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Deutsche Post AG

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FY2013 Annual Report · Deutsche Post AG
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2013 Annual Report

TAILOR MADE

Title and this page: DHL also logistically 
 supports the well-known German fashion 
 designer Michael Michalsky. He has even 
designed a collection made of packaging 
materials.

To our Shareholders

In today’s age, tailored logistics services are a key to success for companies in many 
industries. We are proficient in this business and are determined to offer every customer 
precisely the service they need to be successful. Doing this means facing a wide range 
of challenges, even within one industry. We illustrate this on the following pages using 
the example of the fashion industry, a sector in which Deutsche Post DHL is one of the 
leading international logistics providers.

We are more than aware that our success is reliant on the success of our customers. It 
is therefore not without pride that I can report that we achieved all of the goals we set 
ourselves for 2013. What’s more, we did so despite the fact that the market recovery 
hoped for failed to materialise and that we suffered from major negative currency effects.

Deutsche Post DHL increased profit from operating activities in financial year 2013 to 
€2.86 billion, due to improved margins. Consolidated revenue declined slightly to around 
€55.1 billion, largely due to negative currency effects. It was particularly pleasing to see 
that our most important drivers of growth, the parcel business and the international 
express business, remain intact.

The dynamic parcel business in Germany, for instance, contributed to the positive business 
development in the MAIL division. International business performance in the DHL divisions 
was largely impeded by negative currency effects. Although revenue was lower, we were 
still able to increase earnings in the EXPRESS and SUPPLY  CHAIN divisions through strict 
cost management. The freight forwarding business, however, declined in an appreciably 
weakened market. In addition, EBIT in the GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT division included 
expenses for the New Forwarding Environment strategic project, with which we have 
already made good progress.

For  the  first  time,  we  set  ambitious  cash  flow  targets  for  2013  and  we  have  clearly 
achieved them. After reporting a cash outflow in the prior year, operating cash flow has 
now  improved to €2.99 billion. Furthermore, the Group’s good financial position is also 
 demonstrated by the favourable refinancing conditions we were offered on the capital 
market. For instance, in the reporting year we renewed a long-term credit facility early 
and at more favourable terms; we also issued two bonds with a total volume of €1 billion.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

1

To our Shareholders

For my part, achieving our ambitious cash flow target is also a good example of what our 
employees are able to accomplish when they concentrate on our most important objec-
tives – objectives as set out in our medium-term Group strategy. Since 2009, our “Strategy 
2015” has been the framework for our endeavours to become the provider, employer and 
investment of choice.

With a network that spans the globe and outstanding market positions in the world’s 
growth markets, we are a strong and reliable partner for our customers. We invest con-
tinually in the expansion of our infrastructure as well as our products and services.

As we move towards the goal of becoming employer of choice, we measure our progress 
using an annual Group-wide employee opinion survey. The results indicate high approval 
for our key performance indicators.

In addition to solid financial results, I am especially pleased that our performance is also 
reflected in the growing confidence shown to us by the capital market. Our share price 
outperformed the DAX for the third consecutive year and in May we shall propose to the 
Annual General Meeting that the dividend we pay to you be raised to €0.80 per share. 
This represents a payout of around 49 % of adjusted net profits.

In the current financial year, we expect slight economic expansion at best. The global 
trading volumes relevant to our business are expected to perform similarly and impact 
our revenue accordingly, particularly in the DHL divisions. Against this backdrop, we 
expect consolidated EBIT to reach between €2.9 billion and €3.1 billion in financial year 
2014. The MAIL division is likely to contribute around €1.2 billion to this. Compared with 
the previous year, we expect an additional improvement in overall earnings to between 
€2.1 billion and €2.3 billion in the DHL divisions. Operating cash flow is expected to see 
further positive development in line with the respective EBIT trend.

Furthermore, we remain confident that we shall achieve the objectives we have set for 
ourselves in ”Strategy 2015”. Overall, we continue to anticipate an increase in consoli-
dated EBIT to between €3.35 billion and €3.55 billion in 2015. The MAIL division is likely to 
contribute at least €1.1 billion, whilst the DHL divisions are expected to contribute between 
€2.6 billion and €2.8 billion. We have adjusted the anticipated earnings contributions 
following the consolidation of parts of the domestic parcel business outside Germany 
within the MAIL division at the beginning of 2014.

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Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

To our Shareholders

Fashion is not the only industry in which today’s end customers decide spontane-
ously to make purchases in store, from a catalogue, at their computer or on their 
smartphone. E-commerce and the B2C business associated with it will continue to 
boost our parcel business and open up many possibilities even beyond the 2015 
strategic perspective.

DR FRANK APPEL
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

MARCH 2014

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

3

 THE  PINNACLE 
OF FASHION 
LOGISTICS

DHL OFFICIAL LOGISTICS PARTNER FOR FASHION WEEKS

On  with  the  show:  DHL  ensures  every 
item of clothing makes it to the catwalk 
on time.

DHL provides the fashion 
industry with logistics 
solutions that go above 
and beyond standard 
service.

4

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

5

Backstage it’s all hustle and bustle. Out front everyone 
is hyped up in anticipation. The lights go down and the 
spotlight goes on – it’s show time. Just a few minutes on 
the catwalk can make or break whether a new designer 
collection will be a success or not. Everything has to be 
perfect. One of the prized pieces not arriving on time is 
simply unthinkable.

a

DHL offers the fashion market flexible, tailored logistics 
solutions.  Its  portfolio  is  broad  and  includes  the  manage-
ment of global supply chains – from the purchase of mater-
ials right through to sales. Services such as special packaging, 
the safeguarding of goods, customs clearance, warehousing, 
inventory and returns processing are also available. In order 
to  offer  these  services,  the  Group’s  forwarding  division  – 
DHL Global Forwarding – has, for example, invested in sev-
eral Fashion and Apparel Centres for Excellence in the Asia 
 Pacific  region.  The  centre’s  fashion  logistics  experts  offer 
services that go well beyond simple transport – for example, 
warehousing with cutting-edge security systems that guard 
against theft. What’s more, the Centre of Excellence offers 
a variety of value-added services such as inventory picking, 
labelling, visual quality control and repacking. 

b

“Buongiorno, Mauro.” – When Mauro Zardi’s telephone 
rings, he’s often greeted by staff from well-known designer 
brands. Mauro is a Fashion Project Manager at DHL Express in 
Milan. Regardless of whether the shelves of a new boutique 
need to be filled, garments are required at a fashion show or 
a dress that is currently on a rack in Milan is urgently needed 
in Paris, Mauro can find a solution.

“We know exactly what our customers need and  handle 
everything  associated  with  a  designer’s  collection,”  says 
Mauro. “That involves fashion show logistics as well as fully 
supplying their shops and picking up remaining stock at the 
end of the season. We’ve worked with some customers for 
many  years  now  and  offer  them  services  beyond  what  is 
standard.”

WORLDWIDE NETWORK  
FOR FASHION LOGISTICS

Fashion  experts  like  Mauro  Zardi  benefit  from  the 
Group’s  global  express  network.  More  than  250  planes  are 
on  standby,  ready  to  travel  between  the  company’s  main 
hubs in Leipzig, Cincinnati and Hong Kong, not to mention 
the  many  other  hubs  around  the  world.  What  cannot  be 
transported by air makes the journey by road in one of the 
31,000  vehicles that make up the global fleet. And when time 
is of the  essence, Mauro doesn’t hesitate in sending a special 
courier.  This  is  how DHL  ensures  that  all  items  reach  their 
destination at the time the customer chooses – regardless of 
whether it’s within hours, same day or the next day.

HITTING THE CATWALK 

DHL  has  been  the  official  logistics  partner  for   Fashion 
Weeks  for  six  years.  It’s  the  pinnacle  of  fashion  logistics  – 
over  the  fashion  week  season,  in  excess  of  700  designers 
showcase their collections  at around 1,600 different events 
all around the world. An audience of over 800,000 watches 
this catwalk spectacle live each year. Everything has to go 
a little faster – with final touches being made to the collec-
tions right up to the last minute. What’s more, the items in 
question are particularly valuable. 

6

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

and accessing the e-commerce market. The competition win-
ner will receive the opportunity to present two consecutive  
collections to one of the four major fashion markets – Milan, 
New York, Tokyo or London. It could potentially be just the 
boost needed to launch an international career.

d

“I turn my ideas into clothing. 
This is how abstract ideas become 
something that is really  tangible. 
You only get that impression when 
you touch my clothing and feel 
the material. I want to take my 
creations to as many people 
as possible – and that’s precisely 
what DHL can help me do.”

Yu Amatsu

c

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

Yu Amatsu’s story is a prime example of DHL’s commit-
ment to fostering young fashion talent. In 2012, he won the 
young  designer  competition  in  Tokyo  and  in  2013  he  pre-
sented  his  “A  Degree  Fahrenheit”  label  at  Berlin  Fashion 
Week. Although Yu Amatsu was certainly not an unknown in 
Japan, DHL helped him to penetrate the international  market, 
understand the customs clearance process and transport his 
collections.  The  young  designer  wishes  to  meld  the  best 
of  both  worlds  from  Asia  and  Europe  in  his  fashions.  And 
who  better  to  bring  it  all  together  than  a  global  logistics 
 company  with  the  experience  of  people  like  Mauro  Zardi  – 
where  fashion logistics is the warp and weft of working life.

FOSTERING THE NEXT GENERATION  
OF DESIGNERS

DHL  not  only  works  with  well-known  and  established 
designers,  the  logistics  company  also  supports  the  next 
generation.  In  recent  years DHL  has  held  a  number  of  dif-
ferent  young  designer  competitions.  Talented  individuals 
have  received  the  opportunity  to  present  their  collections 
in Toronto, Tokyo, Sydney and Moscow and further support 
was provided as of 2014 with the set-up of an international 
competition within the framework of the DHL Exported pro-
gramme.  Applications are open to all couturiers who have 
already  established  themselves  in  their  domestic  markets 
and have designs on taking on the international scene. But 
DHL  is  not  only  supporting  this  expanded  programme  with 
its logistics expertise, up-and-coming designers will also re-
ceive help with financing, searching for new sales partners 

a  Hot or not: the audience decides in a matter of 
 seconds whether or not the collection will be a 
success.

b  The latest fashions are not only showcased in 

Moscow: the various Fashion Weeks are cause for 
about 1,600 events around the globe every year.

c  Fostering new talent: Yu Amatsu presented his 

collection at Berlin Fashion Week in 2013.

d  Rachelle Sinclair and Fay Ogunbadejo, the  design 
duo behind the Kahlo label, have secured the DHL 
Fashion Expert Scholarship 2013.  

dhlexported.com

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

7

 
 WHY  TECHNOLOGY 
RINGS MY BELL

Three questions to the well-known consumer psychologist 
Stephan Grünewald.

Mr Grünewald, imagine the scene: the doorbell rings, the DHL 
courier  is  standing  at  the  door  and  hands  over  a  package. 
It’s  the  online  purchase  you’ve  been  expecting.  Could  you 
describe for us the psychology of the situation: what is the 
recipient feeling at this moment?

A feeling of happiness. It’s as if you’ve just received a gift. 
The  DHL  employee  is,  so  to  speak,  Father  Christmas  for  grown-
ups – one who brings presents all year round.

Can online shopping really trigger that feeling of happiness? 
Virtual  shopping  isn’t  exactly  an  experience  for  the  senses. 
You can’t touch, feel and try out products when you’re sitting 
in front of the computer.

Online shopping is kind of an advance payment that the con-
sumer has to make in order to experience that feeling of happi-
ness when the delivery arrives. It is correct that shoppers are not 
able to touch or feel the products but if you take a look at the 
online shopping process chain, then – I have to say – there’s an 
element of wish fulfilment there. Many consumers really dive into 
catalogues or websites before they make a purchase. They asked 
themselves: how can I treat myself? What style of clothing is for 
me? And what could I become if I bought this or that product?

By  online  shopping,  we  spare  ourselves  a  certain  level  of 
mental anguish and can be more courageous or experimental. We 
browse in a safe place – our own home – and avoid the public 
catwalk.  People  tend  to  buy  items  of  clothing  they  might  not 
even have tried on in the shop or allow themselves to pick out 
a larger size. After all, you can try on things and pick out what 
you like at home alone or with a good friend in a safe and secure 
atmosphere  and  without  having  to  come  into  contact  with  the 
salesperson or other customers.

Moreover, online shopping disconnects you from the actual 
costs of shopping. You avoid your own personal transport logis-
tics. You don’t have to leave the house and venture into packed 
shops,  and  you  don’t  have  to  carry  bags.  You  get  it  handed  to 
you on your own doorstep. This further enhances the feeling of 
receiving a gift and also triggers a moment of surprise in addition 
to the feeling of happiness.

But why is it a surprise to open a package you ordered yourself?
People  resort  to  subconscious  strategies  to  produce  this 
surprise effect. They sometimes forget what they have ordered. 
Not  because  they  are  scatterbrained  but  because  their  psyche 
takes over. This way they can reward themselves time and again, 
triggering the feeling of receiving a gift and of being surprised. 

Stephan Grünewald is one of two founders of the Rheingold institute for 
 qualitative market and media research in Cologne, Germany. His new book, 
“Die erschöpfte Gesellschaft” (the exhausted society) was published in 2013.

10,780

Clothing

2,520

Computer and accessories

2,590

Books

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Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

4,080

Electronic items

1,920

Furniture and decorations

Online and mail-order revenue, 2012,  
by goods category in Germany (€ m)  
Source: BHV

1,510
Textiles (excluding clothing)

960
Consumer electronics

1,620
Household appliances

1,880

Shoes

2,500

Hobby, collecting  
and leisure articles

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

9

 SCREAM 
FOR JOY

DHL CO-WRITES THE ZALANDO SUCCESS STORY

Smiling online shoppers hug 
their postmen, people cry 
out with joy when they clap 
eyes on a DHL courier – or 
so Zalando would portray 
its customers. The story of 
this online shop is nothing 
if not fast paced: the small 
corporation, founded in 2008 
by Robert Gentz and David 
Schneider as a start-up in a 
Berlin flat, is today Zalando – 
one of the heavyweights  
in the German online shop-
ping market.

In  the  beginning,  the  founders 
packed  and  took  the  parcels  to  the 
post  office  themselves.  Within  a  few 
weeks of the company’s founding, they 
had  to  order  a  taxi  to  transport  the 
parcels, with their daily volume quickly 
rising to around 60 parcels. Today, the 
use of taxis to transport parcels to an 
outlet  has  ceased  to  be  logistically  
viable: Zalando now sends an average 
of  one  million  parcels  to  customers 
every month.

Deutsche Post DHL supports 
growth
Without the help of a strong logis-
tics  partner,  it  would  not  have  been 
possible  for  the  company  to  handle 
such rapid growth – and DHL Paket has 
been on board from the word go. Today, 
Deutsche  Post  DHL’s  parcel  branch  is 
the  company’s  main  shipping  partner, 
handling  all  of  Zalando’s  dispatches 
and the majority of its returns.

“Our  services  make  us  an  ideal 
partner  for  Zalando,”  explains  Katja 
Herbst, Chief Sales Officer at DHL Paket. 
“We’ve been working together for years 
and we share a common goal: satisfied 
customers.”

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Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

DHL  Paket  collects  the  prepared 
parcels  from  Zalando  and  takes  them 
to  the  nearest  parcel  centre,  where 
they are sorted before being delivered 
to the recipient. However, DHL doesn’t 
stop there. Its services go far beyond 
parcel  delivery  processing.  In  a  meas-
ure designed to minimise idle time, DHL 
also provides Zalando with warehouse 
logistics support at the logistics  centre 
in  Erfurt  where  the  company  stores 
some  of  its  stock.  This  collaboration 
also  includes  the  handling  of  incom-
ing goods from manufacturers and the 
distribution of samples.

Faster shipping fulfils  
customer expectations
“Deutsche Post DHL has been a re-
liable, flexible and innovative partner 
since we started this business in 2008. 
DHL inspires a sense of confidence and 
meets  the  high  expectations  of  our 
customers,  who  wish  to  receive  their 
products quickly,” says David Schröder, 
CEO of Zalando Operations GmbH. But 

the partnership goes deeper than that, 
he explains: “we learn from each other 
and  work  together  to  continuously  
optimise  our  high  standards  in  terms 
of  both  delivery  times  and  customer 
service”.

Postman’s knock
Yellow-and-red-clad  delivery  driv-
ers  out  and  about  with  parcels  sport-
ing  the  black-and-orange  logo  have 
long  since  been  a  common  sight  in 
Germany.  In  fact,  Deutsche  Post  DHL 
couriers  have  come  to  play  a  central 
role  in  Zalando’s  advertising  cam-
paign  over  the  past  few  years.  With 
the slogan “scream for joy” (Schrei vor 
Glück),  their  advertisements  feature 
customers –  predominantly  women  – 
doing  just  that  as  the  postman  rings 
the  doorbell,  bringing  parcels  full  of 
shoes  and  clothing.  As  soon  as  these 
advertisements  hit  television  screens, 
the click rate on the home page shoots 
up – as does the number of orders.

The Deutsche Post DHL 
courier plays a leading role 
in Zalando advertisements.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

11

The  deliverers  are  the  link  be-
tween  Zalando  and  the  customer.  In 
fact,  the  advertisements  represent 
both a tribute and a thank you to all 
those  delivering  parcels  across  the 
country.  After  all,  they  have  accom-
panied  Zalando  right  from  the  start 
and are an important part of the com-
pany’s success story.

In  2012,  the  online  fashion  shop 
generated  revenues  of  €1.15  billion. 
Zalando  ended  the  first  half  of  2013 
with net revenues of €809 million. The 
company’s  assortment  now  boasts 
more  than  150,000  products  –  from 
shoes and clothing to accessories and 
sporting  goods.  A  first-class  logistics 
service  is  non-negotiable  in  ensur-
ing  this  success  story  continues  and 
Deutsche  Post  DHL  has  introduced 
many services to make the lives of both 
the  online  supplier  and  its  customers 
even  easier.  “Our  new  services  put 
 online  shops  in  the  position  to  offer 

their customers even faster and more 
convenient  parcel  delivery  options,” 
says Andrej Busch, CEO DHL Paket. 

Zalando expands into Europe
Zalando  is  benefiting  here,  too, 
and  is  now  extending  its  successful 
 co-operation  with  Deutsche  Post  DHL 
beyond  its  domestic  borders.  Within 
one  year  of  founding  the  company, 
the  online  fashion  shop  began  mak-
ing  deliveries  to  Austria,  followed  by 
the  Netherlands  and  France.  Indeed, 
Zalando now operates in 15 European 
countries,  generating  more  of  its  rev-
enue  outside  Germany.  DHL  Freight 
handles  the  bulk  of  international 
shipments  to  neighbouring   countries. 
Zalando  continues  to  grow  and  the 
success  story  of  the  start-up  that 
turned  into  a  European  fashion  giant 
is far from over.

Deutsche Post DHL  
offers convenient delivery 
solutions: the around 
2,650 Packstations across 
Germany, for example, 
facilitate the collection 
and dispatch of parcels 
both day and night.

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Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

SENDING AND RECEIVING 
PARCELS MADE EASY

Mobile services from DHL Parcel
With the barcode scanner our customers can  
track their DHL items, calculate postage, find   
their closest Packstation, Paketbox or postal  
outlet, or contact customer service – all with  
the DHL app. dhl.de/mobil

All services are available throughout Germany.

DHL Paketshops
Paketshops offer our customers another alter native 
when mailing parcels, small packages and returns. 
Opening hours are flexible and customers do not 
have to queue to post a parcel. dhl.de/paketshop

Post office direct 
People  who  are  rarely  at  home  during  the  day 
have the option of having their items sent  directly 
to  the  postal  outlet  of  their  choice,  ready  for 
 collection at their convenience.

DHL Paketbox
Thanks  to  this  letterbox  for  parcels  and  small 
packages  our  customers  can  send  pre-stamped 
parcels,  small  packages  and  returns  around 
the  clock  –  now  from  around  1,000  locations  in 
 Germany. dhl.de/paketbox

DHL collection service
This  simple  and  convenient  service  allows  cus-
tomers to have their parcels and small packages 
collected by one of our couriers from their home 
or any specified address – nationwide in Germany.
dhl.de/abholung

DHL Packstation
Packstation  users  can  send  and  receive  parcels 
day and night. Gone are the days of waiting for 
a courier or worrying about opening hours. There 
are  now  around  2,650  Packstations  available 
throughout Germany. dhl.de/packstation

Parcel notification and preferred day 
With the parcel notification service, our customers 
know when their parcel will arrive. And if they are 
not  at  home,  they  can  choose  another  delivery 
date using the preferred day service.

Preferred location
Upon  request,  we  deliver  items  to  customers 
even  if  they  are  not  at  home.  They  stipulate  a 
concealed place on their property where we can 
leave the parcel when they are not in.

Preferred neighbour
Alternatively, customers may nominate someone 
in their immediate neighbourhood with whom we 
can leave their parcels if they are not at home.

An overview of all recipient services is available at:  
paket.de

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

13

FROM CATWALK

LOGISTICS, MADE TO MEASURE

Fashion is a fast-moving  business. 
Today’s must-have could be tomorrow’s 
overstock. Online retail has taken this 
to the next level as consumers are in-
creasingly  freed  from  the  constraints 
of  time  and  place,  and  schedules  for 
getting new goods to market are ever 
tighter.  For  logistics  providers  like 
DHL,  this  means  that  the  pressure  to 
increase speed while lowering costs is 
becoming more intense.

Meeting  this  challenge  requires 
agility within an optimised cost struc-
ture  –  and  in  the  fashion  industry, 
this applies to logistics providers and 
manufacturers  alike.  That  was  the 
conclusion of a DHL white paper based 
on  the  findings  of  a  “Fashion  Master 
Class” workshop held in May, 2013. DHL 
 invited  executives  from  brands  like 
Adidas, Levi Strauss & Co. and the Tom 
Tailor  Group  to  discuss  strategies  on 
the future of fashion logistics. The gen-
eral consensus: the demand for speed, 
flexibility,  responsiveness  and  control 
in the supply chain is greater than ever 
before. 

The paper’s author, Lisa  Harring ton 
of  the  strategic   supply  chain  consult-
ing  firm  lharrington  group  LLC,  sees 
a  number  of  trends  that  are  radically 
changing the fashion landscape.

Increasing fluidity between 
online and offline
One  of  these  is  omni-channel  re-
tailing,  in  which  modern  consumers 
switch seamlessly between purchasing 
items  at  online  and  brick-and-mortar 
stores.  “Nowadays,  one  in  ten  online 
orders  is  now  issued  from  within  a 
store,”  explains  Marcel  Beelen,  Vice 
President  Business  Development, DHL 
Fashion & Lifestyle  Europe,  “meaning 
customers  notice  an  item  in  a  shop 

and then order it via their hand-held 
device.”  Shoppers  can  also  decide 
whether purchases should be delivered 
to their home, to the store or any other 
collection point.

This  style  of  shopping  has  funda-
mentally  changed  the  world  of  inven-
tory management. “In the past, brands 
often separated the online and offline 
world,  with  separate  systems  and  in-
ventories being the norm,” comments 
Beelen. “Nowadays, there is a strong 
desire  to  integrate  and  handle  both 
environ ments with a single system and 
out of one inventory.” Store managers 
can use tracking systems at any time to 
follow the progress of a specific item 
along the chain. This allows goods in 
transit  to  be  considered  “on-hand  in-
ventory”, able to be sold to customers.

A logistics challenge
“Keeping  both  transparency  and 
control  of  inventory  and   merchandise 
flow  are  the  real  challenges  for  logis-
tics,”  agrees  Carsten  Schmelting,  re-
sponsible  for  supply  chain  manage-
ment at  German clothing manufacturer 
Tom  Tailor.  The  company  produces 
twelve different collections a year for 
each of its eleven clothing lines, manu-
factured predominantly in Asia. It sells 
them  both  retail  and  wholesale,  and 
increasingly  via  online  shops  in  21 
countries.  Since  2008, DHL  has  been  a 
third-party logistics provider for major 
parts of the Tom Tailor operation.

With  Tom  Tailor’s  online  sales 
growing and its stationery distribution 
network  spreading,  the  two  channels 
are  becoming  increasingly  integrated. 
For example, the company is currently 
examining whether it could be possible 
for customers to return items ordered 
online,  directly  to  stores.  But  this,  in 

turn,  throws  up  its  own  questions: 
Should these articles be added to the 
local  inventory or brought to a central 
warehouse?  “A  lot  of  new  processes 
and  booking  procedures  are  involved 
as  well  as  critical  monetary  issues,” 
says Carsten Schmelting.

40,000

square metres of space make up  
the new DHL logistics centre 
geared specifically for Tom Tailor. 
DHL broke ground in 2013.

a

40million units were processed 

by DHL Supply Chain for Tom 
Tailor in 2013.

14

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

TO SIDEWALK

Faster and faster
Another  key  trend  within  the 
industry  is  known  as  “fast  fashion”. 
Inditex,  the  parent  company  of  Zara, 
pioneered  this  style  of  “disruptive” 
 retailing.  Instead  of  purchasing  huge 
inventories  in  distant  factories  with 
long  lead  times  in  the  hope  that  the 
goods  would  sell  well,  these  retail-
ers produce small batches of items in 
nearby  factories,  with  incredibly  fast 
turnaround  and  delivery.  If  an  item 
sells,  more  can  be  produced  and  de-
livered quickly. If not, there is less stock 
to mark down. “In the past, there were 
four  seasons  a  year.  Nowadays,  the 
shop floor changes every four weeks,” 
comments  DHL’s  Beelen.  Tom  Tailor 
manager Schmelting agrees: “Fashion 
has always been fast, but over the past 
ten years we have shortened the lead 
times between conception and delivery 
of a collection considerably, in order to 
stay on top of the trends.”

DHL manages the entire  
supply chain
Speed is not the only factor in suc-
cessful  fashion  logistics.   Quality  and 
cost- cutting are important, too. “At the 
end of the day, we need to bring those 
three  issues  in  line,”  says  Schmelting. 
This is only possible through planning, 
continuous  process  optimisation  and 
innovative solutions, such as RFID tag-
ging  –  and  state-of-the-art  automa-
tion.  It  is  also   important  to  carefully 
ex amine interfaces: many  incremental 
steps  are  involved  between  sourcing 
raw materials and delivering the final 
goods  –  and  poor  handovers  or  miss-
ing information can cost both time and 
money. Thanks to years of experience 
and  its  sophisticated  supply  chain 
management  systems,  DHL  protects 

b

c

MORE  
THAN  
TRANSPORT 
AND  
WARE­
HOUSING

DHL is a full service provider 
offering exclusive and customised 
value-added services to their 
fashion customers. Examples are 
steaming, attaching alarm tags 
and price ticketing.

its  fashion  customers  from  problems 
like these – and makes sure the  latest 
styles  are  at  the  right  place,  at  the 
right time.

a  All present and correct: trans-

parency and stock management 
are the order of the day – not 
only in the high bay warehouse 
but throughout the entire 
 logistics chain. 

b  Tom Tailor produces twelve collec-
tions for eleven lines every year.

c  Tom Tailor now distributes its 

 products retail, wholesale and 
online throughout 21 countries.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

15

OUR BUSINESS

Deutsche Post is Europe’s largest postal service provider, the market leader on the German letter and parcel market and has a 
leading position in international mail. Its portfolio ranges from standard products to environmentally-friendly and tailored solu-
tions for consumers and business customers in the areas of mail communication, dialogue marketing and transporting parcels.

MAIL

Business units and products

Customers

40.7 million households
3.7 million business customers
2.0 million retail outlet customers 
per working day

Network in Germany

82 mail centres
33 parcel centres
Around 2,650 Packstations
Around 1,000 Paketboxes
Over 26,000 retail outlets and points 
of sale 
64 million letters per working day
More than 3.4 million parcels 
per  working day

Mail Communication
Mail products
Special services
Franking
Philately

Dialogue Marketing
Advertising mail
Tailored end-to-end solutions
Special services

Press Services
Press distribution services
Special services

Parcel Germany
Parcel products
Special services
Packstations, Paketboxes
Portals: MeinPaket.de; Allyouneed.com
paket.de

Global Mail
Mail import and export
Cross-border mail and parcels
Mail services in domestic markets 
outside of Germany
Special services

Pension Service
Database administration
Payment processes

16

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Business units and market positions, page 24 ff.
Objectives and strategies, page 31 ff.
Business performance in the divisions, page 62 ff.
Future economic parameters, page 101 ff.

With its expertise in the cross-border express business, air and ocean freight, road and rail transport and contract logistics, DHL is the 
market leader in the international logistics industry. With a global network and local expertise as well as a commitment to service and 
quality we provide solutions tailored to customer requirements in more than 220 countries and territories.

EXPRESS

Products

Time Definite
Same Day
Day Definite

Regions

Europe
Americas
Asia Pacific
MEA (Middle East and Africa)

Network

> 220 countries and territories
3 main global hubs
> 40,000 Service Points
2.7 million customers
31,000 vehicles
> 250 dedicated aeroplanes

GLOBAL FORWARDING, 
FREIGHT

SUPPLY CHAIN

Products

Supply Chain

Global Forwarding
Air freight
Ocean freight
Industrial projects
Transport management
Customs clearance

Freight
Full truckload
Part truckload
Less than truckload
Intermodal transport

Regions

Global Forwarding
Worldwide
> 150 countries and territories

Freight
Europe, CIS, the Middle East, 
North  Africa, USA
> 50 countries

Locations

Global Forwarding
> 850 branches

Freight
> 180 branches

Services
Warehousing
Distribution
Managed transport
Value-added services
Supply Chain management and consulting

Focus sectors
Consumer
Retail
Technology
Life Sciences & Healthcare
Automotive
Energy

Global products
Lead Logistics Provider
Packaging Services
Maintenance & Repair Operations
Technical Services
Life Sciences & Healthcare Platform
Airline Business Solutions
E-Fulfilment
Environmental Solutions

Williams Lea

Marketing Solutions
Office Document Solutions
Customer Correspondence Management

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

17

a  GROUP MANAGEMENT REPORT

19 – 106

b  CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

107 – 132

 c  CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

133 – 214

d  FURTHER INFORMATION

215 – 224

 
 
 
 
a    GROUP MANAGEMENT REPORT

Report on Economic Position

21  General Information
43 
71  Deutsche Post Shares
74  Non-Financial Figures
87 
88  Opportunities and Risks
101 
Expected Developments

Post-Balance-Sheet Date Events

C
o
n
t
e
n
t
s

b    CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Report of the Supervisory Board
Supervisory Board
Board of Management

109 
113 
114 
116  Mandates
117 

Corporate Governance Report

 c    CONSOLIDATED 

 FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS
Income Statement
Statement of Comprehensive Income
Balance Sheet
Cash Flow Statement
Statement of Changes in Equity

135 
136 
137 
138 
139 
140  Notes to the Consolidated  Financial Statements
213 
214 

Responsibility Statement
Independent Auditor’s Report

d    FURTHER INFORMATION

Index

217 
218  Glossary
219  Graphs and Tables
220 
Locations
222  Multi-Year Review
224 
Contacts
Publication Service
224 
Financial Calendar

To our Shareholders
1 
4 
Tailor Made
16  Our Business
18 

Selected Key Figures

Cross-references

Websites

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C
O
N
T
E
N
T
S

S
E
L
E
C
T
E
D

K
E
Y

F
I

G
U
R
E
S

+ / – %

– 0.6

7.0

–

43.5

–

–

–

+ / – %

– 0.8

7.4

–

27.5

Q 4 2012

Q 4 2013

14,577

14,494

827

5.7

538

885

6.1

772

–

– 629

1,561

–24.1

–

27.2

14.3

1.7

–

–

–

–

0.45

0.64

42.2

–

–

–

–

–

–

C

o

n

t

e

n

t

s

01  SELECTED KEY FIGURES

Revenue

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

Return on sales 1

Consolidated net profit for the period 2

Operating cash flow

Net debt 3

Return on equity before taxes

Earnings per share 4

Dividend per share

Number of employees 6

€ m

€ m

%

€ m

€ m

€ m

%

€

€

2012

2013

55,512

55,085

2,665

2,861

4.8

1,640

–203

1,952

23.6

1.36

0.70

5.2

2,091

2,994

1,481

26.7

1.73

0.80 5

428,287

435,520

1  EBIT / revenue.
2  After deduction of non-controlling interests. Prior-year amount adjusted 
3  Calculation 
 Group Management Report, page 61.
4  Basic earnings per share. Prior-year amount adjusted.
5  Proposal.
6  Average FTE s.

 Note 4.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
GROUP MANAGEMENT  
REPORT

19 – 106

a

G
r
o
u
p
M
a
n
a
G
e
M
e
n
t

r
e
p
o
r
t

a 
 
 
GROUP MANAGEMENT REPORT

Business model and organisation
Business units and market positions

  21  GENERAL INFORMATION
  21 
  24 
  31  Objectives and strategies
  36  Group management
  38  Disclosures required by takeover law
  42 

Remuneration of the Board of Management  
and the Supervisory Board
Research and development

  42 

  43  REPORT ON ECONOMIC POSITION
  43  Overall Board of Management assessment  

of the economic  position
Forecast / actual comparison
Economic parameters
Significant events
Results of operations 
Financial position

  43 
  44 
  48 
  48 
  51 
  60  Net assets
  62 

Business performance in the divisions

  71  DEUTSCHE POST SHARES

  74  NON-FINANCIAL FIGURES
Employees
  74 
  78  Health and safety
  79 
  81 
  83 
  85 

Corporate responsibility
Procurement
Customers and quality
Brands

  87  POST-BALANCE-SHEET DATE EVENTS

  88  OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS
  88  Overall Board of Management assessment  
of opportunity and risk situation

  88  Opportunity and risk management processes
  92  Opportunities
Risks
  94 

  101  EXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS
  101  Overall Board of Management assessment  

of the future economic position
Forecast period
Future organisation
Future economic parameters
Revenue and earnings forecast
Expected financial position

  101 
  101 
  101 
  104 
  105 
  106  Development of further indicators relevant  

for internal  management

aGroup Management Report

General Information
Business model and organisation

GENERAL INFORMATION

Deutsche  Post  DHL  is  the  world’s  leading  mail  and  logistics  services  group.  The 
 Deutsche Post and DHL corporate brands represent a one-of-a-kind portfolio of logistics 
(DHL) and communications (Deutsche Post) services. We provide our customers with both 
easy to use standardised products as well as innovative and tailored solutions ranging 
from dialogue marketing to industrial supply chains. About 480,000 employees in more than 
220  countries and territories form a global network focused on service, quality and sustain-
ability. With programmes in the areas of environmental protection, disaster management 
and education, we are  committed to social responsibility.

Business model and organisation

Four operating divisions

Deutsche Post AG is a listed corporation domiciled in Bonn, Germany. The Group 
is organised into four operating divisions, each of which is under the control of its own 
divisional headquarters and is subdivided into business units for reporting purposes.

We are the only provider of universal postal services in Germany. In our MAIL 
 division, we deliver domestic and international mail and parcels and we are specialists in 
dialogue marketing, nationwide press distribution services and all the electronic services 
associated with mail delivery.

Our EXPRESS division offers courier and express services to business and private 
customers in more than 220 countries and territories, the most comprehensive network 
in the world.

Our GLOBAL  FORWARDING,  FREIGHT division handles the carriage of goods by 
rail, road, air and sea. Our services extend from standardised container transport to 
highly specialised end-to-end solutions for industrial projects, and solutions tailored 
to specific sectors.

Our SUPPLY CHAIN division provides warehousing, managed transport and value- 
added services at every link in the supply chain for customers in a variety of industries. 
With Williams Lea we also offer solutions for corporate information and communica-
tions management tailored precisely to the needs of our customers.

We  consolidate  the  internal  services  that  support  the  entire  Group,  including 
 Finance, IT, Procurement and Legal, in our Global Business Services (GBS). This allows 
us to make even more efficient use of our resources whilst reacting flexibly to the rapidly 
changing demands of our business and our customers.

Group management functions are centralised in the Corporate Center.

  Glossary, page 218

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

21

General Information
Business model and organisation

Group Management Report

a.01  Organisational structure of Deutsche Post DHL

Corporate Center

Finance, Global 
 Business Services
Board member
• Lawrence Rosen 

Functions
• Corporate Controlling
• Corporate Finance
• Global Business 
 Services: Procure-
ment, Real Estate, 
Finance Operations, 
Legal Services, etc.
• Investor Relations
• Corporate Account-
ing & Reporting
• Corporate Audit &  

Security

• Taxes

Ceo
Board member
• Dr Frank Appel 

Functions
• Board Services
• Corporate First Choice
• Corporate Legal
• Customer Solutions &  

Innovation

• Corporate Office
• Corporate 

 Development

• Corporate Heritage &  
Industry Associations

• Corporate Commu-
nications & Respon-
sibility

• Corporate Public 

Policy & Regulation 
Management

Divisions

GLoBaL 
 ForWarDInG, 
FreIGHt
Board member
• Roger Crook

Business units
• Global 

 Forwarding

• Freight

suppLY CHaIn
Board member
• Bruce Edwards

Business units
• Supply Chain
• Williams Lea

Human Resources
Board member
• Angela Titzrath 

MaIL
Board member
• Jürgen Gerdes

eXpress
Board member
• Ken Allen

Regions
• Europe
• Americas
• Asia Pacific
• MEA (Middle 
East and 
Africa)

Business units
• Mail Communi-

cation
• Dialogue 
Marketing
• Press Services
• Parcel 

 Germany

• Retail Outlets
• Global Mail
• Pension Service

Functions
• HR MAIL
• HR EXPRESS
• HR GLOBAL 

 FORWARDING,  
FREIGHT

• HR SUPPLY CHAIN
• HR Headquarters &  

International Services, 
GBS & CSI

• Corporate Executives &  
Talent Management
• Industrial Relations, 

Civil Servants
• Compensation &  

Benefits

• HR Performance &  

Programs

Organisation in Human Resources board department adjusted

We made adjustments to the Human Resources board department in the reporting 
year in order to meet changed requirements across all business units. It now comprises 
the functions “HR MAIL”, “HR  EXPRESS”, “HR  GLOBAL  FORWARDING, FREIGHT”, “HR 
SUPPLY  CHAIN”,  “HR  Headquarters & International  Services,  GBS & CSI”,  “Corporate 
Executives & Talent Management”, “Industrial Relations, Civil Servants”, “Compensa-
tion & Benefits”, and “HR Performance & Programs”.

22

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
Group Management Report

General Information
Business model and organisation

A presence that spans the globe
Deutsche Post DHL operates around the world. The map shows our most important 

  Further information, page 220 f.

locations.

Table A.02 provides an overview of market volumes in key regions. Our market 

shares are detailed in the business units and market positions chapter.

  Page 24 ff.

a.02  Market volumes 1

Global

Air freight (2012): 24m tonnes 2

Ocean freight (2012): 34m TEU s 3

Contract logistics (2012): €159bn 4

International express market (2011): €22bn 5

Germany

Mail communication (2013): €4.5bn 6

Dialogue marketing (2013): €17.2bn 6

Parcel (2013): €8.2bn 6

Americas

Europe

Middle East /Africa

Asia Pacific

Air freight  
(2012): 6.4m tonnes 2

Ocean freight  
(2012): 6.0m TEU s 3

Contract logistics  
(2012): €46.1bn 4

International  
express market  
(2011): €7.4bn 5

Air freight  
(2012): 4.1m tonnes 2

Ocean freight  
(2012): 5.1m TEU s 3

Contract logistics  
(2012): €59.6bn 4

International  
express market  
(2011): €6.8bn 5

Road transport  
(2012): €174bn 7

Air freight  
(2012): 1.5m tonnes 2

Ocean freight  
(2012): 2.8m TEU s 3

Contract logistics  
(2012): €4.6bn 4

International  
express market  
(2011): €0.3bn 5

Air freight  
(2012): 11.6m tonnes 2

Ocean freight  
(2012): 19.3m TEU s 3

Contract logistics  
(2012): €49.1bn 4

International  
express market  
(2011): €7.5bn 5

1  Regional volumes do not add up to global volumes due to rounding.
2  Data based solely on export freight tonnes. Source: Copyright © IHS, 2013. All rights reserved.
3  Twenty-foot equivalent units; estimated part of overall market controlled by forwarders.  

Data based solely on export freight tonnes. Source: Copyright © IHS, 2013. All rights reserved.

4  Source: Transport Intelligence.
5  Includes express product Time Definite International. Country base: AT, BE, CH, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FR, IL, IT,  
NL, NO, PL, RU, SE, TR, UK (Europe); AR, BR, CA, CL, CO, CR, MX, PA, VE, US (Americas); AU, CN, HK, ID, IN,  
JP, KR, MY, NZ, SG, TH, TW, VN (Asia Pacific); AE, ZA (Middle East /Africa). Latest available market study.  
Source: Market Intelligence, 2012, annual reports and desk research.

6  Company estimates.
7  Country base: total for 19 European countries, excluding bulk and specialties transport.  

Source: MRSC MI Freight Reports 2008 to 2012, Eurostat 2010.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

23

General Information
Business units and market positions

Group Management Report

Business units and market positions

MAIL DIVISION

The postal service for Germany

As Europe’s largest postal company, we deliver more than 64 million letters every 
working day in Germany alone. We offer all types of products and services to both 
private and business customers, ranging from physical, hybrid and electronic letters 
and merchandise to special services such as cash on delivery and registered mail. Our 
E-Postbrief product provides a secure, confidential and reliable platform for electronic 
communication. It allows companies, public authorities and private individuals to send 
secure communications whilst reducing processing costs.

For the first time in 15 years, we raised the prices of our Standardbrief and Maxi-
brief letter products with effect from 1 January 2013. Last year, we were required by the 
Bundesnetzagentur (German federal network agency) to adjust the qualifying conditions 
for the delivery of identical invoices. As a result, we discontinued our Infobrief product. 
Some customers now send traditional letters as an alternative, which has increased 
revenue in the domestic market for mail communication.

In the reporting year, the market for business communications was approximately 
€4.5 billion (previous year: €4.2 billion). In order to more precisely reflect actual  market 
conditions, we look at the competitive business customer market. We therefore indicate 
those companies that are service providers to business customers, i. e., both  competitors 
who offer end-to-end solutions as well as consolidators who offer partial services. At 
64.7 %  our  market  share  was  slightly  above  the  prior-year  level  (62.7 %),  primarily 
 because customers have been increasingly sending traditional letters since the Infobrief 
product was discontinued.

Targeted and cross-media advertising

Companies can use our solutions to design and print advertising mail themselves 
and send it at reasonable rates via our network. We provide our customers with online 
tools and services to ensure the quality of their addresses and the efficient identification 
of target groups. Companies may rent the addresses of these identified target groups 
from us for their own advertising campaigns as needed. We also offer a broad range of 
digital solutions, which customers can use for cross-media and targeted advertising. The 
German dialogue marketing market comprises advertising mail along with telephone 
and e-mail marketing. In 2013, this market shrank by 2.8 % year-on-year to a volume 
of €17.2 billion (previous year: €17.7 billion). The mail-order industry, in particular, 
considerably reduced advertising expenditure. The insolvencies of Neckermann and 
the do-it-yourself chain Praktiker were also felt. Our share of this highly fragmented 
market declined to 12.8 % (previous year: 13.5 %), a result that is also a consequence of 
the discontinuation of our Infobrief product. 

Press distribution services

We deliver newspapers and magazines nationwide throughout Germany on the day 
specified by the customer. Our Press Services business unit offers customers two main 
products for this: preferred periodicals, which is the traditional method publishers use to 
post the publications to which their customers have subscribed, and standard periodicals, 
which companies primarily use to distribute customer or employee magazines via our 

a.03  Domestic mail communication 
market, business customers, 2013

Market volume: €4.5 billion

35.3 %  Competition

64.7 %  Deutsche Post

Source: company estimate.

a.04  Domestic dialogue  
marketing market, 2013

Market volume: €17.2 billion

12.8 %  Deutsche Post

87.2 %  Competition

Source: company estimate.

  Glossary, page 218

  Glossary, page 218

24

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
Group Management Report

General Information
Business units and market positions

network. We also partner with publishers to sell subscriptions to more than 500 press 
products both online and offline as part of our Deutsche Post Leserservice, a service that 
has seen much success.

The German press services market had a total volume of 14.8 billion items in 2013, a 
decline of 2.0 % from the prior year. Consumer and specialist magazine circulation, in par-
ticular, has decreased. Our competitors are mainly companies that deliver regional daily 
newspapers. In an overall shrinking market, we continued to maintain our share at 11.4 %.

Parcel business focuses on customer needs

With over 13,000 retail outlets, around 2,650 Packstations and around 1,000 Paket-
boxes we offer our customers the densest drop-off network in Germany. 10,000 Paket-
shops were added in the reporting year; another 10,000 are to follow by the end of 2014. 
On the whole we transport more than 3.4 million parcels and small packages within 
Germany every working day. Volumes are growing as are customer demands. Through-
out our innovations in our parcel business, customers are always in focus.

Recipients have the option to choose where their parcel should be delivered. They 
are notified of the day on which delivery will take place – and in many regions the 
 delivery time as well. Our courier service even provides same-day parcel delivery and 
evening delivery within a delivery window of the customer’s choice.

We are expanding the logistics platform, allowing business customers to grow their 
online retail business even more quickly: small and medium-sized retailers can take 
 advantage of an additional sales channel at our shopping portal, MeinPaket.de. On 
 request, we can even cover the entire supply chain – from warehouse logistics to  returns 
management. We are developing the online food retailing segment at our online super-
market, Allyouneed.com, and our 2-Mann-Handling offers a solution for delivering 
furniture ordered online.

The German parcel market volume totalled around €8.2 billion in 2013, nearly 5.1 % 
more than the prior year. For years now, e-commerce has been the most important driver 
of growth. In 2013, business customer volumes again experienced very strong growth 
and had a positive impact on growth in the mail-order and parcel services businesses. 
Overall, our market share in the reporting year was approximately 42.3 %.

Sending mail and parcels internationally

We carry mail and parcels across borders and offer international dialogue market-
ing services. In addition, we serve business customers in key domestic mail and parcel 
markets, including in the United States and China.

We set ourselves apart from the competition by offering innovative products. For 
 example,  we  are  developing  international  shipping  solutions  for  private  consumers 
(B2C)  in  the  growing  e-commerce  sector.  This  now  includes  a  returns  solution  for 
24  European countries. Our offer also comprises consulting and services for all phys-
ical and digital dialogue marketing needs. Furthermore, we offer international physical, 
hybrid and electronic written communications for international business customers, 
giving them the flexibility to decide what best suits their needs. Foreign customers tap 
into our  expertise and experience in order to do business successfully in the German 
market. The global market volume for outbound international mail was approximately 
€6.7 billion in 2013 (previous year: €6.8 billion). The decline in light-weight letters and 
press products could only be compensated for in part by the increase in heavier items. 
Our market share remained stable at the prior-year level of 15.8 %.

a.05  Domestic press services  
market, 2013

Market volume: 14.8 billion items

11.4 %  Deutsche Post

88.6 %  Competition

Source: company estimate.

a.06  Domestic parcel market, 2013

Market volume: €8.2 billion

42.3 %  DHL

57.7 %  Competition

Source: company estimate.

a.07  International mail market  
(outbound), 2013

Market volume: €6.7 billion

15.8 %  DHL

84.2 %  Competition

Source: company estimate.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

25

 
 
 
General Information
Business units and market positions

Group Management Report

EXPRESS DIVISION

Leading provider of international express services

In the EXPRESS division, we transport urgent documents and goods reliably and on 
time from door to door. Our network spans more than 220 countries and territories, in 
which some 100,000 employees provide services for more than 2.7 million customers. 
As a global network operator that applies standardised processes, we are constantly 
optimising our service to keep our customer commitments and respond specifically 
to customers’ wishes. All of this makes us the leading provider of international express 
services.

Our core business is time-definite shipments

International time-definite courier and express shipments are our core business. 
Our main product, Time Definite International (TDI), offers delivery as fast as possible. 
Customers in more than 180 countries can now purchase our premium Time Definite 
product with guaranteed pre-12 delivery and money-back guarantee. Our portfolio is 
complemented by industry-specific services such as Medical Express and Collect and Return, 
the latter of which is used in particular by customers in high-tech industries. Technical 
products are collected from the user, taken in for repairs and then returned. DHL has also 
increased activities for customers in the Life Sciences & Healthcare sector. We offer var-
ious types of thermal packaging for temperature-controlled, chilled and frozen content.

Our virtual airline

With an annual average of 3.1 million transported tonnes, DHL is one of the leading 
international air freight carriers. Our network consists of several airlines, some of which 
we own 100 %.

This combination of our own and purchased capacities, which include varied terms 
of contract, allows us to respond flexibly to fluctuating demand. We do not enter into 
long-term capacity obligations until our demand for cargo space exceeds the existing 
offering. We use the available cargo space for our main product TDI as part of long-term 
contracts – Block Space Agreements – and we sell excess capacity on the air freight market. 
The largest buyer of this is the DHL Global Forwarding business unit.

We expanded services and capacities in the reporting year to meet rising trade 
volumes. Additional routes were opened between Asia and the United States as well 
as within Asia. As a result, we guarantee, amongst other things, next-day delivery for 
shipments sent from Japan to all destinations in the United States. In the reporting 
year, we completed the conversion of 18 Airbus A 300-600 passenger planes into cargo 
planes, a project that began in 2011. The aircraft are now part of our regional fleets and 
are used mainly in Europe.

  Glossary, page 218

  Glossary, page 218

26

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Group Management Report

General Information
Business units and market positions

International express business has increased

The international express business benefited in the reporting year, amongst other 
things, from the overall stabilisation of the economy, the increase in e-commerce and 
the growing importance of small and medium-sized enterprises in international trade. 
The strong growth of our TDI product compared with the market indicates that we 
maintained our position as global market leader.

Positive development in the Europe region

Despite modest economic momentum the express business in the Europe region 
witnessed positive development. We were clearly the leading provider in 2011. In order 
to meet growing volumes in the future, we began work at the end of 2013 to double 
the capacity of our global hub in Leipzig, Germany. With improved service quality, we 
intend to strengthen our position at this strategically important location.

Geared for growth in the Americas

Given the economy’s solid performance, our express business in the region was also 

successful in the reporting year, as illustrated on page 66.

In the summer of 2013 we opened our expanded hub in Cincinnati, and, with a total 
investment of US$105 million, we are thus prepared for future growth, particularly in 
the small and medium-sized customer segment. We have also invested in Latin America, 
especially in Mexico and Brazil, the largest economies in the region.

Asia remains an important market

Asia remains an important and profitable market for us and it is expected that our 

leading position will have been further solidified there in the reporting year.

At our North Asia Hub in Shanghai, we are the first company in the region to be 
permitted to offer the sorting of international transit shipments, a service which we have 
provided since the fourth quarter of 2013. This not only expands our service but also 
improves the utilisation of the hub.

Reliable partner in the Middle East

Business in the Middle East remained particularly difficult in the reporting year, 
given  the  political  unrest  in  Afghanistan,  Yemen,  Bahrain,  Libya  and  Syria.  Whilst 
 adhering to legal requirements and ensuring the safety of our employees, we maintained 
our operations and therefore proved ourselves a reliable partner to our customers.

We are continuing to strengthen our presence in the Middle East through invest-
ments in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Dubai, where we began construction of a logistics 
centre in the first quarter of 2013. The facility covering roughly 17,000 m² located near 
Dubai is intended to improve services for customers who import and export goods 
into and out of the United Arab Emirates. Together with our partner, MGE Middle East 
General Enterprise L. L. C., we shall invest around €20 million in the location and thus 
further expand our leading position in the area.

a.08  European international express 
market, 2011 1, 2, 3: top 4

Market volume: €6,813 million

10 %  FedEx

14 %  TNT

23 %  UPS

41 %  DHL

1  Includes the TDI express product.
2  Country base: AT, BE, CH, CZ, DE, DK, ES, FR, IL, IT, 

NL, NO, PL, RU, SE, TR, UK.

3  Latest available market study.

Source: Market Intelligence 2012, annual reports 
and desk research.

a.09  The Americas international express 
market, 2011 1, 2, 3: top 4

Market volume: €7,352 million

  1 %  TNT

16 %  DHL

30 %  UPS

50 %  FedEx

1  Includes the TDI express product.
2  Country base: AR, BR, CA, CL, CO, CR, MX, PA, 

VE, US.

3  Latest available market study.

Source: Market Intelligence 2012, annual reports 
and desk research.

a.10  Asia Pacific international express 
market, 2011 1, 2, 3: top 4

Market volume: €7,487 million

10 %  UPS

14 %  EMS

21 %  FedEx

40 %  DHL

1  Includes the TDI express product.
2  Country base: AU, CN, HK, ID, IN, JP, KR, MY, NZ, 

SG, TH, TW, VN.

3  Latest available market study.

Source: Market Intelligence 2012, annual reports 
and desk research.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

27

 
 
 
General Information
Business units and market positions

Group Management Report

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT DIVISION

a.11  Air freight market, 2012: top 4

The air, ocean and road freight forwarder

The Global Forwarding and Freight business units are responsible within the Group 
for  air,  ocean  and  road  freight  transport.  Our  freight  forwarding   services  not  only 
 include standardised transports but also multimodal and sector- specific solutions as 
well as individualised industrial projects.

Our business model is very asset-light, as it is based on the brokerage of trans-
port services between our customers and freight carriers. This allows us to consolidate 
shipments and purchase cargo space at better conditions. Our global presence ensures 
network optimisation and the ability to meet the increasing demand for efficient routing 
and multimodal transports.

The leader in a stagnating air freight market

The air freight market stagnated in 2013 despite a slight volume increase in the sec-
ond half of the year compared with the first half. According to IATA, the global airline 
industry association, worldwide freight tonne kilometres flown during the reporting 
year increased only slightly by 1.4 %. Capacities remained largely stable, whereby the 
airlines shifted them from cargo planes to wide-body passenger planes as in the prior 
year. Freight volumes were lower overall due to the decline in output in some industry 
sectors. Moreover, customers throughout the industry increasingly chose other trans-
port modes. After transporting 2.3 million export freight tonnes in the previous year, 
we remained the air freight market leader in 2013.

Ocean freight market experiences surplus capacities and weak demand

Although  demand  in  the  ocean  freight  market  remained  comparatively  weak, 
 carriers still increased their capacities in the second half of 2013. Ocean carriers are 
responding to supply and demand by putting new vessels into operation, limiting the 
capacity on offer and adjusting travel speed. The actual freight rates on key trade lanes 
remained volatile. Trade on the traditional lanes between Asia and Europe was softer 
than expected, whilst north-south trade increased slightly. After transporting 2.84 mil-
lion twenty-foot equivalent units in the previous year, we remained the second-largest 
provider of ocean freight services in 2013.

Growth remains slow in European road freight market

In the European road freight market, growth remained slow at an estimated –1 % to 
1 % (previous year: 0 % to 2 %). The primary reasons for this were the macroeconomic 
 environment in Europe and intense competition in this sector. Nevertheless, DHL’s 
Freight business unit was able to maintain its market share.

Thousand tonnes 1

   801  Panalpina

1,093  Kuehne + Nagel

1,095  DB Schenker

2,327  DHL

1  Data based solely on export freight tonnes.

Source: annual reports, publications  
and company estimates.

a.12  Ocean freight market, 2012: top 4

Thousand teu s 1

1,388  Panalpina

1,905  DB Schenker

2,840  DHL

3,473  Kuehne + Nagel

1  Twenty-foot equivalent units.

Source: annual reports, publications  
and company estimates.

a.13  European road transport  
market, 2012: top 5

Market volume: €174 billion 1, 2

1.2 %  Kuehne + Nagel

1.5 %  Dachser

1.8 %  DSV

2.4 %  DHL

3.4 %  DB Schenker

1  Country base: total for 19 European countries, 

excluding bulk and specialities transport.

2  2011 and 2012 figures have been adjusted with 
respect to the MI study 2012 using current 
price information.

Source: MI Study DHL 2013 (based on Eurostat, 
financial publications, IHS Global Insight).

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Group Management Report

General Information
Business units and market positions

SUPPLY CHAIN DIVISION

Customer-centric outsourcing solutions in two business units

In our SUPPLY CHAIN division, DHL provides warehousing, managed transport 
and value-added services at every link in the supply chain for customers in a variety 
of industries. We also offer solutions for corporate information and communications 
management tailored precisely to the needs of our customers. The division comprises 
the two business units of Supply Chain and Williams Lea.

Integrated end-to-end offering in contract logistics

In the Supply Chain business unit, we provide logistics solutions along the entire 
supply chain for customers in a wide variety of sectors. From planning, sourcing, pro-
duction, storage and distribution to returns and recycling, customers rely on us to ensure 
a smooth logistics flow.

a.14  Logistics and value-added services along the entire supply chain

Raw  
materials

Inbound 
transport

Production 
flows

Outbound 
transport

Warehousing

Distribution

Returns

DHL Supply Chain Services

1

2

3

4

5

6

1   Plan – Laying the foundation  

3   Make – Supporting product  

5   Deliver – Getting it where it  

for a supply chain

manufacturing

needs to be

2   Source – Getting the materials  

4   Store & Customise – Getting it 

6   Return – Bringing it back when  

at the time required

ready to sell

it’s not needed

We offer warehousing, distribution, managed transport and value-added services as 
well as business process outsourcing, supply chain management and consulting  solutions. 
We secure them competitive advantages by ensuring that our customers’ products and 
information reach their markets quickly and efficiently. With local insight and global 
scale, we support customers in more than 60 countries in optimising their complex 
processes.

Our business mainly provides expert solutions in six focus sectors: Consumer, Retail, 
Technology, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Automotive and Energy. We manage the supply 
chains all the way from the source of supply to the end customer. Flexibility, reliability 
and cost efficiency are the key value drivers of our services, which range from inter-
national inbound logistics and warehouse and transport services to packaging and other 
value-added services.

Customers in the Technology sector require fast, flexible and efficient supply chains. 
In addition, demand for integrated product and service logistics is increasing. Our 
portfolio ranges from inbound-to-manufacturing services and warehouse and transport 
services to integrated packaging solutions, returns management and technical services. 
For a leading manufacturer of printers and multifunctional systems, we handle the 

  Glossary, page 218

  Glossary, page 218

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

29

 
General Information
Business units and market positions

Group Management Report

 configuration and technical adjustment of the devices in addition to managing and 
operating the regional distribution centre in the Europe, Middle East and Africa region. 
The result of this integrated solution was a 26 % cost reduction per unit within 18 months.
We are also increasingly providing integrated solutions in the Life Sciences & Health-
care sector, where supply chains and logistics processes are still developing in many parts 
of the world. Our offering takes account of steadily rising cost pressure whilst meeting 
the high quality standards of our customers.

The Automotive industry is one of our truly global sectors. Production is shift-
ing increasingly to emerging markets such as China, India and Brazil, in which we 
already have a strong presence. For our inbound-to-manufacturing, aftermarket logistics and 
lead logistics provider solutions, the key factor is our ability to offer a high degree of global 
flexibility and reliability whilst further lowering costs.

In the fast-growing Energy sector, DHL provides integrated logistics solutions from 
procurement  to  disposal.  Our  maintenance,  repair  and  operation  services  offer  stream-
lined supply chain and service solutions that can often substantially reduce costs whilst 
 significantly increasing maintenance productivity.

A variety of outsourcing solutions for companies

Williams Lea provides services in two areas: marketing solutions and business pro-
cess outsourcing. Document management, marketing and customer correspondence are 
amongst the solutions supplied, which we offer to customers in the financial services, 
retail, consumer goods, pharmaceutical, publishing, public and legal sectors.

Global market leader in contract logistics

DHL remains the global market leader in contract logistics, with a market share of 
8.2 % (2012). This market is highly fragmented: the top ten players only account for 
around 22 % of the overall market, the size of which is estimated to be €159 billion. We 
lead the market in our key regions of North America, Europe and Asia Pacific and also 
enjoy a very strong position in rapidly growing markets such as Brazil, India, China and 
Mexico. Thanks to our global expertise and many years of business relationships with 
multinational corporations, we are confident that we shall be able to expand further in 
these markets.

Williams Lea is the market leader in outsourcing document management and mar-
keting production. This market is also highly fragmented and consists largely of spe-
cialists offering either a very limited set of services or occupying exclusive niches. Due 
to our broad range of international services and long-lasting customer relationships, 
we again succeeded in building on our leading position during the year under review. 
Thanks to DHL’s good customer relationships, Williams Lea was able to gain additional 
new business.

  Glossary, page 218

  Glossary, page 218

a.15  Contract logistics market, 2012:  
top 10

Market volume: €159 billion

1 %  Ryder
1 %  Norbert  Dentressangle
1 %  Neovia
1 %  Sankyu Inc
1 %  UPS
1 %  SNCF Geodis
2 %  Kuehne + Nagel
3 %  Hitachi
3 %  CEVA

8 %  DHL

Source: Transport Intelligence; figures estimated 
except for DHL, CEVA, Kuehne + Nagel, Norbert 
Dentressangle, Ryder and SNCF Geodis; exchange 
rates: as at June 2013.

30

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Group Management Report

General Information
Objectives and strategies

  Group management, page 36 f.

  Customers and quality, page 83 ff.

  Employees, page 74

  Results of operations, page 48 ff.

Objectives and strategies

CORPORATE STRATEGY

Strategy 2015 – our Group-wide framework

In 2009, we introduced our Strategy 2015, which represents the Group-wide frame-
work for our vision, mission, values and objectives. Our guiding principle is to remain 
the postal service for Germany and to become the logistics company for the world. The 
mission associated with this principle reflects our values and customer promise, namely:
We want to make our customers, employees and investors more successful, we 
 always show respect, without compromising on results; we make our customers’ lives 
easier and we want to be a part of making our world a better place in which to live. 
To this end, our strategy pursues three key objectives: we want to become the provider 
of choice for customers, the employer of choice for our staff and prospective employees 
and an attractive investment for shareholders. Our progress is routinely measured using 
indicators relevant for internal management. 

In the reporting year, significant progress was again made on a Group-wide  basis. 
This is reflected, for example, in customer  satisfaction  rates, the results of our  annual 
 employee opinion survey as well as the development of key financial figures such as EBIT, 
EAC and operating cash flow. Our ranking in “Fortune World’s most admired companies 
2013” also reflects how satisfied customers and employees are with Deutsche Post DHL: 
we come out top in our industry.

In 2014 we shall focus primarily on increasing profitability and generating cash.

a.16  Strategic approaches

Divisional focus

MaIL

eXpress

GLoBaL ForWarDInG, FreIGHt

suppLY CHaIn 

Group-wide initiatives

Innovations

Infrastructure

Go to market

Unified corporate culture

Group-wide initiatives complement business strategies

Our divisional business strategies are supplemented by Group-wide strategic initia-
tives which we use as levers to help us achieve our goals. One example is DHL Customer 
Solutions & Innovation (CSI). In the reporting year, this unit strengthened our sector 
management and, in conjunction with our customers, developed sector-specific products 
and services.

Our  First  Choice  management  approach  helps  us  to  continuously  improve 
 intern al processes. Group-wide, over 30,000 employees have now been certified in 
this  methodology.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

31

 
General Information
Objectives and strategies

Group Management Report

STRATEGY AND GOALS OF THE DIVISIONS

Strategic priorities of the divisions

The priorities of the operating divisions are anchored in the divisional business 

strategies. Here, too, our focus is on strengthening our profitability.

a.17  Strategic priorities by division

MaIL

eXpress

Sustainably stabilise EBIT through improved 
 efficiency and investments in the growing parcel 
business

MaIL anD parCeL strateGY

Growing continuously with the TDI product 
and improving service, whilst optimally utilising 
the network and increasing yield

FoCus

GLoBaL ForWarDInG,  
FreIGHt

Introducing a forward-looking operating model 
and growing sustainably in the difficult market 
environment

GooD to Great

suppLY CHaIn 

Growing profitably using expertise in outsourcing 
and emerging markets

GroWtH tHrouGH eXCeLLenCe

MaIL division

The following strategic approaches are how we aim to meet the business challenges 

of today and tomorrow.

Making costs more flexible: To achieve this goal, we are adapting our networks to 
changing market conditions and shipment structures. We are also cutting costs  wherever 
possible and sensible, whilst investing in growth areas. Furthermore, we want to further 
increase the quality of our products, whilst protecting the environment in the process. 
For  example, we commissioned the development of an electric delivery vehicle that pre-
cisely meets the needs of our delivery staff whilst improving our carbon footprint and 
reducing operating costs. Our Parcel 2012 Production Concept has made our sorting 
and transport more efficient and thereby lowered costs.

Providing the highest quality to our customers: We want to offer our customers the 
best service at all times, at the highest level of quality and at reasonable prices. To this 
end, we are modernising the sorting equipment and IT architecture in our mail network 
on an ongoing basis. We are also investing in our parcel network and adapting it to in-
creasing volumes on an ongoing basis. Our goal is also to deliver 95 % of all items sent in 
Germany to customers the next day. Moreover, we are constantly offering more services 
to parcel recipients, for example, package notification, shipment status and preferred 
location. Proximity to our customers is important to us, which is why we operate by far 
the largest network of fixed-location retail outlets in Germany. We are also expanding 
our successful co-operation with retailers, particularly by way of our Paketshops.

Motivating our workforce: The key to high quality and high performance is happy 
and dedicated employees. That’s why we equip our workforce with state-of-the-art tools, 
provide mail carriers with e-bikes and e-trikes, offer counselling on health issues and, at 
some locations, make childcare available. The most recent collective agreement included 
another noticeable wage increase, raising our levels even higher above the competition.

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Group Management Report

General Information
Objectives and strategies

  Glossary, page 218

  Customers and quality, page 84

Tapping into new online and offline markets: We are taking advantage of our expertise 
in physical communications to offer competent digital communications. The inter net is 
already strongly facilitating customer access to our services, allowing them to calculate 
and purchase postage and also locate retail outlets and Packstations online and by  mobile 
telephone. We are also investing in future growth areas in all our businesses:  beyond 
our E-Postbrief product, we are active in the growing industry of online  advertising. 
We operate Europe’s largest platform for targeting (online advertising space marketing), 
provide the largest online German marketplace for journalistic content and are the first 
parcel delivery service in Germany to operate its own shopping portal. By acquiring 
Allyouneed.com we have established an online supermarket, where together with retail 
customers we are trialing same-day food delivery. At MeinPaket.de we offer one of the 
largest online marketplaces in Germany. We have taken our expertise in transport and 
network management into the deregulated coach market with the ADAC Postbus. In 
2014, we shall operate additional lines, and in the future we intend to offer this service 
nationwide in Germany.

eXpress division

As part of our strategic programme FOCUS, we have expanded our business and 
increased our market share in recent years. In the reporting year, our attention was 
focused on strengthening our profitability.

Managing revenue and costs: Our return on sales rises when growing volumes lead 
to economies of scale in the network; when innovations and automation improve pro-
ductivity and costs are strictly managed. We minimise indirect costs through simplified 
and standardised processes. For example, we are streamlining our IT system architecture 
step-by-step.

Structuring sales and prices: Using global campaigns, we specifically target small and 
medium-sized businesses which could benefit the most from exporting. We concentrate 
upon items whose size and weight optimally match our network and thereby create 
economies of scale. In terms of our pricing policy, we encourage global co-ordination 
and discipline. We also work to continuously improve our customer approach. Our 
Insanely  Customer  Centric  Culture initiative is intended to fix problems faster and meet 
customer expectations more effectively.

Managing the network: Most of our costs are attributable to the air and ground net-
work. We replace aeroplanes with newer, more efficient, and thus more cost-saving air-
craft. We sell available cargo space to freight and forwarding companies, thus improving 
our network utilisation and reducing costs. On the ground, we are automating and 
standardising processes. For instance, vehicles are equipped by default with shelves and 
can be loaded directly from the conveyor belt. We also plan our pickup and delivery 
routes to maximise time and cost savings.

Motivating our employees: Our established Certified International Specialist (CIS) 
training programme ensures that all our employees have the requisite knowledge of 
the international express business at their disposal. Training is carried out by our own 
employees, including executives, for specific functions as well as on a cross-functional 
basis. This adds to mutual understanding whilst reinforcing a team atmosphere and 
loyalty within the division. The Certified International Manager (CIM) module is for 
managers and is intended to strengthen the unified leadership culture within the divi-
sion. We want to sustainedly motivate our employees around the world. Systematic and 
continuous recognition of outstanding performance is one way of contributing to this.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

33

General Information
Objectives and strategies

Group Management Report

GLoBaL ForWarDInG, FreIGHt division

We are already well positioned in our markets due to our global product offering in 
air and ocean freight and in overland transport. We aim to consistently achieve growth 
that exceeds the market average and consolidate our leading position. To achieve this 
goal, we pursue several approaches:

Developing new customer solutions: We are constantly developing new products and 
services to meet the needs of all of our customers. In the reporting year, we were the 
first company in our industry to introduce a tool that tracks the carbon footprint of 
shipments. Customers worldwide now receive a carbon footprint statement via our 
web-based Track & Trace service. Our Flexitank product now allows customers in all 
regions to efficiently transport large quantities of non-hazardous liquids. Shipments 
are dispatched in a standard container, which is simultaneously more economical and 
environmentally friendly. DHL Thermonet represents the launch of a global air freight 
service tailored to the Life Sciences & Healthcare sector. Customers in this sector can 
manage their temperature-sensitive shipments, such as pharmaceuticals and medical 
devices, using a transparent and regulatory-compliant platform.

Building up a comprehensive transport network: For a freight forwarding company 
of our proportions, it is essential we continuously expand and optimise our network 
and operations. We continue to focus our efforts in this area on the growth markets 
of Brazil, Russia, India, China and Mexico. In 2013, we expanded the largest trade 
lanes between Europe, the Middle East and Africa. We also established a new office in 
 Myanmar / Burma, from which we can better tap into the trade between ASEAN countries. 
Furthermore, we expanded the intra-regional LCL lanes between the Americas – mainly 
Latin America – and Asia. To optimise our network, we introduced intermodal road-rail 
transport between Asia and Europe.

Simplifying  and  standardising  processes:  Our  strategic  project  New  Forwarding 
Environ ment (NFE) made good progress in the reporting year. The aim is to develop 
a  forward-looking  operating  model  with  efficient  processes  and  state-of-the-art  IT 
 systems, which is intended to underpin our position as industry leader. Moreover, we 
shall be able to manage our processes better, standardise products and offer modular 
services. In future we intend to have a globally harmonised and unified organisation 
with dedicated customer service. Customers will benefit from shorter response times, 
products tailored to their needs and targeted communication. We are increasing the 
transparency and quality of data for sales volumes, customer figures, capacities, oper-
ations and freight. A test phase of this new operating model has been underway in New 
Zealand since the fourth quarter of 2013. We intend to roll the NFE project out through-
out the entire Global Forwarding business unit over the next two years.

  Glossary, page 218

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Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Group Management Report

General Information
Objectives and strategies

suppLY CHaIn division

Our Growth Through Excellence strategy is aimed at steadily improving our existing 

business and achieving profitable growth in key sectors.

Steadily  improving  existing  business:  We  have  established  three  programmes  to 
continuously increase our performance, efficiency and competence. The first of these, 
known as Operations Excellence, promotes operational and technical standards aimed at 
 guaranteeing the sustainability of our performance. We also apply the proven First Choice 
methodology to sustain the achievements we have realised and improve on them even 
further. Our Cost Leadership initiative is intended to significantly reduce costs and 
manage them effectively in order to increase our overall profitability. We achieve this by 
leveraging purchasing efficiency, operational discipline and best practices. As a result, 
we succeeded in further reducing our direct costs in 2013. Our Organisational Capability 
programme develops leadership qualities and enhances employee commitment. We 
want to attract new talent and retain and develop our existing talent. To this end, we 
have launched a top talent management programme.

Growing profitably in focus sectors: We have established three programmes to further 
our growth. In the Sector Focus programme, we are deepening our expertise on an 
ongoing basis throughout our six focus sectors. Dedicated global sector teams offer our 
customers comprehensive sector-specific solutions along the entire supply chain and 
ensure an exchange of knowledge on best practices across regions and business units. 
In our Strategic Products Replication programme, we develop and reproduce logistics 
solutions aimed at simplifying customers’ business processes. In doing so, we apply our 
proven standards and practices. One example is our Technical Services, which are pro-
cesses integrated into the respective supply chain solutions and which we use to shorten 
repair cycles and thus notably reduce our technology customers’ warehouse and trans-
port costs. Thus far, in addition to Technical Services, we have replicated the following 
strategic products worldwide: Airline Business Solutions, E-Fulfilment, Environmental 
Solutions, Lead Logistics Provider, Life Sciences & Healthcare Platform, Maintenance, 
Repair & Operations and Packaging Services. With our Sales Effectiveness programme, 
we are increasing the performance of our sales organisation by bolstering sales and 
customer support, learning to better understand our customers’ business objectives and 
inquiring regularly as to their satisfaction.

  Corporate strategy, page 31

   Business units and market  

positions, page 29 f.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

35

General Information
Group management

Group Management Report

Group management

FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Impact on management salaries

Deutsche Post DHL uses both financial and non-financial performance indicators 
in its management of the Group. The monthly, quarterly and annual changes in these 
indicators are compared with the data from the prior year as well as the data indicated 
in the plan to assist in making management decisions. The year-to-year changes in 
financial and non-financial performance metrics portrayed here are also relevant for 
calculating management remuneration.

The Group’s financial performance indicators are intended to preserve a balance 
between profitability, efficient use of resources and sufficient liquidity. The performance 
of these indicators in the reporting year is described in the Report on economic position.

  Page 43 ff.

a.18  eBIt calculation

Profit from operating activities measures earnings power

Revenue

  Other operating income

  Materials expense

  Staff costs

   Depreciation, amortisation  

and impairment losses

  Other operating expenses

The profitability of the Group’s divisions is measured using profit from operating 
 activities (EBIT). EBIT is calculated by taking revenue and other operating income and 
subtracting materials expense and staff costs, depreciation, amortisation and impair ment 
losses and other operating expenses. Interest and other finance costs / other  financial 
 income are deducted from or added to net financial income / net finance costs. To be 
able to compare divisions, the return on sales is calculated as the ratio of EBIT to revenue.

  Profit from operating activities (eBIt)

eBIt after asset charge promotes efficient use of resources

a.19  eaC calculation

EBIT

  Asset charge

= Net asset base 
× Weighted average cost of capital

   eBIt after asset charge (eaC)

a.20  Net asset base calculation

Operating assets

• Intangible assets
• Property, plant and equipment
• Goodwill
•  Trade receivables  

(part of net working capital)

• Other non-recurring operating assets

  Operating liabilities

•  Operating provisions  

(without provisions for pensions  
and similar obligations)

•  Trade payables  

(part of net working capital)
•  Other non-recurring operating 

liabilities

  Net asset base

Since 2008, the Group has used EBIT after asset charge (EAC) as an additional key 
performance indicator. EAC is calculated by subtracting a cost of capital component, or 
asset charge, from EBIT. Making the asset charge a part of business decisions encourages 
all divisions to use resources efficiently and ensures that the operating business is geared 
towards increasing value sustainably whilst generating cash flow.

To calculate the asset charge, the net asset base is multiplied by the weighted average 
cost of capital (WACC). The asset charge calculation is performed each month so that 
fluctuations in the net asset base can also be taken into account during the year.

All of our divisions use a standard calculation for the net asset base. The key com-
ponents of operating assets are intangible assets, including goodwill, property, plant and 
equipment and net working capital. Operating  provisions and operating liabilities are 
subtracted from operating assets.

The Group’s WACC is defined as the weighted average net cost of interest-bearing 
liabilities and equity, taking into account company-specific risk factors in accordance 
with the Capital Asset Pricing Model.

A  standard  WACC  of  8.5 %  is  applied  across  the  divisions,  and  this  figure  also 
 represents the minimum target for projects and investments within the Group. The 
WACC is generally reviewed once annually using the current situation on the financial 
markets. However, the goal is not to match every short-term change but to reflect long-
term trends. To ensure better comparability with previous years, the EAC was maintained 
at a constant level in 2013, as in the previous year.

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General Information
Group management

Preserving sufficient liquidity

In the reporting year, cash flow was used as an additional financial performance 
indicator for calculating management remuneration. This performance metric is tar-
geted at maintaining sufficient liquidity to cover all of the Group’s financial obligations 
from debt repayment and dividends, in addition to operating payment commitments 
and investments.

Cash flow is calculated using the cash flow statement. Along with EBIT and EAC, 
operating cash flow (OCF) is the main performance and incentive metric used by Group 
manage ment. OCF includes items that are directly related to operating value creation. It 
is calculated by adjusting EBIT for changes in fixed assets (depreciation, write-ups, gains 
and losses from disposals), other non-cash income and expense, taxes paid, changes in 
provisions and other non-current assets and liabilities. Net working capital remains as 
a driver of OCF. Effective management of net working capital is an important way for 
the Group to leverage OCF in the short to medium term.

NON-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE INDICATOR

Employee opinion survey result as a management indicator

Our annual, Group-wide employee opinion survey measures how successful we 
have been in approaching our goal of becoming the employer of choice for our staff. 
Furthermore, the “Active Leadership” indicator in particular is a key management tool 
that is used in the calculation of variable salary components for our executives. This 
indicator  reflects employees’ assessments of leadership competencies of their direct 
 superiors, such as how they respond to employee expectations or how they motivate 
their staff. The results of the employee survey for the reporting year can be found in the 
Employees section.

a.21  Calculation of operating cash flow

Consolidated net profit for the period 
 attributable to shareholders and  
non-controlling interests

  Income taxes

  Net financial income / net finance costs

  Net income from associates

eBIt (profit from operating activities)

   Depreciation, amortisation and 
( reversals of) impairment losses 
on non-current assets

   Net income / loss from disposal 

of non-current assets

  Non-cash income and expense

  Change in provisions

   Change in other non-current assets 

and liabilities 

  Income taxes paid

   Net cash from operating activities 
before changes in working capital 
(net working capital)

  Changes in net working capital

   Net cash from / used in operating 

 activities (operating cash flow – oCF)

  Page 74

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

37

 
General Information
Disclosures required by takeover law

Group Management Report

Disclosures required by takeover law

Disclosures required under sections 289 (4) and 315 (4) of the Handelsgesetzbuch 

(HGB – German Commercial Code) and explanatory report

Composition of issued capital, voting rights and transfer of shares

As at 31 December 2013, the company’s share capital totalled €1,209,015,874 and was 
composed of the same number of no-par value registered shares. Each share carries the 
same statutory rights and obligations and entitles the holder to one vote at the Annual 
General Meeting (AGM). No individual shareholder or group of shareholders is entitled 
to special rights, particularly rights granting powers of control.

The exercise of voting rights and the transfer of shares are based on the general legal 
requirements and the company’s Articles of Association, which do not restrict either of 
these activities. Article 19 of the Articles of Association sets out the requirements that 
must be met in order to attend the AGM as a shareholder and exercise a voting right. Only 
persons entered in the share register shall be recognised as shareholders by the company. 
The Board of Management is not aware of any agreements between shareholders that 
would limit voting rights or the transfer of shares.

Members of the Board of Management receive stock appreciation rights (SAR s) 
each year as a long-term remuneration component under the Long-Term Incentive Plan 
 provided that they each invest cash or Deutsche Post AG shares for each tranche of the 
plan. If a Board of Management member sells the shares included in their personal invest-
ment for the tranche or disposes of their personal cash investment before the scheduled 
waiting period of four years has expired, all SAR s from that tranche will be forfeited.

As part of the Share Matching Scheme, participating Group executives are obligated 
to use a portion of their annual bonus to purchase shares in the company. According 
to the underlying terms, shares acquired under the scheme are subject to a four-year 
lock-up period.

Shareholdings exceeding 10 % of voting rights

KfW Bankengruppe (KfW), Frankfurt am Main, is our largest shareholder, holding 
around 21.0 % of the share capital. The Federal Republic of Germany holds an  indirect 
stake in Deutsche Post AG via KfW. According to the notifications we have received 
 pursuant  to  sections  21  et  seq.  of  the  Wertpapierhandelsgesetz  (WpHG  –   German 
 Securities Trading Act), KfW and the Federal Republic of Germany are the only share-
holders that own more than 10 % of the share capital, either directly or indirectly.

Appointment and replacement of members of the Board of Management

The members of the Board of Management are appointed and replaced in accord-
ance with the relevant legal provisions (sections 84 and 85 of the Aktiengesetz (AktG – 
German Stock Corporation Act) and section 31 of the Mitbestimmungsgesetz (MitbestG – 
German Co-determination Act)). In accordance with section 84 of the AktG and section 
31 of the MitbestG, appointments by the Supervisory Board shall be for a maximum 
term of five years. Re-appointment or extension of the term of office is permitted for a 
 maximum of five years in each case. Article 6 of the Articles of Association stipulates 
that the Board of Management must have at least two members. Beyond that, the num-
ber of board members is determined by the Supervisory Board, which may also appoint 
a chairman and deputy chairman of the Board of Management. 

38

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Group Management Report

General Information
Disclosures required by takeover law

Amendments to the Articles of Association

In accordance with section 119 (1), number 5 and section 179 (1), sentence 1 of the 
AktG, amendments to the Articles of Association are adopted by resolution of the AGM. 
In accordance with article 21 (2) of the Articles of Association in conjunction with 
sections 179 (2) and 133 (1) of the AktG, such amendments generally require a simple 
 majority of the votes cast and a simple majority of the share capital represented on the 
date of the resolution. In such instances where the law requires a greater  majority for 
amendments to the Articles of Association, that majority is decisive. Under article 14 (7) 
of the Articles of Association, the Supervisory Board has the authority to resolve amend-
ments to the Articles of Association in cases where the amendments affect only the 
wording.

Board of Management authorisation, particularly regarding issue  
and buy-back of shares

The Board of Management is authorised, subject to the consent of the Super visory 
Board,  to  issue  up  to  240 million  new,  no-par  value  registered  shares  on  or  before 
28 May 2018 in exchange for cash and / or non-cash contributions and thereby increase 
the company’s share capital by up to €240 million (Authorised Capital 2013, article 5 (2) 
of the Articles of Association). When new shares are issued on the basis of Authorised 
Capital 2013, the shareholders are entitled in principle to subscription rights. Such rights 
may only be disapplied subject to the requirements specified in article 5 (2) of the 
 Articles of Association and subject to the consent of the Supervisory Board. Details may 
be found in article 5 (2) of the Articles of Association of the company.

Authorised Capital 2013 is a financing and acquisition instrument in accordance 
with international standards that allows the company to increase equity quickly, flexibly 
and cost-effectively. The authorised capital is equivalent to less than 20 % of the share 
capital. To date, the Board of Management has not exercised this authority.

An AGM resolution was passed on 25 May 2011 authorising the Board of Manage-
ment, subject to the consent of the Supervisory Board, to issue bonds with warrants, 
convertible bonds and / or income bonds as well as profit participation certificates, or 
a combination thereof, in an aggregate principal amount of up to €1 billion, on one or 
more occasions until 24 May 2016, thereby granting options or conversion rights for up 
to 75 million shares having a total share in the share capital not to exceed €75 million. 
The aforementioned authorisation was utilised in the full amount in December 2012 by 
issuing a convertible bond in the aggregate principal amount of €1 billion.

No shares were issued to the bond holders in financial year 2013. As at 31 Decem-
ber 2013, the share capital was still increased on a contingent basis by up to €75 million 
in order to grant shares to the holders or creditors of the options, conversion rights 
or conversion obligations arising from the resolution of 25 May 2011 after exercise of 
their rights for the purpose of settling the entitlements related to the options or rights 
or fulfilling the conversion obligations (Contingent Capital 2011, article 5 (3) of the 
Articles of Association).

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

39

General Information
Disclosures required by takeover law

Group Management Report

An AGM resolution was passed on 29 May 2013 authorising the Board of Manage-
ment, subject to the consent of the Supervisory Board, to issue bonds with warrants, 
convertible bonds and / or income bonds as well as profit participation certificates, or a 
combination thereof (hereinafter referred to collectively as “bonds”), in an aggregate 
principal amount of up to €1.5 billion, on one or more occasions until 28 May 2018, 
thereby granting options or conversion rights for up to 75 million shares with a total 
share in the share capital not exceeding €75 million. The bond conditions may also 
 stipulate an obligation to exercise options or conversion rights or may entitle the com-
pany to grant the bond holders or creditors shares in the company in lieu of payment of 
all or part of the sum of money owed, either at the time of maturity of the bonds or at 
another time. The share capital is increased on a contingent basis by up to €75 million 
in order to grant shares to the holders or creditors of the bonds after exercise of their 
options or conversion rights or to fulfil their option or conversion obligations, or to 
grant them shares in lieu of monetary payment (Contingent Capital 2013, article 5 (4) 
of the Articles of Association). When issuing bonds, subscription rights may only be 
disapplied subject to the terms of the aforementioned resolution and subject to the 
consent of the Supervisory Board. Further details may be found in the motion adopted 
by the AGM under agenda item 7 of the AGM of 29 May 2013.

Authorisation to issue bonds is standard practice amongst publicly listed companies. 
This allows the company to finance its activities flexibly and promptly and gives it the 
financial leeway necessary to take advantage of favourable market conditions at short 
notice, for example by offering bonds with options or conversion rights, or conversion 
obligations on shares in the company as a consideration within the context of company 
mergers, and when acquiring companies or shareholdings in companies. To date, the 
Board of Management has not exercised this authority.

Finally, the AGM of 28 April 2010 authorised the company to buy back shares on or 
before 27 April 2015 up to an amount not to exceed 10 % of the share capital existing as 
at the date of the resolution. Such authorisation is subject to the proviso that at no time 
should the shares thus acquired, together with the shares already held by the company, 
account for more than 10 % of the share capital. The shares may be purchased through 
the stock market, a public offer, a public call for offers of sale from the company’s share-
holders or by some other means in accordance with section 53 a of the AktG. The author-
isation permits the Board of Management to exercise it for every purpose permissible 
under the law, particularly to redeem the purchased treasury shares without a further 
AGM resolution, subject to the consent of the Supervisory Board. Details may be found 
in the motion adopted by the AGM under agenda item 6 of the AGM of 28 April 2010.

In addition to this, the AGM of 28 April 2010 also authorised the Board of Manage-
ment, within the scope resolved by the AGM of 28 April 2010 in agenda item 6, to acquire 
treasury shares through the use of derivatives, namely by servicing options that, upon 
their exercise, require the company to acquire treasury shares (put options), by exercis-
ing options that, upon their exercise, grant the company the right to acquire treasury 
shares (call options) or by servicing or exercising a combination of put and call options. 
All share acquisitions using the aforementioned options are limited to a maximum of 5 % 
of the share capital existing on the date of the resolution. The term of the options may 
not exceed 18 months, must expire by no later than 27 April 2015 and be selected such 
that treasury shares may not be acquired by exercising the options after 27 April 2015. 
Further details may be found in the motion adopted by the AGM under agenda item 7 
of the AGM of 28 April 2010.

40

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Group Management Report

General Information
Disclosures required by takeover law

In addition to this, the AGM of 9 May 2012 authorised the Board of Management to 
additionally use the shares acquired on the basis of these authorisations to list the com-
pany’s shares on a foreign stock exchange on which the shares have not previously been 
admitted for trading on a regulated market, subject to the consent of the Supervisory 
Board with subscription rights disapplied. Further details may be found in the motion 
adopted by the AGM under agenda item 6 of the AGM of 9 May 2012.

It is standard business practice amongst publicly listed companies in Germany for 
the AGM to authorise the company to buy back shares. The authorisation to repurchase 
shares using derivatives is merely intended to supplement share buy-back as a tool and 
give the company the opportunity to structure share repurchase in an advantageous 
manner. The authorisation to use shares for the purpose of listing on a foreign stock 
exchange is intended to enable the company to expand its shareholder base to foreign 
countries in line with its global orientation.

Any public offer to acquire shares in the company is governed solely by law and the 
Articles of Association, including the provisions of the Wertpapiererwerbs- und Über-
nahmegesetz (WpÜG – German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act). The AGM 
has not authorised the Board of Management to undertake actions within its sphere of 
competence to block possible takeover bids.

Significant agreements that are conditional upon a change of control following 
a takeover bid and agreements with members of the Board of Management  
or employees providing for compensation in the event of a change of control

Deutsche Post AG took out a syndicated credit facility with a volume of €2  billion 
from a consortium of banks. If a change of control within the meaning of the contract 
occurs, each member of the bank consortium is entitled under certain conditions to 
 cancel its share of the credit line as well as its share of outstanding loans and request 
repayment.  The  terms  and  conditions  of  the  bond  issued  under  the  Debt  Issuance 
Programme established in March 2012 and of the convertible bond issued in Decem-
ber 2012 also contain change of control clauses. In case of a change of control within the 
meaning of the terms and conditions, creditors are, under certain conditions, granted 
the right to demand early redemption of the respective bonds. Furthermore, a frame-
work agreement exists concerning the supply of fuel, based on which fuel in the value 
of a high double-digit million amount was obtained in the reporting year and which, in 
case of a change of control, grants the supplier the right to bring the business relationship 
to a close without notice.

In the event of a change of control, any member of the Board of Management is 
entitled to resign their office for good cause within a period of six months following the 
change of control, after giving three months’ notice at the end of a given month, and 
to terminate their Board of Management contract (right to early termination). In the 
event the right to early termination is exercised or a Board of Management contract is 
terminated by mutual consent within nine months of the change of control, the Board 
of Management member is entitled to payment to compensate the remaining term of 
their Board of Management contract. Such payment is limited to the cap pursuant to 
the recommendation of section 4.2.3 of the German Corporate Governance Code as 
amended on 13 May 2013, with the specification outlined in the remuneration report. 
With respect to options from the Long-Term Incentive Plan, the Board of Management 
member will be treated as if the waiting period for all options had already expired upon 
cessation of the Board of Management contract. The options eligible for exercise may 
then be exercised within six months of cessation of the contract. With regard to the 

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

41

General Information
Disclosures required by takeover law 
Remuneration of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board
Research and development

Group Management Report

Share Matching Scheme for executives, the holding period for the shares will become 
invalid with immediate effect in the event of a change of control of the company. In any 
such case, the employer will be responsible for any tax disadvantages resulting from 
reduction of the holding period. Exempt from this are taxes normally incurred after 
the holding period.

Remuneration of the Board of Management  
and the Supervisory Board

  Corporate Governance, page 123 ff.

The basic features of the remuneration system for the Board of Management and 
the  Supervisory  Board  are  described  in  the  Corporate  Governance  Report  under 
 Remuneration report. The latter also forms part of the Group Management Report.

Research and development

As a service provider, the Group does not engage in research and development 
activities in the narrower sense and therefore has no significant expenses to report in 
this connection.

42

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Overall Board of Management assessment of the economic position 
Forecast / actual comparison

REPORT ON ECONOMIC POSITION

Overall Board of Management assessment  
of the economic position

Earnings and operating cash flow increase

Whilst revenue declined slightly, Deutsche Post DHL increased profit from oper-
ating activities by 7.4 % in financial year 2013, due to improved margins. Also, strong 
continued growth in the parcel business in Germany resulted in MAIL division earnings 
at the upper end of our forecast. Performance in the DHL divisions was impeded by 
major currency effects. Although revenue was lower, the EXPRESS and SUPPLY CHAIN 
divisions were able to increase earnings through strict cost management. Operating 
cash flow also saw an encouraging rise, increasing to around €3 billion. Therefore, in 
the opinion of the Board of Management, the Group’s financial position remains good.

Forecast / actual comparison

a.22  Forecast / actual comparison

Targets 2013

Results 2013

Targets 2014

eBIt
Group: €2.7 billion to €2.95 billion 1.
MAIL division: €1.1 billion to €1.2 billion 1.
DHL divisions: €2.0 billion to €2.15 billion.
Corporate Center / Other: around €–0.4 billion.

eBIt
Group: €2.86 billion.
MAIL division: €1.23 billion.
DHL divisions: €2.06 billion.
Corporate Center / Other: €–0.42 billion.

eBIt
Group: €2.9 billion to €3.1 billion.
MAIL division: around €1.2 billion.
DHL divisions: €2.1 billion to €2.3 billion.
Corporate Center / Other: better than €–0.4 billion.

Operating cash flow
Operating cash flow will recover from the one-time 
charges in 2012 and benefit from the expected 
earnings improvement.

Capital expenditure (capex)
Increase investments from €1.70 billion (2012)  
to a maximum of €1.8 billion 2.

eaC
€1,499 million (previous year: €1,331 million) 3.

eaC
Will continue to develop positively and increase 
slightly.

Operating cash flow
Net cash from operating activities: €2,994 million 
(previous year: cash outflow of €203 million).

Operating cash flow
Will continue to develop positively and increase 
slightly.

Capital expenditure (capex)
Invested: €1.76 billion.

Capital expenditure (capex)
Increase investments to around €1.9 billion.

Dividend distribution
Pay out 40 % to 60 % of the net profit as dividend.

Dividend distribution
Proposal: pay out 48.9 % of adjusted net profit 
as dividend.

Dividend distribution
Pay out 40 % to 60 % of the net profit as dividend.

Employee opinion survey 4
Key performance indicator “Active Leadership” 
achieves an approval rating of 70 %.

Employee opinion survey 4
Increase approval rating of key performance 
 indicator “Active Leadership” to 71 %.

1  Forecast increased over the course of the year.
2  Forecast narrowed over the course of the year.
3  Prior-year amounts adjusted due to a revised calculation basis.
4  Explanation 
 Group management, page 37.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

43

Report on Economic Position
Economic parameters

Group Management Report

Economic parameters

Global economy witnesses very cautious growth

The global economy witnessed very cautious growth in 2013. Growth rates lagged 
behind  the  prior-year  figures,  which  were  already  only  marginal,  in  the  industrial 
 countries as well as the emerging markets. This was a consequence of a weak phase 
at the very start of the year. Although the economy then proceeded to recover – quite 
significantly in some industrial countries – overall global economic output grew by just 
3.0 % in 2013 after adjustment for purchasing power (previous year: 3.1 %). Global trade 
increased slightly with a rise of nearly 3 % (IMF: 2.7 %; OECD: 3.0 %).

a.23  Global economy: growth indicators in 2013

%

China

Japan

USA

Euro zone

Germany

Data partially estimated, as at 5 February 2014.
Sources: Postbank, national statistics.

Gross  domestic 
product (GDP)

Exports

Domestic 
demand

7.7

1.7

1.9

– 0.4

0.4

7.9

1.6

2.8

1.6

0.6

n / a

1.7

1.7

– 0.9

0.7

Asian  countries  again  generated  the  highest  economic  momentum,  with  gross 
 domestic product (GDP) increasing by 6.5 % (previous year: 6.4 %). In China, rising 
 demand in individual industrial countries led to an increase in exports. The govern-
ment also continued its efforts to boost domestic demand. Total GDP growth remained 
on a par with the prior year at 7.7 % (previous year: 7.7 %). The Japanese economy grew 
sharply in the first half of the year as a result of expansive monetary and fiscal policies. 
These effects waned as the year progressed and the upturn abated somewhat. Growth 
in private consumption and government spending as well as rising investments led to 
significant growth in domestic demand. Exports were up slightly overall on an annual 
average. Despite the strong upward trend, GDP only increased by 1.7 % due to the low 
initial base (previous year: 1.4 %).

The US economy suffered from government budget cuts and tax increases at the 
start of the year. From spring onwards, however, growth picked up markedly. Along 
with an increase in private consumption, growth was also driven by gross fixed capital 
formation and housing construction. Foreign trade did not impair growth, but the neg-
ative impact resulting from a significant decline in government spending was notable. 
GDP increased by 1.9 % (previous year: 2.8 %).

In  the  euro  zone,  economic  output  was  down  by  0.4 %  in  the  reporting  year 
( previous year: –0.7 %). At the beginning of the year, economic output continued to 
suffer from the sovereign debt crisis. The consolidation measures put into effect in 
some countries slowed not only government spending but also private consumption, 
which decreased by 0.6 % on average for the year as unemployment rates proved to 
be exceptionally high. Gross fixed capital formation declined by 3.5 % and domestic 
demand by 0.9 %. The moderate expansion in foreign trade acted to slow the decrease 
in GDP by 0.5 percentage points. Nonetheless, the economy improved over the course 
of the year. Growth rates began rising again in the second quarter, a development that 
extended to nearly all of the countries in crisis as the year progressed.

44

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Economic parameters

Following a weak start, the German economy was rejuvenated over the course of 
2013 with GDP increasing by 0.4 % (previous year: 0.7 %). Foreign trade proved to be a 
 detrimental factor. Demand from the euro zone was weak and exports to other regions 
only moderate. Exports therefore grew by just 0.6 % (previous year: 3.2 %), whereas 
growth in imports was more than twice that figure. Gross fixed capital formation  declined 
by 0.8 % on average for the year (previous year: –2.1 %). Growth was boosted by private 
consumption, which rose by 0.9 % (previous year: 0.8 %). The German  labour market 
remained largely stable. The average annual number of employed workers  increased to 
41.8 million (previous year: 41.6 million).

Crude oil prices fall slightly

At the end of 2013, a barrel of Brent Crude was US$110.20 (previous year: US$111.48). 
The annual average price of oil was just under US$109, a decrease of approximately 3 % 
on the prior year. Over the course of the year the price of oil fluctuated between US$96 
and US$119. In the first half, the weak global economy had a negative impact on demand 
and led to decreasing price levels. In addition, countries not belonging to the Organisa-
tion of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) – above all the USA – steadily increased 
production, which likewise depressed price quotations. This was followed by a revival 
in oil prices due to improved growth prospects.

a.24  Brent Crude spot price and euro / us dollar exchange rate in 2013

140

120

100

80

60

40

1.55

1.50

1.45

1.40

1.35

1.30

1.25

1.20

1.15

1.10

1.05

January 

March 

June 

September 

December

  Brent Crude spot price per barrel in US dollars 

Euro / US dollar exchange rate 

Euro receives boost from more stable economy

The weak economy and the sharply declining rate of inflation in the euro zone 
 induced the European Central Bank (ECB) to lower its key interest rate by 0.25 percent-
age points in both May and November to reach 0.25 %. The ECB additionally announced 
that it would leave the key interest rate at the current level for some time or lower it even 
further. The US Federal Reserve maintained its very expansive monetary policy, stating 
that it did not intend to increase its key interest rate from the current 0 % to 0.25 % 
 until the unemployment rate falls below 6.5 % at the earliest. In December, however, the 
US Fed decided to slightly reduce the volume of purchases of government bonds and 
mortgage- backed securities in order to give the economy an additional boost.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

45

 
Report on Economic Position
Economic parameters

Group Management Report

At the start of 2013, the euro and US dollar exchange rates were still under the influ-
ence of the European sovereign debt crisis, which had widened to include Cyprus. This, 
in conjunction with the weak euro zone economy, resulted in a drop in the euro to its 
annual low of just under US$1.28 in March. Thanks to the gradually improving economy 
in the euro zone, fears that the sovereign debt crisis might re-intensify abated over the 
course of the year. The euro benefited from this with an increase of 4.2 % to over US$1.37 
by the end of the year. Measured against the pound sterling, the euro posted a 2.4 % gain.

Moderate risk premiums for corporate bonds

The bond markets were dominated by the weak economy and the EMU sovereign 
debt crisis in the initial months of 2013. In May, the yield on ten-year German govern-
ment bonds fell to an annual low of 1.17 %. Despite the ECB’s reductions in the key interest 
rate, capital market interest rates increased during the rest of the year to reach 1.93 % 
by the end of 2013 (previous year: 1.32 %). Like German bonds, yields on ten-year US 
government bonds also fell initially. However, they then increased sharply in light of 
the improving US economy and prospects of tapering bond buying by the US Federal 
Reserve. By the end of the year, bond yields had risen by 1.27 percentage points year-
on-year to 3.03 %. Risk premiums for corporate bonds fluctuated at a similarly moderate 
level during the reporting year.

International trade continues to grow in emerging markets

The global economy witnessed cautious growth in 2013. Trade volumes (transported 
quantity in tonnes) thus only increased by around 1.7 % in the reporting year. The main 
consequence of the low demand for goods was a decline in European imports. Trade 
between emerging markets in the Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East /Africa 
regions continued to increase, however.

a.25  Trade volumes: compound annual growth rate 2012 to 2013

%

Exports

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America

MEA (Middle East /Africa)

North America

Imports 

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America

MEA (Middle 
East /Africa) North America

5.1

0.5

9.4

3.9

–1.6

0.0

–1.3

– 4.7

–1.7

0.6

3.2

0.5

4.4

1.8

3.0

3.5

0.8

5.0

3.2

0.7

2.4

–3.1

–3.9

–7.9

0.5

Source: Copyright © IHS Global Insight GmbH, 2013. All rights reserved, as at 31 December 2013.

46

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Economic parameters

A.26  Major trade flows: 2013 volumes

Million tonnes

Europe

 2,532

MEA

 268

Asia Pacific

 2,960

North America

 474

Latin America

 237

  Intra-regional 

  More than 300 

  300 to 100 

  Less than 100

North America
Exports

70

322

150

237

Imports

215

144

126

299

  779

  784

Latin America
Exports

101

550

Imports

51

99

77

237

Europe
Exports

Imports

332

556

239

299

  464

  1,189

384

126

77

  919

311

150

239

  1,256

MEA (Middle East /Africa)
Exports

1,363

Imports

236

332

70

101

Asia Pacific
Exports

  739

  790

236

311

144

99

Imports

1,363

556

215

51

  2,185

384

322

550

  2,619

  MEA 

  Asia Pacific 

  Europe 

  North America 

  Latin America

Source: Copyright © IHS, 2013. All rights reserved, as at 31 December 2013.

Legal environment

In view of our leading market position, a large number of our services are subject 
to sector-specific regulation under the Postgesetz (PostG – German Postal Act). Further 
information on this issue and legal risk is contained in the Notes to the consolidated 
financial statements.

  Note 53

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report on Economic Position
Significant events 
Results of operations 

Group Management Report

Significant events

No significant events

There were no events with material effects on the Group’s net assets, financial pos-

ition and results of operations in financial year 2013.

Results of operations 

a.27  Selected indicators for results of operations

Revenue

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

Return on sales 1

Consolidated net profit for the period 2

Earnings per share 3

Dividend per share

1  EBIT / revenue.
2  After deduction of non-controlling interests, prior-year amount adjusted.
3  Basic earnings per share, prior-year amount adjusted.
4  Proposal.

€ m

€ m

%

€ m

€

€

2012

55,512

2,665

4.8

1,640

1.36

0.70

2013

55,085

2,861

5.2

2,091

1.73

0.80 4

Changes in portfolio and reporting

The amendments to IAS 19 (Employee Benefits) have been required to be applied 
since 1 January 2013. This has in some cases significantly impacted the recognition of 
pension plans and partial retirement arrangements in the balance sheet and income 
statement. Detailed information can be found in the Notes. The prior-year amounts 
have been adjusted.

To improve the transparency of the balance sheet, we broke down the receivables 
and other current assets item on the assets side into trade receivables and other current 
assets. On the liabilities side, the capital reserves included in the other reserves item are 
now shown separately. The prior-year amounts have been adjusted.

We disposed of our domestic express business in Romania by selling our subsidiary 
Cargus International S.R.L. with effect from 31 March 2013. Since then, our focus there 
has been on international business.

In the SUPPLY CHAIN division, we sold our interests in DHL Fashion (France) SAS, 
US company Exel Direct Inc. and ITG GmbH, Germany, together with their subsidiaries 
in the second quarter. All of the companies’ assets and liabilities had previously been 
reclassified as held for sale.

In the MAIL division, we acquired optivo GmbH, a leading German e-mail market-
ing services provider, on 28 June 2013. This acquisition enhances our range of services 
and will allow us to develop our business in this area.

We  sold  50 %  of  our  shares  in  Deutsche  Post  Mobility  GmbH  to  Allgemeiner 
Deutscher Automobil-Club (ADAC) in the second quarter. Since October 2013, we have 
jointly operated a coach network and have entered the deregulated coach market with 
the “ADAC Postbus”.

  Note 4

48

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Results of operations 

We acquired RISER  ID Services GmbH, the market leader in electronic address 
 registration information services, at the end of July. The company complements the 
range of digital address verification services offered by the MAIL division.

In the fourth quarter, we increased our interest in the UK company Tradeteam 

Limited from 50.1 % to 100 %.

Currency effects cause 0.8 % decline in consolidated revenue

a.28  Consolidated revenue

Consolidated  revenue  declined  slightly  by  0.8 %  to  €55,085 million  in  financial 
year 2013 (previous year: €55,512 million). The proportion of consolidated revenue 
generated  abroad  declined  from  69.7 %  to  69.0 %,  largely  due  to  negative  currency 
 effects of €1,738 million. Changes in the portfolio reduced revenue by €287 million. At 
€14,494 million, revenue in the fourth quarter was down 0.6 % year-on-year ( previous 
year:  €14,577 million).  The  figure  was  negatively  impacted  by  currency  effects  of 
€607 million and changes in the portfolio.

Other operating income declined by €207 million to €1,961 million. In the previous 
year, provisions relating to the US express business that were no longer required had 
been reversed.

€ m

2013

17,074 

38,011

2012

16,825 

38,687

  55,085

  55,512

  Germany 

  Abroad

Lower transport costs

Materials expense declined by €651 million to €31,212 million, due in particular to 

currency effects.

At €17,785 million, staff costs were on a level with the prior year (€17,770 million). 
Labour costs in the MAIL division and the higher number of employees in the SUPPLY 
CHAIN division caused staff costs to increase, whilst currency effects reduced this item.
At €1,341 million, depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses also remained 

at the previous year’s level (€1,339 million).

Other operating expenses declined by €196 million to €3,847 million. The prior-year 

figure had been pushed up by the additional VAT payment, amongst other factors.

a.29  Development of revenue, other operating income and operating expenses

Revenue 

€ m

55,085 

%  

– 0.8 

• Growth trends in the German parcel and international 

express businesses remain intact

• Currency effects reduce consolidated revenue  

by €1,738 million

Other operating income 

1,961 

– 9.5  • Previous year also included income from the reversal 

Materials expense

Staff costs 

31,212

17,785 

of provisions for the US express business

–2.0 • Declined due in particular to currency effects

0.1 

• Increased number of staff, mostly in the SUPPLY CHAIN 

division

• Higher labour costs in the MAIL division
• Currency effects reduce staff costs

Depreciation, amortisation 
and impairment losses

1,341 

0.1  • On a par with the previous year 

Other operating expenses

3,847

– 4.8 • Previous year also included the additional VAT payment

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Report on Economic Position
Results of operations 

Group Management Report

a.30  Consolidated eBIt

Consolidated eBIt improves by 7.4 %

€ m

2013

2012

  2,861

  2,665

Profit from operating activities (EBIT) improved year-on-year, rising by 7.4 % to 

€2,861 million. In the fourth quarter, it rose by 7.0 % to €885 million.

Net finance costs improved from €456 million in the previous year to €289 million 
in the year under review. In 2012, the figure was impacted by the interest expense asso-
ciated with the additional VAT payment, amongst other things, whereas the gain on the 
Postbank disposal made a positive contribution. Interest expenses for provisions for pen-
sions and other provisions declined during the reporting year due to lower interest rates.

Profit before income taxes improved by 16.4 % to €2,572 million.
At €361 million, income taxes were down €86 million on the prior-year figure, partly 
because we agreed in the context of a tax audit of outstanding issues from 2006 to 2008 
to reverse a tax liability.

Net profit and earnings per share up considerably

Consolidated net profit for the period improved from €1,762 million to €2,211 mil-
lion. Of this amount, €2,091 million is attributable to shareholders of Deutsche Post AG 
and €120 million to non-controlling interest holders. Basic and diluted earnings per 
share also increased, up from €1.36 to €1.73 and from €1.30 to €1.66, respectively.

a.31  Total dividend and dividend  
per no-par value share

€ m

556

0.50

1,087

903

836

846

846

786

725 725

0.90

0.75

0.70

0.70 0.70

0.65

0.60 0.60

967

0.80

Dividend of €0.80 per share proposed

Our finance strategy calls for a payout of 40 % to 60 % of net profits as dividends as 
a general rule. At the Annual General Meeting on 27 May 2014, the Board of Manage-
ment and the Supervisory Board will therefore propose a dividend of €0.80 per share 
for financial year 2013 (previous year: €0.70) to shareholders. The distribution ratio 
based on the consolidated net profit for the period attributable to Deutsche Post AG 
shareholders amounts to 46.2 %. The net dividend yield based on the year-end closing 
price of our shares is 3.0 %. The dividend will be distributed on 28 May 2014 and is tax-
free for shareholders resident in Germany.

 04  05  06  07  08  09 

10 

11 

12 

13 1

eBIt after asset charge increases

  Dividend per no-par value share (€)

1  Proposal.

EAC improved from €1,331 million to €1,499 million in 2013, due primarily to the 
improved profitability in the MAIL and EXPRESS divisions. The asset charge rose mod-
erately by 2.1 %, which was predominantly attributable to increased capital expenditures 
throughout the divisions.

a.32  eBIt after asset charge (eaC)

€ m

EBIT

  Asset charge

  eaC

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted due to a revised calculation basis.

2012 
adjusted 1

2,665

–1,334

1,331

2013 

+ / – % 

2,861

–1,362

1,499

7.4

–2.1

12.6

In  the  reporting  year,  the  net  asset  base  saw  a  slight  €106 million  decline  to 
€15,330 million. The changes in working capital resulting from good working capital 
manage ment contributed to this decline. Although investments in IT systems, the pur-
chase of freight aircraft and replacement and expansion investments in warehouses, 

50

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Results of operations 
Financial position

sorting systems and the vehicle fleet increased year-on-year, they were unable to com-
pensate for the decrease in intangible assets as a result of amortisation and impairment 
as well as exchange rate losses.

The decline in operating provisions is due to the utilisation of some of the provi-
sion for postage stamps, amongst other factors. In addition, the decrease in other non- 
current assets and liabilities contributed to the decline in the net asset base.

a.33  Net asset base (unconsolidated)

€ m

Intangible assets, property, plant and equipment, and goodwill

  Net working capital

   Operating provisions (excluding provisions for pensions  

and similar obligations) 

  Other non-current assets and liabilities

  Net asset base

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted due to a revised calculation basis.

Financial position

31 Dec. 2012 
adjusted 1

31 Dec. 2013 

+ / – % 

18,860

– 503

–2,825

– 96

15,436

18,698

– 675

–2,633

– 60

15,330

– 0.9

34.2

– 6.8

–37.5

– 0.7

Financial management is a centralised function in the Group

The Group’s financial management activities include managing cash and liquidity; 
hedging interest rate, currency and commodity price risk; ensuring Group financing; 
issuing guarantees and letters of comfort and liaising with rating agencies. We steer 
processes centrally, which allows us to work efficiently and successfully manage risk.

Responsibility  for  these  activities  rests  with  Corporate  Finance  at  Group  head-
quarters in Bonn, which is supported by three Regional Treasury Centres in Bonn 
( Germany), Weston (USA) and Singapore. These act as interfaces between headquarters 
and the operating companies, advise the companies on all financial management issues 
and ensure compliance with Group-wide requirements.

Corporate Finance’s main task is to minimise financial risk and the cost of capital, 
whilst preserving the Group’s lasting financial stability and flexibility. In order to main-
tain its unrestricted access to the capital markets, the Group continues to aim for a credit 
rating appropriate to the sector. We therefore monitor the ratio of our operating cash 
flow to our adjusted debt particularly closely. Adjusted debt refers to the Group’s net 
debt, allowing for unfunded pension obligations and liabilities under operating leases.

Maintaining financial flexibility and low cost of capital

The Group’s finance strategy builds on the principles and aims of financial manage-
ment. In addition to the interests of shareholders, the strategy also takes lender require-
ments into account. The goal is for the Group to maintain its financial flexibility and low 
cost of capital by ensuring a high degree of continuity and predictability for investors.
A key component of this strategy is a target rating of “BBB+”, which is managed via 
a dynamic performance metric known as funds from operations to debt (FFO to debt). 
Our strategy additionally includes a sustained dividend policy and clear priorities re-
garding the use of excess liquidity, which is to be used to gradually increase plan assets 
of our German pension plans as well as paying special dividends or buying back shares.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

51

 
Report on Economic Position
Financial position

Group Management Report

a.34  Finance strategy

Credit rating

Investors

• Reliable and consistent information  

from the company.

• Predictability of expected returns.

Group

• Preserve financial and strategic flexibility.
• Assure low cost of capital (WACC) 1.

• Maintain “BBB+” and “Baa1” ratings, respectively. 
• FFO to debt used as dynamic performance metric.

Dividend policy

• Pay out 40 % to 60 % of net profit.
• Consider cash flows and continuity.

Excess liquidity

1. Increase plan assets of German pension plans.
2.  Pay out special dividends or execute share buy-back 

programme.

Debt portfolio

• Syndicated credit facility taken out as liquidity reserve.
• Debt Issuance Programme established for issuing bonds.
• Issue bonds to cover long-term capital requirements.

1  Weighted average cost of capital 

 Group management, page 36.

Funds from operations (FFO) represents operating cash flow before changes in 
working capital plus interest and dividends received less interest paid and adjusted for 
operating leases, pensions and non-recurring income or expenses, as shown in the 
following  calculation.  In  addition  to  financial  liabilities  and  surplus  cash  and  near-
cash  investments, the figure for debt also includes operating lease liabilities as well as 
 unfunded pension liabilities.

a.35  FFo to debt

€ m

Operating cash flow before changes in working capital

  Interest and dividends received

  Interest paid

  Adjustment for operating leases

  Adjustment for pensions

  Non-recurring income / expenses

  Funds from operations (FFo)

Reported financial liabilities

  Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

  Adjustment for operating leases

  Adjustment for pensions

  Surplus cash and near-cash investments 2

  Debt

FFo to debt (%)

1  To improve comparability, the figures take the transition to the new IAS 19 standard into account.
2  Surplus cash and near-cash investments are defined as cash and cash equivalents and investment funds 

 callable at sight, less cash needed for operations.

2012 1

219

46

296

1,243

91

2,671

3,974

4,816

117

5,187

5,068

1,224

2013

3,078

56

166

1,240

144

73

4,425

5,940

40

5,099

4,941

3,088

13,730

12,852

28.9

34.4

52

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Financial position

The “FFO to debt” dynamic performance metric rose significantly in the reporting 
year compared with the prior year due to the improvement in funds from operations 
and the decrease in debt.

Funds from operations increased by €451 million to a total of €4,425 million, pri-
marily due to the increase in operating cash flow before changes in working capital. The 
prior-year figure had been negatively impacted by the one-time increase in the plan assets 
of German pension plans (€1,986 million) and portions of the additional VAT payment 
(€384 million). Since the related effects were non-recurring, they were recorded under 
non-recurring income / expenses, which in the previous year also included  operating 
restructuring payments (€140 million) and the interest effects of the additional  VAT 
payment (€161 million). In the reporting year, operating restructuring payments in the 
amount of €73 million were recognized as non-recurring income / expenses.

Debt declined by €878 million year-on-year to €12,852 million in financial year 
2013. The decrease was mainly attributable to the good operating business trend, which 
led to a substantial rise in surplus cash and near-cash investments. The increase was also 
the result of bonds totalling €1 billion that we issued in October 2013 to refinance a bond 
which matured in January 2014. However, since reported financial liabilities also rose 
in the same amount, the bond issues had a neutral impact on debt. More information 
on the financial liabilities reported is contained in the Notes.

Cash and liquidity managed centrally

The cash and liquidity of our globally operating subsidiaries is managed centrally 
by Corporate Treasury. More than 80 % of the Group’s external revenue is consolidated 
in cash pools and used to balance internal liquidity needs. In countries where this 
practice is ruled out for legal reasons, internal and external borrowing and investment 
are  arranged centrally by Corporate Treasury. In this context, we observe a balanced 
banking policy in order to remain independent of individual banks. Our subsidiaries’ 
intra-group  revenue is also pooled and managed by our in-house bank in order to 
avoid external bank charges and margins through intercompany clearing. Payment 
trans actions are executed in accordance with uniform guidelines using standardised 
 processes and IT systems. As part of the transition to SEPA, many Group companies 
pooled their external payment transactions in the Group’s Payment Factory, which 
 executes  payments in the name of the respective companies via Deutsche Post AG’s 
central bank accounts.

Limiting market risk

The Group uses both primary and derivative financial instruments to limit market 
risk. Interest rate risk is managed exclusively via swaps. Currency risk is additionally 
hedged using forward transactions, cross-currency swaps and options. We pass on most 
of the risk arising from commodity fluctuations to our customers and, to some extent, 
use commodity swaps to manage the remaining risk. The parameters, responsibilities 
and controls governing the use of derivatives are laid down in internal guidelines.

  Note 46

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

53

Report on Economic Position
Financial position

Group Management Report

Flexible and stable financing

The Group covers its long-term financing requirements by maintaining a balanced 
ratio of equity to liabilities. This ensures our financial stability and also provides  adequate 
flexibility. Our most important source of funds is net cash from operating activities.

In the reporting year, the five-year credit facility with a volume of €2 billion taken 
out with a consortium of national and international banks in 2010 was renewed early 
and extended until 2018 at more favourable terms. Two additional one-year extension 
options were also agreed upon. This credit facility guarantees us favourable market 
conditions and acts as a secure, long-term liquidity reserve. It does not contain any 
covenants concerning the Group’s financial indicators. In view of our solid liquidity, the 
syndicated credit facility was not drawn down during the year under review.

As part of our banking policy, we spread our business volume widely and main-
tain long-term relationships with the financial institutions we entrust with our busi-
ness. In addition to credit lines, we meet our borrowing requirements through other 
 independent sources of financing, such as bonds and operating leases. Most debt is 
taken out centrally in order to leverage economies of scale and specialisation benefits 
and hence to minimise the cost of capital.

In October 2013, we took advantage of the favourable capital market environment 
to issue two bonds with a volume of €0.5 billion each, in connection with our Debt 
 Issuance Programme with a volume of up to €5 billion as established in 2012. The cash 
inflow received in the same month was used to repay a bond in the amount of €0.9 bil-
lion that matured in January 2014. Further information on the various bonds is con-
tained in the Notes.

Group issues sureties, letters of comfort and guarantees

Deutsche Post AG provides security for the loan agreements, leases and supplier 
contracts entered into by Group companies, associates or joint ventures by issuing letters 
of comfort, sureties or guarantees as needed. This practice allows better conditions to 
be negotiated locally. The sureties are provided and monitored centrally.

Creditworthiness of the Group remains adequate

Credit ratings represent an independent and current assessment of a company’s 
credit standing. Ratings are based on a quantitative analysis and measurement of the 
 annual  report  and  appropriate  planning  data.  Qualitative  factors,  such  as  industry- 
specific features, and the company’s market position and range of products and services, 
are also taken into account.

Moody’s Investors Service has maintained the Group’s credit rating of “Baa1” with 
a positive outlook. Fitch also confirmed its rating of “BBB+” with a stable outlook in 
the reporting year.

This means that the capacity of the Group to meet its financial obligations  continues 
to be classified as adequate. Deutsche Post DHL is well positioned in the transport and 
logistics sector with these ratings. The following table shows the ratings as at the report-
ing date and the underlying factors. The complete and current analyses by the rating 
agencies and the rating categories can be found on our website.

  Note 46

  dpdhl.com/en/investors

54

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Financial position

a.36  Agency ratings

Fitch Ratings

Long-term: BBB +
Short-term: F 2
Outlook: stable

Moody’s Investors 
Service

Long-term: Baa 1
Short-term: P – 2
Outlook: positive

  Rating factors

  Rating factors

• Well-integrated business profile.
• Dominant position in the domestic 

mail and parcel market.

• Exposure to regulatory and litigation 
risks (i. e., EU antitrust and state aid 
investigations).

• Strong global footprint in the EXPRESS, 

• Structural volume decline in the 

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT and 
SUPPLY CHAIN businesses.

• Improvements in the financial profile 

after the completion of the sale 
of Postbank shares.

• Recovery of the express business’s 
profits and market share, offsetting 
the challenging macroeconomic 
environment.

• Scale and global presence as the 
world’s largest logistics company.

• Large and relatively robust mail 

 business in Germany.

• Success in restoring profitability 

of logistics activities whilst reducing 
negative regulatory and e-substitution 
effects on the MAIL division.

• Conservative financial policy and 

sound liquidity profile of the Group.

MAIL division due to secular changes 
in the industry (i.e., competition 
from electronic communication and 
digitalisation).

• High exposure to global market 

 volatility through the DHL divisions.

• Exposure to global macroeconomic 
trends in the logistics businesses.

• Structural decline of traditional 

postal services.

• Despite the improving trend, credit 
metrics are at the low end of the 
rating category.

Liquidity and sources of funds

As at the balance sheet date, the Group had cash and cash equivalents in the amount 
of €3.4 billion (previous year: €2.4 billion) at its disposal. A large portion of this is 
 accounted for by Deutsche Post AG. Most of the cash is invested centrally on the money 
market. These short-term money market investments had a volume of €2.0 billion 
as at the balance sheet date. Another €0.6 billion was invested in short-term money 
market funds.

The financial liabilities reported in our balance sheet breakdown as follows: 

a.37  Financial liabilities

€ m

Bonds

Due to banks

Finance lease liabilities

Liabilities to Group companies

Liabilities at fair value though profit or loss

Other

2012

4,109

137

149

93

117

211

4,816

2013

5,088

199

213

83

40

317

5,940

The increase in financial liabilities is primarily the result of the two bonds that 
we issued in October 2013 in the amount of €0.5 billion each. Further information on 
 recognised financial liabilities is contained in the Notes.

  Note 46

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

55

 
 
 
Report on Economic Position
Financial position

Group Management Report

Operating leases remain an important source of funding for the Group. We mainly 
use operating leases to finance real estate, although we also finance aircraft, vehicle fleets 
and IT equipment.

a.38  Operating lease liabilities by asset class

€ m

Land and buildings

Aircraft

Technical equipment and machinery

Other equipment, operating and office equipment, transport equipment, miscellaneous

2012

5,100

647

65

513

2013

4,966

524

67

572

6,325

6,129

  1,128

  979

Operating  lease  obligations  decreased  year-on-year  to  €6.1 billion  because  the 
 reduction in the remaining terms of legacy agreements, especially for real estate and 
aircraft, is not matched by the same volume of new leases.

Capital expenditure slightly above prior-year level

As at the end of December 2013, the Group’s capital expenditure (capex) amounted 
to  €1,755 million,  which  represents  a  year-on-year  increase  of  3.4 %  (previous  year: 
€1,697 million). Investments were made mainly to replace and expand assets. €1,511 mil-
lion was invested in property, plant and equipment and €244 million in intangible assets 
excluding goodwill. Investments in property, plant and equipment related primarily to 
advance payments and assets under development (€640 million), transport equipment 
(€283 million), land and buildings (€214 million), technical equipment and machinery 
(€151 million), IT equipment (€112 million), operating and office equipment (€77 mil-
lion) as well as aircraft (€34 million).

In regional terms, our focus remained on Europe, the Americas and Asia.

a.39  Capex by region

€ m

Germany

Americas

  180

  259

Europe (excluding Germany)

  227

  259

Asia Pacific

  165

  160

Other regions

  55

  40

  2013 

  2012

a.40  Capex and depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses, full year

MAIL 

2013

434

EXPRESS

2013

508

2012

597

2012

332

GLOBAL  FORWARDING, 
FREIGHT

SUPPLY CHAIN

Corporate Center /
Other

2012

150

2013

129

2012

300

2013

277

2012

318

2013

407

2012

1,697

Group

2013

1,755

334

358

400

408

111

92

288

270

206

213

1,339

1,341

0.99

1.21

1.49

1.25

1.35

1.40

1.04

1.03

1.54

1.91

1.27

1.31

Capex (€m)

Depreciation, amortisation 
and impairment losses (€m)

Ratio of capex to depre-
ciation, amortisation and 
impairment losses

a.41  Capex and depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses, Q 4

MAIL  

2013

259

EXPRESS

2013

232

2012

173

2012

141

87

108

100

94

 GLOBAL  FORWARDING, 
FREIGHT

SUPPLY CHAIN

2012

2013

2012

2013

54

28

57

23

85

75

90

65

Corporate Center /
Other

2012

109

2013

217

Group

2013

855

2012

562

59

58

349

348

1.62

2.40

1.73

2.47

1.93

2.48

1.13

1.38

1.85

3.74

1.61

2.46

Capex (€m)

Depreciation, amortisation 
and impairment losses (€m)

Ratio of capex to depre-
ciation, amortisation and 
impairment losses

56

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Financial position

MaIL expands parcel capacities

a.42  Capex by segment

Capital  expenditure  in  the  MAIL  division  increased  in  the  reporting  year  from 
€332 million to €434 million. The majority of investments (€189 million) was attribut-
able to the Parcel 2012 Production Concept, which aims to adapt our network capacities 
to cater to increasing shipment volumes. With regard to E-POST, platform functionality 
was expanded. Furthermore, we maintained our production facilities and infrastructure, 
and equipped our mail and parcel operations with new hand scanners.

€ m

MAIL

EXPRESS

  434

  332

  508

  597

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT

  129

  150

SUPPLY CHAIN

  277

  300

Corporate Center /Other

  407

  318

  2013 

  2012

  Objectives and strategies, page 34

eXpress invests in markets with rising customer demand

In  the  EXPRESS  division,  capital  expenditure  amounted  to  €508 million  in  the 
 reporting year, thus falling below the prior-year figure of €597 million, primarily because 
of considerable investment in our aircraft fleet in the previous year. In the  reporting 
year, we increasingly focused our investments on the high-growth Asia Pacific and MEA 
(Middle East and Africa) regions in order to meet rising customer demand. Increased 
investments were also made in the Europe region.

GLoBaL ForWarDInG, FreIGHt expands It

In the GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT division, capital expenditure declined from 
€150 million in the prior year to €129 million in 2013. Of that figure, €103 million was 
attributable to the Global Forwarding business unit, where we improved our IT, particu-
larly as part of the New Forwarding Environment project, and consolidated and modernised 
warehouses, mainly in the Asia Pacific and Europe regions. A total of €26 million was 
invested in the Freight business unit – the majority of the investments were made in real 
estate, office, operating and IT equipment as well as in software.

suppLY CHaIn supports new business

In the SUPPLY CHAIN division, capital expenditure amounted to €277 million in the 
reporting year (previous year: €300 million). Of this amount, €239 million related to 
the Supply Chain business unit, €19 million to Williams Lea and €19 million to central 
entities. Approximately 54 % of the funds were used to support new business globally. In 
the Americas and Asia Pacific regions, investments focused primarily on the Consumer, 
Retail and Automotive sectors. In Europe, the majority of investments were made in 
the UK, the Benelux countries and Eastern Europe, in particular to support projects in 
Airline Business Solutions and the Technology sector. In the Williams Lea business unit, 
IT infrastructure was the main focus of our investments. The central entities invested 
in a global finance project.

Cross-divisional investments increase in fleet and real estate

Cross-divisional capital expenditure rose from €318 million in 2012 to €407 million 
in the reporting year, which was predominantly attributable to higher expenditures for 
real estate and vehicles. Investments in IT were below the high prior-year level.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

57

 
 
Report on Economic Position
Financial position

Group Management Report

a.43  Operating cash flow by division, 
2013

€ m

MAIL

EXPRESS

  940

  1,471

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT

SUPPLY CHAIN

  649

  637

Operating cash flow firmly in positive territory

Net cash from operating activities amounted to €2,994 million in 2013. By contrast, 
a net cash outflow of €203 million was generated in the previous year. This €3,197 mil-
lion improvement is primarily due to reductions in provisions. In the previous year, we 
funded further pension obligations and covered the additional VAT payment. The figure 
was also pushed up by the improved EBIT and a lower figure for non-cash income and 
expenses. At €3,078 million, net cash from operating activities before changes in work-
ing capital also increased sharply compared with the previous year’s figure (€219 mil-
lion). Thanks to better working capital management, the cash outflow from changes in 
working capital declined from €422 million to €84 million. The change in liabilities and 
other items made a particularly significant contribution to this development.

a.44  Selected cash flow indicators

€ m

Cash and cash equivalents as at 31 December

Change in cash and cash equivalents

Net cash used in / from operating activities

Net cash used in investing activities

Net cash from / used in financing activities

2012

2,400

–701

–203

–1,697

1,199

2013

3,417

1,112

2,994

–1,772

–110

Net  cash  used  in  investing  activities  rose  by  €75 million  to  €1,772 million.  At 
€1,389 million, investments in property, plant and equipment and intangible assets were 
down €250 million year-on-year (previous year: €1,639 million); their main  focuses 
are described in the capital expenditure section. Although some of the expenditures 
had been capitalised towards the end of the year, this cash was only paid after the bal-
ance sheet date. Cash flow from investing activities rose due to the cash outflow from 
the change in current financial assets in particular. At €575 million, the figure was up 
€565 million year-on-year, due in particular to the investment of short-term liquidity 
in money market funds. In contrast, cash paid to acquire other non-current financial 
assets was down €268 million on the prior year. In the previous year, the recognition 
of the demand for repayment of state aid reduced net cash used in investing activities 
by €298 million.

58

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Financial position

a.45  Calculation of free cash flow

€ m

Net cash used in / from operating activities

Sale of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

2012

–203

225

2013

2,994

177

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

–1,639

–1,389

Q 4 2012

Q 4 2013

– 629

76

– 542

1,561

59

– 460

Cash outflow arising from change in property, plant 
and equipment and intangible assets

–1,414

–1,212

– 466

– 401

Disposal of subsidiaries and other business units

Acquisition of subsidiaries and other business units

Cash outflow / inflow arising from acquisitions / divestitures

Interest received

Interest paid

Net interest paid

Free cash flow

39

– 57

–18

46

–296

–250

32

–37

– 5

42

–166

–124

–1

–1

–2

10

–26

–16

1

0

1

8

– 45

–37

–1,885

1,653

–1,113

1,124

Free  cash  flow  improved  significantly  year-on-year  from  €–1,885 million  to 
€1,653 million. In the fourth quarter, it changed from €–1,113 million in the comparable 
prior-year period to €1,124 million.

Net cash used in financing activities amounted to €110 million in the year under 
review, compared with a net cash inflow of €1,199 million in the previous year. As in 
2012, the dividend paid to our shareholders was the largest payment in this area, at 
€846 million. The  cash  inflow  from  the  issuance  of  non-current  financial  liabilities 
 declined by €2,166 million to €1,010 million, mainly because we issued new bonds and 
a convertible bond to fund our pension obligations in the previous year. In the reporting 
year, the issue of two bonds with a five-year and ten-year term resulted in a cash inflow 
of €495 million for each bond. Interest payments fell by €130 million to €166 million, 
primarily because interest of €161 million had been incurred in the previous year for 
the additional VAT payment.

Cash and cash equivalents rose from €2,400 million as at 31 December 2012 to 
€3,417 million, due to the changes in the cash flows from the individual areas of activity.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

59

 
Report on Economic Position
Net assets

Group Management Report

Net assets

a.46  Selected indicators for net assets

Equity ratio 1

Net debt

Net interest cover

FFO to debt 2

1  Prior-year amount adjusted. 
2  Calculation 

 Financial position, page 52.

%

€ m

%

2012

27.3

1,952

10.7

28.9

2013

28.3

1,481

23.1

34.4

Consolidated total assets increased

The  Group’s  total  assets  amounted  to  €35,478 million  as  at  31 December 2013, 

€1,621 million higher than at 31 December 2012 (€33,857 million).

Non-current assets decreased by €202 million to €21,366 million. Intangible  assets 
declined  by  €315 million  to  €11,836 million,  mainly  due  to  a  reduction  in  goodwill 
 resulting from currency effects. Property, plant and equipment rose by €151 million 
to €6,814 million. This increase is partly due to capital expenditure in connection with 
the  development of the EXPRESS division’s infrastructure in rapidly growing markets. 
Non-current financial assets increased by €85 million to €1,124 million, whilst other 
non-current  assets  were  down  €114 million  to  €184 million,  due  primarily  to  the 
 decrease in pension assets resulting from actuarial losses. At €1,327 million, deferred 
tax assets were on a level with the previous year (€1,328 million).

Current  assets  were  up  by  €1,823 million  to  €14,112 million  and  inventories  by 
€81 million to €403 million. Current financial assets rose by €569 million to €821 mil-
lion, largely because we invested excess funds in money market funds. Trade receivables 
rose slightly from €6,959 million to €7,040 million. At €2,221 million, other current 
assets were up €68 million on the figure as at 31 December 2012. We report on the 
€1,017 million rise in cash and cash equivalents to €3,417 million in detail in the section 
entitled financial position. Income tax assets increased by €41 million to €168 million.

At  €9,857 million,  equity  attributable  to  Deutsche  Post  AG  shareholders  was 
€838 million higher than at 31 December 2012 (€9,019 million). Whilst consolidated 
net profit for the period made a positive contribution, the equity figure was reduced by 
the dividend paid to our shareholders and negative currency effects.

Current and non-current liabilities rose from €15,651 million to €16,970 million, 
also because trade payables increased by €401 million to €6,392 million. A bond in the 
amount of €926 million falling due in January 2014 was reclassified to current  financial 
liabilities and we borrowed €1 billion in non-current financial liabilities on the  capital 
market.  Overall,  financial  liabilities  increased  by  €1,124 million  to  €5,940 million. 
 Current and non-current provisions decreased by €518 million from €8,978 million to 
€8,460 million, mainly because we utilised restructuring provisions. Income tax liabil-
ities also decreased by €104 million to €430 million.

  Page 58 f.

60

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
  
Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Net assets

Net debt declines to €1,481 million

Our net debt declined from €1,952 million as at 31 December 2012 to €1,481 million 
at the reporting date. The prior-year figure was affected by the additional VAT payment 
(€482 million) and the amount demanded as repayment of state aid that is administered 
in a trust account (€298 million), amongst other things.

The equity ratio improved by one percentage point to 28.3 %.
The dynamic gearing ratio is an indicator of internal financing capacity and  expresses 
the average number of years a company would require to pay off its outstanding debt 
using the cash flow generated from operating activities. It amounted to 0.5 years in the 
year under review.

Net interest cover shows the extent to which net interest obligations are covered by 

EBIT. Due to the improved EBIT, it rose to 23.1.

Net gearing expresses the ratio of net debt to the total of equity and net debt. This 

amounted to 12.8 % at 31 December 2013.

a.47  Net debt

€ m

Non-current financial liabilities

  Current financial liabilities

  Financial liabilities

  Cash and cash equivalents

  Current financial assets

  Long-term deposits 1

  Positive fair value of non-current financial derivatives 1

  Financial assets

Net debt

1  Prior-year amount adjusted. Reported in current financial liabilities in the balance sheet.

2012

4,399

377

4,776

2,400

252

57

115

2,824

1,952

2013

4,591

1,290

5,881

3,417

821

55

107

4,400

1,481

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

61

 
Report on Economic Position
Business performance in the divisions

Group Management Report

Business performance in the divisions

OVERVIEW

a.48  Key figures by operating division

€ m

MaIL

Revenue

of which Mail Communication

Dialogue Marketing

Press Services

Parcel Germany

Retail Outlets

Global Mail 

Pension Service

Consolidation / Other

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

Return on sales (%) 1

Operating cash flow

eXpress

Revenue

of which Europe

Americas

Asia Pacific

MEA (Middle East and Africa)

Consolidation / Other

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

Return on sales (%) 1

Operating cash flow

GLoBaL ForWarDInG, FreIGHt

Revenue

of which Global Forwarding

Freight

Consolidation / Other

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

Return on sales (%) 1

Operating cash flow

suppLY CHaIn

Revenue

of which Supply Chain

Williams Lea

Consolidation / Other

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

Return on sales (%) 1

Operating cash flow

1  EBIT / revenue.

2012  
adjusted

2013 

+ / – % 

Q 4 2012  
adjusted

Q 4 2013 

+ / – % 

13,972

14,452

5,284

2,548

744

3,477

850

1,712

101

–744

1,048

7.5

–1,445

5,619

2,363

734

3,750

883

1,783

98

–778

1,226

8.5

940

12,778

12,712

5,614

2,276

4,301

961

–374

1,110

8.7

1,102

15,666

11,604

4,192

–130

514

3.3

647

14,340

13,000

1,345

– 5

419

2.9

432

5,891

2,259

4,289

924

– 651

1,133

8.9

1,471

14,838

10,727

4,246

–135

483

3.3

649

14,277

12,939

1,345

–7

441

3.1

637

3.4

6.3

–7.3

–1.3

7.9

3.9

4.1

–3.0

– 4.6

17.0

–

–

– 0.5

4.9

– 0.7

– 0.3

–3.9

–74.1

2.1

–

33.5

– 5.3

–7.6

1.3

–3.8

– 6.0

–

0.3

– 0.4

– 0.5

0.0

– 40.0

5.3

–

47.5

3,851

1,394

691

189

1,038

229

496

23

–209

372

9.7

–1,415

3,342

1,482

602

1,121

239

–102

280

8.4

495

3,989

2,942

1,081

–34

167

4.2

237

3,733

3,391

345

–3

116

3.1

275

3,968

1,476

654

194

1,112

240

480

22

–210

360

9.1

328

3,326

1,561

593

1,118

229

–175

320

9.6

588

3,789

2,731

1,093

–35

139

3.7

374

3,712

3,343

371

–2

178

4.8

376

3.0

5.9

– 5.4

2.6

7.1

4.8

–3.2

– 4.3

– 0.5

–3.2

–

–

– 0.5

5.3

–1.5

– 0.3

– 4.2

–71.6

14.3

–

18.8

– 5.0

–7.2

1.1

–2.9

–16.8

–

57.8

– 0.6

–1.4

7.5

33.3

53.4

–

36.7

62

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Business performance in the divisions

  Glossary, page 218

MAIL DIVISION

Revenue up by 3.4 %

In the reporting year, revenue in the division was €14,452 million and therefore well 
above the prior year’s figure of €13,972 million, despite 0.6 fewer working days. The figure 
for the reporting year included negative currency effects of €26 million. Our  operating 
business performed well overall, especially in the Mail Communication,  Parcel Germany 
and Global Mail business units. In the first half of 2013, we utilised some of the provision 
recognised for postage stamps, which resulted in a positive effect of €50 million.

Volumes increase following product discontinuation

In the Mail Communication business unit, the volume of letters we delivered in 2013 
increased overall by 3.1 %, although private customer volumes declined by 2.6 %. Since 
we discontinued our Infobrief product, business customers have been sending more 
traditional letters. In the regulated sector, we raised prices for the first time in 15 years 
as permitted by the price-cap procedure. Revenue in the business unit increased in the 
reporting year by 6.3 % from €5,284 million to €5,619 million. A further price increase 
was approved for 2014.

a.49  Mail Communication: volumes

mail items (millions)

Business customer letters

Private customer letters

Total

2012

6,403

1,175

7,578

2013

6,672

1,144

7,816

+ / – %

Q 4 2012

Q 4 2013

4.2

–2.6

3.1

1,643

341

1,984

1,745

335

2,080

+ / – %

6.2

–1.8

4.8

Unaddressed advertising mail on upwards trend

In  the  Dialogue  Marketing  business  unit,  volumes  declined  overall.  Whilst 
 unaddressed  advertising  mail  saw  an  upwards  trend,  addressed  advertising  mail 
 declined  because  we  discontinued  our  Infobrief  product.  The  mail-order  business 
 continued to hold back on advertising expenditure. Moreover, the insolvencies of our 
 customers Neckermann and Praktiker had an adverse impact. Revenue in the business 
unit  declined by 7.3 % in the reporting year to €2,363 million (previous year: €2,548 mil-
lion). The quarter-on-quarter decline was somewhat less pronounced.

a.50  Dialogue Marketing: volumes

mail items (millions)

Addressed  
advertising mail

Unaddressed  
advertising mail

Total

2012

2013

+ / – %

Q 4 2012

Q 4 2013

+ / – %

5,869

5,470

4,197

10,066

4,281

9,751

– 6.8

2.0

–3.1

1,607

1,529

– 4.9

1,158

2,765

1,253

2,782

8.2

0.6

Press services revenue down

Revenue in the Press Services business unit totalled €734 million in the reporting 
year, 1.3 % below the prior-year figure of €744 million. Circulation figures continued 
their downwards trend in the German press services market and further publications 
were discontinued.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

63

 
 
Report on Economic Position
Business performance in the divisions

Group Management Report

Parcel business sees strong sustained growth

In the Parcel Germany business unit, revenue in the reporting year was €3,750 mil-
lion, exceeding the prior-year figure of €3,477 million by a substantial 7.9 %. Fourth- 
quarter growth was somewhat lower. We are laying the logistical foundation for con-
tinued strong growth in e-commerce by expanding our portfolio and improving our 
services.

a.51  Parcel Germany: volumes

parcels (millions)

Business customer parcels 1

Private customer parcels

Total

1  Including intra-group revenue.

2012

835

120

955

2013

902

124

1,026

+ / – %

Q 4 2012

Q 4 2013

+ / – %

8.0

3.3

7.4

244

40

284

261

41

302

7.0

2.5

6.3

Retail outlets increase revenue

Revenue generated by the 26,000-plus sales points amounted to €883 million in the 
reporting year, a 3.9 % increase over the prior year (€850 million). In the fourth quarter, 
revenue growth was actually 4.8 %, driven by factors including strong parcel growth.

Sustained positive performance in international mail business

In the Global Mail business unit, volume declined in the reporting year, whilst 
revenue rose by 4.1 % to €1,783 million. The trend that sees customers shifting from 
lightweight to heavier items continues across all regions. Furthermore, the development 
witnessed in both domestic business in the United States, and cross-border mail to and 
from Germany was particularly strong.

a.52  Mail International: volumes

mail items (millions)

Global Mail

2012

1,900

2013

1,804

+ / – %

– 5.1

Q 4 2012

Q 4 2013

515

473

+ / – %

– 8.2

Increased costs slow improvement in earnings

EBIT in the MAIL division was up 17.0 % to €1,226 million in financial year 2013, a 
substantial increase on the adjusted prior-year figure of €1,048 million. The figure for 
the reporting year included a positive effect of €50 million from the utilisation of some 
of the provision recognised for postage stamps. Furthermore, the previous year was 
affected adversely by €151 million resulting from the additional VAT payment. Signifi-
cantly higher labour and material costs noticeably slowed an improvement in earnings. 
Return on sales was 8.5 %, exceeding the prior year (7.5 %). In the fourth quarter of 2013, 
EBIT amounted to €360 million, 3.2 % less than the prior year (adjusted: €372 million).
Operating cash flow in the reporting year was €940 million, significantly exceeding 
the prior-year figure of €–1,445 million. The prior year included the effects from the 
 additional VAT payment (€−290 million) as well as the funding of our pension obliga-
tions (€−1,897 million). Working capital in the reporting year was €−424 million.

64

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Business performance in the divisions

EXPRESS DIVISION

Operating business continues to perform well

In the reporting year, revenue in the division amounted to €12,712 million – only 
slightly below the previous year’s figure of €12,778 million. Operationally, we have con-
tinued to grow: excluding the considerable negative currency effects of €546 million and 
 revenues of €75 million related to the divested domestic express business in Australia, 
New  Zealand and Romania included in the prior year, revenue increased by 4.3 %.

In the Time Definite International (TDI) product line, per-day shipment volumes 
rose by 8.4 % compared with the prior year. An increase of 8.4 % in the fourth quarter 
affirmed this positive trend.

In the Time Definite Domestic (TDD) business, our customers sent 9.3 % more ship-

ments each day year-on-year. Growth in the fourth quarter amounted to 9.1 %.

For reasons of materiality, we no longer report the Day Definite Domestic (DDD) 

product line separately with effect from the first quarter of 2013.

a.53  eXpress: revenue by product

€ m per day 1

Time Definite   
International (TDI)

Time Definite  
Domestic (TDD)

2012  
adjusted

34.1

4.3

2013 

+ / – % 

36.5

4.6

7.0

7.0

Q 4 2012  
adjusted

36.5

4.6

Q 4 2013  

+ / – % 

39.5

4.8

8.2

4.3

1  To improve comparability, product revenues were translated at uniform exchange rates. These revenues are also the basis  

for the  weighted calculation of working days.

a.54  eXpress: volumes by product

Thousands of items  
per day 1

2012  
adjusted

2013 

+ / – % 

Time Definite   
International (TDI)

Time Definite  
Domestic (TDD)

596

749

646

819

8.4

9.3

Q 4 2012  
adjusted

643

791

Q 4 2013  

+ / – % 

697

863

8.4

9.1

1  To improve comparability, product revenues were translated at uniform exchange rates. These revenues are also the basis  

for the weighted calculation of working days.

Above-average growth in some Europe region countries

Revenue in the Europe region increased by 4.9 % in the reporting year to €5,891 mil-
lion (previous year: €5,614 million). The figure included revenues of €15 million related 
to the domestic express business in Romania, which was sold in the first quarter of 
2013. Excluding this sale and negative currency effects of €85 million related mainly to 
our business activities in the UK, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Russia, Turkey and several 
countries in Eastern Europe, revenue growth was 6.7 %. Our business saw above-average 
growth especially in large countries such as Germany, the UK, Russia, the Netherlands, 
Spain and France. Daily shipment volumes in the TDI product line grew by 8.2 % in the 
reporting year and 7.0 % in the fourth quarter.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

65

 
Report on Economic Position
Business performance in the divisions

Group Management Report

Volumes in the Americas region see final-quarter double-digit increases

In the reporting year, revenue in the Americas region amounted to €2,259 mil-
lion – slightly below the previous year’s figure of €2,276 million. This figure included 
negative currency effects of €146 million related mainly to our business activities in the 
United States, however also in Canada and other Central and South American  countries. 
 Excluding these effects, revenue in the region increased by 5.7 %. Daily shipment  volumes 
in the TDI product line improved by 7.3 % in the reporting year, recording double-digit 
growth of 10.1 % in the fourth quarter.

Sustained strong business growth in the Asia Pacific region

Despite the adverse impact of considerable negative currency effects of €270 million, 
which related mainly to Japan, Australia and India, revenue in the Asia Pacific region 
was €4,289 million and thus almost on a par with the prior year’s figure of €4,301 million. 
Excluding these effects and the above-mentioned disposals of €60 million, revenue grew 
by 7.4 %. In the TDI product line, our customers sent 9.0 % more shipments per day in 
2013 than in the previous year; volumes in China, Australia and India saw double-digit 
growth. Volume growth in the fourth quarter amounted to 8.9 %.

Volumes in the Mea region continue to rise

In the MEA region (Middle East and Africa), revenue in the reporting year was 
€924 million and thus 3.9 % below the prior year’s figure of €961 million. The figure 
for the reporting period included negative currency effects of €53 million. Excluding 
these effects, revenue grew by 1.7 % in the reporting year. Per-day shipment volumes for 
the TDI product line increased by 9.0 %, recording an encouraging 10.7 % in the fourth 
quarter.

eBIt exceeds high prior-year figure

EBIT in the division was €1,133 million in 2013, exceeding the record high of the 
previous year (adjusted: €1,110 million) by 2.1 %. The prior-year figure included one-
time effects, which had a positive impact on earnings of €113 million. The EBIT figure 
for the reporting year included a €12 million deconsolidation gain on the divestment of 
the domestic express business in Romania. Excluding these effects, earnings improved 
considerably by 12.4 % in the reporting year. In the fourth quarter they even improved 
by 14.3 % to €320 million (previous year, adjusted: €280 million).

Return on sales rose to 8.9 % for the reporting year (previous year: 8.7 %) and 9.6 % 
for the fourth quarter (previous year, adjusted: 8.4 %). Excluding the one-time effects 
mentioned above, return on sales rose from 7.8 % to 8.8 % year-on-year.

Thanks to increased profitability and further optimised working capital manage-
ment, we increased the division’s operating cash flow in the reporting year by 33.5 % to 
€1,471 million (previous year: €1,102 million). In the fourth quarter, we also benefited 
from considerable seasonal effects in working capital, which together with increased 
profitability allowed operating cash flow to increase to €588 million (previous year: 
€495 million).

66

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Business performance in the divisions

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT DIVISION

Freight forwarding business profitable in weak market

Revenue  in  the  division  decreased  by  5.3 %  to  €14,838 million  in  the  reporting 
year (previous year: €15,666 million). This figure included negative currency effects of 
€491 million. The freight forwarding business declined in the first three quarters of 2013 
in an appreciably weakened market. In the fourth quarter, revenue was 5.0 % below the 
prior-year period at €3,789 million (previous year: €3,989 million) due also to the inclu-
sion of negative currency effects of €184 million in this figure. Excluding currency effects, 
revenue saw a 0.4 % year-on-year decrease. The business remained profitable overall.

In the Global Forwarding business unit, revenue declined by 7.6 % in the report-
ing year to €10,727 million (previous year: €11,604 million). Excluding negative cur-
rency  effects of €465 million, the decline was 3.6 %. Gross profit decreased by 5.7 % to 
€2,503 million (previous year: €2,655 million).

Our strategic project New Forwarding Environment continues to make good progress.

  Objectives and strategies, page 34

Gross profits in air and ocean freight decline

Revenues and volumes in air and ocean freight decreased over the course of the 

reporting year as a whole, whereas the decline in the fourth quarter was lower.

Our air freight volumes in 2013 were 4.8 % below the prior-year figure, due  primarily 
to  a  decline  in  demand  from  several  large  customers  in  both  the  Technology  and 
 Engineering & Manufacturing sectors. Although higher freight rates were announced, 
short-term purchases on the spot market kept rates stable. Airlines are expanding their 
passenger capacities by putting new aircraft into operation. However, freight capacities 
are being reduced significantly and selectively in order to drive up the rates. This has 
led to increased pressure on margins since the end of the third quarter. In addition, 
several large airlines adjusted the basis for calculating fuel surcharges, which also had a 
negative impact on margins. Our air freight revenue in the reporting year declined by 
10.0 %, which resulted in a 12.6 % decrease in gross profit. In the fourth quarter, volumes 
were 2.2 % and revenue 5.9 % below the prior-year quarter.

Our ocean freight volumes in the reporting year were down 1.2 %. The main driver 
for this decrease was a decline in demand in the Americas region. The intra-Asian 
routes continue to record the highest volumes. The volumes on these routes increased 
year-on-year. Exports from Europe remain stable, whilst demand on the north-south 
routes is increasing. The rates on the east-west trade lanes remain volatile. Ocean car-
riers are responding to supply and demand by limiting effective capacity and adjusting 
travel speed. Our ocean freight revenue decreased by 5.5 % in the reporting year; gross 
profit declined by 3.1 %. In the fourth quarter, volumes again increased slightly by 0.9 %; 
revenue remained 7.9 % below the prior year.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

67

Report on Economic Position
Business performance in the divisions

Group Management Report

Our industrial project business (in table 55, reported as part of Other) saw weaker 
performance in the reporting year compared with the prior year. Discontinuing the 
unprofitable part of our ship charter business in China in 2012 resulted in a drop in 
revenue; however, this could be partially offset by the addition of new profitable business. 
The share of revenue related to industrial project business and reported under Other 
was 37.9 % and therefore almost on a par with the previous year (38.7 %). Gross profit 
improved by a double-digit percentage compared with the prior year.

a.55  Global Forwarding: revenue

€ m

Air freight

Ocean freight

Other

Total

2012

5,517

3,738

2,349

2013

4,968

3,532

2,227

11,604

10,727

+ / – %

–10.0

– 5.5

– 5.2

–7.6

Q 4 2012

1,397

921

624

2,942

Q 4 2013

1,315

848

568

2,731

a.56  Global Forwarding: volumes

thousands

Air freight

tonnes

of which exports

tonnes

Ocean freight

TEU s 1

1  Twenty-foot equivalent units.

2012

4,147

2,327

2,840

2013

3,949

2,215

2,807

+ / – %

– 4.8

– 4.8

–1.2

Q 4 2012

1,070

606

701

Q 4 2013

1,046

591

707

+ / – %

– 5.9

–7.9

– 9.0

–7.2

+ / – %

–2.2

–2.5

0.9

Slight revenue growth in European overland transport business

In the Freight business unit, revenue was up by 1.3 % to €4,246 million in 2013 
(previous year: €4,192 million). In addition to the effect of one additional working day, 
business grew primarily in Germany, Eastern Europe, the Benelux countries and France. 
Despite continuing pressure on margins in the highly competitive European transport 
market, gross profit was €1,152 million in the reporting year and thus on a par with the 
prior year’s figure of €1,155 million.

eBIt includes higher expenses for nFe

EBIT in the division was €483 million and therefore 6.0 % below the prior-year level 
(adjusted: €514 million). Whilst gross profit margins declined, efficiency increased and 
the relationship between gross margin and EBIT improved. As in the previous year, 
earnings included expenses for the NFE project, which, as expected, were higher than 
in 2012. Return on sales was 3.3 % as in the previous year.

In the fourth quarter of 2013, EBIT fell year-on-year by 16.8 % to €139 million.
Net  working  capital  was  reduced  considerably  year-on-year,  thanks  to  strict 
cash management, leading to an operating cash flow of €649 million (previous year: 
€647 million).

68

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
Group Management Report

Report on Economic Position
Business performance in the divisions

a.57  suppLY CHaIn: 
revenue by sector, 2013

Total revenue: €14,277 million

  3 %  Energy
  4 %  Supply Chain Others
  9 %  Automotive
  9 %  Williams Lea
11 %  Technology
19 %   Life Sciences  
& Healthcare

20 %  Consumer

25 %  Retail

a.58   suppLY CHaIn: 
revenue by region, 2013

Total revenue: €14,277 million

14 %   Asia Pacific /  

Middle East/Africa 1

28 %  Americas

58 %   Europe/Other /  
Consolidation 1

1  At the beginning of 2013, the sub-region  
Middle East and Africa was consolidated  
into the Asia Pacific region.

SUPPLY CHAIN DIVISION

Revenue growth impacted by negative currency effects

Revenue  in  the  division  decreased  slightly  in  the  reporting  year  by  0.4 %  to 
€14,277 million (previous year: €14,340 million). We disposed of our investments in 
three businesses which were no longer considered to be core activities. This reduced 
revenue by €212 million. Excluding these disposals and considerable negative currency 
effects of €694 million, revenue grew by 5.9 %. The main currency effect came from the 
appreciation of the euro against the pound sterling. In the fourth quarter of 2013, rev-
enue decreased by 0.6 % year-on-year to €3,712 million (previous year: €3,733 million). 
Excluding the effects mentioned above, revenue growth was 7.5 %.

Asian supply chain business records highest revenue growth

Revenue in the Supply Chain business unit for 2013 was €12,939 million, a slight 
0.5 % decline from the previous year (€13,000 million). Excluding business disposals 
and high negative currency effects, growth was 6.0 %. The largest revenue increases were 
seen in the Life Sciences & Healthcare, Automotive, Consumer and Technology sectors 
along with significant growth in Airline Business Solutions. Revenue from the top 20 
customers increased by 5.4 %.

In  the  Americas  region,  revenues  in  the  major  sectors  Consumer,  Life 
Sciences & Healthcare and Automotive improved due to additional volume and new 
business. The strongest revenue growth was seen in Brazil, principally in the Technology 
sector.

The largest percentage revenue increase was achieved in the Asia Pacific region, 
primarily in Australia, China and Thailand. Revenue growth in Australia resulted from 
additional volumes and new business, above all in the Consumer, Life Sciences & Health-
care and Technology sectors, as well as from Airline Business Solutions. In China, rev-
enue increased significantly in the Consumer and Technology sectors, whilst in Thailand 
we benefited from new business and higher volumes in the Automotive, Consumer and 
Retail sectors.

In  Europe,  volumes  in  the  Automotive  sector  and  in  Airline  Business  Solu-
tions  increased  on  account  of  higher  end-customer  demand.  Revenue  in  the  Life 
Sciences & Healthcare sector improved due to additional business with the UK National 
Health Service. The economic environment adversely affected business in other parts 
of Europe.

Revenue in the Williams Lea business unit was €1,345 million in the reporting year 
(previous year: €1,345 million). Excluding negative currency effects, revenue increased 
by 4.5 % with accelerated growth in the second half of the year. Additional activity and 
the start of new contracts were partly offset by lower volumes in the banking and legal 
sectors, as well as some contract losses.

New business worth around €1,520 million secured

In the reporting year, the Supply Chain business unit concluded additional contracts 
worth around €1,520 million (previous year: around €1,210 million) in annualised reve-
nue with both new and existing  customers. Substantial signings were secured with major 
customers in the Consumer, Retail, Life Sciences & Healthcare and Technology sectors. 
The annualised contract  renewal rate remained at a consistently high level.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

69

 
 
Report on Economic Position
Business performance in the divisions

Group Management Report

Earnings impacted by one-time effects and business disposals

EBIT in the division was €441 million in the reporting year (previous year, adjusted: 
€419 million). This figure included a non-cash one-off gain on the adjustment of  pension 
plans of €50 million in the fourth quarter, arising from the transition of defined benefit 
to defined contribution pension plans in the  UK. In the reporting year, this one-off 
 benefit was offset by €30 million in restructuring expenses mainly for initiatives to 
reduce indirect costs in Europe. The division also incurred expenses associated with 
business disposals.

Earnings were impacted by contract losses and the first-quarter charges associated 
with the Chapter 11 insolvency filing of a major Williams Lea customer based in the 
United States. The further improved management of our contract portfolio and strong 
performance in the Americas and Asia Pacific regions offset lower volumes and mar-
gin pressure in other markets. The return on sales was 3.1 % (previous year: 2.9 %). In 
the fourth quarter of 2013, EBIT amounted to €178 million (previous year, adjusted: 
€116 million), benefitting from the above-mentioned one-time effects and improved 
business performance.

Operating cash flow for the reporting year increased to €637 million, from €432 mil-

lion in the previous year.

70

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Group Management Report

Deutsche Post Shares

DEUTSCHE POST SHARES

Equity markets benefit from monetary policies

The stock markets performed well again in 2013. At the start of the year, sentiment 
was still bearish given concerns regarding France’s risk of dipping into recession as well 
as the difficult situations in Italy, Spain, Portugal and Cyprus. On 19 April 2013, the 
DAX reached its annual low of 7,460 points. Whilst a good reporting season and the 
lowering of key interest rates by the ECB in May led the markets to recover, the upwards 
trend abated towards the end of the first half amidst speculation of a halt to the US Federal 
 Reserve’s expansive monetary policies. The DAX was up at the end of the first half thanks 
to the sustained growth of the German economy. However, the EURO STOXX 50 reached 
its annual low of 2,512 points on 24 June. In the second half, both indices displayed a 
steady upwards trend on the back of the US budget agreement and the decision of the 
ECB to take its key interest rate down another notch. After slight corrections, the markets 
rallied once again at year-end. The DAX reached a new all-time high of 9,589 points on 
27 December and the EURO STOXX 50 reached an annual high of 3,111 points on the same 
day. The DAX ended the year 2013 at 9,552 points, a gain of 25.5 %. The EURO STOXX 50 
was up 18.4 % year-on-year.

a.59  Deutsche Post shares: multi-year review

  Economic parameters, page 45

  Economic parameters, page 45

Year-end closing price

High

Low

Number of shares

Market capitalisation as at 31 December

2007

23.51

25.65

19.95

2008

11.91

24.18

7.18

€

€

€

millions

€ m

1,208.2 1

28,388

1,209.0 1

14,399

2009

13.49

13.79

6.65

1,209.0

16,309

2010

12.70

14.46

11.18

1,209.0

15,354

2011

11.88

13.83

9.13

1,209.0

14,363

2012

16.60

16.66

11.88

1,209.0

20,069

2013

26.50

26.71

16.51

1,209.0

32,039

Average trading volume per day

shares

6,907,270

7,738,509

5,446,920

5,329,779

4,898,924

4,052,323

4,114,460

Annual performance including dividends

Annual performance excluding dividends

Beta factor 2

Earnings per share 3

Cash flow per share 4

Price-to-earnings ratio 5

Price-to-cash flow ratio 4, 6

Dividend

Payout ratio

Dividend per share

Dividend yield

%

%

€

€

€ m

%

€

%

6.9

2.9

0.68

1.15

4.27

20.4

5.5

1,087

78.6

0.90

3.8

– 45.5

– 49.3

0.81

–1.40

1.60

– 8.5

7.4

725

–

0.60

5.0

18.3

13.3

0.91

0.53

– 0.48

25.5

–28.1

725

112.6

0.60

4.4

–1.4

– 5.9

0.95

2.10

1.59

6.0

8.0

786

30.9

0.65

5.1

–1.3

– 6.5

1.19

0.96

1.96

12.4

6.1

846

72.7

0.70

5.9

45.6

39.7

0.88

1.36 7

– 0.17

12.2 7

– 97.6

846

51.6

0.70

4.2

63.9

59.6

0.86

1.73

2.48

15.3

10.7

967 8

46.2 9

0.80 8

3.0

 Note 38.

1  Increase due to exercise of stock options 
2  Three-year beta; source: Bloomberg.
3  Based on consolidated net profit after deduction of non-controlling interests 
4  Cash flow from operating activities.
5  Year-end closing price / earnings per share.
6  Year-end closing price / cash flow per share.
7  Adjusted after applying IAS 19 R.
8  Proposal.
9  Excluding extraordinary effects: 48.9 %.

 Note 22.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Deutsche Post Shares

Group Management Report

a.60  Peer group comparison: closing prices

Deutsche Post DHL

PostNL

TNT Express

FedEx

UPS

Kuehne + Nagel

30 Sept. 
2013

24.53

3.20

6.75

114.11

91.37

118.50

31 Dec. 
2013

26.50

4.15

6.75

143.77

105.08

117.10

EUR

EUR

EUR

USD

USD

CHF

+ / – %

8.0

29.7

0.0

26.0

15.0

–1.2

30 Dec. 
2012

16.60

2.92

8.43

91.72

73.73

110.00

31 Dec. 
2013

26.50

4.15

6.75

143.77

105.08

117.10

+ / – %

59.6

42.1

–19.9

56.7

42.5

6.5

a.61  Share price performance

€

30

28

26

24

22

20

18

16

14

12

10

Closing price: € 26.50

30 December 2012 

31 March 2013 

30 June 2013 

30 September 2013 

31 December 2013

   Deutsche Post 

  EURO STOXX 50 1 

  DAX 1

1  Rebased to the closing price of Deutsche Post shares on 30 December 2012.

Deutsche Post shares outperform the DaX for the third consecutive year

Deutsche Post shares again made strong gains over the course of 2013. Although 
the shares recovered quickly from their annual low of €16.51 on 8 January, they then 
proceeded to mirror the fluctuating market. After publication of the figures for 2012 on 
5 March our shares broke away from the rest of the market to take a lead that widened 
even more after the announcement of the quarterly figures on 14 May 2013. The free 
float steadily increased up until the end of July, finally reaching 79.0 % as a result of full 
conversion of a convertible bond issued by KfW Bankengruppe (KfW). Publication of 
the results for the second quarter on 6 August led to fresh price gains for our shares 
along with rising market capitalisation, a development that made no small contribution 
to their admission to the EURO STOXX 50 on 23 September. Over the rest of the year we 
registered additional gains thanks to increases in demand as well as another announce-
ment of solid figures on 12 November, this time for the third quarter. The subsequent 
brief price correction was followed by a year-end rally to a new all-time high of €26.71 
on 27 December. With a closing price of €26.50, our shares ended the year up 59.6 % and 
thus outperformed the DAX for the third consecutive year. Deutsche Post shares were also 
the second-strongest stock in Germany’s leading index as well as in the EURO STOXX 50 
at the end of 2013. Average daily Xetra trading volumes remained at the prior-year level 
at 4.1 million shares.

72

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Group Management Report

Deutsche Post Shares

Majority of analysts give shares a “buy” rating

a.62  Shareholder structure 1

21.0 %  KfW Bankengruppe

79.0 %  free float

67.8 %   institutional  

investors

11.2 %  private investors

1  As at 31 December 2013.

a.63  Shareholder structure by region 1

13.8 %  USA

14.8 %  UK

26.9 %  Other

44.5 %  Germany

1  As at 31 December 2013.

At the close of 2013, 18 analysts issued a “buy” recommendation on our shares – six 
fewer than the year before. Due to the strong share performance, more analysts regard 
our stock as appropriately rated. As a result, the number of hold ratings increased from 
11 to 14. Only three analysts recommended selling, one more than in the previous year. 
The average price target increased from €17.44 to €26.13 during the year.

Free float rises anew

The convertible bond issued by KfW on 23 July 2009 and exchangeable for 54.1 mil-
lion Deutsche Post shares was converted in full by the bond creditors prior to the end 
of July due to the strong performance of the stock. KfW’s stake thus dropped by 4.5 % 
to 21.0 % in advance of the conversion deadline of 30 July 2014 with the according rise 
in the free float to 79.0 %. The share of our stock held by private investors rose to 11.2 % 
(previous year: 10.8 %). In terms of the regional distribution of identified institutional 
investors, the highest percentage of shares (14.8 %) continues to be held in the United 
Kingdom (previous year: 13.8 %). The share of US investors increased to 13.8 % (previous 
year: 12.3 %) whilst that of institutional investors in Germany rose to 12.3 % (previous 
year: 11.7 %). Our 25 largest institutional investors hold a total of 30.5 % of all issued shares.

Focused capital markets communication recognised

We again succeeded in demonstrating the potential of our company and its  divisions 
to the capital markets in the reporting year. In April, we held two Capital Markets 
 Tutorial Workshops – one in London and one in Frankfurt am Main – to ensure a 
high level of transparency with regard to pensions and other provisions, including their 
impact on the financial statements and free cash flow. In further tutorial workshops in 
 Leipzig and London in September, we explained the business model of our EXPRESS 
 division to investors and analysts with the aim of boosting confidence in the division’s 
financial objectives. Our discussions regarding the MAIL division focused on medium- 
term profit expectations and growth prospects for the parcel business. With respect to 
the GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT division, discussions revolved around implemen-
tation of our strategic NFE project, and those regarding the SUPPLY CHAIN division 
involved the prospects for growth and profitability.

We have further developed our investor targeting activities, holding a total of 566 
one-on-one meetings at national and international conferences and road shows, 104 of 
which involved members of our Board of Management. Our investor relations work was 
recognised in the annual survey conducted by the Institutional Investor trade journal, 
with both our CEO and IR team winning first place respectively in the transport sector 
in a poll of sell-side analysts. In the opinion of their buy-side counterparts, Dr Frank 
Appel and Lawrence Rosen also ranked amongst the top board members in the sector.
Our investor relations site took first place in the IR Global Rankings out of 300 
participating companies in the category of “IR Website”. Furthermore, we have also 
been providing up-to-date IR and financial media news for the iPad since June 2013. 
In the  reporting year alone, our free “DPDHL IR app” has been downloaded more than 
2,000 times.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

73

 
 
Non-Financial Figures
Employees

Group Management Report

NON-FINANCIAL FIGURES

Deutsche Post DHL not only wants to be an attractive investment for shareholders, it 
also wants to become the employer of choice for employees and the provider of choice for 
 customers. Our services in the areas of Hr, diversity, health management, occupational 
safety, service and quality play a key role in this endeavour. With programmes in the areas of  
environmental protection, disaster management and education, the Group is also  committed 
to social responsibility.

Employees

“One Hr” – redesigning Hr

With excellent HR work, we intend to contribute to the performance of the Group 
and its divisions, whilst safeguarding the balance between Group-wide  harmonisation 
and divisional / regional independence. In 2012, we began to transform the content 
and structure of our Human Resources activities with the launch of our One HR pro-
gramme. Our objective is to create a globally integrated HR management and, over the 
course of the reporting year, important steps were taken towards this goal: corporate 
and  divisional structures were redesigned, a cross-divisional HR decision-making body 
was established, and a globally applicable HR process framework created.

In future, Group-wide strategies and standards will be introduced across all areas of 
HR. Furthermore, we intend to take strategic action to achieve success by way of ten key 
initiatives, including talent management, diversity and leadership development training.
These changes within the HR organisation are being accompanied by a batch of 
measures, including a network of promoters set up specifically to help facilitate the 
changes and a new training programme designed for all HR employees within the Group.

Employee opinion survey with good results
The annual results of our global employee opinion survey represent indicators relevant 
for internal management. The objective is to measure employee commitment within the 
Group and ensure it is further encouraged via appropriate measures. The conduct of 
management is very important in this respect and it is for this very reason the “Active 
Leadership” KPI is tied to management bonuses. Overall, the results were good across 
the Group, with all areas rated as better than or unchanged from the prior-year results. 
Participation during the reporting year lagged slightly behind that of the prior year as 
a result of adjustments in communication and reporting practices. 

a.64  Selected results from the employee opinion survey

%

Participation rate

KPI Active Leadership

KPI Employee Commitment

2012

2013

80

69

72

77

70

72

  Group management, page 37

74

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
Group Management Report

Non-Financial Figures
Employees

Number of employees continues to rise slightly

As at 31 December 2013, we employed 435,285 full-time equivalents in more than 

220 countries and territories, 1.7 % more than in the previous year.

a.65  Number of employees

At year-end

Headcount 1

Full-time equivalents 2

of which MAIL

EXPRESS

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT

SUPPLY CHAIN

Corporate Center / Other

of which Germany

Europe (excluding Germany)

Americas

Asia Pacific

Other regions

Average for the year

Headcount

of which hourly workers and salaried employees

Civil servants

Trainees

Full-time equivalents

1  Including trainees.
2  Excluding trainees.

2012

2013

+ / – %

473,626

428,129

145,850

85,587

42,062

141,926

12,704

167,082

107,322

72,503

64,164

17,058

472,321

424,950

42,461

4,910

480,006

435,285

148,083

86,095

43,405

145,190

12,512

168,925

105,012

77,162

66,840

17,346

479,212

433,956

40,321

4,935

428,287

435,520

1.3

1.7

1.5

0.6

3.2

2.3

–1.5

1.1

–2.2

6.4

4.2

1.7

1.5

2.1

– 5.0

0.5

1.7

The majority of employees were hired in the SUPPLY CHAIN division as a result of 
growth in new and existing business. The prior-year figure includes employees from 
three companies that have since been divested.

The MAIL division saw increases because new personnel were hired, in particular 

for the Parcel Germany business unit.

The number of full-time employees in the EXPRESS division increased slightly com-
pared with the previous year. This was necessary mainly in the area of operations due 
to the increase in item volumes.

The GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT division reports a slight increase due merely 

to a change in the recording of figures in the Americas.

We continue to employ most of our personnel in Germany, where our workforce 
increased. Staff levels also rose in the Americas, Asia Pacific and Other regions. Our 
workforce in Europe declined.

Current planning foresees another slight increase in the number of employees in 

financial year 2014.

a.66   Employees by region, 2013 1

  4 %  Other

15 %  Asia Pacific

18 %  Americas

24 %   Europe  

(excluding Germany)

39 %  Germany

1  As at 31 December; full-time equivalents.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Non-Financial Figures
Employees

Group Management Report

  Note 14

Staff costs at prior-year level
At €17,785 million, staff costs remained at the prior-year level (€17,770 million).

a.67  Staff costs and social security benefits

€ m

Wages, salaries and compensation 1

Social security contributions

Retirement benefit expenses 1

Expenses for other employee benefits

Expenses for severance payments

Staff costs

1  Prior-year adjusted figures 

 Note 4.

2012

14,209

2,094

954

336

177

2013

14,307

2,111

883

357

127

17,770

17,785

Wage agreement concluded for Deutsche Post aG

In April 2013, Deutsche Post AG concluded a collective agreement with the trade 
unions for around 130,000 employees. The long, 26-month term is a significant achieve-
ment. The agreement not only means commensurate compensation, it also creates plan-
ning certainty and stability for the company until mid-2015. Furthermore, the postal 
allowance paid to civil servants as well as the remuneration for trainees and co-operative 
education students was adjusted.

The Generations Pact, concluded between Deutsche Post AG and the trade unions 
in 2011, continued to find acceptance amongst our workforce in the reporting year. 
As at the end of the year, 1,429 employees have gone into partial retirement and 16,737 
have set up a working-time account. Together with the competent authorities, we are 
also working towards a comparable instrument for age-based working solutions for our 
civil servants.

Systematically developing and promoting employees

We employ a multi-step system to develop and promote our employees at all levels. 
In multi-day training workshops, top, upper and middle management learn how they 
can further develop their personal approach to leadership based on an overarching 
philosophy. As at the end of the reporting year, 1,128 executives had taken part in such 
a workshop. We intend to further develop the programme and add associated meas-
ures in 2014. This success is also reflected in our internal placement rate for upper and 
middle management, which was 90.3 % in the reporting year (previous year: 92.9 %). 
11.0 % (previous year: 5.7 %) of the internal job placements involving these positions 
were cross-divisional in 2013.

The  “Certified  International  Specialist / Professional / Manager”  training  concept 
forms a standardised basis for the functional and divisional training of all employees, 
and was transferred to HR in the reporting year. With effect from 2014, it will support 
our 5,500 HR employees during the upcoming changes and deepen their knowledge 
in all important fields on multiple levels. The trainers will come exclusively from our 
own ranks.

76

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
Group Management Report

Non-Financial Figures
Employees

The systematic development and qualification of our workforce begins with an 
apprenticeship. In the reporting year, we hired over 2,148 talented young  individuals 
for  more  than  20  apprenticeship  schemes  and  15  dual-study  programmes,  making 
Deutsche Post DHL one of the largest companies providing opportunities for appren-
tices in Germany. We also use performance incentives to motivate our apprentices. The 
top 5 % are fostered in our Top-Azubi talent programme. They receive additional support 
from a “mentor”, have access to special seminars and receive an employment guarantee. 
In 2013, around 1,371 young people were offered a full-time employment contract after 
completing their apprenticeship.

A.68  Apprenticeship schemes  
Deutsche Post DHL, worldwide 1

  5.6 %   Warehousing 

 logistics specialists
  5.7 %   Duale Hochschule  

students
  7.0 %   Forwarding and 
logistics services 
specialists

30.9 %   Other apprentice-

ship schemes

50.8 %   Courier, express 

and postal services 
specialists

Rewarding good ideas

Group-wide Idea Management boosts our innovative strength and improves our 
ability to compete in the market. Employees in 37 countries are now able to participate.

1  Number of apprentices, annual average: 4,935.

A.69  Idea management

Suggestions for improvements

Accepted suggestions for improvements

Rate of implementation

number

number

%

2012

165,124

133,698

81.0

2013

124,834

106,248

85.1

Seeing diversity as potential

We foster diversity by means of our systemtic management approach. It is a constit-
uent part of our corporate identity and contributes to an open corporate culture. The 
Group’s declaration on “Diversity & Inclusion”, which was approved and communicated 
around the world in the summer of 2013, demonstrates how important diversity is to 
the Board of Management.

We want to raise awareness amongst our staff of the sheer potential that diversity 
offers our company. To this end, we have developed, amongst other things, executive 
training programmes for integration into existing development programmes.

A.70  Employees with a disability (Deutsche Post AG) 1

Mandatory workplaces

Employment rate

1  In accordance with § 80 German Social Code IX.
2  Adjusted.

Headcount

%

2011 2

13,199

8.3

2012

13,740

8.6

2013

14,170

8.7

Since the end of 2011, we have taken measures to sustainably increase the num-
ber of women in executive positions: we have made a commitment with regard to fill-
ing  executive positions, introduced a system of key figures and installed  mentoring 
 programmes.  Furthermore,  we  are  supporting  women’s  networks  and  we  have 
made Group-wide diversity training focusing on gender available for executives. On 
31  December 2013, the proportion of women in executive positions worldwide was 
19.6 %, an increase compared with 17.6 % in 2011.

A.71  Gender distribution  
in management 1, 2013

19.6 %  Women

80.4 %  Men

1  Based on upper and middle management.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

77

 
 
 
 
 
 
Non-Financial Figures
Employees 
Health and safety

Group Management Report

Work-family balance is an essential aspect of what makes us an attractive employer. 
We succeed in meeting the needs of our employees by offering flexible working hour 
models and consistently improved childcare options.

a.72  Work-family balance 1

Headcount

State-regulated parental leave

of which men

of which women

Unpaid holiday for family reasons

Part-time employees 2

Share of part-time employees (%)

1  Includes employees of Deutsche Post AG.
2  Excludes employees in the release phase of partial retirement.

2012

1,718

155

1,563

2,150

62,523

37.0

2013

1,579

146

1,433

1,966

63,169

36.8

The  average  annual  employment  rate  of  people  with  a  disability  was  8.7 %  at 
Deutsche Post AG in 2013, again well above the national average in the German private 
sector (4.0 % in 2011, source: Bundesagentur für Arbeit (German federal employment 
agency)).

Health and safety

a.73  Illness rate 1

Group-wide health and safety strategy adopted

2013

2012

  8.4 %

  7.6 %

1  All organisational units in Germany.

In the reporting year, we approved a global health and safety strategy based on 
the “Healthy Workplace” model set out by the World Health Organisation. It integrates 
the four areas of workplace design, corporate culture, strengthening individual health 
resources and supporting the entire community. We focus on prevention in order to 
address risks which could impact health and productivity – aiming to limit an increase 
in insurance and treatment costs in the process.

In Germany, for example, we have for many years employed a management system 
that uses local Health Work Groups to implement a broad spectrum of measures to pro-
mote health and prevent accidents. In this way alone, our health and safety organisation 
initiates up to 40,000 health promotion measures on an annual basis.

The illness rate in our company in Germany was in line with the general trend, rising 
to 8.4 % (previous year: 7.6 %). The increase was due to the rising proportion of older 
employees, a severe flu outbreak and an increase in accidents due to the harsh winter.

Contributing to a safe work environment

Our goal is to prevent occupational risks and design a safe and healthy workplace 
for our employees. To this end, for example, we analyse accidents in detail and use the 
results to develop suitable preventative measures. As a logistics company, we focus on 
safe and trouble-free transport processes at our facilities, as well as on road safety. Our 
processes have to undergo critical appraisal on a regular basis.

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Group Management Report

a.74  Occupational safety 1

Number of workplace accidents 2

Accident rate (number of accidents per 1,000 employees per year)

Number of working days lost due to accidents (calendar days)

Working days lost per accident

Number of fatalities due to workplace accidents

1  Includes employees of Deutsche Post AG.
2  Accidents when at least one working day is lost, including accidents on the way to and from work.
3  Adjusted.
4  As at 2 January 2014. Subject to change if later reports received.

2012 3

14,441

80

2013 4

15,765

86

313,750

359,452

21.7

1

22.8

2

Corporate responsibility

Focusing on corporate responsibility

Part of our Group strategy is to exemplify our corporate responsibility. We achieve 
this by combining profitability with sustainability. The importance this has for our busi-
ness activities is demonstrated in our Code of Conduct, which is guided by the  principles 
of the  Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations (UN) Global  Compact, 
the Inter national Labour Organisation (ILO) convention and the OECD guidelines for 
multinational companies. We also take the various interests of our stakeholders into 
 account. In order to more accurately understand their needs, we asked our stake holders 
to participate in a survey for the first time in the year under review. The results were 
systematically recorded in a Materiality Analysis and are presented in our 2013  Corporate 
Responsibility Report.

Our approach to value creation is to ensure that our business activities benefit both 
society and the environment whilst at the same time solidifying our market position. 
We pursue this approach by means of our activities in the area of environmental and 
climate protection as well as through our sustainable products and services. In addition, 
we  systematically and continuously track developments in areas such as labour, health, 
safety, procurement and compliance to enable us to more quickly and comprehensively 
identify opportunities  and  risks relevant to our business. Furthermore, the Corporate 
 Citizenship department comprises activities in the area of education and emergency 
assistance for natural disasters as well as local environmental protection and aid projects 
in which our employees get involved.

Slight rise in greenhouse gas emissions due to better utilisation  
of our own aircraft capacity
We  aim  to  reduce  our  dependency  on  fossil  fuels,  improve  our  CO2  efficiency 
and lower costs. We have anchored these goals throughout the entire Group with our 
 GoGreen environmental protection programme. Our “green” products and services help 
customers achieve their own environmental targets whilst concurrently opening up new 
business opportunities to us. By the year 2020 we intend to improve the CO2 efficiency 
of our own operations and those of our subcontractors by 30 % compared with 2007.

We quantify our greenhouse gas emissions based upon the principles of the GHG 
Protocol  Corporate  Standard  and  the  DIN  EN  16258  standard.  In  our  European  air 
freight business, this also includes the requirements of the European Union Emissions 
Trading System (EU ETS). Pursuant to DIN EN 16258, all gases that are harmful to the 
 environment must be disclosed in the form of CO2 equivalents (CO2 e). In 2013, our 

Non-Financial Figures
Health and safety 
Corporate responsibility

  dpdhl.com/en/responsibility

  Page 88 ff.

a.75  Co2 e emissions, 2013

Total: around 5.6 million tonnes 1

14 %  Real estate

22 %  Road transport

64 %  Air transport

1  Scopes 1 and 2.

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Non-Financial Figures
Corporate responsibility

Group Management Report

direct (Scope 1) and indirect (Scope 2) greenhouse gas emissions amounted to approx-
imately 5.6 million tonnes (previous year: 5.4 million tonnes of CO2 e). These emissions 
were a result of the fuel consumption of our fleet and energy consumption in our build-
ings. Our emissions increased by 3.7 % due mainly to better utilisation of our own air-
craft (Scope 1) in meeting demand. This reflects the EXPRESS division’s above-average 
performance. At the same time, we have avoided 0.5 million tonnes of CO2 e by using 
electricity from renewable sources.

a.76  Fuel and energy consumption

Consumption by fleet

Air transport (jet fuel)

2012

2013

million kilograms

1,059.0

1,131.8

Road transport (petrol, biodiesel, diesel, bio-ethanol, LPG)

Road transport (biogas, CNG)

million litres

million kilograms

Energy for buildings and facilities (including electric vehicles)

million kilowatt hours

472.3

2.2

3,127

476.8

3.2

3,394

  dpdhl.com/en/responsibility

The basis for calculating our CO2 emissions and the changes in our CO2 efficiency 
as well as detailed consumption data are available in the Corporate Responsibility Report.

Using our expertise and network for social responsibility

As part of a public-private partnership, we support the UN in disaster management 
free of charge as part of our GoHelp Group programme. At airports selected in conjunc-
tion with the UN, our professional logistics experts hold multi-day workshops known as 
Get Airports Ready for Disaster (GARD) to help prepare the airport personnel for dis aster 
scenarios. During the workshops, risk analyses are developed and measures prepared 
that can increase the capacity and efficiency of the airport in the event of disaster. In 
2013, six airports in El Salvador, the Philippines, Armenia and Panama were examined.
Disaster Response Teams provide immediate assistance on site when disaster strikes. 
Our worldwide network is made up of more than 400 volunteer logistics specialists 
who can be deployed to a disaster area within 72 hours of receiving the call from the 
UN. Once on site, they support relief organisations by taking over airport logistics. In 
2013, our DRT s were deployed to Chile after the forest fires and to the Philippines after 
the devastating Typhoon Haiyan.

As one of the world’s largest employers, we want to improve the education and em-
ployability of young people. We are a partner of the Teach For All and SOS Children’s 
Villages organisations and over the course of the reporting year we supported organ-
isations in 21 countries. We entered into new partnerships with SOS Children’s Villages 
in Uganda, Ethiopia, Jordan, Morocco, Peru, Costa Rica and Panama. The co-operation 
agreement between Deutsche Post DHL and Teach For All was extended for another 
three years in 2013. We have recently started co-operating with Teach for the Philippines. 
Our financial support is supplemented by commitment from our employees as part of 
local partnerships.

With Global Volunteer Day, where around 100,000 employees were active  during 
the  reporting  year,  and  the  Living  Responsibility  Fund,  we  support  our  employees’ 
 volunteering activities. The We Help Each Other (WHEO) fund enables employees to 
donate money for colleagues affected by a natural disaster.

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Group Management Report

Non-Financial Figures
Corporate responsibility 
Procurement

Our corporate responsibility – globally acknowledged

International investors and analysts monitor and evaluate how sustainable a com-
pany’s business is. Based on our commitment in the reporting year, we were again listed 
in the FTSE4Good and MSCI sustainability indices and achieved a very good ranking in 
the CDP Global 500 Climate Disclosure Leadership Index. We were the only company 
in our sector to receive the top “AAA” ranking from MSCI in 2013. In addition, the 
leading sustainability research company Sustainalytics evaluated our overall corporate 
responsibility and environmental activities as “Industry Leader”. Other independent 
 institutions also rated our activities: our GoGreen environmental protection programme, 
for  example, was awarded the international Green Brands eco-label in 2013. Moreover, 
we are ranked 23rd of 70 international corporations in the Good Company Ranking 
published by communications agency Kirchhoff Consult AG. Please see our Corporate 
Responsibility Report for additional results.

  dpdhl.com/en/responsibility

Procurement

Expenditure at prior-year level

a.77  Procurement expenses, 2013

In the year under review, the Group centrally purchased goods and services with a 

Volume: €9.4 billion

  8 %  Production systems
  8 %  Network supplies

10 %  Air fleet
10 %  Real estate

13 %  Ground fleet

13 %  Transport services

14 %  IT and communications

24 %  Services

   Objectives and strategies, page 33

   Objectives and strategies, page 34

total value of approximately €9.4 billion (previous year: €9.5 billion). 

Procurement helps the divisions to reduce expenditure and make cost-effective 
investments. It has supported the EXPRESS division in the area of aviation for years. In 
the reporting year, a global tender was put out for divisional kerosene requirements. As 
a result, costs were reduced by around €3.6 million. A further €4.5 million was saved 
by purchasing new aviation ground support equipment.

Procurement once again supported the MAIL division in the selection and order 
placement process for sorting solutions. In order to expand capacities in the parcel net-
work, the equipment at 20 facilities was expanded or retrofitted. Moreover, we selected 
suppliers with whom a number of technical solutions are being tested. Procurement 
also supported the ADAC Postbus project team during contract negotiations. As a result, 
the costs initially calculated were reduced.

Procurement helped the GLOBAL  FORWARDING,  FREIGHT division with its  New 
 Forwarding  Environment project, leading negotiations and providing support in imple-
menting the future IT system.

The Group put out a global tender for the acquisition of IT hardware, which allowed 
us to both reduce prices and increase product quality. The supplier base was expanded 
and the hardware standardised.

The financing and payment model Supplier Finance, which is in place in parts 
of  Europe, the United States, South Korea and the People’s Republic of China, was 
 deployed in the United Kingdom and Turkey in the reporting year. It allows the divisions 
to  improve their working capital and suppliers to benefit from favourable financing 
 conditions.

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81

 
Non-Financial Figures
Procurement

Group Management Report

Procurement organisation adapted to regional requirements

Procurement  is  a  centralised  function  in  the  Group.  In  the  reporting  year,  the 
Global Sourcing IT and Telecommunications department was added to the Procurement 
 organisation. This allows us to pool our expertise in the area of IT, which is consistently 
growing  in  strategic  importance.  Corporate  Category  Management  now   comprises 
three Global Sourcing departments which work closely with the four procurement 
 regions. All report to the head of Corporate Procurement. In Asia, we outsourced the 
catalogue-based ordering system to an external provider, which now serves the eleven 
countries with the highest procurement rate in the Asia-Pacific region from its base in 
Nanhai, China. As a result, we are able to respond even more flexibly and quickly to the 
strong growth in this market. In contrast, we pooled our purchasing into three regional 
centres in the Americas and Europe.

Procurement considers environmental aspects

When  purchasing  products  and  services,  Procurement  works  closely  together 
with those responsible for the various product categories and regions in order to take 
environ mental aspects into consideration. Our goal is to increase the proportion of 
energy we consume from renewable resources and over the course of the reporting year, 
we began laying the necessary legal groundwork to realise this. In addition to several 
countries in Europe, we are also gradually converting to green electricity in the United 
States at present. In the reporting year the operational fleet was also modernised. 8,956 
emission-efficient Euro class 5 and 6 vehicles were put into operation in Germany. In 
addition, a total of 121 electric vehicles and three natural gas vehicles were procured and 
are being tested on delivery routes. We describe various projects and the CO2 savings 
achieved in our Corporate Responsibility Report.

Procurement systems further expanded

The use of IT applications to procure goods and services more efficiently increased 
again in the reporting year. For instance, our electronic ordering system “GeT” is now 
available in the 46 countries with the highest procurement rates. This improves our 
procurement worldwide.

Suppliers required to comply with Code of Conduct

An essential component of our supplier contracts is the Code of Conduct for sup-
pliers, which defines the Group’s ethical and environmental standards. It includes an 
explicit ban on child and forced labour. Furthermore, suppliers agree to comply with 
all valid environmental, labour and health regulations, the international anti-corrup-
tion standards in the United Nations Global Compact as well as local anti-corruption 
laws, and refrain from all forms of discrimination based on race, religion, disability, age, 
sexual orientation or gender.

  dpdhl.com/en/responsibility

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Group Management Report

Non-Financial Figures
Customers and quality

Customers and quality

Innovative technology translates into competitive advantage  
in the mail and parcel business

We operate a first-class, efficient and environmentally friendly nationwide transport 
and delivery network in Germany consisting of 82 mail centres and 33 parcel centres 
that process 64 million letters and in excess of 3.4 million parcels each working day. In 
the reporting year, the high level of automation in our mail business, which exceeds 90 %, 
saw a further slight increase. In our parcel network, we have meanwhile increased our 
overall sorting capacity by almost 30 % by upgrading existing facilities.

Our customers rate the quality of our services based on whether posted items reach 
their destinations quickly, reliably and undamaged. We again achieved excellent results 
in letter transit times within Germany: according to surveys conducted by the quality 
research institute Quotas, 94 % of the letters posted during our daily opening hours or 
before final post box collections are delivered to their recipients the next day. This places 
us far above the legal requirement of 80 %. In order to ensure this level of quality in the 
long term, our quality management is based on a system that is certified each year by 
TÜV NORD, a recognised certification and testing organisation.

In the parcel business, items usually reach their recipients the next working day. This 
is based on parcels that were collected from business customers and that were delivered 
the next day. Our internal system for measuring parcel transit times has been certified 
by TÜV Rheinland since 2008.

Transit  times  for  international  letters  are  determined  by  the  International  Post 

 Corporation. Here, we rank amongst the top postal companies.

In  2013,  E-Postbrief  was  developed  into  E-POST  with  a  series  of  user-friendly 
 services: with E-POST, small and medium-sized companies can send items directly from 
their usual company software, either digitally or by conventional post, digitise and safely 
store consumer documents, and pay invoices using invoice recognition.

The average weekly opening time of our 26,000-plus sales points was 55 hours in 
the reporting year (previous year: 52 hours). The annual survey conducted by Kunden-
monitor  Deutschland,  the  largest  consumer  study  in  Germany,  also  showed  a  high 
 acceptance of our exclusively partner-operated retail outlets: over 91 % of customers 
were satisfied with our quality and service (previous year: 92 %). In addition, impartial 
mystery shoppers from TNS Infratest tested the postal outlets in retail stores around 
26,000 times over the year. The result showed that more than 94 % of customers were 
served within three minutes.

A central characteristic of the quality of our products is environmental protection. As 
such, we employ a TÜV NORD-certified environmental management system in our mail 
and parcel businesses in Germany. Our GoGreen products offer private and  business 
customers  climate-neutral  shipping  options.  Moreover,  with  over  200  vehicles,  we 
 operate one of the largest electric vehicle fleets in the world. Bonn, Germany, where 
our corporate headquarters are based, is the first city, in which we have begun to con-
vert our entire delivery operations to run using electric vehicles. Furthermore, we use 
innovative technologies in our buildings and operating facilities, such as LED, and we 
have also increased our use of renewable energies.

  Corporate responsibility, page 79 ff.

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83

Non-Financial Figures
Customers and quality

Group Management Report

Service quality translates into competitive advantage in the express business

We want to offer our customers the best possible service quality all around the 
world and therefore place high demands on our products, processes, infrastructure 
and employees. Therefore, we keep a constant eye on the changing requirements of our 
customers, for example, through our new Insanely Customer Centric Culture (ICCC) 
programme. Whenever our employees – as couriers, in customer service or in sales – are 
in contact with a customer, their feedback is documented, evaluated and made  available 
to all responsible departments within the company. This allows us to continuously trans-
late customer feedback into improvements.

Online, we provide the MyDHL portal as well as the Small Business Solutions  section 
of our website. These portals make it easier for, above all, small and medium- sized busi-
ness customers to send their shipments. They also receive comprehensive information on 
the topic of shipping. We use quality control centres to track shipments worldwide and 
dynamically adjust our processes. Should unforeseen events occur, flight and shipment 
routes can be altered immediately. Our standard service includes tracking all premium 
products – for example, Medical Express shipments – until they are  delivered. In the case 
of sensitive shipments, we also immediately take all necessary measures to ensure that 
they reach the recipient at the agreed time and in the agreed quality.

Our operational safety, compliance with standards and the quality of service at our 
facilities are reviewed regularly in co-operation with government authorities. More than 
240 locations – around half of which are in Europe – have been certified by the Trans-
ported Asset Protection Association (TAPA), one of the world’s most renowned safety 
associations, making us the leader in this area. In 2010, we began recording all certi-
fication processes using a uniform system, and managing them globally. We received 
global ISO 9001:2008 certification for our systems in the reporting year. This validated 
our policy of harmonising quality standards. Furthermore, we renewed the ISO 9001 
and 14001 standards for Europe.

Better performance translates into competitive advantage  
in the freight forwarding business

In order to support a culture of customer advocacy, we conduct biennial surveys 
to determine customer satisfaction with our services. Moreover, during the reporting 
year we launched a project called Net Promoter Approach, which sees customers rate 
the performance of our services immediately after interacting with us. The knowledge 
gained is used immediately to adapt local services where necessary and improve internal 
processes.

To further improve our performance, we apply the First Choice Way. By 2013, over 
5,000 employees trained in this methodology were employed in our operations and 
in the reporting year more than 1,200 improvements were made. The vast majority of 
the division’s operating performance indicators exceeded our forecasts over the year as 
a whole. For example, the rate of customer complaints that were resolved successfully 
improved on the prior year by nearly one-fifth to approximately 78 %.

With the help of our customers, we intend to stabilise processes and improve our 
performance. Currently more than 150 initiatives are underway worldwide. For instance, 
the Brazilian team that services a global hardware manufacturer improved the customs 
clearance process by reducing processing time by 48 % and enabling 98 % of the files to be 
cleared within the target cycle time. Our customers value our continuous improvements 
and in 2013, we again received numerous awards for these efforts.

  Objectives and strategies, page 31

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Non-Financial Figures
Customers and quality 
Brands

   Objectives and strategies, page 31 ff.

Group Management Report

Quality translates into competitive advantage in the supply chain business
In line with our Group  strategy, we also want to be the provider of choice in the 
 SUPPLY CHAIN division. We therefore implement practices and methodologies that 
provide our customers with the highest level of service and the most added value. We 
use globally tested processes to allow us to offer our customers everywhere comparable 
solutions and uniformly high service standards.

In order to measure and monitor the quality of our service, we have defined a num-
ber of performance indicators for the division. These include safety, productivity and 
inventory accuracy. In 2013, we again achieved more than 95 % of our service standards 
worldwide. Seven out of ten customers surveyed confirmed that DHL is their provider 
of choice in the supply chain business.

With our Path to Quality programme, which we introduced in 2011, we are con-
stantly improving the already high quality of our services and thus ensuring the con-
sistency, transparency and simplicity of logistics processes. The results achieved using 
the Path to Quality system have been met with broad recognition amongst customers.

Brands

a.78  Brands and business units

Brand

Division

Brand area

MaIL

• Mail  

Communication

• Dialogue 
Marketing
• Press Services
• Philately
• Pension Service

• Global Mail
• Parcel Germany

eXpress

GLoBaL  ForWarDInG, 
FreIGHt

• Express 

• Global 

 Forwarding

• Freight

suppLY CHaIn

• Supply 
Chain

Sub-brand

•  Williams Lea

DHL’s brand value climbs higher

In order to remain the postal service for Germany (Die Post für Deutschland) and 
become the logistics company for the world, we aim to strengthen the image and value 
of our Deutsche Post and DHL brands. We succeeded in doing this again in the reporting 
year, as has been reflected in independent studies.

According to the BrandZ study conducted by the market research institute Millward 
Brown, the DHL brand climbed two places to 98th on the list of most valuable brands in 
the world and its value increased by 17.6 % to US $8.9 billion. Millward Brown calculates 
brand value based on the current financial situation along with the contribution the 
brand makes to the company’s business success.

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Brands

Group Management Report

a.79  Marketing expenditures, 2013

Volume: around €341 million

  6.8 %  Corporate wear

15.6 %  Other
18.4 %   Public & customer  
relations

59.2 %   Product develop-
ment and 
 communication

  Page 31 ff.

In  2013,  consulting  firm  Semion  Brand-Broker  calculated  that  Deutsche  Post’s 
brand value had remained unchanged at €13,067 million. This again ranks us number 
six amongst the most valuable German brands. Factors analysed included financial value, 
brand protection, brand image and brand strength.

In total, we invested around €341 million (previous year: €341 million) into building 

and expanding our brands internationally.

Sports activities strengthen identity with the Deutsche Post brand

Motivated employees understand that they are brand ambassadors who play a role 
in winning over and retaining customers. At Deutsche Post, the internal motivational 
platform known as the Deutsche Post Fan Club plays a considerable role in strengthen-
ing employee identity with the brand. Through this programme, we support employee 
participation in recreational sports and fan activities in the community. After five years, 
the response amongst the staff has been impressive, with more than 10,000 football 
players, nearly 9,000 runners and around 3,200 cyclists taking part in activities in the 
reporting year. Furthermore, many employees joined their colleagues to attend Deutsche 
Fußball-Bund (DFB – German football federation) cup matches, international football 
matches and Deutsche Tourenwagen-Masters (DTM – German Touring Car Masters) 
races, of which we are a sponsor.

At the DTM final 2013 at Germany’s Hockenheimring race track, the Deutsche Post 
brand secured its first victory as a team partner of BMW. Our co-operation with the DFB 
was also a success in 2013: the German women’s national football team won the Euro-
pean Championship and the men’s team qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

An expanding product portfolio
We are systematically expanding our business and have detailed this in the Objectives 
and strategies chapter. For example, the online supermarket Allyouneed.com has been 
positioned as a modern alternative to traditional food retailing. During the reporting 
year, market research was undertaken to determine the potential of this offer, more-
over, we have already increased awareness and reach within the target group with tar-
geted PR and marketing campaigns. In October 2013, we entered the deregulated coach 
 market with the ADAC Postbus. Over and above the eye-catching design of the coaches 
in Deutsche Post yellow, advertising in this early phase is primarily concentrated on 
regional communication in the areas where we are expanding our network of bus routes.

Global online DHL BranD campaign

Building on the worldwide digital strategy for the DHL brand that was developed in 
the previous year, we have set our global marketing campaign on a new online course: 
since the autumn of 2013, we have, for example, advertised our online benchmarking 
tool on banners in international business magazines. A tool which provides above all 
medium-sized companies with valuable exposure for their international business, whilst 
connecting them to the DHL brand.

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Performance Indicators
 Brands

Post-Balance-Sheet Date Events

Sponsorship establishes DHL’s logistics expertise

DHL sponsorship goes beyond financial support; as a general principle, sponsorship 
must also underscore our logistics expertise. In addition to our existing global logistics 
partnerships – such as with Formula 1®, IMG Fashion Weeks and the Leipzig Gewand-
hausorchester – we showcased our brand at 130 events in more than 40 countries in 2013. 
For 2014, we have entered into a global logistics partnership with the new FIA Formula E 
World Championship, the world’s first fully-electric car racing series. With effect from 
September 2014, DHL will handle the efficient and environmentally friendly transport 
of the vehicles and equipment to the ten race locations around the world.

POST-BALANCE-SHEET DATE EVENTS

Ordinary capital increase resolved

On 20 February 2014, the Board of Management, subject to the consent of the 
Super visory Board, resolved upon an ordinary increase in capital from Authorised 
 Capital 2013 by 656,915 no par-value shares in order to service the 2009 tranche of 
the  share-based  payment  system  for  executives  (Share  Matching  Scheme)  due  on 
1 April 2014. The planned dividend payment will increase by €525,532 as a result.

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87

Opportunities and Risks
Overall Board of Management assessment of opportunity and risk situation 
Opportunity and risk management processes

Group Management Report

  Financial position, page 54 f.

OPPORTUNITIES AND RISKS

Overall Board of Management assessment  
of opportunity and risk situation

No foreseeable risk to the Group

Identifying opportunities and risks – and swiftly capitalising upon or counteracting 
them – is an important objective for our Group. This is why we already account for 
the anticipated impact of potential events and developments in our current business 
plan. The opportunities and risks reported here represent additional potential deviations 
from the Group’s projected earnings. In consideration of our current business plan, the 
Group’s overall opportunity and risk situation has not changed significantly compared 
with last year. No new risks have been identified that could have a potentially critical 
impact on the Group’s result. Based on the Group’s early warning system and in the 
estimation of its Board of Management, there were no identifiable risks for the Group 
in the current forecast period which, individually or collectively, cast doubt upon the 
Group’s ability to continue as a going concern. Nor are any such risks apparent in the 
foreseeable future. The assessment of a stable to positive outlook is moreover reflected 
in the Group’s credit ratings.

Opportunity and risk management processes

Uniform reporting standards for opportunity and risk management

As an internationally operating logistics company, we are faced with numerous 
changes. Our aim is to identify the resulting opportunities and risks at an early stage 
and take the necessary measures in the specific areas affected in due time to ensure that 
we achieve a sustained increase in enterprise value. Our Group-wide opportunity and 
risk management system facilitates this aim. Each quarter, managers estimate the impact 
of future scenarios, evaluate opportunities and risks in their departments and present 
planned measures as well as those already taken. Queries are made and  approvals given 
on a hierarchical basis to ensure that different managerial levels are involved in the 
process. Opportunities and risks can also be reported at any time on an ad hoc basis.

Our early identification process links the Group’s opportunity and risk manage-
ment with uniform reporting standards. We continuously improve the IT application 
used for this purpose. Furthermore, we use a Monte Carlo simulation for the purpose 
of aggregating opportunities and risks in standard evaluations.

This stochastic model takes the probability of occurrence of the underlying risks 
and opportunities into consideration and is based on the law of large numbers. From 
the distribution function of each individual opportunity and risk one million randomly 
selected scenarios – one for each opportunity and risk – are combined. The resulting 
totals are shown in a graph of frequency of occurrence. The following graph shows an 
example of such a simulation:

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Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Group Management Report

Opportunities and Risks
Opportunity and risk management processes

a.80  Monte Carlo simulation

Frequency of occurrence 
in one million simulation steps (incidence density)

Bandwidth with 95 % probability

– aa € m

+ bb € m

+ zz € m

Deviation from planned EBIT

  Planned EBIT 
  “Worse than expected” 

  “Better than expected”

  Most common value in one million simulation steps (“mode”) 

a.81  Opportunity and risk management process

1  Identify and assess
Assess

Define measures

Analyse

Identify

5  Control
Review results

Review measures

Monitor early warning indicators

Internal 
auditors 
review 
processes

2  Aggregate and report
Review

Supplement and change

Aggregate

Report

3  Overall strategy / risk  
management / compliance
Determine
Manage

4  Operating measures
Plan

Implement

  Divisions 

  Opportunity and risk-controlling processes 

  Board of Management 

  Internal auditors

The most important steps in our opportunity and risk management process are:
1   Identify and assess: Opportunities and risks are defined as potential deviations from 
projected earnings. Managers in all divisions and regions provide an estimate of 
our opportunities and risks on a quarterly basis and document respective actions. 
They use scenarios to assess best, expected and worst cases. Each identified risk is 
assigned to one or more managers, who assess it, monitor it, specify possible pro-
cedures for going forwards and then file a report. The same applies to opportunities. 
The results are compiled in a database.

2   Aggregate and report: The controlling units responsible collect the results, evaluate 
them and review them for plausibility. If individual financial effects overlap, they 
are noted in our database and taken into account when compiling them. After  being 
approved by the department head, all results are passed on to the next level in the 
hierarchy. The last step is complete when Corporate Controlling reports to the 

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Opportunities and Risks
Opportunity and risk management processes

Group Management Report

Group’s Board of Management on significant opportunities and risks as well as 
on the potential overall impact each division might experience. For this purpose, 
 opportunities and risks are aggregated for key organisational levels. We use two 
methods for this. In the first method, we calculate a possible spectrum of results for 
the divisions and add the respective scenarios together. The totals for “worst case” 
and “best case” indicate the total spectrum of results for the respective   division. 
Within these extremes, the total “expected cases” shows current expectations. The 
second method makes use of a Monte Carlo simulation, the divisional results of 
which are regularly included in the opportunity and risk reports to the Board of 
Management.

3   Overall strategy: The Group Board of Management decides on the methodology that 
will be used to analyse and report on opportunities and risks. The reports created 
by Corporate Controlling provide an additional regular source of information to 
the Board of Management for the overall steering of the Group.

4   Operating measures: The measures to be used to take advantage of opportunities and 
manage risks are determined within the individual organisational units. They use 
cost-benefit analyses to assess whether risks can be avoided, mitigated or transferred 
to third parties.

5   Control: For key opportunities and risks, early warning indicators have been defined 
that are monitored constantly by those responsible. Corporate Internal Audit has 
the task of ensuring that the Board of Management’s specifications are adhered to. 
It also reviews the quality of the entire opportunity and risk management operation. 
The control units regularly analyse all parts of the process as well as the reports from 
Internal Audit and the independent auditors with the goal of identifying potential 
for improvement and making adjustments where necessary.

Internal accounting control and risk management system

(Disclosures required under section 315 (2), number 5 of the  Handelsgesetzbuch 

(HGB – German Commercial Code) and explanatory report)

Deutsche Post DHL uses an internal accounting control system to ensure that Group 
accounting adheres to generally accepted accounting principles. This system is intended 
to make sure that statutory provisions are complied with and that both internal and 
 external accounting provide a valid depiction of business processes in figures. All figures 
are to be entered and processed accurately and completely. Accounting mistakes are to 
be avoided in principle and significant assessment errors uncovered promptly.

The control system design comprises organisational and technical measures that 
 extend to all companies in the Group. Centrally standardised accounting guidelines 
govern the reconciliation of the single-entity financial statements and ensure that inter-
national financial reporting standards (EU  IFRS s)  are applied in a uniform  manner 
throughout the Group. All Group companies are required to use a standard chart of 
accounts. We immediately assess new developments in international accounting for 
 relevance  and  announce  their  implementation  in  a  timely  manner,  for  example,  in 
monthly newsletters. Often, accounting processes are pooled in a shared services centre 
in order to centralise and standardise them. The IFRS financial statements of the separate 
Group companies are recorded in a standard, SAP-based system and then processed at 
a central location where one-step consolidation is performed. Other components of 
our control system include automatic plausibility reviews and system validations of the 
accounting data. In addition, manual checks are carried out regularly at a decentralised 

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level by those responsible locally (by a chief financial officer, for example) and at a 
central level by Corporate Accounting and Reporting, Taxes and Corporate Finance at 
the Corporate Center.

Over and above the aforementioned internal accounting control system and risk 
management structures, Corporate Internal Audit is an essential component of the 
Group’s  controlling  and  monitoring  system.  Using  risk-based  auditing  procedures, 
 Corporate Internal Audit regularly examines the processes related to financial report-
ing and reports its results to the Board of Management. Upstream and downstream 
checks and analyses of the reported data are performed under chronological aspects. 
If necessary, we call in outside experts, for instance in the case of pension provisions. 
Finally,  the  Group’s  standardised  process  for  preparing  financial  statements  using 
a   centrally   administered  financial  statements  calendar  guarantees  a  structured  and 
 efficient  accounting process.

Reporting opportunities and risks

Identifying opportunities and risks – and swiftly capitalising upon or counteracting 
them – is a key objective for our Group. This is why we account for the anticipated im-
pact of potential events and developments in our current business plan as well as in our 
revenue and earnings projection. In the following we primarily report those risks and 
opportunities which, from the current standpoint, could have an additional significant, 
potentially positive or negative, impact during the current forecast period.

We assess opportunities and risks based on their probability of occurrence and 
 impact. Subsequently, we distinguish between opportunities and risks of low, medium 
and  high  relevance.  We  characterise  opportunities  and  risks  of  medium  and  high 
 relevance as significant.

The opportunities and risks described here are not necessarily the only ones the 
Group faces or is exposed to. Our business activities could also be influenced by add-
itional factors of which we are currently unaware or which we do not yet consider to 
be material.

Opportunities and risks are identified and assessed decentrally at Deutsche Post DHL. 
Reporting on possible deviations from projections, including latent opportunities and 
risks, occurs primarily at the country or regional level. In view of the degree of detail 
provided in the internal reports, decentrally reported opportunities and risks are com-
bined into categories below for the purposes of this report. It should be noted that the 
underlying individual reports – with the exception of those on the world economy 
and global economic output – usually exhibit a zero to minimal correlation. It is rather 
unlikely that a number of major risks in one category or across categories would occur 
at the same time. 

Unless otherwise specified, within the current forecast period a low relevance is 
attached to individual opportunities and risks and a medium relevance to the respective 
categories. The opportunities and risks generally apply for all divisions, unless indicated 
otherwise.

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Opportunities

Opportunities arising from market trends and our market position

A variety of external factors offer us numerous opportunities, indeed we believe that 
the global market will grow. Advancing globalisation means that the logistics industry 
will continue to grow at least as fast or faster than the world economy as a whole. This is 
especially true for Asia, where trade flows to other regions and in particular within the 
continent will continue to increase. As the market leader, our DHL divisions can generate 
above-average benefits from this. This also applies to regions such as South America and 
the Middle East, which continue to see robust growth. We are similarly well positioned 
in the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and Mexico (BRIC+M) and 
will take advantage of opportunities arising in these markets.

Whether and to what extent the logistics market will grow is dependent on a num-
ber of factors. The trend towards outsourcing business processes continues. As a result, 
supply chains are becoming more complex and more international but are also more 
prone to disruption. For this reason, customers want stable, integrated logistics solutions, 
which is what we provide with our broad-based service portfolio. We continue to see 
growth opportunities in this area, in particular in the SUPPLY CHAIN division and as a 
result of closer co-operation between all our divisions.

The booming online marketplace represents another opportunity for us in that it is 
creating demand for transporting documents and goods. The B2C market is experiencing 
double-digit growth, particularly due to the rapid rise in digital retail trade. This has 
created high growth potential for the national and international parcel business, which 
we intend to tap into by expanding our parcel network.

Our customers want to improve their carbon efficiency and be supplied with infor-
mation on their CO2 emissions. Such an increase in environmental awareness presents 
new business potential: with our own mail, parcel and express products as well as air and 
ocean freight transport, we not only lead our industry in the areas of energy-efficient 
transport, transparent emissions reports and climate-neutral products, but we also offer 
customer-specific solutions to reduce carbon emissions.

Opportunities from improved internal processes

Volumes and costs have a critical impact on our result. Should we succeed in align-
ing our internal processes to meet customer needs whilst simultaneously lowering costs, 
this could lead to positive deviations from current projections. We are steadily improv-
ing internal processes with the help of our First Choice initiatives. This improves customer 
satisfaction and reduces our costs at the same time. Our earnings projection already 
incorporates expected cost savings.

Opportunities from pending legal proceedings

On 25 January 2012, the European Commission issued a ruling on the formal 
investigation regarding state aid that it had initiated on 12 September 2007. It con-
cluded that Deutsche Post AG had received illegal state aid, which it is to repay to the 
Federal Republic of Germany; in addition, it must also be ensured that no benefits are 
received in the future which could be considered illegal state aid. Deutsche Post AG is 
of the opinion that the state aid decision cannot withstand legal review and has filed an 
 appeal with the European Court of Justice. The Federal Republic of Germany has like-
wise  appealed the decision. To implement the state aid ruling, the federal government 
called upon Deutsche Post AG on 29 May 2012 to make a payment of €298  million, 

  Glossary, page 218

  Objectives and strategies, page 31

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including interest. Deutsche Post AG paid this amount to a trustee on 1 June 2012 
and appealed the recovery order to the Administrative Court. The appeal, however, 
has been suspended pending a ruling from the European Court. The company made 
 additional payments of €19.4 million and €15.6 million to the trustee on 2 January 2013 
and 2 January 2014, respectively. The payments made were reported in the balance 
sheet  under  non-current  assets;  the  earnings  position  remained  unaffected.  More 
 information about the state aid investigation and the risks resulting from it as well as 
other legal proceedings is provided in the section Risks from pending legal proceedings 
as well as in the Notes.

On the other hand, the opportunity exists that the payment of €298 million and the 
payments of €19.4 million and €15.6 million made in addition – as well as the additional 
annual payments of around €19 million to be made in the future – will be returned if 
the appeals issued by Deutsche Post AG or the federal government against the state aid 
ruling are successful. A repayment would only affect the liquidity of Deutsche Post AG; 
the earnings position would remain unaffected.

Financial opportunities

Being a global operator also opens up opportunities for Deutsche Post DHL. For the 
specified period under review, these are mainly opportunities arising from fluctuating 
exchange rates from scheduled or planned future foreign currency transactions.

Significant currency risks from planned transactions are quantified as a net posi-
tion over a rolling 24-month period. Highly correlated currencies are consolidated in 
blocks. The identified risks are hedged up to an average of 50 % using derivatives over 
a 24-month period. The most important planned net surpluses at the Group level are 
in pound sterling, Japanese yen and Korean won, whilst the Czech crown is the only 
currency with a considerable net deficit. By offsetting the net deficit in US dollars with 
surpluses in other highly correlated currencies, the net risk in the “US dollar block” at the 
Group level is nearly offset and thus not actively managed. The average hedging level for 
the year 2014 was approximately 48 % as at the reporting date. A potential devaluation 
of the euro presents an opportunity for the Group’s earnings position. Based on current 
macroeconomic estimates, we consider this opportunity to be of low relevance. Further 
information on the financial position and finance strategy of the Group as well as on 
the management of financial risks is found in the report on the economic position and 
in the Notes.

  Risks, page 98 f.

  Note 53

  Note 50

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  Glossary, page 218

  Glossary, page 218

Risks

Risks arising from the political and regulatory environment

Risks associated with the general business environment primarily arise from the fact 
that the Group provides some of its services in a regulated market. A large number of 
postal services rendered by Deutsche Post AG and its subsidiaries are subject to sector- 
specific regulation by the Bundesnetzagentur (German federal network agency),  pursuant 
to the  Postgesetz (PostG – German Postal Act). The Bundesnetzagentur  approves or 
 reviews prices, formulates the terms of downstream access and has special supervisory 
powers to combat market abuse.

On 14 November 2013, the Bundesnetzagentur determined the conditions for regu-
lating mail prices requiring approval under the price-cap procedure from January 2014 
to December 2018. According to the decision, the general rate of inflation less the pro-
ductivity growth rate stipulated by the regulatory authority (X-factor) in the amount of 
0.2 % p.a. constitutes the key factor applicable to mail prices subject to approval. This 
would necessitate price reductions if the inflation rate in the reference period is lower 
than the productivity growth rate specified and permit price increases if the inflation 
rate in the reference period is higher than the productivity growth rate specified. On 
2 December 2013, the Bundesnetzagentur approved the higher prices to be charged in 
2014 for the products regulated under the price-cap procedure; as a result, this no longer 
represents a risk.

On 8 June 2013, the Bundesnetzagentur initiated market abuse proceedings against 
Deutsche Post InHaus Services GmbH, citing discriminatory access conditions for sort-
ing and consolidation services following a complaint by one of the company’s competi-
tors. The party filing the complaint accused the company in particular of offering other 
postal services providers better conditions for posting and collection than it itself had 
been offered. Deutsche Post InHaus Services GmbH considers the accusations to be 
unfounded. The case is still under consideration by the Bundesnetzagentur. Should that 
agency determine – contrary to expectations – that market abuse has occurred, the 
company would have to desist from the actions in question. Due to the ongoing abuse 
proceedings, we are refraining from a risk assessment.

Risks arising from market and sector-specific conditions

Risks arising from market and sector-specific conditions are a key factor in deter-
mining the success of our business. For this reason we pay close attention to economic 
trends in the individual regions. Despite the volatile economic climate, demand for 
logistics services rose in 2013, as did the related revenues. We are nonetheless not able 
to rule out the possibility of an economic downturn in specific regions and a stagnation 
or decrease in transport quantities. However, this would not reduce demand for our 
services in all business units. Indeed, the opposite effect could arise in the parcel busi-
ness, for example, as a result of an increase in online purchasing amongst consumers. 
Companies might also be forced to outsource transport services in order to lower costs. 
Cyclical risks can affect our divisions differently with respect to magnitude as well as 
point in time, which mitigates the total effect. Therefore, we consider these risks to be 
medium at best. Moreover, we have taken measures in recent years to make costs more 
flexible and to be able to respond quickly to a change in market demand.

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Deutsche Post and DHL are in competition with other providers. Such competition 
can significantly impact our customer base as well as the levels of prices and margins 
in our markets. In the mail and logistics business, the key factors for success are quality, 
customer confidence and competitive prices. Thanks to our high quality along with 
the cost savings we have generated in recent years, we believe that we shall be able to 
withstand the competition and keep any negative effects at a low level.

Risks arising from information technology

The security of our information systems is particularly important to us. The goal 
is to ensure continuous IT system operation and prevent unauthorised access to our 
systems and databases. To fulfil this responsibility, the Information Security  Committee, 
a sub-committee of the IT Board, has defined standards, procedures and guidelines 
based on ISO 27001, the international standard for information security management. 
In addition, Group Risk Management, IT Audit, Data Protection and Corporate Security 
monitor and assess IT risk on an ongoing basis. For our processes to run smoothly at all 
times, the essential IT systems must be constantly available. We ensure this by designing 
our systems to protect against complete system failures. In addition to third-party data 
centres, we operate two central data centres in the Czech Republic and Malaysia. Our 
systems are thus geographically separate and can be replicated locally.

We limit access to our systems and data. Employees can only access the data they 
need to do their job. All systems and data are backed up on a regular basis and critical 
data are replicated across data centres.

All of our software is updated regularly to address bugs, close potential gaps in 
 security and increase functionality. We employ a patch management process – a defined 
procedure for managing software upgrades – to control risks that could arise from out-
dated software or from software upgrades.

Due to the measures described above, we estimate the probability of a significant 
and momentous incident in the IT sector as being very unlikely so that the risk has an 
overall low relevance.

Our E-POST products – first and foremost E-Postbrief – come with our pledge of 
security and data protection. In 2013, the associated platform was re-certified by the 
German Federal Office for Information Security in accordance with its standards for 
IT-Grundschutz. In addition, it was again certified by TÜV Informationstechnik GmbH 
as compliant with the legal standards and applicable data protection regulations pursu-
ant to the criteria for trusted site privacy.

Risks arising from internal processes

Logistics  services  are  generally  provided  in  bulk  and  require  a  complex  opera-
tional infrastructure with high quality standards. To consistently guarantee reliability 
and punctual delivery, processes must be organised so as to proceed smoothly with 
no technical or personnel-related glitches. Any weaknesses with regard to posting and 
collection, sorting, transport, warehousing or delivery could seriously compromise 
our competitive position. We therefore adapt all processes to current circumstances as 
needed. We also take preventive measures to guard against disruptions or malfunctions 
in our operational processes. Should disruptions nonetheless occur, contingency plans 
will come into effect to minimise the consequences. Some risks from business inter-
ruptions are also reduced by our insurance policies.

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We furthermore use our First Choice methodology to continuously improve our 
processes and align them even more closely to the requirements of customers. Should 
this involve capital expenditure, the Board of Management decides on any sums in 
 excess of €25 million. Board of Management committees make decisions on investments 
of more than €10 million, with a lower threshold of €5 million applying to  Corporate 
Center/Other.  The  Board  of  Management  is  regularly  informed  about  investment 
 decisions so that they can identify any significant risk early on and take the necessary 
countermeasures. 

As a service provider, we do not conduct research and development in a narrower 

sense. There are therefore no significant risks to report in this area.

As our operating business is organised decentrally and contingency plans are in 
place no significant risk to the Group was reported with respect to business disruptions 
arising from internal processes.

Risks arising from environmental management

Our Group-wide risk management also considers environmental  developments. 
At present, we are not aware of any environmental risks that could have a significant 
impact on the Group.

Risks arising from human resources

It is the motivation and competence of our employees that make a good impression 
on our customers and thus shape our long-term success. Demographic change and 
 increased competition for qualified specialists and executives mean that the pool of 
 potential young talent is becoming smaller, particularly in our core market of  Germany. 
The risk therefore exists that we may not be able to recruit and retain a sufficient  number 
of  suitable  employees.  We  plan  to  take  various  measures  to  decrease  this  risk.  For 
 example, we place great importance on providing a motivational work environment 
and suitable professional and employee development programmes.

In many countries, both age and social structures are undergoing a notable shift. 
To adequately identify and counteract the resulting risk relating to employees’ work 
capacity and ageing, we have developed an analysis and planning instrument known as 
Strategic Workforce Management, which supplies strategically well-founded answers 
based on fact. The Generations  Pact entered into by Deutsche Post AG with the trade 
 unions is geared specifically towards demographic conditions in Germany. It ensures 
that older employees can remain on the job whilst at the same time improving employ-
ment opportunities for young people.

According to estimates from the United Nations and the World Economic Forum, 
there is a risk of chronic, i.e., non-contagious, disease increasing substantially all over 
the world. We are responding to this risk with a health management programme, which 
is subject to continual development.

  Employees, page 76

  Health and safety, page 78 f.

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Financial risks

As a global operator, Deutsche Post DHL is inevitably exposed to financial risks. 
These are mainly risks arising from fluctuating exchange rates, interest rates and com-
modity prices. Using operational and financial measures, we try to reduce the volatility 
of financial figures due to financial risk.

Risks  with  respect  to  currencies  may  result  from  scheduled  or  planned  future 
 foreign currency transactions. Significant currency risks from planned transactions are 
quantified as a net position over a rolling 24-month period. Highly correlated  currencies 
are consolidated in blocks. The identified risks are hedged up to an average of 50 % 
 using derivatives over a 24-month period. The most important planned net surpluses at 
the Group level are in pound sterling, Japanese yen and Korean won, whilst the Czech 
crown is the only currency with a considerable net deficit. By offsetting the net deficit 
in US dollars with surpluses in other highly correlated currencies, the net risk in the 
“US dollar block” at the Group level is nearly offset and thus not actively managed. The 
average hedging level for the year 2014 was approximately 48 % as at the reporting date. 
The significant risk to the Group’s earnings position would be a general appreciation 
of the euro. At present, we consider the individual risks arising from developments 
with regard to the respective currencies of low relevance and those in the currency risk 
 category overall of medium relevance.

The key control parameters for liquidity management are the centrally available 
 liquidity  reserves,  which  should  not  fall  below  €2 billion.  Deutsche  Post  DHL  had 
 central liquidity reserves of €4.6 billion as at the reporting date, consisting of central 
financial investments amounting to €2.6 billion plus a syndicated credit line of €2 billion. 
Therefore, the Group’s liquidity is sound in the short and medium term. Moreover, the 
Group enjoys open access to the capital market on account of its good ratings within the 
industry, and is well positioned to secure long-term capital requirements. The Group’s 
net debt amounted to only €1.5 billion at the end of 2013. Given our existing interest 
rate hedging instruments, the share of variable interest rate liabilities in non-current 
financial liabilities in the amount of €4.6 billion is approximately 36 %. At present, we 
consider liquidity and interest rate risks to be of low relevance. 

As a logistics group, Deutsche Post DHL’s significant commodity price risks result 
from changes in fuel prices (kerosene, diesel and marine diesel). In the DHL divisions, 
most of these risks were passed on to customers via operating measures (fuel surcharges). 
We only have noteworthy hedging instruments for the purchase of diesel in the MAIL 
division. At present, we consider commodity price risks to be of low relevance. 

Further information on the financial position and finance strategy of the Group 
as well as on the management of financial risks is found in the report on the economic 
position and in the Notes.

  Note 50

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Risks from pending legal proceedings

On 5 November 2012, the Bundeskartellamt (German federal cartel office)  initiated 
proceedings against Deutsche Post based on suspicion of abusive behaviour with  respect 
to  agreements  on  mail  transport  with  major  customers.  Based  upon  information 
from Deutsche Post AG’s competitors and customer surveys, the authorities suspect 
that the company had violated the provisions of German and European antitrust law. 
Deutsche Post AG does not share this opinion. However, should the authorities find 
their suspicions confirmed, they may require Deutsche Post AG to refrain from certain 
acts or impose fines.

On  25 January 2012,  the  European  Commission  issued  a  ruling  on  the  formal 
 investigation regarding state aid that it had initiated on 12 September 2007. In its  review, 
the European Commission determined that Deutsche Post AG was not overcompen-
sated for providing universal services between 1989 and 2007 using state resources. It 
also did not find fault with the state guarantees for legacy liabilities. By contrast, in its 
review of funding for civil servants’ pensions, the European Commission concluded 
that illegal state aid had, in part, been received. It said that the pension relief granted 
to Deutsche Post AG by the Bundesnetzagentur during the price approval process led 
to Deutsche Post AG receiving a benefit, which it must repay to the Federal Republic of 
Germany; in addition, it must also be ensured that no benefits are received in the future 
which could be considered illegal state aid. The Commission furthermore stated that 
the precise amount to be repaid was to be calculated by the Federal Republic. In a press 
release, the European Commission had referred to an amount of between €500 mil-
lion and €1 billion. Deutsche Post AG is of the opinion that the Commission’s state aid 
 decision of 25 January 2012 cannot withstand legal review and has filed an appeal with 
the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. The Federal Republic of Germany has 
similarly appealed the decision.

To  implement  the  state  aid  ruling,  the  federal  government  called  upon 
Deutsche Post AG on 29 May 2012 to make a payment of €298 million, including interest. 
Deutsche Post AG paid this amount to a trustee on 1 June 2012 and appealed the recovery 
order to the Administrative Court. The appeal, however, has been suspended pending a 
ruling from the European Court. The company made additional payments of €19.4 mil-
lion and €15.6 million to the trustee on 2 January 2013 and 2 January 2014, respectively. 
The payments made were reported in the balance sheet under non-current assets; the 
earnings position remained unaffected. The European Commission has not expressed 
its final acceptance of the calculation of the state aid to be repaid. On 17 December, it 
initiated proceedings against the Federal Republic of Germany with the European Court 
of Justice to effect a higher repayment amount.

Although  Deutsche  Post  AG  and  the  federal  government  are  of  the  opinion 
that the state aid decision cannot withstand legal review, it cannot be ruled out that 
Deutsche Post AG will ultimately be required to make a potentially higher payment, 
which could have an adverse effect on earnings.

More information about the state aid investigation and other legal proceedings is 

  Note 53

provided in the Notes.

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Since 1 July 2010, as a result of the revision of the relevant tax exemption provisions, 
the VAT exemption has only applied to those specific universal services in Germany 
that are not subject to individually negotiated agreements or provided on special terms 
(discounts etc.). Deutsche Post AG does not believe that the legislative amendment fully 
complies with the applicable provisions of European Community law. Due to the legal 
uncertainty resulting from the new legislation, Deutsche Post AG is endeavouring to 
clarify certain key issues with the tax authorities. Although Deutsche Post AG is imple-
menting the required measures to a large extent, the differing legal opinions on the part 
of Deutsche Post AG and the tax authorities will be judicially clarified.

In light of the announced legal proceedings, we have not undertaken a risk classi-

fication.

Risks arising from corporate strategy

Over the past years, the Group has ensured that its business activities are well pos-
itioned in the world’s fastest growing regions and markets. We have also created efficient 
structures in all areas to enable us to flexibly adapt capacities and costs to demand – a 
prerequisite for lasting, profitable business success. With respect to strategic orientation, 
we are focusing on our core competencies in the mail and logistics businesses with an 
eye towards growing organically and simplifying our processes for the benefit of our 
customers. In the specified period under consideration, risks arising from the current 
corporate strategy, which extends over a long-term period, are considered to have a low 
relevance for the Group. In addition, the divisions face the following special situations:
In the MAIL division, we are responding to the challenges presented by the structural 
change from a physical to a digital business. We are counteracting the risk arising from 
changing demand by expanding our range of services. Due to the e-commerce boom, 
we expect our parcel business to continue growing robustly in the coming years and are 
therefore extending our parcel network. We are also expanding our range of electronic 
communications services, securing our standing as the quality leader and, where pos-
sible, making our transport and delivery costs more flexible. We follow developments 
in the market very closely and take these into account in our earnings projections. For 
the specified forecast period, we do not see these developments as having any significant 
potential to sustain a negative impact.

In the EXPRESS division, our future success depends above all on general factors 
such as trends in the competitive environment, costs and quantities transported.  After 
having  spent  recent  years  successfully  restructuring  our  business  and  substantially 
 improving cost structures, we are focusing on fostering growth in our international 
business. We expect an increase in shipment volumes. Based on this assumption, we are 
investing in our network, our services, our employees and the DHL brand. Against the 
backdrop of the past trend and the overall outlook, we do not see any significant strategic 
risk for the EXPRESS division beyond that reported in the section entitled “Risks arising 
from market and sector-specific conditions”.

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In the GLOBAL  FORWARDING,  FREIGHT division we purchase transport services 
from airlines, shipping companies and freight carriers rather than providing them our-
selves. As a result, in a worst-case scenario there is a risk that we shall not be able to 
pass on all price increases to our customers. The extent of the risk essentially depends 
on trends in the supply, demand and price of transport services as well as the duration 
of our contracts. Comprehensive knowledge in the area of brokering transport services 
helps us to minimise this risk, which is therefore considered to have a low relevance.

Our SUPPLY CHAIN division provides customers in a variety of industries with 
 solutions along the entire logistics chain. Our success is highly dependent on our 
 custom ers’  business  trends.  Since  we  offer  customers  a  widely  diversified  range  of 
products in different sectors all over the world, we can diversify our risk portfolio and 
thus counter act the incumbent risks. Moreover, our future success also depends on our 
 ability to continuously improve our existing business and to grow in our most  important 
 markets and customer segments.

We do not see any significant strategic risk for the SUPPLY CHAIN division beyond 
that reported in the section entitled “Risks arising from market and sector-specific 
 conditions”.

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Expected Developments
Overall Board of Management assessment of the future economic position 
Forecast period 
Future organisation 
Future economic parameters

EXPECTED DEVELOPMENTS

Overall Board of Management assessment  
of the future economic position

Our strong position as market leader in the German mail and parcel business and 
in nearly all of our logistics activities is the best possible basis for further growth. The 
Board of Management expects consolidated EBIT to reach between €2.9 billion and 
€3.1 billion in financial year 2014 and world economic growth to be slightly above the 
previous year at best. A similar development is expected for world trade. The MAIL 
 division is likely to contribute around €1.2 billion to consolidated EBIT. Compared with 
the previous year, we expect an additional improvement in overall earnings to between 
€2.1 billion and €2.3 billion in the DHL divisions. The Corporate Center / Other result 
should be better than €–0.4 billion. We expect to see a further positive development in 
EBIT after asset charge and operating cash flow, in line with the EBIT trend.

Forecast period

Outlook generally refers to 2014

The information contained in the report on expected developments generally refers 
to financial year 2014. However, in some instances we have chosen to extend the scope.

Future organisation

Parts of parcel business outside Germany consolidated in mail business

Our domestic parcel business in Poland, the Czech Republic, Belgium and the 
Nether lands was consolidated in the MAIL division, effective 1 January 2014. This busi-
ness was previously part of the EXPRESS and GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT divisions.

Future economic parameters

Growth of global economy accelerates

Supported by the continuation of expansive monetary policies, the global  economy 
began growing at an accelerated pace at the start of 2014, with the weak economic 
trend  appearing to have bottomed out in many industrial countries. In addition, fiscal 
consolidation pressure has abated. The emerging economies with strong export sectors 
are expected to benefit from the upturn in the industrial countries. These countries are 
likely to continue to achieve significantly higher growth rates. Risks to global growth 
could emanate from the financial markets if the markets go ahead and price in interest 
rate hikes by central banks before the fact. A renewed sovereign debt crisis in the euro 
zone would also slow down growth substantially. On the other hand, global growth 
could develop stronger momentum than is currently anticipated.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

101

Expected Developments
Future economic parameters

Group Management Report

a.82  Global economy: growth forecast

%

World trade volumes

Real gross domestic product

World

Industrial countries

Emerging markets

Central and Eastern Europe

CIS countries

Emerging markets in Asia

Middle East and North Africa

Latin America and the Caribbean

Sub-Saharan Africa

2013

2.7

2014

4.5

3.0

1.3

4.7

2.5

2.1

6.5

2.4

2.6

5.1

3.7

2.2

5.1

2.8

2.6

6.7

3.3

3.0

6.1

Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) World Economic Outlook, January 2014 update. Growth rates 
 calculated on the basis of purchasing power parity.

The Chinese export economy is expected to benefit from rising global demand. In 
addition, the Chinese government has adopted a number of reforms aimed at accel-
erating growth. However, investments could be hurt by overcapacities. Forecasts for 
GDP growth are therefore mixed (IMF: 7.5 %, OECD: 8.2 %; Global Insight: 8.0 %). In 
Japan, export activity is expected to pick up significantly in 2014. A continued revival 
in domestic demand is also anticipated. However, the pending substantial increase in 
value added tax is likely to put the brakes on private consumption temporarily. For that 
reason, GDP will presumably grow at the same rate as in the previous year (IMF: 1.7 %, 
OECD: 1.5 %; Global Insight: 1.8 %).

The United States is likely to experience a significant improvement in the situation 
on the labour market, which would benefit private consumption. The major drivers of 
this development are again expected to be construction spending and corporate invest-
ment. Foreign trade is also expected to revive. GDP growth will presumably accelerate 
noticeably overall (IMF: 2.8 %, OECD: 2.9 %; Global Insight: 2.5 %).

In the euro zone, the economy is forecast to continue its gradual recovery, with 
the improvement in the economic climate benefiting exports. Private households are 
 expected to obtain relief from tax increases, which should act to drive private con-
sumption. Companies are also likely to increase their capital expenditure again. On the 
whole, however, GDP growth is expected to be moderate (IMF: 1.0 %, ECB: 1.1 %; Global 
Insight: 0.8 %).

Early indicators suggest that the upturn in Germany will continue. Exports are 
increasing, and companies are upping their capital expenditure. This could lead to an 
increase in investments in machinery and equipment as well as construction spending 
along with a rise in the number of employed persons and a corresponding decrease in 
the unemployment rate. This would lay the foundation for rising incomes and – assum-
ing the inflation rate remains very low – an increase in private consumption. GDP is 
therefore likely to see significant growth (IMF: 1.6 %, Sachverständigenrat: 1.6 %; Global 
Insight: 1.8 %).

Given a balanced ratio of supply to demand, the price of crude oil should remain 

stable for the most part in 2014.

102

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
Group Management Report

Expected Developments
Future economic parameters

The US Federal Reserve is expected to gradually reduce its purchases of government 
bonds. It is not anticipated that the Fed will raise its key interest rate. The ECB is also 
likely to leave its key interest rate at the current level. However, capital market interest 
rates could nonetheless rise moderately due to increasing economic momentum and 
reduced bond purchases by the US Federal Reserve.

World trade grows, thanks especially to Asia

The emerging markets in Asia are expected to play a significant role in the growth of 
global trade again in 2014. At 3 %, growth in global trade volumes (transported quantity 
in tonnes) is forecast to be stronger overall in 2014 compared with 2013, due to the slight 
improvement in the economic climate in the industrial countries.

Mail business in the digital age

We expect the market for paper-based mail communication to shrink, although 
demand for communication in general will continue to rise. By introducing our E-Post-
brief product, we have begun to use our expertise in physical communication to offer 
competent electronic communications and generate new business in the process. We 
have also prepared ourselves for continued, intense competition. At the beginning of 
2014, we increased the postage for a standard domestic letter in accordance with the 
price-cap procedure. The higher prices reflect the general price trend. 

According to forecasts by the Zentralverband der deutschen Werbewirtschaft ( German 
advertising federation), the cyclical German advertising market will, for the most part, 
continue to remain stable in 2014. Advertising expenditures are increasingly being 
shifted from traditional to digital media. The trend towards targeted advertising and 
combinations with internet offers is likely to continue. Moreover, we expect companies 
to resort increasingly to cheaper forms of advertising. We intend to consolidate our 
position in the liberalised market for paper-based advertising and to expand our share 
in the advertising market as a whole by integrating online marketing.

The press services market is likely to continue contracting slightly because of the 
 increasing  use  of  digital  media.  This  will  affect  subscription  numbers  and  average 
weights of printed publications, thus also impacting our revenue. In future, we also 
plan to increase the number of digital products we offer.

The international mail market again benefited from the growing e-commerce sector. 
This is an area in which we aim to tap into new business related to our core competency: 
mail, parcels and small packages.

The parcel market will continue to grow both in Germany and internationally. We 
shall  continue  to  drive  this  development  and  expand  both  our  domestic  and  inter-
national market position with our own portals and shipping and delivery services.

International express business continues to grow

Experience shows that growth in the international express market is highly depend-
ent on the economy. In light of the volume trend, we are optimistic that the express 
market will remain stable in 2014.

By using programmes to increase profitability and quality, we shall continue to 
improve our result. We are confident that we shall remain on course for growth and 
defend or even further strengthen our leading market position. Our global DHL brand 
campaign will also contribute to this.

  Glossary, page 218

  Glossary, page 218

  Brands, page 86

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

103

Expected Developments
Future economic parameters 
Revenue and earnings forecast

Group Management Report

Moderate market growth expected in the freight forwarding business

After the decline in output in some industry sectors led to weaker growth in freight 
volumes overall in 2013, forecasts now indicate that the situation in the air freight market 
could improve slightly in 2014.

Ocean freight capacities are expected to increase further because new vessels are 
 being put into operation. At the same time, demand is likely to remain stable or rise 
slightly.

As  in  the  reporting  year,  we  expect  European  road  transport  volumes  to  grow 
slightly at best or even stagnate in 2014, which reflects the unaltered moderate economic 
forecasts for the region.

Supply Chain market remains robust

The trend towards outsourcing warehouse and distribution services continues. For 
this reason, projections indicate that the market for contract logistics will continue 
to experience stable growth of more than 5 %. Many companies prefer to outsource 
their logistics, especially in periods of economic weakness with high cost pressure and 
 increasingly complex supply chains. Demand for supply chain services is expected to 
see particularly strong growth in emerging markets such as China, India, Brazil and 
Mexico, where we benefit from a strong market position.

The market for marketing solutions and business process outsourcing is also likely 
to grow further. We anticipate strong growth for the Williams Lea business unit on the 
basis of both our strong service portfolio and the further development of our broad 
DHL customer base.

Although the economic climate remains uncertain, we are ensuring by means of 
our Growth Through Excellence strategy that we continue to take advantage of our 
strengths – extensive reach and mature sector expertise – to profitably grow both new 
and existing business.

Revenue and earnings forecast

In light of the fact that the world economy again saw below average growth in the 
reporting year, we expect slight economic expansion at best in 2014. The global trading 
volumes relevant to our business are expected to perform similarly. We are therefore 
anticipating a corresponding revenue trend, with increasing revenue, particularly in 
the DHL divisions.

Against this backdrop, we expect consolidated EBIT to reach between €2.9 billion 
and €3.1 billion in financial year 2014. The MAIL division is likely to contribute around 
€1.2 billion to this. Compared with the previous year, we expect an additional improve-
ment in overall earnings to between €2.1 billion and €2.3 billion in the DHL divisions. 
The Corporate Center / Other result should be better than €–0.4 billion.

In line with our Group strategy, we are targeting organic growth and anticipate only 

a few small acquisitions in 2014, as in the previous year.

We still intend to achieve the goals we set for the year 2015. Due to the allocation 
of parts of the parcel business outside Germany to the MAIL division that took effect 
on 1  January 2014, we are adjusting the anticipated earnings contributions for the year 
2015 as follows. In the MAIL division, we now expect at least €1.1 billion rather than the 
previous estimate of at least €1 billion. Accordingly, we now anticipate the DHL divisions 
to make a contribution to earnings of between €2.6 billion and €2.8 billion.

104

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Group Management Report

Expected Developments
Revenue and earnings forecast 
Expected financial position

Our finance strategy calls for a payout of 40 % to 60 % of net profits as dividends as 
a general rule. At the Annual General Meeting on 27 May 2014, we intend to propose 
to the shareholders that a dividend per share of €0.80 be paid for financial year 2013 
(previous year: €0.70).

Expected financial position

Creditworthiness of the Group at least adequate

In light of the earnings forecast for 2014, we expect the “FFO to debt” performance 
metric to remain on the whole stable and the rating agencies to rank our creditworthi-
ness as adequate or even better.

Liquidity to remain solid

We anticipate a deterioration in our liquidity in the first half of 2014 as a result of 
the annual prepayment due to Bundes-Pensions-Service für Post und Telekommunika-
tion and repayment of a bond that matured in January as well as the dividend payment 
for financial year 2013 in May 2014. However, our operating liquidity situation will 
improve again significantly towards the end of the year due to the upturn in business 
that is normal in the second half. We are not currently planning any capital market 
transactions for 2014.

Investments of around €1.9 billion expected

In 2014, we plan to increase capital expenditure to around €1.9 billion. Our focus 

will remain on IT, machinery and transport equipment.

In the MAIL division, the continued expansion of our parcel network shall remain 
a top priority. Furthermore, we shall expand additional delivery options, such as Pack-
station, Paketbox and parcel boxes. Total capital expenditure in 2014 will exceed the 
 reporting year, primarily because we intend to increase expansion of our mechanised 
delivery bases and investment in new parcel centres.

In the EXPRESS division, capital expenditure is expected to be above that of the 
previous year. We intend to expand existing resources and to invest in both mobile and 
stationary infrastructure.

In the GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT division, we envisage slightly lower invest-
ments  for  2014,  although  we  shall  further  expand  our  IT,  in  particular  for  the  New 
 Forwarding Environment project.

In the SUPPLY CHAIN division, capital expenditure in 2014 is expected to be slightly 
above that of the reporting year. Investments will continue to focus on supporting new 
business projects and growth in our existing business.

Cross-divisional  capital  expenditure  in  2014  is  expected  to  remain  well  below 
the high level of the previous year; investments shall again be centred on our vehicle  
fleet and IT.

  Objectives and strategies, page 34

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

105

Expected Developments
Development of further indicators relevant for internal management 

Group Management Report

Development of further indicators relevant  
for internal management

eaC and operating cash flow demonstrate positive trend

With regard to the EBIT after asset charge financial performance metric and operat-
ing cash flow, we expect to see a further positive development in financial year 2014 in 
line with the respective EBIT trend. Here, the continuing rise in business volume may 
result in an increase in working capital within the individual divisions.

Employee opinion survey results again positive

We intend to keep up the positive results that our employee opinion survey achieved 
in the reporting year. For 2014, we expect to see a slight increase to 71 % in the approval 
rating for the key performance indicator “Active Leadership”.

Transparent presentation of greenhouse gas efficiency

We intend to increase transparency in our greenhouse gas efficiency because it is the 
target of our GoGreen environmental protection programme. It will be measured using 
a CO2 Efficiency Index (CEX), which is based on division and business unit-specific 
emission intensity figures that show the ratio of the respective emissions to a match-
ing performance indicator. In future, we shall report on this performance metric on a 
regu lar basis as an additional non-financial indicator relevant for internal management.

This Annual Report contains forward-looking statements that relate to the business, financial performance and results of oper-
ations of Deutsche Post AG. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts and may be identified by words such as “believes”, 
“ expects”, “predicts”, “intends”, “projects”, “plans”, “estimates”, “aims”, “foresees”, “anticipates”, “targets” and similar expressions. 
As these statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could 
cause actual results to be materially different from the future development, performance or results expressly or implicitly assumed 
in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which 
apply only as at the date of this presentation. Deutsche Post AG does not intend or assume any obligation to update these 
 forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Annual Report.
  Any internet sites referred to in the Group Management Report do not form part of the report.

106

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

CORPORATE 
GOVERNANCE

107 – 132

b

b Corporate GovernanCeCORPORATE GOVERNANCEb

  109  REPORT OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD

  113  SUPERVISORY BOARD
  113  Members of the Supervisory Board
  113 

Committees of the Supervisory Board

  114  BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

  116  MANDATES
  116  Mandates held by the Board of Management
  116  Mandates held by the Supervisory Board

  117  CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT
  123 

Remuneration report

Corporate Governance

Report of the Supervisory Board

REPORT OF THE SUPERVISORY BOARD

WULF VON SCHIMMELMANN
Chairman

DEAR SHAREHOLDERS,

In the 2013 financial year, Deutsche Post DHL performed well in what continued to be a challenging 

economic environment in its capacity as provider, investment and employer of choice in its market.

Advising and overseeing the Board of Management

In 2013, the Supervisory Board scrutinised Group and divisional strategy and results in light of the 
global economic situation at five Supervisory Board meetings and one closed meeting. To this end, the 
Board of Management provided the Supervisory Board with detailed up-to-date information on the situ-
ation and performance of the Group, strategic initiatives and key business transactions, the development 
of acquisitions, compliance management, as well as risk exposure and risk management, and issues related 
to planning and implementation. Between meetings, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board was also 
kept abreast of ongoing developments.

Measures requiring the consent of the Supervisory Board were discussed in even greater depth, and 
in advance by the relevant committees. The results of the deliberations were presented by the respective 
committee chairs in the plenary meetings.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

109

 
Report of the Supervisory Board

Corporate Governance

Five meetings during the reporting year

Three Supervisory Board meetings took place during the first half of the year and two in the second. 

All members participated in at least 50 % of the meetings. The overall participation rate exceeded 90 %.

At the financial statements meeting on 4 March 2013, with the auditors in attendance, the annual 
and consolidated financial statements and the management reports for 2012 were discussed in detail and 
 approved. After a thorough review, we endorsed the Board of Management’s proposal for the appropri-
ation of the unappropriated surplus for the 2012 financial year. At this meeting, the Board of Manage-
ment’s achievement of its targets for the 2012 financial year was also assessed and the Supervisory Board’s 
proposed resolutions for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) were adopted. In addition, we discussed 
the outcome of the review on the efficiency of the Supervisory Board’s work. The Supervisory Board also 
looked in detail at EXPRESS aviation strategy at this meeting.

As a number of members of the Supervisory Board had previously been re-elected, an extraordinary 
meeting of the Supervisory Board was held immediately after the Deutsche Post AG AGM on 29 May 
2013, where the members of the Supervisory Board re-elected Andrea Kocsis as deputy chair and me as 
chairman of the Supervisory Board. The meeting also confirmed  the positions of all committee members. 
Details of the current members of the Supervisory Board committees are shown on page 113.

At the meeting of the Supervisory Board on 27 June 2013, we discussed measures aimed at optimising 
Deutsche Post AG’s investment portfolio. Matters relating to the Board of Management were also dealt with 
at this meeting, in particular the remuneration of its members and the extension of Roger Crook’s appoint-
ment to the Board and of his contract for a further five years. We also considered the New  Forwarding 
Environment (NFE) strategic project within the Global Forwarding business unit in great detail. Under 
the new IT-based operating model, Global Forwarding will become a single, internationally homogeneous 
organisation, with a clear customer focus, efficient processes and high standards of quality.

On 24 September 2013, Directors’ Day, selected speakers were invited to provide basic and further 
training to the members of the Supervisory Board. At the meeting of the Supervisory Board that followed, 
changes in the regulatory environment were the main focus of discussions. The Supervisory Board also 
discussed the Group’s external image in the market, with the help of external guest speakers, specialising in 
the fields of customers, investors, media and the labour market. On 25 September 2013, the current status 
of Strategy 2015 implementation within the Group and the divisions was the main point on the agenda.
The Supervisory Board’s final meeting of 2013 was held on 13 December. Following extensive discus-
sions, we adopted the 2014 business plan and also considered various aspects of the Board of Manage-
ment’s remuneration. Furthermore, the Board of Management’s targets for 2014 were set and the formation 
of a Strategy Committee agreed upon. Following in-depth discussions, we again submitted an unqualified 
Declaration of Conformity with the German Corporate Governance Code.

Hard work by the committees

The Executive Committee met four times during the year under review. Meeting agendas focused 
primarily on matters relating to the Board of Management and preparations for the respective Supervisory 
Board meetings.

The Personnel Committee also met four times and considered the reorganisation of the Human 
Resources board department, diversity management and activities in the areas of training, health and 
employee commitment. The committee received ongoing updates regarding the progress of the One HR 
programme, which is reorganising the content and structure of the Group’s personnel activities. It also 
considered the remuneration structure for executives. The annual employee opinion survey was also 
discussed.

110

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
Corporate Governance

Report of the Supervisory Board

The Finance and Audit Committee met seven times. Its chairman, Hero Brahms, and Stefan Schulte 
are financial experts as defined by sections 100 (5) and 107 (4) of the Aktiengesetz (AktG – German 
Stock Corporation Act). At its meeting in February, the committee examined the annual and consoli-
dated financial statements for 2012 and recommended that these be approved by a plenary meeting of 
the Supervisory Board. The auditors took part in this meeting and gave a detailed presentation on their 
findings regarding the key audit priorities set by the committee for 2012, along with recommendations 
arising from their findings. Following the AGM, the Finance and Audit Committee engaged the auditors 
to perform an audit of the 2013 annual and consolidated financial statements and the interim financial 
report for the first half of the year. The committee also defined the key audit priorities. In advance of their 
publication, the reviewed quarterly financial reports and the interim financial report for the first half of 
the year were discussed by the committee together with the Board of Management and the auditors. The 
main risk factors for the Group were also discussed at the February meeting as planned.

At its meeting on 20 June 2013, the Finance and Audit Committee considered the planned acquisition 
of companies and holdings aimed at optimising Deutsche Post AG’s investment portfolio. The committee 
received ongoing updates about other acquisitions and disposals throughout the year. The committee’s 
deliberations included the acquisition of optivo GmbH, a leading German provider of e-mail marketing 
services. The results of internal audits were also discussed by the committee.

At its meeting on 13 September 2013, the Finance and Audit Committee received a detailed progress 
report on compliance organisation and compliance management from the Chief Compliance Officer. The 
main risk factors for the Group were also discussed further.

On 4 December 2013, the Finance and Audit Committee considered the Group’s investment strategy 
for pension assets as well as equity transactions. It also examined the business plan for 2014 and approved 
both the 2014 internal audit plan and the sale of property in Hamburg. The committee regularly discussed 
the Group’s business development and the internal control and risk management system. The appropriate-
ness of the Group’s accounting system was discussed with the auditors by the committee.

The Strategy Committee that was set up in December 2013 will meet for the first time in 2014.
The Nomination Committee met on one occasion in 2013 to consider nominations for the 2014 AGM.
The chairs of the committees reported on the committees’ deliberations in the subsequent plenary 

meetings.

In 2013 there were no meetings of the Mediation Committee, formed pursuant to section 27 (3) of 

the Mitbestimmungsgesetz (MitbestG – German Co-determination Act).

No changes to the composition of the Supervisory Board and Board of Management

There were no changes to the members of the Board of Management or the Supervisory Board during 
2013. At the Deutsche Post AG AGM on 29 May 2013, I was re-elected as a shareholder representative on 
the Supervisory Board. The end of the AGM also marked the start of a new term of office for the Super-
visory Board’s employee representatives who were re-elected in April 2013 by the Delegate Assembly, in 
accordance with the MitbestG. At its extraordinary meeting immediately after the AGM, the Supervisory 
Board re-elected Andrea Kocsis as deputy chair and I was re-elected as chairman of the Supervisory Board. 
The meeting also confirmed the positions of all committee members. Details of the current members of 
the Supervisory Board committees are shown on page 113.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

111

 
Report of the Supervisory Board

Corporate Governance

Managing conflicts of interest

No conflicts of interest arose during the reporting year.

Company in compliance with all recommendations of the German Corporate Governance Code

In December 2013, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board submitted an unquali-
fied Declaration of Conformity pursuant to section 161 of the AktG and published it on the company’s 
website. The declarations from previous years can also be viewed on this website. In the 2013 financial 
year, Deutsche Post AG complied with all the recommendations of the Government Commission on the 
 German Corporate Governance Code, as amended on 15 May 2012, and also intends to comply with the 
recommendations of the code as amended on 13 May 2013. The Corporate Governance Report (page 117 ff.) 
contains further information on corporate governance within the company and the remuneration report.

Annual and Consolidated Financial Statements audited

The  auditors  appointed  by  the  AGM,  PricewaterhouseCoopers  Aktiengesellschaft  Wirtschafts-
prüfungs gesellschaft (PwC), Düsseldorf, audited the annual and consolidated financial statements for the 
2013 financial year, including the respective management reports, and issued unqualified audit opinions. 
PwC also conducted the review of the quarterly financial reports and the interim report for the first half 
of the year.

Following a detailed preliminary assessment by the Finance and Audit Committee, the Supervisory 
Board reviewed the annual and consolidated financial statements and the management reports for the 
2013 financial year at the financial statements meeting held on 11 March 2014. The review included 
the Board of Management’s proposal for the appropriation of the unappropriated surplus. The auditors’ 
 reports were made available to all Supervisory Board members and were discussed in detail with the Board 
of Management and the auditors in attendance. The Supervisory Board concurred with the results of the 
audit and approved the annual and consolidated financial statements for the 2013 financial year. Based on 
the final outcome of the examination of the annual and consolidated financial statements, of the manage-
ment reports and of the proposal for the appropriation of the unappropriated surplus by the Supervisory 
Board and the Finance and Audit Committee, there are no objections to be raised. The Supervisory Board 
endorses the Board of Management’s proposal for the appropriation of the unappropriated surplus and 
the payment of a dividend of €0.80 per share.

We would like to thank the Board of Management and all employees for their great commitment 
and ongoing effort to safeguarding the company’s continued success. The Supervisory Board is confident 
that the Group is well on the way to ensuring that it remains profitable in the long term, building on its 
strong position in the market.

Bonn, 11 March 2014
The Supervisory Board

Wulf von Schimmelmann
Chairman

112

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
Corporate Governance

Supervisory Board

SUPERVISORY BOARD

B.01  Members of the Supervisory Board

B.02  Committees of the Supervisory Board

Shareholder representatives

Employee representatives

Executive Committee

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)
Former CEO of Deutsche Postbank AG

Hero Brahms
Management consultant

Werner Gatzer
State Secretary, Federal Ministry of Finance

Prof. Dr Henning Kagermann
Former CEO of SAP AG

Thomas Kunz
CEO of Danone Dairy, member of the 
Executive Committee of Danone S. A., 
France

Roland Oetker
Managing Partner, ROI Verwaltungs-
gesellschaft mbH

Dr Ulrich Schröder
CEO of KfW Bankengruppe

Dr Stefan Schulte
Chair of the Executive Board of Fraport AG

Elmar Toime
Managing Director, E Toime Consulting Ltd.

Prof. Dr-Ing. Katja Windt
Bernd Rogge Chair of Global Production 
Logistics 

President and Provost / Vice President 
of Jacobs University Bremen gGmbH

Andrea Kocsis (Deputy Chair)
Deputy Chair of ver.di National Executive 
Board and Head of Postal Services, 
Forwarding Companies and Logistics 
on the ver.di National Executive Board

Rolf Bauermeister
Head of Postal Services, Co-determination 
and Youth and Head of National Postal 
Services Group at ver.di national adminis-
tration

Heinrich Josef Busch
Chair of the Group and Company Executive 
Representation Committee, Deutsche Post AG

Thomas Koczelnik
Chair of the Group Works Council, 
Deutsche Post AG

Anke Kufalt
Member of the Works Council, DHL Global 
Forwarding GmbH, Hamburg

Andreas Schädler
Chair of the General Works Council, 
Deutsche Post AG

Sabine Schielmann 
Member of the Executive Board of the 
General Works Council, Deutsche Post AG

Stephan Teuscher
Section Head of politics referring to tariffs, 
civil servants and social matters in the 
department Postal Services, Forwarding 
Companies and Logistics at ver.di national 
administration 

Helga Thiel
Deputy Chair of the General Works Council, 
Deutsche Post AG

Stefanie Weckesser
Deputy Chair of the Works Council, 
Deutsche Post AG, MAIL Branch, Augsburg

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)

Andrea Kocsis (Deputy Chair)

Rolf Bauermeister

Werner Gatzer

Roland Oetker

Stefanie Weckesser

Finance and Audit Committee

Hero Brahms (Chair)

Stephan Teuscher (Deputy Chair)

Werner Gatzer

Thomas Koczelnik

Dr Stefan Schulte

Helga Thiel

Personnel Committee

Andrea Kocsis (Chair)

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann  
(Deputy Chair)

Thomas Koczelnik

Roland Oetker

Mediation Committee  
(pursuant to section 27 (3) of the German 
Co-determination Act)

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)

Andrea Kocsis (Deputy Chair)

Rolf Bauermeister

Roland Oetker

Nomination Committee

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)

Werner Gatzer 

Roland Oetker

Strategy Committee  
(since 13 December 2013)

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)

Andrea Kocsis (Deputy Chair)

Rolf Bauermeister 

Prof. Dr Henning Kagermann 

Thomas Koczelnik 

Dr Ulrich Schröder

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

113

 
 
Board of Management
Board of Management

Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance

BOARD OF MANAGEMENT

KEN ALLEN
EXPRESS

Born in 1955
Member since February 2009
Appointed until February 2017

BRUCE EDWARDS
SUPPLY CHAIN

Born in 1955
Member since March 2008
Appointed until March 2016

ROGER CROOK
GLOBAL FORWARDING, 
FREIGHT

Born in 1957
Member since March 2011 
Appointed until March 2019

ANGELA TITZRATH
HUMAN RESOURCES

Born in 1966
Member since May 2012
Appointed until April 2015

114114

 
 
Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance

Board of Management
Board of Management

DR FRANK APPEL
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Born in 1961
Member since November 2002, 
CEO since February 2008
Appointed until October 2017

LAWRENCE ROSEN
FINANCE,  
GLOBAL BUSINESS SERVICES

Born in 1957
Member since September 2009
Appointed until August 2017

JÜRGEN GERDES
MAIL

Born in 1964
Member since July 2007
Appointed until June 2015

115115

 
 
Mandates

Corporate Governance

MANDATES

B.03  Mandates held by the Board of Management

Membership of supervisory boards 
required by law

Membership of  
comparable bodies

Lawrence Rosen
Deutsche Postbank AG

Ken Allen
DHL-Sinotrans International Air Courier Ltd 1, 
China (Board of Directors)

Roger Crook
DHL Global Forwarding Management  
(Asia Pacific) Pte Ltd 1, Singapore  
(Board of Directors)

Bruce Edwards
Ashtead plc, UK (Board of Directors)

Greif, Inc., USA (Board of Directors)

Williams Lea Group Limited 1, UK  
(Board of Directors) 

Williams Lea Holdings PLC 1, UK  
(Board of Directors, Chair) 

Lawrence Rosen
Qiagen N. V. (Supervisory Board)  
(since 26 June 2013)

1  Group mandate.

B.04  Mandates held by the Supervisory Board

Shareholder representatives 

Employee representatives 

Membership of supervisory boards 
required by law

Membership of  
comparable bodies

Membership of supervisory boards 
required by law

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)
Allianz Deutschland AG 

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)
Accenture Corp., Ireland (Board of Directors)

Rolf Bauermeister
Deutsche Postbank AG

Andreas Schädler
PSD Bank Köln eG (Chair)

Stephan Teuscher
DHL Hub Leipzig GmbH  
(Supervisory Board, Deputy Chair)

Helga Thiel
PSD Bank Köln eG (Deputy Chair)

Thomson Reuters Corp., Canada  
(Board of Directors)

Western Union Company, USA  
(Board of Directors)

Hero Brahms
Zumtobel AG, Austria  
(Supervisory Board, Deputy Chair)

Prof. Dr Henning Kagermann
Nokia Corporation, Finland  
(Board of Directors)

Wipro Ltd., India (Board of Directors)

Roland Oetker
Rheinisch-Bergische Verlagsgesellschaft 
mbH (Supervisory Board)

Dr Ulrich Schröder
“Marguerite 2020”: European Fund for 
Energy, Climate Change and Infrastructure 
(Supervisory Board) 

Elmar Toime
Blackbay Ltd., United Kingdom 
(Non-Executive Director) (until 5 July 2013)

Postea Inc., USA (Non-Executive Chairman)

Maxingvest AG

Hero Brahms
Georgsmarienhütte Holding GmbH  
(Deputy Chair)

Krauss-Maffei-Wegmann GmbH & Co. KG

Live Holding AG (Chair)  
(until 15 January 2014)

Telefunken SE (until 31 December 2013)

Werner Gatzer
Bundesdruckerei GmbH 

Flughafen Berlin-Schönefeld GmbH 

Prof. Dr Henning Kagermann
BMW AG

Deutsche Bank AG

Franz Haniel & Cie. GmbH

Münchener Rückversicherungs- 
Gesellschaft AG

Roland Oetker
Evotec AG 

Dr Ulrich Schröder
DEG – Deutsche Investitions- und 
Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH 

Deutsche Telekom AG

Elmar Toime
message AG (Chair)  
(until 13 September 2013)

Prof. Dr-Ing. Katja Windt
Fraport AG

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Corporate Governance

Corporate Governance Report

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE REPORT

Annual Corporate Governance Statement pursuant to section 289 a  
of the Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB – German Commercial Code)

In this Annual Corporate Governance Statement, the company presents the main com-
ponents of Deutsche Post DHL’s corporate governance structure. These include the 
Declaration of Conformity from the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board, 
significant corporate governance practices that exceed legal requirements, the working 
methods of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board, and the composition 
and working methods of the executive and other committees, as well as the targets for 
the composition of the Supervisory Board.

Company in compliance with all recommendations of the German Corporate 
 Governance Code

In December 2013, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board again 
submitted an unqualified Declaration of Conformity pursuant to section 161 of the 
Aktiengesetz (AktG – German Stock Corporation Act), which reads as follows:

“The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Post AG  declare 
that  the  recommendations  of  the  Government  Commission  German   Corporate 
 Governance Code in the version dated 15 May 2012 have been complied with since 
issuance of the Declaration of Conformity in December 2012 and that it is intended 
to comply with all recommendations of the code in the version dated 13 May 2013 in 
the future.”

We shall also implement the suggestions made by the code, with one exception: 
the Annual General Meeting will only be broadcast on the internet up to the end of the 
address by the Chief Executive Officer.

Specific corporate governance practices

With the guiding principle of “respect and results”, we set our corporate governance 
the daily challenge of achieving first-class results whilst adhering to our sense of respon-
sibility for the needs of our employees and customers. We put our knowledge and global 
presence to good use to make a positive contribution to the environment and society. 
We concentrate these efforts on environmental protection, disaster management and 
education. We also support the voluntary work of our employees.

The results of our annual, Group-wide employee opinion survey continue to be very 
positive. With a participation rate of 77 %, slightly fewer employees took part than in 
the previous year because we have changed our communication and reporting methods.
The  annual  survey  of  private  customers  carried  out  by  the  Kundenmonitor 
Deutschland independent market study shows that 95 % (previous year: 96 %) of our cus-
tomers are satisfied with Deutsche Post’s postal services. We achieved excellent  results 
in letter transit times within Germany. According to surveys conducted by the quality 
research institute Quotas, we exceeded the 80 % legal requirement by a wide margin: 
94 % of the letters we received during our daily opening hours or before final post box 
collections were delivered the next day.

  dpdhl.com/en/investors

  Employees, page 74

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  Corporate responsibility, page 79 ff.

  Page 78 f.

Code of Conduct, diversity and compliance management

The Group’s Code of Conduct has been applicable in all regions and all divisions 
since the middle of 2006. In view of changing legal and social requirements, the Group 
updated the Code of Conduct. The code now places particular emphasis on our respect 
for human rights, our opposition to all forms of forced and child labour and our respect 
for basic principles and rights in the working environment, in accordance with national laws 
and conventions. The corporate responsibility section has also been updated.

Deutsche Post DHL’s Code of Conduct lays down guidelines for day-to-day work-
place conduct and is applicable in all regions and divisions. It covers issues ranging from 
quality, our relationship with our customers and standards on co-operation and integrity 
in our business practices, to corporate responsibility and the environment. Both the 
full Code of Conduct and a simplified text version are available to staff in 21 languages. 
There is also a web-based training course.

The Code of Conduct is underpinned by further guidelines: the anti-corruption 
policy gives clear instructions on how to handle gifts, benefits and offers of hospital-
ity. The competition compliance policy gives specific guidelines on the prohibition of 
agreements with competitors. The Code of Conduct for suppliers is included in all 
procurement contracts and existing long-term framework agreements. It obliges com-
panies that work with us to adhere to ethical and ecological standards. A ban on child 
and forced labour is in place. Salaries and working times must comply with national 
laws and regulations.

In mid-2013, Deutsche Post AG’s Board of Management adopted its statement on 
Diversity & Inclusion. One topic covered by this statement is our strategic approach to 
women in management positions. Since the end of 2011, we have been implementing a 
package of measures to increase the proportion of women in management positions on 
a sustainable basis. We have made a formal commitment to achieving this, introduced a 
system of key indicators, set up mentoring programmes, provided support for women’s 
networks and worked continually to improve work-family balance. We have also made 
a diversity training course available to executives throughout the Group which focuses 
on this topic. As at 31 December 2013, the proportion of women in managerial positions 
around the world stood at 19.6 % – up two percentage points compared with 2011, when 
the “Women in Management Positions” project was started.

The Supervisory Board supports the Group’s diversity strategy, with a particular 
focus on the objective of increasing the number of women on the Board of Management. 
It sees the efforts for greater diversity as being part of long-term succession planning, 
for which the Supervisory Board and Board of Management are jointly responsible. In 
the opinion of the Supervisory Board, the targeted increase in the number of women 
in executive positions is necessary to ensure that, overall, more suitable female candi-
dates are available for vacant positions on the Board of Management. The international 
composition of the Board of Management already strongly reflects the global activity 
of the company.

We consider the health and safety of our employees to be prerequisites for perform-
ance and motivation and a key factor in the company’s continued success. Our Group 
health and safety strategy is based on the Healthy Workplace model launched by the 
World Health Organisation. It integrates the four areas of workplace design,  corporate 
culture, improving the health resources available to individuals and supporting the 
society as a whole. Each year we recognise exemplary initiatives with our Corporate 
Health Award.

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At Deutsche Post DHL, the Chief Compliance Officer is responsible for the com-
pliance management system and reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer. The 
Chief Compliance  Officer  is  supported  by  the  Global  Compliance  Office,  which 
 establishes compliance management standards on a Group-wide basis and supports 
the corresponding activities of the divisions. Each of the four operating divisions has 
a  Compliance Officer, who regularly presents a report to the Board of Management 
 member  for  the  respective  division.  These  reports  are  incorporated  into  the  Chief 
 Compliance Officer’s reports to the Board of Management and to the Finance and Audit 
Committee of the Supervisory Board.

One  of  the  main  functions  of  compliance  management  at  Deutsche  Post  DHL 
is to implement a systematic process which allows for the identification of potential 
compliance risks, the evaluation of compliance matters relating to business partners, 
co- ordinated reporting of any breaches of law or guidelines, the management of guide-
lines and the development and implementation of training and communication on 
com pliance. We made changes to our compliance hotline in 2013. It is available in 
around 150 countries and assists employees in reporting breaches of law or the Code of 
 Conduct within the company; it also provides a structure for addressing and resolving 
breaches. The insights gained from breaches that are reported are used to improve the 
 compliance management system on an ongoing basis. In addition, further steps were 
taken to improve Group-wide communication on compliance matters, in order to re-
mind  employees of their relevance and brief them specifically on the Code of Conduct. 

Working methods of the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board

As  a  German  listed  public  limited  company,  Deutsche  Post AG  follows  a  dual 
manage ment system. The Board of Management is responsible for the management of the 
company. It is appointed, overseen and advised by the Supervisory Board.

In addition to the board departments of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the CFO 
and the Board Member for Human Resources, the Board of Management also includes 
the operating board departments of MAIL, EXPRESS, GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT 
and SUPPLY CHAIN.

With the consent of the Supervisory Board, the Board of Management has estab-
lished  rules  of  procedure  that  lay  down  objectives  for  structure,  management  and 
co- operation within the Board of Management. Within this framework, each board 
 member manages their department independently and informs the rest of the board on 
key developments at regular intervals. The Board of Management as a whole decides on 
matters of particular significance for the company or the Group. In addition to tasks that 
it is prohibited by law from delegating, these include all decisions that must be presented 
to the Supervisory Board for approval. The entire Board of Management also decides 
on matters brought forth by one member of the Board of Management for decision by 
the Board of Management as a whole.

In making their decisions, the members of the Board of Management may not 
pursue personal interests or exploit business opportunities due to the company for their 
own benefit. They are required to disclose any conflicts of interest to the Supervisory 
Board without delay.

The Supervisory Board advises and oversees the Board of Management and appoints 
the members of the Board of Management. It has established rules of procedure that 
include the fundamental principles of its internal structure, a catalogue of Board of 
Manage ment  transactions  requiring  its  approval  and  rules  for  the  Supervisory  Board 
 committees. It meets at least twice every six months in a calendar year, with special 

   Members, page 114 f.,  
Mandates, page 116

   Members, page 113 f.,  
Mandates, page 116

  Page 113

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Corporate Governance

  Page 109 ff.

meetings held whenever particular developments or measures need to be discussed 
or decided quickly. In financial year 2013, the Supervisory Board met for five plenary 
meetings, 16 committee meetings and one closed meeting, as described in the Report of 
the Supervisory Board.

The Board of Management and the Supervisory Board engage in regular dialogue 
 regarding strategic measures, planning, business development, risk exposure and risk 
management as well as company compliance. The Board of Management informs the 
Supervisory Board promptly and fully on all topics of significance.

All Supervisory Board decisions, particularly those concerning transactions that 
require its approval, are deliberated and discussed extensively in the relevant committees. 
At each plenary meeting, the Supervisory Board is informed in detail about the work 
and decisions of its committees.

In making their decisions, the members of the Supervisory Board may not pursue 
personal interests or exploit business opportunities due to the company for their own 
benefit. They are required to disclose any conflicts of interest to the Supervisory Board. 
Any significant conflicts of interest on the part of a Supervisory Board member that 
are not merely temporary in nature should lead to that member’s resignation from 
the Board. All members of the Supervisory Board are independent as defined by the 
 German Corporate Governance Code.

Executive committees and Supervisory Board committees

Executive committees prepare the decisions to be made by the Board of Manage-
ment as a whole and make decisions on matters assigned to them. Their duties include 
preparing or deciding on investments and transactions in the various divisions. The 
Deutsche Post Executive Committee is responsible for the MAIL division, the cross- 
divisional DHL Executive Committee is in charge of the EXPRESS, GLOBAL FORWARDING, 
FREIGHT and SUPPLY CHAIN divisions, and the CC & GBS Executive Committee covers 
the Corporate Center (CC) and Global Business Services (GBS). The CEO, the CFO and 
the Board Member for Human Resources have permanent representation on the com-
mittees, while the board members for the divisions are represented on the committees 
in matters relating to their divisions. Along with the relevant members of the Board of 
Management, the executive committees also include first-tier executives below the Board 
of Management level. Depending upon the matter being discussed, other  executives also 
attend the meetings. Procurement and Controlling are called in to consult on capital 
expenditure, for instance, and Corporate Finance, Corporate Development and Legal 
Services in the case of acquisitions. The DHL Executive Committee and the Deutsche 
Post Executive Committee each meet at least once a month; the CC & GBS Executive 
Committee usually meets every quarter.

Furthermore, business review meetings take place once per quarter. These meet-
ings are part of the strategic performance dialogue between the divisions, the CEO and 
the CFO. They comprise discussions on strategic measures, operating topics and the 
 budgetary situation of the divisions.

   Pages 114 f. and 116

For the members of the Board of Management, see Board of Management and  Mandates 

held by the Board of Management.

The Supervisory Board has formed six committees to ensure the efficient discharge 
of its duties; in particular, these committees prepare the resolutions of the plenary meet-
ings of the Supervisory Board. Decisions on certain topics are delegated by the Super-
visory Board to the individual committees for a final decision.

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The Executive Committee’s duties include arranging the appointment of members of 
the Board of Management and determining the remuneration of the Board of Manage-
ment at the plenary meeting of the Supervisory Board. The members of the Executive 
Committee are Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair), Andrea Kocsis (Deputy Chair), Rolf 
Bauermeister, Werner Gatzer, Roland Oetker and Stefanie Weckesser.

The Finance and Audit Committee oversees the accounting process, the effective-
ness of the internal control system, the risk management and internal auditing systems 
as well as the financial statement audit. It examines questions of compliance, discusses 
the half-yearly and quarterly financial reports with the Board of Management before 
they are published, and prepares plenary meeting resolutions on company acquisitions 
or disposals that require approval. Based on its own preliminary assessment, it makes 
proposals for the approval of the annual and consolidated financial statements by the 
Super visory Board. The members of the Finance and Audit Committee for 2013 were 
Hero  Brahms  (Chair),  Stephan  Teuscher  (Deputy  Chair),  Werner  Gatzer,  Thomas 
Koczelnik, Stefan Schulte and Helga Thiel. Hero Brahms and Stefan Schulte are finan-
cial experts as defined by sections 100 (5) and 107 (4) of the AktG. Both have many 
years’ experience as CFO s of various companies. The chairman of the Finance and Audit 
Committee, Hero Brahms, has been CFO at a number of companies since 1982, most 
recently at Linde AG, where he was responsible for balance sheets, taxation, business 
management, audits, finance and personnel. Between 2001 and 2003 Stefan Schulte was 
a member of the board responsible for finance at Deutz AG, and between 2003 and 2007 
he was the member of the Board of Management responsible for finance at Fraport AG, 
where he has served as CEO since 2009.

The Personnel Committee discusses human resources principles for the Group. The 
Personnel Committee’s members are Andrea Kocsis (Chair), Wulf von Schimmelmann 
(Deputy Chair), Thomas Koczelnik and Roland Oetker.

The Mediation Committee carries out the duties assigned to it pursuant to the Mit-
bestimmungsgesetz (MitbestG – German Co-determination Act). The members of the 
Mediation Committee are Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair), Andrea Kocsis (Deputy 
Chair), Rolf Bauermeister and Roland Oetker.

The Nomination Committee presents the shareholder representatives of the Super-
visory Board with recommendations for potential shareholder members of the Super-
visory Board eligible for election at the AGM. In doing so, it takes into consideration the 
objectives adopted by the Supervisory Board concerning its composition. The members 
of the Nomination Committee are Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair), Werner Gatzer 
and Roland Oetker. 

The Strategy Committee was set up in December 2013 and will prepare material for 
discussion by the Supervisory Board relating to strategic matters and any new  activities 
the company is to undertake, or existing activities that it will discontinue. It will also 
hold regular discussions on the competition faced by the company. The members of 
the Strategy Committee are Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair), Andrea Kocsis ( Deputy 
Chair), Rolf Bauermeister, Henning Kagermann, Thomas Koczelnik and Ulrich Schröder.
Information  about  the  work  of  the  Supervisory  Board  and  its  committees  in 
finan cial year 2013 is also contained in the Report of the Supervisory Board. You can find 
 information about the members of the Supervisory Board and the composition of the 
Supervisory Board committees under the sections Supervisory Board and Mandates held 
by the Supervisory Board.

  Page 109 ff.

   Members, page 113, 
Mandates, page 116

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Corporate Governance

Targets for the composition of the Supervisory Board

The Supervisory Board set specific targets for its composition in December 2010, 
adding a further objective relating to the number of independent members of the Super-
visory Board in December 2012:

1   The candidate proposals of the Supervisory Board to the General Meeting for the 
election of Supervisory Board members shall be made in the interest of the enter-
prise only. Within this framework, the Supervisory Board aims to ensure that on 
the entire Supervisory Board the share of independent members of the Supervisory 
Board within the meaning of section 5.4.2 of the German Corporate Governance 
Code shall be at least 75% and the share of female representation in the year 2015 
shall be 30%.

2   The international activity of the enterprise is already adequately reflected in the 
composition of the Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board aims at maintaining 
this and will therefore, in future proposals to the General Meeting, consider candi-
dates, whose origin, education or professional experience, equip them with special 
international knowledge and experience.

3   Conflicts of interest of Supervisory Board members are an obstacle to independent 
and efficient counselling and supervision of the Board of Management. The Super-
visory Board decides in each case in accordance with the law and in due consider-
ation of the German Corporate Governance Code, how to deal with potential or 
actual conflicts of interest.

4   In accordance with the age limit adopted by the Supervisory Board and laid down 
in the Rules of Procedure for the Supervisory Board, proposals for the election of 
Supervisory Board members shall consider the fact that the term of office shall end 
no later than the close of the Annual General Meeting after the Supervisory Board 
member reaches the age of 72.

The composition of the Supervisory Board remained unchanged during the report-
ing period and is in accordance with the above-mentioned targets. As a result of the 
re-election of all employee representatives by the Delegate Assembly in April 2013 and 
the re-election of Wulf von Schimmelmann by the AGM in May 2013, the composition 
of the Supervisory Board did not change. The current composition of the Super visory 
Board exceeds the objective relating to the number of independent members. In respect 
of the other objectives, the Supervisory Board was able to maintain the  satisfactory 
level which had already been achieved. There are six female members of the Super-
visory Board, meaning that women currently make up 30 % of its members. The present 
composition of the Supervisory Board adequately reflects the company’s international 
 operations. Numerous members possess special international knowledge and  experience.
The AGM due to take place in May 2014 will duly elect or re-elect four shareholder 
representatives to the Supervisory Board. The nominations put forward by the Super-
visory Board to the AGM takes into account the fact that Hero Brahms, who has rendered 
a significant contribution to the Supervisory Board over many years, both as a member 
of the Presidium and as chair of the Finance and Audit Committee, will not be standing 
for re-election due to the specified upper age limit. In putting forward its nominations, 
the Supervisory Board has set itself the goal of increasing the proportion of women on 
the Supervisory Board.

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Corporate Governance

Corporate Governance Report
Remuneration report

Remuneration report

The remuneration report also forms part of the Group Management Report.

Remuneration structure of the Group Board of Management in financial year 2013

The remuneration paid to individual Board of Management members for finan-
cial year 2013 was determined by the Supervisory Board, which held consultations to 
 resolve on the remuneration system for the Board of Management, including the main 
contractual elements. In so doing it obtained advice from an independent remuneration 
consultant.

The Board of Management remuneration reflects the size and global reach of the 
company, its economic and financial situation and the roles and achievements of the 
individual members. It is set to ensure competitiveness with comparable German and 
inter national companies, thus incentivising the Board of Management members to 
 deliver maximum performance and achieve results.

The remuneration paid to the Board of Management for 2013 is in line with standard 
market practice, appropriate to the tasks involved and designed to reward performance; 
it  comprises  fixed  (non-performance-related)  elements  and  variable  (performance- 
related) elements, which include short, medium and long-term incentives. The remu-
neration as a whole as well as its variable components have been capped.

Non-performance-related components are the annual base salary (fixed annual 
 remuneration), fringe benefits and pension commitments. The annual base salary is 
paid in twelve equal monthly instalments retroactively at the end of each month. Fringe 
benefits mainly comprise the use of company cars, supplements for insurance premiums 
and special allowances and benefits for assignments outside the home country.

The variable remuneration paid to the Board of Management is almost entirely 
 medium and long-term based. Half of the variable remuneration consists of a long-term 
incentive plan with a four-year calculation period; the other half is made up of an annual 
bonus linked to the company’s yearly profits, with 50 % of the annual bonus flowing into 
a medium-term component with a three-year calculation period (deferral). Thus only 
25 % of the variable remuneration component is paid out on the basis of a one-year cal-
culation. The amount of the annual bonus is set at the due discretion of the Supervisory 
Board on the basis of the company’s performance. The individual annual bonus amounts 
reflect the extent to which predefined targets are achieved, missed or exceeded. The 
maximum amount of the annual bonus may not exceed 100 % of the annual base salary.
In the reporting year, an addition was made to the criteria used to calculate the 
amount of the annual bonus. The Group’s reported free cash flow is now included in 
the target agreements for all members of the Board of Management. Another key par-
ameter for all Board of Management members is, as in previous years, the Group’s EBIT 
after asset charge performance metric, including the asset charge on goodwill before 
goodwill impairment (EAC). For the Board of Management members in charge of the 
MAIL, GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT, EXPRESS and SUPPLY CHAIN divisions, the EAC 
of their respective division is also a key parameter. Furthermore, an employee-related 
target is agreed with all Board of Management members based on the annual employee 
opinion survey, as are additional targets.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

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Corporate Governance

Achievement of the upper targets for the financial year that have been agreed based 
on demanding objectives is rewarded with the maximum annual bonus. If the targets 
specified for the financial year are only partially reached or completely missed, the 
 annual bonus will be paid on a pro-rata basis or not at all. The Supervisory Board may 
also elect to award an appropriate special bonus for extraordinary achievement.

The annual bonus is not paid in full in a single instalment on the basis of having 
reached the agreed targets. Instead, 50 % of the annual bonus flows into a medium-term 
component with a three-year calculation period (performance phase of one year, sus-
tainability phase of two years). This medium-term component will be paid out after 
expiry of the sustainability phase subject to the condition that EAC, as an indicator of 
sustainability, is reached during the sustainability phase. Otherwise, payment of the 
medium-term component is forfeited without compensation. This demerit system puts 
greater emphasis on sustainable company development in determining management 
board remuneration and sets long-term incentives.

Stock appreciation rights (SAR s) are granted as a long-term remuneration com-
ponent based on the Long-Term Incentive Plan resolved by the Supervisory Board in 
2006 (2006 LTIP).

Each SAR entitles the holder to receive a cash settlement equal to the difference 
between the average closing price of Deutsche Post shares for the five trading days 
preceding the exercise date and the exercise price of the SAR. In 2013, the members of 
the Board of Management each made a personal financial investment consisting of 10 % 
of their annual base salary. The waiting period for the stock appreciation rights is four 
years from the date on which they were granted. After expiration of the waiting period, 
and provided an absolute or relative performance target has been achieved, the SAR s 
can be exercised wholly or partially for a period of two years. Any SAR s not exercised 
during this two-year period will expire.

To determine how many, if any, of the SAR s granted can be exercised, the average 
share price or the average index value for the reference period is compared with that of 
the performance period. The reference period comprises the last 20 consecutive trading 
days prior to the issue date. The performance period is the last 60 trading days before 
the end of the waiting period. The average (closing) price is calculated as the average 
closing price of Deutsche Post shares in Deutsche Börse AG’s Xetra trading system.

A maximum of four out of every six SAR s can be “earned” via the absolute perform-
ance target and a maximum of two via the relative performance target. If neither an 
 absolute nor a relative performance target is met by the end of the waiting period, the 
SAR s attributable to the related tranche will expire without replacement or  compensation.
One SAR is earned each time the closing price of Deutsche Post shares exceeds the 
issue price by at least 10 %, 15 %, 20 % or 25 %. The relative performance target is tied 
to the performance of the shares in relation to the STOXX Europe 600 Index (SXXP, 
ISIN EU0009658202). It is met if the share price equals the index performance or if it 
outperforms the index by at least 10 %.

Remuneration from stock appreciation rights is limited to 300 % of the annual  target 
cash compensation (annual base salary plus the annual target bonus). Moreover, it may 
be limited by the Supervisory Board in the event of extraordinary circumstances.

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Provisions to cap severance payments pursuant to the Corporate Governance 
Code recommendation, change-of-control provisions and post-contractual 
 non- compete clauses

In accordance with the recommendation of section 4.2.3 of the German Corporate 
Governance Code, as amended on 13 May 2013, Board of Management contracts con-
tain a provision stipulating that in the event of the premature termination of a Board of 
Management member’s contract, the severance payment may compensate no more than 
the remaining term of the contract. The severance payment is limited to a maximum 
amount of two years’ remuneration including fringe benefits (severance payment cap). 
The severance payment cap is calculated without any special remuneration or the value 
of rights allocated from long-term incentive plans.

In the event of a change in control, any member of the Board of Management is 
entitled to resign their office for good cause within a period of six months following the 
change in control, after giving three months’ notice by the end of a given month, and to 
terminate their Board of Management contract (right to early termination).

The contractual provisions stipulate that a change of control exists if a shareholder 
has acquired control within the meaning of section 29 (2) of the Wertpapiererwerbs- 
und Übernahmegesetz (WpÜG – German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act) via 
possession of at least 30 % of the voting rights, including the voting rights attributable 
to such shareholder by virtue of acting in concert with other shareholders as set forth 
in section 30 of the WpÜG or if a control agreement has been concluded with the com-
pany as a dependent entity in accordance with section 291 of the Aktiengesetz (AktG – 
 German Stock Corporation Act) and such agreement has taken effect or if the company 
has merged with another legal entity outside of the Group pursuant to section 2 of the 
Umwandlungsgesetz (UmwG – German Reorganisation and Transformation Act), unless 
the value of such other legal entity, as determined by the agreed conversion rate, is less 
than 50 % of the value of the company.

In the event that the right to early termination is exercised or a Board of Manage-
ment contract is terminated by mutual consent within nine months of the change of 
control, the Board of Management member is entitled to payment to compensate the 
remaining term of their Board of Management contract. Such payment is limited to 
150 % of the severance payment cap pursuant to the recommendation of the German 
Corporate Governance Code. The amount of the payment is reduced by 25 % if the Board 
of Management member has not reached the age of 60 upon leaving the company. If 
the remaining term of the Board of Management contract is less than two years and the 
Board of Management member has not reached the age of 62 upon leaving the company, 
the payment will correspond to the severance payment cap. The same applies if a Board 
of Management contract expires prior to the Board of Management member’s reaching 
the age of 62 because less than nine months remained on the term of the contract at the 
time of the change of control and the contract was not renewed.

Board of Management members are also subject to a non-compete clause, taking 
effect on the cessation of their contracts. During the one-year non-compete period, for-
mer Board of Management members receive 100 % of their last contractually stipulated 
annual base salary on a pro-rata basis as compensation each month. Any other income 
earned during the non-compete period is subtracted from the compensation paid. The 
amount of the compensation payment itself is deducted from any severance payments or 
pension payments. Prior to, or concurrent with, cessation of the Board of Management 

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Corporate Governance

contract, the company may declare its waiver of adherence to the non-compete clause. 
In such a case, the company will be released from the obligation to pay compensation 
due to a restraint on competition six months after receipt of such declaration. 

Apart from the aforementioned arrangements, no member of the Board of Manage-

ment has been promised any further benefits after leaving the company.

Amount of remuneration paid to active members of the Group Board of Management 
in financial year 2013

The remuneration paid to active members of the Board of Management in financial 
year 2013 totalled €13.21 million (previous year: €13.30 million). This amount comprised 
€7.84 million in non-performance-related components (previous year: €7.64 million) 
and  €5.37 million  in  the  performance-related  component  paid  out  (previous  year: 
€5.66 million). An additional €3.33 million of the performance-related component was 
transferred to the medium-term component and will be paid out in 2016 subject to the 
condition that the required EAC, as an indicator of sustainability, be reached.

The members of the Board of Management were granted a total of 1,984,818 SAR s 
in financial year 2013 for a total value of €7.30 million (previous year: €7.04 million) at 
the time of issue (1 August 2013). The following tables present the total remuneration 
paid to active Board of Management members (individual breakdown):

B.05  Remuneration paid to the Group Board of Management in 2013: cash components

€

Non-performance related

Performance 
related

Board members

Annual  
base salary

Fringe benefits

Annual bonus

Dr Frank Appel, Chairman

1,962,556

Ken Allen

Roger Crook 

Bruce Edwards

Jürgen Gerdes

Lawrence Rosen

Angela Titzrath 

930,000

860,000

930,000

953,250

930,000

715,000

30,093

97,403

203,918

124,884

23,858

20,220

61,234

834,086

453,375

384,678

446,493

457,274

453,375

303,875

1  This amount will be paid out in 2016 provided the sustainability indicator is fulfilled.

Payout from 
medium-term 
component 
(2011)

436,268

208,708

290,228

421,317

465,000

215,000

Total 

3,263,003

1,689,486

1,738,824

1,922,694

1,899,382

1,618,595

–

1,080,109

Share of 
annual bonus 
transferred to 
medium-term 
component 
(2013) 1

834,086

453,375

384,678

446,493

457,274

453,375

303,875

B.06  Remuneration paid to the Group Board of Management in 2013: share-based component  
with long-term incentive effect

€

Active board members

Dr Frank Appel, Chairman

Ken Allen

Roger Crook 

Bruce Edwards

Jürgen Gerdes

Lawrence Rosen

Angela Titzrath

Number  
of SAR s 

533,304

252,720

233,700

252,720

265,356

252,720

194,298

Value of SAR s 
on grant date 
(1 Aug. 2013)

1,962,559

930,010

860,016

930,010

976,510

930,010

715,017

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Remuneration report

Remuneration paid to the Group Board of Management in the previous year (2012)

B.07  Remuneration paid to the Group Board of Management in 2012: cash components

€

Non-performance related

Performance 
related

Board members

Annual  
base salary

Fringe benefits

Annual bonus

Dr Frank Appel, Chairman

1,841,411

918,333

823,750

930,000

930,000

883,333

34,763

99,150

195,571

107,348

21,008

19,305

1,244,325

490,050

407,756 

443,610

448,725

579,150

Ken Allen

Roger Crook

Bruce Edwards

Jürgen Gerdes

Lawrence Rosen 1

Walter Scheurle  
(until 30 April 2012)

Angela Titzrath  
(since 1 May 2012)

Payment from 
medium-term 
component  
(2010)

415,493

175,032

Total 

3,535,992

1,682,565

–

1,427,077

214,549

340,000

215,000

1,695,507

1,739,733

1,696,788

Share of 
annual bonus 
transferred to 
medium-term 
component 2 

519,194

419,100

407,756

443,610

448,725

295,350

310,000

6,707

230,175

223,380

770,262

76,725

476,667

42,227 3

235,950

–

754,844

235,950

1  In financial year 2012, an additional €209,000 was paid out as compensation for rights that lapsed as a result 

of Mr Rosen’s transfer to Deutsche Post AG. The compensation payment is described in the 2009 Annual Report.

2  This amount will be paid out in 2015 provided the sustainability indicator is fulfilled.
3  In financial year 2012, an additional €538,835 was paid out as compensation for rights that lapsed as a result 

of Ms Titzrath’s transfer to Deutsche Post AG, as described above.

B.08  Remuneration paid to the Group Board of Management in 2012: share-based component  
with long-term incentive effect

€

Active board members

Dr Frank Appel, Chairman

Ken Allen

Roger Crook 

Bruce Edwards

Jürgen Gerdes

Lawrence Rosen

Angela Titzrath (since 1 May 2012)

Number  
of SAR s 

544,068

278,448

257,490

278,448

278,448

257,490

214,074

Value of SAR s 
on grant date 
(1 July 2012)

1,817,187

930,016

860,017

930,016

930,016

860,017

715,007

Pension commitments under the previous system

Dr Frank Appel and Jürgen Gerdes have direct, final-salary based pension commit-
ments on the basis of their individual contracts, providing for benefits in case of per-
manent disability, death or retirement. If the contract of a member ends after at least 
five years of service on the Board of Management, the entitlements they have acquired 
will vest in full. Members become entitled to benefits due to permanent disability after 
at least five years of service. Eligibility for retirement benefits begins at the earliest at 
the age of 55, or at the age of 62 in the case of Jürgen Gerdes. The members of the Board 
of Management may choose between annuity payments and a lump sum payment. The 
benefit amount depends on the pensionable income and the pension level derived from 
the years of service.

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Pensionable income consists of the annual base salary (fixed annual remuneration) 
computed on the basis of the average salary over the last twelve calendar months of 
employment. Members of the Board of Management attain a pension level of 25 % after 
five years of service. The maximum pension level of 50 % is attained after ten years of 
service. Subsequent pension benefits increase or decrease to reflect changes in the con-
sumer price index in Germany.

B.09  Pension commitments under the previous system in financial year 2013: individual breakdown

Pension commitments

Pension 
level on 
31 Dec. 2013  
%

Maximum 
pension level  
%

Service cost for pension 
 obligation, financial year 2013  
€

Present value 
(DBO) as at 
31 Dec. 2013  
€

50

25

50

50

823,857

11,083,250

244,254

4,749,766

1,068,111

15,833,016

Dr Frank Appel, Chairman

Jürgen Gerdes

Total

B.10  Pension commitments under the previous system in the previous year (2012): individual breakdown

Pension 
level on 
31 Dec. 2012  
%

50

25

60

Pension commitments

Maximum 
pension level  
%

Service cost for pension 
 obligation, financial year 2012  
€

Present value 
(DBO) as at 
31 Dec. 2012  
€

50

50

60

614,968

10,447,301

213,097

686,493

4,598,461

–

1,514,558

15,045,762

Dr Frank Appel, Chairman

Jürgen Gerdes 1

Walter Scheurle (until 30 April 2012)

Total

1  Should benefits fall due whilst the Board member concerned is actively employed, their amount  
will be  calculated in accordance with the Pension Regulations of Deutsche Post AG (VersOPost)  
at a minimum (based on a salary of €525,000).

Pension commitments under the new system

Since 4 March 2008, newly appointed Board of Management members have re-
ceived pension commitments based on a defined contribution plan rather than the 
previous commitments, which were based on the final salary. Under the defined contri-
bution pension plan, the company credits an annual amount of 35 % of the annual base 
salary to a virtual pension account for the Board of Management member concerned. 
The maximum contribution period is 15 years. The pension capital accrues interest at an 
annual rate equal to the “iBoxx Corporates AA 10+ Annual Yield” rate, or at an annual 
rate of 2.25 % at minimum, and will continue to do so until the pension benefits fall due. 
The pension benefits are paid out in a lump sum in the amount of the value accumulated 
in the pension account. The benefits fall due when the Board of Management member 
reaches the age of 62 or in the case of invalidity or death whilst being employed. In the 
event of benefits falling due, the pension beneficiary may opt to receive an annuity pay-
ment in lieu of a lump sum payment. If this option is exercised, the capital is converted to 
an annuity payment, taking into account the average “iBoxx Corporates AA 10+ Annual 
Yield” for the past ten full calendar years as well as the individual data of the surviving 
dependents and a future pension increase of 1 % per year.

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B.11  Board of Management pension commitments under the new system in financial year 2013:  
individual breakdown

€

Ken Allen

Roger Crook 

Bruce Edwards

Lawrence Rosen

Angela Titzrath

Total

Total 
 contribution  
for 2013

Present value 
(DBO) as at 
31 Dec. 2013

325,500

301,000

325,500

325,500

250,250

1,397,841

783,308

1,852,506

2,396,295

461,924

Service cost for pension 
 obligation, financial year 2013

318,826

298,666

327,236

321,414

239,711

1,527,750

6,891,874

1,505,853

B.12  Board of Management pension commitments under the new system in the previous year (2012):  
individual breakdown

€

Ken Allen

Roger Crook 

Bruce Edwards

Lawrence Rosen

Angela Titzrath (since 1 May 2012)

Total

Total 
 contribution  
for 2012

Present value 
(DBO) as at 
31 Dec. 2012

301,000

250,250

325,500

301,000

1,027,195

454,642

1,482,117

1,977,370

526,833 1

198,981

1,704,583

5,140,305

Service cost for pension 
 obligation, financial year 2012

297,574

244,487

329,531

300,978

–

1,172,570

1  Pro-rated contribution for eight months, plus a starting balance of €360,000. The starting balance will not 
be credited if Ms Titzrath leaves the company of her own volition prior to reaching the age of 60 or works  
for the company after reaching the age of 60.

Benefits for former Board of Management members

Benefits paid to former members of the Board of Management or their surviving 
dependents amounted to €4.4 million in financial year 2013 (previous year: €4.6 mil-
lion). The defined benefit obligation (DBO) for current pensions calculated under IFRS s 
amounted to €72 million (previous year: €78 million). 

Supervisory Board remuneration

Pursuant to article 17 of the Articles of Association of Deutsche Post AG resolved 
by  the  Annual  General  Meeting  in  the  version  applicable  until  31 December 2013, 
the annual remuneration paid to the members of the Supervisory Board comprises a 
non-performance-related, i.e., fixed, component, a variable component geared towards 
sustainable corporate development and the attendance allowance.

As in the previous year, the fixed component amounted to €40,000. The variable 
remuneration component for financial year 2013 will amount to €1,000 for each €0.02 
by which the consolidated net profit per share for financial year 2015 exceeds the con-
solidated net profit per share for financial year 2012. This variable remuneration compo-
nent will fall due for payment as at the end of the 2016 AGM. The variable remuneration 
component is subject to a cap equal to 50 % of the fixed component.

The  Supervisory  Board  chairman  and  the  Supervisory  Board  committee  chairs 
 receive an additional 100 % of the fixed and variable remuneration, and the Super visory 
Board deputy chair and committee members receive an additional 50 %. This does not 
apply to the Mediation or Nomination Committees. Those who only serve on the Super-
visory Board or its committees, or act as chair or deputy chair, for part of the year are 
remunerated on a pro-rata basis.

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Corporate Governance

As in the previous year, Supervisory Board members receive an attendance allow-
ance of €1,000 for each plenary meeting of the Supervisory Board or committee meeting 
that they attend. They are entitled to the reimbursement of out-of-pocket cash expenses 
incurred in the exercise of their office. Any value added tax charged on Supervisory 
Board remuneration or out-of-pocket expenses is reimbursed.

The remuneration for 2013, consisting of a fixed component and the attendance 
allowance, totalled €1,416,833 (previous year: €1,461,500). The following table shows 
the  remuneration paid to each Supervisory Board member:

B.13  Remuneration paid to Supervisory Board members in 2013

€

Board members

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)

Andrea Kocsis (Deputy Chair)

Rolf Bauermeister 

Hero Brahms

Heinrich Josef Busch

Werner Gatzer 

Prof. Dr Henning Kagermann

Thomas Koczelnik

Anke Kufalt

Thomas Kunz 

Roland Oetker

Andreas Schädler

Sabine Schielmann

Dr Ulrich Schröder

Dr Stefan Schulte

Stephan Teuscher

Helga Thiel

Elmar Toime

Stefanie Weckesser

Prof. Dr-Ing. Katja Windt 

Fixed 
 component

Attendance 
allowance

141,667

120,833

60,833

80,000

40,000

80,000

40,833

80,833

40,000

40,000

80,000

40,000

40,000

40,833

60,000

60,000

60,000

40,000

60,000

40,000

16,000

13,000

9,000

12,000

4,000

12,000

3,000

16,000

5,000

4,000

14,000

5,000

5,000

4,000

10,000

12,000

9,000

5,000

9,000

4,000

Maximum 
variable 
remuneration 
(cap) 1

70,833

60,416

30,416

40,000

20,000

40,000

20,416

40,416

20,000

20,000

40,000

20,000

20,000

20,416

30,000

30,000

30,000

20,000

30,000

20,000

Total

157,667

133,833

69,833

92,000

44,000

92,000

43,833

96,833

45,000

44,000

94,000

45,000

45,000

44,833

70,000

72,000

69,000

45,000

69,000

44,000

1  This variable remuneration component will fall due for payment as at the end of the 2016 AGM  

after determination of the consolidated net profit per share for financial year 2015.

The AGM resolved on 29 May 2013 to modify the Supervisory Board remuneration 
as at 1 January 2014 and accordingly amended section 17 of the Articles of Association 
of Deutsche Post AG. The performance-related remuneration component is now no 
longer in force, and the fixed component increased to €70,000. All other provisions 
such as those relating to the attendance allowance and the percentage increases for the 
Supervisory Board chairman, the deputy chair and the committee chairs and committee 
members have remained the same.

130

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Corporate Governance

Corporate Governance Report
Remuneration report

The variable remuneration for financial year 2011 falls due for payment as at the end 
of the 2014 AGM if the consolidated net profit per share for financial year 2013 exceeds 
the consolidated net profit per share for financial year 2010. Since this condition was 
not met, no performance-related remuneration with a long-term incentive effect will 
be paid out for financial year 2011. 

The remuneration for the previous year (2012), consisting of a fixed component 
and the attendance allowance, is shown in the following table for each Supervisory 
Board member:

B.14  Remuneration paid to Supervisory Board members in 2012

€

Board members

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)

Andrea Kocsis (Deputy Chair)

Wolfgang Abel (until 12 September 2012)

Rolf Bauermeister 

Hero Brahms

Heinrich Josef Busch

Werner Gatzer

Prof. Dr Henning Kagermann

Thomas Koczelnik

Anke Kufalt

Thomas Kunz 

Roland Oetker

Andreas Schädler

Sabine Schielmann

Dr Ulrich Schröder

Dr Stefan Schulte

Stephan Teuscher (since 29 October 2012)

Helga Thiel

Elmar Toime

Stefanie Weckesser

Prof. Dr-Ing. Katja Windt

Fixed 
 component

Attendance 
allowance

140,000

120,000

42,500

60,000

80,000

40,000

80,000

40,000

80,000

40,000

40,000

80,000

40,000

40,000

40,000

60,000

10,000

60,000

40,000

60,000

40,000

21,000

16,000

6,000

12,000

17,000

7,000

19,000

6,000

19,000

7,000

5,000

17,000

7,000

7,000

6,000

15,000

2,000

16,000

5,000

12,000

7,000

1  This variable remuneration component will fall due for payment as at the end of the 2015 AGM  

after determination of the consolidated net profit per share for financial year 2014.

Maximum 
variable 
remuneration 
(cap) 1

70,000

60,000

21,250

30,000

40,000

20,000

40,000

20,000

40,000

20,000

20,000

40,000

20,000

20,000

20,000

30,000

5,000

30,000

20,000

30,000

20,000

Total

161,000

136,000

48,500

72,000

97,000

47,000

99,000

46,000

99,000

47,000

45,000

97,000

47,000

47,000

46,000

75,000

12,000

76,000

45,000

72,000

47,000

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Corporate Governance

In addition, the variable remuneration for financial year 2010 was paid out in the 
previous year (2012) in the amount of €465,000, of which €41,875 was to Board mem-
bers who have now left the company and €423,125 to active Board members. The follow-
ing table shows the remuneration paid to each Supervisory Board member:

B.15  Variable remuneration paid to Supervisory Board members for 2010

€

Active Board members

Prof. Dr Wulf von Schimmelmann (Chair)

Andrea Kocsis (Deputy Chair)

Wolfgang Abel (until 12 September 2012)

Rolf Bauermeister

Hero Brahms

Heinrich Josef Busch

Werner Gatzer

Prof. Dr Henning Kagermann

Thomas Koczelnik

Anke Kufalt

Thomas Kunz 1

Roland Oetker

Andreas Schädler

Sabine Schielmann (since 27 October 2010)

Dr Ulrich Schröder

Dr Stefan Schulte

Stephan Teuscher (since 29 October 2012) 1

Helga Thiel

Elmar Toime

Stefanie Weckesser

Prof. Dr-Ing. Katja Windt 1

1  Not a Board member in financial year 2010.

Variable 
remuneration 
(cap)

52,500

45,000

22,500

22,500

30,000

15,000

30,000

15,000

30,000

15,000

–

30,000

15,000

3,125

15,000

22,500

–

22,500

15,000

22,500

–

132

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

CONSOLIDATED  
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

133 – 214 c

c Consolidated FinanCial statementsc CONSOLIDATED  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

  135 

INCOME STATEMENT

  136  STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

  137  BALANCE SHEET

  138  CASH FLOW STATEMENT 

  139  STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

  140  NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS OF DEUTSCHE POST AG

  140  BASIS OF PREPARATION
  140 
  140 
  144 
  145 
  146 

1 – Basis of accounting
2 – Consolidated group
3 – Significant transactions
4 – Adjustment of prior-period amounts 
5 – New developments in international accounting  

under IFRS s

  149 
  149 
  156 

6 – Currency translation
7 – Accounting policies
8 – Exercise of judgement in applying the accounting  

policies

  157 

9 – Consolidation methods

  158 
  158 

SEGMENT REPORTING
10 – Segment reporting

  161 
  161 
  161 
  161 
  162 
  162 
  163 
  163 
  163 
  164 
  165 
  165 
  165 
  165 

INCOME STATEMENT DISCLOSURES
11 – Revenue
12 – Other operating income
13 – Materials expense
14 – Staff costs / employees
15 – Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses
16 – Other operating expenses
17 – Net income from associates
18 – Net other finance costs
19 – Income taxes
20 – Consolidated net profit for the period
21 – Non-controlling interests
22 – Earnings per share
23 – Dividend per share

  166  BALANCE SHEET DISCLOSURES
  166 
  168 
  169 

24 – Intangible assets
25 – Property, plant and equipment
26 – Investment property

  170 
  170 
  171 
  171 
  171 
  171 
  172 
  172 
  172 
  172 
  172 

  173 
  175 
  175 
  176 
  176 
  177 
  177 
  184 
  185 
  188 
  188 

27 – Investments in associates
28 – Non-current financial assets
29 – Other non-current assets
30 – Deferred taxes
31 – Inventories
32 – Current financial assets
33 – Trade receivables
34 – Other current assets
35 – Income tax assets and liabilities
36 – Cash and cash equivalents
37 – Assets held for sale and liabilities associated  

with assets held for sale

38 – Issued capital
39 – Capital reserves
40 – Other reserves
41 – Retained earnings
42 – Equity attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders
43 – Non-controlling interests
44 – Provisions for pensions and similar obligations
45 – Other provisions
46 – Financial liabilities
47 – Other liabilities
48 – Trade payables

  189  CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES
  189 

49 – Cash flow disclosures

  191  OTHER DISCLOSURES
  191 
  205 
  205 
  206 
  207 
  208 
  211 
  211 
  212 

50 – Risks and financial instruments of the Group
51 – Contingent liabilities
52 – Other financial obligations
53 – Litigation
54 – Share-based payment
55 – Related party disclosures
56 – Auditor’s fees
57 – Exemptions under the HGB and local foreign legislation
58 – Declaration of Conformity with the German Corporate 

 Governance Code

  212 

59 – Significant events after the balance sheet date

  213  RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

  214 

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 

Consolidated Financial Statements

Income Statement

C.01  INCOME STATEMENT

1 January to 31 December

€ m

Revenue 

Other operating income

Total operating income

Materials expense

Staff costs

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses

Other operating expenses

Total operating expenses

Profit from operating activities (eBIt)

Net income from associates

Other financial income

Other finance costs

Foreign currency result

Net other finance costs

Net finance costs

Profit before income taxes

Income taxes

Consolidated net profit for the period

attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders

attributable to non-controlling interests

Basic earnings per share (€)

Diluted earnings per share (€)

1 

 Note 4.

Note

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

22

2012 
adjusted 1

55,512

2,168

57,680

–31,863

–17,770

–1,339

– 4,043

– 55,015

2013 

55,085

1,961

57,046

–31,212

–17,785

–1,341

–3,847

– 54,185

2,665

2,861

2

657

–1,078

–37

– 458

– 456

2,209

– 447

1,762

1,640

122

1.36

1.30

2

182

– 431

– 42

–291

–289

2,572

–361

2,211

2,091

120

1.73

1.66

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

135

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Statement of Comprehensive Income

Consolidated Financial Statements

C.02  STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

1 January to 31 December

€ m

Consolidated net profit for the period

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Change due to remeasurements of net pension provisions

IFRS 3 revaluation reserve

Other changes in retained earnings

Income taxes relating to components of other comprehensive income

Share of other comprehensive income of associates (after tax)

Total (after tax)

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss

Ias 39 revaluation reserve

Changes from unrealised gains and losses

Changes from realised gains and losses

Ias 39 hedging reserve

Changes from unrealised gains and losses

Changes from realised gains and losses

Currency translation reserve

Changes from unrealised gains and losses

Changes from realised gains and losses

Income taxes relating to components of other comprehensive income

Share of other comprehensive income of associates (after tax)

Total (after tax)

Other comprehensive income (after tax)

Total comprehensive income

attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders

attributable to non-controlling interests

1 

 Note 4.

Note

19

2012 
adjusted 1

1,762

–1,198

–2

2

8

0

–1,190

–12

0

–23

59

0

3

–7

–37

–17

–1,207

555

435

120

2013 

2,211

– 50

–1

1

36

0

–14

77

0

111

– 49

– 463

1

–26

0

–349

–363

1,848

1,738

110

136

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

  Balance Sheet

C.03  BALANCE SHEET

€ m

assets

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Investment property

Investments in associates

Non-current financial assets

Other non-current assets

Deferred tax assets

Non-current assets

Inventories

Current financial assets

Trade receivables

Other current assets

Income tax assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Assets held for sale 

Current assets

Total assets

eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

Issued capital

Capital reserves

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders

Non-controlling interests

Equity

Provisions for pensions and similar obligations

Deferred tax liabilities

Other non-current provisions

Non-current provisions

Non-current financial liabilities

Other non-current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Non-current provisions and liabilities

Current provisions

Current financial liabilities

Trade payables

Other current liabilities

Income tax liabilities

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale 

Current liabilities 

Current provisions and liabilities

Total eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

1 

 Note 4.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Note

1 Jan. 2012 
adjusted 1

31 Dec. 2012 
adjusted 1

31 Dec. 2013 

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

30

45

46

47

45

46

48

47

35

37

12,196

6,493

40

44

729

280

1,206

12,151

6,663

43

46

1,039

298

1,328

11,836

6,814

33

48

1,124

184

1,327

20,988

21,568

21,366

273

2,498

6,934

2,155

239

3,123

1,961

17,183

38,171

1,209

2,170

– 456

6,366

9,289

189

9,478

6,055

186

2,117

8,358

1,366

347

1,713

322

252

6,959

2,153

127

2,400

76

12,289

33,857

1,209

2,254

– 475

6,031

9,019

209

9,228

5,216

156

1,943

7,315

4,413

276

4,689

403

821

7,040

2,221

168

3,417

42

14,112

35,478

1,209

2,269

– 819

7,198

9,857

191

10,048

5,017

124

1,574

6,715

4,612

227

4,839

10,071

12,004

11,554

2,134

5,644

6,168

4,106

570

0

16,488

18,622

38,171

1,663

403

5,991

4,004

534

30

10,962

12,625

33,857

1,745

1,328

6,392

3,981

430

0

12,131

13,876

35,478

137

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  Cash Flow Statement 

Consolidated Financial Statements

C.04  CASH FLOW STATEMENT 

1 January to 31 December

€ m

Consolidated net profit for the period attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders

Consolidated net profit for the period attributable to non-controlling interests

Income taxes

Net other finance costs

Net income from associates

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses

Net income from disposal of non-current assets

Non-cash income and expense

Change in provisions

Change in other non-current assets and liabilities

Income taxes paid

Net cash from operating activities before changes in working capital

Changes in working capital

Inventories

Receivables and other current assets

Liabilities and other items

Net cash used in / from operating activities

Subsidiaries and other business units

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Other non-current financial assets

Proceeds from disposal of non-current assets

Subsidiaries and other business units

Property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

Other non-current financial assets

Cash paid to acquire non-current assets

Interest received

Dividend received

Current financial assets

Net cash used in investing activities

Proceeds from issuance of non-current financial liabilities

Repayments of non-current financial liabilities

Change in current financial liabilities

Other financing activities

Proceeds from transactions with non-controlling interests and venturers

Cash paid for transactions with non-controlling interests

Dividend paid to Deutsche Post AG shareholders

Dividend paid to non-controlling interest holders

Purchase of treasury shares

Proceeds from issuing shares or other equity instruments

Interest paid

Net cash from / used in financing activities

Net change in cash and cash equivalents

Effect of changes in exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents

Changes in cash and cash equivalents associated with assets held for sale

Changes in cash and cash equivalents due to changes in consolidated group

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of reporting period

Cash and cash equivalents at end of reporting period

1 

 Note 4.

138

Note

2012 
adjusted 1

1,640

122

447

458

–2

2,665

1,339

–74

– 97

–3,034

– 53

– 527

219

– 51

–221

–150

–203

39

225

35

299

– 57

–1,639

–336

–2,032

46

0

–10

49.1

49.2

–1,697

3,176

–773

– 50

31

49

– 62

– 846

–78

–26

74

–296

1,199

–701

–15

–7

0

3,123

2,400

49.3

49.4

2013 

2,091

120

361

291

–2

2,861

1,341

–22

16

– 505

– 52

– 561

3,078

–104

– 670

690

2,994

32

177

32

241

–37

–1,389

– 68

–1,494

42

14

– 575

–1,772

1,010

–34

35

39

1

–21

– 846

–109

–23

4

–166

–110

1,112

–102

7

0

2,400

3,417

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Statement of Changes in Equity 

C.05  STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

Other reserves

Issued 
capital

Capital 
reserves

IFRS 3 
revaluation 
reserve

IAS 39 
revaluation 
reserve 

IAS 39 
hedging 
reserve 

Currency 
translation 
reserve

40

–34

0

–34

40

– 517

0

– 517

1 January to 31 December

€ m

Note

Balance at 1 January 2012

Adjustment 1

Balance at 1 January 2012, adjusted

Capital transactions with owner 

Dividend

Transactions with non-controlling 
interests

Changes in non-controlling interests 
due to changes in consolidated group

Issue of shares or other equity 
instruments

Purchase of treasury shares

Share Matching Scheme (issuance)

Share Matching Scheme (exercise)

Total comprehensive income

Consolidated net profit for the period

Currency translation differences

Change due to remeasurements  
of net pension provisions

Other changes

Balance at 31 December 2012, 
adjusted 1

Balance at 1 January 2013

Capital transactions with owner 

Dividend

Transactions with non-controlling 
interests

Changes in non-controlling interests 
due to changes in consolidated group

Issue of shares or other equity 
instruments

Purchase of treasury shares

Share Matching Scheme (issuance)

Share Matching Scheme (exercise)

Total comprehensive income

Consolidated net profit for the period

Currency translation differences

Change due to remeasurements  
of net pension provisions

Other changes

38

1,209

0

1,209

39

2,170

0

2,170

0

0

0

0

–2

0

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

74

0

34

–24

0

0

0

0

1,209

1,209

2,254

2,254

0

0

0

0

–1

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

35

–20

0

0

0

0

Equity 
attributable 
to Deutsche 
Post AG 
shareholders

42

11,009

–1,720

Retained 
earnings

41

8,086

–1,720

6,366

9,289

– 846

– 846

61

0

0

–24

0

22

59

0

74

–26

34

0

Non- 
controlling 
interests

Total equity

43

190

–1

189

–79

–25

4

0

0

0

0

11,199

–1,721

9,478

– 925

34

4

74

–26

34

0

–705

–100

– 805

1,640

0

1,640

49

–1,190

–1,190

2

6,031

6,031

– 64

435

9,019

9,019

122

–2

0

0

120

209

209

1,762

47

–1,190

– 64

555

9,228

9,228

– 846

– 846

–111

– 957

– 61

– 66

0

0

–22

0

19

2,091

0

–15

1

–19

–3

5

0

0

0

– 85

–3

5

–23

35

0

0

0

–23

35

0

– 900

–128

–1,028

2,091

– 451

–15

113

1,738

9,857

120

–11

1

0

110

191

2,211

– 462

–14

113

1,848

10,048

0

–2

0

0

0

0

0

0

49

0

0

– 470

– 470

0

– 5

0

0

0

0

0

0

– 451

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

27

–7

–7

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

44

37

40

5

0

5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

40

90

0

90

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

–2

– 91

3

3

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

–1

2

–1

–1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

69

68

Balance at 31 December 2013

1,209

2,269

1 

 Note 4.

– 926

7,198

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

139

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Basis of preparation

Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED 
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF 
DEUTSCHE POST AG

BASIS OF PREPARATION

Deutsche Post DHL is a global mail and logistics group. The 
Deutsche Post and DHL corporate brands represent a portfolio of 
logistics (DHL) and communication (Deutsche Post) services. The 
financial year of Deutsche Post AG and its consolidated subsidiaries 
is the calendar year. Deutsche Post AG, whose registered office is in 
Bonn, Germany, is entered in the commercial register of the Bonn 
Local Court.

1 

Basis of accounting

As a listed company, Deutsche Post AG prepared its consoli-
dated  financial  statements  in  accordance  with  the  Inter national 
 Financial  Reporting  Standards  (IFRS s),  as  adopted  by  the 
 European  Union  (EU),  and  the  provisions  of  commercial  law  to 
be additionally applied in accordance with section 315a (1) of the 
Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB – German Commercial Code). 

The requirements of the Standards applied have been satisfied 
in full, and the consoli dated financial statements therefore provide 
a true and fair view of the Group’s net assets, financial position and 
results of operations. 

The consolidated financial statements consist of the income 
statement and the statement of comprehensive income, the balance 
sheet, the cash flow statement, the statement of changes in equity 
and the Notes. In order to improve the clarity of presentation, vari-
ous items in the balance sheet and in the income statement have 
been combined. These items are disclosed and explained separately 
in the Notes. The income statement has been classified in accord-
ance with the nature of expense method.

The accounting policies, as well as the explanations and dis-
closures in the Notes to the IFRS consolidated financial statements 
for financial year 2013, are generally based on the same accounting 
policies used in the 2012 consolidated financial statements. Excep-
tions  to  this  are  the  changes  in  international  financial  reporting 
 Note 5  that  have  been  required 
 under  the  IFRS s  described  in 
to be applied by the Group since 1 January 2013. The accounting 
 policies are explained in 

 Note 7.

These consolidated financial statements were authorised for 
issue  by  a  resolution  of  the  Board  of  Management  of  Deutsche 
Post AG dated 20 February 2014.

The consolidated financial statements are prepared in euros 
(€). Unless otherwise stated, all amounts are given in millions of 
euros (€ million, € m).

2 

Consolidated group

In addition to Deutsche Post AG, the consolidated financial 
statements for the period ended 31 December 2013 include all Ger-
man  and  foreign  companies  in  which  Deutsche  Post  AG  directly 
or indirectly holds a majority of voting rights, or whose activities 
it can control in some other way. The companies are consolidated 
from the date on which the Group is able to exercise control.

The companies listed in the table below are consolidated in 

addition to the parent company Deutsche Post AG.

Consolidated group

Number of fully consolidated companies 
( subsidiaries)

German

Foreign

Number of proportionately consolidated joint 
ventures

German

Foreign

Number of companies accounted for using  
the equity method (associates) 

German

Foreign

2012

2013

85

730

88

707

1

3

0

8

1

3

0

8

The complete list of the Group’s shareholdings in accordance 
with section 313 (2) nos. 1 to 4 and section 313 (3) of the HGB can be 
accessed on the website, 

 www.dpdhl.com/en/investors.html.

Acquisitions in 2013

In the period up to 31 December 2013, Deutsche Post DHL 
acquired companies that did not materially affect the Group’s net 
assets, financial position and results of operations, either individu-
ally or in the aggregate. 

Acquisitions, 2013

Name

Country

Segment

Interest (%)

Date of 
 acquisition

Compador 
 Technologies  
GmbH, Berlin

Germany

optivo GmbH, Berlin Germany

MAIL

MAIL

15 January 
2013

49

100

28 June 2013

RISER ID Services 
GmbH, Berlin

Germany

MAIL

100

31 July 2013

140

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Basis of preparation

In  January 2013,  Deutsche  Post  DHL  acquired  49 %  of  the 
shares  of  Compador  Technologies  GmbH,  Berlin,  which  special-
ises in the development and manufacture of sorting machines and 
software  solutions  covering  the  entire  range  of  mail  items  pro-
cessed by mail service providers and companies. The company is 
consolidated because of existing potential voting rights.

In addition, optivo GmbH, Berlin, was acquired in June 2013. 
optivo  provides  technical  e-mail  marketing  services  in  German- 
speaking countries. The software and services offered by the com-
pany make it possible to reach out to existing customers by auto-
matically sending campaign e-mails.

At  the  end  of  July 2013,  all  of  the  shares  of  RISER  ID 
 Services  GmbH,  Berlin,  were  acquired  via  a  subsidiary  in  which 
Deutsche  Post  DHL  holds  a  51 %  interest.  The  company  is  a  ser-
vice provider offering electronic address information from public 
 resident registers. 

In  financial  year  2012,  Deutsche  Post  DHL  increased  its 
previous 33 % stake in All you need GmbH, Berlin, a mobile com-
merce supermarket, to 82 %. The step acquisition of the company 
was   carried  out  with  a  view  to  resale,  since  Deutsche  Post  DHL 
intended to focus on taking over and enhancing the logistics infra-
structure. The company was therefore classified under assets held 
for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale in accord-
ance with IFRS 5. In the third quarter of 2013, the Board of Manage-
ment announced that it no longer intended to resell the company. 
Initial  consolidation  resulted  in  goodwill  of  €5 million. The  com-
pany was accounted for in the third quarter of 2013. The income 
statement presentation was not adjusted retrospectively due to the 
immateriality of the amounts involved. Deutsche Post DHL’s stake 
was further increased to 99.03 % (as at 31 December 2013) through 
disproportionate capital increases during financial years 2012 and 
2013.  The  additional  shares  acquired  through  the  disproportion-
ate  capital  increases  of  €13 million  led  to  a  €1 million  decline  in 
 retained earnings.

Insignificant acquisitions, 2013

€ m

1 January to 31 December

assets

Non-current assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

Current liabilities and provisions

Net assets

Carrying 
amount

Adjustment

Fair value

2

8

2

12

7

7

–

–

–

–

–

–

2

8

2

12

7

7

5

The calculation of goodwill is presented in the following table:

Goodwill, 2013

€ m

Contractual consideration

Fair value of existing equity interest

Cost

Less net assets

Less cost attributable to non-controlling interests

Difference

Plus non-controlling interests 1

Goodwill

1  Non-controlling interests are recognised at their carrying amount.

Fair value

37

2

39

5 

5

29 

2 

31 

Since  their  consolidation,  the  companies  have  contributed 
€8 million  to  consolidated  revenue  and  €–2 million  to  consoli-
dated EBIT. If the companies had already been acquired as at 1 Jan-
uary 2013, they would have contributed an additional €9 million to 
consolidated revenue and €1 million to consolidated EBIT.

Transaction  costs  amounted  to  less  than  €1 million  and  are 

reported in other operating expenses.

€34 million has so far been paid for the companies acquired 
in  financial  year  2013  and  €5 million  was  paid  for  companies 
 acquired in previous years. The purchase price for the companies 
acquired was paid by transferring cash funds.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

141

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Basis of preparation

Consolidated Financial Statements

Contingent consideration

Variable purchase prices, which are presented in the follow-
ing  table,  were  agreed  for  the  acquisitions  in  financial  year  2013 
and previous financial years:

Contingent consideration

Basis

Revenue and gross income 1

EBITDA

Revenue and EBITDA 2

Revenue and sales margin

Period for financial years 
from / to

2011 to 2013

2011 to 2012

2011 to 2013

2012 to 2014

Results range from

€0 to €2 million 

unlimited

€0 to €3 million

€0 to €9 million

Fair value  
of total obligation

Remaining  
payment obligation  
at 31 Dec. 2012

Remaining  
payment obligation  
at 31 Dec. 2013

€1 million

€1 million

€1 million

€3 million

€1 million

€1 million

€2 million

 €4 million

€0 million

€0 million

€1 million

€1 million

1  Both the range and the fair value changed due to amended agreements and earnings forecasts.
2  Change in the fair value of the total and remaining payment obligation due to differences between actual and estimated amounts.

Exel Saudia LLC, a joint venture that was previously propor-
tionately consolidated and in which Deutsche Post DHL  continues 
to  hold  50 %  of  the  shares,  was  fully  consolidated  because  the 
terms of the contract were amended. The change in consolidation 
method resulted in goodwill of €6 million from the disposal of the 
previous interest. The transaction resulted in a gain of €11 million, 
which is reported in other operating income. 

Deutsche Post DHL acquired 50 % of the shares of Luftfracht-
sicherheit-Service GmbH. The company is fully consolidated due 
to the terms of the contract.

Insignificant acquisitions, 2012

€ m

1 January to 31 December

assets

Non-current assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Assets held for sale

eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

Non-current liabilities 
and  provisions

Current liabilities and provisions

Liabilities associated with assets 
held for sale

Net assets

of which in accordance with IFRS 5 

Carrying 
amount

Adjustment

Fair value

6

22

5

6

39

3

11

1

15

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

–

6

22

5

6

39

3

11

1

15

24

5

Acquisitions in 2012

Name

Country

Segment

Interest (%)

Tag Belgium SA, 
Brussels (formerly 
Dentsu Brussels SA) Belgium

SUPPLY CHAIN

100

Date of 
 acquisition

1 February 
2012

intelliAd Media 
GmbH, Munich 

2 Sisters Food 
Group (2SFG), 
Heathrow

Germany

MAIL

100

9 July 2012

UK

SUPPLY CHAIN

Asset deal

27 July 2012

All you need GmbH, 
Berlin

Germany

MAIL

Exel Saudia LLC,  
Al Khobar

Saudi Arabia

SUPPLY CHAIN

Luftfrachtsicher-
heit-Service GmbH, 
Frankfurt am Main Germany

GLOBAL 
FORWARDING, 
FREIGHT

24 October 
2012 1, 2

82

Terms of 
the contract 
amended

16 October 
2012 2

27 August 
2012

50

1  Acquired in 2012 with a view to resale (IFRS 5) 

For the current presentation in 2013 

2  Step acquisition.

 Note 37.  
 Note 2, acquisitions in 2013.

InsIGnIFICant aCQuIsItIons In 2012

In the period up to 31 December 2012, Deutsche Post DHL 
acquired companies that did not materially affect the Group’s net 
 assets, financial position and results of operations, either indivi du-
ally or in the aggregate. 

Tag Belgium SA is active in the communications sector and 
specialises  in  the  design,  production  and  localisation  of  print 
 media.  intelliAd  Media  GmbH  is  a  bid-management  technology 
supplier active in the area of search engine advertising. 
2 SFG is active in the field of airline catering. 
Deutsche Post DHL increased its previous 33 % stake in All 
you  need  GmbH,  a  mobile  commerce  supermarket,  to  82 %.  The 
stake was further increased to 90.25 % through a  disproportionate 
capital  increase.  The  shares  were  acquired  with  a  view  to   resale, 
since  Deutsche  Post  DHL  would  like  to  focus  on  taking  over 
and  enhancing  the  logistics  infrastructure.  See  disclosures  under 
 Acquisitions  in  2013  for  details  of  further  developments  and  the 
presentation in financial year 2013.

142

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Basis of preparation

The calculation of goodwill is presented in the following table:

suppLY CHaIn seGMent

Goodwill, 2012

€ m

Contractual consideration

Fair value of the existing equity interest 1

Total cost

Less net assets

Difference

Less goodwill in accordance with IFRS 5

Plus negative goodwill

Plus non-controlling interests 2

Less goodwill arising from the change in consolidation method

Goodwill

Fair value

30

25

55

24

31

0

2

6

6

33

1  Gain from the change in the method of consolidation is recognised under other operating 

income.

2  Non-controlling interests are recognised at their carrying amount.

Purchase price allocation for Tag Belgium SA and Luftfracht-
sicherheit-Service GmbH resulted in negative goodwill of €2 mil-
lion,  which  is  reported  in  other  operating  income.  The  negative 
goodwill is attributable to the coverage of potential business risks. 
The companies have contributed €16 million to consolidated 
 revenue  and  €0 million  to  consolidated  EBIT  since  the  date  of 
initial consolidation (amounts for 2012). If these companies had 
been purchased at 1 January 2012, they would have added €25 mil-
lion to consolidated  revenue and €2 million to consolidated EBIT.

The  transaction  costs  for  the  insignificant  acquisitions 
amounted to less than €1 million and are reported in other oper-
ating expenses.

€24 million was paid for the companies acquired in financial 
year 2012. €38 million was paid for companies acquired in  previous 
years. The purchase price for the companies acquired was paid by 
transferring cash funds. 

Disposal and deconsolidation effects in 2013

Gains  are  shown  under  other  operating  income;  losses  are 

reported under other operating expenses.

Deutsche Post DHL completed the sale of the fashion logis-
tics business of DHL Fashion (France) SAS, France, in April 2013. 
The assets and liabilities of the business concerned were reclassified 
as  held  for  sale  in  financial  year  2012  in  accordance  with  IFRS 5. 
The most recent measurement of the assets prior to their reclassifi-
cation resulted in an impairment loss of €1 million in 2012, which 
was reported in depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses.
In addition, ITG GmbH Internationale Spedition und Logis-
tik, Germany, was sold together with its subsidiaries in June 2013. 
The  companies’  assets  and  liabilities  were  reclassified  as  held  for 
sale in the first quarter of 2013 in accordance with IFRS 5. The most 
recent measurement of the assets prior to their reclassification did 
not indicate any impairment. 

The  sale  of  US  company  Exel  Direct  Inc.  including  its  Can-
adian  branch  was  completed  in  May 2013.  The  company’s  assets 
and liabilities had been reclassified as held for sale in the first quar-
ter  of  2013  in  accordance  with  IFRS 5.  The  most  recent  measure-
ment  of  the  assets  prior  to  their  reclassification  did  not  indicate 
any impairment.

US warehousing specialist Llano Logistics Inc. was sold and 
deconsolidated  in  May 2013.  Since  all  of  the  amounts  involved 
were lower than €1 million, they are not shown in the table below.

eXpress seGMent

The  sale  of  the  Romanian  domestic  express  business  of 
 Cargus International S. R. L. was completed in the first quarter of 
2013. As at 31 December 2012, the assets and liabilities of the busi-
ness concerned were reclassified as held for sale in accordance with 
IFRS 5. The  most  recent  measurement  of  the  assets  prior  to  their 
reclassification did not indicate any impairment.

The sale of the Domestic Same Day business of DHL Express 
UK  Limited,  UK,  closed  at  the  end  of  October 2013.  The  relevant 
assets and liabilities had previously been reclassified as held for sale 
in  accordance  with  IFRS 5.  The  most  recent  measurement  of  the 
assets and liabilities prior to their reclassification did not indicate 
any impairment. 

Disposal and deconsolidation effects, 2013

€ m

1 January to 31 December

Non-current assets

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

assets

Current provisions and liabilities

eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

Net assets

Total consideration received

Losses from the currency translation reserve

Deconsolidation gain (+) / loss (–)

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Cargus 
 International

DHL Fashion 
(France)

ITG GROUP

Exel Direct DHL Express UK

6

3

2

11

4

4

7

19

0

12

0

12

23

35

12

12

23

0

0

–23

14

30

4

48

38

38

10

18

0

8

6

14

1

21

10

10

11

24

–2

11

1

0

0

1

0

0

1

1

0

0

Total

27

59

30

116

64

64

52

62

–2

8

143

 
Notes
Basis of preparation

Consolidated Financial Statements

Disposal and deconsolidation effects in 2012

eXpress seGMent

GLoBaL ForWarDInG, FreIGHt seGMent

The sales of the Express Couriers Limited (ECL), New  Zealand, 
and Parcel Direct Group Pty Limited (PDG), Australia, joint ven-
tures closed at the end of June 2012. The buyer was the former joint 
venture partner, New Zealand Post.

DHL Global Forwarding & Co. LLC (DHL Oman), Oman, was 
deconsolidated in the first quarter of 2012, as the reasons for con-
solidation no longer existed. The company has been accounted for 
using the equity method since February 2012.

Disposal and deconsolidation effects, 2012

€ m

1 January to 31 December

Non-current assets

Current assets

Assets held for sale 1

Cash and cash equivalents

assets

Non-current liabilities and provisions

Current liabilities and provisions

Liabilities associated with assets held for sale 1

eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

Net assets

Total consideration received

Losses (–) from the currency translation reserve

Non-controlling interests

Deconsolidation gain (+)

1  Data before deconsolidation.
2  Fair value of existing investment.

DHL Oman

ECL, PDG

Total

0

8

0

1

9

0

6

0

6

3

1 2

0

2

0

38

19

0

9

66

24

41

0

65

1

49

– 4

0

44

38

27

0

10

75

24

47

0

71

4

50

– 4

2

44

Gains  are  shown  under  other  operating  income;  losses  are 

reported under other operating expenses.

Additional information on the size of the shareholdings can 
be found in the list of shareholdings, which can be accessed on the 
website, 

 www.dpdhl.com/en/investors.html.

Joint ventures

The following table provides information about the balance 

sheet and income statement items attributable to joint ventures:

3 

Significant transactions

Issuance of bonds

At 31 December

€ m

BaLanCe sHeet

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

Receivables and other assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Trade payables, other liabilities

Provisions

Financial liabilities

InCoMe stateMent

Revenue 2

Profit from operating activities (EBIT)

1  Proportionate single-entity financial statement data.
2  Revenue excluding intra-group revenue.

2012 1

2013 1

0

14

68

9

40

32

2

120

9

0

13

77

8

38

44

2

118

8

The  consolidated  joint  ventures  are  AeroLogic  GmbH, 
 Germany,  EV  Logistics,  Canada,  Bahwan  Exel  LLC,  Oman,  and 
Danzas DV LCC, Russia. 

Deutsche  Post  DHL  took  advantage  of  favourable  market 
conditions  to  place  two  conventional  bonds  amounting  to  €1 bil-
lion with national and international investors. The issue date was 
9 October 2013. The capital raised will be used to repay a ten-year 
bond  maturing  in  January 2014. The  first  issue  in  the  amount  of 
€500 million has a maturity of five years and an annual coupon of 
1.5 %. The second €500 million issue has a maturity of ten years and 
 Note 46.
an annual coupon of 2.75 %; 

At  the  end  of  September 2013,  the  five-year  credit  facility 
with a total volume of €2 billion taken out with a consortium of 
national and international banks in 2010 was renewed early until 
2018 at more favourable terms. In addition, two one-year extension 
 options were also agreed.

Income from changes to retirement plans

The defined benefit retirement plans in the UK were changed 
to defined contribution plans in the fourth quarter of 2013. This 
generated income of €55 million, which is recognised in staff costs. 
Further details can be found in 

 Note 44. 

144

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
  
  
  
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Basis of preparation

4 

Adjustment of prior-period amounts 

aDjustMent 2

The following adjustments were made for financial year 2012:

aDjustMent 1

To  improve  transparency,  the  receivables  and  other  current 
assets item in the balance sheet was divided into the trade receiv-
ables and the other current assets balance sheet items. The presen-
tation on the assets side thus reflects that on the liabilities side.The 
capital reserves contained in the other reserves item are now pre-
sented separately in the balance sheet. Total assets were not  affected. 
The prior-year amounts were adjusted accordingly.

Reflecting  the  amendment  of  IAS 19,  provisions  for  pen-
sions  and  similar  obligations  increased  by  €2,774 million  as  at 
31 Decem ber 2012  (as  at  1 January 2012:  by  €1,610 million)  and 
provisions for  obligations arising from partial retire ment arrange-
ments  declined  by  €29 million  (as  at  1 January 2012:  by  €57 mil-
lion).  Retained  earnings  were  red uced  by  €2,925 million  (as  at 
1 January 2012: by €1,720 million) at the same time. The currency 
trans lation   reserve  included  in  other  reserves  fell  by  €7 million. 
Due to the adjust ment of pension assets, other non-current assets 
 decreased by €335 million (as at 1 January 2012: by €290 million). 
Deferred tax assets increased by €71 million (as at 1 January 2012: 
by €53 million), and deferred tax liabilities declined by €73 million 
(as  at  1 January 2012:  by  €69 million).  The  low  positive  effect  on 
taxes  overall  (€144 million,  as  at  1 January 2012:  €122 million)  is 
largely due to the fact that not all deferred tax assets may be recog-
nised in Germany; 

 Note 30.

Staff costs for financial year 2012  remained  unchanged, as the 
effects  relating  to  net  pension  provisions  and  provisions  for  par-
tial retirement arrangements offset each other. However, net other 
 finance costs narrowed by €29 million. 

Balance sheet adjustments at 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2012

€ m

assets

Other non-current assets

Deferred tax assets

Receivables and other current assets 

Trade receivables

Other current assets

eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

Capital reserves

Other reserves

Retained earnings

Equity attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders

Non-controlling interests

Provisions for pensions and similar obligations

Deferred tax liabilities

Other non-current provisions

Adjustment 
no.

1 Jan. 2012 

Adjustment 

1 Jan. 2012 
adjusted

31 Dec. 2012 

Adjustment 

31 Dec. 2012 
adjusted

2

2

1

1

1

1

1, 2

2

2

2

2

2

2

570

1,153

9,089

–

–

–

1,714

8,086

11,009

190

4,445

255

2,174

–290

53

– 9,089

6,934

2,155

2,170

–2,170

–1,720

–1,720

–1

1,610

– 69

– 57

280

1,206

0

6,934

2,155

2,170

– 456

6,366

9,289

189

6,055

186

2,117

633

1,257

9,112

–

–

–

1,786

8,956

11,951

213

2,442

229

1,972

–335

71

– 9,112

6,959

2,153

2,254

–2,261

–2,925

–2,932

– 4

2,774

–73

–29

298

1,328

0

6,959

2,153

2,254

– 475

6,031

9,019

209

5,216

156

1,943

Income statement for the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012

€ m

Net other finance costs

Profit before income taxes

Income taxes

Consolidated net profit for the period

attributable to Deutsche Post AG 
shareholders

Basic earnings per share (€)

Diluted earnings per share (€)

2012 

Adjustment 

2012  
adjusted

– 429

2,238

– 458

1,780

1,658

1.37

1.32

–29

–29

11

–18

–18

– 0.01

– 0.02

– 458

2,209

– 447

1,762

1,640

1.36

1.30

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

145

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Basis of preparation

Consolidated Financial Statements

Statement of comprehensive income for the period 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012

€ m

Consolidated net profit for the period

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss

Change due to remeasurements of net pension provisions

Income taxes relating to  components of other  comprehensive income

Items that may be subsequently reclassified to profit or loss

Currency translation reserve (changes from unrealised gains and losses)

Other comprehensive income (after tax)

Total comprehensive income

attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders

attributable to non-controlling interests

5 

New developments in international accounting under IFrs s

The  following  Standards,  changes  to  Standards  and  Inter-

pretations are required to be applied on or after 1 January 2013:

Effective for 
financial years 
beginning  
on or after Subject matter and significance

2012 

Adjustment 

1,780

–18

2012  
adjusted

1,762

0

0

7

–10

1,770

1,650

120

–1,198

–1,198

8

–7

–1,197

–1,215

–1,215

0

8

0

–1,207

555

435

120

Amendments to IAS 1 
(Presentation of Financial 
Statements: Presentation  
of Items of Other Comprehen-
sive Income)

Amendments to IAS 19 
( Employee Benefits) 

Amendments to IAS 12 
(Income Taxes: Deferred 
Tax – Recovery of Under-
lying Assets)

Amendments to IFRS 7 
( Financial Instruments: 
Disclosures – Offsetting 
 Financial Assets and 
 Financial Liabilities)

IFRS 13 (Fair Value 
 Measurement) 

1 January 2013 

Entities must classify items presented in other comprehensive income by whether they will not or may be  subsequently 
reclassified to profit or loss (recycled). The presentation has been adjusted; 
There were no other effects. 

 statement of comprehensive income. 

1 January 2013 

These amendments significantly affect the recognition and measurement of the cost of defined benefit retirement plans 
and termination benefits. The corresponding effects on the balance sheet as well as certain changes to the disclosure 
 requirements must also be reflected. With regard to defined benefit plans, the immediate recognition of actuarial gains and 
losses in other comprehensive income (retained earnings), and the use of a uniform discount rate for provisions for pensions 
and similar obligations, are of particular significance. The more detailed requirements on the recognition of administration 
costs are also relevant. Furthermore, the classification of partial retirement obligations has changed. For more details on the 
 adjustments, 
Pro forma disclosures: If the amendments had not been applied in financial year 2013, EBIT would have decreased by 
around €115 million and net other finance costs would have improved by €50 million. Provisions for pensions and similar 
obligations would have seen a decrease of around €2,740 million, concurrent with the immediate rise in retained earnings 
of around €3,150 million, whilst pension assets and the provisions for obligations from partial retirement arrangements 
would have risen by around €320 million and around €10 million, respectively. Applying the tax rate for the current financial 
year, income taxes would have declined by around €9 million. Basic earnings per share would have been around €1.68 and 
diluted earnings per share around €1.62.

 Note 4. 

1 January 2013 

The amendment introduces a mandatory rebuttable presumption in respect of the treatment of temporary taxable 
 differences for investment property for which the fair value model is applied in accordance with IAS 40. The change had 
no effect on the consolidated financial statements. 

1 January 2013 

The amendment to IAS 32 relating to the presentation of the offsetting of financial assets and liabilities and the associated 
additions to IFRS 7 require comprehensive disclosure of the rights of set-off, especially for those rights that do not result 
in offsetting under IFRS s. The change has led to additional disclosures in the Notes; 

 Note 50. 

1 January 2013 

This sets out uniform, overarching requirements for the measurement of fair value. It requires a specific presentation 
of the techniques used to determine fair value. The application of the new standard results in additional disclosure 
 requirements; 

 Notes 26, 37 and 50.

Annual Improvements 
to IFRS s 2009 – 2011 Cycle 

1 January 2013 

The Annual Improvements to IFRS s 2009 – 2011 Cycle were adopted by the EU in March 2013. The annual improvement 
process refers to the following standards: IFRS 1 (First-Time Adoption of International Financial  Reporting Standards), 
IAS 1 (Presentation of Financial Statements), IAS 16 (Property, Plant and Equipment), IAS 32 (Financial  Instruments: 
Presentation) and IAS 34 (Interim Financial Reporting). The amendments do not affect the presentation of the financial 
statements.

The following are not relevant for the consolidated financial statements: 
Amendments to IFRS 1 (Severe Hyperinflation and Removal of Fixed Dates for First-Time Adopters),  
IFRIC 20 (Stripping Costs in the Production Phase of a Surface Mine),  
Amendments to IFRS 1 (First-Time Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards: Government Loans).

146

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Basis of preparation

New accounting pronouncements adopted by the eu  
but only required to be applied in future periods

The  following  Standards,  changes  to  Standards  and  Inter-
pretations  have  already  been  endorsed  by  the  EU.  However,  they 
will only be required to be applied in future periods.

Standard  
(Issue date)

Amendments to IAS 32 
( Financial Instruments: 
Presentation – Offset-
ting  Financial Assets 
and  Financial Liabilities) 
(16 December 2011)

IFRS 10 (Consolidated 
 Financial Statements) 
(12 May 2011) 

1 January 2014 1 

IFRS 11 (Joint Arrangements)  
(12 May 2011) 

1 January 2014 1 

Effective for 
financial years 
beginning  
on or after Subject matter and significance

1 January 2014 

These provide clarification on the conditions for offsetting financial assets and liabilities in the balance sheet. A right 
of set-off must be legally enforceable for all counterparties, both in the normal course of business and also in the event 
of  insolvency, and it must exist at the balance sheet date. The Standard specifies which gross settlement systems can 
be  regarded as net settlement for this purpose. The amendment will not have any significant effect on the presentation 
of the financial statements. In individual cases, additional disclosures may be required. 

This introduces a uniform definition of control for all entities that are to be included in the consolidated financial statements. 
The standard also contains comprehensive requirements on determining a relationship where control exists. IFRS 10 super-
sedes IAS 27 (Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements) as well as SIC-12 (Consolidation – Special Purpose  Entities). 
Special purpose entities previously consolidated in accordance with SIC-12 are now subject to IFRS 10. The reclassification 
resulting from the change in the consolidation method when IFRS 10 enters into force in financial year 2014 will result in 
changes which will, however, have no significance for the financial statements.  
Pro forma disclosure: If the standard had already been applied in financial year 2013, revenue would have declined by 
around €63 million and EBIT by €1 million. Consolidated net profit for the period would have decreased by €1 million.

IFRS 11 supersedes IAS 31 (Interests in Joint Ventures). The option to proportionately consolidate joint ventures will be 
 abolished. However, IFRS 11 will not require all entities that are currently subject to proportionate consolidation to be 
 accounted for using the equity method in the future. IFRS 11 provides a uniform definition of the term “joint arrangements” 
and distinguishes between joint operations and joint ventures. The interest in a joint operation is recognised on the basis 
of direct rights and obligations, whereas the interest in the profit or loss of a joint venture must be accounted for using 
the  equity method. The mandatory application of the equity method to joint ventures will in future follow the require-
ments of the revised IAS 28 (Investments in Associates and Ventures). In future, due to the aforementioned requirements, 
 AeroLogic GmbH, Germany, and EV Logistics, Canada, may no longer be accounted for using the equity method, but will 
be classified as joint operations and consolidated on a proportionate basis in accordance with the contractual provisions. 
The entry into force of IFRS 11 in financial year 2014 will thus result in changes in the consolidated financial statements 
which will, however, have no significant influence. 
Pro forma disclosure: If the standard had already been applied in financial year 2013, revenue would have declined by around 
€103 million, the change in EBIT would have been less than €1 million, net finance costs would have decreased by €1 million 
and income taxes would have risen by €1 million. There would have been no change to consolidated net profit for the period.

IFRS 12 (Disclosures of 
Interests in Other Entities) 
(12 May 2011) 

Amendments to IFRS 10, 
IFRS 11, IFRS 12: Transitional 
Provisions  
(28 June 2012)

IAS 27 (Separate Financial 
Statements) (revised 2011)  
(12 May 2011) 

IAS 28 (Investments in 
 Associates and Joint 
 Ventures) (revised 2011)  
(12 May 2011) 

Amendments to IAS 36 
( Impairment of Assets – 
 Recoverable Amount 
 Disclosures for Non- 
financial Assets)  
(29 May 2013)

1 January 2014 1 

This combines the disclosure requirements for all interests in subsidiaries, joint ventures, associates and unconsolidated 
structured entities into a single standard. An entity is required to provide quantitative and qualitative disclosures about 
the types of risks and financial effects associated with the entity’s interests in other entities. IFRS 12 results in increased 
disclosure requirements.

1 January 2014  1 

The amendments relate to the transitional provisions in respect of the first-time application of the standards. They must 
be applied in line with the effective dates for IFRS 10, IFRS 11 and IFRS 12. 

1 January 2014 1 

The existing standard IAS 27 (Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements) was revised in conjunction with the new 
standards IFRS 10, IFRS 11 and IFRS 12 and renamed IAS 27 (Separate Financial Statements) (revised 2011). The revised standard 
now only contains requirements applicable to separate financial statements. The amendment will not affect the financial 
statements.

1 January 2014 1 

The existing standard IAS 28 (Investments in Associates) was revised in conjunction with the new standards IFRS 10, IFRS 11 
and IFRS 12 and renamed IAS 28 (Investments in Associates and Joint Ventures) (revised 2011). Its scope is being extended 
to include accounting for joint ventures using the equity method. The previous requirements of SIC-13 (Jointly Controlled 
Entities – Non-Monetary Contributions by Venturers) are being incorporated into IAS 28. The change will have no significant 
influence on the financial statements.

1 January 2014 

These amendments clarify that disclosures regarding the recoverable amount of non-financial assets determined based 
on fair value less costs of disposal are only required if an impairment loss has been recognised or reversed in the current 
 reporting period. In addition, the disclosures required when the recoverable amount is determined based on fair value 
less costs of disposal have been amended. The amendments are retrospectively applicable for financial years starting on 
or after 1 January 2014; early application is permitted as IFRS 13 is already being applied. The Standard was applied early.  

The following are not relevant for the consolidated financial statements:  
Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27 (Investment Entities) issued on 31 October 2012, effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2014.

1  These standards were adopted into European law with a different effective date than the original standards.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

147

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Basis of preparation

Standard  
(Issue date)

Amendments to IAS 39 
(Novation of Derivatives 
and Continuation of 
Hedge Accounting)  
(27 June 2013)

Consolidated Financial Statements

Effective for 
financial years 
beginning  
on or after Subject matter and significance

1 January 2014 

Under this amendment, subject to certain conditions, novation of a hedging instrument to a central counterparty as a 
consequence of laws or regulations does not give rise to termination of a hedging relationship. The amendments are 
 retrospectively applicable for financial years starting on or after 1 January 2014; early application is permitted. The Group 
does not currently consider that these amendments will have a significant effect on the  presentation of the financial 
 statements. 

The following are not relevant for the consolidated financial statements:  
Amendments to IFRS 10, IFRS 12 and IAS 27 (Investment Entities) issued on 31 October 2012, effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2014.

1  These standards were adopted into European law with a different effective date than the original standards.

New accounting requirements not yet adopted by the eu  
(endorsement procedure)

The  IASB  and  the  IFRIC  issued  further  Standards,  amend-
ments to Standards and Interpretations in financial year 2013 and 
in previous years whose application is not yet mandatory for finan-
cial year 2013. The application of these IFRS s is dependent on their 
adoption by the EU.

Effective for 
financial years 
beginning  
on or after Subject matter and significance

1 January 2018 

Standard  
(Issue date)

IFRS 9 (Financial Instruments) 
(12 November 2009), amend-
ments to IFRS 9 and IFRS 7 
(Mandatory Effective Date 
and Transition Disclosures) 
(16 December 2011), amend-
ments to IFRS 9, IFRS 7 and 
IAS 39 (Hedge Accounting) 
(19 November 2013) and effec-
tive date (20 February 2014) 

IFRIC 21 (Levies)  
(20 May 2013) 

1 January 2014 

IFRS 9 was published in 2009 as part of the project to replace IAS 39 (Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement). 
The new Standard changes the previous requirements applicable for the classification and measurement of financial assets. 
In 2010, the Standard was extended to include the classification and measurement of financial liabilities. The amendments 
to IFRS 9 and IFRS 7 published in December 2011 deferred the mandatory effective date to 1 January 2015. The transition 
requirements were also specified in further detail. The disclosure requirements under IFRS 9 were added as an amendment 
to IFRS 7. The additional disclosure requirements should make it possible to assess the effect of initial application of IFRS 9 
on the recognition and measurement of financial instruments. In November 2013, the IASB issued a new version of the 
 standard on hedge accounting as part of the third phase of the project to replace IAS 39 by IFRS 9. The mandatory effective 
date of IFRS 9 was set at 1 January 2018 in February 2014. The date on which the Standard will be adopted by the EU has not 
yet been announced. The Group is assessing the effects of initial application of the Standard if it were to be adopted by the 
EU in its current form. 

This Interpretation provides guidance on when to recognise a liability for a levy imposed by a government. It covers the 
recognition of levies imposed in accordance with laws or regulations. It does not include taxes, fines and other outflows 
that fall within the scope of other standards. The Group is currently reviewing the effects of this Interpretation on the 
 consolidated financial statements.

Amendments to IAS 19 
(Employee Benefits –  
Defined Benefit Plans: 
 Employee Contributions)  
(21 November 2013)

Annual Improvements 
to IFRS s 2010 – 2012 Cycle  
(12 December 2013) 

Annual Improvements 
to IFRS s 2011 – 2013 Cycle  
(12 December 2013) 

1 July 2014 

The amendments apply to the recognition of employee contributions to defined benefit retirement plans. Their objective 
is to simplify accounting for employee contributions that are independent of the number of years of service. In such cases, 
the service cost in the period in which the corresponding service is rendered may be reduced. The new requirements must 
be applied retrospectively. Application will not lead to any significant effects. 

1 July 2014 

The annual improvement process refers to the following standards: IFRS 2, IFRS 3, IFRS 8, IFRS 13, IAS 16, IAS 38, IAS 24. 
 Application of the new requirements is mandatory for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 July 2014. The amendments 
will not have a significant influence on the consolidated financial statements.

1 July 2014 

The annual improvement process refers to the following standards: IFRS 1, IFRS 3, IFRS 13, IAS 40. Application of the 
new  requirements is mandatory for reporting periods beginning on or after 1 July 2014. The amendments will not have 
a  significant influence on the consolidated financial statements.

The following are not relevant for the consolidated financial statements: 
IFRS 14 (Regulatory Deferral Accounts) issued on 31 January 2014, effective for financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2016.

148

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Basis of preparation

6 

Currency translation

The financial statements of consolidated companies prepared 
in  foreign  currencies  are  translated  into  euros  (€)  in  accordance 
with IAS 21 using the functional currency method. The functional 
currency of foreign companies is determined by the primary eco-
nomic environment in which they mainly generate and use cash. 
Within  the  Group,  the  functional  currency  is  predominantly  the 
 local currency. In the consolidated financial statements, assets and 
liabilities are therefore translated at the closing rates, whilst  periodic 
income and expenses are generally translated at the monthly clos-
ing rates. The resulting currency translation differences are recog-
nised in other comprehensive income. In financial year 2013, cur-
rency translation differences amounting to €–451 million (previous 
year, adjusted: €49 million) were recognised in other comprehen-
sive income (see the statement of comprehensive income and state-
ment of changes in equity).

Goodwill arising from business combinations after 1 January 
2005 is treated as an asset of the acquired company and therefore 
carried in the functional currency of the acquired company. 

7 

Accounting policies

Uniform accounting policies are applied to the annual finan-
cial statements of the entities that have been included in the consoli-
dated  financial  statements.  The  consolidated  financial  statements 
are  prepared  under  the  historical  cost  convention,  except  where 
items are required to be recognised at their fair value.

Revenue and expense recognition

Deutsche Post DHL’s normal business operations consist of 
the  provision  of  logistics  services.  All  income  relating  to  normal 
business operations is recognised as revenue in the income state-
ment.  All  other  income  is  reported  as  other  operating  income. 
Revenue and other operating income is generally recognised when 
services are rendered, the amount of revenue and income can be 
reliably  measured  and,  in  all  probability,  the  economic  benefits 
from the transactions will flow to the Group. Operating expenses 
are recognised in income when the service is utilised or when the 
expenses are incurred.

The exchange rates for the currencies that are significant for 

Intangible assets

Intangible assets are measured at amortised cost. Intangible 
assets  comprise  internally  generated  and  purchased  intangible 
 assets and purchased goodwill.

Internally  generated  intangible  assets  are  capitalised  at  cost 
if  it  is  probable  that  their  production  will  generate  an  inflow  of 
future  economic  benefits  and  the  costs  can  be  reliably  measured. 
In  the  Group,  this  concerns  internally  developed  software.  If  the 
criteria for capitalisation are not met, the expenses are recognised 
immediately in income in the year in which they are incurred. In 
addition  to  direct  costs,  the  production  cost  of  internally  devel-
oped  software  includes  an  appropriate  share  of  allocable  produc-
tion overhead costs. Any borrowing costs incurred for qualifying 
assets are included in the production cost. Value added tax arising 
in  conjunction  with  the  acquisition  or  production  of  intangible 
 assets is included in the cost if it cannot be deducted as input tax. 
Capitalised software is amortised over its useful life.

Intangible  assets  are  amortised  using  the  straight-line 
method over their useful lives. Impairment losses are recognised 
in accordance with the principles described in the section headed 
Impairment. The useful lives of significant intangible assets are pre-
sented in the table below.

the Group were as follows:

Closing rates

Average rates

2012  
EUR 1 =

2013  
EUR 1 =

2012  
EUR 1 =

2013  
EUR 1 =

1.2719

8.2180

0.8156

1.5408

8.3411

0.8332

1.2445

8.1458

0.8116

1.3769

8.1670

0.8492

113.6625

144.607

103.4778

129.6521

Country

Australia

China

UK

Japan

Sweden

Switzerland

USA

8.5912

1.2075

1.3191

8.8682

1.2269

1.3778

8.6853

1.2043

1.2928

8.6511

1.2308

1.3284

Currency

AUD

CNY

GBP

JPY

SEK

CHF

USD

The carrying amounts of non-monetary assets recognised at 
consolidated companies operating in hyperinflationary economies 
are  generally  indexed  in  accordance  with  IAS 29  and  thus  reflect 
the current purchasing power at the balance sheet date.

In  accordance  with  IAS 21,  receivables  and  liabilities  in  the 
financial  statements  of  consolidated  companies  that  have  been 
prepared  in  local  currencies  are  translated  at  the  closing  rate  as 
at  the  balance  sheet  date.  Currency  translation  differences  are 
 recognised in other operating income and expenses in the income 
statement. In financial year 2013, income of €155 million ( previous 
year:  €178 million)  and  expenses  of  €156 million  (previous  year: 
€181 million)  resulted  from  currency  translation  differences.  In 
contrast,  currency  translation  differences  relating  to  net  invest-
ments in a foreign operation are recognised in other comprehen-
sive income.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

149

 
 
Notes
Basis of preparation

Consolidated Financial Statements

Useful lives

Impairment

Internally developed software

Purchased software

Licences

Customer relationships

Years 1

up to 5

up to 5

term of agreement

up to 20

1  The useful lives indicated represent maximum amounts specified by the Group. The actual 
useful lives may be shorter due to contractual arrangements or other specific factors such 
as time and location.

Intangible assets that are not affected by legal, economic, con-
tractual, or other factors that might restrict their useful lives are 
considered to have indefinite useful lives. They are not amortised 
but are tested for impairment annually or whenever there are in-
dications of impairment. They generally include brand names from 
business combinations, for example. Impairment testing is carried 
out  in  accordance  with  the  principles  described  in  the  section 
headed Impairment.

Property, plant and equipment

Property, plant and equipment is carried at cost, reduced by 
accumulated  depreciation  and  valuation  allowances.  In  addition 
to  direct  costs,  production  cost  includes  an  appropriate  share  of 
allocable production overhead costs. Borrowing costs that can be 
allocated  directly  to  the  purchase,  construction  or  manufacture 
of property, plant and equipment are capitalised. Value added tax 
 arising in conjunction with the acquisition or production of items 
of  property,  plant  or  equipment  is  included  in  the  cost  if  it  can-
not  be  deducted  as  input  tax.  Depreciation  is  charged  using  the 
straight-line  method.  The  estimated  useful  lives  applied  to  the 
 major asset classes are presented in the table below: 

Useful lives

Buildings

Technical equipment and machinery

Aircraft

IT systems

Transport equipment and vehicle fleet

Other operating and office equipment

Years 1

20 to 50

10 to 20

15 to 20

4 to 5

4 to 18

8 to 10

1  The useful lives indicated represent amounts specified by the Group. The actual useful lives 
may be shorter due to contractual arrangements or other specific factors such as time and 
location.

If  there  are  indications  of  impairment,  an  impairment  test 

must be carried out; see the section headed Impairment.

At each balance sheet date, the carrying amounts of intan gible 
assets,  property,  plant  and  equipment  and  investment    property 
are reviewed for indications of impairment. If there are any such 
 indications, an impairment test must be carried out. This is done 
by determining the recoverable amount of the relevant asset and 
comparing it with the carrying amount. 

In  accordance  with  IAS 36,  the  recoverable  amount  is  the 
asset’s fair value less costs to sell or its value in use, whichever is 
higher. The value in use is the present value of the pre-tax free cash 
flows expected to be derived from the asset in future. The discount 
rate  used  is  a  pre-tax  rate  of  interest  reflecting  current  market 
conditions.  If  the  recoverable  amount  cannot  be  determined  for 
an individual asset, the recoverable amount is determined for the 
smallest identifiable group of assets to which the asset in question 
can be allocated and which generates independent cash flows (cash 
generating  unit  –  CGU).  If  the  recoverable  amount  of  an  asset  is 
lower than its carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognised 
immediately in respect of the asset. If, after an impairment loss has 
been  recognised,  a  higher  recoverable  amount  is  determined  for 
the asset or the CGU at a later date, the impairment loss is reversed 
up  to  a  carrying  amount  that  does  not  exceed  the  recoverable 
amount. The increased carrying amount attributable to the rever-
sal of the impairment loss is limited to the carrying amount that 
would have been determined (net of amortisation or depreciation) 
if no impairment loss had been recognised in the past. The rever-
sal of the impairment loss is recognised in the income statement. 
Impairment  losses  recognised  in  respect  of  goodwill  may  not  be 
reversed.

Since January 2005, goodwill has been accounted for using 
the  impairment-only  approach  in  accordance  with  IFRS 3.  This 
stipulates  that  goodwill  must  be  subsequently  measured  at  cost, 
less  any  cumulative  adjustments  from  impairment  losses.  Pur-
chased  goodwill  is  therefore  no  longer  amortised  and  instead  is 
tested for impairment annually in accordance with IAS 36, regard-
less of whether any indication of possible impairment exists, as in 
the case of intangible assets with an indefinite useful life. In addi-
tion, the obligation remains to conduct an impairment test if there 
is any indication of impairment. Goodwill resulting from company 
 acquisitions is allocated to the identifiable groups of assets (CGU s 
or groups of CGU s) that are expected to benefit from the synergies 
of the acquisition. These groups represent the lowest reporting level 
at which the goodwill is monitored for internal management pur-
poses. The carrying amount of a CGU to which goodwill has been 
allocated is tested for impairment annually and whenever there is 
an indication that the unit may  be  impaired.  Where  impairment 
losses are recognised in connection with a CGU to which goodwill 
has been allocated, the existing carrying amount of the goodwill 
is reduced first. If the amount of the impairment loss exceeds the 
carrying amount of the goodwill, the difference is allocated to the 
remaining non-current assets in the CGU. 

150

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Basis of preparation

Finance leases

Fair value option

Under  the  fair  value  option,  financial  assets  or  financial  
liabilities  may  be  measured  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss 
on  initial  recognition  if  this  eliminates  or  significantly  reduces  a 
measurement or recognition inconsistency (accounting mismatch). 
The Group makes use of the option in order to avoid accounting 
mismatches.

Financial assets

Financial  assets  are  accounted  for  in  accordance  with  the 
 provisions of IAS 39, which distinguishes between four categories 
of financial instruments.

avaILaBLe-For-saLe FInanCIaL assets

These  financial  instruments  are  non-derivative  financial 
 assets and are carried at their fair value, where this can be meas-
ured reliably. If a fair value cannot be determined, they are carried 
at cost. Changes in fair value between reporting dates are generally 
recognised  in  other  comprehensive  income  (revaluation  reserve). 
The reserve is reversed to income either upon disposal or if the fair 
value  falls  below  cost  more  than  temporarily.  If,  at  a  subsequent 
balance sheet date, the fair value of a debt instrument has increased 
objectively as a result of events occurring after the impairment loss 
was recognised, the impairment loss is reversed in the appropriate 
amount. Impairment losses recognised in respect of equity instru-
ments  may  not  be  reversed  to  income.  If  equity  instruments  are 
recognised at fair value, any reversals must be recognised in other 
comprehensive income. No reversals may be made in the case of 
equity instruments that were recognised at cost. Available-for-sale 
financial  instruments  are  allocated  to  non-current  assets  unless 
the  intention  is  to  dispose  of  them  within  12  months  of  the  bal-
ance sheet date. In particular, investments in unconsolidated sub-
sidiaries,  marketable  securities  and  other  equity  investments  are 
 reported in this category.

HeLD-to-MaturItY FInanCIaL assets

Financial instruments are assigned to this category if there is 
an intention to hold the instrument to maturity and the economic 
conditions  for  doing  so  are  met.  These  financial  instruments  are 
non-derivative financial assets that are measured at amortised cost 
using the effective interest method.

A  lease  financing  transaction  is  an  agreement  in  which  the 
lessor  conveys  to  the  lessee  the  right  to  use  an  asset  for  a  speci-
fied period in return for a payment or a number of payments. In 
accordance  with  IAS 17,  beneficial  ownership  of  leased  assets  is 
 attributed to the lessee if the lessee substantially bears all risks and 
rewards  incident  to  ownership  of  the  leased  asset.  To  the  extent 
that beneficial ownership is attributable to the Group as the lessee, 
the asset is capitalised at the date on which use starts, either at fair 
value or at the present value of the minimum lease payments if this 
is less than the fair value. A lease liability in the same amount is 
recognised under non-current liabilities. The lease is subsequently 
measured  at  amortised  cost  using  the  effective  interest  method. 
The depreciation methods and estimated useful lives correspond to 
those of comparable purchased assets.

Operating leases

For  operating  leases,  the  Group  reports  the  leased  asset  at 
amortised  cost  as  an  asset  under  property,  plant  and  equipment 
where it is the lessor. The lease payments recognised in the period 
are shown under other operating income. Where the Group is the 
lessee,  the  lease  payments  made  are  recognised  as  lease  expense 
under  materials  expense.  Lease  expenses  and  income  are  recog-
nised using the straight-line method.

Investments in associates

Investments in associates are accounted for using the equity 
method  in  accordance  with  IAS 28  (Investments  in  Associates). 
Based  on  the  cost  of  acquisition  at  the  time  of  purchase  of  the 
invest ments,  the  carrying  amount  of  the  investment  is  increased 
or reduced annually to reflect the share of earnings, dividends dis-
tributed  and  other  changes  in  the  equity  of  the  associates  attrib-
utable to the investments of Deutsche Post AG or its consolidated 
subsidiaries.  The  goodwill  contained  in  the  carrying  amounts  of 
the invest ments is accounted for in accordance with IFRS 3. Invest-
ments in companies accounted for using the equity method are im-
paired if the recoverable amount falls below the carrying amount.

Financial instruments

A  financial  instrument  is  any  contract  that  gives  rise  to 
a   financial  asset  of  one  entity  and  a  financial  liability  or  equity 
instru ment of another entity. Financial assets include in particular 
cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables, originated loans and 
 receivables, and derivative financial assets held for trading. Finan-
cial  liabilities  include  contractual  obligations  to  deliver  cash  or 
another  financial  asset  to  another  entity.  These  mainly  comprise 
trade  payables,  liabilities  to  banks,  liabilities  arising  from  bonds 
and finance leases, and derivative financial liabilities.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

151

Notes
Basis of preparation

Consolidated Financial Statements

Loans anD reCeIvaBLes

These are non-derivative financial assets with fixed or deter-
minable payments that are not quoted on an active market. Unless 
held for trading, they are recognised at cost or amortised cost at 
the  balance  sheet  date.  The  carrying  amounts  of  money  market 
 receivables  correspond  approximately  to  their  fair  values  due  to 
their short maturity. Loans and receivables are considered current 
assets  if  they  mature  not  more  than  12  months  after  the  balance 
sheet date; otherwise, they are recognised as non-current assets. If 
the  recoverability  of  receivables  is  in  doubt,  they  are  recognised 
at amortised cost, less appropriate specific or collective valuation 
 allowances.  A  write-down  on  trade  receivables  is  recognised  if 
there are objective indications that the amount of the outstanding 
receivable cannot be collected in full. The write-down is recognised 
in the income statement via a valuation account.

FInanCIaL assets at FaIr vaLue tHrouGH proFIt or Loss

All financial instruments held for trading and derivatives that 
do not satisfy the criteria for hedge accounting are assigned to this 
category.  They  are  generally  measured  at  fair  value.  All  changes 
in  fair  value  are  recognised  in  income.  All  financial  instruments 
in this category are accounted for at the trade date. Assets in this 
category are recognised as current assets if they are either held for 
trading or will likely be realised within 12 months of the balance 
sheet date.

To avoid variations in earnings resulting from changes in the 
fair value of derivative financial instruments, hedge accounting is 
applied where possible and economically useful. Gains and losses 
from the derivative and the related hedged item are recognised in 
income simultaneously. Depending on the hedged item and the risk 
to be hedged, the Group uses fair value hedges and cash flow hedges.
The  carrying  amounts  of  financial  assets  not  carried  at  fair 
value through profit or loss are tested for impairment at each bal-
ance sheet date and whenever there are indications of impairment. 
The amount of any impairment loss is determined by comparing 
the  carrying  amount  and  the  fair  value.  If  there  are  objective  in-
dications of impairment, an impairment loss is recognised in the 
income statement under other operating expenses or net financial 
income / net finance costs. Impairment losses are reversed if there 
are objective reasons arising after the balance sheet date  indicating 
that  the  reasons  for  impairment  no  longer  exist.  The  increased 
 carrying amount resulting from the reversal of the impairment loss 
may not exceed the carrying amount that would have been deter-
mined (net of amortisation or depreciation) if the impairment loss 
had not been recognised. Impairment losses are recognised within 
the  Group  if  the  debtor  is  experiencing  significant  financial  diffi-
culties, it is highly probable that the debtor will be the subject of 
bankruptcy proceedings, there are material changes in the issuer’s 
technological, economic, legal or market environment, or the fair 
value of a financial instrument falls below its amortised cost for a 
prolonged period. 

A fair value hedge hedges the fair value of recognised assets 
and liabilities. Changes in the fair value of both the derivatives and 
the hedged item are recognised in income simultaneously.

A cash flow hedge hedges the fluctuations in future cash flows 
from  recognised  assets  and  liabilities  (in  the  case  of  interest  rate 
risks),  highly  probable  forecast  transactions  as  well  as  unrecog-
nised firm commitments that entail a currency risk. The effective 
portion of a cash flow hedge is recognised in the hedging reserve in 
equity. Ineffective portions resulting from changes in the fair value 
of the hedging instrument are recognised directly in income. The 
gains and losses generated by the hedging transactions are initially 
recognised  in  equity  and  are  then  reclassified  to  profit  or  loss  in 
the period in which the asset acquired or liability assumed affects 
profit or loss. If a hedge of a firm commitment subsequently results 
in  the  recognition  of  a  non-financial  asset,  the  gains  and  losses 
recognised  directly  in  equity  are  included  in  the  initial  carrying 
amount of the asset (basis adjustment). 

Net investment hedges in foreign entities are treated in the 
same way as cash flow hedges. The gain or loss from the effective 
portion of the hedge is recognised in other comprehensive income, 
whilst  the  gain  or  loss  attributable  to  the  ineffective  portion  is 
recog nised  directly  in  income.  The  gains  or  losses  recognised  in 
other  comprehensive  income  remain  there  until  the  disposal  or 
partial  disposal  of  the  net  investment.  Detailed  information  on 
hedging transactions can be found in 

 Note 50.2.

Regular way purchases and sales of financial assets are recog-
nised at the settlement date, with the exception of held-for-trading 
instruments, particularly derivatives. A financial asset is derecog-
nised  if  the  rights  to  receive  the  cash  flows  from  the  asset  have 
 expired. Upon transfer of a financial asset, a review is made  under 
the  requirements  of  IAS 39  governing  disposal  as  to  whether  the 
asset  should  be  derecognised.  A  disposal  gain / loss  arises  upon 
disposal.  The  remeasurement  gains / losses  recognised  in  other 
comprehensive income in prior periods must be reversed as at the 
disposal date. Financial liabilities are derecognised if the payment 
obligations arising from them have expired.

Investment property

In accordance with IAS 40, investment property is property 
held to earn rentals or for capital appreciation or both, rather than 
for  use  in  the  supply  of  services,  for  administrative  purposes,  or 
for sale in the normal course of the company’s business. It is meas-
ured  in  accordance  with  the  cost  model.  Depreciable  investment 
property is depreciated over a period of between 20 and 50 years 
using  the  straight-line  method.  The  fair  value  is  determined  on 
the basis of expert opinions. Impairment losses are recognised in 
 accordance with the principles described under the section headed 
Impairment.

152

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Basis of preparation

Inventories

Non-controlling interests

Non-controlling  interests  are  the  proportionate  minority 
interests  in  the  equity  of  subsidiaries  and  are  recognised  at  their 
carrying amount. If an interest is acquired from, or sold to, other 
shareholders without this impacting the existing control relation-
ship,  this  is  presented  as  an  equity  transaction.  The  difference 
between  the  proportionate  net  assets  acquired  from,  or  sold  to, 
another  shareholder / other  shareholders  and  the  purchase  price 
is recognised in other comprehensive income. If non-controlling 
interests are increased by the proportionate net assets, no goodwill 
is allocated to the proportionate net assets.

Share-based payments to executives

Equity-settled  share-based  payment  transactions  are  meas-
ured at fair value at the grant date. The fair value of the obligation 
is recognised in staff costs over the vesting period. The fair value 
of equity-settled share-based payment transactions is determined 
using internationally recognised valuation techniques. 

Stock  appreciation  rights  are  measured  on  the  basis  of  an 
 option pricing model in accordance with IFRS 2. The stock appreci-
ation rights are measured on each reporting date and on the settle-
ment date. The amount determined for stock appreciation rights 
that  will  probably  be  exercised  is  recognised  pro  rata  in  income 
under staff costs to reflect the services rendered as consideration 
during the vesting period (lock-up period). A provision is recog-
nised for the same amount.

Retirement plans

There are arrangements in many countries under which the 
Group  grants  post-employment  benefits  to  its  employees.  These 
benefits include pensions, lump-sum payments on retirement and 
other post-employment benefits referred to in these disclosures as 
retirement benefits, pensions and similar benefits, or simply pen-
sions. A distinction is made between defined benefit and defined 
contribution plans.

Inventories  are  assets  that  are  held  for  sale  in  the  ordinary 
course  of  business,  are  in  the  process  of  production,  or  are  con-
sumed  in  the  production  process  or  in  the  rendering  of  services. 
They  are  measured  at  the  lower  of  cost  or  net  realisable  value. 
Valuation  allowances  are  charged  for  obsolete  inventories  and 
slow-moving goods.

Government grants

In accordance with IAS 20, government grants are recognised 
at their fair value only when there is reasonable assurance that the 
conditions  attaching  to  them  will  be  complied  with  and  that  the 
grants  will  be  received.  The  grants  are  reported  in  the   income 
statement and are generally recognised as income over the periods 
in which the costs they are intended to compensate are incurred. 
Where  the  grants  relate  to  the  purchase  or  production  of  assets, 
they are reported as deferred income and recognised in the income 
statement over the useful lives of the assets.

Assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets  
held for sale

Assets held for sale are assets available for sale in their pres-
ent  condition  and  whose  sale  is  highly  probable.  The  sale  must 
be expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale within 
one year of the date of classification. Assets held for sale may con-
sist  of  individual  non-current  assets,  groups  of  assets  (disposal 
groups),  components  of  an  entity  or  a  subsidiary  acquired  exclu-
sively for  resale (discontinued operations). Liabilities intended to 
be disposed of together with the assets in a single transaction form 
part of the disposal group or discontinued operation and are also 
 reported separately as liabilities associated with assets held for sale. 
Assets  held  for  sale  are  no  longer  depreciated  or  amortised,  but 
are recognised at the lower of their fair value less costs to sell and 
the  carrying  amount.  Gains  and  losses  arising  from  the  remeas-
urement of individual non-current assets or disposal groups clas-
sified as held for sale are reported in profit or loss from continuing 
 operations until the final date of disposal. Gains and losses arising 
from the measurement at fair value less costs to sell of discontin-
ued  operations classified as held for sale are reported in profit or 
loss from discontinued operations. This also applies to the profit 
or loss from operations and the gain or loss on disposal of these 
components of an entity.

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash, demand  deposits 
and  other  short-term  liquid  financial  assets  with  an  original  ma-
turity  of  up  to  three  months  and  are  carried  at  their  principal 
amount.  Overdraft  facilities  used  are  recognised  in  the  balance 
sheet as amounts due to banks.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

153

Notes
Basis of preparation

Consolidated Financial Statements

DeFIneD ContrIButIon retIreMent pLans For tHe Group’s 
HourLY Workers anD saLarIeD eMpLoYees

The  contributions  to  defined  contribution  retirement  plans 
for  the  Group’s  hourly  workers  and  salaried  employees  are  also 
 recognised in staff costs.

This  also  includes  contributions  to  multi-employer  plans, 
which  are  basically  defined  benefit  plans,  particularly  in  the  USA 
and  the  Netherlands.  The  relevant  institutions  do  not  provide 
the  participating  companies  with  sufficient   information  to  allow 
the  use  of  defined  benefit  accounting.  The  plans  are  therefore 
 accounted for as if they were  defined contribution plans. 

Contributions  are  paid  into  these  multi-employer  plans  in 
the  USA  based  on  collective  agreements  between   employers  and 
the  local unions. There is no employer liability to any of the plans 
beyond  the  normal  contribution  rates  negotiated  in  collective 
bargaining  except  in  the  event  of  a  withdrawal  that  meets  speci-
fied criteria. At the end of 2013, there existed no agreements with 
any  of  these  multi-employer  plans  beyond  the  collective  agree-
ments  that  set  the  contribution  rates.  Employer  contributions 
to pension funds are expected to amount to €23 million in 2014 
( actual  employer  contributions in financial year 2013: €23 million). 
Accord ing  to  information  made  available  by  the  pension  funds, 
some  of  the  plans  to  which  Deutsche  Post  DHL  makes  contribu-
tions  are  underfunded.  There  is  no  available  information  from 
the  plans  themselves  which  would  indicate  any  change  from  the 
contribution  rates  set  in  the  2013  collective  agreements.  At  pres-
ent, Deutsche Post DHL does not account for a significant share of 
the contributions to the pension funds except for one fund where 
Deutsche Post DHL is the largest contributor. 

Contribution rates for one of the multi-employer retirement 
plans in the Netherlands are determined each year by the manage-
ment body of the pension fund with the involvement of the central 
bank of the Netherlands, based on cost coverage. These contribu-
tion rates are the same for all employers and  employees  involved. 
There  is  no  employer  liability  towards  the  fund  beyond  the  con-
tributions  set,  even  in  the  case  of  withdrawal.  Any  sub sequent 
under funding  ultimately  results  in  the  rights  of  members  being 
cut and / or no indexation of their rights. Employer contrib utions 
to the pension fund are expected to amount to €21 million in 2014 
(actual employer contributions in financial year 2013: €21 million). 
According to information made available by the pension fund, the 
plan is not underfunded at present. Deutsche Post DHL does not 
represent a significant level to the fund in terms of contributions.

tHe Group’s DeFIneD BeneFIt retIreMent pLans

Defined benefit pension obligations are measured  using the 
projected  unit  credit  method  prescribed  by  IAS 19.  This   involves 
making certain actuarial assumptions. Most of the  defined  benefit 
retirement  plans  are  at  least  partly  funded  via  external  plan 
 assets. The remaining net obligations are funded by provisions for 
 pensions  and  similar  obligations;  net  assets  are  presented  sepa-
rately as  pension assets. Where necessary, an asset ceiling must be 
applied when recognising pension assets. With regard to the cost 
components,  the  service  cost  is  recognised  in  staff  costs,  the  net 
interest cost in net other finance costs and any remeasurement out-
side profit and loss in other comprehensive income. 

DeFIneD ContrIButIon retIreMent pLans For CIvIL servant 
eMpLoYees In GerManY

Deutsche Post AG pays contributions to defined contribution 
plans for civil servants in Germany in accordance with statutory 
provisions. These contributions are recognised in staff costs.

Under  the  provisions  of  the  Gesetz  zum  Personalrecht 
früheren  Deutschen  Bundespost  (Post-
der  Beschäftigten  der 
PersRG –  Former  Deutsche  Bundespost  Employees  Act),  intro-
duced  as  article  4  of  the  Gesetz  zur  Neuordnung  des  Postwesens 
und  der  Tele kommunikation  (PTNeuOG  –  German  Posts  and 
Telecommuni cations  Reorganisation  Act),  Deutsche  Post  AG 
provides  benefit  and   assistance  payments  through  a  special  pen-
sion  fund  for  postal  civil  servants  (Postbeamtenversorgungskasse) 
operated  jointly,  since  early  2001,  by  the  Deutsche  Bundespost 
successor  companies,  the  Bundes-Pensions-Service  für  Post  und 
Telekommunikation  e. V.  (BPS-PT),  to  retired  employees  or  their 
surviving dependants who are entitled to benefits on the basis of a 
civil service appointment. At the beginning of 2013, Bundesanstalt 
für  Post  und  Telekommunikation  (BAnstPT  –  Federal  Posts  and 
Telecommunications Agency) assumed the rights and obligations 
of the BPS-PT. It has undertaken the tasks of the pension fund for 
postal civil servants since that time. The amount of Deutsche Post 
AG’s  payment  obligations  is  governed  by  section  16  of  the  Post-
PersRG. Since 2000, this Act has obliged Deutsche Post AG to pay 
into the postal civil servant pension fund an annual contribution 
of 33 % of the gross compensation of its active civil servants and the 
notional gross compensation of civil servants on leave of absence 
who are eligible for a pension. 

Under section 16 of the PostPersRG, the federal government 
makes  good  the  difference  between  the  current  payment  obliga-
tions of the postal civil servant pension fund on the one hand, and 
the funding companies’ current contributions or other return on 
assets  on  the  other,  and  guarantees  that  the  postal  civil  servant 
pension fund is able at all times to meet the obligations it has as-
sumed in respect of its funding companies.  Insofar as the federal 
government  makes  payments  to  the  postal  civil  servant  pension 
fund under the terms of this guarantee, it  cannot claim reimburse-
ment from Deutsche Post AG.

154

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Basis of preparation

Other provisions

Other provisions are recognised for all legal or constructive 
obligations to third parties existing at the balance sheet date that 
have  arisen  as  a  result  of  past  events,  that  are  expected  to  result 
in an outflow of future economic benefits and whose amount can 
be measured reliably. They represent uncertain obligations that are 
carried  at  the  best  estimate  of  the  expenditure  required  to  settle 
the obligation. Provisions with more than one year to maturity are 
discounted  at  market  rates  of  interest  that  reflect  the  region  and 
time to settlement of the obligation. The discount rates used in the 
financial year were between 0.25 % and 11 % (previous year: 0.25 % 
and 9.25 %). The effects arising from changes in interest rates are 
recognised in net financial income / net finance cost.

Provisions for restructurings are only established in accord-
ance with the aforementioned criteria for recognition if a detailed, 
formal restructuring plan has been drawn up and communicated 
to those affected.

The  technical  reserves  (insurance)  consist  mainly  of  out-
standing loss reserves and IBNR (incurred but not reported claims) 
 reserves.  Outstanding  loss  reserves  represent  estimates  of  obliga-
tions in respect of actual claims or known incidents expected to give 
rise to claims, which have been reported to the company but which 
have yet to be finalised and presented for  payment. Outstanding 
loss reserves are based on individual claim valuations  carried out 
by  the  company  or  its  ceding  insurers.  IBNR  reserves  represent 
estimates of obligations in respect of incidents taking place on or 
before the balance sheet date that have not been  reported to the 
company. Such reserves also include provisions for potential errors 
in settling outstanding loss reserves. The company carries out its 
own assessment of ultimate loss liabilities using actuarial methods 
and also commissions an independent actuarial study of these each 
year in order to verify the reasonableness of its estimates.

Financial liabilities

On  initial  recognition,  financial  liabilities  are  carried  at  fair 
value less transaction costs. The price determined on a price- efficient 
and liquid market or a fair value determined using the treasury risk 
management system deployed within the Group is taken as the fair 
value. In subsequent periods the financial liabilities are measured at 
amortised cost. Any differences between the amount received and 
the amount repayable are recognised in  income over the term of the 
loan using the effective interest method.

ConvertIBLe BonD on DeutsCHe post aG sHares

The  convertible  bond  on  Deutsche  Post  AG  shares  is  split 
into an equity and a debt component, in line with the contractual 
arrangements. The debt component, less the transaction costs, is 
reported under financial liabilities (bonds), with interest added up 
to the issue amount over the term of the bond using the  effective 
 interest  method  (unwinding  of  discount).  The  value  of  the  call 
 option, which allows Deutsche Post AG to redeem the bond early 
if a specified share price is reached, is attributed to the debt com-
ponent in accordance with IAS 32.31. The conversion right is classi-
fied as an equity derivative and is reported in capital reserves. The 
carrying amount is calculated by assigning to the conversion right 
the  residual  value  that  results  from  deducting  the  amount  calcu-
lated separately for the debt component from the fair value of the 
instrument  as  a  whole.  The  transaction  costs  are  deducted  on  a 
proportionate basis.

Liabilities

Trade payables and other liabilities are carried at amortised 
cost.  The  fair  value  of  the  liabilities  corresponds  more  or  less  to 
their carrying amount.

Deferred taxes

In accordance with IAS 12, deferred taxes are recognised for 
temporary differences between the carrying amounts in the IFRS 
financial statements and the tax accounts of the individual  entities. 
Deferred tax assets also include tax reduction claims which arise 
from  the  expected  future  utilisation  of  existing  tax  loss  carry-
forwards and which are likely to be realised. In compliance with 
IAS 12.24 (b) and IAS 12.15 (b), deferred tax assets or liabilities were 
only  recognised  for  temporary  differences  between  the  carrying 
amounts in the IFRS financial statements and in the tax accounts of 
Deutsche Post AG where the differences arose after 1 January 1995. 
No deferred tax assets or liabilities are recognised for temporary 
differences  resulting  from  initial  differences  in  the  opening  tax 
 accounts of Deutsche Post AG as at 1 January 1995. Further  details 
on  deferred  taxes  from  tax  loss  carryforwards  can  be  found  in 

 Note 30.

In accordance with IAS 12, deferred tax assets and liabilities 
are calculated using the tax rates applicable in the individual coun-
tries at the balance sheet date or announced for the time when the 
deferred tax assets and liabilities are realised. The tax rate of 29.8 % 
(unchanged  from  the  previous  year)  applied  to  German  Group 
companies  comprises  the  corporation  tax  rate  plus  the  solidarity 
surcharge, as well as a municipal trade tax rate that is calculated 
as  the  average  of  the  different  municipal  trade  tax  rates.  Foreign 
Group companies use their individual income tax rates to calculate 
deferred tax items. The income tax rates applied for foreign com-
panies amount to up to 38 % (previous year: 41 %).

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

155

Notes
Basis of preparation

Consolidated Financial Statements

of tax planning strategies are revised downwards, or in the event 
that changes to current tax laws restrict the extent to which future 
tax benefits can be realised.

Goodwill  is  regularly  reported  in  the  Group’s  balance  sheet 
as a consequence of business combinations. When an acquisition 
is initially recognised in the consolidated financial statements, all 
identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities are measured 
at their fair values at the date of acquisition. One of the most import-
ant estimates this requires is the determination of the fair values of 
these assets and liabilities at the date of acquisition. Land, buildings 
and office equipment are generally valued by  independent experts, 
whilst securities for which there is an active market are recognised 
at the quoted exchange price. If intangible assets are identified in 
the course of an acquisition, their measurement can be based on 
the opinion of an independent external expert  valuer, depending 
on  the  type  of  intangible  asset  and  the   complexity   involved  in 
 determining its fair value. The independent expert determines the 
fair value using appropriate valuation techniques, normally based 
on  expected  future  cash  flows.  In  addition  to  the  assumptions 
about the  development  of  future  cash  flows,  these  valuations  are 
also significantly affected by the discount rates used.

Impairment testing for goodwill is based on  assumptions with 
respect  to  the  future.  The  Group  carries  out  these  tests   annually 
and also whenever there are indications that goodwill has become 
 impaired. The recoverable amount of the CGU must then be calcu-
lated. This amount is the higher of fair value less costs to sell and 
value in use. Determining value in use requires adjustments and 
 estimates to be made with respect to forecasted future cash flows 
and the discount rate applied. Although management believes that 
the assumptions made for the purpose of calculating the recover-
able  amount  are  appropriate,  possible  unforeseeable  changes  in 
these  assumptions  –  e. g.,  a  reduction  in  the  EBIT   margin,  an  in-
crease in the cost of capital or a decline in the long-term growth 
rate – could result in an impairment loss that could negatively affect 
the Group’s net assets, financial position and results of operations.

Income taxes

Income tax assets and liabilities are measured at the amounts 
for which repayments from or payments to the tax authorities are 
expected to be received or made.

Contingent liabilities

Contingent  liabilities  represent  possible  obligations  whose 
existence will be confirmed only by the occurrence or non-occur-
rence of one or more uncertain future events not wholly within the 
control of the enterprise. Contingent liabilities also include certain 
obligations that will probably not lead to an outflow of resources 
embodying economic benefits, or where the amount of the outflow 
of  resources  embodying  economic  benefits  cannot  be  measured 
with  sufficient  reliability.  In  accordance  with  IAS 37,  contingent 
 liabilities are not recognised as liabilities; 

 Note 51.

8 

Exercise of judgement in applying the accounting policies

The  preparation  of  IFRS-compliant  consolidated  financial 
statements  requires  the  exercise  of  judgement  by  management. 
All  estimates  are  reassessed  on  an  ongoing  basis  and  are  based 
on  historical  experience  and  expectations  with  regard  to  future 
events that appear reasonable under the given circumstances. For 
 example, this applies to assets held for sale. In this case, it must be 
 determined whether the assets are available for sale in their pres-
ent condition and whether their sale is highly probable. If this is 
the case, the assets and the associated liabilities are reported and 
 measured  as  assets  held  for  sale  and  liabilities  associated  with 
 assets held for sale.

Estimates and assessments made by management

The  preparation  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements 
in  accordance  with  IFRS s  requires  management  to  make  certain 
 assumptions and estimates that may affect the amounts of the  assets 
and liabilities included in the balance sheet, the amounts of income 
and expenses, and the disclosures relating to contingent  liabilities. 
Examples of the main areas where assumptions, estimates and the 
exercise  of  management  judgement  occur  are  the  recognition  of 
provisions for pensions and similar obligations, the calculation of 
discounted cash flows for impairment testing and purchase price 
allocations, taxes and legal proceedings.

Disclosures  regarding  the  assumptions  made  in  connection 

with defined benefit retirement plans can be found in 

 Note 44.

The  Group  has  operating  activities  around  the  globe  and 
is  subject  to  local  tax  laws.  Management  can  exercise  judgement 
when calculating the amounts of current and deferred taxes in the 
relevant countries. Although management believes that it has made 
a  reasonable  estimate  relating  to  tax  matters  that  are  inherently 
uncertain,  there  can  be  no  guarantee  that  the  actual  outcome  of 
these uncertain tax matters will correspond exactly to the original 
estimate made. Any difference between actual events and the esti-
mate made could have an effect on tax liabilities and deferred taxes 
in the period in which the matter is finally decided. The amount 
recog nised for deferred tax assets could be reduced if the estimates 
of planned taxable income or the tax benefits achievable as a result 

156

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Basis of preparation

Pending legal proceedings in which the Group is involved are 
 Note 53.  The  outcome  of  these  proceedings  could 
disclosed  in 
have  a  significant  effect  on  the  net  assets,  financial  position  and 
 results of operations of the Group. Management regularly  analyses 
the  information  currently  available  about  these  proceedings  and 
recognises provisions for probable obligations including  estimated 
legal  costs.  Internal  and  external  legal  advisers   participate  in 
 making this assess ment. In deciding on the necessity for a  provision, 
manage ment takes into account the probability of an unfavourable 
outcome  and  whether  the  amount  of  the  obligation  can  be  esti-
mated  with  sufficient  reliability.  The  fact  that  an  action  has  been 
launched or a claim asserted against the Group, or that a legal dis-
pute  has  been  disclosed  in  the  Notes,  does  not  necessarily  mean 
that a provision is recognised for the associated risk.

All  assumptions  and  estimates  are  based  on  the  circum-
stances  prevailing  and  assessments  made  at  the  balance  sheet 
date. For the purpose of estimating the future development of the 
business, a realistic assessment was also made at that date of the 
economic environ ment likely to apply in the future to the different 
sectors and regions in which the Group operates. In the event of 
developments  in  this  general  environment  that  diverge  from  the 
assumptions  made,  the  actual  amounts  may  differ  from  the  esti-
mated amounts. In such cases, the assumptions made and, where 
necessary,  the  carrying  amounts  of  the  relevant  assets  and  liabil-
ities are adjusted accordingly.

At the date of preparation of the consolidated financial state-
ments,  there  is  no  indication  that  any  significant  change  in  the 
assumptions and estimates made will be required, so that on the 
basis of the information currently available it is not expected that 
there will be any significant adjustments in financial year 2014 to 
the carrying amounts of the assets and liabilities recognised in the 
financial statements.

9 

Consolidation methods

The consolidated financial statements are based on the IFRS 
financial statements of Deutsche Post AG and the subsidiaries, joint 
ventures  and  associates  included  in  the  consolidated  financial 
statements and prepared in accordance with uniform accounting 
 policies as at 31 December 2013.

Acquisition  accounting  for  subsidiaries  included  in  the 
consolidated  financial  statements  uses  the  purchase  method  of 
 accounting. The cost of the acquisition corresponds to the fair value 
of the assets given up, the equity instruments issued and the liabil-
ities assumed at the transaction date. Acquisition- related costs are 
recognised as expenses. Contingent consideration is  recognised at 
fair value at the date of initial consolidation.

Joint  ventures  are  proportionately  consolidated  in  accord-
ance  with  IAS 31.  Assets  and  liabilities,  as  well  as  income  and 
 expenses, of jointly controlled companies are included in the con-
solidated  financial statements in proportion to the interest held in 
these companies. Proportionate acquisition accounting as well as 
recognition and measurement of goodwill use the same methods 
as applied to the consolidation of subsidiaries. 

Companies  on  which  the  parent  can  exercise  significant 
 influence  (associates)  are  accounted  for  in  accordance  with  the 
 equity  method  using  the  purchase  method  of  accounting.  Any 
goodwill is included in the carrying amounts of the investments.

In  the  case  of  step  acquisitions,  the  equity  portion  previ-
ously  held  is  remeasured  at  the  fair  value  applicable  on  the  date 
of   acquisition  and  the  resulting  gain  or  loss  recognised  in  profit 
or loss.

Intra-group revenue, other operating income, and expenses 
as well as receivables, liabilities and provisions between companies 
that  are  consolidated  fully  or  on  a  proportionate  basis  are  elimi-
nated. Intercompany profits or losses from intra-group deliveries 
and services not realised by sale to third parties are eliminated. Un-
realised gains and losses from business transactions with associates 
are eliminated on a pro rata basis.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

157

 
Notes
Segment reporting

Consolidated Financial Statements

SEGMENT REPORTING

10  Segment reporting

Segments by division

€ m

1 Jan. to 31 Dec.

2012 1

MAIL

2013

 GLOBAL  FOR WARDING, 
FREIGHT

EXPRESS

SUPPLY CHAIN

 Corporate Center /
Other

Consolidation 

Group

2012 1

2013

2012 1

2013

2012 1

2013

2012 1

External revenue

13,874

14,344

12,378

12,332

14,980

14,151

14,229

14,187

Internal revenue

98

108

400

380

686

687

111

90

Total revenue

13,972

14,452

12,778

12,712

15,666

14,838

14,340

14,277

51

1,152

1,203

2013

71

1,180

1,251

2012 1

2013

2012 1

2013

0

0

55,512

55,085 

–2,447

–2,445

0

0 

–2,447

–2,445

55,512

55,085 

Profit / loss from 
operating activities 
(EBIT)

Net income from 
associates

1,048

1,226

1,110

1,133

514

483

419

441

– 423

– 421

0

0

0

0

2

2

0

0

0

0

–3

0

–1

2,665

2,861 

0

2

2 

Segment assets

4,433

4,670

8,684

8,721

7,951

7,659

6,264

5,974

1,322

1,491

–215

–105

28,439

28,410 

Investments 
in  associates

Segment liabilities 2

Capex

Depreciation 
and amortisation

Impairment losses

Total depreciation, 
amortisation and 
impairment losses

Other non-cash 
expenses

0

2,505

332

0

2,492

434

28

2,547

597

28

2,915

508

18

2,950

150

20

2,929

129

0

2,825

300

0

2,908

277

333

1

334

306

346

12

358

273

382

18

400

277

386

22

408

256

111

0

111

77

92

0

92

87

286

2

288

126

270

0

270

107

0

797

318

199

7

206

57

0

845

407

209

4

213

115

Employees 3

146,923

149,692

84,623

84,986

43,590

44,174

140,193

143,761

12,958

12,907

0

0

46

48 

–120

–112

11,504

11,977 

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1,697

1,755 

1,311

1,303 

28

38 

1,339

1,341 

844

838

428,287

435,520

Information about geographical areas

€ m

1 Jan. to 31 Dec.

External revenue

Non-current assets

Capex

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 
2  Including non-interest-bearing provisions.
3  Average FTE s.

 Note 4.

Germany

Europe  
(excluding Germany)

Americas

Asia Pacific

Other regions

2012

2013

2012

2013

16,825

17,074

17,840

17,628

4,759

979

5,125

1,128

7,228

259

7,015

227

2012

9,819

3,408

259

2013

9,563

3,244

180

2012

8,619

3,227

160

2013

8,526

3,025

165

2012

2,409

332

40

2013

2,294

332

55

2012

55,512

18,954

1,697

Group

2013

55,085 

18,741 

1,755 

The expenses for IT services provided in the IT service centres 
are allocated to the divisions by their origin. The additional costs 
resulting from Deutsche Post AG’s universal postal service obliga-
tion (nationwide retail outlet network, delivery every working day), 
and from its obligation to assume the compensation structure as 
the  legal  successor  to  Deutsche  Bundespost,  are  allocated  to  the 
MAIL division.

10.1  Segment reporting disclosures

Deutsche  Post  DHL  reports  four  operating  segments;  these 
are  managed  independently  by  the  responsible  segment  manage-
ment  bodies  in  line  with  the  products  and  services  offered  and 
the brands, distribution channels and customer profiles involved. 
Components of the entity are defined as a segment on the basis of 
the existence of segment managers with bottom-line responsibility 
who report directly to Deutsche Post DHL’s top management. 

External  revenue  is  the  revenue  generated  by  the  divisions 
from  non-Group  third  parties.  Internal  revenue  is  revenue  gener-
ated with other divisions. If comparable external market prices exist 
for services or products offered internally within the Group, these 
market prices or market-oriented prices are used as transfer prices 
(arm’s length principle). The transfer prices for services for which 
no external market exists are generally based on incremental costs.

158

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

  
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Segment reporting

As  part  of  the  central  management  of  currency  risk,  fluc-
tuations  between  projected  and  actual  exchange  rates  are  fully  or 
partially absorbed centrally by Corporate Treasury on the basis of 
division- specific agreements. 

In  keeping  with  internal 

 reporting,  capital  expenditure 
(capex) is disclosed. Additions to intangible assets net of goodwill 
and  to  property,  plant  and  equipment  are   reported  in  the  capex 
figure. Depreciation, amortisation and impair ment losses relate to 
the segment assets allocated to the individual divisions. Other non-
cash expenses relate primarily to  expenses from the recognition of 
provisions.

suppLY CHaIn

The  division  specialises  in  contract  logistics  and  provides 
warehousing and transport services as well as value-added services 
along the entire supply chain in the different sectors. The division 
also  offers  end-to-end  solutions  for  corporate  information  and 
communications  management.  The  division’s  business  units  are 
Supply Chain and Williams Lea.

In addition to the reportable segments given above, segment 

reporting comprises the following categories:

The profitability of the Group’s operating areas is measured as 

Corporate Center / Other

Corporate Center / Other comprises Global Business Services 
(GBS),  the  Corporate  Center,  non-operating  activities  and  other 
business activities. The profit / loss generated by GBS is allocated to 
the operating segments, whilst its assets and liabilities remain with 
GBS (asymmetrical allocation).

Consolidation

The data for the divisions are presented following consolida-
tion of interdivisional transactions. The transactions between the 
divisions are eliminated in the Consolidation column.

10.3 

Information about geographical areas

The main geographical areas in which the Group is active are 
Germany,  Europe,  the  Americas,  Asia  Pacific  and  Other  regions. 
External  revenue,  non-current  assets  and  capex  are  disclosed  for 
these regions. Revenue, assets and capex are allocated to the indi-
vidual regions on the basis of the domicile of the reporting entity. 
Non-current assets primarily comprise intangible assets, property, 
plant and equipment and other non-current assets.

profit from operating activities (EBIT). 

Reflecting the Group’s predominant organisational structure, 
the primary reporting format is based on the divisions. The Group 
distinguishes between the following divisions:

10.2  Segments by division

MaIL

In addition to the transport and delivery of written commu-
nications, the MAIL division is positioned as an end-to-end service 
provider  for  the  management  of  written  communications.  The 
 division comprises the following business units: Mail Communica-
tion, Dialogue Marketing, Press Services, Parcel Germany, Global 
Mail, Retail Outlets and the Pension Service. 

eXpress

The  EXPRESS  division  offers  international  and  domestic 
 courier and express services to business and private customers. The 
division comprises the Express Europe, Express Americas, Express 
Asia  Pacific  and  Express  MEA  (Middle  East  and  Africa)  business 
units. 

GLoBaL ForWarDInG, FreIGHt

The activities of the GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT division 
comprise the transportation of goods by rail, road, air and sea. The 
division’s business units are Global Forwarding and Freight. 

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

159

 
Notes
Segment reporting

Consolidated Financial Statements

10.4  Reconciliation of segment amounts

Reconciliation of segment amounts to consolidated amounts

Reconciliation

€ m

External revenue

Internal revenue

Total revenue

Other operating income

Materials expense

Staff costs

Other operating expenses

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 
losses

Profit / loss from operating activities (eBIt)

Net income from associates

Net other finance costs

Profit before income taxes

Income taxes

Consolidated net profit for the period

of which attributable to

Deutsche Post AG shareholders

Non-controlling interests

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

Total for reportable segments

Corporate Center / Other

Reconciliation to Group / 
Consolidation

Consolidated amount

2012 1

55,461

1,295

56,756

1,966

–33,161

–16,845

– 4,492

–1,133

3,091

2

–

–

–

–

–

–

2013

55,014

1,265

56,279

1,822

–32,492

–16,812

– 4,386

–1,128

3,283

2

–

–

–

–

–

–

2012 1

51

1,152

1,203

1,420

–1,294

– 944

– 602

–206

– 423

0

–

–

–

–

–

–

2013

71

1,180

1,251

1,358

–1,308

– 983

– 526

–213

– 421

0

–

–

–

–

–

–

2012 1

0

–2,447

–2,447

–1,218

2,592

19

1,051

0

–3

0

–

–

–

–

–

–

2013

0

–2,445

–2,445

–1,219

2,588

10

1,065

0

–1

0

–

–

–

–

–

–

2012 1

55,512

0

55,512

2,168

–31,863

–17,770

– 4,043

–1,339

2,665

2

– 458

2,209

– 447

1,762

1,640

122

2013

55,085

0

55,085

1,961

–31,212

–17,785

–3,847

–1,341

2,861

2

–291

2,572

–361

2,211

2,091

120

the 

The 

table 

shows 

following 

reconciliation  of 
Deutsche Post DHL’s total assets to the segment assets. Financial 
assets,  income  tax  assets,  deferred  taxes,  cash  and  cash  equiva-
lents  as  well  as  additional  interest-bearing  asset  components  are 
deducted.

The 

table 

following 

reconciliation  of 
Deutsche Post DHL’s total liabilities to the segment liabilities. The 
interest-bearing  components  of  the  provisions  and  liabilities  as 
well as income tax liabilities and deferred taxes are deducted.

shows 

the 

Reconciliation of segment assets

€ m

Total assets

Investment property

Non-current financial assets including investments 
in associates

Other non-current assets

Deferred tax assets

Income tax assets

Receivables and other current assets

Current financial assets

Cash and cash equivalents

Segment assets

of which Corporate Center / Other

Total for reportable segments

Consolidation

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

2012 1

33,857

– 43

–1,085

–200

–1,328

–127

–10

–225

–2,400

28,439

1,322

27,332

–215

2013

35,478 

–33 

–1,172 

–125 

–1,327 

–168 

–7 

– 819 

–3,417 

28,410

1,491

27,024

–105

Reconciliation of segment liabilities

€ m

Total equity and liabilities

Equity

Consolidated liabilities

Non-current provisions

Non-current liabilities

Current provisions

Current liabilities

Segment liabilities

of which Corporate Center / Other

Total for reportable segments

Consolidation

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

2012 1

33,857

– 9,228

24,629

–7,315

– 4,689

–182

– 939

11,504

797

10,827

–120

2013

35,478

–10,048

25,430

– 6,715

– 4,839

–143

–1,756

11,977

845

11,244

–112

160

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Income statement disclosures

INCOME STATEMENT DISCLOSURES

11  Revenue

€ m

Revenue

The decline in other operating income is largely attributable 
to the lower income from the reversal of provisions. In the previous 
year, the income from the reversal of provisions primarily  reflected 
changes  in  the  assessment  of  settlement  payment  obligations 
 assumed in the context of the restructuring measures in the USA.

2012

55,512

2013

55,085

€31 million of the gains on disposal of non-current assets is 
attributable to the deconsolidation gains on the sale of subsidiaries; 

Revenue  declined  by  €427 million  (0.8 %)  year-on-year  to 

€55,085 million. The decrease was due to the following factors:

Factors affecting revenue decrease

€ m

Organic growth

Portfolio changes 1

Currency translation effects

Other factors 2

Total

2013

1,548

–287

–1,738

50

– 427

1  Disclosures 
2  See 

 Note 2.

 Note 45.1 for changes in the provision for postage stamps.

 Note 2.

The  higher  income  from  the  remeasurement  of  liabilities 
in the previous year related largely to the reversal of accruals no 
longer required. 

Subsidies relate to grants for the purchase or production of 
assets. The grants are reported as deferred income and recognised 
in the income statement over the useful lives of the assets.

Miscellaneous other operating income includes a large num-

ber of smaller individual items.

13  Materials expense

€ m

Cost of raw materials, consumables and supplies, 
and of goods purchased and held for resale

2012

2013

As in the prior-year period, there was no revenue in financial 

Goods purchased and held for resale

year 2013 that was generated on the basis of barter transactions.

The  further  classification  of  revenue  by  division  and  the 
 allocation  of  revenue  to  geographical  areas  are  presented  in  the 
segment reporting.

12  Other operating income

€ m

Income from the reversal of provisions

Insurance income 

Income from currency translation differences

Rental and lease income

Income from fees and reimbursements

Gains on disposal of non-current assets 

Commission income 

Income from the remeasurement of liabilities 

Income from work performed and capitalised

Income from the remeasurement of assets  
and receivables

Income from prior-period billings

Income from derivatives 

Income from the derecognition of liabilities 

Income from loss compensation 

Recoveries on receivables previously written off 

Subsidies

Income from trade-related insurance deductions 

Miscellaneous

Other operating income

2012

2013

396

172

178

144

145

127

119

193

105

92

44

11

20

24

13

9

6

206

191

155

136

133

112

105

101

88

85

71

66

31

25

17

8

6

370

2,168

425

1,961

Aircraft fuel

Fuel

Packaging material

Spare parts and repair materials

Office supplies

Other expenses 

Cost of purchased services

Transportation costs

Cost of temporary staff

Expenses from non-cancellable leases

Maintenance costs

IT services

Expenses from cancellable leases

Commissions paid

Expenses for the use of Postbank branches

Other lease expenses (incidental expenses)

Other purchased services

Materials expense

1,779

1,364

871

351

80

60

123

4,628

18,835

2,015

1,730

965

611

545

456

430

254

1,394

27,235

31,863

1,829

1,312

848

364

88

65

121

4,627

18,268

2,005

1,696

969

603

551

467

409

261

1,356

26,585

31,212

The decline in the materials expense is mainly due to lower 

transportation costs as a result of exchange rate effects.

Other expenses include a large number of individual items.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

161

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Notes
Income statement disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

14  Staff costs / employees

15  Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses

€ m

€ m

Wages, salaries and compensation 1

of which expenses under Share Matching Scheme

of which expenses from 2006 SAR Plan / LTIP

Social security contributions 

Retirement benefit expenses 1

Expenses for other employee benefits

Expenses for severance payments

Staff costs

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

2012

14,209

91

143

2,094

954

336

177

2013

14,307

82

202

2,111

883

357

127

17,770

17,785

The increase in wage, salary and compensation payments due 
to the higher headcount and staff costs was cushioned by exchange 
rate effects. 

€62 million  of  the  expenses  under  the  Share  Matching 
Scheme (previous year: €72 million) is attributable to cash-settled 
share-based payments. This amount corresponds to the obligation 
at  the  balance  sheet  date.  In  addition,  expenses  of  €20 million 
(previous year: €19 million) were incurred for equity-settled share-
based payments. 

Staff costs relate mainly to wages, salaries and compensation, 
as well as all other benefits paid to employees of the Group for their 
services  in  the  year  under  review.  Social  security  contributions 
 relate in particular to statutory social security contributions paid 
by employers. 

Retirement benefit expenses include the service cost related 
to the defined benefit retirement plans. Detailed information can 
 Note 44. These expenses also include contributions 
be found in 
to  defined  contribution  retirement  plans  for  civil  servants  in 
 Germany in the amount of €538 million (previous year: €542 mil-
lion),  as  well  as  for  the  Group’s  hourly  workers  and  salaried 
 employees – particularly in the UK, the USA and the Netherlands – 
in the amount of €286 million (previous year: €238 million).

The average number of Group employees in the year under 

review, broken down by employee group, was as follows:

Employees (annual average)

headcount

Hourly workers and salaried employees 

Civil servants

Trainees 

Employees

2012

424,950

42,461

4,910

472,321

2013

433,956

40,321

4,935

479,212

The employees of companies acquired or disposed of during 
the  year  under  review  were  included  rateably.  Calculated  as  full-
time equivalents, the number of employees as at 31 December 2013 
amounted to 435,285 (31 December 2012: 428,129). The number of 
employees at consolidated joint ventures amounted to 163 on a pro-
portionate basis (previous year: 169).

Amortisation of and impairment losses on intangible 
assets, excluding impairment of goodwill

Depreciation of and impairment losses on property, 
plant and equipment

Land and buildings (including leasehold 
 improvements)

Technical equipment and machinery

Other equipment, operating and office 
 equipment, vehicle fleet

Aircraft

Impairment losses on investment property

Impairment of goodwill

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses

2012

295

180

242

420

202

1,044

0

1,339

0

1,339

2013

290

174

252

409

215

1,050

1 

1,341

0

1,341

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses increased 
by €2 million year-on-year to €1,341 million. This figure includes 
impairment losses of €38 million (previous year: €28 million). The 
impairment losses are attributable to the segments as follows:

Impairment losses on non-current assets

€ m

MaIL

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

eXpress

Property, plant and equipment

of which technical equipment and machinery

of which aircraft

suppLY CHaIn

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

of which technical equipment and machinery

Corporate Center / Other

Intangible assets

Property, plant and equipment

of which land and buildings

Investment property

Impairment losses

2012

2013

1

0

1

18

18

0

18

2

1

1

1

7

0

7

7

0

12

12

0

22

22

3

19

0

0

0

0

4

3

0

0

1

28

38

Most of the impairment losses are attributable to aircraft that 

are no longer used, as in the previous year. 

162

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Income statement disclosures

17  Net income from associates

2012

2013

€ m

Net income from associates

2012

2

2013

2

16  Other operating expenses

€ m

Expenses for advertising and public relations 

Cost of purchased cleaning and security services 

Travel and training costs

Other business taxes 

Insurance costs

Warranty expenses and compensation payments

Write-downs of current assets

Telecommunication costs 

Office supplies 

Consulting costs 

Expenses from currency translation differences 

Entertainment and corporate hospitality expenses

Services provided by the Federal Posts and 
 Telecommunications Agency

Losses on disposal of assets

Voluntary social benefits 

Contributions and fees 

Commissions paid 

Legal advisory costs 

Monetary transaction costs

Audit costs 

Expenses from prior-period billings 

Expenses from derivatives 

Donations

Miscellaneous

Other operating expenses

341

315

344

550

240

237

198

227

172

206

181

144

87

59

78

69

68

66

38

32

28

56

19

341

321

315

301

271

259

226

220

180

177

156

147

93

87

80

75

70

61

40

33

29

20

20

The decline in other operating expenses is mainly due to the 
lower business taxes. The prior-year figure included the additional 
VAT payment imposed by the tax authorities for the period from 
1998 to 30 June 2010.

€23 million of the losses on disposal of assets is attributable 
to the deconsolidation loss from the sale of DHL Fashion (France) 
SAS’s fashion logistics business; 

 Note 2.
Miscellaneous other operating expenses include a large num-

ber of smaller individual items.

Taxes  other  than  income  taxes  are  either  recognised  under 
the  related  expense  item  or,  if  no  specific  allocation  is  possible, 
 under other operating expenses.

288

4,043

325

3,847

of which unwinding of discounts for net 
 provisions for pensions and other provisions 1

Investments  in  companies  on  which  a  significant  influence 
can  be  exercised  and  which  are  accounted  for  using  the  equity 
method contributed €2 million (previous year: €2 million) to net 
finance  costs.  As  in  the  previous  year,  this  contribution  mainly 
 relates to Danzas AEI Emirates LLC, United Arab Emirates.

18  Net other finance costs

€ m

Other financial income

Interest income

Income from other equity investments and financial 
assets

Gains on the disposal of associates

Other financial income

Other finance costs

Interest expenses 1

Write-downs of financial assets

Other finance costs

Foreign currency result

Net other finance costs

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

2012

2013

48

6

541

62

657

– 671

–381

–35

–372

–1,078

–37

– 458

92 

14

0

76

182

–365

–187

–26

– 40 

– 431

– 42

–291

Net other finance costs improved by €167 million to €291 mil-
lion. The change in financial income is due to the disposal gain of 
€541 million on the sale of Deutsche Postbank AG included in the 
prior-year figure. The interest income from the reversal of a provi-
sion for interest on tax liabilities made a positive contribution in 
the financial year.

Finance costs were lower. In the previous year, this figure had 
included the interest expense on the additional VAT payment. In fi-
nancial year 2013, the lower interest expense on pensions and other 
provisions resulting from the decline in interest rates in particular 
improved net finance costs. 

Net  finance  costs  includes  interest  income  of  €92 million 
(previous year: €48 million) as well as interest expense of €365 mil-
lion  (previous  year,  adjusted:  €671 million).  These  result  from 
 financial assets and liabilities that were not measured at fair value 
through profit or loss.

Further  information  on  the  unwinding  of  discounted  net 

pension provisions can be found in 

 Note 44.5.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

163

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

The effects from deferred tax assets of German Group com-
panies  not  recognised  for  tax  loss  carryforwards  and  temporary 
differences relate primarily to Deutsche Post AG and members of 
its consolidated tax group. Effects from deferred tax assets of for-
eign companies not recognised for tax loss carryforwards and tem-
porary differences relate primarily to the Americas region. 

€106 million (previous year: €85 million) of the effects from 
deferred tax assets not recognised for tax loss carryforwards and 
temporary  differences  relates  to  the  reduction  of  the  effective  in-
come tax expense due to the utilisation of tax loss carryforwards 
and temporary differences, for which deferred tax assets had previ-
ously not been recognised. In addition, the recognition of deferred 
taxes previously not recognised for tax loss carryforwards and of 
deductible temporary differences from a prior period reduced the 
deferred  tax  expense  by  €208 million  (previous  year:  €207 mil-
lion). Effects from unrecognised deferred tax assets amounting to 
€10 million (previous year: €79 million, write-down) were due to 
a  valuation  allowance  recognised  for  a  deferred  tax  asset.  Other 
effects  from  unrecognised  deferred  tax  assets  primarily  relate  to 
tax loss carryforwards for which no deferred taxes were recognised.
A  deferred  tax  asset  in  the  amount  of  €7 million  (previous 
year:  €979 million)  was  recognised  in  the  balance  sheet  for  com-
panies that reported a loss in the previous year or in the current 
period  as,  based  on  tax  planning,  realisation  of  the  tax  asset  is 
probable.

In financial year 2013, as in the previous year, German Group 
companies  were  not  affected  by  tax  rate  changes.  The  change  in 
the tax rate in some foreign tax jurisdictions did not lead to any 
significant effects.

The  effective  income  tax  expense  includes  prior-period  tax 
expenses from German and foreign companies in the amount of 
€113 million (tax income) (previous year: expense of €70 million). 
The  following  table  presents  the  tax  effects  on  the  compo-

nents of other comprehensive income:

Notes
Income statement disclosures

Income taxes

19 

€ m

Current income tax expense

Current recoverable income tax

Deferred tax expense from temporary differences 1

Deferred tax income from tax loss carryforwards

Income taxes

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

2012

– 591

4

– 587

– 47

187

140

– 447

2013

– 604

198

– 406

– 87

132

45

–361

The  reconciliation  to  the  effective  income  tax  expense  is 
shown below, based on consolidated net profit before income taxes 
and the expected income tax expense:

Reconciliation

€ m

Profit before income taxes 1

Expected income taxes

Deferred tax assets not recognised for initial 
differences 

Deferred tax assets of German Group companies 
not recognised for tax loss carryforwards and 
temporary differences

Deferred tax assets of foreign Group companies 
not recognised for tax loss carryforwards and 
temporary differences

Effect of current taxes from previous years

Tax-exempt income and non-deductible expenses

Differences in tax rates at foreign companies 

Income taxes

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

2012

2,209

– 658

6

2013

2,572

–766

20

105

242

141

–70

– 42

71

– 447

51

113

– 87

66

–361

The  difference  from  deferred  tax  assets  not  recognised  for 
initial  differences  is  due  to  temporary  differences  between  the 
carrying amounts in the IFRS financial statements and in the tax 
accounts  of  Deutsche  Post  AG  that  result  from  initial  differences 
in  the  opening  tax  accounts  as  at  1 January 1995.  In  accordance 
with  IAS 12.15 (b)  and  IAS 12.24 (b),  the  Group  did  not  recognise 
any  deferred  tax  assets  in  respect  of  these  temporary  differences, 
which related mainly to property, plant and equipment as well as 
to provisions for pensions and similar obligations. The remaining 
temporary differences between the carrying amounts in the IFRS 
financial statements and in the opening tax accounts amounted to 
€366 million as at 31 December 2013 (previous year: €434 million). 

164

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Income statement disclosures

Other comprehensive income

€ m

2013

Before taxes

Income taxes

After taxes

Change due to remeasurements 
of net pension provisions

IFRS 3 revaluation reserve

IAS 39 revaluation reserve

IAS 39 hedging reserve

Currency translation reserve

Other changes in retained earnings

Share of other comprehensive 
income of associates

– 50

–1

77

62

– 462

1

0

Other comprehensive income

–373

2012

Change due to remeasurements 
of net pension provisions 1

IFRS 3 revaluation reserve

IAS 39 revaluation reserve

IAS 39 hedging reserve

Currency translation reserve

Other changes in retained earnings 1

Share of other comprehensive 
income of associates

Other comprehensive income 1

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

–1,198

–2

–12

36

3

2

–37

–1,208

36

0

– 8

–18

0

0

0

10

8

0

2

– 9

0

0

0

1

–14

–1

69

44

– 462

1

0

–363

–1,190

–2

–10

27

3

2

–37

–1,207

20  Consolidated net profit for the period

In  financial  year  2013,  the  Group  generated  a  consolidated 
net profit for the period of €2,211 million (previous year, adjusted: 
€1,762 million).  Of  this  figure,  €2,091 million  (previous  year, 
 adjusted:  €1,640 million)  was  attributable  to  Deutsche  Post  AG 
shareholders.

21  Non-controlling interests

The  net  profit  attributable  to  non-controlling  interests 

 decreased by €2 million to €120 million.

22  Earnings per share

Basic  earnings  per  share  are  computed  in  accordance  with 
IAS 33 (Earnings per Share) by dividing consolidated net profit by 
the average number of shares. Basic earnings per share for financial 
year 2013 were €1.73 (previous year, adjusted: €1.36).

Basic earnings per share

2012 
adjusted

2013 

Consolidated net profit for the  
period attributable to Deutsche  
Post AG shareholders 1

Weighted average number of shares 
outstanding

€ m

1,640

2,091

number 1,208,890,874 1,208,910,457

Basic earnings per share 1

€

1.36

1.73

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

To  compute  diluted  earnings  per  share,  the  average  num-
ber of shares outstanding is adjusted for the number of all poten-
tially  dilutive  shares.  This  item  includes  the  executives’  rights  to 
shares under the Share Matching Scheme (as at 31 December 2013: 
5,992,349  shares)  and  the  maximum  number  of  ordinary  shares 
that can be issued on exercise of the conversion rights under the 
convertible  bond  issued  on  6 December 2012.  Consolidated  net 
profit for the period attributable to Deutsche Post AG shareholders 
was increased by the amounts spent for the convertible bonds. 

Diluted earnings per share

Consolidated net profit for the 
period attributable to Deutsche  
Post AG shareholders 1

Plus interest expense on the 
 convertible bond

Less income taxes

Adjusted consolidated net profit for 
the period attributable to Deutsche 
Post AG shareholders

Weighted average number  
of shares outstanding

2012

2013

1,640

2,091

0 2

0 2

6

1

1,640

2,096

€ m

€ m

€ m

€ m

number

1,208,890,874

1,208,910,457

Potentially dilutive shares

number

51,569,759

52,944,097

Weighted average number  
of shares for diluted earnings

Diluted earnings per share 1

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 
2  Rounded below €1 million.

 Note 4.

number

1,260,460,633

1,261,854,554

€

1.30

1.66

23  Dividend per share

A  dividend  per  share  of  €0.80  is  being  proposed  for  finan-
cial year 2013. Based on the 1,209,015,874 shares recorded in the 
commercial  register  as  at  31 December 2013,  this  corresponds  to 
a   dividend  distribution  of  €967 million.  In  the  previous  year  the 
 dividend  amounted  to  €0.70  per  share.  Further  details  on  the 
 dividend distribution can be found in 

 Notes 42 and 59.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

165

 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

BALANCE SHEET DISCLOSURES

24 

Intangible assets

24.1  Overview

€ m

Cost

Balance at 1 January 2012

Additions from business combinations

Additions

Reclassifications

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2012 / 1 January 2013

Additions from business combinations

Additions

Reclassifications

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2013

Amortisation and impairment losses

Balance at 1 January 2012

Additions from business combinations

Amortisation

Impairment losses

Reclassifications

Reversals of impairment losses

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2012 / 1 January 2013

Additions from business combinations

Amortisation

Impairment losses

Reclassifications

Reversals of impairment losses

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2013

Carrying amount at 31 December 2013

Carrying amount at 31 December 2012

Internally 
generated 
intangible 
assets

Purchased 
brand names

Purchased 
customer lists

Other 
purchased 
intangible 
assets

Advance 
payments and 
intangible 
assets under 
development

Goodwill

1,049

481

942

1,423

12,108

0

65

27

– 57

–1

1,083

1

39

23

–30

–3

1,113

770

0

97

0

5

0

– 51

0

821

1

99

0

2

0

–28

–2

893

220

262

0

0

10

0

11

502

0

0

0

0

–12

490

446

0

0

0

0

0

0

11

457

0

0

0

0

0

0

–10

447

43

45

0

4

0

0

–2

944

0

0

0

0

–36

908

487

0

78

0

0

0

0

– 5

560

0

58

0

0

0

0

–26

592

316

384

0

134

33

– 92

2

33

0

0

–29

– 53

1,500

12,059

4

79

22

– 90

–35

1,480

31

0

0

–22

–294

11,774

1,057

1,135

0

119

1

– 5

0

–79

2

0

0

0

0

0

–3

5

1,095

1,137

2

118

15

–1

0

– 81

–26

1,122

358

405

0

0

0

0

0

– 5

–35

1,097

10,677

10,922

89

0

101

– 49

–7

0

134

0

126

–36

–1

0

223

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

222

133

Total

16,092

33

304

21

–185

– 43

16,222

36

244

9

–143

–380

15,988

3,896

0

294

1

0

0

–133

13

4,071

3

275

15

1

0

–114

– 99

4,152

11,836

12,151

Purchased  software,  concessions,  industrial  rights,  licences 
and similar rights and assets are reported under purchased intan-
gible assets. Internally generated intangible assets relate to develop-
ment costs for internally developed software. Other than goodwill, 
only brand names that are acquired in their entirety are considered 
to have indefinite useful lives.

The  additions  to  goodwill  are  attributable  to  optivo  GmbH 
(€17 million),  Compador  Technologies  (€4 million),  RISER  ID 
(€5 million) and All you need (€5 million).

Of the net disposals of goodwill, €4 million relates to  Cargus 
International,  €7 million  to  ITG  Group  and  €6 million  to  Exel 
 Direct; 

 Note 2.

166

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

24.2  Allocation of goodwill to CGu s

€ m

Total goodwill 

MaIL

eXpress

GLoBaL ForWarDInG, FreIGHt

DHL Global Forwarding

DHL Freight

suppLY CHaIn

DHL Supply Chain

Williams Lea

2012

2013

10,922

10,677

646

4,092

3,802

320

1,640

422

667

4,069

3,653

316

1,561

411

For the purposes of annual impairment testing in accordance 
with  IAS 36,  the  Group  determines  the  recoverable  amount  of  a 
CGU on the basis of its value in use. This calculation is based on 
projections of free cash flows that are initially discounted at a rate 
corresponding to the post-tax cost of capital. Pre-tax discount rates 
are then determined iteratively.

The cash flow projections are based on the detailed planning 
for  EBIT,  depreciation / amortisation  and  investment  planning 
adopted by management, as well as changes in net working capital, 
and take both internal historical data and external macroeconomic 
data into account. From a methodological perspective, the detailed 
planning phase covers a three-year planning horizon from 2014 to 
2016. It is supplemented by a perpetual annuity representing the 
value  added  from  2017  onwards.  This  is  calculated  using  a  long-
term  growth  rate,  which  is  determined  for  each  CGU  separately 
and which is shown in the table below. The growth rates applied 
are based on long-term real growth figures for the relevant econ-
omies, growth expectations for the relevant sectors and long-term 
inflation forecasts for the countries in which the CGU s operate. The 
cash flow forecasts are based both on past experience and on the 
effects of the anticipated future general market trend. In addition, 
the forecasts take into account growth in the respective geograph-
ical submarkets and in global trade, and the ongoing trend towards 
outsourcing logistics activities. Cost trend forecasts for the trans-
portation network and services also have an impact on value in use.
The pre-tax cost of capital is based on the weighted average 
cost of capital. The (pre-tax) discount rates for the individual CGU s 
and the growth rates assumed in each case for the perpetual annu-
ity are shown in the following table:

%

suppLY CHaIn

DHL Supply Chain

Williams Lea

GLoBaL ForWarDInG, FreIGHt

DHL Freight

DHL Global Forwarding

MaIL

eXpress

Discount rates

Growth rates

2012

2013

2012

2013

9.2

7.8

9.4

9.1

8.0

9.2

9.3

9.1

9.4

9.2

8.8

9.5

2.5

2.0

2.0

2.5

0.5

2.0

2.5

2.0

2.0

2.5

0.5

2.0

On the basis of these assumptions and the impairment tests 
carried  out  for  the  individual  CGU s  to  which  goodwill  was  allo-
cated, it was established that the recoverable amounts for all CGU s 
exceed their carrying amounts. No impairment losses were recog-
nised on goodwill in any of the CGU s as at 31 December 2013.

When performing the impairment test, Deutsche Post DHL 
conducted  sensitivity  analyses  as  required  by  IAS 36.134.  These 
analyses did not reveal any risk of impairment to goodwill.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

167

 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

25  Property, plant and equipment

25.1  Overview

€ m

Cost

Balance at 1 January 2012

Additions from business combinations

Additions

Reclassifications

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2012 / 1 January 2013

Additions from business combinations

Additions

Reclassifications

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2013

Depreciation and impairment losses

Balance at 1 January 2012

Additions from business combinations

Depreciation

Impairment losses

Reclassifications

Reversals of impairment losses

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2012 / 1 January 2013

Additions from business combinations

Depreciation

Impairment losses

Reclassifications

Reversals of impairment losses

Disposals

Currency translation differences

Balance at 31 December 2013

Carrying amount at 31 December 2013

Carrying amount at 31 December 2012

Land  
and buildings

Technical 
equipment 
and machinery

Other 
 equipment, 
operating 
and office 
equipment

Vehicle fleet 
and transport 
equipment

Advance 
payments and 
assets under 
development

Aircraft

4,489

4,291

2,479

1,707

2,040

2

88

88

–124

–3

4,540

1

214

74

–155

– 97

4,577

2,043

1

172

8

9

0

– 51

– 6

2,176

1

174

0

0

0

– 94

– 55

2,202

2,375

2,364

2

138

201

– 616

– 6

4,010

13

151

177

–197

– 89

4,065

3,085

1

241

1

0

–1

– 592

–3

2,732

12

249

3

0

0

–151

– 52

2,793

1,272

1,278

3

160

52

–168

– 6

2,520

3

189

44

–180

– 86

2,490

1,888

2

214

0

3

0

–157

–3

1,947

1

207

0

1

0

–166

– 66

1,924

566

573

0

116

402

–162

– 6

2,057

0

34

228

–150

–16

2,153

843

0

184

18

0

– 9

–147

–2

887

0

196

19

0

–1

–125

– 8

968

1,185

1,170

0

278

33

–238

1

2,114

4

283

26

–239

–30

2,158

1,097

0

206

0

0

0

–206

1

1,098

4

202

0

0

0

–207

–17

1,080

1,078

1,016

444

0

613

–782

–13

1

263

0

640

– 550

–10

– 4

339

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1

338

262

Total

15,450

7

1,393

– 6

–1,321

–19

15,504

21

1,511

–1

– 931

–322

15,782

8,957

4

1,017

27

12

–10

–1,153

–13

8,841

18

1,028

22

1

–1

–743

–198

8,968

6,814

6,663

Advance payments relate only to advance payments on items 
of  property,  plant  and  equipment  for  which  the  Group  has  paid 
 advances  in  connection  with  uncompleted  transactions.  Assets 
 under  development  relate  to  items  of  property,  plant  and  equip-
ment in progress at the balance sheet date for whose production 
internal or third-party costs have already been incurred. 

168

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

25.2  Finance leases

The following assets are carried as non-current assets result-

ing from finance leases:

€ m

Land and buildings

Technical equipment and machinery

Other equipment, operating and office equipment

Aircraft

Vehicle fleet and transport equipment

Finance leases

2012

47

5

12

212

4

280

2013

155

3

10

160

2

330

The  increase  in  land  and  buildings  under  finance  leases  is  due 
to  newly  leased  delivery  bases  in  Germany.  Information  on  the 
corresponding  liabilities  can  be  found  under   financial  liabilities; 

 Note 46.3.

26 

Investment property

26.1  Overview

€ m

Cost

At 1 January

Additions

Reclassifications

Disposals

Currency translation differences

At 31 December

Depreciation

At 1 January

Additions

Impairment losses

Disposals

Reclassifications

At 31 December

Carrying amount at 31 December

2012

2013

61

0

– 6

–2

0

53

21

0

0

0

–11

10

43

53

2

– 8

– 4

0

43

10

1

1

–2

0

10

33

The  investment  property  largely  comprises  leased  property 
encumbered  by  heritable  building  rights,  and  developed  and  un-
developed land.

The reclassification to property, plant and equipment during 
the  year  related  to  a  property  in  Berlin  that  is  used  for  business 
purposes.

Rental income for investment property amounted to €1 mil-
lion (previous year: €3 million), whilst the related expenses were 
less  than  €1 million  (previous  year:  €3 million).  The  fair  value 
amounted to €74 million (previous year: €82 million).

26.2  Fair value measurement under IFrs 13

The  following  table  shows  the  fair  value  of  the  investment 
property measured using the valuation techniques. The term prop-
erty also covers undeveloped land.

Carrying 
amount

21

2

10

Fair value

Level 1 1

Level 2 2

Level 3 3

58

2

14

–

–

–

14

–

14

44

2

–

Investment property at 31 December 2013

€ m

Property – Germany

Property – Angola

Property – USA

1  Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
2  Level 2: quoted market prices that are observable directly (as a price) or indirectly (derived from the price).
3  Level 3: inputs that are not based on observable market data. 

Fair  value  is  determined  using  the  comparison,  investment 
and  discounted  cash  flow  (DCF)  methods.  The  main  inputs  are 
shown in the table below. Valuations are based on external and / or 
internal expert  opinions as well  as offered  quotes. In some cases, 
inputs are based on criteria such as the size, age and condition of 
the land and buildings, the local economy and comparable prices, 
and are adjusted accordingly.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

169

 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

Information on fair value measurement: 2013

Developed land – Germany

Leased property encumbered by heritable building 
rights – Germany

Warehouse – Germany

Property – Angola

Property – USA

Fair value  
€ m

14

39

5

2

Valuation technique

Comparison method

Investment method

DCF method

Offered quotes

Inputs

Input range

Weighted average

Price per m 2

€270 – €470 / m 2

€370 / m 2

Price per m 2

Expected  
rental income

–

–

–

–

–

€650 thousand p. a.  
less expenses

–

14

Comparison method

Price per acre

US$90 thousand –  
115 thousand / acre US$105 thousand / acre

There were no transfers between levels in financial year 2013.

Aggregate balance sheets

Investments in associates

Investments in associates changed as follows:

27 

€ m

€ m

Assets

Liabilities and provisions

At 1 January

Additions

Changes in Group’s share of equity

Changes recognised in profit or loss

Profit distributions

Reclassified to current assets

Carrying amount at 31 December

2012

44

3

2

–1

–2

46

2013

46

0

2

0

0

48

28  Non-current financial assets

€ m

Available-for-sale financial assets

Loans and receivables

Assets at fair value through profit or loss

Lease receivables

Non-current financial assets

2012

469

373

2013

450

453

2012

162

737

115

25

1,039

2013

256

729

107

32

1,124

Investments  in  associates  principally  relate  to  Air  Hong 
Kong Ltd, China, Danzas AEI Emirates LLC, United Arab Emirates, 
 Tasman  Cargo  Airlines  Pty.  Limited,  Australia,  and  DHL  Oman. 
The complete list of the Group’s shareholdings in accordance with 
section  313 (2)  nos. 1  to  4  and  section  313 (3)  of  the  HGB  can  be 
accessed online at 

 www.dpdhl.com/en/investors.html.
The following tables show a summary of the aggregate  income 
statements  and  balance  sheets  of  the  associates. The  amounts  do 
not relate to the shares attributable to Deutsche Post DHL, but are 
presented based on a notional 100 % shareholding.

Aggregate results

€ m

Revenue

Net profit for the year

2012

646

3

2013

667

6

Write-downs  of  non-current  financial  assets  amounting 
to  €4 million  (previous  year:  €6 million)  were  recognised  in  the 
 income statement because the assets were impaired. All €4 million 
(previous  year:  €6 million)  is  attributable  to  assets  at  fair  value 
through profit or loss.

Compared  with  the  market  rates  of  interest  prevailing  at 
31 December 2013  for  comparable  non-current  financial   assets, 
most of the housing promotion loans are low-interest or interest- 
free loans. They are recognised in the balance sheet at a present value 
of €20 million (previous year: €26 million). The principal amount 
of these loans totals €22 million (previous year: €27 million). 
Details on restraints on disposal are contained in 

 Note 50.2.

170

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

29  Other non-current assets

€ m

Pension assets 1

Miscellaneous

Other non-current assets

1  Prior-year amount adjusted 

 Note 4.

1 Jan. 2012

162

118

280

2012

198

100

298

2013

120

64

184

Further  information  on  pension  assets  can  be  found  in 

 Note 44.

30  Deferred taxes

€ m

Deferred tax assets 1

Deferred tax liabilities 1

1  Prior-year amount adjusted 

 Note 4.

1 Jan. 2012

1,206

186

2012

1,328

156

2013

1,327

124

€ m

Intangible assets

Property, plant and 
 equipment

Non-current financial assets

Other non-current assets

Other current assets

Provisions

Financial liabilities

Other liabilities

Tax loss carryforwards

Gross amount

Netting

Carrying amount

2012

2013

Assets

Liabilities

Assets

Liabilities

37

93

18

7

38

295

124

104

861

1,577

–249

1,328

173

46

59

25

33

13

11

45

–

405

–249

156

33

110

8

42

71

358

28

150

839

1,639

–312

1,327

171

47

55

38

63

27

18

17

–

436

–312

124

€738 million  (previous  year:  €602 million)  of  the  deferred 
taxes on tax loss carryforwards relates to tax loss carryforwards in 
Germany and €101 million (previous year: €259 million) to foreign 
tax loss carryforwards. The decrease in deferred taxes recognised 
for  foreign  tax  loss  carryforwards  results  from  a  more  detailed 
analysis of the allocation of usable deferred tax assets in the USA to 
temporary differences or tax loss carryforwards.

No  deferred  tax  assets  were  recognised  for  tax  loss  carry-
forwards of around €11.2 billion (previous year: €11.9 billion) and 
for temporary differences of around €4,113 million (previous year: 
€4,184 million), as it can be assumed that the Group will probably 
not be able to use these tax loss carryforwards and temporary dif-
ferences in its tax planning. 

Most of the tax loss carryforwards are attributable to Deutsche 
Post AG. It will be possible to utilise them for an indefinite period 
of  time.  In  the  case  of  the  foreign  companies,  the  significant  tax 
loss carryforwards will not lapse before 2023. 

Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

Deferred  taxes  have  not  been  recognised  for  temporary  dif-
ferences  of  €631 million  (previous  year:  €563 million)  relating  to 
earnings of German and foreign subsidiaries because these tempo-
rary differences will probably not reverse in the foreseeable future.

Maturity structure

€ m

2013

Deferred  
tax assets

Deferred  
tax liabilities

2012

Deferred  
tax assets

Deferred  
tax liabilities

Short-term

Long-term

Netting

Total

486 

169 

492

125

1,153

–312 

1,327

267 

–312 

124

1,085

280

–249

–249

1,328 

156

31 

Inventories

Standard  costs  for  inventories  of  postage  stamps  and  spare 
parts  in  freight  centres  amounted  to  €15 million  (previous  year: 
€15 million). There was no requirement to charge significant valu-
ation allowances on these inventories.

€ m

Raw materials, consumables and supplies 

Work in progress

Finished goods and goods purchased and held 
for resale

Spare parts for aircraft 

Advance payments

Inventories

32  Current financial assets

€ m

Available-for-sale financial assets

Loans and receivables

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss

Lease receivables

Current financial assets

2012

184

60

52

25

1

322

2012

24

77

109

42

252

2013

183

126

69

21

4

403

2013

611

63

140

7

821

The increase in current financial assets is attributable to the 

investment of excess funds in money market funds.

Of  the  available-for-sale  financial  assets,  €611 million  (pre-
vious  year:  €24 million)  was  measured  at  fair  value.  Details  on 
 restraints on disposal are contained in 

 Note 50.2.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

171

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

33  Trade receivables

€ m

Trade receivables 1

Deferred revenue

Receivables from Group companies

Trade receivables

1  Prior-year amount adjusted 

 Note 4.

34  Other current assets

€ m

Prepaid expenses

Current tax receivables

Receivables from private postal 
agencies

Income from cost absorption

Creditors with debit balances

Receivables from loss compensation 
(recourse claims)

Receivables from employees 

Receivables from insurance business

Receivables from sale of assets 

Receivables from cash-on-delivery 

Receivables from Bundes-Pensions- 
Service für Post und Telekommu-
nikation e. V.

Miscellaneous other assets

Other current assets

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

1 Jan. 2012

6,426

481

27

6,934

2012

6,418

534

7

6,959

2013

6,507

528

5

7,040

1 Jan. 2012 1

2012 1

679

491

148

61

43

25

23

20

0

7

0

2013

634

490

157

71

33

25

25

20

6

5

0

672

586

8

86

38

23

25

16

29

13

11

648

2,155

Consolidated Financial Statements

Of the tax receivables, €366 million (previous year: €373 mil-
lion)  relates  to  VAT,  €83 million  (previous  year:  €68 million)  to 
customs and duties, and €41 million (previous year: €50 million) 
to other tax receivables. Miscellaneous other assets include a large 
number of individual items.

35  Income tax assets and liabilities

€ m

Income tax assets

Income tax liabilities

2012

127

534

2013

168

430

All  income  tax  assets  and  liabilities  are  current  and  have 

 maturities of less than one year.

36  Cash and cash equivalents

€ m

Cash equivalents

Bank balances / cash in transit

Cash

Other cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents

2012

884

1,430

13

73

2013

2,078

1,222

22

95

2,400

3,417

656

2,153

755

2,221

37  Assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets  

held for sale

37.1  Overview

The  amounts  reported  under  this  item  mainly  relate  to  the 

following:

€ m

Deutsche Post AG – real estate (Corporate Center / Other)

Deutsche Post DHL Corporate Real Estate Management GmbH & Co. Logistikzentren KG, Germany –  
real estate (Corporate Center / Other)

Exel Inc., USA – real estate (SUPPLY CHAIN segment)

DHL Fashion (France) SAS, France – fashion logistics (SUPPLY  CHAIN segment)

Investment in All you need GmbH, Germany – (MAIL segment)

DHL Logistics (China) Co. Ltd., China – real estate (SUPPLY CHAIN segment)

Cargus International S. R. L., Romania – domestic express business (EXPRESS segment)

Deutsche Post Immobilien GmbH, Germany – real estate (Corporate Center / Other)

US Express Aviation, USA – aircraft (EXPRESS segment)

Assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale

Assets

2013

Liabilities

2012

2013

2012

22

0

9

13

11

8

7

4

2

76

20

20

2

0

0

0

0

0

0

42

0

0

0

18

1

7

4

0

0

30

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

The sales of Cargus International, ITG Group, Exel Direct Inc. 

and DHL Fashion (France) were completed; 

 Note 2.

172

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

DeutsCHe post aG

Deutsche  Post  AG  plans  to  sell  two  properties  in  Groß-
zöberitz-Heideloh  and  Berlin.  The  most  recent  appraisal  of  the 
 assets prior to reclassification did not result in any impairment.

DeutsCHe post DHL Corporate reaL estate ManaGeMent 
GMBH & Co. LoGIstIkzentren kG

The company plans to sell a property in Hamburg. The assets 
and liabilities were reclassified as held for sale in accordance with 
IFRS 5. The most recent appraisal of the assets prior to reclassifica-
tion did not result in any impairment.

eXeL InC.

The company plans to sell two commercial buildings and an 

industrial site in Pennsylvania.

aLL You neeD GMBH

In  the  third  quarter  of  2013,  the  Board  of  Management 
 resolved not to pursue its plan to resell All you need GmbH, Berlin, 
which was acquired in financial year 2012. The company has been 
 Note 2.
fully consolidated. Detailed information can be found in 

37.2  Fair value measurement under IFrs 13

In accordance with IFRS 5, assets held for sale and liabilities 
associated  with  assets  held  for  sale  are  no  longer  depreciated  or 
amortised, but are recognised at the lower of their fair value less 
costs to sell and their carrying amount. 

The following table shows how the fair values were measured 

on a non-recurring basis using different inputs.

Assets held for sale and liabilities associated with assets held for sale  
at 31 December 2013 

€ m

Deutsche Post AG – real estate

Deutsche Post DHL Corporate Real 
Estate Management GmbH & Co. 
Logistikzentren KG, Germany –  
real estate

Exel Inc., USA – real estate

Level 1 1

Level 2 2

Level 3 3

–

–

–

–

–

2

20

20

–

1  Level 1: quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
2  Level 2: quoted market prices that are observable directly (as a price) or indirectly  

(derived from the price).

3  Level 3: inputs that are not based on observable market data.

The  fair  values  of  the  properties  held  for  sale  by  Deutsche 
Post AG and Deutsche Post DHL  Corporate  Real Estate Manage-
ment  GmbH & Co.  Logistikzentren  KG  are  determined  on  the 
 basis of level 3 inputs. These are quotes offered by potential buyers.
External expert appraisals are available to determine the fair 
value of the land and buildings held for sale in the USA. The com-
parison method is used to determine fair value. The inputs which 
are assigned to level 2 are partly based on criteria such as the size, 
age  and  condition  of  the  land  and  buildings,  the  local  economy 
and comparable prices, and are adjusted accordingly. The principal 
input is the price per acre. 

There were no transfers between levels in financial year 2013.

38  Issued capital

38.1  Share capital

The  convertible  bond  on  Deutsche  Post  AG  shares  issued 
by  KfW  Bankengruppe  (KfW)  had  been  fully  converted  by  the 
end of July 2013.  KfW held a  21 %  interest in the  share capital of 
Deutsche Post AG as at 13 December 2013 (previous year: 25.5 %); 
the   remaining  79 %  of  the  shares  are  in  free  float  (previous  year: 
74.5 %). KfW holds the shares in trust for the federal government.

Share ownership at 31 December

number of shares

KfW

Free float

2012

2013

308,277,358

253,861,436

900,738,516

955,154,438

Share capital at 31 December

1,209,015,874

1,209,015,874

38.2 

Issued capital and purchase of treasury shares

The issued capital amounts to €1,209 million. It is composed 
of  1,209,015,874  no-par  value  registered  shares  (ordinary  shares) 
with a notional interest in the share capital of €1 per share and is 
fully paid up.

Changes in issued capital

€

At 1 January

Treasury shares acquired

Treasury shares issued

At 31 December

2012

2013

1,209,015,874

1,209,015,874

–1,770,503

–1,313,727

1,770,503

1,313,727

1,209,015,874

1,209,015,874

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

173

 
 
 
 
Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

Deutsche Post AG acquired 1.3 million shares at a total price 
of €23.5 million, including transaction costs, in a number of trans-
actions  in  order  to  settle  entitlements  due  under  the  bonus  pro-
gramme  for  executives  (Share  Matching  Scheme).  In  addition  to 
the 2012 tranche, this includes 14 thousand shares issued to  persons 
who  have  since  left  the  Group.  Consequently,  issued   capital  was 
 reduced by the notional value of the shares purchased. The average 
purchase price per share was €17.94. The issued capital increased 
again when the shares were issued to the executives.

The  notional  value  of  the  treasury  shares  is  deducted  from 
issued capital, and the difference between the notional value and 
the reported value of the treasury shares is deducted from retained 
earnings.

Changes in treasury shares are presented in the statement of 

changes in equity.

Contingent Capital 2011

In  its  resolution  dated  25 May 2011,  the  Annual  General 
Meeting  authorised  the  Board  of  Management,  subject  to  the 
consent  of  the  Supervisory  Board,  to  issue  bonds  with  warrants, 
convertible  bonds  and / or  income  bonds  as  well  as  profit  partici-
pation certificates, or a combination thereof, in an aggregate prin-
cipal amount of up to €1 billion, on one or more occasions until 
24 May 2016, thereby granting options or conversion rights for up 
to 75 million shares with a proportionate interest in the share capi-
tal not to exceed €75 million.

Based on this authorisation, Deutsche Post AG issued a €1 bil-
lion  convertible  bond  on  6 December 2012,  allowing  holders  to 
convert  the  bond  into  up  to  48 million  Deutsche  Post  AG  shares. 
Full use was made of the authorisation by issuing the bond. The 
share capital is increased on a contingent basis by up to €75 million.

Authorised / contingent capital at 31 December 2013

Contingent Capital 2013

Amount  

€ m Purpose

Increase in share capital 
against cash / non-cash 
 contributions  
(until 20 April 2014)

–

Increase in share capital 
against cash / non-cash 
 contributions  
(until 28 May 2018)

Issue of options / conversion 
rights (24 May 2016)

Issue of options / conversion 
rights (28 May 2018)

240

75

75

Authorised Capital 2009

Authorised Capital 2013

Contingent Capital 2011

Contingent Capital 2013

Authorised Capital 2009

As resolved by the Annual General Meeting on 21 April 2009, 
the Board of Management was authorised, subject to the consent 
of the Supervisory Board, to issue up to 240 million new, no-par 
value  registered  shares  until  20 April 2014  in  exchange  for  cash 
and / or non-cash contributions and thereby increase the company’s 
share capital. Shareholders generally have subscription rights. To 
date, the Board of Management has not made use of such author-
isation.  Since  this  authorisation  lapses  on  20 April 2014,  the  An-
nual General Meeting on 29 May 2013 resolved to replace it with a 
new authorisation for the same amount (Authorised Capital 2013).

In  its  resolution  dated  29 May 2013,  the  Annual  General 
Meeting  authorised  the  Board  of  Management,  subject  to  the 
consent  of  the  Supervisory  Board,  to  issue  bonds  with  warrants, 
convertible  bonds  and / or  income  bonds  as  well  as  profit  partici-
pation certificates, or a combination thereof, in an aggregate prin-
cipal amount of up to €1.5 billion, on one or more occasions until 
28 May 2018, thereby granting options or conversion rights for up 
to 75 million shares with a proportionate interest in the share cap-
ital not to exceed €75 million. The share capital is increased on a 
contingent basis by up to €75 million.

38.3  Authorisation to acquire treasury shares

By  way  of  a  resolution  adopted  by  the  Annual  General 
 Meeting  on  28 April 2010,  the  company  is  authorised  to  acquire 
treasury shares in the period to 27 April 2015 of up to 10 % of the 
share capital existing when the resolution was adopted. The author-
isation permits the Board of Management to exercise it for every 
purpose  permitted  by  law,  and  in  particular  to  pursue  the  goals 
mentioned in the resolution by the Annual General Meeting. 

At  the  Annual  General  Meeting  on  9 May 2012,  the  author-
isation  to  acquire  treasury  shares  was  supplemented.  In  future, 
treasury  shares  acquired  on  the  basis  of  the  authorisation,  with 
shareholders’ subscription rights disapplied, may also be used for 
the purposes of listing on a stock exchange outside Germany. 

In addition, the Board of Management is authorised to  acquire 

Authorised Capital 2013

treasury shares using derivatives. 

As on 31 December 2012, Deutsche Post AG did not hold any 

treasury shares on 31 December 2013.

As resolved by the Annual General Meeting on 29 May 2013, 
the Board of Management is authorised, subject to the consent of 
the Supervisory Board, to issue up to 240 million new, no-par value 
registered shares until 28 April 2018 in exchange for cash and / or 
non-cash contributions and thereby increase the  company’s share 
capital. Shareholders generally have subscription rights. However, 
subject  to  the  approval  of  the  Supervisory  Board,  the  Board  of 
Management may disapply the shareholders’ subscription rights to 
the shares covered by the authorisation.

174

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

38.4  Disclosures on corporate capital

The equity ratio was 28.3 % in financial year 2013 (previous 
year,  adjusted:  27.3 %).  The  company’s  capital  is  monitored  using 
the net gearing ratio which is defined as net debt divided by the 
total of equity and net debt.

40  Other reserves

€ m

IFRS 3 revaluation reserve

IAS 39 revaluation reserve 

IAS 39 hedging reserve

Currency translation reserve

Other reserves

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

40.1 

IFrs 3 revaluation reserve

1 Jan. 2012 1

2012 1

2013

5

90

–34

– 517

– 456

3

–1

–7

– 470

– 475

2

68

37

– 926

– 819

€ m

At 1 January 

Changes recognised in other comprehensive income

IFrs 3 revaluation reserve at 31 December

2012

2013

5

–2

3

3

–1

2

2012

4,776

–2,400

–252

– 57

–115

1,952

9,228

11,180

17.5

2013

5,881

–3,417

– 821

– 55

–107

1,481

10,048

11,529

12.8

2012

2,170

2013

2,254

The  IFRS 3  revaluation  reserve  includes  the  hidden  reserves 
of  DHL  Logistics  Co.  Ltd.,  China,  from  purchase  price  allocation. 
These are attributable to the customer relationships contained in the 
50 % interest held previously and to adjustments to deferred taxes.

40.2 

Ias 39 revaluation reserve

The  revaluation  reserve  comprises  gains  and  losses  from 
changes in the fair value of available-for-sale financial assets that 
have been recognised in other comprehensive income. This reserve 
is reversed to profit or loss either when the assets are sold or other-
wise disposed of, or if their value is significantly or permanently 
impaired.

2

4

18

10

0

–24

0

10

74

1

3

4

17

10

0

–20

15

0

€ m

At 1 January

Corporate capital

€ m

Total financial liabilities

Less cash and cash equivalents

Less current financial assets

Less long-term deposits

Less non-current derivative financial instruments

Net debt

Plus total equity

Total capital

Net gearing ratio (%)

39  Capital reserves

€ m

Capital reserves at 1 January 

Share Matching Scheme

Addition / issue of rights  
under Share Matching Scheme

2009 tranche

2010 tranche

2011 tranche

2012 tranche

2013 tranche

Exercise of rights under Share Matching Scheme

2011 tranche

2012 tranche

Conversion right

Capital reserves at 31 December

2,254

2,269

Currency translation differences

An  amount  of  €35 million  (31 December 2012:  €34 million) 
was transferred to the capital reserves in the period up to 31 Decem-
ber 2013 for the various tranches of the Share Matching Scheme.

The  exercise  of  the  rights  to  shares  under  the  2012  tranche 
 reduced the capital reserves by €20 million (previous year: €24 mil-
lion for the 2011 tranche) due to the issuance of treasury shares in 
this amount to the executives.

On issue of the convertible bond on Deutsche Post AG shares, 

the conversion right was recognised in capital reserves; 

 Note 46.

Unrealised gains / losses

Share of associates

Realised gains / losses

Ias 39 revaluation reserve at 31 December  
before tax

Deferred taxes

Ias 39 revaluation reserve at 31 December  
after tax

2012

93

0

–12

– 81

0

0

–1

–1

2013

0

1

76

0

0

77

– 9

68

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

175

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

40.3 

Ias 39 hedging reserve

The hedging reserve is adjusted by the effective portion of a 
cash flow hedge. The hedging reserve is reversed to profit or loss 
when the hedged item is settled.

€ m

At 1 January 

Additions

Disposals in balance sheet (basis adjustment)

Disposals in income statement

Ias 39 hedging reserve at 31 December before tax

Deferred taxes

Ias 39 hedging reserve at 31 December after tax

2012

–39

–29

6

59

–3

– 4

–7

2013

–3

111

0

– 49

59

–22

37

The change in the hedging reserve is mainly the result of the 
recognition of previously unrealised gains and losses from hedging 
future  operating  currency  transactions.  In  the  financial  year,  un-
realised losses totalling €25 million and unrealised gains totalling 
€75 million  from  the  hedging  reserve  were  recognised  in  operat-
ing profit (previous year: unrealised losses of €60 million and un-
realised gains of €1 million). There were no disposals in net finance 
costs in financial year 2013, as in the previous year, and  no adjust-
ing entries (basis adjustments) for hedging transactions related to 
the acquisition of non-current non-financial assets (previous year: 
€6 million). Deferred taxes have been recognised in respect of the 
hedging reserve.

40.4  Currency translation reserve

The  currency  translation  reserve  includes  the  translation 
gains and losses from the consolidation of the subsidiaries report-
ing in foreign currency.

€ m

At 1 January 

Transactions with non-controlling interests

Comprehensive income

Changes from unrealised gains and losses 1

Changes from realised gains and losses 1

2012 1

– 517

–2

2

47

Currency translation reserve at 31 December

– 470

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

2013

– 470

– 5

– 453

2

– 926

41  Retained earnings

As well as the undistributed consolidated profits generated in 
prior periods, retained earnings also contain the effects from trans-
actions with non-controlling interests. Changes in the reserves dur-
ing the financial year are also presented in the statement of changes 
in equity.

€ m

At 1 January

Dividend payment

Consolidated net profit for the period

Transactions with non-controlling interests

Change due to remeasurements of net  
pension provisions

Miscellaneous other changes

Retained earnings at 31 December

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

2012 1

6,366

– 846

1,640

61

–1,190

0

6,031

2013

6,031

– 846

2,091

– 61

–15

–2

7,198

For information on the change due to remeasurements of net 

pension provisions, see 

 Note 4.

The dividend payment to Deutsche Post AG shareholders of 
€846 million  was  made  in  May 2013.  This  corresponds  to  a  divi-
dend of €0.70 per share.

The  transactions  with  non-controlling  interests  reported  in 
the current financial year include an option to acquire the remain-
ing 40 % interest in Giorgio Gori Group, Italy, and the acquisition 
of the remaining 49.9 % interest in Tradeteam Limited, UK. 

In the previous year, these transactions comprised the sale of 
6.03 % of the shares in Blue Dart Express Limited, India, in which 
the  previous  interest  was  81.03 %,  and  the  acquisition  of  the  re-
maining 24 % interest in DHL Logistics Private Limited, India.

Changes in treasury shares are presented in the statement of 

changes in equity.

42  Equity attributable to Deutsche Post aG shareholders

The  equity  attributable  to  Deutsche  Post  AG  share holders 
in  financial  year  2013  amounted  to  €9,857 million  (1 January 
2012, 
 adjusted:  €9,289 million;  31 December 2012,  adjusted: 
€9,019 million).

Dividends

Dividends  paid  to  the  shareholders  of  Deutsche  Post  AG 
are based on the net retained profit of €1,726 million reported in 
Deutsche Post AG’s annual financial statements in accordance with 
the  Handelsgesetzbuch  (HGB  –  German  Commercial  Code).  The 
amount of €759 million remaining after deduction of the planned 
total  dividend  of  €967 million  (which  corresponds  to  €0.80  per 
share) will be carried forward; see also 

 Note 59.

Dividend distributed in financial year 2013  
for the year 2012

Dividend distributed in financial year 2012  
for the year 2011

Total dividend  
€ m

846

846

Dividend  
per share  
€

0.70

0.70

The dividend is tax-exempt for shareholders resident in Ger-
many. No capital gains tax (investment income tax) will be with-
held on the distribution.

176

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

43  Non-controlling interests

€ m

Non-controlling interests 1

1  Prior-year amount adjusted 

 Note 4.

1 Jan. 2012 1

189

2012

209

2013

191

This balance sheet item includes adjustments for the interests 
of non-Group shareholders in the consolidated equity from acqui-
sition  accounting,  as  well  as  their  interests  in  profit  or  loss.  The 
interests relate primarily to the following companies:

€ m

DHL Sinotrans International Air Courier Ltd., China

Blue Dart Express Limited, India

Tradeteam Limited, UK

Other companies

Non-controlling interests

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

2012 1

107

29

13

60

209

2013

115

23

0

53

191

The  remaining  interest  in  Tradeteam  Limited,  UK,  was 

 acquired in financial year 2013.

The  portion  of  other  comprehensive  income  attributable  to 
non-controlling interests largely relates to the currency translation 
reserve. The changes are shown in the following table:

€ m

Balance at 1 January

Transactions with non-controlling interests

Comprehensive income

Changes from unrealised gains and losses 

Changes from realised gains and losses

Currency translation reserve at 31 December

2012

– 5

2

–2

0

– 5

2013

– 5

5

–11

0

–11

44  Provisions for pensions and similar obligations

€ m

Provisions for pensions and similar 
obligations

1  Prior-year amount adjusted 

 Note 4.

1 Jan. 2012 1

2012 1

2013

6,055

5,216

5,017

The Group’s most important defined benefit retirement plans 

are in Germany and the UK. 

In  Germany,  Deutsche  Post  AG  has  an  occupational  retire-
ment  plan  dating  back  to  1997  based  on  a  collective  agreement, 
which is open to new hourly workers and salaried employees. The 
plan is based on fixed benefit amounts and provides for monthly 
payments  as  from  the  statutory  retirement  age,  depending  on 
length of service and the wage / salary level achieved. 

Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

Annual  increases  in  the  fixed  amounts  during  the  service 
 period  and  in  the  pension  payments  are  linked  to  agreed  per-
centages,  i. e.,  1.45%  for  hourly  workers  and  salaried  employees 
actively employed and 1.00% for retirees. The plan also provides 
for  invalidity benefits and surviving dependents’ benefits. Negative 
past  service  cost  was  recognised  in  the   reporting  year  due  to  an 
internal  change  in  the  conditions  for  access  to  certain  invalidity 
benefits.  Retirement  plans  with  a  similar  structure  are  available 
to  executives  below  the  management  board  level  and  to  specific 
 employee groups who can make use of deferred compensation.

The large majority of Deutsche Post AG’s obligations relates to 
the vested entitlements of hourly workers and salaried  employees 
on  the  transition  date  in  1997  and  to  legacy  pension  commit-
ments  towards  former  hourly  workers  and  salaried  employees 
who  had  left  or  retired  from  the  company  by  the  transition  date.
The amounts individually determined for the vested entitlements 
of  the  salaried  employees  and  wage  earners  actively  employed  is 
subject  to  an  annual  rate  of  increase  of  1.45%.  These  retirement 
plans  are  based  on  the  Betriebsrentengesetz  (BetrAVG  –  German 
Occupational  Pension  Act),  in  addition  to  collective  agreements 
and other plan documents. The prime source of external funding 
is a captive trust that also services a support fund and a pension 
fund. The trust is funded on a case-by-case basis in line with the 
Group’s  finance strategy and, in the case of the support fund, on 
an  ongoing  basis  in  line  with  tax  law  options.  In  the  case  of  the 
pension  fund  the  supervisory  funding  requirements  are,  in  prin-
ciple, met without additional employer contributions. The support 
fund’s governing bodies include both Deutsche Post AG  employees 
and  former  employees.  Part  of  the  plan  assets  is  invested  in  real 
estate  that  is  leased  out  to  the  Group  on  a  long-term  basis.  In  
addition,  some  of  the  legacy  pension  commitments  use  Ver sor-
gungs  anstalt der Deutschen Bundespost (VAP), a joint pension fund 
operated by the Deutsche Bundespost successor companies.

Individual  subsidiaries  in  Germany  have  retirement  plans 
that were acquired in the context of acquisitions and transfers of 
oper ations and that are closed to new entrants. 

In  the  UK,  the  Group’s  defined  benefit  plans  have  largely 
been  closed  to  new  entrants  for  a  number  of  years.  In  addition, 
Deutsche  Post  DHL  committed  itself  to  a  change  in  its  pension 
strategy in the UK on 26 November 2013. The plans will also largely 
be closed for further service accrual as of 1 April 2014. As a result, 
negative past service cost was recognised in financial year 2013 as 
shown in the tables  below ( before closure costs and transitional pay-
ments). With effect from 1 April 2014, the  employees  affected will 
be able to participate in a defined contribution plan. The majority 
of the (defined benefit) plans have been consolidated into a single 
plan with different sections for the participating  divisions. These 
are largely funded via a master trust. The amount of the employer 
contributions must be negotiated with the trustee in the course of 
funding  valuations.  The  trustee’s  directors  are  Group   employees, 
former employees and non-Group third parties, all of whom are 
required to be independent. At present,  eligible  employees make 
their  own  contributions  to  retirement  plan  funding  or  waive  a 
portion  of  their  salary.  These  (defined  benefit)  plans  are  based  
primarily  on  the  corresponding  trust  agreements  and  the  UK 
 Pensions Act.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

177

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

A wide variety of other defined benefit plans in the Group are 
to be found in the Netherlands, Switzerland, the USA and a large 
number of other countries. 

In the Netherlands, collective agreements require that those 
employees who are not covered by a sector-specific plan participate 
in a dedicated defined benefit plan. This final salary scheme pro-
vides for monthly pension payments that increase in line with the 
agreed salary increases on the one hand and the funds available for 
such increases on the other. 

In Switzerland, employees receive an occupational pension in 
line with statutory requirements, depending on the contributions 
paid, an interest rate that is fixed each year, certain annuity factors 
and any pension increases specified.

In the USA, the companies’ defined benefit plans have been 
closed to new entrants and accrued entitlements have been frozen. 

The Group companies in these three countries primarily use 
joint  funding  institutions  within  the  Group.  In  the  Netherlands 
and  in  Switzerland,  both  employers  and  employees  contribute 
to plan funding. In the USA no contributions are currently made 
to  the  companies’  defined  benefit  plans.  There  were  no  material 
amendments,  curtailments  or  settlements  affecting  the  Group’s 
 defined benefit plans in the Other area.

Various risks arise in the context of defined benefit plans. Of 
these risks, the interest rate risk and investment risk in particular 
are still deemed to be significant.

The  information  below  on  pension  obligations  is  broken 

down into the following areas: Germany, UK and Other.

44.1  Calculation of the balance sheet items

The balance sheet items were arrived at as follows:

€ m

31 December 2013

Present value of defined benefit obligations at 31 December

Fair value of plan assets at 31 December

Surplus (–) / deficit (+) at 31 December

Effect of asset ceilings at 31 December

Net pension provisions at 31 December

Reported separately

Pension assets at 31 December

Provisions for pensions and similar obligations at 31 December

31 December 2012

Present value of defined benefit obligations at 31 December

Fair value of plan assets at 31 December

Surplus (–) / deficit (+) at 31 December

Effect of asset ceilings at 31 December

Net pension provisions at 31 December

Reported separately

Pension assets at 31 December

Provisions for pensions and similar obligations at 31 December

Germany

UK

Other

Total

8,439

– 4,119

4,320

0

4,320

0

4,320

8,608

– 4,129

4,479

0

4,479

0

4,479

4,395

– 4,034

1,963

–1,752

361

1

362

18

380

211

4

215

102

317

4,116

–3,936

2,051

–1,693

180

1

181

120

301

358

0

358

78

436

14,797

– 9,905

4,892

5

4,897

120

5,017

14,775

– 9,758

5,017

1

5,018

198

5,216

In the Other area, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the USA 
account for a share in the present value of the defined benefit obli-
gations of 42 %, 24 % and 11%, respectively (31 December 2012: 40 %, 
24 % and 13 %). 

Additionally,  rights  to  reimbursement  from  former  Group 
companies  existed  in  the  Group  in  Germany  in  the  amount  of 
around  €14 million  (largely  unchanged  year-on-year)  which  are  
reported  separately.  Consequently,  benefit  payments  are  being 
made directly by the former Group companies.

178

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

44.2  Present value of defined benefit obligations

The  present  value  of  defined  benefit  obligations  changed  as 

follows:

€ m

2013

Present value of defined benefit obligations at 1 January

Current service cost, excluding employee contributions

Interest cost on defined benefit obligations

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+) – changes in demographic assumptions

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+) – changes in financial assumptions

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+) – experience adjustments

Past service cost

Settlement gains (–) / losses (+) 

Employee contributions

Benefit payments

Settlement payments

Transfers

Acquisitions / divestitures

Currency translation effects

Present value of defined benefit obligations at 31 December

2012

Present value of defined benefit obligations at 1 January

Current service cost, excluding employee contributions

Interest cost on defined benefit obligations

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+) – changes in demographic assumptions

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+) – changes in financial assumptions

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+) – experience adjustments

Past service cost

Settlement gains (–) / losses (+) 

Employee contributions

Benefit payments

Settlement payments

Transfers

Acquisitions / divestitures

Currency translation effects

Present value of defined benefit obligations at 31 December

The key financial assumptions are as follows:

%

31 December 2013

Discount rate

Expected rate of future salary increase p. a.

Expected rate of future pension increase p. a.

31 December 2012

Discount rate

Expected rate of future salary increase p. a.

Expected rate of future pension increase p. a.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Germany

UK

Other

Total

8,608

4,116

2,051

14,775

111

314

–33

– 68

25

– 58

0

10

34

176

237

156

0

–75

0

11

– 471

–173

0

4

–3

0

8,439

7,474

88

357

0

1,106

51

0

0

9

0

0

0

– 87

4,395

3,951

32

191

–11

173

–150

0

0

13

– 480

–179

0

1

2

0

8,608

0

0

0

96

4,116

41

66

5

–103

3

–3

0

15

–77

–2

1

–1

–33

1,963

186

556

209

–15

28

–136

0

36

–721

–2

5

– 4

–120

14,797

1,835

13,260

36

74

23

170

–25

1

0

15

– 80

0

3

0

–1

2,051

156

622

12

1,449

–124

1

0

37

–739

0

4

2

95

14,775

Germany

UK

Other

Total

3.75

2.50

2.00

3.70

2.50

2.00

4.50

4.50

2.96

4.50

3.50

2.80

3.48

2.12

1.06

3.19

2.35

1.07

3.94

3.06

2.20

3.85

2.77

2.14

179

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

The discount rates for defined benefit obligations in the euro 
zone and the UK were each derived from a yield curve comprising 
the  yields  of  AA  rated  corporate  bonds.  Country-specific  factors 
were taken into account. For other countries, the discount rate was 
 determined in a similar way, provided there was a deep market for 
AA or AAA-rated corporate bonds. By contrast, government bond 
yields  were  used  for  countries  without  a  deep  market  for  such 
 corporate bonds.

For the annual pension increases in Germany, agreed rates in 
particular must be taken into account in addition to the assump-
tions shown. The effective weighted average therefore amounts to 
1.00 % (2012: 1.00 %).

The key demographic assumptions made relate to life expec-
tancy and mortality. For the German Group companies, they were 
calculated using the Richttafeln 2005 G mortality tables published 
by Klaus Heubeck. Life expectancy for the British retirement plans 
was based on the mortality rates used for the last funding valuation. 
These are based on plan-specific mortality analyses and include an 
allowance for an expected increase in future life expectancy. Other 
countries used their own, current standard mortality tables.

If one of the key financial assumptions were to change, the 
present  value  of  the  defined  benefit  obligations  would  change  as 
follows: 

%

31 December 2013

Discount rate

Expected rate of future salary increase

Expected rate of future pension increase

These are effective weighted changes in the present value of 
the  various  defined  benefit  obligations,  e. g.,  taking  into  account 
the largely fixed nature of pension increases for Germany.

A  one-year  increase  in  life  expectancy  for  a  65-year-old 
 beneficiary would increase the present value of the defined benefit 
obligations by 4.63 % in Germany and by 3.53 % in the UK. The cor-
responding increase for other countries would be 2.40 %, for a total 
increase of 4.01 %. 

When  determining  the  sensitivity  disclosures,  the  present 
values  were  calculated  using  the  same  methodology  used  to  cal-
culate  the  present  values  at  the  reporting  date.  The  presentation 
does not take into account interdependencies between the assump-
tions; rather, it supposes that the assumptions change in isolation. 
This  would  be  unusual  in  practice,  since  assumptions  are  often 
correlated.

Change in 
assumption

Change in present value  
of defined benefit obligations

Germany

UK

Other

Total

+ 1.00 
–1.00

+ 0.50 
– 0.50

+ 0.50 
– 0.50

–12.31 
15.63

0.17 
– 0.15

0.30 
– 0.27

–16.14 
19.58

1.06 
–1.21

4.09 
– 4.08

–13.41 
17.20

1.44 
–1.30

5.81 
– 4.14

–13.59 
17.01

0.60 
– 0.62

2.15 
–1.91

The weighted average duration of the Group’s defined  benefit 
obligations at 31 December 2013 was 14.3  years  in Germany (pre-
vious year: 14.1 years) and 18.5 years in the UK (previous year: 17.5 
years). In the other countries it was 15.5 years (previous year: 16.2 
years), and in total it was 15.7 years (previous year: 15.3 years). 

A total of 27.6 % (previous year: 27.2 %) of the present value 
of the defined benefit obligations was attributable to future bene-
ficiaries still working for the company, 16.2 % (previous year: 15.7 %) 
to future beneficiaries no longer with the company and 56.2 % (pre-
vious year: 57.1 %) to pensioners.

180

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

44.3  Fair value of plan assets

The fair value of the plan assets changed as follows:

€ m

2013

Fair value of plan assets at 1 January

Interest income on plan assets

Return on plan assets excluding interest income

Other administration costs in accordance with IAS 19.130

Employer contributions

Employee contributions

Benefit payments

Settlement payments

Transfers

Acquisitions / divestitures

Currency translation effects

Fair value of plan assets at 31 December

2012

Fair value of plan assets at 1 January

Interest income on plan assets

Return on plan assets excluding interest income

Other administration costs in accordance with IAS 19.130

Employer contributions

Employee contributions

Benefit payments

Settlement payments

Transfers

Acquisitions / divestitures

Currency translation effects

Fair value of plan assets at 31 December

The fair value of the plan assets can be broken down as follows: 

€ m

31 December 2013

Equities

Fixed income securities

Real estate 

Alternatives

Insurances

Cash

Other 

Fair value of plan assets 

31 December 2012

Equities

Fixed income securities

Real estate 

Alternatives

Insurances

Cash

Other 

Fair value of plan assets 

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Germany

UK

Other

Total

4,129

153

30

0

143

0

3,936

168

96

– 6

83

11

–337

–173

0

1

0

0

4,119

2,106

101

9

– 9

2,122

0

–196

0

– 4

0

0

4,129

0

0

0

– 81

4,034

3,714

180

29

– 5

93

13

–178

0

0

0

90

3,936

1,693

9,758

54

50

–3

37

15

– 66

–2

0

0

–26

1,752

1,549

63

99

–3

43

15

–71

0

3

0

– 5

1,693

375

176

– 9

263

26

– 576

–2

1

0

–107

9,905

7,369

344

137

–17

2,258

28

– 445

0

–1

0

85

9,758

Germany

UK

Other

Total

622

1,227

1,030

314

582

205

139

872

2,488

150

469

0

14

41

632

658

193

53

92

33

91

2,126

4,373

1,373

836

674

252

271

4,119

4,034

1,752

9,905

162

368

1,010

53

187

2,347

2

4,129

828

2,395

48

632

0

19

14

614

642

200

47

95

30

65

3,936

1,693

1,604

3,405

1,258

732

282

2,396

81

9,758

181

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

Quoted prices in an active market exist for around 80 % (pre-
vious year: 85 %) of the total fair values of plan assets. Most of the 
remaining assets for which no such quoted market prices exist are 
attributable as follows: 12 % (previous year: 11 %) to real estate, 6 % 
(previous year: 3 %) to insurances, 1 % (previous year: 1 %) to alter-
natives and 1 % (previous year: 0 %) to other. The majority of the 
investments  on  the  active  markets  are  globally  diversified,  with 
country-specific focus areas.

Real estate with a fair value of €1,016 million (previous year: 
€995 million) is used by Deutsche Post AG itself. Otherwise, as in 
the previous year, no plan assets were used by the Group and no 
transferable own financial instruments were held as plan assets.

€ m

2013

Net pension provisions at 1 January

Service cost1

Net interest cost

Remeasurements 

Employer contributions

Employee contributions

Benefit payments

Settlement payments

Transfers

Acquisitions / divestitures

Currency translation effects

Net pension provisions at 31 December

2012

Net pension provisions at 1 January

Service cost1

Net interest cost

Remeasurements  

Employer contributions

Employee contributions

Benefit payments

Settlement payments

Transfers

Acquisitions / divestitures

Currency translation effects

Net pension provisions at 31 December

1  Including other administration costs in accordance with IAS 19.130 from plan assets.

Asset-liability  studies  are  performed  at  regular  intervals 
in  Germany,  the  UK  and,  among  other  places,  the  Nether lands, 
Switzer land and the USA to examine the match  between assets and 
liabilities; the strategic allocation of plan assets is adjusted in line 
with this. 

44.4  Effect of asset ceilings

In the UK and Switzerland, the plan rules for one retirement 
plan in each case required a surplus to be capped to a certain extent 
to reach the level of the present value of the benefits (asset ceiling). 
Apart from this, asset ceilings had no effect as at 31 December 2013, 
 Table  44.1 for amounts and changes 
as in the  previous year. See 
compared with the previous year.

44.5  Net pension provisions

Net pension provisions changed as follows:

Germany

UK

Other

Total

4,479

53

161

–106

–143

10

–134

0

3

–3

0

4,320

5,368

97

256

1,148

–2,122

9

–284

0

5

2

0

181

–35

8

297

– 83

0

0

0

0

0

– 6

362

238

37

11

–17

– 93

0

–1

0

0

0

6

358

41

12

–141

–37

0

–11

0

1

–1

–7

215

287

40

11

68

– 43

0

– 9

0

0

0

4

4,479

181

358

5,018

59

181

50

–263

10

–145

0

4

– 4

–13

4,897

5,893

174

278

1,199

–2,258

9

–294

0

5

2

10

5,018

Payments  amounting  to  €422 million  are  expected  with 
 regard  to  net  pension  provisions  in  2014.  Of  this  amount,  €206 
million  is  attributable  to  the  Group’s  expected  direct  benefit  pay-
ments  and  €216 million  to  expected  employer  contributions  to 
pension funds.

182

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

44.6  Components of defined benefit cost 

The components of defined benefit cost are as follows: 

€ m

2013

Current service cost, excluding employee contributions

Past service cost

Settlement gains (–) / losses (+)

Other administration costs in accordance with IAS 19.130

Service cost1

Interest cost on defined benefit obligations

Interest income on plan assets

Interest on the effect of asset ceilings

Net interest cost

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+) – total

Return on plan assets excluding interest income

Change in effect of asset ceilings excluding interest

Remeasurements 

Cost of defined benefit plans 

2012

Current service cost, excluding employee contributions

Past service cost

Settlement gains (–) / losses (+)

Other administration costs in accordance with IAS 19.130

Service cost1

Interest cost on defined benefit obligations

Interest income on plan assets

Interest on the effect of asset ceilings

Net interest cost

Actuarial gains (–) / losses (+) – total

Return on plan assets excluding interest income

Change in effect of asset ceilings excluding interest

Remeasurements 

Cost of defined benefit plans 

Germany

UK

Other

Total

111

– 58

0

0

53

314

–153

0

161

–76

–30

0

–106

108

88

0

0

9

97

357

–101

0

256

1,157

– 9

0

1,148

1,501

34

–75

0

6

–35

176

–168

0

8

393

– 96

0

297

270

32

0

0

5

37

191

–180

0

11

12

–29

0

–17

31

41

–3

0

3

41

66

– 54

0

12

– 95

– 50

4

–141

– 88

36

1

0

3

40

74

– 63

0

11

168

– 99

–1

68

119

186

–136

0

9

59

556

–375

0

181

222

–176

4

50

290

156

1

0

17

174

622

–344

0

278

1,337

–137

–1

1,199

1,651

1  Including other administration costs in accordance with IAS 19.130 from plan assets. 

€59 million of the cost of defined benefit plans (previous year: 
€174 million)  related  to  staff  costs,  €181  million  (previous  year: 
€278 million) to net other finance costs and €50 million (previous 
year: €1,199 million) to other comprehensive income. 

44.7  Risk

A number of risks that are material to the company and the 
plans exist in relation to the defined benefit plans. Opportunities 
for risk mitigation are used in line with the specifics of the plans 
concerned.

InFLatIon rIsk

Pension  obligations  –  especially  final  salary  schemes  or 
schemes  involving increases  during the  pension  payment phase – 
can  be  linked  directly  or  indirectly  to  inflation.  This  risk  to  the 
present  value  of  the  defined  benefit  obligations  has  been  miti-
gat ed in the case of Germany, for example, by switching to a plan  
involving fixed benefit amounts. In the case of the UK, the risk has 
been  mitigated  by  largely  closing  defined  benefit  plans,  setting  a 
fixed rate of increase, capping increases or providing for lump sum 
payments. Additionally, there is a  positive correlation with interest.

Interest rate rIsk

A decrease (increase) in the discount rate would  lead  to  an 
increase (decrease) in the present value of the total obligation and 
would in principle be accompanied by an increase (decrease) in the 
fair value of the fixed income securities contained in the plan assets. 
Other hedges are made, in some cases using derivatives.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

183

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

InvestMent rIsk

The  investment  is  in  principle  subject  to  a  large  number  of 
risks; in particular, it is exposed to the risk that market prices may 
change.  This  is  managed  primarily  by  ensuring  broad  diversifica-
tion and using risk overlays. 

LonGevItY rIsk

Longevity  risk  may  arise  in  connection  with  the  benefits 
payable  in  the  future  due  to  a  future  increase  in  life  expectancy. 
This  is  mitigated  in  particular  by  using  current  standard  mortal-
ity tables when calculating the present value of the defined benefit 
obligations. The mortality tables used in Germany and the UK, for 
 ex ample, include an allowance for expected future increases in life 
expectancy.

1 Jan. 2012

2,117

2,134

4,251

2012

1,943

1,663

3,606

2013

1,574

1,745

3,319

45  Other provisions

€ m

Other non-current provisions 1

Other current provisions

Other provisions 1

1  Prior-year amount adjusted 

 Note 4.

€ m

Other employee benefits 1

Restructuring provisions

Technical reserves (insurance)

Postage stamps

Tax provisions

Miscellaneous provisions

1  Prior-year amount adjusted 

 Note 4.

45.1  Changes in other provisions

€ m

At 1 January 2013

Changes in consolidated group

Utilisation

Currency translation differences

Reversal

Unwinding of discount / changes in discount rate

Reclassification

Additions

At 31 December 2013

1  Prior-year amounts adjusted 

 Note 4.

Non-current

2013

745

109

402

0

0

318

1,574

2012 1

827

383

397

0

0

336

1,943

Current

2013

311

425

203

400

116

290

2012

253

298

194

450

127

341

2012

1,080

681

591

450

127

677

Total

2013

1,056

534

605

400

116

608

1,663

1,745

3,606

3,319

Other 
 employee 
benefits 1

Restructuring 
provisions

Technical 
reserves 
(insurance)

1,080

0

– 583

–17

–29

1

13

591

1,056

681

0

–146

–20

–79

0

–17

115

534

591

0

– 51

– 5

–20

1

– 6

95

605

Postage 
stamps

450

0

– 450

0

0

0

0

400

400

Tax provisions

Miscellaneous 
provisions

127

1

– 66

– 6

–25

0

0

85

116

677

0

–217

–18

– 97

4

5

254

608

Total

3,606

1

–1,513

– 66

–250

6

– 5

1,540

3,319

184

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

The  provision  for  other  employee  benefits  primarily  covers 
workforce  reduction  expenses  (severance  payments,  transitional 
benefits, partial retirement, etc.), stock appreciation rights (SAR s) 
and jubilee payments.

Of  the  tax  provisions,  €35 million  (previous  year:  €28 mil-
lion) relates to VAT, €5 million (previous year: €6 million) to cus-
toms  and  duties,  and  €76 million  (previous  year:  €93 million)  to 
other tax provisions.

The restructuring provisions comprise all expenses resulting 
from the restructuring measures within the US express business as 
well as in other areas of the Group. These measures relate  primarily 
to settlement payment obligations assumed in the USA, rentals for 
idle plant, termination benefits for  employees (partial retirement 
programmes, transitional benefits) and  expenses from the closure 
of terminals, for example.

Technical  reserves  (insurance)  mainly  consist  of  outstand-
ing loss reserves and IBNR reserves; further details can be found 
in 

 Note 7. 
The  provision  for  postage  stamps  covers  outstanding  obli-
gations to customers for letter and parcel deliveries from postage 
stamps sold but still unused by customers, and is based on studies 
by market research companies. It is measured at the nominal value 
of the stamps issued.

45.2  Miscellaneous provisions

€ m

Litigation costs

Risks from business activities

Aircraft maintenance

Miscellaneous other provisions 

Miscellaneous provisions

2012

115

104

43

415

677

2013

97

91

51

369

608

Miscellaneous  other  provisions  include  a  large  number  of 

 individual items. 

45.3  Maturity structure

The maturity structure of the provisions recognised in finan-

cial year 2013 is as follows:

€ m

2013

Other employee benefits

Restructuring provisions

Technical reserves (insurance)

Postage stamps

Tax provisions

Miscellaneous provisions

46  Financial liabilities

€ m

Bonds

Due to banks

Finance lease liabilities

Liabilities to Group companies

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Other financial liabilities

Financial liabilities

Less  
than 1 year

More  
than 1 year  
to 2 years

More  
than 2 years  
to 3 years

More  
than 3 years  
to 4 years

More  
than 4 years  
to 5 years

More  
than 5 years

311

425

203

400

116

290

1,745

281

20

163

0

0

120

584

2012

4,109

2

123

65

8

106

4,413

170

8

84

0

0

54

316

94

8

52

0

0

33

187

57

10

36

0

0

28

131

Non-current

Current

2013

4,164

1

194

58

11

184

4,612

2012

0

135

26

28

109

105

403

2013

924

198

19

25

29

133

1,328

143

63

67

0

0

83

356

2012

4,109

137

149

93

117

211

4,816

Total

1,056

534

605

400

116

608

3,319

Total

2013

5,088

199

213

83

40

317

5,940

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

185

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

46.1  Bonds

The following table contains further details on the  company’s 
most  significant  bonds.  The  bonds  issued  by  Deutsche  Post 
 Finance B.V. are fully guaranteed by Deutsche Post AG.

Major bonds

Bond 2003 / 2014

Bond 2012 / 2017

Bond 2012 / 2022

Bond 2012 / 2020

Bond 2012 / 2024

Bond 2013 / 2018

Bond 2013 / 2023

Convertible bond 2012 / 2019 1

Nominal 
coupon 
%

4.875

1.875

2.950

1.875

2.875

1.5

2.75

0.600

Issue volume

Issuer

€926 million Deutsche Post Finance B.V.

€750 million Deutsche Post Finance B.V.

€500 million Deutsche Post Finance B.V.

€300 million Deutsche Post AG

€700 million Deutsche Post AG

€500 million Deutsche Post AG

€500 million Deutsche Post AG

€1 billion  Deutsche Post AG

2012

2013

Carrying 
amount  
€ m

Fair value  
€ m

Carrying 
amount  
€ m

Fair value  
€ m

942

744

496

296

696

0

0

920

969

775

525

302

711

0

0

929

924

745

496

295

696

491

495

931

929

767

516

296

706

499

501

928

1  This relates to the debt component of the convertible bond; the equity component is recognised in capital reserves. The fair value of the listed  

convertible bond was €1,353 million at the balance sheet date (previous year: €1,049 million).

46.2  Amounts due to banks

€ m

Amounts due to banks

2012

137

2013

199

The liabilities mainly comprise current overdraft facilities due 

to various banks.

Deutsche Post DHL placed two conventional bonds amount-
ing to €1 billion with national and international investors. The issue 
date was 9 October 2013. The capital raised is to be used to repay 
a  ten-year  bond  maturing  in  January 2014.  The  first  issue  in  the 
amount of €500 million has a maturity of five years and an  annual 
coupon of 1.5 %. The second €500 million issue has a maturity of 
ten years and an annual coupon of 2.75 %.

The  €1 billion  convertible  bond  issued  on  6 December 2012 
has a conversion right, which allows holders to convert the bond 
into  a  predetermined  number  of  Deutsche  Post  AG  shares  if 
Deutsche Post AG’s share price more than temporarily exceeds 130 % 
of the conversion price applicable at that time. The conversion right 
may be exercised between 16 January 2013 and 21 Novem ber 2019. 
On  issue,  the  conversion  price  was  set  at  €20.74.  In  addition, 
Deutsche Post AG was granted a call option allowing it to repay the 
bond early at face value plus accrued interest if Deutsche Post AG’s 
share price more than temporarily exceeds 130 % of the conversion 
price applicable at that time. The option can be exercised between 
6  December 2017 and 16 November 2019. For contractual reasons, 
the convertible bond was split into a debt component and an equity 
component. The equity instrument in the amount of €74 million 
is  reported  under  capital  reserves.  The  value  of  the  debt  compo-
nent  on  the  issue  date  calculated  in  accordance  with  IFRS 32.31 
amounted to €920 million, including transaction costs and the call 
option granted. Transaction costs of €0.5 million and €5.8 million 
are included in the aforementioned amounts. In subsequent years, 
interest will be added to the carrying amount of the bond, up to 
the issue amount, using the effective interest method (unwinding 
of discount) and recognised in profit or loss.

186

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

46.3  Finance lease liabilities

Finance lease liabilities mainly relate to the following items:

Leasing partner

Interest rate 
(%)

End of term Asset

2012

Deutsche Post Immobilien GmbH, Germany

Various leasing partners

4.75

2023 / 2028 Real estate

DHL Express (Austria) GmbH, Austria

DHL Logistics GmbH, Germany

Deutsche Post AG, Germany

Deutsche Post Immobilien GmbH, Germany

DHL Express (US) Inc., USA

Raiffeisen Impuls Immobilien 
GmbH

Fitia GmbH

T-Systems International GmbH

Lorac Investment Management 
Sarl

Wachovia Financial Services; 
Wells Fargo

SCM Supply Chain Management Inc., Canada

Bank of Nova Scotia

Variable

2012 / 2013

3.62

5.175

6.5

6.0

2019 Real estate

2016 Real estate

2015 IT equipment

2016 Real estate

6.74

2019 / 2022

Sorting system 
software

Warehouse, 
 office 
 equipment

0

11

9

7

6

34

12

2013

114

11

8

3

4

0

0

The  change  in  finance  lease  liabilities  is  attributable  to  the 
early termination of a lease, as well as to leases entered into  between 
Deutsche  Post  Immobilien  GmbH  and  various  contract  partners 
for newly leased delivery bases in Germany.

The  leased  assets  are  recognised  in  property,  plant  and 
equipment  at  carrying  amounts  of  €330 million  (previous  year: 
€280 million).  The  difference  between  the  carrying  amounts  of 
the assets and the liabilities results from longer useful lives of the 
assets  compared  with  a  shorter  repayment  period  for  the  lease 
instal ments and unscheduled repayments of lease obligations. The 
 notional amount of the minimum lease payments totals €255 mil-
lion (previous year: €165 million).

46.4  Financial liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

The amounts reported under this item relate to the negative 

fair values of derivative financial instruments.

€ m

Financial liabilities at fair value through profit  
or loss

2012

117

2013

40

46.5  Other financial liabilities

€ m

Maturity structure

€ m

Less than 1 year

More than 1 year to 5 years

More than 5 years

Total

Present value  
(finance lease liabilities)

Minimum lease payments 
(notional amount)

2012

2013

2012

2013

26

56

67

149

19

101

93

213

33

62

70

165

24

116

115

255

Put option related to the acquisition of the remaining 
interest in Giorgio-Gori Group 

Loan notes related to the acquisition of TAG Group 

Loan notes related to the early termination  
of a finance lease

Miscellaneous financial liabilities

Other financial liabilities

2012

2013

0

57

0

154

211

62

55

18

182

317

The  other  financial  liabilities  relate  to  a  large  number  of 

 individual items.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

187

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Balance sheet disclosures

47  Other liabilities

€ m

Other liabilities

Consolidated Financial Statements

Non-current

2012

276

2013

227

2012

4,004

Current

2013

3,981

2012

4,280

Total

2013

4,208

47.1  Breakdown of other liabilities

47.2  Maturity structure

€ m

Tax liabilities

Incentive bonuses

Wages, salaries, severance payments

Compensated absences

Deferred income, of which non-current: 61  
(previous year: 71) 

Payables to employees and members of executive 
bodies

Social security liabilities

Debtors with credit balances

Liabilities from the sale of residential building loans, 
of which non-current: 140 (previous year: 149) 

Overtime claims

COD liabilities

Other compensated absences

Liabilities from cheques issued

Accrued rentals 

Insurance liabilities 

Accrued insurance premiums for damages  
and similar liabilities 

Liabilities from loss compensation

Miscellaneous other liabilities,  
of which non-current: 26 (previous year: 56) 

884

577

287

375

351

177

143

150

153

110

70

49

35

34

36

12

15

967

560

335

298

295

172

162

148

144

105

51

40

37

32

26

16

12

2012

2013

€ m

Less than 1 year

More than 1 year to 2 years

More than 2 years to 3 years

More than 3 years to 4 years

More than 4 years to 5 years

More than 5 years

2012

4,004

46

28

10

7

185

4,280

201 3

3,981

41

7

7

28

144

4,208

There  is  no  significant  difference  between  the  carrying 
amounts and the fair values of the other liabilities due to their short 
maturities or market interest rates. There is no significant interest 
rate risk because most of these instruments bear floating rates of 
interest at market rates.

48  Trade payables

Trade payables also include liabilities to Group companies in 

the amount of €46 million (previous year: €42 million).

€ m

822

4,280

808

4,208

Trade payables

2012

5,991

2013

6,392

Most of the trade payables have a maturity of less than one 
year. The reported carrying amount of trade payables corresponds 
to their fair value.

Of  the  tax  liabilities,  €544 million  (previous  year:  €502 mil-
lion) relates to VAT, €269 million (previous year: €227 million) to 
customs and duties, and €154 million (previous year: €155 million) 
to other tax liabilities.

The liabilities from the sale of residential building loans  relate 
to obligations of Deutsche Post AG to pay interest subsidies to bor-
rowers to offset the deterioration in borrowing terms in conjunc-
tion with the assignment of receivables in previous years, as well as 
pass-through obligations from repayments of principal and inter-
est for residential building loans sold.

Miscellaneous  other  liabilities  include  a  large  number  of 

 individual items.

188

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Cash flow disclosures

CASH FLOW DISCLOSURES

49  Cash flow disclosures

The cash flow statement is prepared in accordance with IAS 7 
(Statement of Cash Flows) and discloses the cash flows in order to 
present  the  source  and  application  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents. 
It distinguishes between cash flows from operating, investing and 
financing  activities.  Cash  and  cash  equivalents  are  composed  of 
cash, cheques and bank balances with a maturity of not more than 
three  months,  and  correspond  to  the  cash  and  cash  equivalents 
 reported on the balance sheet. The effects of currency translation 
and changes in the consolidated group are adjusted when calculat-
ing cash and cash equivalents.

49.1  Net cash from operating activities

Cash flows from operating activities are calculated by adjust-
ing consolidated net profit / loss for tax expenses, net financial in-
come / net finance costs and non-cash factors, as well as taxes paid, 
changes  in  provisions  and  in  other  non-current  assets  and  liabil-
ities (net cash from operating activities before changes in working 
capital).  Adjustments  for  changes  in  working  capital  (excluding 
financial  liabilities)  result  in  net  cash  from  or  used  in  operating 
activities.

In financial year 2013, the net cash from operating activities 
amounted  to  €2,994 million  compared  with  a  net  cash  outflow 
of €203 million in the previous year. This improvement is largely 
attrib utable to the funding of pension obligations in the previous 
year. 

The  depreciation,  amortisation  and  impairment  losses  con-
tained in EBIT are non-cash effects and are therefore adjusted. At 
€1,341 million,  they  remained  at  the  previous  year’s  level.  Also 
 adjusted were non-cash income and expenses, which reduced EBIT 
by €16 million, but did not affect cash flows. They mainly relate to 
 expenses from the remeasurement of assets. 

The  gains  on  the  disposal  of  non-current  assets  of  €22 mil-
lion are not attributable to operating activities. They have therefore 
been adjusted in the net income from the disposal of non-current 
assets and are presented instead in the cash flows from investing 
activities.

The  higher  working  capital  led  to  a  net  cash  outflow  of 
€84 million. In the previous year, the change in this item resulted in 
an outflow of €422 million. The change in liabilities and other items 
in particular made a significant contribution to this development.

Non-cash income and expense

€ m

Expense from remeasurement of assets

Income from remeasurement of liabilities

Income from disposal of assets

Staff costs relating to Share Matching Scheme

Miscellaneous

Non-cash income and expense

2012

94

–203

–2

19

– 5

– 97

2013

122

–114

–11

20

–1

16

49.2  Net cash used in investing activities

Cash flows from investing activities mainly result from cash 
received  from  disposals  of  non-current  assets  (divestitures)  and 
cash paid for investments in non-current assets.

Interest  and   dividends  received  from  investing  activities  as 
well as cash flows from changes in current financial assets are also 
included.

At  €1,772 million,  net  cash  used  in  investing  activities  was 
€75 million higher than in the previous year. The most significant 
item was the cash paid to acquire property, plant and equipment, 
and  intangible  assets,  which  was  nonetheless  €250 million  lower 
than in the previous year, at €1,389 million. The investment volume 
was on a level with the previous year.

Although most of the capital expenditures had been capital-
ised  towards the end of the year, the cash was only paid after the 
 balance sheet date. The investment of surplus liquidity in money 
 market funds was largely responsible for the net cash outflow from 
changes in current financial assets of €575 million. By contrast, the 
recognition of the demand for repayment of state aid in other non- 
current financial assets reduced cash flow from investing  activities 
by €298 million in the previous year.

The following assets were acquired and liabilities assumed as 

a result of company acquisitions; see also 

 Note 2:

€ m

Non-current assets

Current assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents)

Non-current provisions and liabilities

Current provisions and liabilities

2012

2013

5

19

2

8

2

8

0

7

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

189

 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Cash flow disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table shows the calculation of free cash flow:

49.3  Net cash used in financing activities

Calculation of free cash flow

€ m

Net cash used in / from operating activities

Sale of property, plant and equipment  
and intangible assets

Acquisition of property, plant and equipment  
and intangible assets

Cash outflow arising from change in property, 
plant and equipment and intangible assets

Disposals of subsidiaries and other business units

Acquisition of subsidiaries and other business units

Cash outflow arising from acquisitions /  
divestitures

Interest received

Interest paid

Net interest paid

Free cash flow

2012

–203

225

2013

2,994

177

–1,639

–1,389

–1,414

–1,212

39

– 57

–18

46

–296

–250

–1,885

32

–37

– 5

42

–166

–124

1,653

Free cash flow is considered to be an indicator of how much 
cash  is  available  to  the  company  for  dividend  payments  or  the 
repay ment of debt.

Free cash flow improved from €–1,885 million in the previous 
year to €1,653 million in the year under review. This is  primarily 
attributable  to  the  improvement  in  operating  cash  flow,  which 
had been exceptionally and significantly reduced in the previous 
year by the funding of pension obligations and the additional VAT 
payment.

Financing activities led to a cash outflow of €110 million in 
the year under review, compared with a cash inflow of €1,199 mil-
lion in the previous year. 

Two bonds with maturities of five and ten years contributed 
€495 million each to the €1,010 million in proceeds from the issu-
ance of non-current financial liabilities. In the previous year, the 
issue of conventional corporate bonds and a convertible bond in 
particular had contributed to proceeds of €3,176 million. In addi-
tion, €733 million was used to repay non-current financial liabilites 
in the previous year.

At €846 million, the dividend payment to the share holders of 
Deutsche Post AG remained at the prior-year level and was again 
the largest payment in financing activities. However, interest pay-
ments were down €130 million year-on-year, at €166 million, due 
to the interest payment related to the additional VAT payment in 
the previous year. 

Proceeds  from  issuing  shares  or  other  equity  instruments 
 declined  by  €70 million  to  €4 million.  The  prior-year  figure  in-
cluded the equity component of the convertible bond.

49.4  Cash and cash equivalents

The  cash  inflows  and  outflows  described  above  produced 
 Note 36. This repre-

cash and cash equivalents of €3,417 million; 
sents a year-on-year increase of €1,017 million. 

190

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Other disclosures

OTHER DISCLOSURES

50  Risks and financial instruments of the Group

50.1  Risk management

As  a  result  of  its  operating  activities,  the  Group  is  exposed 
to  financial  risks  that  may  arise  from  changes  in  exchange  rates, 
commodity  prices  and  interest  rates.  Deutsche  Post  DHL  man-
ages  these  risks  centrally  through  the  use  of  non-derivative  and 
derivative  financial  instruments.  Derivatives  are  used  exclusively 
to mitigate non-derivative financial risks, and fluctuations in their 
fair  value  should  not  be  assessed  separately  from  the  underlying 
transaction.

The  Group’s  internal  risk  guidelines  govern  the  universe  of 
actions, responsibilities and necessary controls regarding the use 
of  derivatives.  Financial  transactions  are  recorded,  assessed  and 
processed  using  proven  risk  management  software,  which  also 
regularly  documents  the  effectiveness  of  hedging  relationships. 
Portfolios  of  derivatives  are  regularly  reconciled  with  the  banks 
concerned.

In  connection  with  the  entry  into  force  of  the  European 
 Market Infrastructure Regulation (EMIR), the Group reviewed and 
adjusted  its  risk  management  processes:  master  agreements  with 
banks were amended and further internal controls on the use of 
derivatives were introduced.

To  limit  counterparty  risk  from  financial  transactions,  the 
Group may only enter into this type of contract with prime-rated 
banks.  The  conditions  for  the  counterparty  limits  individually 
 assigned to the banks are reviewed on a daily basis. The Group’s 
Board  of  Management  is  informed  internally  at  regular  inter-
vals  about  existing  financial  risks  and  the  hedging  instruments 
 deployed  to  mitigate  them.  Financial  instruments  are  accounted 
for and measured in accordance with IAS 39.

Liquidity management

The ultimate objective of liquidity management is to secure 
the  solvency  of  Deutsche  Post  DHL  and  all  Group  companies. 
Consequently, liquidity in the Group is centralised as much as pos-
sible in cash pools and managed in the Corporate Center. 

The  centrally  available  liquidity  reserves  (funding  availabil-
ity),  consisting  of  central  short-term  financial  investments  and 
committed credit lines, are the key control parameter. The target is 
to have at least €2 billion available in a central credit line.

The Group had central liquidity reserves of €4.6 billion (previ-
ous year: €2.7 billion) as at 31 December 2013, consisting of  central 
financial investments amounting to €2.6 billion plus a syndicated 
credit line of €2 billion.

The maturity structure of non-derivative financial liabilities 

within the scope of IFRS 7 based on cash flows is as follows:

Maturity structure: remaining maturities

€ m

At 31 December 2013

Non-current financial liabilities

Other non-current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Current financial liabilities 

Trade payables

Other current liabilities

Current liabilities

At 31 December 2012

Non-current financial liabilities

Other non-current liabilities

Non-current liabilities

Current financial liabilities 

Trade payables

Other current liabilities

Current liabilities

Less  
than 1 year

More  
than 1 year  
to 2 years

More  
than 2 years  
to 3 years

More  
than 3 years  
to 4 years

More  
than 4 years  
to 5 years

More  
than 5 years

82

0

82

1,299

6,392

346

8,037

106

0

106

297

5,991

462

6,750

156

11

167

0

0

0

0

1,031

4

1,035

0

0

0

0

233

3

236

0

0

0

0

61

4

65

0

0

0

0

849

3

852

0

0

0

0

61

4

65

0

0

0

0

662

2

664

0

0

0

0

811

3

814

0

0

0

0

3,379

130

3,509

0

0

0

0

2,758

137

2,895

0

0

0

0

On  9 October 2013,  Deutsche  Post  AG  placed  two  fixed- 
coupon bonds worth a total of €1 billion on the capital market. The 
bonds  have  a  principal  amount  of  €500 million  each  and  matur-
ities  of  five  and  ten  years,  respectively. The  issue  proceeds  are  to 

be used to repay the Deutsche Post Finance B.V. bond amounting 
to €926 million falling due in January 2014. Until then, the funds 
have been invested in short-term money market investments. The 
bonds are reported in non-current financial liabilities.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

191

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Other disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

The maturity structure of the derivative financial instruments 

based on cash flows is as follows:

Maturity structure: remaining maturities

€ m

At 31 December 2013

Derivative receivables – gross settlement

Cash outflows 

Cash inflows

Net settlement

Cash inflows

Derivative liabilities – gross settlement

Cash outflows 

Cash inflows

Net settlement

Cash outflows

At 31 December 2012

Derivative receivables – gross settlement

Cash outflows 

Cash inflows

Net settlement

Cash inflows

Derivative liabilities – gross settlement

Cash outflows 

Cash inflows

Net settlement

Cash outflows

Less  
than 1 year

More  
than 1 year  
to 2 years

More  
than 2 years  
to 3 years

More  
than 3 years  
to 4 years

More  
than 4 years  
to 5 years

More  
than 5 years

– 5,345

5,591

–389

403

23

5

–1,821

1,776

– 411

409

– 4

–1

– 5,210

5,422

– 616

663

13

2

– 4,922

4,803

– 440

430

–22

–3

0

0

0

– 46

48

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

–33

26

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

– 41

26

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

–37

23

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Derivative financial instruments entail both rights and obli-
gations. The contractual arrangement defines whether these rights 
and obligations can be offset against each other and therefore result 
in  a  net  settlement,  or  whether  both  parties  to  the  contract  will 
have to perform their obligations in full (gross settlement).

CurrenCY rIsk anD CurrenCY ManaGeMent

The  international  business  activities  of  Deutsche  Post  DHL 
expose  it  to  currency  risks  from  recognised  or  planned  future 
transactions. 

Balance sheet currency risks arise from the measurement and 
settlement of items in foreign currencies that have been recognised 
if  the  exchange  rate  on  the  measurement  or  settlement  date  dif-
fers from the rate on recognition. The resulting foreign exchange 
differences directly impact profit or loss. In order to mitigate this 

 impact  as  far  as  possible,  all  significant  balance  sheet  currency 
risks within the Group are centralised at Deutsche Post AG through 
the  in-house  bank  function. The  centralised  risks  are  aggregated 
by  Corporate  Treasury  to  calculate  a  net  position  per  currency 
and hedged externally based on value-at-risk limits. The currency- 
related value at risk (95 % / one-month holding period) for the port-
folio  concerned  totalled  €4 million  (previous  year:  €3 million)  at 
the reporting date; the limit was a maximum of €5 million. 

The notional amount of the currency forwards and currency 
swaps used to manage balance sheet currency risks amounted to 
€2,409 million  at  the  reporting  date  (previous  year:  €4,370 mil-
lion);  the  fair  value  was  €34 million  (previous  year:  €42 million). 
For simplification purposes, fair value hedge accounting was not 
applied  to  the  derivatives  used,  which  are  reported  as  trading 
 derivatives instead. 

192

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Other disclosures

concerned  was  €4 million  at  the  reporting  date  (previous  year: 
€3 million).  In   addition,  hypothetical  changes  in  exchange  rates 
affect equity and the fair values of those derivatives used to hedge 
unrecog nised firm commitments and highly probable forecast cur-
rency transactions, which are designated as cash flow hedges. The 
foreign currency value at risk of this risk position was €30 million as 
at 31 December 2013 (previous year: €32 million). The total foreign 
currency value at risk was €29 million at the reporting date (previ-
ous year: €35 million). The total amount is lower than the sum of 
the  individual amounts given above, owing to interdependencies.

Interest rate rIsk anD Interest rate ManaGeMent

The fair value of interest rate hedging instruments was calcu-
lated on the basis of discounted expected future cash flows using 
Corporate Treasury’s risk management system.

As at 31 December 2013, the Group had entered into interest 
rate swaps with a notional volume of €1,126 million (previous year: 
€326 million). The fair value of this interest rate swap position was 
€6 million  (previous  year:  €23 million).  As  in  the  previous  year, 
there were no interest rate options at the reporting date.

The  Group  placed  further  fixed-coupon  bonds  on  the  cap-
ital market in financial year 2013. At the same time, the remaining 
maturity of the bond falling due in January 2014 dropped to less 
than one year and some of the original fixed-coupon bonds were 
swapped for variable short-term interest rates. As a result, the share 
of instruments with short-term interest lock-ins increased sharply 
year-on-year.  Taking  into  account  existing  interest  rate  hedging 
 instruments, the proportion of financial liabilities with short-term 
 Note 46,  amounts  to  around  36 %  (previous 
interest  lock-ins, 
year:  8 %)  as  at  the  reporting  date.  However,  the  effect  of  poten-
tial interest rate changes on the Group’s financial position remains 
insignificant. 

The quantitative risk data relating to interest rate risk required 
by  IFRS 7  is  presented  in  the  form  of  a  sensitivity  analysis.  This 
method determines the effects of hypothetical changes in market 
interest rates on interest income, interest expense and equity as at 
the reporting date. The following assumptions are used as a basis 
for the sensitivity analysis: 

Primary  variable-rate  financial  instruments  are  subject  to 
 interest rate risk and must therefore be included in the  sensitivity 
analysis.  Primary  variable-rate  financial  instruments  that  were 
transformed  into  fixed-income  financial  instruments  using  cash 
flow hedges are not included. Changes in market interest rates for 
derivative  financial  instruments  used  as  a  cash  flow  hedge  affect 
 equity by changing fair values and must therefore be included in 
the sensitivity analysis. Fixed-income financial instruments meas-
ured at amortised cost are not subject to interest rate risk.

Currency  risks  arise  from  planned  foreign  currency  trans-
actions  if  the  future  foreign  currency  transactions  are  settled  at 
exchange  rates  that  differ  from  the  rates  originally  planned  or 
calculated.  These  currency  risks  are  also  captured  centrally  in 
 Corporate Treasury and managed on a rolling 24-month basis as 
part of a hedging programme. The goal is to hedge an average of 
up to 50 % of all significant currency risks over a 24-month period. 
This makes it possible to plan reliably and reduce fluctuations in 
earnings  caused  by  currency  movements.  At  the  reporting  date, 
an  average  of  approximately  35 %  of  the  foreign  currency  risk  of 
the currencies concerned was hedged for the next 24 months. The 
 relevant hedging transactions are recognised using cash flow hedge 
accounting; 

 Note 50.3, cash flow hedges.

In total, currency forwards and currency swaps with a  notional 
amount  of  €4,280 million  (previous  year:  €5,976 million)  were 
outstanding  at  the  balance  sheet  date.  The  corresponding  fair 
value was €98 million (previous year: €51 million). At the end of 
the  year  there  were  no  currency  options,  as  in  the  previous  year. 
The Group also held cross-currency swaps with a notional amount 
of  €163 million  (previous  year:  €163 million)  and  a  fair  value  of 
€14 million  (previous  year  €2 million)  to  hedge  foreign  currency 
financing. 

Currency risks resulting from translating assets and liabilities 
of foreign operations into the Group’s currency (translation risk) 
were not hedged as at 31 December 2013. 

Of the unrealised gains or losses from  currency derivatives 
recognised  in  equity  as  at  31 December 2013  in  accordance  with 
IAS 39,  €69 million  (previous  year:  €3 million)  is  expected  to  be 
recognised in income in the course of 2014.

IFRS 7 requires the disclosure of quantitative risk data show-
ing how profit or loss and equity are affected by changes in exchange 
rates at the reporting date. The impact of these changes in exchange 
rates on the portfolio of foreign currency financial instruments is 
assessed by means of a value-at-risk calculation (95 % confidence /  
one-month  holding  period).  It  is  assumed  that  the  portfolio  as 
at  the  reporting  date  is  representative  for  the  full  year.  Effects  of 
 hypothetical changes in exchange rates on translation risk do not 
fall within the scope of IFRS 7. The following assumptions are used 
as a basis for the sensitivity analysis:

Primary financial instruments in foreign currencies used by 
Group  companies  were  hedged  by  Deutsche  Post  AG’s  in-house 
bank,  with  Deutsche  Post  AG  setting  and  guaranteeing  monthly 
exchange  rates.  Exchange  rate-related  changes  therefore  have  no 
effect  on  the  profit  or  loss  and  equity  of  the  Group  companies. 
Where, in individual cases, Group companies are not permitted to 
participate  in  in-house  banking  for  legal  reasons,  their  currency 
risks from primary financial instruments are fully hedged locally 
through the use of derivatives. They therefore have no impact on 
the Group’s risk position. 

Hypothetical  changes  in  exchange  rates  have  an  effect  on 
the  fair  values  of  Deutsche  Post  AG’s  external  derivatives  that  is 
reported  in  profit  or  loss;  they  also  affect  the  foreign  currency 
gains  and  losses  from  remeasurement  at  the  closing  date  of  the 
in-house bank balances, balances from external bank accounts as 
well as inter nal and external loans extended by Deutsche Post AG. 
The   foreign  currency  value  at  risk  of  the  foreign  currency  items 

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

193

Notes
Other disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

Designated  fair  value  hedges  of  interest  rate  risk  are  not 
 included in the analysis because the interest-related changes in fair 
value of the hedged item and the hedging transaction almost fully 
offset each other in profit or loss for the period. Only the variable 
portion of the hedging instrument affects net financial income / net 
finance costs and must be included in the sensitivity analysis.

If  the  market  interest  rate  level  as  at  31 December 2013  had 
been 100 basis points higher, net finance costs would have  increased 
by  €6 million  (previous  year:  decreased  by  €2 million).  A  market 
interest  rate  level  100  basis  points  lower  would  have  had  the  op-
posite effect. A change in the market interest rate level by 100 basis 
points  would  affect  the  fair  values  of  the  interest  rate  derivatives 
recognised in equity. As in the previous year, a rise in interest rates 
in this financial year would not have increased equity, nor would a 
reduction have reduced equity. 

Market rIsk

As in the previous year, most of the risks arising from com-
modity  price  fluctuations,  in  particular  fluctuating  prices  for 
 kerosene and marine diesel fuels, were passed on to customers via 
operating  measures.  However,  the  impact  of  the  related  fuel  sur-
charges is delayed by one to two months, so that earnings may be 
affected  temporarily  if  there  are  significant  short-term  fuel  price 
variations.

In addition, a small number of commodity swaps for diesel 
and  marine  diesel  fuel  were  used  to  control  residual  risks.  The 
 notional amount of these commodity swaps was €56 million (pre-
vious  year:  €8 million)  with  a  fair  value  of  €0 million  (previous 
year: €0 million).

IFRS 7  requires  the  disclosure  of  a  sensitivity  analysis,  pre-
senting  the  effects  of  hypothetical  commodity  price  changes  on 
profit or loss and equity. 

Changes in commodity prices would affect the fair value of 
the derivatives used to hedge highly probable forecast  commodity 
purchases  (cash  flow  hedges)  and  the  hedging  reserve  in  equity. 
A 10 % increase in the commodity prices underlying the derivatives 
as at the balance sheet date would have increased fair values and 
equity by €5 million (previous year: €0 million). A corresponding 
decline in commodity prices would have had the opposite effect.

In  the  interests  of  simplicity,  some  of  the  commodity  price 
hedges were not recognised using cash flow hedge accounting. For 
the derivatives in question, commodity price changes would affect 
both the fair values of the derivatives and the income statement. As 
in the previous year, if the underlying commodity prices had been 
10 %  higher  at  the  reporting  date,  this  would  have  increased  the 
fair values in question and, consequently, operating profit by less 
than €1 million. A corresponding decline in the commodity prices 
would have also reduced the fair values and operating profit by less 
than €1 million.

CreDIt rIsk

The credit risk incurred by the Group is the risk that counter-
parties fail to meet their obligations arising from operating activ-
ities and from financial transactions. To minimise credit risk from 
financial transactions, the Group only enters into transactions with 
prime-rated counterparties. The Group’s heterogeneous customer 
structure means that there is no risk concentration. Each counter-
party  is  assigned  an  individual  limit,  the  utilisation  of  which  is 
 regularly monitored. A test is performed at the balance sheet dates 
to  establish  whether  an  impairment  loss  needs  to  be  charged  on 
the positive fair values due to the individual counterparties’ credit 
quality.  This  was  not  the  case  for  any  of  the  counterparties  as  at 
31 December 2013.

Default  risks  are  continuously  monitored  in  the   operating 
business.  The  aggregate  carrying  amounts  of  financial  assets 
 represent the maximum default risk. Trade receivables amounting 
to  €7,040 million  (previous  year:  €6,959 million)  are  due  within 
one year. The following table gives an overview of receivables that 
are past due:

€ m

At 31 December 2013

Trade receivables

At 31 December 2012

Trade receivables

Carrying amount 
before  
impairment loss

Neither impaired 
nor due at the 
reporting date

Less than  
30 days

31 to  
60 days

61 to  
90 days

91 to  
120 days

121 to  
150 days

151 to  
180 days

>180 days

Past due and not impaired at the reporting date

7,250

5,154

749

641

270

93

7,175

5,038

764

647

258

103

42

44

36

26

17

23

194

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Other disclosures

Trade receivables changed as follows:

€ m

Gross receivables

At 1 January

Changes

At 31 December

Valuation allowances

At 1 January

Changes

At 31 December

Carrying amount at 31 December

2012

2013

7,163

12

7,175

–229

13

–216

6,959

7,175

75

7,250

–216

6

–210

7,040

All  other  financial  instruments  are  neither  past  due  nor 
 impaired.  The  heterogeneous  structure  of  the  counterparties  pre-
vents risk concentration. 

Impairment losses of €23 million (previous year: €45 million) 

were recognised for other assets.

50.2  Collateral

€545 million  (previous  year:  €549 million)  of  collateral  is 
recognised in non-current financial assets as at the balance sheet 
date.  Of  this  amount,  €318 million  relates  to  the  restricted  cash 
transferred to a blocked account with Commerzbank AG for any 
payments  that  may  be  required  due  to  the  EU  state  aid  proceed-
 Note 3, 2012 Annual Report. €55 million is attributable to 
ings; 
collateral in the context of an M & A transaction and €102 million 
relates primarily to liabilities in conjunction with the settlement of 
Deutsche Post AG’s residential building loans. €64 million relates 
to sureties paid.

Collateral  of  €41 million  is  recognised  in  current  financial 
assets (previous year: €49 million). The majority of this concerns 
collateral deposited for QTE leases.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

195

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
Notes
Other disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

50.3  Derivative financial instruments

The  following  table  gives  an  overview  of  the  recognised  de-
rivative  financial  instruments  used  in  the  Group  and  their  fair 
 values. Derivatives with amortising notional volumes are reported 
in the full amount at maturity.

Derivative financial instruments

€ m

2012

2013

Assets

Liabilities

Fair values in 2013, by maturity

No-
tional 
amount

No-
tional 
amount

Fair 
value

Fair 
value 
of 
assets

Fair 
value 
of 
liabil-
ities

Less 
than 
1 
year

Total 
fair 
value

Up 
to 2 
years

Up 
to 3 
years

Up 
to 4 
years

Up 
to 5 
years

> 5 
years

Up 
to 2 
years

Up 
to 3 
years

Up 
to 4 
years

Up 
to 5 
years

> 5 
years

Less 
than 
1 
year

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

–21

– 5

–20

– 5

0

–1

0

0

– 6

–1

– 5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

–27

– 5

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

– 4

–2

0

0

– 4

0

–2

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

23

1,126

12

– 6

13

10

0

4

9

0

163

963

0

2,206

1,825

0

381

0

0

Interest rate products

Interest rate swaps

of which cash flow 
hedges

of which fair value 
hedges

of which held for trading

Currency transactions

Currency forwards

of which cash flow 
hedges

of which net investment 
hedges

326

163

163

0

2,918

1,442

0

of which held for trading

1,476

– 5

Currency options

of which cash flow 
hedges

0

0

0

0

Currency swaps

3,058

47

2,074

of which cash flow 
hedges

164

of which held for trading

2,894

Cross-currency swaps

of which cash flow 
hedges

of which fair value 
hedges

of which held for trading

163

163

0

0

0

47

2

2

0

0

46

2,028

163

163

0

0

6

7

–1

0

68

64

0

4

0

0

30

0

30

14

14

0

0

12

7

5

0

78

73

0

5

0

0

36

1

35

14

14

0

0

0

0

0

0

16

16

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

7

5

0

94

89

0

5

0

0

36

1

35

14

14

0

0

0

– 6

0

–26

–25

0

–1

0

0

– 6

–1

– 5

0

0

0

0

6,139

53

4,443

144

–32

112

128

16

Commodity price 
 transactions

Commodity price swaps

of which cash flow 
hedges

of which held for trading

8

3

5

0

0

0

56

52

4

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

In addition to those shown in the table, there are other deriv-
atives with a fair value of €–2 million (previous year: €–49 million) 
that are the result of M & A transactions.

196

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Other disclosures

FaIr vaLue HeDGes

CasH FLoW HeDGes

Interest rate swaps were used to hedge the fair value risk of 
fixed-interest euro-denominated liabilities falling due in 2014. The 
fair values of these interest rate swaps amount to €5 million (pre-
vious year: €10 million). As at 31 December 2013, there was also a 
€1 million  (previous  year:  €7 million)  adjustment  to  the  carrying 
amount of the underlying hedged item arising from an interest rate 
swap unwound in the past. The adjustment to the carrying amount 
is amortised over the remaining term of the liability using the effec-
tive interest method, and reduces future interest expense.

New  interest  rate  swaps  were  entered  into  and  designated 
as  fair  value  hedges  in  2013  to  hedge  the  fair  value  risk  of  fixed- 
interest euro-denominated liabilities falling due in 2018 and 2020. 
The fair value of these hedging instruments was €–6 million as at 
the  reporting  date.  The  following  table  gives  an  overview  of  the 
gains and losses arising from the hedged items and the respective 
hedging transactions:

Ineffective portion of fair value hedges

€ m

Gains (+) on hedged items

Losses (–) on hedging transactions

Balance (ineffective portion)

2012

1

–1

0

2013

11

–11

0

The  Group  uses  currency  forwards  and  currency  swaps  to 
hedge  the  cash  flow  risk  from  future  foreign  currency  operating 
revenue  and  expenses.  The  fair  values  of  currency  forwards  and 
currency  swaps  amounted  to  €64 million  at  the  reporting  date 
(previous year: €9 million). The hedged items will have an impact 
on cash flow by 2015.

Risks  arising  from  fixed-interest  foreign  currency  invest-
ments  were  hedged  using  synthetic  cross-currency  swaps,  with 
the investments being transformed into fixed-interest euro invest-
ments. These  synthetic  cross-currency  swaps  hedge  the  currency 
risk,  and  their  fair  values  at  the  reporting  date  amounted  to 
€21 million (previous year: €15 million). 

The risks from the purchase of diesel and marine diesel fuels, 
which cannot be passed on to customers, were hedged using com-
modity swaps that will affect cash flow in 2014. As in the previous 
year, the fair value of these cash flow hedges amounted to €0 mil-
lion at year-end. 

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

197

 
 
Notes
Other disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

50.4  Additional disclosures on the financial instruments  

used in the Group

The  Group  classifies  financial  instruments  in  line  with  the 
respective balance sheet items. The following table reconciles the 
classes  to  the  categories  given  in  IAS 39  and  the  respective  fair 
values:

Reconciliation of carrying amounts in the balance sheet at 31 December 2013

€ m

Carrying amount

Carrying amount by IAS 39 measurement category

Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Available-for-sale financial assets

Trading

Fair value option

assets

Non-current financial assets

at cost

at fair value

Trade receivables

at cost

Other current assets

at cost

outside IFRS 7

Current financial assets 

at cost

at fair value

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

Non-current financial liabilities 1

at cost

at fair value

Other non-current liabilities

at cost

outside IFRS 7

Current financial liabilities 

at cost

at fair value

Trade payables 

Other current liabilities

at cost

outside IFRS 7

Total eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

1,124

858

266

7,040

7,040

2,221

955

1,266

821

70

751

3,417

14,623

4,612

4,601

11

227

147

80

1,328

1,299

29

6,392

3,981

346

3,635

16,540

0 

0 

 0

0 

0 

0 

40

0 

40

 0

 0

0 

0 

 0

 8

0

0 

0 

8

 0

90

 0

0 

0 

 0

 0

0 

90

 0

 0

 0

 0

 0

 0

0

 0

 0

 0

97

160

 0

0 

0 

0 

611

0 

868

 0

 0

 0

 0

0 

0 

0

0 

 0

0 

1  The Deutsche Post AG and Deutsche Post Finance B.V. bonds included in current and non-current financial liabilities were partly designated as hedged items in a fair 
value hedge and are thus subject to a basis adjustment. The bonds are therefore recognised neither at full fair value nor at amortised cost. Non-current financial 
liabilities also include the  convertible bond issued by Deutsche Post AG in December 2012. The listed bond had a fair value of €1,353 million at the balance sheet date. 
A fair value of €928 million was reported for the debt  component at the balance sheet date.

198

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Loans and receivables /  

other financial liabilities

Held-to-maturity assets

Derivatives designated  

as hedging instruments

Lease receivables /  

finance lease liabilities

Other financial instruments  

outside the scope of IAS 39

Fair value of financial  

instruments under IFRS 7

729

 0

7,040

955

0

63

0 

3,417

12,204

4,407

 0

147

 0

1,280

 0

6,392

346

0 

12,572

0

 0

 0

0 

0 

 0

 0

 0

0

0 

0 

0 

 0

 0

 0

0

0 

0 

0 

0 

16

0 

0 

0 

 0

100

0 

116

 0

11

 0

 0

 0

21

0

 0

 0

32

32

0 

0 

 0

 0

7

 0

0 

39

194

0 

 0

 0

19

 0

0

 0

 0

213

846

266

7,040

955

0

70

751

3,417

–

4,657

11

147

 0

1,302

29

6,392

346

0 

–

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Other disclosures

Reconciliation of carrying amounts in the balance sheet at 31 December 2013

€ m

Carrying amount

Carrying amount by IAS 39 measurement category

Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Available-for-sale financial assets

Trading

Fair value option

Loans and receivables /  
other financial liabilities

Held-to-maturity assets

Derivatives designated  
as hedging instruments

Lease receivables /  
finance lease liabilities

Other financial instruments  
outside the scope of IAS 39

Fair value of financial  
instruments under IFRS 7

assets

Non-current financial assets

at cost

at fair value

Trade receivables

at cost

Other current assets

at cost

outside IFRS 7

Current financial assets 

at cost

at fair value

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

Non-current financial liabilities 1

Other non-current liabilities

at cost

at fair value

at cost

outside IFRS 7

Current financial liabilities 

at cost

at fair value

Trade payables 

Other current liabilities

at cost

outside IFRS 7

Total eQuItY  anD LIaBILItIes

1,124

858

266

7,040

7,040

2,221

955

1,266

821

70

751

3,417

14,623

4,612

4,601

11

227

147

80

1,328

1,299

29

6,392

3,981

346

3,635

16,540

0 

0 

 0

0 

0 

0 

40

0 

40

 0

 0

0 

0 

 0

 8

0

0 

0 

8

 0

90

 0

0 

0 

 0

 0

0 

90

 0

 0

 0

 0

 0

 0

0

 0

 0

 0

97

160

 0

0 

0 

0 

0 

611

868

 0

 0

 0

 0

0 

0 

0

0 

 0

0 

1  The Deutsche Post AG and Deutsche Post Finance B.V. bonds included in current and non-current financial liabilities were partly designated as hedged items in a fair 

value hedge and are thus subject to a basis adjustment. The bonds are therefore recognised neither at full fair value nor at amortised cost. Non-current financial 

liabilities also include the  convertible bond issued by Deutsche Post AG in December 2012. The listed bond had a fair value of €1,353 million at the balance sheet date. 

A fair value of €928 million was reported for the debt  component at the balance sheet date.

729

 0

7,040

955

0

63

0 

3,417

12,204

4,407

 0

147

 0

1,280

 0

6,392

346

0 

12,572

0

 0

 0

0 

0 

 0

 0

 0

0

0 

0 

0 

 0

 0

 0

0

0 

0 

0 

0 

16

0 

0 

0 

 0

100

0 

116

 0

11

 0

 0

 0

21

0

 0

 0

32

32

0 

0 

 0

 0

7

 0

0 

39

194

0 

 0

 0

19

 0

0

 0

 0

213

846

266

7,040

955

0

70

751

3,417

–

4,657

11

147

 0

1,302

29

6,392

346

0 

–

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

199

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Loans and receivables /  

other financial liabilities

Held-to-maturity assets

Derivatives designated  

as hedging instruments

Lease receivables /  

finance lease liabilities

Other financial instruments  

outside the scope of IAS 39

Fair value of financial  

instruments under IFRS 7

737

0

6,959

893

0

77

0

2,400

11,066

4,282

0

149

0

268

0

5,991

398

0

11,088

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

36

0

0

0

24

0

0

60

0

5

0

0

21

0

0

0

0

26

25

0

0

0

0

42

0

0

67

26

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

123

149

866

173

6,959

893

0

119

133

2,400

–

4,571

8

149

0

294

109

5,991

398

0

–

Notes
Other disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

Reconciliation of carrying amounts in the balance sheet at 31 December 2012

€ m

Carrying amount

Carrying amount by IAS 39 measurement category

Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Available-for-sale financial assets

Trading

Fair value option

assets

Non-current financial assets

at cost

at fair value

Trade receivables 

at cost

Other current assets

at cost

outside IFRS 7

Current financial assets 

at cost

at fair value

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

Non-current financial liabilities 1

at cost

at fair value

Other non-current liabilities

at cost

outside IFRS 7

Current financial liabilities 

at cost

at fair value

Trade payables 

Other current liabilities

at cost

outside IFRS 7

Total eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

1,039

866

173

6,959

6,959

2,153

893

1,260

252

119

133

2,400

12,803

4,413

4,405

8

276

149

127

403

294

109

5,991

4,004

398

3,606

15,087

0

0

0

0

0

0

85

0

85

0

3

0

0

0

88

0

0

0

91

0

79

0

0

0

0

0

0

79

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

104

58

0

0

0

0

24

0

186

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1  The Deutsche Post AG and Deutsche Post Finance B.V. bonds included in non-current financial liabilities were fully or partly designated as hedged items in a fair value 
hedge and are thus  subject to a basis adjustment. They are therefore recognised neither at full fair value nor at amortised cost. Non-current financial liabilities 
also include the convertible bond issued by Deutsche Post AG in December 2012. The listed bond had a fair value of €1,049 million at the balance sheet date. A fair 
value of €929 million was reported for the debt component at the balance sheet date.

No assets were reclassified in financial years 2013 and 2012.

200

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Reconciliation of carrying amounts in the balance sheet at 31 December 2012

€ m

Carrying amount

Carrying amount by IAS 39 measurement category

Financial assets and liabilities at fair value through profit or loss

Available-for-sale financial assets

Trading

Fair value option

Loans and receivables /  
other financial liabilities

Held-to-maturity assets

Derivatives designated  
as hedging instruments

Lease receivables /  
finance lease liabilities

Other financial instruments  
outside the scope of IAS 39

Fair value of financial  
instruments under IFRS 7

Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Other disclosures

assets

Non-current financial assets

at cost

at fair value

Trade receivables 

at cost

Other current assets

at cost

outside IFRS 7

Current financial assets 

at cost

at fair value

Cash and cash equivalents

Total assets

eQuItY anD LIaBILItIes

Non-current financial liabilities 1

Other non-current liabilities

at cost

at fair value

at cost

outside IFRS 7

Current financial liabilities 

at cost

at fair value

Trade payables 

Other current liabilities

at cost

outside IFRS 7

Total eQuItY  anD LIaBILItIes

1,039

866

173

6,959

6,959

2,153

893

1,260

252

119

133

2,400

12,803

4,413

4,405

8

276

149

127

403

294

109

5,991

4,004

398

3,606

15,087

0

0

0

0

0

0

85

0

85

0

3

0

0

0

88

0

0

0

91

0

79

79

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

104

58

0

24

0

186

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

1  The Deutsche Post AG and Deutsche Post Finance B.V. bonds included in non-current financial liabilities were fully or partly designated as hedged items in a fair value 

hedge and are thus  subject to a basis adjustment. They are therefore recognised neither at full fair value nor at amortised cost. Non-current financial liabilities 

also include the convertible bond issued by Deutsche Post AG in December 2012. The listed bond had a fair value of €1,049 million at the balance sheet date. A fair 

value of €929 million was reported for the debt component at the balance sheet date.

737

0

6,959

893

0

77

0

2,400

11,066

4,282

0

149

0

268

0

5,991

398

0

11,088

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

36

0

0

0

0

24

0

60

0

5

0

0

0

21

0

0

0

26

25

0

0

0

0

42

0

0

67

123

0

0

0

26

0

0

0

0

149

866

173

6,959

893

0

119

133

2,400

–

4,571

8

149

0

294

109

5,991

398

0

–

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

201

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Other disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

If  there  is  an  active  market  for  a  financial  instrument  (e. g., 
stock  exchange),  the  fair  value  is  determined  by  reference  to  the 
market or quoted exchange price at the balance sheet date. If no 
fair value is available in an active market, the quoted prices in an 
active market for similar instruments or recognised valuation tech-
niques are used to determine fair value. The valuation techniques 
used  incorporate the key factors determining the fair value of the 
financial instruments using valuation parameters that are derived 
from the market conditions as at the balance sheet date. Counter-
party  risk  is  analysed  on  the  basis  of  the  current  credit  default 
swaps signed by the counterparties. The fair values of other non- 
current  receivables  and  held-to-maturity  financial  investments 
with  remain ing  maturities  of  more  than  one  year  correspond  to 
the present values of the payments related to the assets, taking into 
account current interest rate parameters.

Cash and cash equivalents, trade receivables and other receiv-
ables have predominantly short remaining maturities. As a result, 
their carrying amounts as at the reporting date are approximately 
equivalent to their fair values. Trade payables and other liabilities 
generally have short remaining maturities; the recognised amounts 
approximately represent their fair values. 

Available-for-sale  financial  assets  include  shares  in  partner-
ships  and  corporations  in  the  amount  of  €97 million  (previous 
year: €104 million). There is no active market for these instruments. 
As no future cash flows can be reliably determined, the fair values 
cannot  be  determined  using  valuation  techniques.  The  shares  of 
these entities are recognised at cost. There are no plans to sell or 
derecognise  significant  shares  of  the  available-for-sale  financial 
 assets recognised as at 31 December 2013 in the near future. As in 
the previous year, no significant shares measured at cost were sold 
in the financial year. Available-for-sale financial assets measured at 
fair value relate to equity and debt instruments. 

Financial  assets  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss  include 
 securities to which the fair value option was applied, in order to 
avoid  accounting  inconsistencies.  There  is  an  active  market  for 
these assets, which are recognised at fair value. 

The  following  table  presents  the  classes  of  financial  instru-
ments recognised at fair value and not recognised at fair value by 
the level in the fair value hierarchy to which they are assigned:

Financial assets and liabilities

€ m

Class

Financial assets and liabilities: 2013

Non-current financial assets 

Current financial assets 

Total financial assets

Non-current financial liabilities 

Current financial liabilities 

Total financial liabilities

Financial assets and liabilities: 2012

Non-current financial assets 

Current financial assets 

Total financial assets

Non-current financial liabilities 

Current financial liabilities 

Total financial liabilities

1  Level 1: quoted market prices.
2  Level 2: measurement using key inputs based on observable market data.
3  Level 3: measurement using key inputs not based on observable market data.

Level 1 1

Level 2 2

Level 3 3

Total

157

611

768

4,221

927

5,148

137

24

161

4,210

0

4,210

765

210

975

447

402

849

770

228

998

366

357

723

190

0

190

0

2

2

132

0

132

3

46

49

1,112

821

1,933

4,668

1,331

5,999

1,039

252

1,291

4,579

403

4,982

202

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Other disclosures

The  fair  values  of  currency  forwards  were  measured  on  the 
 basis of discounted expected future cash flows, taking forward rates 
on the foreign exchange market into account. The currency options 
were measured using the Black-Scholes option pricing model.

Level  2  includes  commodity,  interest  rate  and  currency 
deriv atives.  The  fair  values  of  the  derivatives  (currency  forwards, 
interest rate and commodity swaps) are measured on the basis of 
discounted  expected  future  cash  flows,  taking  into  account  for-
ward  rates  for  currencies,  interest  rates  and  commodities  (mar-
ket   approach).  For  this  purpose,  price  quotations  observable  on 
the market (exchange rates, interest rates and commodity prices) 
are  imported  from  information  platforms  customary  in  the  mar-
ket  into  the  treasury  management  system.  The  price  quotations 
 reflect  actual  transactions  involving  similar  instruments  on  an 

 active  market.  Any  currency  options  used  are  measured  using 
the  Black-Scholes  option  pricing  model.  All  significant  inputs 
used to  measure derivatives are observable on the market. Level 3 
mainly comprises the fair values of equity investments and options 
 entered  into  in  connection  with  M & A  transactions.  These  equity 
investments and options are measured using recognised valuation 
models, taking plausible assumptions into account; measurement 
 depends largely on financial ratios. 

No financial instruments were transferred between levels in 
financial  year  2012.  The  table  shows  the  effect  on  net  gains  and 
losses of the financial instruments categorised within level 3 as at 
the reporting date:

Unobservable inputs (Level 3)

€ m

Assets

Equity instruments

Liabilities

Debt instruments

Derivatives

Equity derivatives

Gains and 
losses  
(recognised in 
profit or loss)

Gains and 
losses 
 (recognised  
in OCI)

At 
1 Jan. 2013

Additions 

Disposals

At 
31 Dec. 2013

28

1

48

0

41 1

–1 2

– 43 2

0

0

24

0

0

0

0

–3

93

0

2

1  Unrealised gains were recognised in the IAS 39 revaluation reserve.
2  Fair value losses were recognised in other finance costs. 

The  net  gains  and  losses  on  financial  instruments  classified 
in accordance with the individual IAS 39 measurement categories 
are as follows:

Net gains and losses by measurement category

€ m

Loans and receivables

Financial assets and liabilities at fair value  
through profit or loss

Trading

Fair value option

Other financial liabilities

2012

–111

–337

0

2

2013

–107

41

0

3

The  net  gains  and  losses  mainly  include  the  effects  of  the 
fair  value  measurement,  impairment  and  disposals  (disposal 
gains / losses)  of  financial  instruments.  In  financial  year  2013,  an 
option  entered  into  in  the  context  of  an  M & A  transaction  was 
derecognised, resulting in an impact on profit or loss. The amount 
reported for the trading category in the previous year  related to the 
measurement of the forward and the options entered into to trans-
fer the remaining shares in Deutsche Postbank AG. Dividends and 
interest  are  not  taken  into  account  for  the  financial  instruments 
measured  at  fair  value  through  profit  or  loss.  Disclosures  on  net 
gains or losses on available-for-sale financial assets can be found 
 Note 40.2.   Income  and  expenses  from  interest  and  commis-
in 
sion agreements of the financial instruments not measured at fair 
value through profit or loss are explained in the income statement 
disclosures.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

203

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Other disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

The following tables show the impact of netting agreements 
based  on  master  netting  arrangements  or  similar  agreements  on 
the presentation of financial assets and financial liabilities as at the 
reporting date:

Offsetting – Assets

€ m

Assets at 31 December 2013

Derivative financial assets

Trade receivables

Assets at 31 December 2012

Derivative financial assets 1

Trade receivables

1  Excluding derivatives from M &  A transactions.

Offsetting – Liabilities

€ m

Liabilities at 31 December 2013

Derivative financial liabilities 1

Trade payables

Liabilities at 31 December 2012

Derivative financial liabilities 1

Trade payables

1  Excluding derivatives from M &  A transactions.

Financial assets and liabilities not set off  
in the balance sheet

Gross amount 
of financial 
assets 
 recognised  
at the 
 reporting date

Gross amount 
of financial 
 liabilities 
set off

Net amount 
of financial 
assets set off 
in the balance 
sheet

Financial liabilities subject to 
a legally enforceable netting 
agreement that do not meet 
offsetting criteria

Collateral 
received

156

7,207

144

7,084

0

167

0

125

156

7,040

144

6,959

38

0

68

0

0

0

0

0

Gross amount 
of financial 
liabilities 
recognised  
at the 
 reporting date

Net amount 
of financial 
 liabilities set 
off in the 
 balance sheet

Gross amount 
of financial 
assets set off

Financial assets and liabilities not set off  
in the balance sheet

Financial assets subject to 
a legally enforceable netting 
agreement that do not meet 
offsetting criteria

Collateral 
provided

38

6,559

68

6,116

0

167

0

125

38

6,392

68

5,991

38

0

68

0

0

0

0

0

Total

118

7,040

76

6,959

Total

0

6,392

0

5,991

204

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Other disclosures

Financial assets and liabilities are set off on the basis of net-
ting agreements (master netting arrangements) only if an enforce-
able right of set-off exists and settlement on a net basis is intended 
as at the reporting date. 

If the right of set-off is not enforceable in the normal course 
of business, the financial assets and  liabilities are recognised in the 
balance sheet at their gross amounts as at the  reporting date. The 
master  netting  arrangement  creates  a  conditional  right  of  set-off 
that can only be enforced by taking  legal action.

To  hedge  cash  flow  and  fair  value  risks,  Deutsche  Post  AG 
enters  into  financial  derivative  transactions  with  a  large  number 
of  financial  services  institutions.  These  contracts  are  subject  to 
a  standardised  master  agreement  for  financial  derivative  trans-
actions. This agreement provides for a conditional right of set-off, 
resulting  in  the  recognition  of  the  gross  amount  of  the  financial 
derivative transactions at the reporting date. The conditional right 
of set-off is presented in the table.

Settlement  processes  arising  from  services  related  to  postal 
deliveries are subject to the Universal Postal Convention and the 
REIMS  Agreement.  These  agreements,  particularly  the  settlement 
conditions, are binding on all public postal operators for the spec-
ified  contractual  arrangements.  Imports  and  exports   between 
two parties to the agreement during a calendar year are offset in 
an   annual  statement  of  account  and  presented  on  a  net  basis  in 
the final annual statement. The final statement is prepared by the 
creditor. Receivables and payables covered by the Universal Postal 
 Convention and the REIMS Agreement are presented on a net basis 
at  the  reporting  date.  The  tables  above  show  the  receivables  and 
payables before and after offsetting. 

51  Contingent liabilities

The  Group’s  contingent  liabilities  total  €1,077 million  (pre-
vious  year:  €1,135 million).  €21 million  of  the  contingent  liabil-
ities   relates  to  guarantee  obligations  (previous  year:  €22 mil-
lion),  €84 million  to  warranties  (previous  year:  €103 million) 
and €124 million to liabilities from litigation risks (previous year: 
€130 million).

The other contingent liabilities declined by €32 million, from 

€880 million in the previous year to €848 million. 

52  Other financial obligations

In addition to provisions, liabilities and contingent liabilities, 
there are other financial obligations amounting to €6,129 million 
(previous  year:  €6,325 million)  from  non-cancellable  operating 
leases as defined by IAS 17.

The  Group’s  future  non-cancellable  payment  obligations 

 under leases are attributable to the following asset classes:

Lease obligations

€ m

Land and buildings

Aircraft

Transport equipment

Technical equipment and machinery

Other equipment, operating and office equipment

IT equipment

Lease obligations

2012

5,100

647

450

65

48

15

2013

4,966

524

512

67

47

13

6,325

6,129

in 

The  decrease 

lease  obligations  by  €196 million  to 
€6,129 million is a consequence of the reduction in the remaining 
terms  of  legacy  agreements,  especially  for  real  estate  and  aircraft 
which, in the main, are not matched by the same volume of new 
leases.

Maturity structure of minimum lease payments

€ m

Less than 1 year

More than 1 year to 2 years

More than 2 years to 3 years

More than 3 years to 4 years

More than 4 years to 5 years

More than 5 years

2012

1,504

1,107

837

642

500

1,735

6,325

2013

1,465

1,109

853

651

475

1,576

6,129

The present value of discounted minimum lease payments is 
€5,019 million (previous year: €5,156 million), based on a discount 
factor of 4.75 % (previous year: 4.75 %). Overall, rental and lease pay-
ments amounted to €2,508 million (previous year: €2,529 million), 
of which €1,696 million (previous year: €1,730 million) relates to 
non-cancellable  leases.  €2,092 million  (previous  year:  €2,255 mil-
lion) of future lease obligations from non-cancellable leases is pri-
marily attributable to Deutsche Post Immobilien GmbH.

The purchase obligation for investments in non-current  assets 

amounts to €134 million (previous year: €125 million).

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

205

 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Other disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

53  Litigation

A large number of the postal services rendered by Deutsche 
Post AG and its subsidiaries are subject to sector-specific  regulation 
by  the  Bundes netz agentur  (German  federal  network  agency)  pur-
suant  to  the  Postgesetz  (German  Postal  Act).  As  the  regulatory 
authority, the Bundes netz agentur approves or reviews these prices, 
formulates the terms of downstream access and has special super-
visory  powers  to  combat  market  abuse.  This  general  regulatory 
risk could lead to a decline in revenue and earnings in the event of 
nega tive decisions.

Legal  risks  arise,  amongst  other  things,  from  pending  ad-
ministrative  court  appeals  by  an  association  and  a  competitor 
against the price approvals under the price cap procedure for 2003, 
2004  and  2005,  and  by  the  association  against  the  correspond-
ing   decisions  for  2008  and  2013.  Although  the  appeals  against 
price  approvals for the years 2003 to 2005 were dismissed by the 
 Münster Higher Administrative Court, as the court of appeal, an 
appeal has been filed with the Federal Administrative Court. The 
Cologne Administrative Court has not yet decided on the appeals 
against the price approvals for 2008 and 2013.

Legal  risks  also  result  from  appeals  by  Deutsche  Post  AG 
against  other  price  approvals  granted  by  the  regulatory  authority. 
These largely relate to appeals against the price approvals for  access 
to Deutsche Post AG’s post office box facilities and change of  address 
information by competitors.

There  are  legal  risks  in  connection  with  the  discounts 
for  downstream  access,  which  Deutsche  Post  AG  increased  on 
1 July 2010.  Deutsche  Post  competitors  and  their  associations 
filed complaints against these discount increases with the Bundes-
netz agentur.  They  claim  that  the  increased  discounts  conflict,  in 
particular,  with  regulatory  requirements.  However,  the  Bundes-
netz agentur discontinued its review proceedings by way of a noti-
fication  of  15 September 2010  after  having  found  no  violation  of 
the  applicable  regulations.  In  October 2011,  several  competitors 
of  Deutsche  Post  AG  brought  an  action  against  the  Bundes netz-
agentur with the aim of reversing the discount increases. Deutsche 
Post AG considers its charges for downstream access and the dis-
count  increases to be in compliance with the regulatory and other 
legal requirements. Following the hearing at the Cologne Admin-
istrative Court on 25 November 2013, the claimants withdrew their 
appeal.  The  Bundes netz agentur’s  decision  of  15 November 2010 
therefore stands. 

In  its  decision  dated  14 June 2011,  the  Bundes netz agentur 
 concluded  that  First  Mail  Düsseldorf  GmbH,  a  subsidiary  of 
Deutsche  Post  AG,  and  Deutsche  Post  AG  had  contravened  the 
 discounting and discrimination prohibitions under the Post gesetz. 
The  companies  were  instructed  to  remedy  the  breaches  that  had 
been  identified.  Both  companies  appealed  against  the  ruling. 
Further more, First Mail Düsseldorf GmbH filed an application to 
suspend the execution of the ruling until a decision was reached 
in  the  principal  proceedings. The  Cologne  Administrative  Court 
and  the  Münster  Higher  Administrative  Court  both  dismissed 
this  application.  First  Mail  Düsseldorf  GmbH  discontinued  its 
mail delivery operations at the end of 2011 and retracted its appeal 
on  19 December 2011.  Deutsche  Post  AG  continues  to  pursue  its 
 appeal against the Bundes netz agentur ruling.

In  its  ruling  of  30 April 2012,  the  Bundes netz agentur  deter-
mined that Deutsche Post AG had contravened the discrimination 
provisions under the Postgesetz by charging different fees for the 
transport  of  identical  invoices  and  invoices  containing  different 
amounts. Deutsche Post AG was requested to discontinue the dis-
crimination determined immediately, but no later than 31 Decem-
ber 2012. The ruling was implemented on 1 January 2013. Deutsche 
Post does not share the legal opinion of the Bundes netz agentur and 
appealed the ruling.

On  25 January 2012,  the  European  Commission  issued  a 
ruling  on  the  formal  investigation  regarding  state  aid  that  it  had 
initiated on 12 September 2007. The Commission determined that 
Deutsche Post AG was not overcompensated, using state resources, 
for the cost of providing universal services between 1989 and 2007. 
It also did not find fault with the guarantees issued by the German 
state for legacy liabilities. By contrast, it did find that some of the 
funding  arrangements  for  civil  servants’  pensions  represented  il-
legal state aid. It said that the pension relief granted to Deutsche 
Post AG by the Bundes netz agentur during  the price approval pro-
cess led to Deutsche Post AG receiving a benefit in relation to its 
services that are not rate-regulated. According to the Commission, 
this  must  be  claimed  back  by  the  German  government,  which 
must also  ensure that the granting of state aid does not in future 
confer  benefits with respect to non-rate-regulated services (illegal 
state  aid).  The   European  Commission  has  left  the  calculation  of 
the precise amount to be repaid to the Federal Republic. However, 
in  a  press  release,  the  European  Commission  had  referred  to  an 
amount of between €500 million and €1 billion. 

Deutsche  Post  AG  and  the  federal  government  are  of  the 
 opinion  that  the  European  Commission’s  state  aid  decision  0f 
25 January 2012 cannot withstand legal review and have each sub-
mitted an appeal to the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg.
To  implement  the  state  aid  ruling,  the  federal  government 
called  upon  Deutsche  Post  AG  on  29 May 2012  to  make  a  pay-
ment  of  €298 million  including  interest.  Deutsche  Post  AG  paid 
this  amount  to  a  trustee  on  1 June 2012  and  appealed  the  recov-
ery  order  to  the  Administrative  Court.  However,  this  appeal  has 
been  suspended  pending  a  ruling  from  the  European  Court  of 
 Justice. The company made additional payments of €19.4 million 
and  €15.6 million  to  the  trustee  on  2 January 2013  and  2 Janu-
ary 2014, respectively. All payments made until the reporting date 
were  reported in the balance sheet under non-current assets; the 
earnings position remained unaffected.

The European Commission has not expressed its final accept-
ance of the calculation of the state aid to be repaid. On 17 Decem-
ber 2013, it initiated proceedings against the Federal  Republic of 
Germany  with  the  European  Court  of  Justice  to  effect  a  higher 
repay ment  amount.  Although  Deutsche  Post  AG  and  the  federal 
government  are  of  the  opinion  that  the  European  Commission’s 
state aid decision cannot withstand legal review, it cannot be ruled 
out  that  Deutsche  Post  AG  will  ultimately  be  required  to  make  a 
(potentially higher) payment, which could have an adverse effect 
on earnings.

206

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Other disclosures

54  Share-based payment

Assumptions  regarding  the  price  of  Deutsche  Post  AG’s 
shares and assumptions regarding employee fluctuation are taken 
into  account when measuring the value of share-based payments 
for executives. All assumptions are reviewed on a quarterly basis. 
The  staff  costs  are  recognised  pro  rata  in  profit  or  loss  to   reflect 
the   services  rendered  as  consideration  during  the  vesting  period 
(lock-up period). 

Share-based payment for executives (Share Matching Scheme)

Under the share-based payment system for executives (Share 
Matching  Scheme),  certain  executives  receive  part  of  their  vari-
able remuneration for the financial year in the form of shares of 
Deutsche Post AG in the following year (incentive shares); all Group 
executives can specify an increased equity component individually 
by converting a further portion of their variable remuneration for 

the  financial  year  (investment  shares).  After  a  four-year  lock-up 
period during which the executive must be employed by the Group, 
they  again  receive  the  same  number  of  Deutsche  Post  AG  shares 
(matching  shares).  Assumptions  are  made  regarding  the  conver-
sion behaviour of executives with respect to their relevant bonus 
portion. Share-based payment arrangements are entered into each 
year, with 1 January of the respective year and 1 April of the follow-
ing year being the grant dates for each year’s tranche. Whereas in-
centive shares and matching shares are classified as equity-settled 
share-based  payments,  investment  shares  are  compound  finan-
cial instruments and the liability and equity components must be 
measured separately. However, in accordance with IFRS 2.37, only 
the debt component is measured due to the provisions of the Share 
Matching Scheme. The investment shares are therefore treated as 
cash-settled share-based payments.

Share Matching Scheme

Grant dates

Term

End of term

Share price at grant date (fair value)

Incentive shares and matching shares awarded for incentive shares

Matching shares awarded for investment shares

Number of incentive shares

Number of matching shares expected

Incentive shares

Investment shares

1  Estimated provisional amount, will be determined on 1 April 2014.
2  Expected number.

2009  
tranche

2010  
tranche

2011  
tranche

2012  
tranche

2013  
tranche

1 Nov. 2009 /  
1 April 2010

1 Jan. 2010 /  
1 April 2011

1 Jan. 2011 /  
1 April 2012

1 Jan. 2012 /  
1 April 2013

1 Jan. 2013 /  
1 April 2014

months

53

63

63

63

63

March 2014

March 2015

March 2016

March 2017

March 2018

€

€

thousands

thousands

thousands

11.48

13.03

430

336

259

13.98

12.91

638

574

932

12.90

14.83

660

594

940

12.13

18.22

479

431

709

17.02

25.00 1

348 2

313

556

In  the  consolidated  financial  statements  as  at  31 Decem-
ber 2013, €35 million (previous year: €34 million) was recognised 
in  equity  for  the  granting  of  variable  remuneration  components; 

 Note 39.

Long-Term Incentive Plan (2006 LtIp) for members  
of the Board of Management

Since 1 July 2006, the members of the Board of Management 
receive stock appreciation rights (SARs) under the 2006 LTIP. Each 
SAR under the 2006 LTIP entitles the holder to receive a cash settle-
ment equal to the difference between the average closing price of 
Deutsche Post shares during the last five trading days before the 
exercise date and the issue price of the SAR.

The members of the Board of Management each invest 10 % 
of  their  fixed  annual  remuneration  (annual  base  salary)  as  a  per-
sonal financial investment every year. The number of SAR s issued 
to  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Management  is  determined  by 
the Super visory Board. Following a four-year waiting period that 

 begins on  the issue date,  the SAR s granted can be  fully or partly 
exercised  within  a  period  of  two  years  provided  an  absolute  or 
relative  performance  target  is  achieved  at  the  end  of  the  waiting 
 period. Any SAR s not exercised during this two-year period will 
expire. To  determine how many – if any – of the granted SAR s can 
be  exercised, the average share price or the average index is com-
pared  for  the  reference  period  and  the  performance  period.  The 
reference  period  comprises  the  last  20  consecutive  trading  days 
before the issue date. The performance period is the last 60 trading 
days   before  the  end  of  the  waiting  period.  The  average  (closing) 
price  is  calculated  as  the  average  closing  price  of  Deutsche  Post 
shares in Deutsche Börse AG’s Xetra trading system.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

207

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes
Other disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

The absolute performance target is met if the closing price of 
Deutsche Post shares is at least 10, 15, 20 or 25 % above the issue 
price. The relative performance target is tied to the performance 
of  the  shares  in  relation  to  the  STOXX  Europe  600  Index  (SXXP, 
ISIN EU0009658202). It is met if the share price equals the index 
 performance or if it outperforms the index by at least 10 %.

A maximum of four out of every six SAR s can be “earned” via 
the  absolute  performance  target,  and  a  maximum  of  two  via  the 
relative  performance  target.  If  neither  an  absolute  nor  a  relative 
performance  target  is  met  by  the  end  of  the  waiting  period,  the 
SAR s attributable to the related tranche will expire without replace-
ment or compensation.

sar Plan for executives

Since  July 2006,  selected  executives  have  received  annual 
tranches of SAR s under the LTIP. This  allows them to receive a cash 
payment within a defined period in the amount of the difference 

between the respective price of Deutsche Post shares and the fixed 
issue price if demanding  performance targets are met (see disclo-
sures on the 2006 LTIP for members of the Board of Management). 
All  SAR s  granted  under  the  2006  and  2007  tranches  expired  at 
the end of the respective waiting periods, since the  related perfor-
mance   targets  were  not  met.  After  the  expiry  of  the  waiting  pe-
riod for the 2008 tranche on 30 June 2011, two-sixths of the SAR s 
granted   became  exercisable.  They  were  eligible  to  be  exercised 
shortly  before the end of the exercise period, as the share price per-
formed well and exceeded the issue price of €18.40. The exercise 
period for these SAR s terminated on 30 June 2013. The waiting pe-
riod for the 2009 tranche also ended on 30 June 2013. Due to the 
strong share price performance since the SAR s were  issued in 2009, 
most of these SAR s were exercised in 2013.

More details on the 2006 LTIP / SAR Plan tranches are shown 

in the following table:

LtIp 2006 / sar Plan

SAR s

Issue date

Issue price (€)

Waiting period expires

The fair value of the SAR Plan and the 2006 LTIP was deter-
mined using a stochastic simulation model. As a result, an expense 
of €202 million was recognised for financial year 2013 (previous 
year: €143 million). 

See 

 Note 55.2  for  further  disclosures  on  share-based  pay-
ment for members of the Board of Management. A provision for 
the 2006 LTIP and the SAR Plan was recognised as at the balance 
sheet date in the amount of €278 million (previous year: €203 mil-
lion), of which €64 million (previous year: €25 million) was attrib-
utable to the Board of Management. €4 million of the total provi-
sion (previous year: €0 million) related to rights exercisable at the 
reporting date.

55  Related party disclosures

55.1  Related party disclosures (companies and Federal Republic 

of Germany)

All companies classified as related parties that are controlled 
by  the  Group  or  on  which  the  Group  can  exercise  significant  in-
fluence  are  recorded  in  the  list  of  shareholdings,  which  can  be 
 www.dpdhl.com/en/investors.html, together 
 accessed on the website, 
with  information on the equity interest held, their equity and their 
net profit or loss for the period, broken down by geographical areas.
Deutsche  Post  AG  maintains  a  variety  of  relationships  with 
the Federal Republic of Germany and other companies controlled 
by the Federal Republic of Germany. 

2009  
tranche

2010  
tranche

2011  
tranche

2012  
tranche

2013  
tranche

1 July 2009

1 July 2010

1 July 2011

1 July 2012 1 August 2013

9.52

12.27

12.67

13.26

20.49

30 June 2013

30 June 2014

30 June 2015

30 June 2016

31 July 2017

The  federal  government  is  a  customer  of  Deutsche  Post  AG 
and  as  such  uses  the  company’s  services.  Deutsche  Post  AG  has 
 direct business relationships with the individual public authorities 
and other government agencies as independent individual custom-
ers. The services provided for these customers are insignificant in 
respect of Deutsche Post AG’s overall revenue.

reLatIonsHIps WItH kFW BankenGruppe

KfW  supports  the  federal  government  in  continuing  to 
 privatise companies such as Deutsche Post AG or Deutsche Telekom 
AG. In 1997, KfW, together with the federal government, developed 
a  “placeholder  model”  as  a  tool  to  privat ise  government-owned 
companies. Under this model, the federal govern ment sells all or 
part  of  its  investments  to  KfW  with  the  aim  of  fully  privatising 
these state-owned companies. On this basis, KfW has purchased 
shares of Deutsche Post AG from the federal government in several 
stages since 1997 and executed various capital market transactions 
using  these  shares.  KfW’s  current  interest  in  Deutsche  Post  AG’s 
share capital is 21 %. Deutsche Post AG is thus considered to be an 
associate of the federal government.

208

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Other disclosures

reLatIonsHIps WItH tHe BunDesanstaLt Für post  
unD teLekoMMunIkatIon

reLatIonsHIps WItH tHe GerMan FeDeraL  
eMpLoYMent aGenCY

The  Bundesanstalt 

für  Post  und  Telekommunikation 
( BAnstPT)  is  a  government  agency  and  falls  under  the  technical 
and legal supervision of the German Federal Ministry of Finance. 
Under  the  Bundesanstalt-Reorganisationsgesetz  (German  Federal 
Agency Reorganisation Act), which entered into force on 1 Decem-
ber 2005, the Federal Republic of Germany directly undertakes the 
tasks relating to holdings in Deutsche Bundespost successor com-
panies through the Federal Ministry of Finance. It is therefore no 
longer necessary for the BAnstPT to perform the “tasks associated 
with ownership”. The BAnstPT manages the social facilities such as 
the Postal Civil Service Health Insurance Fund, the recreation pro-
gramme, the Versorgungsanstalt der Deutschen Bundespost (VAP) 
and the welfare service for Deutsche Post AG, Deutsche Postbank 
AG and Deutsche Telekom AG, as well as setting the objectives for 
social housing. Since 1 January 2013, the BAnstPT has undertaken 
the tasks of the special pension fund for postal civil servants (Post-
beamtenversorgungskasse). The fund makes pension and assistance 
payments to the beneficiaries and their surviving dependents allo-
cated  to  the  Deutsche  Bundespost  successor  companies.  Further 
disclosures  on  the  special  pension  fund  for  postal  civil  servants 
 Note 7. The tasks are performed on the basis of 
can be found in 
agency  agreements.  In  2013,  Deutsche  Post  AG  was  invoiced  for 
€65 million  (previous  year:  €70 million)  in  instalment  payments 
relating to services provided by the BAnstPT.

reLatIonsHIps WItH tHe GerMan FeDeraL MInIstrY 
oF FInanCe

In  financial  year  2001,  the  German  Federal  Ministry  of 
 Finance  and  Deutsche  Post  AG  entered  into  an  agreement  that 
 governs the terms and conditions of the transfer of income  received 
by Deutsche Post AG from the levying of the settlement payment 
under  the  Gesetze  über  den  Abbau  der  Fehlsubventio nierung  im 
Wohnungs wesen  (German  Acts  on  the  Reduction  of  Mis directed 
Housing  Subsidies)  relating  to  housing  benefits  granted  by 
Deutsche Post AG. Deutsche Post AG transfers the amounts to the 
federal government on a monthly basis.

Deutsche  Post  AG  also  entered  into  an  agreement  with  the 
Federal Ministry of Finance dated 30 January 2004 relating to the 
transfer of civil servants to German federal authorities. Under this 
agreement, civil servants are seconded with the aim of transferring 
them initially for six months, and are then transferred permanently 
if  they  successfully  complete  their  probation.  Once  a  permanent 
transfer  is  completed,  Deutsche  Post  AG  contributes  to  the  cost 
incurred  by  the  federal  government  by  paying  a  flat  fee.  In  2013, 
this initiative resulted in 26 permanent transfers (previous year: 11) 
and 33 secondments with the aim of a permanent transfer in 2014 
(previous year: 16).

Deutsche  Post  AG  and  the  German  Federal  Employment 
Agency entered into an agreement dated 12 October 2009 relating 
to  the  transfer  of  Deutsche  Post  AG  civil  servants  to  the  Federal 
Employment Agency. In 2013, as in the previous year, this initiative 
resulted in no transfers.

reLatIonsHIps WItH DeutsCHe teLekoM aG  
anD Its suBsIDIarIes

The  federal  government  holds  around  32 %  of  the  shares  of 
Deutsche Telekom AG directly and indirectly (via KfW). A control 
relationship exists between Deutsche  Telekom AG and the federal 
government  because  the  federal  government,   despite  its  non-con-
trolling interest, has a secure majority at the  Annual General Meet-
ing  due  to  its  average  presence  there.  Deutsche   Telekom  AG  is 
therefore a related party of Deutsche Post AG. In financial year 2013, 
Deutsche  Post  DHL  provided  goods  and  services  (mainly  trans-
port services for letters and parcels) for Deutsche  Telekom AG and 
purchased goods and services (such as IT products) from Deutsche 
Telekom AG.

reLatIonsHIps WItH DeutsCHe BaHn aG  
anD Its suBsIDIarIes

Deutsche  Bahn  AG  is  wholly  owned  by  the  federal  govern-
ment. Owing to this control relationship, Deutsche Bahn AG is a 
related party to Deutsche Post AG. Deutsche Post DHL has  various 
business  relationships  with  the  Deutsche  Bahn  Group.  These 
mainly consist of transport service agreements.

BunDes-pensIons-servICe Für post  
unD teLekoMMunIkatIon e.v.

Disclosures  on  the  Bundes-Pensions-Service  für  Post-  und 

Telekommunikation e. V. (BPS-PT) can be found in 

 Note 7.

reLatIonsHIp WItH pensIon FunDs

The  real  estate  with  a  fair  value  of  €1,016 million  (previ-
ous  year:  €995 million),  of  which  Deutsche  Post  Betriebsrenten 
Service  e. V.  (DPRS)  and / or  Deutsche  Post  Pensions-Treuhand 
GmbH & Co. KG,  Deutsche  Post  Betriebsrenten-Service  e. V. & Co. 
Objekt   Gronau  KG  and  Deutsche  Post  Grundstücks-Vermie-
tungsgesellschaft  beta  mbH  Objekt  Leipzig  KG  are  the  legal  or 
beneficial owners, is  exclusively let to Deutsche Post Immobilien 
GmbH.  Rental  expense  for  Deutsche  Post  Immobilien  GmbH 
amounted to €66 million in 2013 (previous year: €65 million). The 
rent was  always paid on time. Deutsche Post Pensions-Treuhand 
GmbH & Co. KG owns 100 % of Deutsche Post Pensionsfonds AG. 
 Notes 7 and 44. 
Further disclosures on pension funds can be found in 

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

209

Notes
Other disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

reLatIonsHIps WItH unConsoLIDateD CoMpanIes, 
 assoCIates anD joInt ventures

In  addition  to  the  consolidated  subsidiaries,  the  Group  has 
direct  and  indirect  relationships  with  unconsolidated  companies, 
associates  and  joint  ventures  deemed  to  be  related  parties  of  the 
Group in the course of its ordinary business activities. As part of 
these activities, all transactions for the provision of goods and ser-
vices entered into with unconsolidated companies were conducted 
on an arm’s length basis at standard market terms and conditions. 
Transactions  were  conducted  in  financial  year  2013  with 
 major  related parties, resulting in the following items in the con-
solidated financial statements:

55.2  Related party disclosures (individuals)

In accordance with IAS 24, the Group also reports on trans-
actions between the Group and related parties or members of their 
families. Related parties are defined as the Board of Management, 
the Supervisory Board and the members of their families.

There  were  no  reportable  transactions  or  legal  transactions 

involving related parties in financial year 2013.

The  remuneration  of  key  management  personnel  of  the 
Group requiring disclosure under IAS 24 comprises the  remuner-
ation of the active members of the Board of Management and the 
Supervisory Board. 

The  active  members  of  the  Board  of  Management  and  the 

Super visory Board were remunerated as follows:

€ m

Receivables 

from associates

from joint ventures

from unconsolidated companies

Loans 

to associates

to joint ventures

to unconsolidated companies

Receivables from in-house banking 

from associates

from joint ventures

from unconsolidated companies

Financial liabilities

to associates

to joint ventures

to unconsolidated companies

Liabilities 

to associates

to joint ventures

to unconsolidated companies

Revenue

from associates 1

from joint ventures

from unconsolidated companies

Expenses 2

due to associates 1

due to joint ventures

due to unconsolidated companies

1  Revenue and expenses include Deutsche Postbank AG-related amounts up to and 

 including February 2012.

2  Relate to materials expense and staff costs.

Deutsche  Post  AG  issued  letters  of  commitment  in  the 
amount of €81 million (previous year: €101 million) for these com-
panies.  Of  this  amount,  €76 million  (previous  year:  €94 million) 
was  attributable  to  associates,  €1 million  (previous  year:  €3 mil-
lion) to joint ventures and €4 million (previous year: €4 million) to 
unconsolidated companies.

2012

2013

€ m

7

1

3

3

11

0

0

11

2

0

2

0

93

2

7

84

42

0

35

7

80

46

33

1

264

66

176

22

5

1

3

1

15

0

0

15

2

0

2

0

83

0

5

78

46

0

43

3

36

0

35

1

189

0

167

22

Short-term employee benefits  
(excluding share-based payment)

Post-employment benefits

Termination benefits 

Share-based payment

Total

2012

2013

15

3

0

19

37

14

3

0

47

64

As well as the aforementioned benefits for their work on the 
Supervisory Board, the employee representatives who  are  on the 
Supervisory Board and employed by the Group also receive their 
normal salaries for their work in the company. These salaries are 
determined at levels that are commensurate with the salary appro-
priate for the function or work performed in the company.

Post-employment benefits are recognised as the service cost 
resulting  from  the  pension  provisions  for  active  members  of  the 
Board  of  Management.  The  corresponding  liability  amounted  to 
€23 million as at the reporting date (previous year: €20 million).

The  share-based  payment  amount  relates  to  the  relevant 
 expense recognised for financial years 2012 and 2013. It is itemised 
in the following table:

Share-based payment

Thousands of €

Dr Frank Appel, Chairman

Ken Allen 

Roger Crook

Bruce Edwards

Jürgen Gerdes 

Lawrence Rosen 

Walter Scheurle 1

Angela Titzrath  2

Share-based payment

1  Until 30 April 2012.
2  Since 1 May 2012.

2012

SAR s

4,188

2,558

626

2,648

2,597

2,590

4,050

136

19,393

2013

SAR s

12,894

7,322

3,460

7,610

7,428

7,311

–

1,183

47,208

210

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes
Other disclosures

55.3  Remuneration disclosures in accordance with the HGB

BoarD oF ManaGeMent reMuneratIon

The  total  remuneration  paid  to  the  active  members  of  the 
Board  of  Management  in  financial  year  2013  including  the  com-
ponents  with  a  long-term  incentive  effect  totalled  €20.5 million 
(previous year: €20.3 million). Of this amount, €7.8 million (previ-
ous year: €7.6 million) is attributable to non-performance-related 
components (annual base salary and fringe benefits), €5.4 million 
(previous year: €5.7 million) to performance-related components 
(variable  components)  and  €7.3 million  (previous  year:  €7.0 mil-
lion) to components with a long-term incentive effect (SAR s). The 
number of SAR s was 1,984,818 (previous year: 2,108,466).

ForMer MeMBers oF tHe BoarD oF ManaGeMent

The remuneration of former members of the Board of Manage-
ment  or  their  surviving  dependants  amounted  to  €4.4 million  in 
the  year  under  review  (previous  year:  €4.6 million).  The  defined 
benefit  obligation  (DBO)  for  current  pensions  calculated  under 
IFRS s amounted to €72 million (previous year: €78 million). 

reMuneratIon oF tHe supervIsorY BoarD

The total remuneration of the Supervisory Board in  financial 
year  2013  amounted  to  around  €1.4 million  (previous  year: 
€1.9 million);  €1.2 million  of  this  amount  was  attributable  to  a 
fixed component (previous year: €1.2 million) and €0.2 million to 
attend ance  allowances  (previous  year:  €0.2 million).  The  condi-
tions for the performance-based remuneration for 2011 were not 
met as at 31 December 2013 (previous year: payment of €0.4 mil-
lion to active members of the Supervisory Board as performance- 
based remuneration for financial year 2010 and of €42 thousand to 
former members of the Supervisory Board).

Further  information  on  the  itemised  remuneration  of  the 
Board of Management and the Supervisory Board can be found in 
the Corporate Governance Report. The remuneration report con-
tained in the Corporate Governance Report also forms part of the 
Group Management Report.

sHareHoLDInGs oF tHe BoarD oF ManaGeMent  
anD supervIsorY BoarD

As at 31 December 2013, shares held by the Board of Manage-
ment and the Supervisory Board of Deutsche Post AG amounted to 
less than 1 % of the company’s share capital.

reportaBLe transaCtIons

The  transactions  of  Board  of  Management  and  Supervisory 
Board members involving securities of the company and notified 
to  Deutsche  Post  AG  in  accordance  with  section  15a  of  the  Wert-
papierhandelsgesetz  (WpHG  –  German  Securities  Trading  Act) 
 www.dpdhl.com/en/ 
can  be  viewed  on  the  company’s  website  at 
investors.html.

56  Auditor’s fees

The following fees for services rendered by the auditor of the 
consolidated financial statements, PricewaterhouseCoopers Aktien-
gesellschaft Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, were recognised as an 
expense in financial year 2013 and in the previous year:

€ m

Audits of the financial statements

Other assurance or valuation services

Tax advisory services

Other services

Auditor’s fees

2012

2013

5

3

0

2

10

5

3

0

2

10

57  Exemptions under the HGB and local foreign legislation

For financial year 2013, Deutsche Post AG has exercised the 
simplification options under section 264 (3) of the HGB or section 
264 b of the HGB for the following companies:
•  Adcloud GmbH
•  Agheera GmbH
•  Albert Scheid GmbH
•  CSG GmbH
•  CSG.TS GmbH
•  Danzas Deutschland Holding GmbH
•  Danzas Grundstücksverwaltung Groß-Gerau GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Adress Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH
•  Deutsche Post Assekuranz Vermittlungs GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Beteiligungen Holding GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Com GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Consult GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Customer Service Center GmbH
•  Deutsche Post DHL Beteiligungen GmbH
•  Deutsche Post DHL Corporate Real Estate Management GmbH
•  Deutsche Post DHL Inhouse Consulting GmbH
•  Deutsche Post DHL Research and Innovation GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Direkt GmbH
•  Deutsche Post E-Post Development GmbH 
•  Deutsche Post E-POST Solutions GmbH 
•  Deutsche Post Fleet GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Immobilien GmbH
•  Deutsche Post InHaus Services GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Investments GmbH
•  Deutsche Post IT BRIEF GmbH
•  Deutsche Post IT Services GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Shop Essen GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Shop Hannover GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Shop München GmbH
•  Deutsche Post Signtrust und DMDA GmbH 
•  DHL Airways GmbH
•  DHL Automotive GmbH

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

211

 
 
 
 
Notes
Other disclosures

Consolidated Financial Statements

58  Declaration of Conformity with the German Corporate 

 Governance Code

The  Board  of  Management  and  the  Supervisory  Board  of 
Deutsche Post AG jointly submitted the Declaration of  Conformity 
with  the  German  Corporate  Governance  Code  for  financial  year 
2013  required  by  section  161  of  the  AktG.  This  Declaration  of 
 www.corporate-governance- 
 Conformity  can  be   accessed  online  at 
code.de and at 

 www.dpdhl.com/en/investors.html.

59  Significant events after the balance sheet date

At  the  end  of  January,  Deutsche  Post  DHL  announced  that 
it  had  entered  into  a  new  contract  with  US  airline  Southern  Air, 
thereby expanding and extending the partnership with the airline. 
Lease obligations amounting to US$ 640 million will arise in this 
context.

The  domestic  parcel  business  in  Poland,  the  Czech  Repub-
lic,  Belgium  and  the  Netherlands  was  consolidated  in  the  MAIL 
 division, effective 1 January 2014. This business was previously part 
of the EXPRESS and GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT divisions.

On 20 February 2014, the Board of Management, subject to 
the consent of the Supervisory Board, resolved upon an ordinary 
increase  in  capital  (Authorised  Capital  2013)  by  656,915  no  par-
value shares in order to service the 2009 tranche of the share-based 
payment  system  for  executives  (Share  Matching  Scheme)  due 
on  1 April 2014.  The  planned  dividend  payment  will  increase  by 
around €0.5 million as a result.

There were no other significant events after the reporting date.

•  DHL Automotive Offenau GmbH
•  DHL Express Germany GmbH
•  DHL Express Network Management GmbH
•  DHL Fashion Retails Operation GmbH
•  DHL Foodservices GmbH
•  DHL Freight Germany Holding GmbH
•  DHL Freight GmbH
•  DHL Global Forwarding GmbH
•  DHL Global Forwarding Management GmbH
•  DHL Global Management GmbH
•  DHL Home Delivery GmbH
•  DHL Hub Leipzig GmbH
•  DHL International GmbH
•  DHL Logistics GmbH
•  DHL Solutions Fashion GmbH
•  DHL Solutions GmbH
•  DHL Solutions Großgut GmbH
•  DHL Solutions Retail GmbH
•  DHL Supply Chain (Leipzig) GmbH 
•  DHL Supply Chain Management GmbH
•  DHL Supply Chain VAS GmbH 
•  DHL Trade Fairs & Events GmbH
•  DHL Vertriebs GmbH 
•  DHL Verwaltungs GmbH
•  Erste End of Runway Development Leipzig GmbH
•  Erste Logistik Entwicklungsgesellschaft MG GmbH
•  European Air Transport Leipzig GmbH
•  FIRST MAIL Düsseldorf GmbH
•  Gerlach Zolldienste GmbH
•  interServ Gesellschaft für Personal- und Beraterdienst-

leistungen mbH

•  nugg.ad AG predictive behavioral targeting
•  Werbeagentur Janssen GmbH
•  Williams Lea & TAG GmbH (formerly Williams Lea GmbH)
•  Zweite Logistik Entwicklungsgesellschaft MG GmbH

The  following  companies  make  use  of  the  audit  exemption 

under section 479 A of the UK Companies Act:
•  Applied Distribution Group Ltd.
•  DHL Exel Supply Chain Ltd.
•  Exel Investments Ltd.
•  Exel Overseas Ltd.
•  Fashion Logistics Ltd.
•  Freight Indemnity & Guarantee Company Ltd.
•  Joint Retail Logistics Ltd. (formerly Tibbett & Britten Group Ltd.)
•  Ocean Group Investments Ltd.
•  Ocean Overseas Holdings Ltd.
•  Power Europe Development Ltd.
•  Power Europe Development No 3 Ltd.
•  Power Europe Operating Ltd.
•  RDC Properties Ltd.
•  T & B Applied Ltd.
•  Trucks and Child Safety Ltd.

212

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

Consolidated Financial Statements

Responsibility Statement

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

To  the  best  of  our  knowledge,  and  in  accordance  with  the 
 applicable  reporting  principles,  the  consolidated  financial  state-
ments  give  a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  assets,  liabilities,  financial 
 position  and  profit  or  loss  of  the  Group,  and  the  management 
 report  of  the  Group  includes  a  fair  review  of  the  development 
and  performance  of  the  business  and  the  position  of  the  Group, 
 together with a description of the principal opportunities and risks 
associated with the expected development of the Group.

Bonn, 20 February 2014

Deutsche Post AG
The Board of Management

Dr Frank Appel

Ken Allen 

Roger Crook

Bruce Edwards 

Jürgen Gerdes

Lawrence Rosen 

Angela Titzrath

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

213

 
 
 
Independent Auditor’s Report 

Consolidated Financial Statements

INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 

To Deutsche Post AG 

Report on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We  have  audited  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of 
Deutsche Post AG, Bonn, and its subsidiaries, which comprise the 
income statement and the statement of comprehensive income, the 
balance sheet, the cash flow statement, the statement of changes in 
equity, and the notes to the consolidated financial statements, for 
the business year from 1 January to 31 December 2013. 

Board of ManageMent’s responsiBility for Consolidated 
finanCial stateMents 

The  Board  of  Management  of  Deutsche  Post  AG,  Bonn  is 
responsible  for  the  preparation  of  these  consolidated  financial 
statements.  This  responsibility  includes  that  these  consolidated 
financial  statements  are  prepared  in  accordance  with  the  Inter­
national Financial Reporting Standards, as adopted by the EU, and 
the additional requirements of German commercial law pursuant 
to § (Article) 315a Abs. (paragraph) 1 HGB (“Handelsgesetzbuch”: 
German Commercial Code) and that these consolidated financial 
statements give a true and fair view of the net assets, financial po­
sition  and  results  of  operations  of  the  group  in  accordance  with 
these requirements. The Board of Management is also responsible 
for the internal controls as the Board of Management determines 
are  necessary  to  enable  the  preparation  of  consolidated  financial 
statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due 
to fraud or error. 

auditor’s responsiBility 

Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consol­
idated financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our 
audit in accordance with § 317 HGB and German generally accepted 
standards for the audit of financial statements promulgated by the 
Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer (Institute of Public Auditors in Ger­
many)  (IDW)  and  additionally  observed  the  International  Stand­
ards  on  Auditing  (ISA).  Accordingly,  we  are  required  to  comply 
with  ethical  requirements  and  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  ob­
tain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial 
statements are free from material misstatement. 

An audit involves performing audit procedures to obtain au­
dit evidence about the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated 
financial statements. The selection of audit procedures depends on 
the auditor’s professional judgment. This includes the assessment 
of the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial 
statements, whether due to fraud or error. In assessing those risks, 
the  auditor  considers  the  internal  control  system  relevant  to  the 
entity’s preparation of consolidated financial statements that give 
a true and fair view. The aim of this is to plan and perform audit 
procedures that are appropriate in the given circumstances, but not 
for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the 
group’s internal control system. An audit also includes evaluating 
the  appropriateness  of  accounting  policies  used  and  the  reason­

ableness  of  accounting  estimates  made  by  the  Board  of  Manage­
ment, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consoli­
dated financial statements. 

We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is suffi­

cient and appropriate to provide a basis for our audit opinion. 

audit opinion 

According to § 322 Abs. 3 Satz (sentence) 1 HGB, we state that 
our  audit  of  the  consolidated  financial  statements  has  not  led  to 
any reservations. 

In  our  opinion  based  on  the  findings  of  our  audit,  the  con­
solidated financial statements comply, in all material respects, with 
 IFRSs,  as  adopted  by  the  EU,  and  the  additional  requirements  of 
German  commercial  law  pursuant  to  § 315a  Abs.  1  HGB  and  give 
a  true  and  fair  view  of  the  net  assets  and  financial  position  of 
the  Group  as  at  31  December  2013  as  well  as  the  results  of  oper­
ations for the business year then ended, in accordance with these 
requirements. 

Report on the Group Management Report 

We have audited the group management report of Deutsche 
Post AG, Bonn, for the business year from 1 January to 31 Decem­
ber 2013. The Board of Management of Deutsche Post AG, Bonn, is 
responsible for the preparation of the group management report in 
accordance with the requirements of German commercial law ap­
plicable pursuant to § 315a Abs. 1 HGB. We conducted our audit in 
accordance with § 317 Abs. 2 HGB and German generally accepted 
standards for the audit of the group management report promul­
gated by the Institut der Wirtschaftsprüfer (Institute of Public Au­
ditors  in  Germany)  (IDW).  Accordingly,  we  are  required  to  plan 
and perform the audit of the group management report to obtain 
reasonable assurance about whether the group management report 
is  consistent  with  the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  the 
audit findings, as a whole provides a suitable view of the Group’s 
position and suitably presents the opportunities and risks of future 
development. 

According to § 322 Abs. 3 Satz 1 HGB we state, that our audit 

of the group management report has not led to any reservations. 

In  our  opinion  based  on  the  findings  of  our  audit  of  the 
consolidated  financial  statements  and  group  management  report, 
the group management report is consistent with the consolidated 
 financial  statements,  as  a  whole  provides  a  suitable  view  of  the 
Group’s position and suitably presents the opportunities and risks 
of future development.

Düsseldorf, 20 February 2014

PricewaterhouseCoopers
Aktiengesellschaft
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft

Gerd Eggemann 
Wirtschaftsprüfer 
(German Public Auditor) 

  Dietmar Prümm
  Wirtschaftsprüfer
  (German Public Auditor)

214

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

FURTHER  
 INFORMATION

215 – 224 d

d Further InFormatIondFURTHER INFORMATION

217 

INDEX

218  GLOSSARY

219  GRAPHS AND TABLES

220  LOCATIONS

222  MULTI-YEAR REVIEW

224  CONTACTS

224  PUBLICATION SERVICE

  FINANCIAL CALENDAR

 
Further Information

Index

INDEX

A

F

P

Air freight  17, 23, 26, 28, 34, 67 f., 104

Finance strategy  50 ff., 93, 97, 105, 177

Annual General Meeting  38 ff., 50, 105, 110 ff., 117, 
121 f., 129 ff., 174, 225

Articles of Association  38 ff., 129 f.

Auditor’s report  112, 214

Authorised capital  39, 174, 212

First Choice  22, 31, 35, 84, 92, 96

Free cash flow  59, 73, 123, 150, 167, 190

Free float  72 f., 173

Freight  17, 22, 28, 34, 57, 62, 68, 85, 159, 167

Freight forwarding business  67, 84, 104

B

G

Balance sheet  48, 55, 58, 60, 93, 98, 137, 140 ff., 
144 ff., 149 ff., 155 ff., 164, 166 ff., 191 ff.

Board of Management  1 ff., 22, 38 ff., 43, 50, 73, 77, 
87 ff., 96, 101, 109 ff., 114 f., 116 ff., 123 ff., 141, 174, 191, 
207 f., 210 f., 212 f.

Board of Management remuneration  38, 42, 110, 
121, 123 ff., 207 f., 210 f.

Bonds  41, 52 ff., 59 f., 105, 144, 155, 185 f., 190 ff.

Brands  21, 85 f., 103, 140, 150, 158, 166

C

Capital expenditure  27, 32, 36 f., 43, 50, 56 f., 58, 60, 
81, 96, 105, 120, 158 f., 168, 189, 222

Capital increase  87, 212

Cash flow statement  37, 58, 138, 140, 189 ff., 222

Change of control  24 f., 125

Consolidated net profit  18, 37, 48, 50, 135 f., 138, 139, 
165, 176, 189, 222

Consolidated revenue  18, 36, 48, 49, 135, 141 ff., 149, 
158, 161, 222

Contingent capital  39 f., 174

Contract logistics  17, 21 f., 29 f., 35, 57, 62, 69, 85, 
104, 159, 167

Global Business Services  21 f., 120, 159

Global economy  44 f., 46, 91 f., 101 f., 104

Global Forwarding  17, 22, 26, 28, 34, 57, 62, 67 f., 85, 
110, 159, 167

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT  17, 21 f., 28, 34, 55 ff., 
62, 67 f., 73, 75, 81, 85, 100 f., 105, 119 f., 123, 144, 158 f., 
167, 212, 222

Global Mail  16, 22, 25, 62 f., 64, 85, 103, 159

Global trade  44 f., 46 f., 101 ff., 167

GoGreen  79 f., 81, 83, 106

GoHelp  80

Guarantees  51, 54

I

Illness rate  78

Income statement  135, 140, 144 f., 152, 154 f., 157, 
161 ff., 170, 193 f.

Income taxes  37, 50, 135 f., 138, 145 ff., 156, 160, 
164 f., 223

Investments  27, 32, 36 f., 38, 43, 50, 56 f., 58, 81, 96, 
105, 120, 137, 144, 147, 151, 157, 158 f., 163, 170, 189, 220

Corporate governance  42, 107 ff., 110, 112, 117 ff., 212

L

Cost of capital  36 f., 52, 167

Credit lines  54, 191

Credit rating  51 f., 54 f., 88, 97, 105

D

Declaration of Conformity  110, 112, 117, 212

Dialogue Marketing  16, 21 ff., 24 f., 62 f., 85, 103, 159

Dividend  18, 37, 43, 48, 50 ff., 59 f., 71, 87, 105, 112, 
138, 165, 176, 190, 212, 223

Letters of comfort  51, 54

Liquidity management  53, 97, 191

M

MAIL  16, 21 f., 24 f., 32 f., 43, 48 ff., 55, 57, 62 ff., 73, 
75, 81, 83, 85, 97, 99, 101, 103 ff., 119 f., 123, 140 ff., 
158 f., 167, 212, 222

Mail Communication  16, 22 f., 24, 62 f., 83, 85, 103, 159

T

Mandates  116

Market shares  23 f., 27 f., 30, 33, 55

E

Earnings per share  18, 48, 50, 71, 135, 145 f., 165, 223

N

EBIT after asset charge  31, 36 f., 43, 50, 101, 106, 123 f.

Net debt  18, 60 f., 97, 175, 223

Employee opinion survey  31, 37, 43, 74, 106, 110, 
117, 123

Net gearing  61, 175, 223

Net interest cover  60 f.

E-Postbrief  24, 83, 95, 103, 218

Equity ratio  60 f., 175, 223

EXPRESS  17, 21 f., 26 f., 33 f., 43, 50, 55 ff., 60, 62, 65 f., 
72, 75, 80 f., 84 f., 99, 101, 103, 105, 119 f., 123, 143 f., 
158 f., 167, 212, 223

Net working capital  36 f., 50 f., 58, 68, 167

O

Ocean freight  17, 23, 28, 34, 67 f., 92, 104

Oil price  45, 102

Operating cash flow  18, 31, 37, 43, 51 f., 58, 62, 106

Opportunity and risk management  88 ff.

Outlook  43, 101 ff.

Parcel Germany  16, 22, 25, 32 f., 43, 57, 62 ff., 73, 75, 
83, 85, 92, 94, 99, 101, 103, 105, 159

Pension Service  16, 22, 62, 85, 159

Press Services  16, 22, 24 f., 62 f., 85, 103, 159

Price-to-earnings ratio  71, 223

Profit from operating activities  18, 36, 43, 48, 50, 
62, 135, 138, 144, 158 f., 222

Q

Quality  17, 21, 27, 30, 32, 34, 74, 81, 83 ff., 95, 99, 103, 
110, 118

R

Rating  51 f., 54 f., 88, 97, 105

Regulation  22, 47, 55, 94, 206 f.

Responsibility statement  213

Retail outlets  16, 22, 25, 33, 62, 64, 83, 159

Return on sales  18, 33, 36, 48, 62, 64, 66, 68, 70, 223

Revenue  18, 24, 33, 36, 43, 48 f., 53, 62 ff., 94, 103 f., 
134, 141 ff., 143, 149, 158 ff., 161, 222

Road transport  23, 28, 79 f., 104

S

Segment reporting  158 f., 161

Share capital  38 ff., 173 f., 208, 211

Shareholder structure  73

Share price  71 f., 186, 207 f.

Staff costs  36, 49, 76, 135, 145, 153 f., 160, 162, 183, 
207, 223

Strategy  31 ff., 79, 85 f., 99 f., 104, 109 f., 113, 121

Supervisory Board  38 ff., 42, 50, 87, 109 ff., 113, 116 ff., 
123 f., 129 ff., 174, 207, 210 ff.

Supervisory Board committees  109 ff., 113, 117, 
119 ff., 129 f.

Supervisory Board remuneration  42, 129 ff., 210 f.

SUPPLY CHAIN  17, 21 f., 29 f., 35, 43, 48 f., 55 ff., 62, 
69 f., 73, 75, 85, 92, 100, 104 f., 119 f., 123, 143, 158 f., 
162, 167, 172, 222

Tax rate  146, 223

Trade volumes  46 f., 102 ff.

Training  33 f., 74, 76 f., 96

W

WACC  36 f., 52, 167

Williams Lea  17, 21 f., 29 f., 57, 62, 69 f., 85, 104, 116, 
159, 167, 223

Working capital  36 f., 50 f., 58, 64, 66, 68, 81, 106, 
167, 189

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

217

 
Glossary

Further Information

GLOSSARY

Cross-border mail (outbound)
All outbound international mail.

Dialogue marketing
Market-orientated activities that apply direct 
 communications to selectively reach target groups 
using a personal, individualised approach.

e-Postbrief
A secure and reliable means of online communication 
that can be delivered both electronically and by 
traditional mail.

Federal Network Agency (Bundesnetzagentur)
German national regulator for electricity, gas, tele-
communications, post and railway.

Maxibrief
Letter measuring a maximum of 353 × 250 × 50 mm  
and weighing up to 1,000 g.

Packstation
Parcel machine where parcels and small packages 
can be deposited and collected around the clock.

Paketbox
Parcel box for franked parcels and small packages 
(maximum dimensions: 50 × 40 × 30 cm).

Postal Act (Postgesetz)
The purpose of the German Postal Act, which 
took  effect on 1 January 1998, is to promote postal 
competition through regulation and ensure the 
nationwide provision of appropriate and sufficient 
postal services. It includes regulations on licensing, 
price control and the universal service.

Preferred periodical
A press product of which more than 30 % consists 
of journalistic reporting.

Price-cap procedure
Procedure whereby the German Federal Network 
Agency approves prices for certain mail  products. 
The agency approves prices on the basis of par-
ameters it stipulates in advance, which set the 
 average changes in these prices within baskets 
of services defined by the agency.

Standard letter
Letter measuring a maximum of 235 × 125 × 5 mm 
and weighing up to 20g.

Standard periodical
A press product of which no more than 30 % consists 
of journalistic reporting.

Targeting
Target-specific advertising on websites aimed 
at achieving the highest possible advertising 
 effectiveness.

Aftermarket logistics
Logistics services for manufacturer exchanges, 
returns and repairs.

Intermodal transport
Transport chain combining different modes of trans-
port, often road and rail.

B2C
The exchange of goods, services and information 
between companies and consumers.

Lead logistics provider
A logistics service provider who assumes the organisa-
tion of all or key logistics processes for the customer.

Block space agreement
Freight forwarders or shippers enter into block 
space agreements with airline companies which 
 provide them with defined freight capacities on 
a regular flight against payment of a fee.

Business process outsourcing
Outsourcing specific business functions to a third- 
party service provider.

Less than container load (LCL)
Loads that will not fill a container and are consolidated 
for ocean transport.

Less than truckload
Shipment weighing approximately three tonnes that 
is smaller than a full truckload and consolidated 
with other senders’ and / or receivers’ shipments into 
one load for transport.

Collect and return
Goods are picked up from end users at different 
addresses, transported to the predetermined repair 
company, collected after repair and returned to the 
end user.

Maintenance, Repair & Operations
The product relates to the supply of goods which 
do not become part of the end product but are 
consumed during maintenance, repair and general 
operations processes. 

Contract logistics
Complex logistics and logistics-related services along 
the value chain that are performed by a contract 
logistics service provider. Services are tailored to 
a particular industry or customer and are generally 
based on long-term contracts.

Medical Express
The transport of time-critical or temperature-critical 
medical shipments such as blood and tissue samples 
to medical facilities, hospitals, laboratories or 
research institutes, usually related to clinical trials 
of new medications. 

Day Definite
Delivery of shipments on a specified day. 

DHL Customer Solutions & Innovation (DsI) 
A unit in which we merged our key account manage-
ment, Global Customer Solutions (GCS), our innovation 
unit, DHL Solutions & Innovation (DSI), and our 
 strategic sector management in order to deliver on 
our customer promise and to bundle all cross- 
divisional DHL activities. 

e-fulfilment
Fulfilment services for the e-commerce market.

Full truckload
Complete capacity of truck is utilised, from sender 
to receiver.

Gateway
Collection point for goods intended for export 
and for further distribution of goods upon import; 
 customs clearance point.

Hub
Collection centre for the trans-shipment and 
 consolidation of flows of goods.

Inbound logistics
Supply of manufacturing and assembly locations.

Inbound-to-manufacturing
The procurement of goods and their transport from 
the place of origin/manufacture to the production line.

Multimodal transport
Combines a minimum of two different means of trans-
port for a shipment, such as air, sea, rail and ground.

Part truckload
Shipment that does not constitute a full truckload but 
is transported from point of departure to destination 
without trans-shipment.

Same Day
Delivery within 24 hours of order placement.

Supply chain
A series of connected resources and processes from 
sourcing materials to delivering goods to consumers.

Time Definite
Delivery of time-critical shipments for which the day 
or time of delivery has been specified or guaranteed.

Transported Asset Protection Association (tapa)
A forum that unites manufacturers, logistics providers, 
freight carriers, law enforcement authorities and 
other stakeholders with the common aim of reducing 
losses from international supply chains.

Twenty-foot equivalent unit (teu)
Standardised container unit, 20 feet long, 8 feet wide 
(6 × 2.4 metres).

218

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
Further Information

Graphs and Tables

GRAPHS AND TABLES

01 

Selected Key Figures 

18

A.39  Capex by region 

a 

GROUP  MANAGEMENT REPORT

General Information

A.01  Organisational structure  
of Deutsche Post DHL 

A.02  Market volumes 

A.03  Domestic mail communication market, 

 business customers, 2013 

22

23

24

A.40  Capex and depreciation, amortisation  
and impairment losses, full year 

A.41  Capex and depreciation, amortisation  

and impairment losses, Q 4 

A.42  Capex by segment 

A.43  Operating cash flow by division, 2013 

A.44  Selected cash flow indicators 

A.45  Calculation of free cash flow 

A.46  Selected indicators for net assets 

A.04  Domestic dialogue marketing market, 2013  24

A.47  Net debt 

A.05  Domestic press services market, 2013 

A.06  Domestic parcel market, 2013 

A.07  International mail market  

(outbound), 2013 

A.08  European international express market,  

2011: top 4 

A.09  The Americas international express  

market, 2011: top 4 

A.10  Asia Pacific international express market, 

2011: top 4 

A.11  Air freight market, 2012: top 4 

A.12  Ocean freight market, 2012: top 4 

A.13  European road transport market, 2012:  

top 5 

A.14  Logistics and value-added services  
along the entire supply chain 

A.15  Contract logistics market, 2012: top 10 

A.16  Strategic approaches 

A.17  Strategic priorities by division 

A.18  EBIT calculation 

A.19  EAC calculation 

A.20  Net asset base calculation 

A.21  Calculation of operating cash flow 

Report on Economic Position

A.22  Forecast / actual comparison 

25

25

25

27

27

27

28

28

28

29

30

31

32

36

36

36

37

43

A.23  Global economy: growth indicators in 2013  44

A.24  Brent Crude spot price and euro / US dollar 

exchange rate in 2013 

A.25  Trade volumes: compound annual growth 

rate 2012 to 2013 

A.26  Major trade flows: 2013 volumes 

A.27  Selected indicators for results  

of operations 

A.28  Consolidated revenue 

A.29  Development of revenue, other operating 

income and operating expenses 

A.30  Consolidated EBIT 

A.31  Total dividend and dividend per no-par  

value share 

A.32  EBIT after asset charge (EAC) 

A.33  Net asset base (unconsolidated) 

A.34  Finance strategy 

A.35  FFO to debt 

A.36  Agency ratings 

A.37  Financial liabilities 

A.38  Operating lease liabilities by asset class 

45

46

47

48

49

49

50

50

50

51

52

52

55

55

56

A.48  Key figures by operating division 

A.49  Mail Communication: volumes 

A.50  Dialogue Marketing: volumes 

A.51  Parcel Germany: volumes 

A.52  Mail International: volumes 

A.53  EXPRESS: revenue by product 

A.54  EXPRESS: volumes by product 

A.55  Global Forwarding: revenue 

A.56  Global Forwarding: volumes 

A.57  SUPPLY CHAIN: revenue by sector, 2013 

A.58   SUPPLY CHAIN: revenue by region, 2013 

Deutsche Post Shares

A.59  Deutsche Post shares: multi-year review 

A.60  Peer group comparison: closing prices 

A.61  Share price performance 

A.62  Shareholder structure 

A.63  Shareholder structure by region 

Non-financial Figures

A.64  Selected results from the employee  

opinion survey 

A.65  Number of employees 

A.66   Employees by region, 2013 

A.67  Staff costs and social security benefits 

A.68  Apprenticeship schemes  

Deutsche Post DHL, worldwide 

A.69  Idea management 

A.70  Employees with a disability  

(Deutsche Post AG) 

A.71  Gender distribution in management, 2013 

A.72  Work-family balance 

A.73 

Illness rate 

A.74  Occupational safety 
A.75  CO2 e emissions, 2013 
A.76  Fuel and energy consumption 

A.77  Procurement expenses, 2013 

A.78  Brands and business units 

A.79  Marketing expenditures, 2013 

Opportunities and Risks

A.80  Monte Carlo simulation 

A.81  Opportunity and risk management process  89

Expected Developments

A.82  Global economy: growth forecast 

102

b 

CORPORATE  GOVERNANCE

B.01  Members of the Supervisory Board 

B.02  Committees of the Supervisory Board 

B.03  Mandates held by the Board  

of Management 

B.04  Mandates held by the Supervisory Board 

113

113

116

116

B.05  Remuneration paid to the Group Board  

of Management in 2013: cash components  126

B.06  Remuneration paid to the Group Board  

of Management in 2013: share-based 
 component with long-term incentive  
effect 

126

B.07  Remuneration paid to the Group Board  

of Management in 2012: cash components  127

B.08  Remuneration paid to the Group Board  

of Management in 2012: share-based  
component with long-term incentive  
effect 

B.09  Pension commitments under the previous 

system in financial year 2013:  
individual breakdown 

B.10  Pension commitments under the previous 
system in the previous year (2012):  
individual breakdown 

127

128

128

B.11  Board of Management pension commit-

ments under the new system in financial  
year 2013: individual breakdown 

129

B.12  Board of Management pension commit-

ments under the new system in the previ-
ous year (2012): individual breakdown 

B.13  Remuneration paid to Supervisory Board 

members in 2013 

B.14  Remuneration paid to Supervisory Board 

members in 2012 

B.15  Variable remuneration paid to Super-
visory Board members for 2010 

c 

 CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS

C.01 

Income Statement 

C.02  Statement of Comprehensive Income 

C.03  Balance Sheet 

C.04  Cash Flow Statement  

C.05  Statement of Changes in Equity 

d 

FURTHER  INFORMATION

D.01  Deutsche Post DHL around the world 

D.02  Key figures 2006 to 2013 

129

130

131

132

135

136

137

138

139

220

222

56

56

56

57

58

58

59

60

61

62

63

63

64

64

65

65

68

68

69

69

71

72

72

73

73

74

75

75

76

77

77

77

77

78

78

79

79

80

81

85

86

89

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

219

 
Locations

Further Information

LOCATIONS

D.01  Deutsche Post DHL around the world 1

Americas

Antigua and Barbuda

Argentina

Aruba

Bahamas

Barbados

Belize

Bermuda

Bolivia

Brazil

British Virgin Islands

Canada

Cayman Islands

Chile

Colombia

Costa Rica

Dominican Republic

Dutch Antilles

Ecuador

El Salvador

Guadeloupe 

Guatemala

Haiti

Honduras

Jamaica

Martinique

Mexico

Nicaragua

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Puerto Rico

St Lucia

Trinidad and Tobago

Uruguay

USA

Venezuela

Europe

Albania

Austria

Belgium

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Bulgaria

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

Ireland

Italy

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Macedonia

Malta

Netherlands

Norway

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

Serbia

Slovakia

Slovenia

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Ukraine

United Kingdom

1  Countries according to the list of shareholdings, which can be accessed on the website 

 dpdhl.com/en/investors.

220

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
Further Information

Locations

D.01  Deutsche Post DHL around the world 1

Middle East and Africa

Algeria

Angola

Bahrain

Benin

Botswana

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Central African Republic

Chad

Democratic Republic  
of Congo

Egypt

Ethiopia

Gabon

Gambia

Ghana

Guinea

Iran

Iraq

Israel

Ivory Coast

Jordan

Kenya

Kuwait

Lebanon

Lesotho

Liberia

Libya

Madagascar

Malawi

Mali 

Mauretania

Mauritius

Morocco

Mozambique

Namibia

Niger

Nigeria

Oman

Qatar

Republic of Congo

Republic of Equatorial 
Guinea

Réunion

Saudi Arabia

Senegal 

Sierra Leone

South Africa

Swaziland

Tanzania

Togo

Turkey

Uganda

Asia Pacific

Australia

Bangladesh

Malaysia

Myanmar / Burma

Brunei Darussalam

Nepal

Cambodia

China

East Timor

Fiji

French Polynesia

New Caledonia

New Zealand

Pakistan

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Singapore

South Korea

Sri Lanka

Taiwan

Thailand

Vietnam

United Arab Emirates

India

Yemen

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Indonesia

Japan

Kazakhstan

Laos

Macau

1  Countries according to the list of shareholdings, which can be accessed on the website 

 dpdhl.com/en/investors.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

221

 
Multi-Year Review

Further Information

MULTI-YEAR REVIEW

D.02  Key figures 2006 to 2013

€ m

Revenue

MAIL

EXPRESS 

LOGISTICS

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT

SUPPLY CHAIN

FINANCIAL SERVICES

SERVICES

Divisions total

2006 
adjusted

2007 
adjusted

2008 
adjusted

2009 
adjusted

2010 
adjusted

2011 
adjusted

2012 
adjusted

2013 

15,290

13,463

24,405

–

–

9,593

2,201

14,569

13,874

–

12,959

14,317

–

–

14,393

13,637

–

14,179

13,718

–

–

13,912

9,917

–

11,243

12,183

–

–

13,913

11,111

–

14,341

13,061

–

–

13,973

11,691

–

15,118

13,223

–

–

13,972

12,778

–

15,666

14,340

–

–

14,452

12,712

–

14,838

14,277

–

–

64,952

55,719

55,927

47,255

52,426

54,005

56,756

56,279

Corporate Center / Other (until 2006: Consolidation;  
until 2007: Corporate Center / Other and Consolidation)

Consolidation

Total (continuing operations)

Discontinued operations

Profit / loss from operating activities (eBIt)

– 4,407

–1,676

–

60,545

–

–

54,043

10,335

MAIL

EXPRESS 

LOGISTICS

GLOBAL FORWARDING, FREIGHT

SUPPLY CHAIN

FINANCIAL SERVICES

SERVICES

Divisions total

Corporate Center / Other (until 2006: Consolidation;  
until 2007: Corporate Center / Other and Consolidation)

Consolidation

Total (continuing operations)

Discontinued operations

2,094

288

751

–

–

1,004

–229

3,908

–36

–

3,872

–

– 557

–

2,133

1,060

–393

0

– 966

– 871

Consolidated net profit/loss for the period

2,282

1,873

–1,979

Cash flow/investments / depreciation, amortisation  
and impairment losses

Total cash flow from operating activities

Total cash flow from investing activities

Total cash flow from financing activities

Investments

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment losses

Assets and capital structure

Non-current assets

Current assets 

Equity (excluding non-controlling interests)

Non-controlling interests

Current and non-current provisions

Current and non-current liabilities 1

Total assets

3,922

–2,697

– 865

4,066

1,771

5,151

–1,053

–1,787

2,343

2,196

1,939

– 441

–1,468

3,169

2,662

26,074

25,764

20,517

191,624

209,656

242,447

11,220

2,732

14,233

20,850

11,035

2,778

12,276

21,544

7,826

2,026

10,836

242,276

217,698

235,420

262,964

1,782

–3,235

54,474

11,226

2,179

–2,194

–

362

– 920

–

–

1,527

–2,581

46,201

1,634

1,302

–2,340

51,388

–

1,260

–2,436

52,829

–

1,203

–2,447

55,512

–

1,251

–2,445

55,085

–

1,391

–790

–

174

–216

–

–

1,120

1,107

497

–

383

231

–

–

916

–

440

362

–

–

1,048

1,110

–

514

419

–

–

1,226

1,133

–

483

441

–

–

1,976

–272

–

409

577

–

–

2,690

– 573

559

2,231

2,825

3,091

3,283

–328

0

231

–24

693

– 584

–2,710

1,676

1,444

1,620

22,022

12,716

8,176

97

9,677

16,788

34,738

–395

–1

1,835

–

–389

0

2,436

–

– 423

–3

2,665

–

– 421

–1

2,861

–

2,630

1,266

1,762

2,211

1,927

8

–1,651

1,276

1,296

24,493

13,270

10,511

185

9,427

17,640

37,763

2,371

–1,129

–1,547

1,880

1,274

21,225

17,183

11,009

190

9,008

18,201

38,408

–203

2,994

–1,697

–1,772

1,199

2,032

1,339

21,568

12,289

9,019

209

8,978

15,651

33,857

–110

1,494

1,341

21,366

14,112

9,857

191

8,460

16,970

35,478

222

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Further Information

Multi-Year Review

2006 
adjusted

2007 
adjusted

2008 
adjusted

2009 

2010 

2011 

2012 
adjusted

2013 

Employees / staff costs  
(from 2007: continuing operations)

Total number of employees  
(headcount including trainees)

Full time equivalents

as at 
31 Dec.

as at 
31 Dec.

520,112

512,147

512,536

477,280

467,088

471,654

473,626

480,006

463,350

453,626

451,515

424,686

418,946

423,502

428,129

435,285

Average number of employees (headcount)

507,641

500,252

511,292

488,518

464,471

467,188

472,321

479,212

Staff costs

Staff cost ratio 2

Key figures revenue / income / assets  
and capital structure

Return on sales 3

Return on equity (ROE) before taxes 4

Return on assets 5

Tax rate 6

Equity ratio 7

Net debt (+) / net liquidity (–) (Postbank at equity) 8

Net gearing (Postbank at equity) 9

Dynamic gearing (Postbank at equity) 10

Key stock data

(Diluted) earnings per share 11

Cash flow per share 11, 12

Dividend distribution

Payout ratio  
(distribution to consolidated net profit)

Dividend per share

Dividend yield (based on year-end closing price)

(Diluted) price / earnings ratio 14

€m

% 

% 

% 

% 

% 

% 

€m

%

years

€

€

€m

%

€ 

%

18,616

17,169

18,389

17,021

16,609

16,730

17,770

17,785

30.7

31.8

33.8

36.8

32.3

31.7

32.0

32.3

6.4

21.6

2.0

19.7

6.4

3,083

21.4

1.4

1.60

3.28

903

47.1

0.75

3.3

14.3

3.9

8.6

0.9

14.0

5.9

2,858

20.4

1.0

1.15

4.27

1,087

78.6

0.90

3.8

20.4

–1.8

– 9.0

– 0.4

–

3.7

0.5

3.0

0.2

5.4

23.8

3.6

29.8

5.1

6.9

28.3

2,466

–1,690

–1,382

23.7

0.7

–1.40

1.60

725

–

0.60

5.0

– 8.5

–25.7

–1.4

0.53

– 0.48

725

112.6

0.60

4.4

25.5

–14.8

– 0.7

2.10

1.59

786

30.9

0.65

5.1

6.0

4.6

15.2

6.4

23.7

29.2

– 938

– 9.1

– 0.4

0.96

1.96

846

72.7

0.70

5.9

12.4

4.8

23.6

7.4

20.2

27.3

1,952

17.5

– 9.6

1.30

– 0.17

846

51.6

0.70

4.2

12.8

5.2

26.7

8.3

14.0

28.3

1,481

12.8

0.5

1.66

2.48

967 13

46.2

0.80 13

3.0

16.0

Number of shares carrying dividend rights

millions

1,204.0

1,208.2

1,209.0

1,209.0

1,209.0

1,209.0

1,209.0

1,209.0

Year-end closing price

€

22.84

23.51

11.91

13.49

12.70

11.88

16.60

26.50

1  Excluding liabilities from financial services. 

2  Staff costs / revenue. 

3  EBIT / revenue. 

4  Profit before income taxes / average equity (including non- 

controlling interests). 

5  EBIT / average total assets. 

6  Income taxes / profit before income taxes. 

7  Equity (including non-controlling interests) / total assets. 

8  From 2006: excluding financial liabilities to minority shareholders of Williams Lea. From 2008: 

 Group Management Report, page 61. 

9  Net debt/net debt  

and equity (including non-controlling interests). 
was used for the calculation. 

10  Net debt / cash flow from operating activities. 

11  The weighted average number of shares for the period 

12  Cash flow from operating activities. 

13  Proposal. 

14  Year-end closing price / (diluted) earnings per share.

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

223

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Published on 12 March 2014. 

ENGLISH TRANSLATION
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The English version of the 2013 Annual Report of  Deutsche Post DHL 
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Further Information

Financial Calendar

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

2014

INTERIM REPORT  
JANUARY TO MARCH 2014
15 May 2014

2014 ANNUAL  GENERAL  MEETING  
(FRANKFURT AM MAIN)
27 May 2014

DIVIDEND PAYMENT
28 May 2014

INTERIM REPORT  
JANUARY TO JUNE 2014
5 August 2014

INTERIM REPORT  
JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 2014
12 November 2014

2015

2014 ANNUAL REPORT
11 March 2015

INTERIM REPORT  
JANUARY TO MARCH 2015
12 May 2015

2015 ANNUAL  GENERAL  MEETING  
(FRANKFURT AM MAIN)
27 May 2015

DIVIDEND PAYMENT
28 May 2015

INTERIM REPORT  
JANUARY TO JUNE 2015
5 August 2015

INTERIM REPORT  
JANUARY TO SEPTEMBER 2015
11 November 2015

Deutsche Post DHL 2013 Annual Report

 
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