specific fiscal liabilities of a
contentious nature that are difficult to quantify. Nevertheless, the amount of tax that might
be payable would not have a material impact on the Consolidated Annual Accounts.

NOTE 18. INCOME AND EXPENSES

a) Distribution of income

The distribution of net business income by activities and markets for the ordinary activities
of the Group was as follows:

Highway operations
National
International
Car park operations
National
International
Telecommunication infrastructures
National
Logistic infrastructures – National
Airport operations – International

Total

1,019,192
24,733

62,942
18,415

Amount

1,043,925

81,357

67,043
12,861
21,113

1,226,299

b) Toll income

Annual report

85

The highway concessionaire companies of the abertis group have not recorded income
related to the review of toll rates on highways administered by the State for the year 2000
not authorised by the Minister of Works, corresponding to 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 for
a sum of 80 million euros. In October 2003 the Supreme Court handed down a sentence
making the decree denying the rate revision for 2000 null and void. The sentence did not
establish a formula for compensation to concessionaires. The effect of freezing toll rates
in 2000 on the rate revision in 2001, 2002 and 2003 is under appeal before the courts on
behalf of the highway concessionaire companies.

c) Personnel

The average workforce of the Parent company and group companies is as follows:

Permanent employees
Temporary employees

Total

d) Extraordinary items

4,037
580

4,617

Extraordinary profits include the capital gain obtained by abertis in the sale of the former
head office (15 million euros).

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

86

Annual report

e) Contribution of each company to the consolidated result

The contribution by companies of the results atributted to the Parent company is as follows:

Consolidated
result

Minority 
interests

Results atributted
to parent

Acesa

Aumar

Iberpistas Group 

Aucat

Brisa

Saba Group

Aurea Ltd

Trados 45

Coviandes

abertis logística Group 

Gco

Autema

Túnel del Cadí

Concema

PTY

Irasa

Gicsa

serviabertis

APR

Aulesa

abertis telecom

Tradia

Codad

abertis

Total

181,360

129,092

45,766

18,489

15,000

10,780

3,388

3,210

3,069

1,059

3,397

1,529

810

801

386

103

270

7

(93)

(635)

(6,894)

(7,747)

(9,228)

(38,550)

355,369

- 

- 

(92)

- 

- 

276

- 

- 

- 

24

(1,746)

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

(316)

89

- 

218

1,384

- 

(163)

181,360

129,092

45,674

18,489

15,000

11,056

3,388

3,210

3,069

1,083

1,651

1,529

810

801

386

103

270

7

(409)

(546)

(6,894)

(7,529)

(7,844)

(38,550)

355,206

f) Foreign exchange transactions

Foreign exchange transactions are primarily related to Gco (Argentine pesos) and Codad
(US dollars and Colombian pesos), with the breakdown in thousands of euros as follows:

 
 
Toll income

Services provided

Services received

Annual report

87

Amount

24,733

21,938

9,294

NOTE 19. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

The criteria of the Group is to give maximum importance to the activity of protecting and
conserving the environment, with each subsidiary company adopting the necessary measures
to minimise the environmental impact of the infrastructures managed, to achieve the maximum
possible integration with their surroundings.

The abertis group has invested the sum of 4,955 thousand euros on improving the environment
in 2003, carrying out the following activities:

· Cutting, fertilising, watering and phytosanitary treatment of green highway verges, on

ramps and off-ramps.

· Control dumping from contaminated waste pools and monitor re-vegetation.

· Clearing, gardens and plantations along the highway.

· Cleaning up and clearing of slopes with thick forestry vegetation and/or in semi-urban or
urban zones to avoid the risk of fires on the one hand, and improve the visual appearance
on the other.

· Restoration and improvement of marginal areas destroyed by fires through replanting native
trees. This will lead to an improved landscape, whilst also helping the forestry value of the
highway to increase.

·

Installation of screens to reduce the visual impact and noise levels at certain points of the
highway.

· Studies and projects to evaluate the impact that the evolution of traffic has on areas

surrounding the highway.

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

88

Annual report

NOTE 20. OTHER INFORMATION ON BOARD MEMBERS

In accordance with the provisions of article 127 ter. 4 of the Companies Law, included by Law
26/2003, of 17 July, which amended Law 24/1988, of 28 July, of the Securities Market, and
the Revised Text of the Companies Law, aimed at increasing the transparency of listed companies,
the companies with the same, similar or of a complementary nature to the defined business
activity of the Company in which members of its Board of Directors have shareholdings, as
well as the functions that they carry out, if applicable:

Holder

Company
held

Activity

Shareholding 

Functions

Caixa Catalunya

Túnel del Cadí, S.A.C.

Highway Concession

3.55 % Board 

member

Retevisión Móvil, S.A.

Telecommunications

2.10 %

-

Dragados 
Concesiones de 
Infraestructuras, S.A.

Autovía de la Mancha, S.A.

Bidelan Guipuzkoako
Autobideak, S.A.

Guadalquivir Sociedad
Concesionaria de la
Junta de Andalucía
Guadalmetro, S.A.

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

SCL Terminal
Aeropuerto Santiago, S.A.

Infrastructure
Concession

Sociedad Concesionaria
Autopista Central, S.A.

Sociedad Concesionaria
Vespucio Norte
Express, S.A.

Aerocali, S.A.

Ferrocarriles del Norte
de Colombia, S.A.

Aeropuertos Mexicanos
del Pacífico, S.A. de C.V.

MBJ Airports LTD

Road Management
A13 PLC

Road Management
Services (Darrington)
Holding Ltd.

Batwena Platinum
Corridor Concessionaire
Ltd.

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

66.67 %          -

50.00 %

-

27.83 %          -

14.78 %          -

48.00 %          -

54.00 %          -

33.33 %          -

66.00 %          -

28.16 %          -

35.00 %          -

25.00 %          -

25.00 %          -

25.00 %          -

Holder

Company
held

Dragados Obras
y Proyectos, S.A.

Autopista del Henares, 
C.E.S.A.

Ferrocarriles del Norte
de Colombia, S.A.

Scutvias-Autoestradas
da Beira Interior, S.A.

Aufe, S.A.

Aunor, S.A.

Concesionaria
Vial del Sur, S.A.

Semacar, S.A.

Autopistas del Sol, S.A.

Ángel García
Altozano

ACS, Actividades de 
Construcción
y Servicios, S.A. 

Activity

Shareholding 

Functions

Annual report

89

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Construction 
and services 

2.00 %          -

5.32 %          -

6.65 %          -

78.00 %          -

85.00 %          -

25.00 %          -

55.00 %          -

8.33 %          -

0.0113% Executive
Managing
Director

Saba Aparcamientos, S.A.

Car Parks

0.0000055% Board

member

Grupo Dragados,
S.A. / ACS

Unicaja

Accesos a Madrid 
C.E.S.A.

Autopista Central
Gallega C.E.S.A.

Autopista del Henares,
C.E.S.A.

Ruta de los Pantanos, S.A.

Autopistas del Sol, S.A.

Carmelton Group Ltd.

Concesionaria Vial
de los Andes, S.A.

Ferrocarriles del Norte
de Colombia, S.A.

Rutas del Pacífico, S.A.

Scutvias-Autoestradas
de Beira Interior, S.A.

Ausur Servicios
de la Autopista, S.A.

Autopista del Sol
Concesionaria 
Española, S.A.

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Logistics

Infrastructure 
Concession 

15.75 %          -

13.32 %          -

35.00 %          -

25.00 %          -

8.18 %          -

40.00 %          -

0.96 %          -

5.32 %          -

50.00 %          -

26.65 %          -

5.00 % Board

member 

15.00 % Board

member

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

Activity

Shareholding 

Functions

90

Annual report

Holder

Unicaja

Company
held

Autopista del Sureste,
Concesionaria Española
de Autopistas, S.A.

Inversora de Autopistas
del Sur, S.L.

Autopista Madrid Sur
Concesionaria
Española, S.A. 
Sociedad Unipersonal

Infrastructure 
Concession 

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure
Concession 

5.00 % Board

member

10.00 % Board

member

10.00 % Board
(Indirect, member

Inversora de
Autopistas del
Sur, S.L.)

24.50 % Board

member

10.00 % Board 

member

Sociedad Municipal
de Aparcamientos 
y Servicios, S.A.

Car Parks

Sevisur Logística, S.A.

Logistics

Red de Banda Ancha
de Andalucía, S.A.

Auna Operadores de
Telecomunicaciones, S.A.

Telecommunications

10.00 % Board

member

Telecommunications

1.99 % Board

member

Islalink, S.A.

Telecommunications

13.70 % Board

member

Val Telecomunicaciones, 
S.L.

Telecommunications

4.46 % Board

member

With respect to positions or functions, excluding those held in companies in which abertis,
has a direct or indirect investment, the Members of the Board of Directors are also board
members or members of the management team of the following companies with activities
that are the same, similar or of a complementary nature to the Company’s business:

Board Member

Company

Isidro Fainé Casas

Telefónica, S.A.

Ángel García Altozano

Broadnet Consorcio, S.A.

Sonae Indústria SGPS

Position or function

Deputy Chairman

Chairman

Board member

Pablo Vallbona Vadell

ACS, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A.

Deputy Chairman

In addition, one of the principal activities of Grupo Dragados, S.A./ACS, Dragados Concesiones
de Infraestructuras, S.A. and Dragados Obras y Proyectos, S.A. is the promotion, management
and operation of transport infrastructures.

NOTE 21. OTHER INFORMATION

Annual report

91

a) Annual remuneration of the directors for their service as members of the Board of Directors
of the Company is fixed as a share in the liquid profits. It can only be paid out once the
payment of dividends and transfers to reserves that the Law establishes are covered, and
it should not exceed, under any circumstances, two percent of the profits. The Board of
Directors may distribute this sum amongst its members in the form and amount it decides.
Overall remuneration paid to directors of abertis (formerly Acesa Infraestructuras, S.A.),
as members of the Board of Directors, totalled 1,503 thousand euros in 2003, which is less
than the statutory limit.

As indicated in notes 1 b) and 13 of this annual report, the merger between Acesa Infraestructuras,
S.A. and AUREA was made public on 28 May 2003, but was effective for accounting purposes
from 1 January 2003. Consequently, during the year two Boards of Directors co-existed, the
board of abertis (formerly Acesa Infraestructuras, S.A.) and the board of AUREA.

Overall remuneration received by board members of abertis (formerly Acesa Infraestructuras,
S.A.) totalled 2,950 thousand euros, which is broken down into board fees (475 thousand
euros), expenses (1,503 thousand euros), contributions to cover pension plans (965 thousand
euros) and life insurance (7 thousand euros).

Overall remuneration received by board members of AUREA totalled 2,152 thousand euros,
which is broken down into board fees (511 thousand euros), expenses (126 thousand euros),
statutory obligations (430 thousand euros), life insurance (3 thousand euros) and other
remuneration (1,082 thousand euros).

The overall remuneration of board members of abertis and AUREA in the other subsidiary and
associated companies of the Group totalled 866 thousand euros, which is broken down into
board fees (76 thousand euros), expenses (471 thousand euros) and statutory obligations (319
thousand euros).

abertis does not use any remuneration system linked to the evolution of the Company’s share
price for any of its employees or any of the members of the Board of Directors.

b) As at 31 December the group had guarantees to third parties given by financial entities,

which are detailed below by company:

Iberpistas
abertis
Saba
Aucat
Acesa
Aumar
Castellana
Avasa
Autopista A-6
Tradia
PLZF
Total

Amount

118,920
129,690
36,180
15,371
19,994
18,624
17,157
7,865
5,831
2,385
5
372,022

92

Annual report

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

Of this total, 203,133 thousand euros correspond to guarantees contracted for operation
agreements of the different companies. The remaining balance corresponds to certain
commitments contracted by investee companies (investments, financing, etc.) and it is not
considered that these guarantees will lead to unexpected material losses.

c) Fees received during the year by PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditores, S.L. for auditing services
and other services provided to the companies of the group totalled 378 thousand euros.
The fees received during the year for other services provided to the Company for other
companies trading under the name PricewaterhouseCoopers totalled 387 thousand euros.

d) Gco. hedge. In the year 2000, abertis contracted exchange rate hedges on the investment

made in the Argentine company Gco.

The following financial instruments were contracted:

· Transactions without the exchange of principal on expiry (Non Delivery Forward).

The nominal value of all these transactions is USD 120.6 million. Acesa Infraestructuras
sold 120.6 million Argentine pesos in exchange for USD 120.6 million, with expiry
in October 2005, having fixed the exchange rate to buy Argentine pesos on expiry
in 2002.

· Cross-currency interest rate swap (Cross-Currency IRS) between USD and euros. The
nominal value of these transactions is USD 100 million, with expiry in October 2005.

The premiums paid up front for the hedging transactions are accounted for on a linear basis
over the period of the transaction (see note 3 h). The interest payments of the cross currency
interest rate swap are recorded as financial income or expense over the period of the
operation.

The exchange rate differences arising from the exchange of euros in these transactions will
be recorded on the cancellation or settlement of the hedging transaction.

NOTE 22. FINANCIAL PLAN

In accordance with the provisions laid down in current legislation, the concessionary companies
of Spanish highways have their respective financial plans approved by the corresponding
Administration.

NOTE 23. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Board of Directors of abertis approved, on 27 January 2004, the proposed merger through
the absorption of Iberpistas, S.A. by the Company which will be submitted to the respective
annual general meetings for shareholder approval in the first four months of 2004, effective
from 1 January 2004 for accounting purposes. abertis holds 99.8% of the share capital of
Iberpistas S.A..

In February 2004  the consortium made up of Aumar (25%), ACS/Dragados (50%) and
Cajamadrid (25%) won the tender for the construction and operation of the toll highway of
the second Alicante ring-road.

ANNEX

Subsidiary and associated companies

(thousand euros) (*)

Company

Registered
Office

Activity

Auditors

Share %Shareholding
capital direct

indirect

Company
owning indirect 
shareholding

Annual report

93

FULLY CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES

Highways

Autopistas,
C.E.S.A. (Acesa)

Av. Parc Logístic,
12-20. Barcelona

Toll highway
concessionaire

Av. Parc Logístic,
12-20. Barcelona 

Toll highway 
concessionaire

Ruta Nacional nº 7,
km 25.92. Ituzaingó concessionaire
Argentina 

Toll highway

Autopistes de 
Catalunya, S.A.
(Aucat)

Grupo
Concesionario
del Oeste, S.A.
(Gco) (1)

Autopistas
Aumar S.A.C.E.
(Aumar)

Iberpistas 

Autopista
A-6, S.A. 

Paseo de 
la Alameda, 36.
Valencia

Pío Baroja, 6.
Madrid

Pío Baroja, 6.
Madrid

Iberavasa de
inversiones, S.L.

Pío Baroja, 6.
Madrid

Castellana de
Autopistas, S.A.
Concesionaria
del Estado (Castellana)

Pío Baroja, 6.
Madrid

Car Parks

Saba
Aparcamientos,
S.A. (Saba) 

Parbla, S.A.

Spel-Sociedade
de Parques de
Estacionamento,
S.A. (Spel)

Av. Parc Logístic,
12-20. Barcelona

Sabino Arana, 38.
Barcelona

Lugar do Espino
Vía Norte.
Porto (Portugal) 

Societat Pirenaica
d’Aparcaments,
S.A. (Spasa)

Pau Casals, 7
Andorra la Vella
Principat d’Andorra

Societat
d’Aparcaments
de Terrassa, S.A.
(Satsa)

Saba Italia,
S.p.A.

Pl. Vella, subsuelo.
Terrassa

Via delle Quattro
Fontane, 15.
Rome (Italy)

PwC

PwC

876,465

100.00

-

-

96,160

100.00

Acesa

PwC

22,070

48.60

Acesa

Toll highway
concessionaire

Toll highway
concessionaire

Toll highway
concessionaire

Holding company

Toll highway
concessionaire

PwC

419,643

100.00

Other
auditors

Other
auditors

Other
auditors

Other
auditors

173,547

99.80

50,000

24,207

46,800

99.80

Iberpistas

-

-

99.80

Iberpistas

99.80

Iberpistas

Car Parks

PwC

18,243

99.24

Car Parks

-

3

Car Parks

PwC

6,000

Car Parks

-

301

Car Parks

PwC

7,746

Car Parks

PwC

28,600

-

-

-

-

99.24

Saba

99.24

Saba

89.64

Saba

87.37

Saba

59.54

Saba

This annex forms an integral part of note 2 to the 2003 consolidated annual accounts and it should be read in conjuntion
with the latter.

 
 
15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

94

Annual report

Subsidiary and associated companies

(thousand euros) (*)

Company

Registered
Office

Activity

Auditors

Share %Shareholding
capital direct

indirect

Company
owning indirect 
shareholding

FULLY CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES

Rabat
Parking, S.A.

Rue de Larache, 8.
Rabat (Morocco)

Car Parks

Logistic services

Abertis
Logística, S.A.

Sevisur
Logística, S.A.

Av. Parc Logístic,
12-20. Barcelona

Development, logistics
and technical support

Moratín, 1. 
Seville

Construction
and operation
of logistic parks

Telecommunications

Abertis
Telecom, S.A.

Av. Parc Logístic,
12-20. Barcelona

Telecommunication
services

Difusió Digital
Societat de
Telecomunicacions, Llobregat.
Barcelona
S.A. (TRADIA)

Motors, 392.
L’Hospitalet de

Operator of
telecommunication
infrastructure

-

-

-

-

1,879

-

50.61 Saba

47,500

100.00

3,000

60.03 Abertis Logística

300,000

100.00

-

-

PwC

131,488

100.00 Abertis Telecom

Retevisión I, S.A.

Gran Via de les
Corts Catalanes,
130-136.
Barcelona

Operator of
telecommunication  
infrastructure

Other
auditors

81,270
(**)

100.00 Abertis Telecom

Airports

Compañía de
Desarrollo
Aeropuerto
Eldorado, S.A.
(CODAD)

Carrera, 13
nº 93-40.
Santafé de Bogotá
(Colombia)

Construction and
maintenance
of airports

Other 
auditors

15,635

85.00

CONSOLIDATED ON PROPORTIONAL BASIS

Highways

Autopistas
Iberavasa, S.L.
Vasco-Aragonesa,
C.E.S.A. (AVASA)

Logistic services

Parc Logístic de
la Zona Franca,
S.A. (PLZF)

Barrio de Anuntzibai

Toll highway

Other 234,000

49.90

s/n. 48410
Orozco. Vizcaya

concessionaire

auditors

Av. Parc Logístic,
2-10. Barcelona

Development
and operation of
logistic parks

Areamed
2000, S.A.

Via Augusta,
21-23. Barcelona

Operation of
service areas

Other
auditors

Other
auditors

23,742

50.00

Abertis Logística

70

50.00

Abertis Logística

This annex forms an integral part of note 2 to the 2003 consolidated annual accounts and it should be read in conjuntion
with the latter.

  
Subsidiary and associated companies

(thousand euros) (*)

Company

Registered
Office

Activity

Auditors

Share %Shareholding
capital direct

indirect

Company
owning indirect 
shareholding

CONSOLIDATED BY EQUITY ACCOUNTING

Serviabertis, S.L.

Av. Parc Logístic,
12-20. Barcelona

Administrative
services

-

3

100.00

Annual report

95

180 Strand,
London
(United Kingdom)

Holding
company

Montalbán, 5.
Madrid

Administration
and management
of infrastructures

Toll highway

Villadangos del
Páramo. Ctra. Santa concessionaire
María del Páramo.
León

Other
auditors

14,188

100.00

-

60

99.98

Other
auditors

34,642

79.20

Infrastructures
concessionaire

Other
auditors

1,179

75.00

Highways

Aurea Limited

Gestión Integral
de Concesiones,
S.A. (GICSA)

Autopistas
de León, S.A.C.E.
(AULESA)

Autopistas de
Puerto Rico
y Compañía,
S.E. (APR)

Autopista
Trados-45, S.A.
(TRADOS-45)

Autopistas
del Sol, S.A.
(AUSOL)

Concesionaria
 Vial de los Andes,
S.A. (COVIANDES)

Montellano
Sector embalse.
San Juan
(Puerto Rico)

Ctra. M-203
PK 0,280
Madrid

Leandro N. Alem
986, piso 4.
Buenos Aires
(Argentina)

Carrera Novena,
126-91. Santafé

(Colombia)

Infrastructures
concessionaire

Toll highway
concessionaire

Infrastructures
concessionaire
de Bogotá

Pt Operational
Services Limited
(PTY)

1 Lavender Road.
Bon Accord 009
Pretoria (South Africa)

Operation and
maintenance

Concesiones de
Madrid, S.A.
(CONCEMA)

Infraestructuras
y Radiales, S.A.
(IRASA)

Av. Europa, 18.
Infrastructures
Alcobendas, Madrid concessionaire

Golfo de
Salónica, 27.
Madrid

Administration and
management of
infrastructures

Autopistas-Conces. Rua General Norton Holding
company
Espanhola,
SGPS, S.A.

de Matos 21-A.
Arquiparque Algés
Oeiras (Portugal)

Acesa Italia,
S.R.L.

Via delle Quattro
Fontane, 15.
Rome (Italy)

Holding
company

PwC

29,900

50.00

PwC

33,925

45.16

Other
auditors

Other
auditors

Other
auditors

Other
auditors

7,872

39.04

0

33.30

28,798

25.00

7,092

22.49
(***)

-

50 (2)

100.00 Acesa

PwC

166,341 (2)

100.00  Acesa

Schemaventotto,

Calmaggiore, 23.

Holding

Other

445,536 (2)

12.83 Acesa Italia, S.R.L.

S.p.A.

Treviso (Italy) 

company 

auditors

This annex forms an integral part of note 2 to the 2003 consolidated annual accounts and it should be read in conjuntion
with the latter.

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

96

Annual report

Subsidiary and associated companies

(thousand euros) (*)

Company

Registered
Office

Activity

Auditors

Share %Shareholding
capital direct

indirect

Company
owning indirect 
shareholding

CONSOLIDATED BY EQUITY ACCOUNTING

Via A. Bergamini, 50.

Toll highway Other  621,289 (4)

7.98 (5)

Rome (Italy)

concessionaire

auditors 

S.p.A.

-

-

Other
auditors

Other
auditors

Other
auditors

Other
auditors

Other
auditors

32,229

99.90

Acesa/Iberpistas

61 -

99.90

Iberacesa, S.L.

190,500

23.32

Iberacesa, S.L.

190,500 -

23.32

Alazor inversiones

30,250 -

17.98

Iberacesa, S.L.

30,250 -

17.98

Tacel Inversiones

105,504

37.19

Acesa

PwC

81,894

22.33

Acesa

Autostrade, S.p.A.
Schemaventotto,
(3)

Iberacesa, S.L.

Pº Castellana, 51.
Madrid

Holding
company

Isgasa, S.A.

Av. Parc Logístic,
12-20. Barcelona

Engineering
services

Alazor
Inversiones, S.A.

Rozabella, 6.
Las Rozas. Madrid

Holding
company

Accesos de
Madrid, C.E.S.A. 

Rozabella, 6.
Las Rozas. Madrid

Toll highway
concessionaire

Holding
company

Toll highway
concessionaire

Toll highway
concessionaire

Toll highway
concessionaire

Tacel
Inversiones, S.A.

Hórreo, 11.
Santiago de 
Compostela

Autopista Central
Gallega, C.E.S.A.
(ACEGA)

Hórreo, 11.
Santiago de
Compostela

Carretera de
Vallvidrera a
St. Cugat, km
5.3. Barcelona

Gran Via de les
Corts Catalanes,
680. Barcelona

Túnel del Cadí,
S.A.C.

Autopista
Terrassa-Manresa,
Autema,
Concessionària de la
Generalitat de
Catalunya, S.A.
(AUTEMA)

Brisa,
Auto-estradas
do Portugal,
S.A. (6)

Ibermadrid de
Infraestructuras,
S.A.

Pío Baroja, 6.
Madrid

Proconex, S.A.

Pío Baroja, 6.
Madrid

Quinta da Torre da Toll highway
Aguilha Edificio 
Brisa 2785-589.
Sao Domingos de
Rana (Portugal)

concessionaire

Other
auditors

600,000 (4)

10.00

Acesa

Study, development
and construction
of civil works
infrastructures

Operation of
sub-leased
service areas

Toll highway
concessionaire

-

-

Other
auditors

Other 
auditors

500

99.80

Iberpistas

100

99.80

Iberpistas

1,434

99.80

Iberpistas/Proconex

1,041

50.90

Promoción de
Autopistas

Santiago de Chile

Promoción de
Autopistas
Chile Limitada

Gestora de
Autopistas, S.A.

Santiago de Chile

Toll highway
concessionaire

This annex forms an integral part of note 2 to the 2003 consolidated annual accounts and it should be read
in conjuntion with the latter.

 
Subsidiary and associated companies

(thousand euros) (*)

Company

Registered
Office

Activity

Auditors

Share %Shareholding
capital direct

indirect

Company
owning indirect 
shareholding

Annual report

97

Santiago de Chile

Toll highway
concessionaire

PwC

71,186

24.95

Iberpistas

Chile Limitada

(GESA)

Sociedad
Concesionaria
del Elqui, S.A.
(ELQUI)

Road
Management
Group (RMG)

Autopista
del Henares,
S.A.C.E.
(HENARSA)

130 High Street
Old Woking. Surrey concessionaire
(United Kingdom)

Toll highway

Golfo de Salónica,
27. Madrid

Toll highway
concessionaire

Erredosa
Infraestructuras,
S.A. (ERREDOSA)

Golfo de Salónica, Administration
27. Madrid

and management
of infrastructures

Logistic services

Araba Logística,
S.A. (ARASUR)

Olaguibel, 2.
Vitoria

Construction and
operation of
logistic parks

Other
auditors

Other 
auditors

Other 
auditors

35,946

25.00 Aurea Limited

96,700

61

Infraestructuras
y radiales

22.49

Infraestructuras
y radiales

22.49

-

3,000

39.50 Abertis Logística

Centro Intermodal
de Logística,
S.A. (CILSA)

Portal de la Pau, 6. Development and
Barcelona

operation of 
logistic parks

Other
auditors

15,467

32.00 Abertis Logística

Telecommunications

Adquisición de
emplazamientos,
S.L. (ADESAL)

Motors, 392.
L’Hospitalet de
Llobregat.
Barcelona

Operator of
telecommunication
infrastructure

Torre de
Collserola, S.A.

Ctra. de Vallvidrera Construction and
al Tibidabo, s/n.
Barcelona

operation of
telecommunication
infrastructures

-

3

100.00

Tradia

PwC

12,020

36.00

Retevisión

(*) Foreign currency amounts converted at official euro exchange rate at close.

(**)  Includes the increase in capital made pending registration in the Mercantile Register.

(***) Direct shareholding of abertis: 15 %. Indirect holding through Iberpistas subsidiary Avasa: 7.4 %.

(1) The shares of Gco are listed on the Argentina stock exchange. The weighted average trading price for the last quarter of 2003

was 1.26 euros. At the year end share price was 1.6 euros. The company holds 57.6 % of the voting rights.

(2) Information at 31 December 2002.

(3) The shares of Autostrade, S.p.A. are listed on the Milan stock exchange. The weighted average trading price for the last quarter

of 2003 was 12.91 euros. The year end share price was 13.93 euros.

(4) Information at 30 June 2003.

(5) Shares pledged as guarantee for a loan granted to Schemaventotto, S.p.A. to buy the shareholding in this company.

(6) The shares of Brisa, Auto-estradas do Portugal, S.A. are listed on the Lisbon stock exchange. The weighted average trading price

for the last quarter of 2003 was 5.22 euros. The year end share price was 5.30 euros.

This annex forms an integral part of note 2 to the 2003 consolidated annual accounts and it should be read
in conjuntion with the latter.

 
98

Annual report

15 Cons olidated annual accounts and management repor t

of the aber tis group for 2003

ABERTIS INFRAESTRUCTURAS, S.A.
2003 CONSOLIDATED MANAGEMENT REPORT

In 2003 the Group has seen its size increase notably due to the merger of Acesa Infraestructuras
and Aurea Concesiones de Infraestructuras, which gave rise to abertis, one of the leading
European operators in the management of infrastructures serving mobility and communications.

This year has been the first full year of activity for the new group that was formed after
the merger (effective from 1 January 2003), which operates basically in the sectors of
highways, car parks, logistic infrastructures and telecommunication infrastructures.

The objective of abertis is to continue providing shareholders with a balanced portfolio of
investments in the areas noted that ensure an adequate combination of low risk, growth and
return. In this respect, the following events in 2003 can be highlighted:

·

·

·

·

In the highways sector, the incorporation in abertis of all the Aurea concessions, which
included Aumar (one of the main national concessions), as well as a series of shareholdings
in other important national and international projects. During 2003 new toll highways have
been opened in which abertis has participated: A-6 connection with Segovia (Castellana
de Autopistas), Radial 2 Madrid-Guadalajara (Henarsa) and Silleda-Lalín stretch (Autopista
Central Gallega). Also of note in the highway sector was the increase of the indirect
shareholding in the Italian concessionaire Autostrade from 3.8% to 8.0%, and the merger
of Holdaucat and Aucat (100% owned by Holdaucat) in the interests of optimising the
Group structure.

In the car park sector, abertis acquired 40% of Saba to gain control of 99.2% of the capital.
Similarly, Saba acquired 50% of the Portuguese company Spel to gain 100% control of
the company, and has continued its international expansion with new projects in Italy and
Portugal.

In the logistic infrastructures sector, highlights include two new logistic projects that began
to be developed in Álava and Seville in which abertis is a shareholder, the full occupation
and consolidation of the Parc Logístic de la Zona Franca, and the positive evolution of the
associated company Cilsa which, having developed and occupied all of ZAL Barcelona, has
started the development of ZAL Prat.

Finally, in the telecommunications infrastructure sector the acquisition of Retevisión
Audiovisual stands out, concluded at the end of the year, and the acquisition of 5 % of
Tradia to gain 100 % control.

All these transactions, linked to the good performance of the rest of the business and activities,
have been reflected positively in the figures and results for the year, and in turn they establish
the bases for growth in the years ahead.

The 2003 consolidated profit and loss account for abertis is not comparable with the previous
year due to the merger as noted and because the Iberpistas group has been fully consolidated
for the entire year in 2003 (only from June in 2002). The profit for the year totalled 355 million
euros, representing an increase of 82% on the previous year (or 11.2% if compared to the
aggregate figures for Acesa and Aurea in 2002).

Annual report

99

Operating income rose to 1,283 million euros (62% more compared to Acesa in 2002 and
13% more compared to the aggregate of Acesa and Aurea). The highway sector represented
85% of total income; car parks contributed 7%; telecommunication infrastructures, 5%, and
infrastructures for logistics and other activities the remaining 3%.

The evolution of the activity has been positive in the Group’s main concessions, as indicated
by the evolution of the Average Daily Traffic (ADT) which rose 3.7% to 27,354 vehicles across
the combined highway network of abertis in Spain.

The balance sheet also clearly reflects the impact of the merger between Acesa and Aurea,
as well as the effect of the new investments and the growth recorded by the companies that
make up abertis. Total assets rose from 6,459 million euros at 31 December 2002 to 9,685
million euros at the end of 2003, whilst consolidated equity has increased by 1,074 million
euros to 3,107 million euros at the end of 2003.

Debt at 31 December 2003 (3,634 million euros) represents117% of equity and 37% of
liabilities, with these percentages below those of other large European communication
infrastructure operators. The financial equilibrium of abertis should enable it to face new
investments to improve the infrastructures that it currently manages with guarantees, and
continue with its selective policy of investments carried out in recent years without the need
to seek additional capital.

In the interests of optimising the corporate structure of the Group, the Board of Directors
of abertis approved, on 27 January 2004, the merger by absorption of Iberpistas, S.A. (99.8
% shareholding), which will be submitted for the approval of the respective annual general
meetings in the first four months of 2004, and if approved, will be effective for accounting
purposes from 1 January 2004.

All business units are expected to continue to make a positive contribution in 2004, accentuated
by the progressive contribution of all the new projects and the latest incorporations in the
Group. The dividend policy is also expected to be maintained.

As a listed group, abertis will have to apply the international accounting standards from 2005.
During 2003 the Company has already carried out an analysis of the implementation of these
standards, both quantitatively as well as over the current systems and operational procedures,
and during the course of 2004 it will continue the tasks prior to implementation. The Company
will also continue to pay special attention to the study being done of the eventual interpretation
of the application of these standards to concession businesses by the international regulatory
authorities.

The Company has not traded, directly or indirectly, its own shares.

www.abertis.com

102

Annual report

5 2

2003 Annual report and management report

Balance sheet at 31 December
(thousand euros)

A S S E T S
Fixed assets 
Start-up costs
Intangible fixed assets

Computer software
Goodwill
Studies and projects
Other intangible fixed assets
Amortisation
Tangible fixed assets

Land and natural resources
Buildings and other constructions
Machinery and vehicles
Installations, tooling and furniture
Other fixed assets
Depreciation

Investments

Holdings in subsidiary and associated companies
Long-term loans to group companies
Long-term share portfolio
Long-term deposits and guarantees
Other credits
Provisions
Deferred expenses
Current assets
Debtors

Advance payments to creditors
Group company debtors
Sundry debtors
Personnel
Public Treasury
Provisions

Short-term investments

Short-term loans to group companies
Interest receivable 
Other credits

Treasury
Cash
Banks and credit institutions
Prepayments and accrued income

2003
4,777,874
26 
5,828
218
7,823
770
3
(2,986)
15,299
3,038
8,311
492
4,167
3,197
(3,906)
4,756,721
4,264,271
700,802
7,513
65
6,616
(222,546)
9,173
587,854
9,219
12
4,703
5,528
4
1,662
(2,690)
575,346
575,346
-
-
3,289
41
3,248
-

2002
3,232,768
-
703
36
-
668
-
(1)
11,744
699
8,021
242
10,736
-
(7,954)
3,220,321
2,732,060
530,354
-
2
-
(42,095)
14,414
203,057
10,570
12
7,568
3,761
16
940
(1,727)
191,529
163,815
3
27,711
956
18
938
2

Total assets

5,374,901

3,450,239

Annual report

103

L I A B I L T I E S
Equity
Share capital
Share premium
Reserves 

Revaluation reserve RDL 7/1996
Legal reserve RD 1564/1989
Voluntary reserve
Profit and loss account 
Interim dividend
Provisions for liabilities and expenses

Other provisions
Long-term creditors
Bond issues
Loans with credit institutions
Payment pending on shares of group companies
Loans with subsidiary and associated companies
Other creditors             
Short-term creditors
Bond issues (interest)
Due to credit institutions

Loans
Interest on loans

Loans with group companies
Trade creditors 

Trade creditors for traffic operations
Other creditors
Other non-trade creditors

Public Treasury
Accrued payroll expenses
Other debts
Deposits and guarantees received 

2003
3,068,960
1,575,661
579,690
704,867
479,495
158,668
66,704
329,017
(120,275)
40,529
40,529
1,369,159
590,000
763,765
3,353
9,530
2,511
896,253
4,768
818,117
812,340
5,777
17,242
3,065
3,065
-
53,061
51,409
800
847
5

2002
2,009,416
1,036,890
115,553
753,157
554,526
140,387
58,244
182,817
(79,001)
42,419
42,419
606,354
60,000
546,354
-
-
-
792,050
553
749,979
737,632
12,347
16,452
9,442
7,306
2,136
15,624
14,226
1,088
279
31

Total liabilities

5,374,901

3,450,239

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

Profit and loss account at 31 December
(thousand euros)

104

Annual report

Expenses
Personnel expenses 

Salaries and wages
Social security
Pension fund and other personnel-related expenses

Amortisation and depreciation of fixed assets
Movement in trading provisions
Other operating expenses
External services
Taxes
Allocation to reversion fund

Total operating expenses

Operating profit
Financial costs, related expenses and variation in
investment provision
Total financial expenses

2003
13,638
12,414
929
295
2,826
454
15,634
14,997
637
-

2002
34,559
28,227
6,181
151
5,924
1,699
53,107
25,189
413
27,505

32,552

95,289

-

130,736

71,781
71,781

51,110
51,110

Positive financial results

332,128

106,815

Profit on ordinary activities 
Losses on disposal of fixed assets and extraordinary expenses

317,965
5

237,551
-

Movement in fixed asset provisions

26,989

33,555

Profit before tax 
Corporation tax

Profit for the year 

309,715
(19,302)

217,565
34,748

329,017

182,817

Annual report

105

Income
Operating revenue
 Toll income
 Discounts and rebates on tolls
 Provision of services

Other operating income

 Sundry income and other management income
 Other operating income

Total operating income

Operating loss
Income from investment in group companies

Other interests and related income

2003
15,748
-
-
15,748

2,641
-
2,641

2002
211,640
217,284
(5,644)
-

14,385
14,385
-

18,389

226,025

14,163
368,837

-
142,243

35,072

15,682

Total financial income 

403,909

157,925

Profit from the disposal of fixed assets and extraordinary income

18,744

13,569

Extraordinary loss

8,250

19,986

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

ABERTIS INFRAESTRUCTURAS, S.A.
NOTES TO THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS FOR 2003

106

Annual report

NOTE 1. ACTIVITY

a) Activity

ABERTIS INFRAESTRUCTURAS, S.A. (hereinafter abertis or the Company) was incorporated
in Barcelona on 24 February 1967. On 30 May 2003 (registration of date of merger
document indicated in note 1. b) it changed its name from ACESA INFRAESTRUCTURAS,
S.A. to its current name. Its registered office is  Avenida del Parc Logístic, nº 12-20,
Barcelona.

On 29 June 2002, the general meeting of the Company agreed to make a non-monetary
transfer of the concessionary activity, as well as various shareholdings in other highway
concessionary companies, to  Autopistas II (now Autopistas Concesionaria Española, S.A.).

In accordance with the corresponding deed, 1 July 2002 was established as the date from
which it would be understood that all operations of the transferred activity were made on
account of Acesa.

abertis is currently the parent of a group dedicated to the management of infrastructures
serving mobility and communications that operates in four sectors of activity: highway
concessions, car parks, logistics and services, and telecommunications.

Its statutory purpose is defined as the construction, maintenance and operation of highways
under concession; management of highway concessions in Spain and internationally;
construction of road infrastructures; complementary activities to the construction,
maintenance and operation of highways, such as service stations, integrated centres for
logistics and/or transport and/or parking, as well as any other activity related with
infrastructures for  transport and communication and/or telecommunication serving the
mobility and transportation of people, goods and information, with the necessary authorisation,
when applicable.

The Company can develop its statutory purpose, especially the concessionary activity,
directly or indirectly through shareholdings in other companies, being subject at all times,
in this respect, to the provisions of the law in force.

b) Merger

On 8 April 2003, the extraordinary general meetings of shareholders of ACESA Infraestructuras,
S.A. and AUREA, Concesiones de Infraestructuras, S.A. (AUREA) approved the merger of
both companies by absorption, where the former company was to absorb the latter company,
effective for accounting purposes from 1 January 2003, the date from which it is understood
that AUREA operations were conducted on account of the Company.

The merger was effected through an exchange of AUREA shares for abertis shares (in the
proportion of 43 shares of the former for 93 shares in the latter). To cover this share
exchange the Company increased capital as detailed in note 9.

The merger project approved by the respective general meetings of shareholders established
that the difference between the nominal value of the new shares issued by the Company
and the adjusted book value of AUREA will have the consideration of an issue premium
(see note 9).

The audited balance sheet of the Aurea company accounts at 31 December 2002 that was
included in the Company is the following:

Annual report

107

Assets

Net fixed assets

Start-up costs
Intangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Investments

Current assets

Liabilities

Equity
Provisions for liabilities and expenses
Long-term creditors
Short-term creditors

Thousand euros

105
5,294
11,236
1,407,852

Thousand euros

1,424,487

43,649

1,468,136

(*)

1,033,820
6,512
346,839
80,965
1,468,136

(*) Prior to incorporating the value of this company’s patrimony in the accounts of abertis, dividends from Aurea

totalling 105,943 thousand euros were paid out.

In the tables and movements shown in this annual report, the column “Incorporation due to
merger” reflects the consolidated balances included as at 1 January 2003.

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

108

Annual report

 NOTE 2. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

a) Accounting principles

The annual accounts are obtained from the accounting records of the Company and have
been prepared according to the generally accepted accounting principles in Spain and
established in the current legislation.

The figures contained in the balance sheet, profit and loss account, source of financing
statement and the notes to these accounts are expressed in thousand euros.

The consolidated annual accounts for the abertis group for 2003 are presented separately
from the parent company accounts. The main figures taken from the audited consolidated
accounts are as follows:

Total assets
Equity
Consolidated operating income
Result for the year due to the Parent company - Profit

 9,684,659
 3,107,354
 1,283,149
355,206

b) Comparison of the information

The annual accounts for 2003 are not comparable with the 2002 accounts for the following
reasons:

• The 2002 accounts reflect six-months of concessionary activity until the transfer of that
   branch of activity to Autopistas II, Concesionaria Española, S.A. (see note 1 a).

•  The 2003 accounts reflect greater activity due to the merger indicated in note 1 b).

NOTE 3. PROPOSED DISTRIBUTION OF RESULTS

The following distribution of results will be submitted to the annual general meeting for
approval:

Basis of distribution

Profit for the year

Distribution

Dividends
Legal reserve
Voluntary reserve

Amount

329,017

237,399
32,902
58,716

329,017

During 2003 an interim dividend of 120,275 thousand euros was paid. This interim dividend
represents a payment of 0.229 euros gross per share on all issued shares.

Annual report

109

The table below shows that there was sufficient profit in the period to cover the interim
dividend (which was made on 12 November 2003), with the accounting statement verifying
sufficient liquidity to make the payment of this interim dividend.

Net profit from 1 January to 31 July 2003
Less:

Legal reserve

Maximum amount available for distribution
Amount proposed and distributed 

Cash funds available prior to payment
Gross amount of interim dividend

Cash funds available after payment 

Amount

137,390

(13,739)

123,651
120,275

Amount

827,470
(120,275)

707,195

NOTE 4. ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The most significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the annual accounts are
described below:

a) Start-up costs

The expenses incurred on incorporation and in share capital increases are recorded at cost,
shown net of accumulated amortisation, which is calculated using the straight line method
over a period of five years.

b) Intangible fixed assets

The items included in this chapter are valued at acquisition price or the cost of production
and amortised as follows:

• Computer applications are amortised at 33% per year.

• The goodwill fund is amortised on a straight line basis over the estimated period in which

said funds will contribute to profit generation, with a maximum period of 20 years.

• Studies and projects are amortised on a straight line basis over a maximum period of ten

years from the date on which the project is considered to be viable.

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

110

Annual report

c) Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are valued at acquisition cost, revalued in accordance with various
legal measures.

Costs of refurbishment, enlargement or improving tangible fixed assets are capitalised only
when they increase capacity, productivity or extend the useful life of the asset, provided
that it is possible to know or estimate the net book value of the assets which are removed
from the list, having been replaced.

The costs of repair and maintenance are charged to the profit and loss account in the year
in which they are incurred.

The amortisation of tangible fixed assets is calculated systematically using the straight line
method, based on the estimated useful life of the assets, taking into consideration wear
and tear derived from normal use.

The depreciation rates used to calculate the decline in the value of the fixed assets are as
follows:

Buildings and other constructions
Machinery and vehicles
Tooling
Other installations
Furniture
Computer equipment
Other fixed assets

Rate

2 - 8 %
6 - 30 %
7 - 37.5 %
7 - 20 %
10 - 20 %
20 - 37.5 %
3 - 30 %

d) Financial assets and investments

Investments in group and associated companies and long-term securities are shown in the
balance sheet at the lower of acquisition cost or market value.

The market price for investments in group or associated companies, or other traded securities
that are not publicly listed is calculated as the theoretical book value, plus the acquisition
goodwill remaining at balance date.

The difference between the acquisition cost and the net book value of the subsidiary and
associated companies at the time of acquisition is recorded as goodwill, which is amortised
over a maximum period of twenty years, or in the case of highways or other types of
concessions, over the remaining life of the concession, given that this is the most appropriate
period for generating the resources required to recover the goodwill, to the extent that the
recovery is not realised through increases in the theoretical book value of the subsidiary
and associated companies.

Annual report

111

The allocation of provisions is made considering the evolution of the shareholders’ funds
of the associated company and in accordance with the General Accounting Plan and the
rules for the adaptation of the General Accounting Plan for highways, tunnels and other
toll routes for those highway concessionaire companies.

The Company undertakes currency hedges against exchange rate risks on investments to
significantly reduce or eliminate these risks, using the necessary financial instruments (see
note 4 e).

e) Deferred expenses

The amount shown in this entry corresponds to expenses arising from the operations
contracted in 2000 related to the acquisition of 48.6% of Grupo Concesionario del Oeste,
S.A. for a hedged amount of 120.6 million dollars (exchange rate hedge contracts on the
Argentine peso/US dollar and US dollar/Euro). These expenses are recorded monthly over
the 60 month period of the hedge.

The exchange rate differences that arise in the conversion of said operations to euros will
be recorded on the cancellation or final settlement of the hedge contracts.

With the decision to transfer the investment in Grupo Concesionario del Oeste, S.A. to the
subsidiary company ACESA, abertis has agreed to transfer the hedges detailed.

f)  Other provisions

Pursuant to the prudence principle, the Company makes the provisions which it considers
necessary in relation to the inherent risks in the business (see note 10) which could affect
the company.

g) Provision for retirement and other personnel related liabilities

The Company has externalised, through an insurance policy, the fund which represents the
current value of its future payment obligations to employees, in respect of retirement
payments.

h) Trade and non-trade debtors and creditors

The debits and credits incurred in operations, whether or not produced in the ordinary
course of business, are recorded at nominal value, making the necessary valuation adjustments
to cover bad debt provisions. Amounts due within one year of balance date are classified
as short-term and amounts due after this date are considered long-term.

i)  Corporation tax

The profit and loss account includes the charge for corporation tax, the calculation of which
incorporates the full amount of tax accrued for the year, the effect of timing differences
between the corporation tax assessment basis and book profit, and all credits or allowances

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

112

Annual report

to which the Company is entitled. The corporation tax charge is calculated in accordance
with Note 13.

The Company pays tax on a consolidated basis together with other companies of the group,
in accordance with the legislation in force.

j)  Foreign exchange differences

Transactions in currencies other than the euro are recorded at the exchange rate on the
transaction date. At the close of the financial year the company restates all foreign exchange
credits and debits using the official exchange rate at that date. Exchange rate differences
generated at close on transactions are recorded as a loss in the profit and loss account if
negative, or deferred till maturity in the case of profits. See the exchange rate hedging
transactions in note 4 e).

k) Accounting for income and expenses

Income and expenses are recorded on the accruals basis. That is, at the time the activity
occurs, irrespective of when the financial effect is realised.

l)  Actions affecting the environment

Annually amounts outlaid in meeting legal requirements related to the environment are
recorded either as an expense or investment, depending on their nature. Amounts recorded
as an investment are amortised over their useful life.

No provision has been made for liabilities and expenses related to the environment, given
that no contingencies exist with respect to environmental protection.

m) Joint ventures

To account for operations undertaken as Joint Ventures, both in the balance sheet and the
profit and loss account, the method of proportional integration has been used, in accordance
with the General Accounting Plan.

NOTE 5. INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Annual report

113

The movement and balances of the accounts that make up intangible fixed assets during 2003
was as follows:

Computer software 

Goodwill

Studies and projects

Other intangible
assets

Balance 
31.12.02

Incorporation
due to merger

Increase

Decrease

Balance
31.12.03

36

-

668

-

8

7,823

-

3

229

-

157

-

(55)

218

-

7,823

(55)

-

770

3

Total cost

704

7,834

386

(110)

8,814

The changes in accumulated depreciation during the year were:

Computer software 

Goodwill

Studies and projects

Other intangible 
assets

Total amortisation

1

-

-

-

1

Balance 
31.12.02

Incorporation
due to merger

Increase

Decrease

2

2,537

-

1

18

426

55

1

-

-

(55)

-

Balance
31.12.03

21

2,963

-

2

2,540

500

(55)

2,986

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

114

Annual report

NOTE 6. TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

The movement in the balances that make up tangible fixed assets during 2003 were as follows:

Land and natural
resources

Buildings and other 
constructions

Machinery and 
vehicles

Tooling

Other installations

Furniture

Computer equipment 

Other fixed assets

Balance 
31.12.02

Incorporation
due to merger

Increase

Decrease

Balance
31.12.03

699

8,021

242

32

7,687

3,017

-

-

2,355

4,988

175

-

2,355

316

273

2,950

-

182

75

-

258

93

11

-

(16)

3,038

(4,880)

8,311

-

492

(21)

(7,005)

(2,565)

(37)

11

3,295

861

247

-

2,950

Total

19,698

13,412

619

(14,524)

19,205

The changes in accumulated depreciation during the year are:

Buildings and other 
constructions

Machinery and 
vehicles

Tooling

Other installations

Furniture

Computer equipment  

Balance 
31.12.02

1,848

89

25

4,910

1,082

-

Incorporation
due to merger

Increase

Decrease

Balance
31.12.03

754

121

-

1,042

132

127

169

64

3

607

250

50

(1,715)

1,056

-

274

(18)

10

(4,645)

1,914

(956)

(33)

508

144

Total

7,954

2,176

1,143

(7,367)

3,906

The most important reductions during the year correspond to the sale of the former head
office of abertis (see note 14 c).

The following assets are fully depreciated:

Annual report

115

Machinery and vehicles
Other installations
Furniture
Computer equipment
Other fixed assets

Total gross book value

Amount

34
6
532
311
2

885

It is company policy to contract all the insurance policies considered necessary to cover all
possible risks that could affect tangible fixed assets.

NOTE 7. INVESTMENTS

The movements registered in the different entries under investments were:

Shareholdings in
subsidiary and
associated companies

Long-term loans
to group companies

Long-term share 
portfolio

Long-term deposits
and guarantees

Other credits

Less: Provisions

Balance 
31.12.02

Incorporation
due to merger

Increase

Decrease

Balance
31.12.03

2,732,060

1,369,506

326,274

(163,569)

4,264,271

530,354

180,000

11,483

(21,035)

700,802

-

2

-

7,513

58

-

5

-

-

7,513

65

6,252

378

(14)

6,616

(42,095)

(155,477)

(28,475)

3,501

(222,546)

Total

3,220,321

1,407,852

309,665

(181,117) 4,756,721

a) Shareholdings in subsidiary and associated companies

The detail of direct and indirect shareholdings in subsidiary and associated companies of
the group, together with the breakdown of their equity at 31 December 2003 or the latest
public information available, is provided in the Annex.

The main movements recorded are the following:

•  Incorporation, due to the merger with AUREA, of the companies Aumar, S.A.U.C.E. (Aumar),
Autopistas de Puerto Rico, S.A. (APR), Compañía de Desarrollo Aeropuerto El Dorado, S.A.
(Codad), Gestión Integral de Concesiones, S.A. (Gicsa), Aurea Limited, Autopistas del Sol, S.A.

116

Annual report

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

(Ausol), Concesionaria Vial de los Andes, S.A. (Coviandes), Infraestructuras y Radiales, S.A.
(Irasa), Concesiones de Madrid, S.A. (Concema), Autopista Trados-45, S.A., Autopistas de
León, S.A.C.E (Aulesa) and Pt Operational Services Limited (PTY), for a total amount of
1,369,506 thousand euros.

• Increase of the shareholding in Saba Aparcamientos, S.A. (hereinafter Saba) by 39.91%
for the amount of 134,377 thousand euros. With this acquisition abertis gained control
of 99.24% of the share capital, taking into account the effect of the amortisation of the
portfolio of own shares generated by the compulsory Public Takeover Offer made in 2003.

• Increase of capital of Abertis Telecom, S.A. for an amount of 180,917 thousand euros for

the acquisition of Retevisión I, S.A.U. and the subsequent capital increase.

• Three increases of capital for Abertis Logística, S.A. of 1,200 thousand, 660 thousand and

1,329 thousand euros, respectively. These increases were basically destined to the
incorporation and subsequent increases of capital of 60.03% in Sevisur Logística, S.A.
and 39.5% in Araba Logística, S.A.

• Increases of capital in Aulesa, Irasa and Concema for an amount of 6,019 thousand, 1,200

thousand and 483 thousand euros, respectively.

•  Transfer to Acesa of the shareholding in Grupo Concesionario del Oeste, S.A. (Gco) in the

context of the transfer of this activity made in 2002 (140,589 thousand euros).

• Decrease in the value of the shareholding in Aumar as a consequence of refunding the

share premium for an amount of 22,980 thousand euros.

The provisions basically correspond to Autopistas del Sol, S.A. (147,549 thousand euros,
which represents 100% of the investment in the company), incorporated due to the merger
with Abertis Telecom, S.A. (50,594 thousand euros) and Codad (10,349 thousand euros).

b) Long-term loans to group companies

The long-term loans to group companies correspond to Acesa, Aumar and Iberacesa, with
all interest accrued at market rates (see note 12). These loans expire in 2015, 2009 and
2005, respectively.

NOTE 8. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS

The Company has credit lines with group companies for an amount of 1,044,100 thousand
euros with interest at market rates. The outstanding balance at 31 December 2003 was 575,346
thousand euros (see details in note 12).

NOTE 9. EQUITY

Annual report

117

The amount and movements in equity during 2003 were as follows:

Balance
31.12.02

1,036,890

115,553

554,526

Distribution
of result
for year

Increase

Other
 in capital movements

Balance
31.12.03

-

-

-

538,771

464,137

(75,031)

140,387

18,281

58,244

8,460

182,817

(182,817)

(79,001)

79,001

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1,575,661

579,690

479,495

158,668

66,704

329,017

329,017

(120,275)

(120,275)

Share capital

Share premium

Revaluation reserve 
RDL 7/1996, of 7 June

Legal reserve 
RD 1564/1989

Voluntary reserve

Profit for the year

Interim dividend

Total

2,009,416

(77,075)

927,877

208,742

3,068,960

a) Share capital

The share capital of abertis is made up of 525,220,358 shares that are entered in the
share register, each with a nominal value of 3 euros, being fully subscribed and paid up.
Of these, 488,183,992 are class A shares and 37,036,366 are class B preference shares
that have the same rights as ordinary shares and the right to a preference dividend to
be paid once to holders of those shares in 2007. The maximum amount of the preference
dividend corresponding to each preference share will be determined by the difference
between the reference price of 14.87 euros per share and the weighted average price of
the ordinary abertis shares in the quarter prior to the due date, with a maximum payment
of 4.25 euros per share.

At 31 December 2003 the most important shareholdings were the following:

Caixa d’Estalvis i Pensions de Barcelona (”la Caixa”) (1)
ACS, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A. (2)
Caixa d’Estalvis de Catalunya
Sitreba, S.L. (3)

21.05 %
11.82 %
5.69 %
5.50 %

44.06%

(1) Shareholding through the companies Caixa Barcelona Vida, S.A., Seguros y Reaseguros (11.84%), VidaCaixa, S.A.

de Seguros y Reaseguros (0.50%), Inversiones Autopistas, S.L. (7.75%) and CaixaHolding, S.A. (0.95%).

(2) Shareholding through Dragados Concesiones Infraestructuras (4.33%) and the rest by Inversora de Infraestructuras,

S.A.

(3) Sitreba, S.L. is a company owned by Unicaja (34.38 %), Cartera Participaciones Empresariales, S.L. (33.71 %),

Banco de Valencia, S.A. (27.27%) and Caja de Ahorros del Mediterráneo (4.64%).

118

Annual report

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

All the shares of the Company are listed on the stock exchanges of Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid
and Valencia, being traded on the Spanish electronic share trading platform (SIBE) and form
part of its Ibex 35 and Ibex Utilities indexes. At the same time, options on the shares of the
Company are traded on the options market of MEFF Renta Variable (Spanish Equities Futures
Exchange).

The Annual General Meeting on 8 April 2003 agreed to pay a final dividend for 2002 of
0.223 euros gross per share, representing a sum of 77,075 thousand euros. The general
meeting also approved an increase in capital of a nominal amount of 463,740 thousand
euros, by issuing 154,579,950 shares to cover the share exchange agreed in the merger
with AUREA (see note 1 b). The share premium totalled 464,137 thousand euros.

By agreement of the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 16 September 2003, the
Company increased capital through a bonus share issue, charged against the Revaluation
Reserve Account of Royal Decree law 7/1996, of 7 June, with one new share for every 20
existing shares, for an amount of 75,031 thousand euros.

The Board of Directors was authorised by the Annual General Meeting of 8 April 2003 to
increase share capital, through one or more capital issues, up to a maximum amount of
518,445 thousand euros, during the period up to 8 April 2008. This power remains fully
operative.

b) Revaluation Reserve of Royal Decree law 7/1996, of 7 June

This reserve originates from the revaluation of the tangible fixed tangible assets in the
balance sheet of the Company, by virtue of Article 5 in the above legislation.

With three years having passed since the balance date when the revaluation was made
without an examination by the Tax Administration, the revaluation operations are deemed
to be correct and the balance of the account accepted by the Tax Inspection, and accordingly
the balance is available for distribution to:

• Off-set book losses.

• Increase share capital.

• Create reserves freely available for distribution, ten years from the date of the balance

sheet containing the revaluation operations.

The balance of this account cannot be distributed, directly or indirectly, unless the capital
gain has been realised, with the understanding that this is the case when the revalued assets
have been fully amortised, transferred or written off the books. Given the Activity Transferred
from the subsidiary company ACESA in 2002, the requirement that the capital gain has
been realised can only be understood as such when the company acquiring the revalued
assets as part of the new activity has amortised those assets, transferred or written them
off the books.

c) Legal reserve

Annual report

119

In accordance with the Revised Text of the Companies Law, 10% of the annual profits
should go to the legal reserve so that this reserve reaches at least 20% of the capital. The
legal reserve cannot be distributed to shareholders unless the Company is wound up.

The legal reserve can be used for increases in capital, provided the funds used come from
the balance exceeding 10% of the capital at the increased amount.

Apart from the purpose mentioned above, if this reserve does not exceed 20% of the share
capital, it can only be used to compensate losses when there are no other reserves available
for this purpose.

NOTE 10. PROVISIONS FOR LIABILITIES AND EXPENSES

The movements of this balance during the year ended 31 December 2003 are as follows:

Other provisions
(see notes 4 f and 13)

Balance
31.12.02
42,419

Incorporated
due to merger
6,512

Allocations
(8,402)

Balance
31.12.03
40,529

NOTE 11. ISSUE OF BONDS AND LOANS WITH CREDIT INSTITUTIONS

The table below provides details of the position at the end of 2003.

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

Bonds issued
Syndicated loans
Loans
Credit policies

-
63,107

-
- 170,000
94,658
-
45,000 110,000 151,000 150,000
-

-
-

-

-

-

394,554
55,076
362,710

Other
expiries

420,000
-
150,000
-

TOTAL

590,000
552,319
661,076
362,710

Total

812,340 309,658 173,107 151,000 150,000

570,000 2,166,105

Part of the loan and credit operations included as debts with credit institutions at 31 December
2003 (187,212 thousand euros long-term and 77,267 thousand euros short-term) were
arranged with associated credit institutions (shareholders of the Company that hold 5% or
more of the capital). Financial charges accrued on these operations with associated financial
entities during the year totalled 7,391 thousand euros.

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

120

Annual report

The bond issues consist of 60 million euros at EURIBOR plus a margin of between 0.40 and
0.50, 180,000 thousand euros at 3.53%, 200,000 at 4.95% and 150,000 at EURIBOR plus 0.22.

The Company has contracted interest rate hedges for a total amount of 615,000 thousand
euros, of which 375,000 thousand euros are held with credit institutions associated to the
Company.

In 2004 the Company plans to refinance short-term loans.

NOTE 12. TRANSACTIONS AND BALANCES HELD WITH SUBSIDIARY AND
ASSOCIATED COMPANIES

The credit and debit balances that abertis had with subsidiary and associated companies at
31 December 2003 are the following:

Thousand euros

Investments 
Long-term

Debtors

Short-term

509,319
180,000
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11,483
-
-
-
-
-
700,802

193,796
24,352
123,068
702
32,261
2,787
-
-
-
41
13,466
184,614
13
-
246
575,346

Other 
debts

355
45
-
-
-
3,201
-
988
33
-
2
-
71
-
8
4,703

          Creditors

Long-term Short-tem

-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
9,530
-
9,530

119
-
-
333
1,107
116
-
-
2,822
132
12,242
-
-
-
371
17,242

Acesa
Aumar
Aucat
abertis logística
abertis telecom
serviabertis
Holdaucat
Gco
Tradia
Iberacesa
Iberpistas
Retevisión
Saba
APR
Others
Total

As indicated in note 7 b), the Company has conceded a long-term loan to Acesa for an amount
of 509,319 thousand euros. At the same time, as indicated in note 8, the Company has credit
lines arranged with group companies with a limit of 1,044,100 thousand euros, at market
interest rates. At 31 December 2003 an amount of 575,346 thousand euros had been drawn
down.

 
 
 
The provision of services by abertis to group companies basically corresponds to corporate
and management services, for the following amounts:

Annual report

121

Thousand euros

Income

Interest
received

22,553

6,354
1,148
3,448
-
7
32
67
102
-
-
-
501
-
-

Share 
capital

212,964
-
112,383
-
-
-
-
-
9,960
-
31,176
-
2,354
-
-
-

Expenses

Services
contracted

89
-
-
-
-
-
-
1,139
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-

Services
provided

6,994
343
3,492
-
458
30
260
80
321
-
767
160
726
-
16
149

Acesa
Tradia
Aumar
abertis telecom
Aucat
Parc Logístic de la Zona Franca
abertis logística
serviabertis
Saba
Iberacesa
Iberpistas
APR
Codad
Retevisión
Aurea Ltd
Others

Total

13,796

34,212

368,837

1,228

NOTE 13. TAX POSITION

The Company calculates Corporation Tax on a consolidated basis, under Group No. 142/99,
as parent company, together with those subsidiary companies that meet the requirements
established in the tax regulations in force.

The reconciliation of the difference between the reported pre-tax profit in the accounts and
the profit subject to corporation tax for 2003 is the following:

Profit before tax

Permanent differences
Timing differences

Arising during the year
From previous years

Tax assessment base

Amount

309,715
(355,878)

1,358
(599)

(45,404)

122

Annual report

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

The accrued corporation tax expense that appears in the profit and loss account of the Company
is calculated taking into account the following factors, in addition to the parameters to be considered
in the case of calculating tax for an individual company:

•  Dividends from subsidiary companies that are consolidated, the adjustment in values and the 
elimination of results for transactions between group companies that have been eliminated to
determine the consolidated tax assessment base are considered as permanent differences.

• The consolidated tax group has assumed the right to compensation for the negative tax base 
generated by the Company in 2003, as well as the application of the deductions generated, with
the corresponding inter-group compensation having being recorded in the balance sheet.

The balance at 31 December 2003 of prepaid tax was 1,600 thousand euros, which corresponds
to the valuation differences between the tax criteria and accounting criteria for social security
contributions.

The deferred tax balance at 31 December 2003 was 5,789 thousand euros, which arises from
applying the cash criteria for tax purposes on income from operations with a forward price, and
the reinvestment of profit for Spanish companies that set up internationally, both arising in previous
years.

The amount of the deductions applied in 2003 is 3,357 thousand euros, for deductions associated
to dividends of subsidiaries, deductions for the reinvestment of extraordinary profits obtained in
the transfer of patrimony and deductions for donations made to approved entities under Law
49/2002.

The amount of income covered by the deduction for reinvestment was 13,805 thousand euros,
with the entire amount having been reinvested in different patrimony during 2003.

On 28 May 2003, the merger agreement was made public with the company abertis absorbing
Aurea, with the company consequently being dissolved without liquidation (see note 1 b).
This operation was made under the special tax regime of Chapter VIII of Title VIII of the Corporation
Tax Law.

Due to the merger by absorption, the absorbing company is attributed the entire patrimony of the
absorbed company under sole title, in line with the information and details provided in note 1 b)
to this annual report, incorporating the assets and liabilities for the same book values as listed in
the absorbed company and subrogating all tax rights and obligations related to the goods and
rights transferred.

During 2002, the Company was involved in various company transactions where it opted for the
application of the special tax regime of Chapter VIII of Title VIII of the Law of Corporation Tax. The
information on these transactions is provided in the annual report for 2002. These  operations were
as follows:

• The non-monetary transfer of the branch of activity to Acesa (see note 1 a).

• The increase of the Company share capital, to cover the share exchange established in the Public
Takeover Offer made by the Company for the shares in the company Ibérica de Autopistas, S.A.

• The increase in share capital of the subsidiary company Abertis Logística, S.A. (previously

Annual report

123

called Acesa Promotora Logística, S.A.), subscribed by the Company through the non-monetary
transfer of shares in distinct subsidiary and associated companies.

The Company has tax inspections open for the last four years for each of the taxes that it is
subject to. The Company has been issued the corresponding assessments from the inspection
based on examinations made between 1989 and 1993 and for 2000, of a partial nature and in
a consolidated fiscal regime, which the Company has signed in disagreement. These assessments
have been appealed and are pending the decision of the authorities. The eventual impact on the
Company’s capital that could result, once the outcome of the appeal is known, is adequately
provisioned.

Furthermore, due to possible differences of interpretation of the tax rules applicable in some
operations, there could be tax liabilities of a contingent nature that are difficult to quantify.
Nevertheless, the amount of tax that might be payable would not have a material impact on
the Company’s Annual Accounts.

NOTE 14. INCOME AND EXPENSES

a) Net income

abertis operates in four sectors of activity: highway concessions, car parks, logistics and
services, and telecommunications, indirectly through its shareholdings in other companies,
whereby its income corresponds basically to dividends and the provision of services to
group companies.

b) Personnel

The size of the average workforce during 2003 was as follows:

Permanent staff
Temporary positions
Total

c) Extraordinary results

100
1
101

The extraordinary income basically corresponds to capital gains on the sale of the former
head office (15 million euros). The extraordinary expenses basically correspond to portfolio
allocations (see note 7).

NOTE 15. ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

At 31 December 2003, abertis, as the parent company of the Group, did not have significant
assets dedicated to the protection and improvement of the environment, nor had it incurred
expenses of this nature during the year. At the same time, it has not received any subsidies
of an environmental nature during the year to 31 December 2003.

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

124

Annual report

NOTE 16. OTHER INFORMATION ON BOARD MEMBERS

In accordance with the provisions of article 127 ter. 4 of the Companies Law, included by
Law 26/2003, of 17 July, which amended Law 24/1988, of 28 July, of the Securities Market,
and the Revised Text of the Companies Law, aimed at increasing the transparency of listed
companies, the companies with the same, similar or of a complementary nature to the
defined business activity of the Company in which members of its Board of Directors have
shareholdings, as well as the functions that they carry out, if applicable:

Holder

Company
held

Activity

Shareholding 

Functions

Caixa Catalunya

Túnel del Cadí, S.A.C.

Highway concession

3.55 % Board member

Retevisión Móvil, S.A.

Telecommunications

2.10 %         -

Dragados 
Concesiones de 
Infraestructuras, S.A.

Autovía de la Mancha, S.A.

Bidelan Guipuzkoako
Autobideak, S.A.

Guadalquivir Sociedad
Concesionaria de la
Junta de Andalucía
Guadalmetro, S.A.

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure  
Concession

Infrastructure  
Concession

SCL Terminal
Aeropuerto Santiago, S.A.

Infrastructure 
Concession

Sociedad Concesionaria
Autopista Central, S.A.

Sociedad Concesionaria
Vespucio Norte
Express, S.A.

Aerocali, S.A.

Ferrocarriles del Norte
de Colombia, S.A.

Aeropuertos Mexicanos
del Pacífico, S.A. de C.V.

MBJ Airports LTD

Road Management
A13 PLC

Road Management
Services (Darrington)
Holding Ltd.

Batwena Platinum
Corridor Concesionaire
Ltd.

Infrastructure  
Concession

Infrastructure  
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure  
Concession

Infrastructure  
Concession

Infrastructure  
Concession

Infrastructure  
Concession

Infrastructure  
Concession

Infrastructure  
Concession

66.67 %         -

50.00 %         -

27.83 %         -

14.78 %         -

48.00 %         -

54.00 %         -

33.33 %         -

66.00 %         -

28.16 %         -

35.00 %         -

25.00 %         -

25.00 %         -

25.00 %         -

Activity

Shareholding 

Functions

Annual report

125

Holder

Company
held

Dragados Obras
y Proyectos, S.A.

Autopista del Henares, 
C.E.S.A.

Ferrocarriles del Norte
de Colombia, S.A.

Scutvias-Autoestradas
da Beira Interior, S.A.

Aufe, S.A.

Aunor, S.A.

Concesionaria
Vial del Sur, S.A.

Semacar, S.A.

Autopistas del Sol, S.A.

Ángel García
Altozano

ACS, Actividades de 
Construcción
y Servicios, S.A. 

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Construction 
and services

2.00 %

        -

5.32 %

        -

6.65 %

        -

78.00 %

        -

85.00 %

        -

25.00 %

        -

55.00 %

        -

8.33 %

        -

0.0113 %

Executive
Managing
Director

Board 
member

Saba Aparcamientos. S.A.

Car Parks

0.0000055 %

Grupo Dragados,
S.A. / ACS

Unicaja

Accesos a Madrid 
C.E.S.A.

Autopista Central
Gallega C.E.S.A.

Autopista del Henares,
C.E.S.A.

Ruta de los Pantanos, S.A.

Autopistas del Sol, S.A.

Carmelton Group Ltd.

Concesionaria Vial
de los Andes, S.A.

Ferrocarriles del Norte
de Colombia, S.A.

Rutas del Pacífico, S.A.

Scutvias-Autoestradas
de Beira Interior, S.A.

Ausur Servicios
de la Autopista, S.A.

Autopista del Sol
Concesionaria 
Española, S.A.

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Logistics

Infrastructure
Concession

15.75 %

        -

13.32 %

        -

35.00 %

        -

25.00 %

        -

8.18 %

        -

40.00 %

        -

0.96 %

        -

5.32 %

        -

50.00 %

        -

26.65 %

        -

5.00 %

15.00 %

Board
member

Board
member

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

126

Annual report

Holder

Unicaja

Company
held

Autopista del Sureste,
Concesionaria Española
de Autopistas, S.A.

Inversora de Autopistas
del Sur, S.L.

Autopista Madrid Sur
Concesionaria
Española, S.A. 
Sociedad Unipersonal

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure 
Concession

Infrastructure
Concession 

Activity

Shareholding 

Functions

5.00 %

10.00 %

10.00 %
(Indirecta,
Inversora de
Autopistas del
Sur, S.L.)

24.50 %

Board
member

Board
member

Board
member

Board
member

Board
member

Board
member

Board
member

Board
member

Board
member

Sociedad Municipal
de Aparcamientos
y Servicios, S.A.

Car Parks

Sevisur Logística, S.A.

Logistics

10.00 %

Red de Banda Ancha
de Andalucía, S.A.

Auna Operadores de
Telecomunicaciones, S.A.

Telecommunications

10.00 %

Telecommunications

1.99 %

Islalink, S.A.

Telecommunications

13.70 %

Val
Telecomunicaciones, S.L.

Telecommunications

4.46 %

With respect to positions or functions, excluding those held in companies in which abertis,
has a direct or indirect investment, the Members of the Board of Directors are also Board
Members or members of the management team of the following companies with activities
that are the same, similar or of a complementary nature to the Company’s business:

Board Member

Company

Isidro Fainé Casas

Telefónica, S.A.

Ángel García Altozano

Broadnet Consorcio, S.A.

Sonae Indústria SGPS

Position or function

Deputy Chairman

Chairman

Board member

Pablo Vallbona Vadell

ACS, Actividades de Construcción y Servicios, S.A.

Deputy Chairman

In addition, one of the principal activities of Grupo Dragados, S.A./ACS, Dragados Concesiones
de Infraestructuras, S.A. and Dragados Obras y Proyectos, S.A. is the promotion, management
and operation of transport infrastructures.

NOTE 17. OTHER INFORMATION

Annual report

127

a) Annual remuneration of the directors for their service as members of the Board of Directors
of the Company is fixed as a share in the liquid profits. It can only be paid out once the
payment of dividends and transfers to reserves that the Law establishes are covered, and
it should not exceed, under any circumstances, two percent of the profits. The Board of
Directors may distribute this sum amongst its members in the form and amount it decides.
Overall remuneration paid to directors of abertis (formerly Acesa Infraestructuras, S.A.),
as members of the Board of Directors, totalled 1,503 thousand euros in 2003, which is less
than the statutory limit.

As indicated in notes 1 b) and 13 of this annual report, the merger between Acesa
Infraestructuras, S.A. and AUREA was made public on 28 May 2003, but was effective for
accounting purposes from 1 January 2003. Consequently, during the year two Boards of
Directors co-existed, the board of abertis (formerly Acesa Infraestructuras, S.A.) and the
board of AUREA.

Overall remuneration received by board members of abertis (formerly Acesa Infraestructuras,
S.A.) totalled 2,950 thousand euros, which is broken down into board fees (475 thousand
euros), expenses (1,503 thousand euros), contributions to cover pension plans (965 thousand
euros) and life insurance (7 thousand euros).

Overall remuneration received by board members of AUREA totalled 2,152 thousand euros,
which is broken down into board fees (511 thousand euros), expenses (126 thousand euros),
statutory obligations (430 thousand euros), life insurance (3 thousand euros) and other
remuneration (1,082 thousand euros).

b) At 31 December the Company has guarantees with third parties for a total amount of
129,690 thousand euros, which principally correspond to guarantees given by financial
institutions to Public Administrations for certain commitments (investments, operation of
services, etc.) contracted by subsidiary and associated companies. It is not considered that
these guarantees can lead to unexpected material liabilities.

c) Fees received during the year by PricewaterhouseCoopers Auditores, S.L. for auditing services
and other services provided to the companies of the group totalled 167 thousand euros.
The fees received during the year for other services provided to the company for other
companies trading under the name PricewaterhouseCoopers totalled 170 thousand euros.

NOTE 18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Board of Directors of abertis approved, on 27 January 2004, the proposed merger through
the absorption of Iberpistas, S.A. by the Company which will be submitted to the respective
annual general meetings for shareholder approval in the first four months of 2004, effective
from 1 January 2004 for accounting purposes. abertis holds 99.8% of the share capital of
Iberpistas S.A.

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

128

Annual report

NOTE 19. SOURCE AND APPLICATION OF FUNDS
(thousand euros)

Source
Resources from operations
Net profit for the year
Charge for depreciation of fixed assets
Charge to investment provision
Charge for amortisation of deferred expenses 
Charge to reversion fund
Losses on intangible assets
Losses on fixed assets
Pension fund and other personnel liabilities
Charge to provision for expenses and liabilities
Deferred income
Profit from investments
Profit from fixed assets

Capital increase for merger
Provision for liabilities and expenses due to merger
Increase in long-term creditors due to merger
Long-term debt
Bonds
Loans

Transfer of assets

Intangible fixed assets
Fixed assets
Investments

Other creditors
Net reduction of long-term assets due
to transfer of activity

2003

2002

329,017
2,826
28,475
5,241
0
0
5
0
0
0
(3,501)
(15,243)
346,820

927,877
6,512
346,839

350,000
60,102

50
22,400
184,618
2,511

182,817
5,134
34,222
6,032
27,505
0
0
0
151
334
(13,041)
(80)
243,074

226,662
0
0

0
696,354

0
117
37,253
0

0

3,047,185

Total sources

2,247,729

4,250,645

Annual report

129

Application
Acquisition of fixed assets

Start-up costs
Intangible fixed assets
Tangible fixed assets
Investments

Group companies
Other financial investments
Long-term loans to group companies

Increase in assets due to merger
Increase in investments due to transfer of activity
Dividends
Provision for liabilities and expenses
Net reduction of long-term assets due to transfer of activity

2003

2002

1,104
386
619

322,921
383
11,483
1,424,487
0
197,350
8,402
0

170
1,261
18,230

968,886
285
530,354
0
1,647,127
144,147
2,519
1,375,868

Total applications

1,967,135

4,688,847

Excess sources over applications /(Applications over sources)
Increase/(Decrease) of working capital

280,594

(438,202)

Change in working capital
Increase/(Decrease) current assets

Inventories
Receivables
Short-term investments
Treasury
Payments and accruals

(Increase)/Decrease current liabilities

Short-term creditors

Change in working capital

0
(1,351)
383,817
2,333
(2)
384,797

(2,372)
(74,743)
109,706
(1,514)
(47)
31,030

(104,203)

(469,232)

280,594

(438,202)

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

ANNEX

130

Annual report

Direct shareholdings

(thousand euros)

Company

Registered
Office

Activity

Share
Auditors holding capital

%

Reserves (less  Result for  Value of 
interim dividend) year

Dividends
shareholding  received

Serviabertis, 
S.L.

Av. Parc Logístic,  Management 
12-20. Barcelona

services

-

100.00

3

-

7

3

-

Highway operations

Av. Parc Logístic, 
Autopistas, 
C.E.S.A. (ACESA) 12-20. Barcelona

Toll highway 
concessionaire 

PwC

Autopistas 
Aumar 
S.A.U.C.E.
(AUMAR)

Aurea Limited

Paseo de 
la Alameda, 
36. Valencia

Toll highway 
concessionaire 

PwC

180 Strand, 
London 
(United Kingdom) concessionaire

Holding
company in

Other 
auditors

Iberpistas, S.A.

Pío Baroja, 6. 
Madrid

Toll highway  Other
concessionaire auditors

Gestión Integral  Montalbán, 5. 
de Concesiones,  Madrid
S.A. (GICSA)

Infrastructures  -
admin. and
management

Autopistas de 
León, S.A.C.E.
(AULESA)

Villadangos del 
Páramo. Ctra. 
Santa María del
Páramo. León

Autopistas de 
Puerto Rico y 
Compañía, S.E.
(APR)

Montellano 
Sector embalse. 
San Juan 
(Puerto Rico)

Autopista 
Trados-45, S.A. 
(TRADOS-45)

Ctra. M-203,
PK 0,280. 
Madrid

Toll highway  Other
concessionaire  auditors

Infrastructures  Other 
concessionaire  auditors

Infrastructures  PwC
concessionaire 

100.00

876,465

578,572

215,381

1,647,187

212,963

100.00

419,643

460,410

129,092

991,587

112,383

100.00

14,188

173

1,842

23,363

-

99.80 173,547

37,311

38,112

648,227

31,176

99.98

60

133

271

60

79.20

34,642

11,940

(690)

43,168

75.00

1,179

(570)

642

4,640

50.00

29,900

3,770

6,419

47,872

Autopista del
Sol, S.A.
(AUSOL)

Concesionaria 
Vial de los 
Andes, S.A.
(COVIANDES)

Leonardo N Alem. Toll highway
986, piso 4.
Buenos Aires
(Argentina)

concessionaire 

PwC

45.16

33,925

(51,265)

(14,696)

147,548
(**)

Infrastructures   Other 
concessionaire auditors

39.04

7,872

38,631

7,373

17,789

Carrera Novena,
126-91. 
Santafé
de Bogotá
(Colombia)

Pt Operational 
Services 
Limited (PTY)

1 Lavender Road.  Operation and  Other 
Bon Accord 009.  maintenance
auditors
Pretoria
(South Africa)

Concesiones de  Av. Europa, 18. 
Madrid, S.A. 
(CONCEMA)

Alcobendas. 
Madrid

Infrastructures Other 
concessionaire auditors

Infraestructuras Golfo de 
y Radiales, S.A.
(IRASA)

Salónica, 27.
Madrid

Infrastructures  Other 
admin. and 
auditors
management

33.30

0

332

1,170

-

25.00

28,798

2,663

3,203

21,977

22.49 (*)

7,092

58,468

(11,432)

10,473

This Annex forms an integral part of note 7 to the 2003 annual accounts, and it should be read in conjuntion with the latter.

-

-

-

-

-

-

- 

-

-

 
 
Direct shareholdings

(thousand euros)

Registered
Office

Activity

Auditors holding

%

Share
capital

Reserves (less  Result for  Value of 
interim dividend) year

Dividends
shareholding  received

Company

Car Parks

Annual report

131

PwC

99.24

18,243

98,474

13,065

231,199

9,960

Av. Parc Logístic,  Car parks 

Saba 
Aparcamientos,  12-20. Barcelona
S.A. (SABA)

Logistic Services

Abertis 
Logística, S.A.

Av. Parc Logístic,  Development, 
12-20. 
Barcelona

logistics and 
technical
support

Telecommunications

Abertis 
Telecom, S.A.

Av. Parc Logístic,  Telecommunication -
12-20. Barcelona services

Airports

Compañía de 
Desarrollo 
Aeropuerto
Eldorado, S.A.
(CODAD)

Carrera, 13
nº 93-40. 
Santafé de 
Bogotá
(Colombia)

Construction and  Other
maintenance of
airports

auditors

  -

100.00

47,500 

10,117

(554)

56,995

-

-

100.00

300,000

23,798

(14,638)

326,432

85.00 

15,635

21,578

(8,655)

45,751

2,355

Foreign currency amounts converted at official euro exchange rate at close.

(*) abertis direct shareholding: 15%. Indirect through Iberpistas and Avasa: 7.4%.

(**) abertis does not have additional commitments with respect to Ausol apart from the investment.

4,264,271  

368,837

This Annex forms an integral part of note 7 to the 2003 annual accounts, and it should be read in conjuntion with the latter.

 
 
 
25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

132

Annual report

Indirect shareholdings

(thousand euros)

Company

Registered
Office

Activity

Auditors holding

indirect holding

% indirect  Company that owns 

Share
capital

Reserves (less 
interim dividend)

Result for
year

Through AUTOPISTAS, C.E.S.A.

Acesa Italia, 
S.R.L.

Via delle 
Quattro 
Fontane,15. 
Rome (Italy)

Holding
company in 
concessionaire

Schemaventotto, Calmaggiore, 23.  Holding 
S.p.A.

Treviso (Italy)

company in 
concessionaire

PwC

100.00 Acesa

166,341(3)

4,080 (3)

1,190 (3)

Other 
auditors

12.83 Acesa Italia, 
S.R.L.

445,536 (3)

902,730 (3)

45,209  (3)

Autostrade, 
S.p.A. (1)

Via A. Bergamini,  Toll highway 
50. Rome
concessionaire
(Italy)

Other 
auditors

(6) 7.98 Schemaventotto,
S.p.A. 

621,289 (4)

1,502,947 (4) 

345,482 (4)

Av. Parc Logístic,  Toll highway 
12-20. Barcelona concessionaire 

PwC

100.00 Acesa

96,160

19,925

18,490

Autopistes de 
Catalunya, S.A.
(AUCAT)

Autopistas-
Conces. 
Espanhola, 
SGPS, S.A.

Iberacesa, S.L.

Rua General 
Norton de 
Matos 21-A. 
Arquiparque
Algés Oeiras
(Portugal)

Pº Castellana, 
51. Madrid

Alazor 
Inversiones, S.A.

Accesos de 
Madrid, C.E.S.A.

Rozabella, 6. 
Las Rozas.
Madrid

Rozabella, 6. 
Las Rozas. 
Madrid

Holding
company in 
concessionaire

Holding 
company in
concessionaire

Holding 
company in 
concessionaire

-

-

100.00 Acesa

50 (3)

-

(37) (3)

99.90 Acesa /

Iberpistas

32,229

6,898

313

Other 
auditors

23.32 Iberacesa, S.L.

190,500

Toll highway 
concessionaire

Other
auditors

23.32 Alazor 

Inversiones

190,500

Isgasa, S.A.

Av. Parc 
Logístic,12-20. 
Barcelona

Technical 
engineering
services

-

99.90 Iberacesa, S.L.

61

853

229

Tacel
Inversiones, S.A.

Hórreo, 11. 
Santiago de
Compostela

Holding 
company in 
concessionaire

Other 
auditors

17.98 Iberacesa, S.L.

30,250

Toll highway 
concessionaire 

Other
auditors

17.98 Tacel

 Inversiones

30,250

Toll highway 
concessionaire 

PwC

Toll highway 
concessionaire 

Other
auditors

48.60  Acesa

22,070

(13,347)

 3,080

37.19 Acesa

105,504

6,320

2,086

Autopista 
Central Gallega,
C.E.S.A.

Hórreo, 11. 
Santiago de
Compostela

Grupo
Concesionario 
del Oeste, S.A.
(GCO) (5)

Ruta Nacional, 
nº7, km 25.92. 
Ituzaingó 
(Argentina)

Túnel del Cadí, 
S.A.C.

Carretera de 
Vallvidrera a 
St. Cugat, km 5.3.
Barcelona

-

-

-

-

-

-

(552)

(557)

This Annex forms an integral part of note 7 to the 2003 annual accounts, and it should be read in conjuntion with the latter.

 
 
 
 
 
Indirect shareholdings

(thousand euros)

Annual report

133

Company

Autopista 
Terrassa-
Manresa, 
Autema,
Concessionària
de la Generalitat 
de Catalunya, S.A.
(AUTEMA)

Brisa, 
Auto-estradas
do Portugal,
S.A. (2)

Activity

Auditors holding

indirect holding

% indirect  Company that owns 

Toll highway 
concessionaire

PwC

22.33

Acesa

Share
capital

81,894

Reserves (less 
interim dividend)

Result for
year

(3,170)

6,848

Registered
Office

Gran Via de 
les Corts 
Catalanes, 680. 
Barcelona

Other

10.00

Acesa

600,000 (4)

588,754 (4)

62,827  (4)

concessionaire  auditors

Quinta da Torre  Toll highway 
da Águila,
Edificio Brisa, 
2785-589.
Sao Domingos de
Rana (Portugal)

Through IBERPISTAS, S.A.

Autopista 
A-6, S.A.

Pío Baroja, 6. 
Madrid

Toll highway 
concessionaire

Other 
auditors

99.80

Iberpistas

50,000

108,000

42,705

Pío Baroja, 6. 

Ibermadrid de
Infraestructuras,  Madrid
S.A.

Study, 
promotion and
construction of
civil work
infrastructures

-

99.80

Iberpistas

500

(154)

6

Iberavasa de
inversiones, S.L. Madrid

Pío Baroja, 6. 

Holding 
company

Other 
auditors

99.80

Iberpistas

24,207

12,342

10,226

Pío Baroja, 6. 

Castellana de 
Autopistas, S.A.  Madrid
Concesionaria
del Estado

Proconex, S.A.

Pío Baroja, 6. 
Madrid

Promoción de 
Autopistas 
Chile Limitada

Gestora 
de Autopistas, 
S.A. (GESA)

Santiago 
de Chile

Santiago 
de Chile

Toll highway 
concessionaire

Other 
auditors

99.80

Iberpistas

46,800

187,248

343

-

99.80

Iberpistas

100

(1,074)

1,204

Operation of
subleased
service areas

Toll highway 
Other 
concessionaire  auditors

99.80

Iberpistas/ 
Proconex

1,434

1,172

186

Toll highway 
concessionaire

Other 
auditors

50.90

Promoción 
de Autopistas
Chile Limitada

1,041

646 

354

Barrio de

Autopistas
Vasco-Aragonesa, Anuntzibai, s/n
C.E.S.A. (AVASA) 48410. Orozco.

Vizcaya

Toll highway
concessionaire

Other 
auditors

Áreas de
servicio y
mantenimiento,
S.A.

Autopista A 68, Management
and operation
km 6. Vizcaya
of infrastructure
concessions

-

49.90

Iberavasa, S.L.

234,000

10,361

40,088

49.90

Avasa

600

643

(3)

This Annex forms an integral part of note 7 to the 2003 annual accounts, and it should be read in conjuntion with the latter.

 
 
25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

134

Annual report

Indirect shareholdings

(thousand euros)

Company

Registered
Office

Vasco-Aragonesa Barrio de 
de Servicios 
y Concesiones, 
S.A.

Anuntzibai,
s/n. Vizcaya

Activity

Auditors holding

indirect holding

% indirect  Company that owns 

Share
capital

Reserves (less 
interim dividend)

Result for
year

Inactive

-

49.90

Avasa

110

4

1

Santiago
de Chile

Toll highway 
concessionaire

PwC

24.95

Iberpistas

71,186

11,270

6,674

Sociedad
Concesionaria
del Elqui, S.A.
(ELQUI)

Through AUREA LIMITED

Road 
Management 
Group (RMG)

130 High Street  Toll highway
Old Woking. 
Surrey
(United Kingdom)

concessionaire

Other
auditors

Through INFRAESTRUCTURAS Y RADIALES, S.A.

25.00

Aurea Limited

35,946

53,910

10,797

Autopista del 
Henares,
S.A.C.E.
(HENARSA)

Golfo de 
Salónica, 27.
Madrid

Toll highway 
concessionaire

Other
auditors

22.49

Infraestructuras 
y Radiales

96,700

329,850

(961)

Golfo de 

Erredosa 
Infraestructuras,  Salónica, 27. 
S.A. 
(ERREDOSA)

Madrid

Through SABA

Parbla, S.A.

Sabino 
Arana, 38. 
Barcelona

Spel-Sociedade  Lugar do 
de Parques de 
Espino Via 
Estacionamento, Norte. Porto
S.A. (SPEL)

(Portugal)

Societat
Pirenaica
d’Aparcaments,
S.A. (SPASA)

Pau Casals, 7.
Andorra la Vella.
Principat
d’Andorra

Societat
d’Aparcaments
de Terrassa,
S.A. (SATSA)

Saba Italia, 
S.p.A.

Plaça Vella,
subsuelo.
Terrassa

Via delle 
Quattro
Fontane, 15.
Rome (Italy)

Administration  Other 
and management auditors
of infrastructures

22.49

Infraestructuras 
y Radiales

61

(2)

(1)

Car parks 

-

99.24

Saba

3

1,225

(53)

Car parks 

PwC

99.24

Saba

6,000

102

(479)

Car parks

-

89.64

Saba

301

-

127

Car parks

PwC

87.37

Saba

7,746

353

739

Car parks 

PwC

59.54

Saba

28,600

7,358

(3,645)

Rabat 
Parking, S.A. 

Rue de Larache, 8 Car parks 
Rabat
(Morocco)

-

50.61

Saba

1,879

(162)

(166)

This Annex forms an integral part of note 7 to the 2003 annual accounts, and it should be read in conjuntion with the latter.

 
 
Indirect shareholdings

Annual report

135

(thousand euros)

Company

Registered
Office

Activity

Auditors holding

indirect holding

% indirect  Company that owns 

Share
capital

Reserves (less 
interim dividend)

Result for
year

Through ABERTIS LOGÍSTICA

Sevisur 
Logística, S.A.

Moratín, 1. 
Sevilla

Construction 
and operation 
of logistics
parks

Parc Logístic
de la Zona 
Franca,
S.A. (PLZF)

Areamed 
2000, S.A.

Av. Parc Logístic, Promotion
2-10. Barcelona

and operation
of logistics
parks

Via Augusta, 
21-23. 
Barcelona

Operation 
of service 
areas

Araba Logística,  Olaguibel, 2.
S.A. (ARASUR)

Vitoria

Construction
and operation
of logistics
parks 

Centro
Intermodal 
de Logística,
S.A. (CILSA)

Portal de la Pau,  Promotion 
6. Barcelona

and operation 
of logistics
parks

-

60.03

Abertis
Logística

3,000

-

(59)

Other
auditors

50.00

Abertis 
Logística

23,742

(732)

1,151

Other 
auditors

50.00

Abertis
Logística

-

39.50

Abertis
Logística

70

5,122

2,486

3,000

-

(52)

Other 
auditors

32.00

Abertis
Logística

15,467

24,366

981

Through ABERTIS TELECOM

Difusió Digital  Motors, 392. 
L’Hospitalet 
Societat de
de Llobregat.
Telecomunica-
cions, S.A.
Barcelona
(TRADIA)

Retevisión I,
S.A.U.

Gran Via 
de les Corts
Catalanes,
130-136.
Barcelona

Operator of
telecommunications
infrastructures

PwC

100.00

Abertis 
Telecom

131,488

(25,283)

(7,746)

Other

Operator of
telecommunications  auditors
infrastructures

 100.00

Abertis 
Telecom

81,270
(*)

123,003

(4,810)

Adquisición de Motors, 392.
emplazamientos, L’Hospitalet
de Llobregat.
S.L. (ADESAL)
Barcelona

-

Operator of
telecommunications
infrastructures

100.00

Tradia

3

-

Torre de 
Collserola, S.A.

Ctra. de 
Vallvidrera
al Tibidabo, s/n.
Barcelona

Construction and
operation of
telecommunications
infrastructures

PwC

36.00

Retevisión I

12,020 

563

-

-

Foreign currency amounts converted at official euro exchange rate at close.

(1) The shares of Autostrade, S.p.A. are listed on the Milan stock exchange. The weighted average price for the last quarter of 2003

was 12.91 euros. At the end of the year the price was 13.93 euros.

(2) The shares of Brisa, Auto-estradas do Portugal, S.A. are listed on the Lisbon stock exchange. The weighted average price for the

last quarter of 2003 was 5.22 euros. At the end of the year the price was 5.30 euros.

(3)  Information at 31 December 2002.

(4)  Information at 30 June 2003.

(5) The shares of Gco are listed on the Argentina stock exchange. The weighted average price for the last quarter of 2003 was 1.26

euros. At the end of the year the price was 1.6 euros. The company holds 57.6% of the voting rights.

(6)  Shares pledged as guarantee for a loan granted to Schemaventotto, S.p.A. to buy the shareholding in this company.

(*) Includes the increase in capital made pending inscription in the Mercantile Register.

This Annex forms an integral part of note 7 to the 2003 annual accounts, and it should be read in conjuntion with the latter.

 
 
136

Annual report

25 2003 Annual repor t and management repor t

ABERTIS INFRAESTRUCTURAS, S.A.
MANAGEMENT REPORT FOR 2003

2003 has been especially marked by the merger of Acesa Infraestructuras and Aurea Concesiones
de Infraestructuras, which gave rise to abertis, one of the leading European operators in the
management of infrastructures serving mobility and communications.

This year has been the Company’s first full year of activity as parent of an important group
of business investments created by the merger, which basically operate in the sectors of
highway concession, car parks, infrastructure for logistics and telecommunication infrastructures.

The objective of the Group is to continue to provide shareholders a balanced portfolio of
investments in the stated sectors, that ensures an adequate combination of low risk, growth
and return. In this sense, the following events in 2003 can be highlighted:

•

•

•

In the highways sector, the incorporation of all the concessions from Aurea in abertis,
which include Aumar (one of the main national concessions), as well as a series of
shareholdings in other important projects nationally and internationally. During 2003 the
following toll highways in which abertis participates were opened: A-6 connection with
Segovia (Castellana de Autopistas), Radial 2 Madrid-Guadalajara (Henarsa) and Silleda-
Lalín stretch (Autopista Central Gallega). Also of note in the highway sector was the increase
of the indirect holding in the Italian concessionaire Autostrade from 3.8% to 8.0%. In the
interests of optimising the Group structure, the shareholding in Grupo Concesionario del
Oeste was transferred to Acesa and Holdaucat was merged with Aucat (100% owned by
Holdaucat).

In the car park sector, abertis has acquired 40% of Saba, raising its shareholding to
99.2% of the capital. Saba has acquired 50% of the Portuguese company Spel to gain
100% control of the company, and has continued its international expansion with new
projects in Italy and Portugal.

In the infrastructure for logistics sector, highlights include the development of two new
logistics projects in which abertis participates in Álava and Seville, the full occupation and
consolidation of the Parc Logístic de la Zona Franca and the positive evolution of the
associated company Cilsa which, having developed and achieved full occupation in ZAL
Barcelona, has begun to develop ZAL Prat.

• Lastly, of note in the sector of telecommunication infrastructures was the acquisition of

Retevisión Audiovisual concluded at the end of the year and the acquisition of 5% of Tradia
to gain 100% control.

All these transactions, linked to the good performance of the rest of the business and activities,
have been reflected positively in the figures and results for the year, and in turn they establish
the bases for growth in the years ahead.

The balance sheet of abertis clearly reflects its position as parent of the Group, largely
consisting of the portfolio of shareholdings on the assets side and financing of these investments
through equity and debt on the liabilities side.

Annual report

137

The profit and loss account of the parent company abertis in 2003 is not comparable with
2002, given that the 2002 figures include six months concessionary activity until this branch
of activity was transferred to Acesa in June 2002 and the 2003 figures include greater activity
due to the merger.

In 2003 the profit and loss account basically shows the transfer of the results generated in
the different companies of the Group, through the dividends’ policy, as well as the costs derived
from the corporate structure and financing the investments in subsidiary and associated
companies. The profit for the year rose to 329 million euros, representing an 80% increase
on the previous year (up 8.3% compared to the aggregate figures of Acesa and Aurea in that
year) and in turn, ensures the dividend yield policy of abertis.

As in recent years, abertis has maintained its dividend policy, that combines the distribution
of dividends with an annual increase of capital through a bonus share issue of one share for
every 20 held, allowing it to offer one of the highest dividend yields in the market. The proposed
distribution of the profit for 2003 to be put to the annual general meeting proposes a total
dividend of 237,399 thousand euros, represented by the interim dividend already paid and the
final dividend.

In the interests of optimising the corporate structure of the Group, the Board of Directors of
abertis approved, on 27 January 2004, the merger by absorption of Iberpistas, S.A. (99.8%
shareholding), which will be submitted for the approval of the respective annual general
meetings in the first four months of 2004, and if approved, will be effective for accounting
purposes from 1 January 2004.

The Company expects all business units to continue to make a positive contribution in 2004,
accentuated by the progressive contribution of all the new projects and the latest incorporations
in the Group. The dividend policy is also expected to be maintained.

The Company has not traded, directly or indirectly, in its own shares.

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